By Keshav Raj Poudel, Kathmandu, Aug. 28: The police took on hold as many as 3,886 vehicles for violating prohibitory order in the Kathmandu Valley on Friday.

As many as 1,229 vehicles in Kathmandu, 410 in Lalitpur and 2,255 in Bhaktapur were held for plying without permission.

Prohibitory order is being enforced in all the three districts of the Kathmandu Valley following the increment of the COVID-19 cases in the Valley.

Besides the urgent and those having the permission by the concerned District Administration Office, all the other vehicles have been totally banned from operating.

Sushil Kumar Yadav, Superintendent of Police (SSP) at the Metropolitan Police Circle, said, "Vehicles of those who are found driving by defying the prohibitory order have been taken on hold."

Of the vehicles taken under control include 533 four wheelers and 1,000 two wheelers.

Bhim Prasad Dhakal, Superintendent of Police(SSP) at the Metropolitan Traffic Division, said, "A week after the enforcement of the prohibitory order, those vehicles seen outside by violating the order could be taken into control as per the Infectious Disease Act, 2020 and local administration act.”

At first, we let the vehicles go after holding for some hours after reminding the concerned person. But, if the same person is found repeating the violations, now the vehicles are kept for one, two or three days seen violating the order.

Even a case against the rule breaker vehicle can be filed as per the Infectious Disease Act, 2020, if it reaches at the certain point, added Dhakal.

Some 1,400 traffic police personnel are mobilized on the road to improve the situation.

Also, people found steeping out without the face masks are fined Rs.100 as per the order of the District Administration Office (CDO), said Dhakal.