Walk to shop alone; thousands of vehicles being seized by cops to maintain lockdown!

The city police are seizing vehicles of people who are found violating prohibitory orders for “silly reasons”. Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao is directing all citizens to walk to their grocery stores rather than use two or four wheelers. So far, over 5000 two wheelers, over 300 four wheelers, and over 200 three wheelers have been confiscated for this violation.

Reprimanding everyone, the top cop has announced on social media that this is no April Fool’s joke. The state government extended the lockdown from the midnight of March 31 to 12am on April 14, as the earlier order was only for a week. Following the centre’s orders, the government only fulfilled this formality yesterday. However, the cops are coming down heavily on the violators of the curfew.

Only those who have a valid licence, such as suppliers of essential items, are allowed to travel across the city. Following the announcement, several residents tweeted to Rao that there is a large movement of vehicles in some areas of Indiranagar, Jayanagar, Bannerghatta Road, and BTM 2nd Stage.

While some residents applauded the move, there were others who had misgivings about the new rules. “I can get groceries by walk, but I can’t roll multiple 20L cans for 2 to 3kms,” retorted Jithin Ramesh. “The shop guys don’t deliver to our homes anymore.” Mukesh added to this by saying, “We have community water filtration centers, and people fill up their 20L jars… it’s about 2km from home. Normally, I use a two-wheeler to carry them.”

Amy Annervaz urged the cops to use the Kerala model: “Why not have people write an affidavit about where and why they are out, like medical /grocery shop. If they are caught somewhere else other than the specified place, seize the vehicle. Denying people their basic needs is harassment.”

Senior citizens, the physically-challenged and even blood donors asked the top cop for relaxing the rules for them. However, parents whose children are stuck at relative’s place before the lockdown are asking for leniancy too. “Please consider children as priority! Very young children are stuck with relatives, no permission being given for parents to get them back!” requested Dileep Kasturi. Several residents also stated that the nearest medical shop was 2-3 kilometres. Being senior citizens, it was difficult for them to fetch their tablets on foot, and requested the top cop to publish a list of instances where people are allowed to use their vehicles.

However, as the top cop has said that the movement of vehicles is prohibited for “silly reasons”, the residents need not fear harasment if they have a genuine reason to use their vehicles. But in case, they are still harassed, they can always tweet the commissioner and let him know, so others are not troubled in the same manner.

Importantly, if you have any medical emergency, you can call 100. The police commissioner assures everyone that the cops will ferry you to the hospital and also bring you back home after the checkup, vaccination, or treatment.