Indian Police Beat Shoppers For Violating Lockdown

The New York Daily News reports:

Dramatic photos and videos show how police across India are using extreme force against violators of the country’s coronavirus lockdown. Baton-wielding cops wearing surgical masks can be seen in the images and footage from Wednesday beating those breaking the rules.

On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the potentially deadly virus — and declared that no one will be allowed to leave their homes.

After the lockdown went into effect, locals were seen on TV news and social media being struck with batons in the streets of the southern state of Kerala.

Police in India use force on coronavirus lockdown violators https://t.co/0DaKWwHTUa pic.twitter.com/QQ2MhzHTCf

— New York Post (@nypost) March 25, 2020

Delhi Police Detain Over 5,000 People For Violating Coronavirus Lockdown https://t.co/UL0r3is4WA pic.twitter.com/NGNuRg0vZt

— Trend in India (@ApnaSmartphone) March 25, 2020

Roads in India are deserted and police patrol the streets as Prime Minister Modi announces 21-day “complete lockdown” to stop coronavirus spread. https://t.co/XiCfgVTE7r pic.twitter.com/scdtT3jpiZ

— ABC News (@ABC) March 24, 2020

#India– Cops smash curfew violators as country’s 1.3 billion people are told to stay indoors over coronavirus
? pic.twitter.com/ugKJBcvw3f

— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) March 25, 2020

How insensitive can one get ?

These are difficult times & what he is carrying only essential supplies, right?

Why should he be beaten black & blue like he is some criminal ?

Indian police, you can do better. #Covid19Out #Lockdown21 #lockdown pic.twitter.com/vrNXPv3NSX

— Santosh Addagulla (@santoshspeed) March 25, 2020

In #India, police have assaulted journalists amid the #coronavirus lockdown, even though the @MIB_India issued a statement reiterating that journalists are exempt from the lockdown and are free to do their work without any restriction.https://t.co/TZbMbOwdFR

— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) March 24, 2020