KCR Calls For 24-Hour Janata Curfew On Sunday

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao today declared a 24-hour "Janata Curfew" in the state from 6 am on Sunday to 6 am on Monday in order to push people to protect themselves from the dreaded coronavirus COVID-19.

"This is to extend solidarity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Janata Curfew call on Sunday from 6 am to 9 pm," KCR said.

Speaking to mediapersons at Pragati Bhavan, the CM said that the number of corona positive cases had reached 21 in the state and over 11,000 people had been sent to quarantine centres, and that the people needed to all turn highly sensitive to measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

The CM stressed the need for self-discipline and restraint for 24 hours, and asked businessmen and traders to close their shops. RTC buses and metro trains would not run on Sunday, he said, though five metro trains would be allowed to run in emergency. He also appealed to autos and other modes of public transportation to support the curfew.

All state borders would to be closed for these 24 hours, and people should remain indoors, he said. He added that a total shutdown would be imposed if necessary, and essential commodities supplied to people through vehicles.

The CM also clarified that emergency, medical shops, ambulance services and media will be allowed to work.

The government would offer essential commodities, and medicines to workers and others, by spending Rs 1,000 crore or even more until the problem was addressed, KCR added.

"We have set up 5,724 vigilance teams to ensure the curfew. 52 check posts have been put up on the state's borders and five special teams and several others are monitoring the situation," he said. He also said that the officials were considering plans to close down the inter-state borders after consulting with their Maharashtra counterparts.

The CM exhorted the people of the state to show the same spirit that they had displayed during the separate Telangana movement and voluntarily participate in the total shutdown.

"People in the state must stand together and express their solidarity in fighting this virus. We need to take tough decisions during such tough times. Spare 24 hours and stay at home to save the world. Nations which neglected the dreaded virus are facing problems, but we are ready to take it on. Let us fight together to prevent the virus, and avoid panic with confidence. It is everyone's social responsibility," the CM appealed.

He also exhorted the people to come out into their verandahs to extend solidarity to all the healthcare and sanitation workers, police officers and others working despite threats to their own safety to protect the citizens from COVID-19, by clapping for two to four minutes following by a siren sound at 5 pm, to support Modi's call.