KCR warns 24-hr curfew, shoot-at-sight orders, deployment of Army

By Newsmeter Network  Published on  24 March 2020 4:54 PM GMT
KCR warns  24-hr curfew, shoot-at-sight orders, deployment of Army

Hyderabad: Expressing anger over reports of people violating orders for a lockdown and continuing to come on to the roads in large numbers, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday threatened to impose a 24-hour curfew, shoot-at-sight orders, and deployment of the Army in the state to bring the situation under control and check the spread of the Corona virus.

Addressing a press conference at the Pragathi Bhavan after reviewing the Corona virus situation in the state with collectors, SPs, and senior officials of all departments in all districts, KCR talked tough against the violators of lockdown orders issued by the government.

"We have made repeated requests to people to stay in their houses during the lockdown period. Despite this, people are flouting norms and coming on to the roads in large numbers, which will give scope for the Corona virus to spread rapidly. If this situation continues, we will be forced to impose a 24-hour curfew, shoot-at-sight orders, and deployment of the Army to bring the situation under control. I request people not to force the government to take these extreme measures and maintain self-restraint by staying in their homes throughout the lockdown period," KCR said.

The Chief Minister said the government has decided to impose "real curfew" from Tuesday which will be in force from 7 p.m to 6 a.m every day. "What you have seen since Sunday was only a lockdown. It was not a curfew. We are now announcing the imposition of a curfew officially from Tuesday. It will be in force from 7 p.m to 6 a.m every day. All shops, businesses, and other establishments should close by 6 p.m. Even if one shop stays open at 6.01 p.m, we will book cases, seize the shops, and cancel their licenses. Similarly, everyone should be home before 7 p.m, else they will face the consequences. If need be, we will also order the closure of petrol pumps," KCR warned.

He reiterated that the Corona virus can be contained in the state only if people cooperate with the government completely and stay indoors. The CM also came down heavily on people with vested interests who are jacking up the prices of vegetables and other essential commodities. "We have received complaints regarding traders jacking up prices of vegetables and essentials indiscriminately. This will be not be tolerated. The government will invoke the PD Act against them and send them to jail. Their trade licenses will be cancelled and they will be blacklisted permanently," KCR said.

He also issued a stern warning to foreign returnees in the state who are violating their home quarantine period. "We have identified 19,313 people who have returned to the state from foreign countries. They are under tight surveillance. They have to remain in isolation either in their homes or at the quarantine centres. But some are deliberately avoiding quarantine and roaming freely. In one case, a foreign returnee escaped quarantine thrice. We are taking this issue very seriously. We have asked officials to seize and suspend passports of those who have violated their quarantine," KCR said.

The Chief Minister also expressed anger at the elected public representatives for not doing their part in the implementation of the shutdown. He asked all 150 GHMC corporators, ministers, MLAs, MLCs, MPs and other local body representatives from state to village level to stay informed of the situation at the ground-level and ensure implementation of shutdown orders in their respective areas with the coordination of the police and other departments.

He asked people to dial 100 and seek help for any kind of medical emergency and said transportation will be provided by the police. He said no other vehicles will be permitted to ply. However, agricultural activity in rural areas will be permitted under restrictions.

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