NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, SURAT, MARCH 30
Several people are not adhering to the lockdown norms in place for the coronavirus outbreak and some are even carrying tomatoes while out on a walk to fool authorities, Gujarat Director General of Police Shivananad Jha said on Monday.
He said stern action would be taken against those seen outdoors without any valid reason, which could also include seizure of vehicles.
“We have seen that some people in cities are not maintaining social distancing. People were seen playing cricket, sitting in common areas or even taking a walk holding some tomatoes, just to prove they are out to buy vegetables. The police will not tolerate this,” Jha told reporters in Gandhinagar.
He asked shopkeepers to start home delivery services or a token system to ensure there is no crowding to buy vegetables.
“In the last 24 hours, we have arrested over 2,500 persons for lockdown and home quarantine violations. Instead of keeping them in lock-ups, which may be harmful in the present situation, they are usually being granted bail at the police station itself,” he said.
Gujarat Tamils open hearts, purse strings to help the needy
In Gujarat, Ahmedabad Tamil Sangam has been distributing food bags each containing 5 kg wheat flour, 2 kg rice, 1 kg tuar dal, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg salt, 500 ml cooking oil, 5 masala items (100 gms each), lemon or tamarind ready mix, 1 papad pocket to the poor and needy from Monday.
According to an ATS member, all safety measures are being observed while distributing the free kits.
Surat Tamil Sangam has also extended its helping hands by delivering essential food items to the jobless and needy.
The state prison authorities have distributed food bags to all the prisoners who have been released on parole to decongest prisons following the coronavirus outbreak.
