Karnataka May Impose Section 144 Like Maharashtra, To Avoid Lockdown: Report

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa indicated imposing stricter curbs, but reiterated that it would not impose a lockdown in the state.

A day after Section 144 was imposed across Maharashtra as part of stringent curbs during the 15-day strict curfew, Karnataka is also considering similar measures to contain the spread of novel coronavirus cases in the state.

Bengaluru authorities had already issued fresh restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC, to be imposed in the city limits starting from April 7. Night curfew is also implemented across the state until April 20, and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has been insisting to impose further restrictions, including curfew to counter the rising cases, as per The News Minute.

The committee gave suggestions on Section 144 aiming to curb any assembly or gathering including political rallies.  While CM BS Yediyurappa also indicated imposing stricter curbs including an extension of the 10 pm-5 am curfew after the bypolls on April 17, as per the Times of India report. However, the CM has clarified it would not impose a lockdown in the state.

The state has earlier issued guidelines for observing rituals in connection with Ramzan month in Masjids amid a steep rise in infections across the country.

As per the order in Bengaluru, shopping malls, markets, department stores, cinema theatres have to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines to ensure their customers or visitors follow the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

A notification from the Karnataka government said, "Masjids in containment zones to remain closed till the zone is denotified, large gathering continues to remain prohibited, face masks mandatory."

 Meanwhile, India recorded its biggest-ever single-day spike on Thursday since the start of the pandemic with 2,00,739 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours and 1,038 deaths. There were 93,528 discharges said the Union Health Ministry. The total number of cases in India now stands at 1,40,74,564, total recoveries are at 1,24,29,564, active cases at 14,71,877 and death toll at 1,73,123.

Karnataka reported this year's highest single-day tally with 11,265 fresh infections and 38 deaths on Wednesday, taking the count to over 10.94 lakh and toll to 13,046, the health department said. There were 9,96,367 discharges cumulatively in the state, including 4,364 on Wednesday. Around 85,480 active cases are registered in Karnataka at present includes 506 in the ICU.