Weekend curfew in the coastal Karnataka: Unnecessary travel cut down

Mangaluru/Udupi: The weekend curfew began in the twin districts and the rest of the state at 10 pm on Friday, January 7. The curfew will continue till 5 am on Monday morning, as per government orders.

The crowds began to dwindle in the district and taluk centers as well as in the rural areas after 8 pm on Friday. At ten o’clock, roads had a deserted look. In the meantime, police were also seen interrogating some people traveling in cars and two-wheelers beyond the curfew hours. The security has been tightened with barricades coming up in strategic locations.

The bus stands at UdupiMangaluru were all empty. Similar scenes were also observed in taluka centers including Kundapur, Karkala, Sullia, Puttur, Belthangadi, Bantwal.  Regular police patrols were also seen.

Until Monday morning, only a few essential services are allowed to function in the two districts, including emergency services, groceries, food sales, hotels, and parcels, etc. The offices of the government, semi-government, and corporation boards that provide emergency services will be open. Lawyers are allowed to function with 50 percent of staff. KSRTC and private buses will operate normally.

Schools and colleges will remain shut on Saturday, but exams scheduled can go ahead as planned. Inspection and surveillance have also been tightened in checkpoints bordering the two districts.