Corona lockdown: Rush outside police stations in Odisha for vehicle pass

Bhubaneswar: Thousands of denizens of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack today evening made beeline to police stations in twin cities to obtain vehicle passes.

Holding documents and photo ID cards people were seen standing in long queues outside the police stations.

Earlier in the day, Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhansu Sarangi said vehicle passes will be issued to motorists for their movement during the week-long lockdown.

Worth mentioning, the State government has announced a lockdown in 14 districts and eight towns as a preventive measure to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Police Commissioner, however, clarified later today evening and said, “There seems to be a rumour that passes are being issued by police stations. No curfew passes are being issued by police stations. Passes are being issued to emergency services exempted by the State government, please don’t rush police stations.”

Regarding issuance of passes to media persons, Sudhansu said, “It is clarified that media personnel can move around with identity card till they have a vehicle pass. We will try to give a vehicle pass in a day or two so that we don’t have to physically check your identity card. Till you have a vehicle pass please use your identity card.”

In a tweet, the Police Commissioner further said,” Don’t panic:People are in 2 categories:
>emergency workers
>others who might need to travel.
Emergency workers are getting Vehicle passes & can use their identity card till passes are issued. Others will be permitted for specific purpose & duration for eg. for going to hospital.”