Pune police clarify No pass required for buying grocery, vegetables, milk by walking
Pune, March 28, 2020: In a major relief to people, Pune city police today clarified that No pass required if they are walking to buy grocery, vegetables and milk, which are essential commodities.
DCP (crime) Bachchan Singh said, “We had received a total of 33,234 requests for passes since the lockdown. However, only 2403 passes for emergency cases were approved and 1097 requests were rejected. This is only for App which was launched yesterday. In all serious medical ailments / visits to hospitals, approvals are being given where requests are related to next three days. Others will be given as and when time comes.”
He further said that “No pass required for buying provisions, grocery, vegetables, and milk by WALKING. People, please apply for pass only in exceptional circumstances. #StayHome #StaySafe”
After getting thousands of calls, messages on WhatsApp numbers, Twitter and Email, Pune City Police yesterday (March 27) asked people to apply online on www.punepolice.in for getting permissions for vehicle movement during the lockdown curfew period due to Coronavirus outbreak.
DCP Singh said, “To facilitate digital pass/permissions, please fill details on www.punepolice.in If approved, you will get an SMS with QR code which needs to be shown to policemen whenever asked.”
According to police officials, the four WhatsApp helpline numbers were flooded with requests from people for travelling. Police have received over 20,000 requests in the first three days. Many people complained that they were not getting replies from police even after a day.
To address concerns of citizens regarding 144 CrPC orders; (vehicular permissions, exemptions etc.), Pune police has set up a dedicated Grievance Redressal Team comprising of six staffs in the day and two staff in the night. The team is being supervised by DCP (crime branch) Bachchan Singh.
As curfew has been clamped in the whole state including Pune City where vehicle movement is not allowed, except those engaged in essential services, Pune city police have come out with a solution to help people who have genuine reason to travel.
