KP residents protest as cops nix vehicle use

Denizens banned from vehicles for shopping, domestic help; ask why PMC relaxations are different for them

Overruling relaxations accorded to non-containment zones under lockdown 4.0, Koregaon Park (KP) police have dictated that citizens should not use vehicles to go to the market —and walk instead. Further, the cops have also vetoed permission given for domestic helps to return to work. The residents of the upscale area are protesting these moves that they point out are in contravention to protocols laid out by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the city.

In the fourth phase of the lockdown, private vehicles have been allowed, restricting usage to only two passengers in four-wheelers and a single rider on two-wheelers. Yet, KP police are of the opinion that people are misusing this relaxation to take out vehicles for unnecessary drives. They are also peeved by the crowding of marketplaces by these vehicles. They’ve now issued notices to all housing societies imposing fresh restrictions, invoking section 149 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and warning that any violation will attract criminal cases.

Residents pointed out the inconvenience caused by the mandates and questioned the paradox in the relaxations. “Given the restrictions on movement due to lockdown, most people prefer to buy in bulk so they do not have to step out regularly. How do we walk heaving several kgs of shopping? What about senior citizens? There is no logic in this rule being applied,” argued Abhijit Waghchaure, a local resident.

“Markets are scattered in KP and some of us have to walk more than a km to reach them. Why should there be a different rule for this area in use of vehicles?” questioned Salil Nashte, a member of the Koregaon Park Citizen Action Committee.

Another aspect of the notice that has drawn flak is the denial of domestic help, with housing societies being instructed to not allow maids or service providers to enter premises, immaterial of whether they are coming from containment zones or not. Only live-in helpers are allowed. “It appears that police believe all KP residents have the luxury of live-in servants. Majority are middle or upper-middle class, with many retired people living here,” Nashte pointed out.

The notice issued also bans KP residents from going out for walks, with or without pets. The cops have found little support for their clampdown. Among the few who threw their weight behind these restrictions is Gautam Idnani, chairman of Atur Park Housing Society. “People are unnecessarily taking out vehicles during the lockdown, adding pressure on the law enforcement agencies. Youngsters can help senior citizens staying alone in procuring essentials. People need to understand the gravity of the pandemic and follow the police diktat,” he urged.

Undeterred by protests evoked by the notice, senior police inspector at KP police station, Pramod Patki, insisted, “The aim is to control the pandemic. For that, cooperation of society residents is imperative. Unnecessary crowding of streets will only increase risk of infection. Our instructions were issued after observing indiscriminate use of vehicles even for short distances. Many are getting out just like that under the pretence of going shopping for essentials.”