Police arrest eight people in Kalyan for playing cricket during Janta Curfew

In an unprecedented turn of events, the world of cricket stands still at the moment in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. For the first time since the second world war, Cricket has been suspended for indefinite time as the world fights against the pandemic. Countries across the globe are taking several measures to combat the outbreak and India is not an exception either.

PM Narendra Modi last week announced the Janta Curfew as a step to break the chain of the virus transmission. In his 30-minute address to the nation on Thursday, the PM urged his fellow countrymen to maintain the Janta Curfew on Sunday by maintaining social distancing and staying indoors from 7 am to 9 pm.

But while the entire nation adhered to the call by the PM, few decided to violate it and faced the repercussions. While most of the people stayed indoors on Sunday, eight men in Maharashtra’s Kalyan went out to play cricket. And they paid a heavy price of it as police held them for their foolish action, according to Deccan Herald.

The police confirmed that the men were playing cricket at Kala Talao Maidan in the afternoon. Police also detained a boy in this connection, an official said. The Mahatma Phule Chowk Police Station registered an offence against the accused under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 290 (public nuisance).

They were also booked under the Maharashtra Police Act as well as the National Disaster Act 2005. “Action was taken against them for defying the prohibitory orders issued by the Thane Police Commissionerate. They also went against the ‘Janta curfew’ being observed to curb the spread of coronavirus,” the police official said.

No cricket

Meanwhile, cricket events across the world are currently suspended due to the pandemic. The cricket bodies have come forward in the fight against the outbreak by prioritizing safety of the people over the game. Earlier this month, the likes of India, Australia, New Zealand, England and Bangladesh called-off their respective series.

The BCCI also decided to suspend the Indian Premier League (IPL) till April 15. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to do the same with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) just before the knockout stages after cases of the coronavirus increased in their country.