Karnataka intensifies checks along Maharashtra, Goa border

With cases in villages along the border with Maharashtra and Goa continuing to remain high, police in Belagavi district are sending back travellers, who are either not vaccinated or not carrying Covid-19 negative certificates, from the two neighbouring states. There are 14 checkposts along the border.
In the past week, over 500 cases have been reported in border taluks, particularly in Chikkodi, and this has worried the district administration. District police have intensified checks and are monitoring people arriving at checkposts 24/7. Health workers are also conducting rapid antigen tests (RAT) on commuters.
State home minister Basavaraj Bommai visited the district recently and directed the administration to tighten curbs on inter-state travel. Since then, district police are stopping all vehicles and checking occupants.
So far, over the past week, more than 2,000 people have been sent back at the border for not complying with Covid-19 protocols. Police have even arranged KSRTC buses to drop passengers who neither have negative reports nor vaccine certificates back across the border.
Huge inconvenience
The stringent checks have caused a great deal of inconvenience as thousands of people pass through every day. People mostly travel to attend weddings, family events, and even work. The district police are now prioritising people before granting them permission to enter Karnataka.
At the border, RAT tests are being conducted on people who have no choice but to enter. Laxman Nimbargi, superintendent of police, told TOI they have decided to issue identity cards to daily commuters. “There are many who travel for work every day. We will issue ID cards to them. Others who cannot furnish either negative certificates or vaccination certificates will be sent back,” he said.
People say this has left many who were to be married in a spot of bother. Abay Rajuput, whose wedding was fixed for later this month, told ToI he is keen on his relatives attending, but many have backed out due to the checks. “I want my relatives to come and bless me. But all are in Maharashtra and with the current rule, I can’t expect them to turn up,” he said.