India Lockdown Enforced with Police Brutality
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi announced a total lockdown on March 23rd. That is a drastic measure for the country of 1.3 billion in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus that has yet to hit the country in large numbers. The lockdown was announced only a few hours before it went into effect, leaving many unprepared as domestic flights, trains and buses were all shut down. But police are enforcing the order with some outrageous methods, beating with batons people they see in the streets.
Here is a video showing the police brutality:
Police in India are using violence and corporal punishment to enforce the local coronavirus lockdown pic.twitter.com/oAdUNdHTvK
— TRT World (@trtworld) March 26, 2020
There is one report that a man that stepped out to buy milk, was beaten by police and later died. His wife reportedly claimed that he was hit with a lathi when the police were clearing a gathering on the street. Police refute the claim and alleged that the man died from cardiac arrest.
Other issues are also arising from the lockdown. Many people are stranded without income and without work. Thousands of migrants also found themselves stranded across India as they had no time to get back home before it went into effect. Many have been seen walking for miles or crammed up in trucks, Al Jezeera reports.
To all the rich and entitled Indians pls see and feel the lockdown, the displacement and the economic rut happening on poor 90% people of this country. It has been brought in India through those who travelled back from infected countries (including religious travel) Help them. pic.twitter.com/wGG5ltY7J3
— Manish Mundra (@ManMundra) March 28, 2020
This is the situation at a checkpost in Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 2,000 people have been stopped since last night
If the PM cared, he would’ve thought more about planning the lockdown than about publicising it. #CitizensAboveCitizenship #MigrantsOnTheRoad pic.twitter.com/QOZqlqxmEU— We The People of India (@ThePeopleOfIN) March 28, 2020
This video is from Anand Vihar Bus Station. This is absolutely horrifying.
We must think long & hard about the consequences of this unplanned lockdown, where the poor will pay a price none of us can afford. #CoronaLockdown #CitizensAboveCitizenship
pic.twitter.com/HEb4EnBCK1— We The People of India (@ThePeopleOfIN) March 28, 2020
