Twenty-year-old Syed Ali Hood, a resident of Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, went to buy groceries as usual around 2.30 pm on Tuesday. However, the supermarket where he regularly purchases groceries from was shut down. Hood then went to another store in the adjacent lane on Road. No 36. Surprisingly, the store was barricaded and at least six policemen were stationed there.
When Hood enquired with them, the police present there told him that there were fresh instructions issued, restricting the functioning of supermarkets. Supermarkets were allowed to operate only between 7 am-11 am from now on, they told him.
Similar incidents were reported from across the city, although there were no official orders informing the residents about this.
Rishika Sadam, a journalist from CNNNews18, who was reporting from Somajiguda, filmed the incident of a store closing down after policemen asked them to shut down. When she enquired with the police, they told her that they had received instructions from Hyderabad Commissioner’s office.
This is Ratnadeep supermarket in Somajiguda.People were standing (maintaining social distancing.),local Police had suddenly asked them to leave, asked management to shut store. Cop tells me @CPHydCity gave orders to shut stores by 11.30am to avoid crowding #COVIDー19 #Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/lVBev3QX09
— Rishika Sadam (@RishikaSadam) April 21, 2020
Many others also took to Twitter, saying that stores in their area were forced to shut early by lathi wielding policemen, though there was no official announcement about the change in timings, leaving many of them without essentials for the day.
Some also alleged that they were harassed by policemen, though they were stepping out for genuine reasons.
It is actions and hasty decisions like these that promote hoarding. The next water can vendor I meet, I will be tempted to buy 10 cans knowing you might just impose curfew
— Donita Jose (@DonitaJose) April 21, 2020
Can the timings for grocery stores be clearly mentioned please. Today I was buying groceries in a store and it was made to shut down at 230pm by the police ! Thank you! https://t.co/6ko58C4YC4
— Shobu Yarlagadda (@Shobu_) April 21, 2020
Even in vijaya nagar colony the word out there is the shops would be closed by 2pm and today also it happened so...
— Sreeharsha (@nanoharsha) April 21, 2020
Today was very disappointed , genuine essential oil pass holder were harassed and spoken to in crass language and torn away the passes shameful
— Vinay K A (@vka27) April 21, 2020
However, the Commissioner has now said that there is no such new rule, and that these are “rumours” – apparently false information on the basis of which his own police force has acted.
Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar through a press note said, “There is some fake news/ rumour in circulation that shops were closed. There is no notification for such a closure of essential items shops. Hyderabad city police are committed to ensure that all essential items are made available to all.”
There is some fake news/ rumour in circulation that shops were closed . There is no notification for such a closure of Essential items shops . Hyd city police is committed to ensure that all Essential items are made available to all .
— Hyderabad City Police #StayHome #StaySafe (@hydcitypolice) April 21, 2020
Anjani Kumar IPS,
CP,Hyderabad city Police
It is as of now unclear how such false information was sent to and believed by so many police officials on the ground in Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, Telangana recorded 56 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, of which 26 were from Suryapet district, followed by Hyderabad at 19. With this, the total number of cases reached 928 in the state. Eight persons were also discharged. With 23 deaths and 194 patients recovering, the state has 711 active cases presently.
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