Mardan police round up over 500 people under Section 144

MARDAN: In a crackdown, the Mardan Police have arrested 536 people over violation of Section-144 during the ongoing lockdown in the district because of the coronavirus outbreak.

According to an official communiqué issued from the offices of district police officer (DPO), section-144 had already been enforced on weddings, hotel industries, public transport and other activities, but 322 cases were registered against people and 536 individuals were rounded up for violation of the law in Mardan. Of the total cases registered, the police registered 37 cases against weddings and other gatherings, 90 cases against shopkeepers, 12 cases against hotels, 181 cases against public transport, and 2 cases against gyms. Also, 536 people were arrested and 980 vehicles have been taken into custody amid the lockdown till further legal formalities.

Meanwhile, District Police Officer Sajjad Khan said that despite being heavily engaged in the Manga union council due to coronavirus cases, the police were making all-out efforts to control the law and order in the entire district. In addition to taking care of the complete lockdown of Manga area, the police were busy mainly on Bank Road where people thronged banks and ATM machines on Monday. The personnel drew white circles at proper distances for queues in front of banks to ensure social distancing amid the ongoing corona scare” explained the official.