The weekend ‘shutdown’ has been lifted in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. However, ‘lockdown’ restrictions would be imposed during Saturdays and Sundays. Commissioner of Police (CP) Sudhanshu Sarangi said the lockdown restrictions would be stricter than previous ones and no one would be allowed to enter in or go out of the two cities except for emergency cases, for which pass can be obtained through SMS by dialing 100.
Sarangi advised the denizens of the cities to walk to the nearest stores for shopping and not to use vehicles. Cars and motorcycles, if found being used for shopping purposes, would be seized by police, he said.
The CP also urged people not to misuse their identity cards during the shutdown. Staffs of hospitals, medicine stores can show their ID cards at checkpoints for commuting.
Sarangi also requested media houses to function with minimum possible manpower and informed that journalists can produce their ID cards at checkpoints for hassle-free movement. He also warned of stringent action against those using fake, invalid Press ID cards.
Banks and IT, ITES companies have been asked to function with manpower of 25 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, at offices. The employees need to show ID cards and mobilisation letter, e-mail issued by the concerned authorities, bank branch managers while commuting, he said.