Aurangabad, March 13:
Citizens responded spontaneously to the first day of the two day lockdown imposed by the district administration. Citizens stayed at home all day. Emergency service personnel were only seen on the main roads. As the roads were deserted, young and adults were seen playing cricket on the streets.
The administration has announced that strict lockdown will be observed every Saturday and Sunday in the city till April 4. A large police bandobast was deployed in the city on Saturday. Police were seen interrogating every citizen out on the road. The roads were literally deserted in the afternoon. However many citizens were seen wandering on the streets unnecessarily. Essential service shops were open but no one was coming for shopping. The always crowded areas like Buddhilane, Lota Karanja, Shahgunj, City Chowk, Gulmandi, Tilak Path, Aurangpura, Nirala Bazar, Mill Corner, Paithan Gate, Kranti Chowk, TV Center, Gajanan Maharaj Temple Complex, Central Bus Stand and Railway Station seemed desolate today.
Officials on vigil
Collector Sunil Chavan, municipal administrator Astik Kumar Pandey, commissioner of police Dr Nikhil Gupta visited TV Center Chowk and jointly inspected the lockdown. Pandey later visited Annabhau Sathe Chowk, Ambedkar Chowk, Vasantrao Naik Chowk, Cidco Flyover, Cambridge Chowk. He also appealed to the citizens standing and walking on the road to follow orders.
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Cricket match on road
As there was no vehicular movement on the roads, the young and adults played cricket on the streets. There was huge fear among citizens in the lockdown last year. However the fear has been greatly reduced in this lockdown.