Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday visited several congested pockets in Rajabazar, Park Circus, Topsia and Chingrighata, which have reported lockdown violations, and requested people to stay indoors.
She apologised for the inconvenience caused by the lockdown but requested people to stay in their homes to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“Corona zyada hua hai, isliye strong action lena par raha hai (we have to take strong steps because of the corona spread is high),” she said on a loudhailer, seated inside her vehicle, at the Park Circus seven-point crossing in the afternoon. “Please forgive us for all this inconvenience. I am apologising… but please stay healthy, stay together and please do not think that there is no one to take care of you. We all are here.”
In most of these places, lanes have been sealed to ensure people stay indoors and vehicles do not spill on roads. Local police stations have been providing those seeking their help with food and daily essentials.
These places have reported lockdown violations in the past few weeks, police said.
The chief minister has been touring the city over the past few weeks — at times inspecting markets in central Calcutta or checking ration shops in south Calcutta or stepping on roads to speak to people and distribute masks.
Tuesday was the first time she made a mass request on a loudhailer to people of the areas she visited to stay indoors. “Please barite thakun. Shushtho thakun. Kono dorkar holey, police ache, proshashon ache. (Please stay indoors. Stay healthy. Police and the administration are there in case you need help).”
“I do not want to break lockdown rules. So, I am unable to meet you. But I have come to check if all of you are okay,” she said while touring Rajabazar.
Mamata visited areas adjoining Mathpukur in Dhapa and met civic sweepers to distribute hand sanitisers and masks among them.
“Not just doctors, nurses and members of the medical staff, we also have to take care of our cleaners who are risking their lives to keep the city clean. Please ensure all cleaning equipment such as brooms are sanitised regularly,” she said.
Mamata taught a group of sweepers how to help tie one another's mask.