Gautam Buddh Nagar: 31 arrested, 907 vehicles penalized for lockdown violation

A total of 31 people were arrested and owners of 907 vehicles penalised across Noida and Greater Noida on Thursday for allegedly violating the lockdown curbs, Gautam Buddh Nagar police said.

Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) Section 144 is in force in Gautam Buddh Nagar, whose urban areas fall in the 'Red Zone' for COVID-19, even as general lockdown curbs continue due to the pandemic.

"Fourteen FIRs were registered on Thursday for lockdown violation and 31 people arrested. A total of 2,012 vehicles were checked across 200 barrier points in the district and challans issued to 907 of them, while another five were impounded," the police said in a statement.

The FIRs were registered under Indian Penal Code section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and violation of prohibitory orders put in place under CrPC Section 144, which bars assembly of four or more people, they said.

While shops and parks have reopened, metro rail services, educational institutions, cinema halls, shopping malls, bars, assembly halls and others spaces like these continue to remain closed as the lockdown got extended till May 31, officials said.

Stadiums and sports complexes can re-open but no audience will be allowed there, while all sorts of cultural, political, religious, educational or any similar congregations are completely banned, they added.

People's movement outdoors between 7 pm and 7 am is strictly prohibited except for essential works, while officials have cautioned persons over 65 years of age, children below 10 years and pregnant women to stay indoors amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

As of Thursday, 377 positive cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the district, including five deaths, while 266 patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospitals, according to official figures.