KOLKATA: More than 130 people, who had stepped out of their homes without wearing masks, were arrested on Tuesday - two days after the state government had issued an order making it compulsory for everyone to cover their mouths and noses with clothes while being out on roads.
While 37 persons were arrested in the central division, mostly from the areas like Posta and Taltala, 32 others were arrested in South division, mainly from the Kalighat and Bhowanipore areas.
Around 20 people were arrested in the south east division and 12 others were arrested in south west division, mainly from Haridevpur and Behala markets.
The violators were booked under IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and section 66 of Kolkata Police Act (committing offences in public streets). With both the sections being bailable, they were let go after paying a penalty and were also given masks to wear before leaving.
At the places like Tollygunge, Thakurpukur and Kalighat, where arrests were not made, cops stopped people entering grocery markets without masks. In other areas like Lake Market, cops took the offenders to local outpost and warned them of arrest, if they make the mistake again.
“We are following the chief minister’s instruction to be strict but not to overdo something that can multiply people’s suffering. Hence, we had been campaigning across the city from Monday, asking everyone to wear masks while going out on emergency. From now, we will not allow anyone to step on the road without a mask and take necessary action if required,” said a senior officer at Lalbazar.
At the Naka check points in front of Alipore Zoo, Behala police station, Hazra crossing, Rasbehari Avenue crossing, Esplanade, Ultadanga, Girish Park and MG Road crossings, cops ensured everyone inside the cars had put on masks, apart from checking their relevant documents and emergency reasons for stepping out during the lockdown. If anyone was found not wearing a mask, cops made them take a U-turn and sent them back to the direction, from where they had come. Meanwhile on Tuesday, Kolkata Police commissioner Anuj Sharma sent a new directive to OCs and additional OCs asking them to ensure that strict adherence to social distancing is maintained at markets and bylanes.
“The OCs and additional OCs will be held accountable if cameras and drones catch violations,” said a Lalbazar top brass officer.
According to sources, each area has been divided among the additional CPs and joint CPs to keep a close watch. “There were reports of several non-essential item shops opening in specific areas. The saloons were the biggest offenders. Thus, we have taken action against all such offenders at Garfa and Shyambazar areas,” said another senior officer. On the road, the bigger nakas were coordinated with smaller ones that came up inside the bylanes across Chitpur, Cossipore, Bhowanipore and Ballygunge. Senior police officers kept sharing drone footages of sensitive areas like Metiabruz and images of multiple zones, from where the complaints of lockdown violation had been reported in the last few days.
“The study of the photographs taken by the drones helped us strategize for the coming days. We have also decided to involve the association members of some big highrises to put up adequate posters regarding market rules in their respective compounds,” said another officer at Lalbazar.
While 37 persons were arrested in the central division, mostly from the areas like Posta and Taltala, 32 others were arrested in South division, mainly from the Kalighat and Bhowanipore areas.
Around 20 people were arrested in the south east division and 12 others were arrested in south west division, mainly from Haridevpur and Behala markets.
The violators were booked under IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and section 66 of Kolkata Police Act (committing offences in public streets). With both the sections being bailable, they were let go after paying a penalty and were also given masks to wear before leaving.
At the places like Tollygunge, Thakurpukur and Kalighat, where arrests were not made, cops stopped people entering grocery markets without masks. In other areas like Lake Market, cops took the offenders to local outpost and warned them of arrest, if they make the mistake again.
“We are following the chief minister’s instruction to be strict but not to overdo something that can multiply people’s suffering. Hence, we had been campaigning across the city from Monday, asking everyone to wear masks while going out on emergency. From now, we will not allow anyone to step on the road without a mask and take necessary action if required,” said a senior officer at Lalbazar.
At the Naka check points in front of Alipore Zoo, Behala police station, Hazra crossing, Rasbehari Avenue crossing, Esplanade, Ultadanga, Girish Park and MG Road crossings, cops ensured everyone inside the cars had put on masks, apart from checking their relevant documents and emergency reasons for stepping out during the lockdown. If anyone was found not wearing a mask, cops made them take a U-turn and sent them back to the direction, from where they had come. Meanwhile on Tuesday, Kolkata Police commissioner Anuj Sharma sent a new directive to OCs and additional OCs asking them to ensure that strict adherence to social distancing is maintained at markets and bylanes.
“The OCs and additional OCs will be held accountable if cameras and drones catch violations,” said a Lalbazar top brass officer.
According to sources, each area has been divided among the additional CPs and joint CPs to keep a close watch. “There were reports of several non-essential item shops opening in specific areas. The saloons were the biggest offenders. Thus, we have taken action against all such offenders at Garfa and Shyambazar areas,” said another senior officer. On the road, the bigger nakas were coordinated with smaller ones that came up inside the bylanes across Chitpur, Cossipore, Bhowanipore and Ballygunge. Senior police officers kept sharing drone footages of sensitive areas like Metiabruz and images of multiple zones, from where the complaints of lockdown violation had been reported in the last few days.
“The study of the photographs taken by the drones helped us strategize for the coming days. We have also decided to involve the association members of some big highrises to put up adequate posters regarding market rules in their respective compounds,” said another officer at Lalbazar.
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