Hyderabad: When the clock started ticking in the direction of the evening clock, patrol cars of the Telangana police came on the street at 20:00 to strictly apply the night clock that has been applied since Tuesday evening to Covid-19 virus.
Hours after General Secretary Somesh Kumar issued the orders to enforce night time from 21:00 to 05:00, police personnel in their patrol cars visited commercial establishments under their respective jurisdictions and informed shopkeepers of the orders issued by the government to Covid distribution.
Using portable public systems, police explained to the shop owners that they must comply with the safety standards and close the shops at 20:00, as prescribed by the government in the GO Ms No87 issued on Tuesday.
According to GO, offices, businesses, shops, restaurants and other establishments must be closed by 20:00, except for hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and pharmacies, as well as those dealing in essential products.
Stern action against offenders
Seeking the cooperation of shopkeepers, a police patrol team from the Marredpally Police Department asked them to help with the effective application of the night clock in the greater interest of people. The team also explained the GO 87 and warned against strict action against offenders.
Senior police officers said staff gave instructions to be ‘soft’ while applying the night clock as it was the first day. At the same time, officials advised staff to be careful and take the necessary safety precautions while on duty.
It is believed that more than 1 000 people from the police department tested Covid positive in the second wave. A large number of police personnel were affected by the virus while being locked up last time.
During a video conference with the series of Inspector-General of Police (IGs), police commissioners and district inspectors of the police, Director-General of Police Mahendar Reddy asked officials to ensure that shops place their shutters at 20:00.
“There should be no arrogance towards people,” he said. He asked officials to inform people about the evening clock rules by involving various associations and stressed the fact that goods should not be stopped.
Those who are exempt from the evening clock exemption must show their valid identity cards while traveling. Mahendar Reddy said the police should follow the instructions of the state commission regarding the municipal election campaign.
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COVID-19: Telangana sets night clock until 1 May
Night clock in force in Hyderabad
Source: Telangana Today