Police take out flag march after complaints of curfew violations

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 2

Following complaints about shopkeepers and ration depots openly flouting home delivery norms and selling items at their shops without following social-distancing, the district police carried out a flag march at many residential colonies in the city on Thursday.

Major violations were seen at Kheri Gujjran and the Urban Estate area where police had to warn residents not to venture out without a valid reason. Cops moving in vehicles were seen making announcements for for maintaining social distancing.

After a few retired army officers complained that people had been queuing up at shops, the police warned shopkeepers of strict action.

“All shops are open only for home deliveries. From now onwards we will take legal action against those flouting curfew norms,” said the police.

Meanwhile, the police have also deployed more men near Government Rajindra Hospital, where isolation ward for Covid-19 patients has been set up. The step was taken in the wake of a suspected patient trying to flee from hospital on Tuesday.

The Patiala SSP, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, said they had been lenient with people going out for medicine or any important item. “However, with the cases now on the rise, we have instructed cops on duty to ensure that at no given place people get too close to each other,” the SSP added.