Assam police on Wednesday used social media to shame those loitering around or venturing out of their homes “without any valid reason” in violation of the safety restrictions imposed during the coronavirus-triggered 21-day nationwide lockdown.

On the first day of the lockdown at Biswanath on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, the policemen asked violators to hold placards that read: “I am the enemy of society as I do not stay at home.”

Biswanath police then uploaded the pictures of the violators holding the placards and tweeted. These were also shared by Assam police.

“Do you want to click a Photograph like this ?We @BiswanathPol have one Placard for anyone who comes out without any reason @assampolice@DGPAssamPolice#Behaveyourself#LockDown,” Biswanath police tweeted.

In Nagaon town on the south bank, nearly 100km from Biswanath, the police clicked photos of nearly 50 violators holding placards that read: “I am an irresponsible fool.”

A police officer said to keep things under control, the police had taken several steps, including posting photos of people who had violated the ongoing lockdown, on social media. The police have also resorted to a lathicharge so that people do not venture out of their homes without any valid reason.

These photos were later posted on social media by Nagaon police so that nobody comes out without any cause.

The police have also hinted that they might seize the vehicles if those were found on the streets and the owners failed to provide any valid reason on why they had violated the safety guidelines.

The netizens have by and large supported the police’s action against those violating prohibitory orders amid lockdown which was announced to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Social distancing is seen as the only solution to check the spread of the virus.

Assam’s director-general of police (DGP), Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, said: “This is not a normal time; the police are trying their best to ensure lockdown.”

He said the Disaster Management Act had been applied and if anyone disobeyed the lockdown, they could land in jail for a year as it is a non-bailable offence.