Pune Police intercepts around 150 migrant labourers walking towards Madhya Pradesh

They were persuaded to go back to their rented accommodation in Katraj area.

According to police, the workers along with their belongings were intercepted near Khadi Machine Chowk on Katraj-Kondhwa road at around 0330 hrs today. "The labourers wanted to go back to their native places in Madhya Pradesh as they were finding it difficult to sustain life in Pune without any work", the police said.

They were not able to buy food or pay rent.

DCP (Zone 5) Suhas Bawche said, "We convinced them to go back. We have informed the district administration and PMC for providing relief."

Senior Police Inspector Vinayak Gaikwad, in-charge of Kondhwa police station said that the workers were taken to Darekar School in Kondhwa, which is a designated shelter camp.

But after some time, they wanted to go back to their rented accommodation. We allowed them to go back as they were not ready to stay at the shelter camp.

As the number of novel coronavirus positive patients are increasing day by day, the lockdown has been extended till May 3.

Meanwhile, Pune police have issued prohibitory orders for strict implementation of a curfew in more areas of the city where many COVID19 patients have been detected.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ravindra Shisve issued the orders which also include directions to keep all non-essential establishments closed including religious places as well as a ban on vehicle movement.