More cops at check posts as many try to sneak out of city

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:4.5.2020

Police have increased strength at check posts on the outskirts of the city following reports that many people were trying to leave Chennai without valid vehicle passes or supporting documents.

A check post at Vandalur now has a 30-member team headed by a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) to ensure documents are checked faster and vehicles carrying essential items don’t wait for long in queues.

On Saturday, many vehicles tried to get out of the city despite not having passes citing personal reasons; and some even had false documents, said a senior police officer from Chengelpet district. “On an average, 10-15 such vehicles were caught and sent back to Chennai,” he added.

This happened soon after news about lockdown extension was out. Chennai’s Covid-19 figures are on the rise and this could have prompted such attempt, say officers at the check post.

Officials of Greater Chennai Corporation, authorised to issue vehicle passes for interdistrict movement for death, pre-fixed marriages or medical conditions, however, did not witness any sudden rise in number of applications.

On Saturday, 1,357 people applied for leaving Chennai, 292 were approved and the rest rejected, according to official data. This was close to the figures reported every day since the lockdown began on March 24.

Overall, nearly 36,000 applied to leave Chennai during the lockdown period (till May 2) and over two-third of applications were rejected.

Most of the rejections were repeated claims and the applicants didn’t have proper ID cards, supporting documents or a valid reason authorised by the government, to leave Chennai, said a senior corporation official.

To a question on crosschecking of supporting documents submitted by applicants, the official said, “Only a couple of cases have eluded our screening and they were caught at police check posts in other districts. So over 99%, it has gone smooth”.

From Monday, all vehicle epasses will be processed by the corporation through http://tnepass.tnega.org/, he said.

LEFT IN THE LURCH: Guest workers who gathered outside the Pallikaranai police station on Sunday said there has been no communication from the government on when they will be sent back home

Vehicles lined up at Perungalathur police check post