Lockdown: People travelling from B’luru to M’luru will be allowed if they have a genuine reason, says Compol

Mangaluru: City police commissioner N Shashi Kumar on Sunday urged the people to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government to contain the spread of infection in the state.

He said a majority of people are strictly following the government order.

Strict action will be taken against those violating the directions. The department is not using force on the public within the city, he said, adding it is monitoring the situation and working on humanitarian grounds at checkpoints.

The Commissioner said travellers coming from the railway stations and airport can use their tickets as passes.

In case of violation, police have booked cases and seized the vehicles.

Kumar said he has directed the police personnel to follow Covid appropriate behaviour.

People travelling from Bengaluru to Mangaluru will be allowed if they have a genuine reason.

The commissioner said 150 home guards have been deployed in the city so far.

Kumar also clarified that all the ‘passes’ issued by political parties and leaders, police or even non-governmental voluntary organizations will not remain valid and any one in possession of them will get any exemption during the lockdown.

“Only emergency travel and needs will be allowed exemption,” he added.

Later in the evening, Shashi Kumar said, “It has come to my notice that there is some confusion among people regarding three issues. First, about the use of private vehicles to fetch essentials between 6 am and 9 am. As much as possible, buy your essentials from shops in your neighborhood. You can use your vehicles if necessary.” As per the order, there is no restriction on using private vehicles from 6 am to 9 am.

“Secondly, the guidelines clearly state that private vehicles cannot be used to go out and buy food parcels for any reason. Kindly follow this order,” he said. Food parcels can only be delivered by restaurants themselves or by delivery agents of food aggregators like Swiggy and Zomato.

The police commissioner further said, “Thirdly, the district administration and the industries department have instructed industries within Mangaluru and outskirts to arrange vehicles to ferry their employees themselves. Arrangements have already been made in this regard. Wherever it has not been possible to arrange company vehicles, employees can show their id proofs and travel in their private vehicles.”