The Prime Minister on Tuesday announced a nationwide lockdown in view of the increasing cases of the coronavirus or COVID-19 across the country. Maharashtra is the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak with 125 positive COVID-19 cases, as of March 26.
Despite the increasing cases of the coronavirus and the directives given by the centre and state government, there have been reports that people are stepping out unnecessarily. However, the reaction of police has been to lathi-charge these people.
Reacting to this, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday stated that strict action will be taken against those who attack health workers and police while hinting that he would not hesitate to deploy the Army to control the crowd.
“In the USA, they have taken help of their Army to enforce the lockdown. Don’t compel us to do the same. It is our responsibility that we don’t reach that stage,” the media reports quoted Ajit Pawar as saying.
Pawar added that the health workers and police are working hard to stop the spreading of the coronavirus or COVID-19 and an attack against them will not be tolerated. Those guilty will be punished as per provisions of the law, Ajit Pawar asserted.
Pawar made these remarks during a meeting with other ministers and top officials. The Deputy CM also stated that the essential services will remain functional and the supply of milk, vegetables and other essential items will remain available during the 21-day lockdown.
Ajit Pawar, however, said that the crowding at market places is problematic. “The local municipalities should arrange doorstep delivery of essential items like it has been done in Baramati and Wai,” said Pawar.
Earlier, there have been incidents reported where people have been travelling in milk vans, people running over policemen with their vehicles and people attacking doctors and workers.
In Vasai, a man drove his motorcycle straight into the policeman to avoid being stopped. The policeman got injured while in Malegaon hospital people beat up doctors and even policemen.
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