Deserted roads as lockdown begins in TS

Hyderabad Roads wore a deserted look in Hyderabad and the rest of Telangana on Wednesday morning as the 10-day lockdown began across the state to check the spread of Covid-19. The busy markets in Hyderabad are under zero mobility as all the shops and business establishments downed shutters at 10 a.m. People were seen rushing back homes after availing the four-hour relaxation from 6 a.m. to buy the essentials.

Police personnel were patrolling the streets to enforce the lockdown. Wednesday being the first day of the lockdown, police were not strict in enforcing restrictions in the initial hours. This was done to give some time to people to return home. However, from Thursday police plan to take strict action against those found on roads after 10 a.m.

A senior police official said cases would be booked against violators under Disaster Management Act and their vehicles would be seized. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar who was supervising lockdown enforcement at historic Charminar said 180 checkposts were set up in the city to check the movement of vehicles. Senior officials were deployed to ensure strict adherence to lockdown norms.

"Lockdown is important to break the chain of infection. There is good awareness about this among people and they are extending cooperation with the police," the police Commissioner said. Cyberabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar and Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh Bahgwath were also in the field to monitor the lockdown enforcement in their commissionerate limits.