HYDERABAD: As part of stricter implementation of the lockdown, the city police seized 205 vehicles that violated Covid norms laid down by the state government in the South Zone on Saturday. Motorists were seen arguing with policemen at several places in the Old City when their vehicles were seized for violating the lockdown norms. They complained that the police did not allow them to proceed even after showing valid reasons and proof.
Senior police officials were seen in action on roads in different places. Vehicles of those who tried to argue with the police were seized. Several food delivery executives from Zomato and Swiggy, apart from other e-commerce services were caught at Mehdipatnam, Asifnagar, Nampally, MJ Market, Charminar, Mir Alam Mandi, Shah Ali Banda and other places.
Special check posts were established at Madina Circle, Azakhana Zehra Circle, City College, Mir Chowk, Falaknuma, Lal Darwaza, Shah Ali Banda, Hussaini Alam and Bahadurpura Road. At Azakhana Zehra, cops intercepted three transgenders coming on a Scooty. They initially pleaded with the policemen to allow them to proceed, and when their request was refused, they created a scene, the police said. A little later, they were allowed to go, but there was no clarity whether they were booked for violating the lockdown or not.
Syed Ali Jeffery, a resident of Chaderghat, said he was returning home from the hospital after administering chemotherapy to his mother, when he was intercepted at three places at Masab Tank, Koti and Abids. The cops were not ready to verify the prescription and patients. He could not convince them that he was coming from the hospital, he said.
DCP South Zone, Dr Gajarao Bhupal said a special drive was launched on Saturday to ensure strict implementation of lockdown. In the South Zone, 205 vehicles were seized till 4:00 pm and the riders were booked under the Disaster Management Act and Pandemic Act. He said it was observed that the pandemic situation was coming under control after imposing the lockdown. “If we implement lockdown strictly, we can get rid of Corona cases and we hope that the cases will be under control by May end,” he said.
Meanwhile, AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi objected to the police action on vehicle users.
