Hyderabad: Police in Telangana have begun cracking down on those who do not wear masks in public places, despite orders issued by the state government.
Police in Peddapalli District have imposed a fine of at least Rs each on at least 54 people who violated the order on masks.
A police officer said anyone found without a mask would be fined Rs 1000. Action has already been taken against the perpetrators in Peddapalli, Godavarikhani and Sultanabad, within the limits of the Ramagundam Police Commissariat.
The offenders will have to pay the penalty in the courts. Police have appealed to people to strictly follow the mask rule and prevent them from being penalized.
Concerned about the increase in Covid-19 cases, the state government issued new guidelines on March 27 making it mandatory for people to wear masks while walking out in public places. It is said that those who violate the dictatorship will undergo severe punishment, even imprisonment.
The order issued by General Secretary Somesh Kumar made the obligation of masks in all public places, workspaces and public transportation across the state mandatory.
“Any deviation in this regard will be prosecuted in terms of sections 51 and 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 and section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (disobedience to the order duly promulgated by the civil servant),” the order reads.
In terms of sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, someone who prevents an officer or employee from performing service will be found, for a term of imprisonment, which may extend to one year or fine, or both.
The state government instructed the district collectors and commissioner / supervisor of the police to strictly implement the use of masks.
However, there has been almost no action by the police during the past four days to apply the mask regulation. Not many people in the capital and districts are seen wearing masks.
There were only a few cases of authorities imposing fines on offenders. Authorities in the Secunderabad Cantonment area fined a supermarket Rs 2000 for failing to comply Covid-19 norms, including staff not wearing masks.
Police have launched an awareness campaign in the state about wearing masks. They advised people to hide themselves or get a fine.
Anjani Kumar, Hyderabad Police Commissioner, said they were trying to make the public aware of the need to wear masks in light of the possible second wave of Covid.
Police have offered programs in some places with artists wearing masks to make people aware.
Mahesh Bhagwat, Rachakonda Police Commissioner, warned that those not wearing masks would be prosecuted and that fines of Rs 1,000 would be imposed.
Source: The Siasat Daily