Mangaluru/Bengaluru: Police resorted to lathi-charge in several parts of the state on Tuesday, March 24, as people were out an about on the streets despite the prohibitory orders being in force till March 31.

In Mangaluru, seven persons were arrested by police for violating the prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC.

The arrested accused are James (45), son of Arulappa and resident of the Hassan district, Vimesha (30), son of Mudalahariyappa and resident of Tarikere in the Chikkamagaluru district, Ameera Haju Ansari, son of Mohammed Sadik and a native of Uttar Pradesh and resident of Kudroli, Balaram Chowdri (32), son of Tikma Ramji and native of Rajasthan and resident of Kudroli, Rahul Panday (18), son of Asook Panday and resident of the Bunder area originally from Assam, Siddique, son of Abbas and resident of Ullal, and Vinay, son of Shridhar and resident of Thokkottu. The arrests were made by the Central Sub Division and South Sub Division police personnel.

Commissioner of Police Dr P S Harsha informed that the accused were arrested for violating the magisterial orders and directions of police officers on duty (section 71 KP Act).

It can be recalled that on March 23 night, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has extended the lockdown to the entire state in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

People were directed to stay in their homes and venture out only to purchase essentials. The government had ordered the closing of all services and commercial establishments except for essentials.

The Deputy Commissioners and Police Commissioners of all districts of the state had warned that those found to be violating the prohibitory orders would be penalised. Despite these warnings, several people were seen out in the open in many parts of the state, forcing the police to resort to lathi-charge and arrest the violators.

Siddaramaiah criticises police over lathi-charge incidents

Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah called the government “shameless” and criticised the state over the incidents of lathi-charge in the state.

Siddaramaiah said that the police should try and convince the people instead of resorting to lathi-charge.

Taking to Twitter, the CLP wrote in Kannada, “It is inhumane for the police to lathi-charge people who stepped out of their homes to buy essential items such as fruit, vegetables and groceries. I have urged the Police Commissioner to allow the people to go out and buy essentials.”