Mobile vegetable shops a boon for villages in districts

TNN | Mar 27, 2020, 04.42 AM IST

Trichy: M Mohamed Saleem, 46, who has been selling vegetables at the weekly markets in Trichy, has converted his mini truck into a mobile vegetable shop to cater to the needs of villages around Trichy and Pudukottai.

He says people in the city can take their motorcycles to the neighbourhoods to purchase vegetables from markets. But for many villagers, cities have become inaccessible in the absence of public transport.

Mohamed along with his wife purchases vegetables from Gandhi market and sell them in a few villages on the outskirts.

Mohamed is not alone in the business, there are many in the area who are running such mobile vegetable shops. “Villages do not have access to markets now,” said M Rajesh from Mullupatti near Avur. Such mobile vegetables shops are of good help, he said.

S Ramalingam, 45, owner of another mobile vegetable shop, said that they have been spreading awareness on Covid-19. “We will try to keep the price low, but the state government must ensure that supply of vegetables to markets is not affected, which may lead to price hike,” he said.

“Many villages are hesitant to venture out of their house fearing police action. Such mobile shops, in a way have reduced the number of people outdoors,” said T Ramakishanan from Thiruverumbur.

Ministers in Salem zero in on home districts

TNN | Mar 26, 2020, 04.01 AM IST

SALEM: Ministers from Salem region on Wednesday chaired a meeting with their home district administrations to take stock of preparedness to fight Covid-19 outbreak.

Talking to the media, School education minister K A Sengottaiyan said Erode district administration has made all the arrangements contain the pandemic. “The two Covid-19 positive patients are being provided treatment and four of their close contacts are being monitored , despite them being tested negative for the virus.”

Pointing out that 1,118 people from 295 families had come into contact with the Covid-19 patients, the minister said all of them were under home quarantine and being monitored by health officials thrice a day.He said the district was prepared to handle 363 Covid-19 patients at a time in its government and private hospitals.

Electricity minister Thangamani said the state government had allotted Rs 2.5 crore for Namakkal district to fight Covid-19. “The district administration had identified 293 people who have returned from abroad. Of them, 230 are under quarantine, while the remaining have completed the same.”

Higher education minister K P Anbalagan said in Dharmapuri 69 people had returned from abroad. “Of them, 19 were in China. A total 47 people are still under quarantine. The district GH has the facility to handle 370 Covid-19 patients,” he said.

It was a complete disregard for law in Salem region

TNN | Mar 26, 2020, 04.59 AM IST

SALEM: In a complete disregard for the state government’s efforts to contain Covid-19 outbreak by imposing Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, people in Salem region on Wednesday took to streets in large numbers as usual.

While Salem city police booked 10 motorists for violating Section 144 and registered another 1500 cases of traffic violation, a total of 54 people were arrested across Namakkal district for violating Section 144. Namakkal superintendent of police R Arularasu said people had gathered in large groups in various places of the district.

Talking to TOI, Salem city police commissioner T Senthil Kumar said strict action would be taken against the people who violate CrPC section in the coming days. “Since it was the first day of curfew, we warned the public, especially motorists, when they came out on roads. Ten of them were booked under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code.”

He said many motorists had taken to the streets for jolly rides while the entire nation was fighting Covid-19 outbreak. “I have directed police personnel to check medical prescriptions and identity cards of road users. Those who fail to produce relevant documents will have to face the law.”

Meanwhile, district collector S A Raman ordered closure of all kinds of tea shops and bakeries from 6pm on Wednesday. He also warned them of strict criminal action, if they were to remain open.

In a few places, including Sathyamangalam in Erode district and Salem city, police personnel resorted to lathi-charge to send out a strong message to the motorists

A senior district administration official in Erode said bikers, especially college students, were coming out of their houses without any valid reasons.

Only 4 relatives attend burial of TN’s first Covid-19 victim

TNN | Mar 26, 2020, 04.04 AM IST

Madurai: The body of the 54-year-old man from Anna Nagar in Madurai city, who died on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment for Covid-19, was laid to rest at a burial ground in Melamadai early in the morning.

His wife, son and two brothers were the only relatives around when the body was taken to the grave.

It was around 2 am that health minister C Vijayabaskar declared the man, who was admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), dead. He said the patient had a medical history of prolonged illness with steroid-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and uncontrolled diabetes with hypertension.

The body was shifted directly to the burial ground from GRH around 3.30 am after the authorities completed the hospital procedures. The body was alighted from the hearse van and kept at the ground for an hour until the work of digging the pit was complete.

Other than the family members, a police team from Madhichiyam station which accompanied the body, was also present. There was no medical team or sanitation officers during the burial, which was completed by 5 am.

Meanwhile, the district administration locked down all the ways leading to the street where he was hailing from using barricades fastened with ropes. All the people from 60 houses on the street have been kept under watch. In addition, one street on either side of the particular street has also been locked down. Barricades have been erected at least at eight places to make sure that no one leaves the place or an outsider goes in, police sources said.

Only the residents are allowed to enter, that too after showing proof of residency in the street. One member from the family is allowed to purchase essential articles like milk and groceries from stores available there itself.

