Telangana to strictly enforce lockdown from Tuesday

Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy announced strict implementation of lockdown norms and warned stringent action against the violators.

A high-level meeting of police officials presided over by the police chief decided to act tough against the motorists coming out needlessly on the roads.

The DGP told a news conference that the vehicle passes issued earlier for the movement of essential commodities will be reviewed as it was found that such pass-holders are violating the rules. He said the passes of the violators would be cancelled.

He said people should buy the essentials within three km radius from their residence. The vehicle owners have been asked to carry proof of residence with them.

The DGP said new passes would be issued and till that time, old passes would be considered valid. He announced that the government employees will be issued the passes.

The state cabinet on Sunday decided to extend the lockdown till May 7. Telangana thus became the first state to extend the lockdown beyond May 3 as announced by the Centre.

With the state continuing to register new Covid-19 positive cases, the government decided not to give any relaxations. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao said the lockdown would continue as it is till May 7.

"The cabinet will meet again on May 5 and will take a decision depending on the situation prevailing then," he said. He, however, hoped that the situation would come under control by May 1.

Under the lockdown, which came into force in the state on March 23, people are being allowed to come out of the houses to buy essentials provided they adhere to social distancing norms.

The police are enforcing curfew during night hours across the state.