‘Will even face lathis by police to see her’: Mumbai couples hit hard by curbs

With Covid19 restrictions closing up places like malls restaurants theatres where people used to hang out the cityrsquos open areas are dotted by couples meeting up Faced with its duty to make sure everyone follows Covid19 protocols and stays inside their homes policing such people has become a dilemma for Mumbai cops mdash how do you disperse couples without it appearing as moral policingSome of the best couple destinations in Mumbai are located near Powai area PicSameer MarkandeIn recent action the Powai police rounded up more than 50 couples from Powai Lake Garden and gave them strict warnings before letting them go Mumbai policersquos caution in not appearing as moral police was evident in a reply to a Twitter user who asked which sticker he should put on his vehicle when he ventures out to meet his girlfriend ldquoWe understand itrsquos essential for you sir but unfortunately it doesnrsquot fall under our essentials or emergency categories Distance makes the heart grow fonder amp currently you healthier PS We wish you lifetime together This is just a phase StayHomeStaySaferdquo Read on for middayrsquos ground report from various spots in the cityAlso Read Man named Sunny asks if he can go out during pandemic Mumbai Polices quirky reply wins the internetBandstand BandraThere were no police personnel at Carter Road on Tuesday afternoon PicSameer MarkandeAround 3 pm on Tuesday there were around 300400 people in the vicinity of Bandstand Some were spending time outside actor Shah Rukh Khanrsquos bungalow midday did not find any police personnel but there were many BMC marshals One marshal also stopped middayrsquos photographer claiming that taking pictures has been banned amid the lockdownMindspace Goregaon WA couple at Dana Pani beach on Tuesday PicAnurag AhireOn the back road in the Mindspace area of Goregaon West there were many visitors at 3 pm With the BMC garden frequented by couples closed amid the restrictions couples were in their cars or on their bikes parked on the roadGorai beachA couple at Gorai beach on Tuesday evening PicAnurag AhireAs Gorai beach is located outside the city many visit the place At 5 pm on Tuesday the road near the beach was dotted with cars Some people were taking selfies on the beach midday did not find police or BMC personnelDadar ChowpattyA couple sitting on the rocks at Dadar Chowpatty on Tuesday PicSameer MarkandeAt Dadar Chowpatty while all entrances were barricaded by the police couples managed to find a way to enter the beach People were spotted sitting on the rocks and at the beachAarey forestA couple seen in Aarey Milk Colony PicAnurag AhireThe popular Chhota Kashmir garden in Aarey Milk Colony has been closed amid restrictions Couples were seen near a pond located near New Zealand guest house and on the Marol side of the forest area Since Aarey is connected to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park SGNP there are many spots that can offer some privacyShivaji Park DadarMost of the benches at Shivaji Park were occupied on Tuesday afternoon PicSameer MarkandeAt 330 pm on Tuesday while it was not crowded most of the benches at Shivaji Park were occupied A couple at the park said ldquoThis is the most decent place where we regularly meet and spend good times We visit this place to talk with each other and share our happiness We understand there is a lockdown but we donrsquot have any other choice left We are using masks sanitisers regularly and are not causing a crowdrdquoPowai Lake GardenLocal police are not taking strict action but requesting couples in Powai Lake Garden to disperse PicSameer MarkandeAt 1 pm on Tuesday there were 3040 couples some were taking selfies some were sitting in the interior parts of the garden In a viral video from the spot a constable was seen telling people that they are under pressure from the government and requested them to leave Senior Inspector Aburao Sonawane of Powai police said ldquoWe are not taking serious action against couples but we are requesting them to not venture outside without valid reasons A constable has been posted at Lake Garden to disperse people Anyone found without a mask faces actionrdquoJuhu ChowpattyAccess to Juhu Chowpatty has been restricted with barricades PicSameer MarkandeAt 2 pm on Tuesday while access to Juhu beach was barricaded people parked bikes and cars on the road to spend time together A woman constable was seen requesting couples to leave she also used her lathi on a few not wearing masks midday spoke to a couple on a bike ldquoI am meeting her after almost a month This is the only place I could see her What to do I will take a few lathis from the cops to see herrdquo said the man the couple was shooed away by the constable Cops have also put banners outside the beach saying ldquoWe are welcoming you on beach but after lockdownrdquo A constable said ldquoIf we request them to leave they find another place nearby We sympathise with them but they should have patience for a few more daysrdquo