Chennai: The city police have tightened the rules and are strictly monitoring that people don’t step out of their houses unnecessarily after lockdown came into force from midnight.
Speaking to News Today, a senior police official said, ”Nine check posts have been set up at city borders to ensure no vehicle enters Chennai other than those carrying essential commodities. Section 144 is going on smoothly with the cooperation of Chennai people.”
It is said that there is intensified checking at Teynampet, which has the largest number of people under quarantine. Areas near Central station are also under heightened vigil.”This morning, we stopped a few share autos which were plying with passengers. The vehicles have been seized. Many two-wheelers on the road were stopped and the motorists were questioned”, a police source said.
Ahead of the curfew, a large number of people panicked and began leaving the city. It is estimated that nearly 1.5 lakh would have left yesterday by buses and using their own vehicles. A person who travelled to Madurai yesterday said, ”I saw families on bikes with children and a lot of luggage. Many wanted to reach Trichy, others were going to Madurai. They stopped at many places for breaks as they were not used to long journeys on two-wheelers. There was heavy traffic on the road due to this.”
A few who stepped out of the houses after the curfew said the police were using abusive language while questioning them. Many roads have been barricaded. A mediaperson said police abused him in foul language while he was returning from duty last night.
Sub-Inspector of K K Nagar, Rajaram said,”Some people stepped out of their houses on two-wheelers. We stopped them and explained about the lockdown. Most of them said they wanted to go out and get essentials. Even more shocking was the crowd at the shops. The shops were not providing any masks or hand sanitisers to customers. In fact we have asked the hawkers and vendors to remove their shops only because of lack of hygiene.”
The city police have asked public to not come to the police stations unless it was a serious case.
”Those who have financial dispute related cases can come post the lock down is lifted.” The city police are also doing the service of buying groceries for senior citizens. Last night, many homeless were taken to shelters by the police.
”Everyday our duty begins with going to houses of all those who have come from abroad and are quarantined and asking them stay indoors.”