Shops and establishments are locked down and very few people are coming out of their homes to purchase daily supplies. Roads have been dug to erect barricades and police are manning the once-busy-now –barren streets to prevent any lapses in the lockdown in view of the Coronavirus spread. Police sirens bleating through the silence are becoming a regular affair as patrolling vans are ensuring that everyone is behind doors.
With reports of people violating lockdown, police is resorting to exemplary punishments to ensure the message is loud, clear and far-reaching. In Baliguda area of Kandhamal district, police apprehended some persons who were found to be violating the lockdown and made them stand with placards that read – ‘I am a selfish person, who is risking lives of many for which I am not even feeling guilty.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Aruh-fiA30
On the other hand, people themselves are taking up the cudgels to spread awareness about the coronavirus and social distancing. Without waiting for the administration, people in Patharagadia village on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar have launched awareness drives to sensitise others. Even the administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they reach out to every possible person with the right message. A vegetable market in Malkangiri witnessed rush today morning forcing the administration to sensitise people about the necessity of social distancing to stave off coronavirus spread. Similarly in Chhatrabazaar are of Cuttack, heavy rush was witnessed at markets, as people in large numbers turned up to buy vegetables after PM Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown. This forced the administration to intervene and disperse people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8_hSeq5dmc
In Kendrapara town, the lockdown has forced people to stay behind doors and those coming outside to purchase daily supplies are abandoning their vehicles.
“There are about 300 people living in our colony and we have asked everyone to stay indoors and not venture out unless it is absolutely important. If we don’t become careful in these 21 days, we will end up paying a heavy price,” said a Kendrapara resident.
In Nuapada, the district police are ensuring that the bonded labourers returning from outside the state are properly screened.
Odisha Police has been taking stern action against violators of lockdown guidelines and several persons have been booked.
While Burla Police in Sambalpur arrested one person for violating guidelines during lockdown, another person was arrested for flouting the home quarantine norms. Moreover, 4 persons found roaming in Sambalpur town on two-wheelers were booked and their vehicles have been seized.
Burla Police in Sambalpur regd a case U/S-188/269/270/271 IPC against a person for violating Guidelines on #HomeQuarantine. @SpSambalpur @DIGPNRSAMBALPUR
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
Burla Police in Sambalpur regd a case U/S-188/269/270/271 IPC against a person for violating Guidelines on #COVID19 during Lockdown. #StayHomeStaySafe. @SpSambalpur @DIGPNRSAMBALPUR
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
4 defaulters / found roaming in Sambalpur Town on 2 wheelers. They have violated provisions of lockdown, beyond any doubt, found after due enquiry, by empowered authority. All 4 booked under 188 IPC and MV Act. Both vehicles seized. #7DayOdishaLockdown@odisha_police @CMO_Odisha pic.twitter.com/afjVNGas3T
— SP SAMBALPUR (@SpSambalpur) March 24, 2020
In Kalahandi, Bhawanipatna Town Police arrested one tea seller & another mask seller for violating the COVID19 guidelines. Another person was arrested for spreading rumour on COVID19 on WhatsApp platform in Bhawanipatna town.
Bhawanipatna Town Police in Kalahandi regd a case U/S-188/269/270/271 IPC against one #MaskSeller for violating Govt. Guidelines on #COVID19. @spkalahandi pic.twitter.com/2ZfJ7WYe1v
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
Bhawanipatna Town Police in Kalahandi regd a case U/S-188/269/270/271 IPC against a tea seller at college square for violating Govt. Guidelines on #COVID19. @spkalahandi pic.twitter.com/zl8StnrH1k
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
Bhawanipatna Town Police in Kalahandi regd a case U/S-188/505/506/507 IPC/RW. Sec-54 of Disaster Management Act-2005/ Sec 66-F of IT Act-2000 against one person for spreading rumour on #COVID19 in Whatsapp. @spkalahandi
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
In Kandhamal, a driver was arrested by K Nuagaon Police for violating the guidelines. Moreover, Tikabali Police Station in Kandhamal district has registered cases against six shopkeepers for selling non-essential items during lockdown period and violating govt guidelines. The Model Police Station in the district arrested 11 persons for opening non-essential shops in Phulbani Town during lockdown. In another case, Gochhapada police station in Kandhamal district arrested one groom and his brother for conducting a marriage ceremony in deviation with the lockdown guidelines. Under the Sadar Police limits area of the district, a case was registered against a fast food shop owner for violating Govt. guidelines on COVID19.
