Bengaluru top cop urges public to enforce mask rule; Warns criminal action against those flouting it
Bengaluru: Criminal cases will be filed against those flouting face mask and social distancing rules and public can call police in case someone refuses to follow the COVID-19 preventive norms in the city, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said on Sunday.
While police and civic body officials will patrol city roads and enforce the mask rule and social distancing, the public can also do their bit and ask every other person to follow them, he said in a series of tweets as the government stepped up efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Asking traders and others to donate masks to the underprivileged, he also warned of legal action against shops and establishments if they did not implement the norms such as wearing of masks and social distancing.
"DCPs n BBMP (city civic body personnel) are on streets to enforce wearing of masks and SD. Warnings now, criminal cases will follow. Urge every Bangalurean to enforce mask enforcement and SD. If people argue, call 100, we are ready to respond to your calls. RWA (Resident Welfare Associations) n Traders Please Donate Masks to underprivileged," Rao tweeted.
He said, dont bother about the high and mighty factor, whosoever it is, just tell people around you to wear a mask and not to hang it around the neck.
The Commissioner also said if shops, malls, banks, hotels, offices,and establishments do not implement mask wearing and ensure safe distance, the City Police will raid and initiate legal action.
"This has already started, it's in Public Interest," he added.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had recently said, the government has decided to take strict action against those not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing.
Initially Rs 200 fine will be imposed, and this will be implemented throughout the state, he had said as the government stepped up measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 cases in the city.
A total of 2,531 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the city as of Saturday evening. This includes 84 deaths and 533 discharges.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the state had more than tripled to 11,923 on Saturday from 3,408 as of June 1 with the capital city topping the districts in the infection count.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
