Lockdown violation: Kerala priest, ex-police officer booked

A Chiristian priest and a former police officer were among many people who were booked on Wednesday for violating lockdown norms in Kerala.

A Christian priest and office-bearers of St Peter's Church at Adoor in Pathanamthitta district were booked when the priest led a funeral prayer service where more than 100 people took part, police sources said.

Reji Yohanan was arrested and and let off on bail.

The police have warned not to crowd marriage functions or funeral services.

At Kottaraka in Kollam district, a former police officer was charged for organizing the marriage of his daughter, drawing over 100 invitees, thus violating the norms prescribed by the district authorities.

The police had warned him not to hold the function in a big way.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday had warned people to stay indoors else face legal action.

In several districts of the state, many car and two-wheeler owners have been booked for violation of lockdown rules. The police have warned of cancellation of registration of vehicle owners in case of violation.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister at his weekly cabinet meeting held here today, decided in to bring a new ordinance (Kerala Epidemics Diseases Act) which will give more punitive powers to the district authorities to act against violators of the lockdown rules. IANS