BREAKING: Centre tells states to take legal action against lockdown violators & enforce it

According to an official statement, Centre on Monday asked state governments to strictly enforce lockdown and take legal action against violators.  Centre and state governments on Sunday decided to completely lock down 80 districts across country where Coronavirus cases have been reported till March 31. 

In view of need to contain spread of deadly COVID-19, it was agreed that re was an urgent need to extend restrictions on movement of n-essential passenger transport.

'Many people are still t taking lockdown seriously'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier on Monday appealed to state governments to ensure that rules and regulations of coronavirus lockdown are enforced as he ted that many people are t taking measure seriously. "Many people are still t taking lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, save your family, follow instructions seriously. I request state governments to ensure rules and laws are followed," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

PM Modi's 'Janta Curfew' appeal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday 14-hour 'Janta Curfew' is beginning of a long battle against coronavirus outbreak and countrymen have proved that toger y can defeat any challenge. "Today's Janta Curfew may end at 9.00 pm, but this does t mean we start celebrating," he tweeted.

READ | Coronavirus: Yogi Adityanath appeals to citizens to take lockdown seriously

He said self-imposed curfew should "t be considered as a success" as it is "beginning of a long battle". "Janta Curfew is beginning of a long battle. Today countrymen have told that we are capable, and once we decide we can take on any challenge toger," he said.

READ | Amid lockdown, Delhi government to present its budget in Assembly

Across India, 80 districts including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru are on complete lockdown, which means only essential services will be allowed. Railways, metros and inter-state buses have been stopped and public transport has been banned in Punjab, Rajasthan, Bengal and Haryana.

READ | COVID-19: Andhra Govt anunces lockdown, State Health Department issues directives

total number of COVID-19 cases in country rose to 415 on Monday after 30 fresh cases were reported, Union Health Ministry said. figure includes 41 foreign nationals and seven deaths reported so far, it said.

READ | BREAKING: Here's PM Modi's stern mess to Lockdown violators in India's Coronavirus war

(With PTI inputs)