Flying squads of the Corporation and police had a tough time appealing to shops to restrict customers to maintain social distancing as crowd surge in evening in the commercial areas like Ukkadam and Gandhipuram.

The civic body has formed 20 flying squads to monitor and ensure that public and shopkeepers follow COVID-19 norms. Despite constant announcement through loudspeakers, the shopping frenzy crowd appeared least concerned in adhering to the guidelines like wearing masks and ensuring social distancing.

Meanwhile, police have also set up watch towers at intersections to monitor the crowd and keep a watch on thieves. Following multiple complaints from the public on the nuisance from shopkeepers, the police picked up as many as 20 sales staff from shops found blocking the way of public and forcing them to visit their shops. There was some objection from traders to the police crackdown. The arrested persons were then let off on station bail.

In another development, Ukkadam police arrested four persons on charges of attempting to escape after snatching mobile phone of an elderly person in the crowd.

The accused identified as Muthu Muhammed, 38, Guna alias Gunasekaran, 63, Zubair, 35 and Naveen, 28, all hailing from different areas in Coimbatore, took to their heels after snatching away a mobile phone from an elderly person on Big Bazaar Street.

However, the police, who were on duty managed to nab them with the help of the public. Inquiries revealed that they were festive thieves and were operating as a gang in crowded localities over the last few days.

Federation of Traders Associations urged the Tiruchy administration to allow them sell them round the clock on Deepavali eve which would be a huge crowd puller in the region. Ve Govindarajulu, the General Secretary of the Federation, urged the district administration to allow them to do business as usual. He said that the administration should not restrict the sale hours citing COVID.

The Collectors across the central districts urged the people separately to ensure safe and environment friendly Deepavali celebrations and strictly adhere to the orders of Supreme Court on bursting of crackers. According to Tiruchy collector S Sivarasu, the people should celebrate the festival of lights in a safe way and avoid bursting high decibel crackers and use them between 6 am and 7 am and 7 pm and 8 pm.