3,666 vehicles seized during lockdown in Thane, motorists give silly reasons to be out

Nishikant Karlikar | TNN | Apr 21, 2020, 18:57 IST

A police barricade in place after a nationwide lockdown was enforced in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak, in Thane.

A police barricade in place after a nationwide lockdown was enforced in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak, in Than...Read More

THANE: As many as 3,666 vehicles were seized for flouting the curbs since the lockdown under the jurisdiction of Thane city police commissionerate.
A police official said that they had warned citizens to follow the directions and stay home in the backdrop of Covid-19 threat, but many such motorists are still driving on the road citing reasons as lame as out due to craving for ice creams.
According to the data of police till Friday, the total number of vehicles seized is 3,666 and these shall be given back once the lockdown is over.
Manohar Awhad, a traffic police inspector pointed out, “During the lockdown, the motorists driving vehicles think that the traffic rules are relaxed, which is not the case and hence they even face penalty for not wearing helmet, seat-belt, etc.
Most of the cops on the street stopping the vehicles to inquire as to what prompted them to step out often leave them stunned.
"The most common reason to be out on road during the lockdown is going to medical store to fetch medicines. When asked for a prescription, they do not have it," said a police officer.
Other common reason to be out is withdrawing the cash from the ATM.
“I asked a man who came driving in a high end car where he was heading. He said he was going to withdraw cash and flashed the ATM card. When he came back I asked for the text message where he withdrew only Rs500,” said an officer from Thane nagar police station.
Another reason is going to the general store. “I intercepted a teenage boy riding a bike near Manpada. He promptly pulled out a shampoo sachet worth Rs 1 , saying that he hasn’t had a hairwash since the lockdown hence he was going to wash his hair,” said a policeman.
Some of them come out saying they have to purchase vegetables and carry a bunch of coriander or 3-4 pieces of vegetables to show it, lamented another cop.