At least 10 foreign nationals belonging to different countries were made to write "sorry" 500 times for flouting the lockdown prohibitory rules in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

The foreigners were caught taking a stroll in the Tapovan area in Rishikesh, a popular tourist town, on April 11.

Following this, they were caught by the local police and were made to write a sentence of apology 500 times, as a punishment.

"When I caught them strolling, they said they are not violating any guideline as they are out during the relaxation period. So, I told them that the relaxation period is only to buy essentials and not to roam around," one of the police officials said.

"I did not follow the rules of lockdown so I am so sorry," each one of them wrote 500 times.

The bizarre punishment was meted out to send a strong message to those taking the norms lightly.

The lockdown is crucial for containing the deadly coronavirus pandemic across the nation.