Nagpur: As many as 17 people from across the city have been booked for violating night curfew, that came into force on Tuesday.
Though the state government had announced the night curfew considering the new Covid strain scare in UK, the decision has been taken in view of the ensuing Christmas and New Year celebrations, which may further worsen the pandemic situation in the state.
In commercial areas like Sadar, Sitabuldi, Itwari, Gandhibagh, Mahal, Sakkardara etc, senior police officials took to the streets to ensure enforcement of the night curfew. The cops have also caught many citizens unawares as they took the night curfew announcement very lightly.
Many eating joints, especially restaurants, bars and pubs, were found functioning violating the time limit restrictions as several citizens were seen stepping out of the establishments till late night.
Nagpur city police said the initial focus was on hotels, restaurants and other business establishments that remain open till late night and 17 persons from across the city were booked for venturing out during the seven-hour curfew period.
As most of the eating joints and resorts are situated outside city limits, doubts are being raised if citizens go to such places where no Covid-19 guidelines are being followed. In such condition, the night curfew will defeat its very purpose to break the chain of Coronavirus spread.
To make sure the night curfew remains effective, Nagpur city and rural police have decided to conduct joint operation in their respective jurisdictions. Both city and rural police will ensure no eating joint remains open beyond permissible time limits of 10pm.
The joint action by both city and rural police is part of a decision taken in a meeting convened by divisional commissioner Sanjeev Kumar and attended by district collector Ravindra Thakre, municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B, commissioner of police (Nagpur city) Amitesh Kumar and rural SP Rakesh Ola.
The decisions taken in the meeting will be strictly followed, said Ola. On Day One of the night curfew, police personnel, especially in areas where most eating joints are situated, were seen shutting the shops at 10pm sharp.
Ola said he has already instructed senior inspectors of 22 police stations in Nagpur rural to ensure all eating joints and resorts are closed by 10pm everyday. “While life is almost back to normal during the day time, there is still curfew in place between 11pm and 6am. Unless it is for some medical emergency, people are not supposed to be out during that time,” said the rural SP.
If any hotel or eating joint is found violating the time restrictions, action will be initiated against not only the owners but the concerned police stations also. “We have also formed teams to be deployed at toll booths at Gondkhairi, Mouda, Butibori etc connecting Nagpur city to check all vehicles coming towards the city,” said the SP.