COVID Surge: Night Curfew Clamped In Odisha’s Twin Cities

Bhubaneswar: With the night curfew in 20 districts of Odisha beginning on Saturday, prohibitory orders were clamped in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack as well.

Commissioner of Police Soumendra Priyadarshi told the media here that given the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in the two cities, it has become imperative to avoid a large congregation of the people.

“Keeping this in view, the Commissionerate Police have clamped the prohibitory under Section 144 of the CrPC during the night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am in which there will be restrictions on movements during the period. However, essential workers like the hospital staff, media and filling station staff exempted specifically will be allowed movement on the production of identity documents issued by their respective organizations for bonafide official work,” he added.

As informed by the Bhubaneswar DCP Umashankar Dash, public transport vehicles carrying the passengers to and from the railway station and airport will be allowed. This apart, people having medical emergency will be allowed after showing the relevant documents, he added.

Security arrangements in twin cities

To ensure strict enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines, 10 platoons of force will be deployed in Bhubaneswar. Besides, there will be check posts at 25 places in the city including Rasulgarh Square, Vani Vihar Square, Acharya Vihar Square, Rupali Square, Kalpana Square, Raj Mahal Square, Ravi Talkies Square, Nalco Square and Patia Square.

In Cuttack, 10 platoons of force will be deployed and there will be 23 check posts in all busy market places and thoroughfares including Madhupatna, Badambadi, Ranihat, Malgalabag, Choudhury Bazar, College Square, OMP Square.