Guwahati police introduced the odd-even rule for vehicles plying in the city on Friday for three days so that traffic movement can be minimised and people do not misuse “emergency” passes issued by them.

As several people are violating the lockdown norms, the police have come up with this system.

Additional director-general of police (law and order), G.P. Singh, said the odd-even rule will be effective till Sunday and during this time strict monitoring of all the vehicles in the city will be undertaken.

He added that the odd-even rule is imposed for all the vehicles, including two-wheelers, even if they have passes.

The police have relaxed the restrictions for the vehicles used on duty for the health sector, media, water tankers, government officials in government vehicles and full-body trucks (used for essential commodities) at Railway yards.

On Friday, only even-numbered vehicles were allowed to move while on Saturday, odd-numbered vehicles will be allowed and on Sunday, even-numbered will be allowed. The rule is decided by the registration number of the vehicle.

This decision was taken to prevent “unwarranted” traffic congestion during the lockdown. The police earlier had restricted movement of all the private vehicles during the lockdown and only vehicles with passes are being allowed. However, it was seen that after getting passes, several people came out on the streets allegedly misusing the passes.

Apart from this, the people who are engaged in the delivery services of essential goods will have to take permission from the police to do so.

Guwahati police till Friday had filed over 1,200 non-FIR case against people who have violated the lockdown norms and have seized 2,717 two-wheelers, 20 three-wheelers and 240 four-wheelers.

Along with this, Rs 11.91 lakh fines were also issued to the violators.

However, Khalsa Centre North East, which has been active in several social services, including distribution of relief across the state, stated it should be exempted from the new rule. It said if it was not exempted then it will not be able to distribute food and relief to over 3,000 people every day.

The organisation has a very limited number of vehicles and just one trailer to carry as well as deliver the food drums. This issue was by the police by enlisted two police personnel with them so that they do not face any difficulties during the distribution of relief.

The police later notified that on Friday alone they detain 780 two-wheelers, nine three-wheelers and 98 four-wheelers.

Total fines imposed were Rs 1.84 lakh.