K.Nuagaon PS in Kandhamal arrested a driver for violating Guidelines on #COVID19. @spkandhamal pic.twitter.com/M5KVsmlDuS
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
Tikabali PS in Kandhamal regd a case U/S-188/269/270/271 IPC against six shopkeepers for selling nonessential items during lockdown period and violating govt guidelines on #COVID19. @spkandhamal pic.twitter.com/XmT4D1ssQn
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
Model PS in Kandhamal arrested 11 persons for opening non-essential shops in Phulbani Town during lockdown. @spkandhamal pic.twitter.com/4BZjVdiziE
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
Gochhapada PS in Kandhamal arrested one groom and his brother for conducting a marriage ceremony in deviation of Govt. guidelines on #COVID19. @spkandhamal pic.twitter.com/5KZandWnGn
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
Sadar PS in Kandhamal regd a case U/S -188/269/270/271 IPC against a fast food shop owner for violating Govt. guidelines on #COVID19. @spkandhamal pic.twitter.com/aTYf7zHXWS
— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) March 25, 2020
Bhubaneswar: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik today sought coordination and cooperation among states for people who are stranded and cut-off from their home states due to the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown. In a letter to his counterparts in other states, CM Naveen Patnaik said “Coronavirus has been a challenge for the human race transgressing all boundaries. We as a country are jointly fighting this invisible enemy with collective resolve."
Citing that when an unprecedented but very much needed step to lockdown the nation for 21 days is taken, even with all precautions some people may be stranded across the country away from their homes.
“They may be pilgrims, students, workers and professional etc. We understand that many may be under distress in this regard and I would make an earnest appeal to you that any person or group of persons from Odisha stranded in any part of your state may please be assisted with basic food, accommodation, security etc. I will be grateful if this message is passed on to all the district collectors of your state. Odisha will bear whatever cost is needed for their safe keeping”
Odias stranded in several parts of the country due to #CoronavirusLockdown: #Odisha CM Naveen Patanik appeals to his counterparts in other States & requests to assist persons from Odisha stranded in any part of their States with basic food, accommodation & security pic.twitter.com/jfIXqggqr1
— OTV (@otvnews) March 26, 2020
While extending a helping hand to other states, CM Naveen wrote that “I have also directed all our district collectors to assist persons in need from other states. Their cost will be met from CM’s relief fund. We have put a monitoring team with a principal secretary of the Home department to look after this and co-ordinate in case anyone from your state is stranded here in Odisha and our system has not responded.”
While assuring that he is always available for help, Naveen said that it is one of the most challenging times faced by the human race and I am sure all of us will overcome this with the joint resolve and action.
Earlier today, Taking note of the plight of the stranded Odias, Union Minister Pratap Sarangi had urged CM Naveen to take steps so that the stranded people from the State do not face problems in getting food and lodging.
In a letter to the CM, Sarangi had said, “The rapidly evolving Coronavirus scenario and the consequential decisions have caught many people unaware, unprepared and stranded, including the ones from Odisha, in other states without any food and accommodation. As the current lockdown is going to continue for three weeks, the stranded people, who include among other students, trainees, pilgrims, workers, have become anxious about their basic requirements of food and lodging in the alien land.”
Sarangi had urged, we need to humanely reconcile both situations to help the stranded people stay in the same place wherever they are, and at the same time, to facilitate food and lodging for them during the period of restrictions. A helpline may be put in place for the stranded people to establish communication with the State government about their whereabouts, requirements and well-being, Sarangi had demanded.
Citing that the outbreak of the Coronavirus has significantly affected the livelihood of the poor, CM Naveen Patnaik said that all the beneficiaries of the food security scheme will be getting 3 months’ ration in advance and all the 94 lakh families under the programme will be getting Rs 1000 cash assistance. All this will entail a total expenditure of Rs 940 crore.
Moreover, under the social security scheme, 48 lakh beneficiaries are getting 4 month’s pension allowance in advance for which a total expenditure to the tune of Rs 932 crores will be incurred.
#Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announces relief package of Rs 2200 crore for welfare of the poor to deal with the #COVID19-related impact #OdishaFightsCorona #CoronavirusOutbreak pic.twitter.com/ww0UOS9qYX
— OTV (@otvnews) March 27, 2020
The construction workers, who are expected to be the most and immediately affected cohort in the coronavirus pandemic, will be receiving Rs 1500 cash assistance. The State government will be spending Rs 330 crore in this regard to ensure assistance to around 22 lakh construction workers.
Earlier yesterday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a special relief package of Rs 1.7 lakh crore to provide immediate relief to the poor & the vulnerable groups in the wake of coronavirus outbreak-triggered lockdown.
Our first priority is to ensure that food and cash reach the poor as they will be the most affected by the lockdown and the Rs 1.7 lakh crore package will ensure immediate relief for them.
Some of the major announcements included front-loading of the 1st installment of Rs 2000 under PM KISAN which will be disbursed in the first week of April. Moreover, around 20 crore women Jan Dhan account holders will receive Rs 500/month for the next 3 months, while elderly, widows, & divyangs will get one-time additional cash transfer of Rs 1,000 in 2 installments. Under Ujjwala scheme, the Centre announced to provide free LPG cylinders for the next 3 months to the 8.3 crore BPL families.
Highlights of Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore relief package under #PradhanMantriGaribKalyanYojana for the poor to help them fight the battle against #COVID19 announced by Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman today.#IndiaFightsCorona
For more details: https://t.co/GBJK6FcmLI pic.twitter.com/ZKO3Sl679D— Ministry of Finance ?? #StayHome #StaySafe (@FinMinIndia) March 26, 2020