Five made to do 'murga-walk' for trying to enter sea
What's the story
At least five men were punished and made to do the 'murga walk' for allegedly trying to enter the sea at Marine Drive in South Mumbai, the police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday afternoon on the promenade by the sea, where a group of men tried to enter the water, an official said. Here are more details.
Details
Video of the incident is circulating on the internet
"A team of police personnel on patrolling duty at the sea face asked the men to do the murga walk (chicken walk) as punishment," the official said, adding that the men were allowed to go after a warning about safety. A video of the incident was widely circulated on social media with a mention that the men had been punished for not wearing masks.
Twitter Post
Here is the video
Violators made to do ‘Murga Walk’ by police at Marine Drive promenade for not wearing masks.
— Mid Day (@mid_day) March 29, 2021
Sent by a Mid-day reader!#Mumbai #Corona pic.twitter.com/uqySyPLoCS
Information
Mumbai Police replied on Twitter
Replying to the video on Twitter, the Mumbai Police through their official handle said, "There is a legal provision for action on every violation and that's the only punitive action that can be taken."
Probe
Matter is being probed by senior officers
Meanwhile, senior inspector Vishwanath Kolekar of Marine Drive Police Station clarified that the men were punished for trying to enter the water from the promenade and endangering themselves and not for violating the mask rule. "The matter is being probed by senior officers and necessary action will be taken," the official said.
Night curfew
Night curfew was imposed on Maharashtra from March 28
Meanwhile, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra-government'>Maharashtra Government announced a night curfew, starting March 28. The curfew will last from 8 pm till 7 am the next day. Under the night curfew guidelines, all social, cultural, religious, and political activities stand banned and all public places will also remain closed. People violating the curfew will be charged Rs. 1,000.
CM's statement
Danger of coronavirus is not over, it has increased: CM
Those violating the wearing of masks protocols will be charged Rs. 500, whereas persons found spitting will have to submit a fine of Rs. 1000 Expressing concern over the surge in COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had warned that the danger of coronavirus is not over, instead, it has increased.
Information
Maharashtra recorded 31,643 COVID-19 cases on Monday
Maharashtra, which is the worst-hit state with a tremendous surge in COVID-19 infections, recorded 31, 643 cases on Monday. With this, the total number of cases in Maharashtra stands at 27,45,518, with 54,283 COVID-19 deaths. 23,53,307 recoveries have been recorded.