Man, 24, in isolation camp ‘escapes’ to meet girlfriend, brought back by cops

TNN | Mar 27, 2020, 04.08 AM IST

Madurai: A 24-year-old Dubai returnee, who was sent for isolation at the Chinna Udaippu camp near the Madurai airport, escaped from there to be with his girlfriend on Wednesday night . However, cops traced him to a village near Sivaganga and brought him back . A case was registered against the youth, said police.

The man was identified as Vijay, 24, from Keelapoongudi village in Sivaganga district. He reached Madurai airport via Delhi airport recently and was found to have symptoms consistent with Covid-19. He was isolated in the camp along with eight others, police said.

As he was found missing, health officials went into panic mode on Wednesday evening. Based on a complaint from the health officials, the Avaniyapuram police traced him using his mobile number to a village near Sivaganga.

Inquiries revealed that he had gone to meet his girlfriend. As the girl’s family were against their relationship, she escaped from her house and the two met at a place. Just when they were planning to get married at a temple, the police picked him up and the girl was sent back to her family, police said.

After the incident, the kidnap complaint filed by the girl’s family was withdrawn. Police sources said that health officials from Sivaganga district have asked the family members to keep the girl in isolation for a few days.

12 held, vehicles impounded for violating curfew orders

TNN | Mar 27, 2020, 04.25 AM IST

Madurai: The city police have arrested 12 people for roaming in the city by violating the curfew orders clamped down by the district administration to prevent the spread of Covid-19. They were arrested under sections 188 of the IPC (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. Police also booked 364 vehicle owners and impounded 297 vehicles for violations. A total of Rs 1.22 lakh as fine was levied under Section 179 of the Motor Vehicle Act (Disobedience of orders, obstruction and refusal of information.

S Karumugilan, 37, from Nataraj Nagar was arrested for violating the curfew. He had circulated a message in WhatsApp portraying the police in bad light. He also criticized curfew measures. Police sources said the message, which was sent to many, was encouraging people to come out on the streets.

Police also arrested two more people identified as G Eswarapandian,19, from Ellis Nagar and P Vijayanagendran, 40, from Tahsildar Nagar for wandering unnecessarily at Bypass Road-Kennet Road junction and Mahaboobpalayam respectively on Wednesday. Police tightened control in order to bring down the movement of vehicles as a precautionary measure. Petty cases were registered against those who violated curfew .

They closed all major roads and bridges in the city using barricades and everyone was questioned. Only those who gave convincing replies were allowed to cross the barricades. Even government vehicles were not spared as they were stopped to check whether they were used for official purpose. Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) K Sugumar said that instructions were given to book jolly rides under petty sections. Vehicles of those who involved in repeated offences were impounded in order to send a strong message. While vehicles leaving the city were left without any questioning, only essential vehicles were allowed inside the city.

Select shops to deliver groceries at doorstep

TNN | Mar 27, 2020, 04.56 AM IST

Madurai: The best thing that the district administrations can do to prevent people from crowding in shops is to ensure door delivery of goods, and they are taking steps to ensure the same.

A shopkeeper at Anna Nagar in Madurai said that they were finding it difficult to supply goods owing to the panic buying, as people used to buy essential commodities in large quantities. Now, the corporation has enlisted shops, which could deliver goods, and also roped in volunteers to deliver goods.

Sugumar of K K Nagar said that he thought of doing something useful for the society in the crisis and approached shops to deliver goods. It is only if they have an ID and a local address. This was made mandatory because only people having ID’s given by the corporation authorities could deliver goods. Kumar, a shopkeeper, says that they may approach more volunteers if the situation demands.

A few customers are asking for bulk orders for apartments, and in that case auto rickshaws are being roped in for home delivery. The customer would have to pay the auto charge in addition to the price of the goods. All these operations are expected to begin on Friday, according to corporation sources. But, all delivery personnel will have to wear masks and gloves. Vehicles used for delivery would have to be disinfected.

Dindigul district collector M Vijayalakshmi has said that four markets would be set up at Palani Road Lorry Terminal, Mettupati ground, Nagal Nagar Bharathipuram Market and SMPM School near the Round Road for the convenience of people. These markets would start functioning from March 27. People from villages can also make use of these markets.

The district administration has also put out a list of whatsapp numbers, which will help public get their grocery delivered at their doorsteps to ensure that they did not crowd in the shops. Shops have been identified to be common for many wards of the Dindigul Corporation. For example the Kannan Departmental Store with the whatsapp number 8489943093, could be useful to the people living in ward numbers 1 to 5, 36 to 40, villages under Settiyanayakkampatti panchayat and N S Nagar.

Such arrangements have been made for all the 48 wards in the Dindigul Corporation. She has said that all the vehicles to be used for home delivery would be disinfected and the delivery personnel equipped with protective gear.

Tuticorin and Tirunelveli district administrations have also made similar arrangements. In Tirunelveli, people can order from Pothy’s Super Market, Big Bazaar and Reliance Shop, between 9am and 4pm. Rs 25 would be added as delivery charge to each delivery, Tirunelveli corporation has said.