Lockdown doesn't seem to work, enforce curfew: Maharashtra Minister Jitendra Awhad

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Maharashtra government has imposed section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) till March 31 appealing the public to stay indoors in order to stop the spread of the deadly virus. 

However, there have been reports of citizens venturing out on the streets freely with their vehicles causing traffic jams in parts of the city. There was a huge jam at Thane-Mulund toll Naka, Sion and other places. Several Twitter handles also shared the images and videos of the same bringing this to the notice of Maharashtra Chief Minister. 

Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad also took to Twitter to share the photos of traffic jam on Mumbai roads despite section 144 in place across the state. 

“The situation is serious but people are not taking it seriously. I walked around and realised that people don’t listen. The number of positive cases of COVID-19 has increased to 89,” Jitendra Awhad tweeted while appealing Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to ban communication. 

“Considering the situation (traffic jam), curfew should be strictly imposed as it is the only solution,” Awhad said. 

In another tweet with photos of traffic jam, Jitendra Awhad said that CM Uddhav Thackeray’s work is being appreciated but people are not listening. 

“Look at the photos. People have no idea how serious the situation is. Lockdown doesn’t seem to work. Enforce curfew,” Awhad tweeted. 

⁦@OfficeofUT⁩ तुमच्या कामाची प्रशंसा होते आहे पण काही जण गंभीर नाहीत खालचे फोटो बघा
संकट किती भयंकर आहे ह्याची कल्पना काही लोकांना नाही
लॉक डाउन ने भागेल असे वाटत नाही
संचार बंदी लागू करा pic.twitter.com/0sPQMlIRi4

— Dr.Jitendra Awhad (@Awhadspeaks) March 23, 2020

The Maharashtra government imposed section 144 of CrPC in the state and urged people to stay home while putting restrictions on public transportation. Mumbai Local services have been suspended till March 31. Only medical, grocery shops and essential service establishments are functional. 

Earlier, Maharashtra Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope asserted that the state has not entered the community spread phase and informed that 14 new cases were tested positive for the coronavirus. With this, the number of positive coronavirus cases in Maharashtra has risen to 89. 

Also Read - Don't Play With Others Health, Stay Indoor: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray