Indian police have resorted to extreme measures to enforce the world’s largest lockdown due to the coronavirus.
The “complete national lockdown” impacts nearly 1.3 billion people and went into effect on March 25th. It is slated to last 21 days but, as we’ve seen time and time again, some people aren’t taking it seriously.
In most places, this would result in police breaking up crowds and warning people to maintain social distancing. However, the Associated Press reports police in New Delhi, Mumbai and the state of Kerala have been caught striking people with batons.
Like most other countries, India’s lockdown allows people to leave their home to get groceries and other essential supplies. Despite that, police seem to be attacking people at random.
In one video, you can see an officer driving around on a motorcycle and hitting people on the street, from behind, with a baton as he drives by. Others are stopped and hit by multiple people while still seated on their motorcycles or scooters.
While reports of police violence are widespread, some officers have adopted less extreme measures. In some of these cases, they force people to bend down with their heads between their legs or do pushups on the street.
The measures are raising eyebrows and the violence appears uncalled for. However, during a speech announcing the lockdown, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said the stay-at-home order was necessary as “India is at a stage where our current actions will determine how much we are able to minimize the impact of this disaster.” He added, the “ill-conceived notions of a few can put you, your children, your parents, your family, your friends, the entire country in grave jeopardy.”