TAXILA: An army contingent along with local administration and police during crackdown against violators of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) sealed over a dozen shops in Hazro and Kamra.

The government has imposed a lockdown from May 8 to May 16 to prevent further spread of the virus in the country.

Following the government’s directives, officials of the local administration paid surprise visits to various markets and bazaars to enforce the lockdown and check violations.Anumber of shopkeepers and traders were taken into custody by police for not wearing masks or ensuring implementation of SOPs set by the government to prevent the spread of the virus. Fines amounting to Rs80,000 were also imposed on people who were not wearing masks. After security forces’ action, all shops, markets and shopping malls were closed.

In Taxila, 18 shops were sealed for opening their businesses despite the lockdown imposed by the local administration. Traders had opened shops, markets, shopping malls and other business establishments in the morning despite the deputy commissioner’s order to close down all business centres and markets. Assistant Commissioner Shahzad Mehboob along with police and area magistrates conducted raids in main city areas and closed down all major markets, shopping malls and bazaars. Police arrested 14 shopkeepers and traders who offered resistance or refused to close their business. As many as six cases were registered against different shopkeepers and traders for violating SOPs.

Moreover, a team of the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Ali Annan Qammar sealed many shops, stores besides inspecting various markets of the city.

“We will not allow anyone to open shops, markets and shopping malls and would implement the orders of the home department regarding lockdown,” Mr Ali said while talking to journalists on Monday.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2021