By Keshab Raj Poudel, Kathmandu, Aug. 20: The police on Thursday kept as many as 1,170 persons on hold for two hours for defying the prohibitory order imposed to contain COVID-19 spread.

Likewise, 692 two-wheelers and 115 four-wheelers were taken into control by the police for defying the order.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sushil Kumar Yadav, spokesperson of the Metropolitan Police Office said that the prohibitory order imposed in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur was strictly being enforced in the Valley.

The police had kept 437 people of Kathmandu, 498 of Lalitpur and 235 of Bhaktapur on hold for stepping out during prohibition.

SSP Yadav informed that 3,300 police officials were mobilised in the Valley to ensure strict implementation of the prohibitory order. "We will continue punishing those who step out without any urgency in order to control the spread of the novel coronavirus," he added.

Additional police personnel has been mobilised from Manahara Bridge to Sanga in Bhaktapur to enforce the prohibitory order. The police have already kept 335 persons on hold in Bhaktapur.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Chakraraj Joshi of Metropolitan Police Circle, Jahati said that those defying the order were kept on hold at the roadside for two hours.

Only vehicles used for essential services were seen running on the roads of Kathmandu Valley on Thursday. The entry points of Kathmandu Valley including Sanga and Thankot are under the strict surveillance of the police.

SSP Yadav said that those defying the prohibitory order would be punished according to the Infectious Disease (Control) Act, 2020.