Covid-19 Lockdown: Use of baton not allowed, says B’luru Compol

Team Udayavani, Mar 27, 2020, 6:52 PM IST

Bengaluru: A 21-day lockdown has been imposed across the country by the Centre in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite instructions to stay inside houses, many people are not adhering to it.

In few cases, the police have even resorted to lathi charging of lockdown violators.

On March 27, Bengaluru city police commissioner Bhaskar Rao has instructed the city police personnel that they cannot resort to lathi-charge under any circumstances and directed them to handle all situations patiently.

As per his orders except for the City Armed Reserve (CAR) and the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) personnel, there is no necessity for other police personnel to carry the baton. CAR, KSRP personnel too can use the baton only in most unavoidable circumstances, he instructed.

Newspaper delivery boys should not be pulled up while running their errands, even if they do not have any pass. The police must ensure that social distancing measures are followed at vegetable markets and must not unnecessarily harass the traders there, Rao said.

The Compol also instructed the police to hear grievances of people who have stepped out of their houses in an emergency situation and guide them appropriately.