FACT CHECK: Videos of large crowd in old city circulated with misleading timestamps

Netizens claim that people have violated the lockdown and gathered in large numbers in Old City after for Eid shopping.

"Total lockdown is in Telangana. Relaxation is from 6 am to 10 am. But in the old city of Hyderabad, no rules and regulations", reads the claim.

FACT CHECK:

In Telangana, the lockdown relaxation period is from 6 am to 10 am. All shops and activities are permitted to function from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. During this period, citizens are allowed to move around while maintaining social distancing and wearing a mask.

According to a report by NDTV, a huge crowd gathered at Charminar yesterday for Eid shopping during the relaxation period. ANI agency also tweeted that people thronged markets at Charminar ahead of Eid. Several people were found walking around without maintaining social distance and a few were without masks.

However, it should be noted that this gathering took place during the relaxation hours and not after 10 am time or at 1.03 p.m. as timestamped in the viral video. NewsMeter spoke to a few locals at Old City and found that people gathered only during relaxation hours.

The Hindu spoke to a few photographers who dismissed the videos by measuring the shadows. "The shadow is falling to the right of people walking towards Charminar from Gulzar Houz, proving that the sun is in the east. The video would be shot between 9 am or and 10 am not later than that".

In response to the tweets and false claims circulating, Hyderabad city police tweeted a video of the current situation in Old City. The video is dated May 12, 2021 is time-stamped: "Madina to Charminar 1 pm". It shows empty streets. The tweet states that strict lockdown is being implemented in Old city.

Hyderabad city police also tweeted that in view of lockdown Anjani Kumar, Commissioner of Police (CP), visited a few check posts. Kumar said security is being monitored by a senior officer at all the important junctions in Hyderabad City during the lock-down.

Telangana Home Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali has said no more than four people can offer prayers at any mosque during Ramzan, Eid-ul-Fitr, or Friday prayers. No public gatherings would be allowed in open places and people must offer prayers inside their homes, he said.

While safety measures were not taken into consideration yesterday, the videos are viral with misleading timestamps. Crowds only gathered till 10 am and after that lockdown rules were imposed.

Evidently, it is clear that strict lockdown is being followed in Old City, Hyderabad. The video is viral with misleading timestamps.