While most of India is following the lockdown that’s been put in place to slow down the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, some people are — often violently — resisting government orders. But even with police resources stretched to the maximum, they’re making sure that the guilty are brought to book.
Two men, Shaikh Farookh Shaikh Kadar (52) and Shaikh Sharukh Shaikh Farookh (24), have been arrested for assaulting a police officer who was trying to enforce the lockdown in Aurangabad. A search was launched for the remaining two accused, identified as Shaikh Sajid Shaikh Farookh and Shaikh Sameer Shaihkh Salim, a press release issued by Assistant Commissioner of Police Nagnath Kode of Aurangabad City Police said.
Yesterday, the video showing the assault by the men on a police officer had gone viral, and had generated considerable outrage on social media. The incident had taken place at about 12 noon, when police personnel deployed at Annabhau Sathe junction near the district collectorate in Aurangabad were checking private vehicles and taking action against those who had unnecessarily left home during the lockdown. It was then that the police had stopped three persons going triple seat on a two-wheeler. While the three were being questioned, their friends also reached the spot and started arguing with police personnel.
As can been seen in the video, the policeman hit one of them with his stick, but the person snatched the stick and started hitting the cop with it repeatedly. The five accused also allegedly thrashed other police personnel at the spot.
Earlier, two men identified as Tajuddin and Kutubuddin, had been arrested by the Bengaluru police on March 26. Reportedly, the accused were over-speeding and performing stunts on bikes during the lockdown. The duo had breached the check post at Bhoopasandra, Sanjay Nagar in Bengaluru. When the cops tried to catch the two accused, they had assaulted the two policemen, namely, Manjunatha and Basavararaju. A video, showing a group of young men arguing with the constables in uniform and then a couple of them attacking and pushing the cops on to the street, had surfaced on social media. A woman in the group was also seen instigating others to attack the policemen.