Police act tough across state, citizens complain of caning

Police act tough across state, citizens complain of caning

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  11.05.2021 

Aggressive policing marked the start of the new two-week lockdown in Karnataka on Monday. There were reports of police teams caning people found outside without a valid reason in Bagalkot, Gadag, Dharwad, Kalaburgi, Belagavi, Ramanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Tumakuru districts. In north Karnataka, such incidents mainly occurred near vegetable markets and railway stations after 10am.

Long queues of vehicles were seen at checkposts in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi as many families tried to return to their hometowns. At several places, police personnel urged them to turn back.

In Bengaluru, authorities set up more than 300 checkpoints, including some in residential areas, to stop the non-essential movement of people and vehicles. “We are paying more attention to sending people back than seizing their vehicles,” said a senior officer. Citizens on the way to seek medical care or vaccination were allowed to proceed after they showed relevant documents.

Some people tried to mislead officials. A two-wheeler rider who was stopped near Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed he was a doctor. He had stuck a board stating ‘Doctor Covid-19 duty’ on his vehicle. When pressed for answers, he revealed he was a member of the housekeeping staff at a private hospital. A youngster driving an SUV with an MLC sticker on the windshield was flagged down near the stadium. He claimed that the car belonged to an MLC, but failed to name the legislator. Police seized the vehicle as he didn’t have a driving licence. Thirty men were caught roaming around in Koramangala.

After a 14-day curfew, the state government announced a stricter lockdown to slow the alarming spread of coronavirus infections that have strained the healthcare system. While free public movement is banned, certain industries have been allowed to operate with riders. The government notification permitting in situ construction that doesn’t involve calling workers from outside led to confusion on Monday. Police across the state came across labourers being taken to construction sites. Such groups were stopped.

“May is the time when construction activities move into top gear. A lot of work has to be completed before the monsoon sets in. The government has allowed construction by workers already at the site. But they have to move around to get materials,” said an engineer supervising a site in Bengaluru Rural.

Though the government has allowed delivery of essential items ordered online, many delivery agents complained that police beat them up. “Our colleagues were harassed by police when they were delivering orders in locations such as Kamakya-Banashankari, Sultanpalya, Mattikere, Shastrinagar, Kodigehalli and Ramamurthynagara. All the incidents took place between 10am and noon,” said Ravi Raj G from OTPxpress.