Masks off: It was leisure time during curfew

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: The first day of the 55-hour weekend curfew has drawn a mixed response. The state government had imposed the curbs in the wake of rise in Covid-19 and the new variant Omicron.

On Saturday, while most people stayed indoors, the Bengaluru police seized 798 vehicles across the city for flouting the curfew norms.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra accompanied by Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant and Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Sandeep Patil took to the city rounds on Saturday to inspect and ensure the Covid-induced curfew protocols are followed. The officials visited areas such Goraguntepalya, Nayandahalli junctions, JP Nagar, Dairy Circle, Wilson Garden, Double Road, Hudson Circle and Majestic.

“Consider health as your primary concern. We are still suffering the consequences of the second wave of the pandemic. We should not repeat the same mistakes and give any option for the third wave to harm us,” the Home Minister explained to the local people in the city.

Despite the Bengaluru police warning people to adhere to the curfew and strictly monitoring the areas, some groups were still seen flouting the Covid-19 norms without even wearing the face masks. The deserted city roads even turned exotic locations for some youngsters who love taking selfies and stadiums for the local cricket lovers.

Many carried masks in their pockets and chose to wear them only when they were confronted by authorities to avoid paying fines, while there were also people who threw caution to the wind and did not have masks at all. Some even blamed the scorching heat as a reason for not wearing the masks.

“The fear factor is lost. People tend to think that Covid-19 is just a fever and it has become difficult to convince them about the harm that the virus can do,” a policeman posted near Chandra Layout said. Many are seen wearing masks on their chin or clutching one in their hands even in crowded areas such as the K.R. Market. “Some of us underwent Covid-19 tests, fortunately the reports turned negative,” a vendor told News Trail.

People who seem ignorant towards the rules are giving a hard time to the city police. However, the police said that they do not take immediate action on anyone seen roaming around during the restricted hours. “We do not fine all of them; many of the people we confront are daily-wage labourers who cannot afford a mask. For them, we hand out a mask and tell them the importance of wearing one,” an official attached to Shivajinagar police station in the city, said.

Even during the night curfews imposed from 10 pm to 5am, the Bengaluru traffic police seized more than 394 vehicles during the restricted hours. P Ravi Kumar, chief secretary and chairman of state executive committee had warned of legal action under section 188 of IPC, and other legal provisions for anyone found violating curfew norms.