Hyderabad: Empty roads turn play areas for many youth

Charminar: While most of the citizenry confined themselves inside their houses in view of 'Janata Curfew', the youngsters turned the roads and bylanes of the Old City into playing fields and some were seen hanging around near 'chabutras' along with their friends.

For youth, who could barely restrict themselves within boundaries of houses, were seen in bylanes with no-precautions and hanging around along with friends in Old City after the completion of half-day's curfew. While most of the roads were blocked by the police and all the major markets were shut down observing 'Janata Curfew' not only youngsters but even elderly were seen sitting outside their houses on 'Chabutras'. When The Hans India reporter visited the areas in Old City like Yakutpura, Talabkatta, Moghalpura, Chanchalguda, Jahanuma, Bahadurpura, Nampally, Aghapura, Mallepally etc. the deserted roads were turned into playing fields where youngsters were seen playing Cricket, Gilli danda, Lagorcha (seven stones) on sub-roads and also some main roads. Some of the pan shops were also open in the small roads in areas like Yakutpura.

As the group members engaged themselves in playing, one of them was tasked to keep a tight vigil on police vehicles passing by. He would alert the group by screaming 'police aaray' after which the youth would vanish into houses and bylanes, if patrol vehicle passes by and everyone would go inside their houses. When asked why they were outside, a youth replied, "This kind of empty roads are a very rare thing and this has given a chance to play,".

Youth indulge in making TikTok videos

Seeing the roads abandoned near Charminar some youngsters were seen making TikTok videos, however, police apprehended them and warned them not to come out of their houses.

According to police, finding curfew as an opportunity, the youngsters who were making TikTok videos and loitering on roads were caught and their documents such as licenses, pending challans etc. were checked. If one had more than Rs 1,000 challan their vehicles were seized", said a Charminar Police Constable.

At some other locations, the youth were caught by police and were asked to be a volunteer to create awareness about COVID-19, by holding placards, said a Habeebnagar Police Constable.