Call for 2-day janata curfew from today

Nagpur: Mayor Sandip Joshi and municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Friday appealed for a two-day janata curfew in city on July 25 and 26 to curb the spread of coronavirus. People have been urged to voluntarily stay indoors during the shutdown. All markets and shops, except those dealing in essentials, will be closed on these two days.
“If citizens do not follow Covid-19 guidelines, the administration will have no other choice but to impose complete lockdown for at least 15 days,” warned the mayor and municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe in a joint press conference on Friday.
The decision was taken in a meeting convened by Joshi, which was attended by Rajya Sabha member Vikas Mahatme, Congress MLA Vikas Thakre, MLAs Mohan Mate, Vikas Kumbhare, MLC Pravin Datke, deputy mayor Manisha Kothe, standing committee chairman Vijay Zalke, municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, joint commissioner of police Nilesh Bharne, and additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi among others. It discussed whether NMC should impose a new lockdown or not in view of rising Covid-19 cases.
“If a curfew-like lockdown is imposed, common man will suffer was the general opinion during the meeting,” Joshi said. He, however, agreed that during his recent visits to markets he had seen most people behaving irresponsibly and violating guidelines.
It was also decided that between July 27 and 30, elected representatives along with administration will visit their constituencies to create mass awareness urging people to follow Covid-19 rules religiously. During these days Joshi and Mundhe will move together appealing people to use face masks and follow Covid distancing while venturing out. The mayor maintained the lockdown will not stop the spread of coronavirus.
Describing it as the need of the hour, joint commissioner of police Nilesh Bharne asked everyone in the city to support the step. He, however, clarified that during the two-day janata curfew, police will not enforce rules strictly. No penal action will be taken against violators, clarified the mayor.
MLA Thakre told TOI a 15-day lockdown would affect common people the most. “If a complete lockdown is to be enforced, NMC should then ensure all citizens have food to eat,” he said. Similar was the opinion of other people attending the meeting.
Joshi said a review meeting on whether citizens had adopted behavioural changes or not will be held on July 31. If response is poor, the administration will have no other option but to impose a complete lockdown, he said. Joshi also started an awareness rally from Satranjipura zone on janata curfew.
City police chief BK Upadhyay said that police will follow the triple ‘AAA’ policy of awareness, appeal and assist the citizens in observing the janata curfew over the weekend to break the corona chain. “There would be no coercive action or punitive approach from our side. Our strategy would be to assist citizens to observe janata curfew as it is their decision to impose such restrictions,” said the police chief.
“We will barricade all entry points — eight octroi nakas — of the city and heavy police bandobast will also be in place across the city, especially at bigger intersections,” Bharne said.
He said 364 police officers, 2,300 police personnel, 343 homeguards and two platoons of SRPF and five riot control teams will be on vigil.
FACT OF THE MATTER
* None of the elected representatives are in favour of lockdown as it will affect daily wagers the most. However, it was decided to work together to break the chain by ensuring citizens follow the Covid-19 rules
* From July 27, for the next four days, all people’s representatives will visit different parts of the city to create awareness
* Mayor Sandip Joshi and municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe called for janata curfew on July 25 and July 26, saying no citizen, barring those in essential services, should get out of the house.
What is closed
Kirana shops
Clothes shops
Mobile shops
Electrical shops
Hardware shops
What is open
Medical stores
Vegetable shops
Milk shops
Petrol pumps
Water, garbage collection services