Telangana: Entry, exit points of all major towns, cities to be closed during lockdown

Hyderabad: A day after Chief Minister K ChandraShekar Rao expressed his dissatisfaction over the manner in which the lockdown is being implemented in the state, the Telangana police swung into action to tighten violators. The cops to seal all internal borders during the clampdown period.

Top police officials on Saturday reiterated the need for proper implementation of lockdown and requested the public to follow the guidelines strictly. Telangana State DGP Mahender Reddy along with CP Rachakonda Mahesh Bhagwat, Malkajigiri DCP Rakshitha Murthy, and other police officials visited the checkpoints in Kushaiguda and Uppal areas under the Rachakonda Commissionerate limits on Saturday to monitor the implementation of the lockdown.

Speaking to the media, the DGP asked business owners to finish loading and unloading goods from vehicles by 9 pm. He also instructed all the shop owners and vegetable vendors to not allow customers after 9.30 am and shut shop by 10 am. He also advised public to visit markets near their homes so that they can come back before lockdown. He further stated that entry and exit points of all major towns and cities across the state will be closed during the lockdown and only permitted vehicles that provide essential services would be allowed.

The DGP warned that all unauthorised vehicles would be seized and returned post lockdown only. "Only emergency vehicles with proper permission are exempted," he added. He advised the public to utilise the relaxation time for procuring groceries and other necessary items and not wander on the roads.

The DGP instructed the companies to adhere to the lockdown guidelines and plan their shift timings accordingly. "Workforce movement during will not be tolerated," he added. "All other vehicles without permission will be seized," he said. The DGP requested the public to observe lockdown strictly, stay home and be safe.

A day before, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Friday directed Director-General Police (DGP), district collectors, and other police officers to strictly implement the lockdown in the state. KCR said the state government has imposed lockdown keeping in view the overall health of the people without bothering about revenue losses.

"The state government has decided to impose lockdown not bothering about the heavy revenue loss to the state. In the present situation, it is the responsibility of the DGP and the Collectors to implement the lockdown in true letter and spirit under the Disaster Management Act guidelines," he said

KCR said except for the four-hour relaxation period, lockdown should be implemented for the rest of 20 hours. Only people having emergency passes and essential services should be exempted. "Don't show any laxity or lenience," he said.

The CM expressed his unhappiness over lockdown not being implemented properly in some districts. He made it clear that lockdown should be implemented in toto. He said Sarpanches and other public representatives are implementing the lockdown voluntarily in the villages. He said in the urban centers, it should be implemented more effectively.

The CM wanted stringent measures to be taken against people roaming on roads after 10.10 AM.