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.