In several pockets of Mumbai, people are defying lockdown orders

Despite the city having 235 positive cases of COVID19 and six related deaths so far Mumbaikars havent learnt any lessons The authorities are seriously concerned but as if mocking the nationwide lockdown people in many areas of Mumbai are going about their routine seemingly with a chalta hai attitudePeople roaming on bikes crowds shopping in vegetable markets kids playing in grounds are common sights in many areas of Mumbai These places referred to as sensitive areas by the police seem to be beyond the control of authoritiesHere is where people are defying the lockdownCrowds confront the policeThe police who try to convince residents to go back home are confronted by the crowds at Gadhav Naka Bhandup West PICRajesh GuptaGadhav Naka Bhandup WestTime 12 noonGadhav Naka located at Bhandup w has buildings as well as chawls The lockdown hasnt had any effect as there is a huge crowd on the roads all the time Patrolling by the police hasnt made any difference The police who try to convince residents to go back home are confronted by the crowd questioning why cant they come out to buy essentials But the police have noticed many persons roaming pretending they have come to buy vegetables The police have also observed that as many homes in the area are small people roam around passing timeThe crowd gets out of handThere is only one big market in the area thats why there is a crowd We are trying to maintain social distancing But sometimes the crowd gets out of hand And we cant stop them said Shyam Shinde senior inspector Bhandup police stationRoads crowdedA crowd gathers to shop near the Lakshmanrao Yadav Market in Kurla West PICSayyed Sameer AbediLakshmanrao Yadav Market Kurla WestTime ndash 915 amLakshmanrao Yadav Market is where almost the whole of Kurla gets its vegetable and fruit supply The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has closed it during the lockdown But roads around the market are filled with vendors and customersPeople dont listenWe have tried everything to reduce the crowd but if people are not going to listen it will be tough We have seen whole families going to buy biscuits and milk vegetables Thats not at all acceptable said Dattatray Shinde senior inspector Kurla police stationWomen slum dwellers abuse the policeThe Dongri police have shifted the market in the Dongri Ground near Umarkhadi to reduce the crowd but it hasnt made any difference PICSuresh KarkeraDongri Ground near UmarkhadiTime ndash 1045amWe have been urging people to stays indoor but the residents of slum pockets are not convinced A few female slum dwellers abuse us for doing our duty for their safety We may be harsh with the violators if they continue to defy the government order said a police officer The Dongri police have shifted the market in the Dongri Ground near Umarkhadi to reduce the crowd but the alternative hasnt made any difference in the crowd The police are trying hard to make people understand social distancing and are assuring them all essentials will be available round the clock but the crowd is not interestedResidents follow ordersAll the residents are following the orders there is no situation where residents are noncompliant said Sandeep Bhagdikar senior inspector Dongri police stationCrowds throng streetsJari Mari Kranti Nagar Market SakinakaTime ndash 1030amHundreds of residents here came out to buy vegetables and essentials Many idle persons were sitting by the roadside Many markets across Sakinaka have been closed by the BMC but those operating have added to the woes of the copsPeople are cooperatingThere was some issue few days back about crowding But couple of days ago a COVID19 one patient died so residents are shaken There is some crowding at the bazaar But people are cooperating said Kishore Sawant senior inspector Sakinaka PoliceCrowd has significantly reducedRRT Road Mulund WTime 1130amRRT Road and Jain Road have a major vegetable and fruit market Vendors sit on both the sides of the roads selling vegetables and fruits The Mulund police are finding it difficult to keep tabs on persons but said the crowd has significantly reducedMust take it seriouslyThe crowd in the market was more today but it has reduced by 80 We have allowed only one person from a house to come and buy Citizens must take this lockdown seriously said Ravi Sardesai senior inspector Mulund Police stationLabourers seen working without masksApna Fal Market Borivali Time 915amAround 150 people were seen shopping in the Apna Fal Market at Borivali West middays reporter and photographer also found labourers working without using sanitisers or masks A person who posed as a stall owner said Police ne andar jaane se mana kiya hai kisiko bhi Tum media ho to kuch bhi karengeIf crowded we will actWe have informed sellers at the fruit market to maintain social distancing If we find a crowd we will act said Laxman Dhumbre Sr PI Borivali police stationCitizens taking everything lightlyNew Collector Colony MalvaniTime ndash 445pmThis where a COVID19 patient died two days back Five members of his family have been quarantined But citizens dont seem to be taking it seriouslyWill place more copsWhoever is questioned by us says they were out to buy essentials At many places if our van comes people shut the gates or shutters of shops but as we move ahead they open them We can place a cop every 5 to 10 feet so citizens must take things more seriously said Jagdev Kalapad senior inspector Malvani police stationSlum residents defying the lockdownA police officer speaks to people caught riding during the lockdown PICSuresh KarkeraMohammed Ali Road JJ MargTime ndash 1130 amPeople staying in the slum pockets in south Mumbai have been defying the lockdown An officer attached to the JJ Marg police station said the youngsters havent understood the gravity of the situation and have riding around on motorcycles The JJ Marg police have seized hundreds of motorcycles since the lockdownMost of the youth were found with fake medical prescription copies We nabbed a motorcyclist who is a resident of Mazgaon When we checked the documents of his motorcycle they were fake We have seized his bike and booked him said the officerTrying to reduce the crowdWe are rounding off youngsters who are getting on the road unnecessarily We are also keeping an eye on the crowd and trying to reduce it said Sanjeev Bhole Sr PI JJ Marg Police stationEverything as per routineKids outside their homes at New Collector Colony gate No 7 Malad PICSatej ShindeAmbujwadi MalvaniTime 5 pmIt looked like any other day with citizens sitting by the roads chatting at chowks Boys were playing with marbles on the road and the police were watching them from the distance Many youngsters were seen roaming on bikesCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates