'Friend of coronavirus': Police in north India shame those defying lockdown

People hold their ears while doing sit-ups as a punishment for breaking a lockdown imposed to limit the spreading of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ahmedabad, India, March 24, 2020. REUTERS/Amit Dave

LUCKNOW, India (Reuters) - Police in India's northern city of Meerut are making citizens who break its lockdown hold up signs reading, "I am a friend of coronavirus," or "I am the enemy of society," before posting their pictures on Twitter.

Most of India, which had 482 infections and nine deaths by Tuesday, is under lockdown to curb the spread of the virus, including Meerut, in the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh.