Kolkata, Apr 24 (PTI) Nearly 34,000 people have been arrested in West Bengal for violating the lockdown norms, chief secretary Rajiva Sinha said on Friday.

In West Bengal, 33,997 people have been arrested under various provisions of the law for violating the lockdown, he said.

"We have taken various measures so that lockdown is implemented properly throughout the state. Till today, we have arrested 33,997 people ... These indicate there is a strong surveillance so that lockdown is honoured and maintained," Sinha said.

Meanwhile, in the city, Kolkata Police till 8.30 PM of Friday arrested 859 people for defying lockdown, not wearing face masks and also for spitting in the open, a police officer said.

"At least 682 were arrested for violating lockdown norms while 153 for not using face mask and 24 for spitting in the open. During the period 14 vehicles were also seized," the officer added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)