With residents inside, Bengaluru civic body seals 2 flats with metal sheets

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Jul 24, 2020: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike on Thursday came under sharp criticism after its staff members blocked two flats with corrugated metal sheets, sealing off the residents of the flats inside their houses, to ensure home quarantine of the family of a coronavirus patient.

The matter came to light after another resident shared pictures of the sealed flats on Twitter. The tin sheets were taken down after BBMP commissioner issued an apology over the "over-enthusiasm of local staff" and ensured the removal of the barricades.

"I have ensured removal of these barricades immediately. We are committed to treat all persons with dignity. The purpose of containment is to protect the infected and to ensure uninfected are safe," Prasad tweeted.

"We are committed to address any issues that result in stigma. Apologies for the over enthusiasm of the local staff," he added.

The municipal corporation workers had sealed the doors of the two flats near Domlur as a measure to ensure home quarantine of the family and the neighbour of a man who had tested positive for the coronavirus.

As the images of the flats sealed with corrugated metal sheets were shared on social media, triggering a backlash, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad apologised for the behaviour of the staff members and asked officials to remove the tin sheets.
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Despite a week-long lockdown clamped to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Bengaluru, the city has continued to see a surge in the infections.

Karnataka has so far registered 80,863 coronavirus positive cases of which, 49,937 are active cases and 29,310 have recovered.

In view of the rapidly increasing coronavirus cases, Karnataka deputy chief minister Ashwath Narayan said there was an urgent need for the week-long lockdown in Bengaluru.

Speaking to India Today TV in an interview, the minister said, "We do not have any confusion. We are very clear. There is a lot of pressure as there was an instant spike in cases. There was a lot of demand from the public and the Opposition for a short-term lockdown. This was the first weeklong lockdown in Bengaluru since the nationwide lockdown."


courtesy: IndiaToday