Parental pet foods is an excuse for people to escape curfew
Nagpur: “Going to buy food for my cat” and “On the way to take my parents to the hospital” were among the few reasons that people gave when caught violating the curfew on Tuesday, to escape police action. Most people detained by police, however, said they were out because of a medical problem or for family members to buy medication.
Police held a tight bandobast across town on Tuesday. Some could be seen wandering around the area, however, saying they were on some significant job. TOI spotted some people bringing with them a strip of medicine or a bottle, saying they were out buying the medication.
There were also several police using unusual tactics to punish violators. A video that also went viral on social media on Tuesday showed Narendra Hiwre, senior PI at Lakadganj police station, asking some violators to do sit-ups without a legitimate reason for violating curfew.
A cop posted for bandobast at Chhatrapati Chowk said most people said they would be buying medication or some household products. “So many people are out on the streets, we drive those wandering away without any real reason. After seeing their credentials we have let go of government workers, “the cop said.
During nakabandi, a biker stopped telling cops his dog was starving for two days and he should buy him dog food. Cops stopped him initially but later let him go. Another citizen who stopped at Chhatrapati Chowk said that he was going to his parents ‘ house because they didn’t feel well and he was going to take them to hospital.
One individual stopped near Suyog Nagar square telling cops that he was on his way to a fourteenth-day ritual for a late relative.
“Others held medical papers that appeared years old at times. The people are breaking the curfew in the name of a medical emergency, but even when we knew some were lying, we had to let them go, “another cop said at Sitabuldi Chowk.
“Several people also brought bags and said they’d buy groceries. We’re letting them go,’ a senior cop said.
