The Central Government has extended the lockdown for two more weeks till May 17, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has been steadily increasing all over the country. While several States and their districts which are categorised under the Orange and Green Zones are given restricted permissions for certain activities, Maharashtra is still under the Red Zone (Containment Zone) as the number of COVID-19 cases is rising by the day. The Maharashtra Police is trying its level best to stop the spread of this virus in the different communities by appealing to the citizens to stay indoors. But while they are doing their utmost in trying to keep the citizens safe, they seem to be entangled in this deadly web themselves.
As per latest reports as on May 2, 2020, as many as 227 police personnel, including 30 officers, have tested positive for the coronavirus in Maharashtra.
Those who contracted the virus included the Reserve Police personnel deployed for security duty in Malegaon, a coronavirus hotspot in Nashik district, he said.
Of the 227 infected cops, 22 constables and eight officers have recovered. 172 constables and 22 officers are undergoing treatment at various hospitals, while three police officers, all from Mumbai, have died.
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra has crossed 11,000. The police are working round-the-clock to enforce the lockdown to contain the pandemic. Despite the police’s all-out efforts to help citizens stay safe and protected from the virus, there have been 167 incidents of assault on them. 627 persons have been arrested in connection with these assaults. 87,391 offences under Section 188 of IPC (Disobedience to order, duly promulgated by a public servant) have been registered in the State, and 17,632 persons have been arrested in these cases, an official said.
The police also registered 1,240 cases of illegal transportation and seized more than 50,827 vehicles during the ongoing lockdown; collecting a fine of Rs 3.10 Crore, he added.
Tech-savvy Cops
While some cops have been infected by the virus while on duty, some who are making use of new technology to get rid of social viruses in society. Recently, a drone came in handy for the police in busting gamblers who had sheltered themselves in a secluded spot near Latur in Maharashtra; notwithstanding the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, an official attached to Latur Police said.
After receiving a tip-off about a group of 25 men indulging in gambling, a team of police personnel conducted surveillance of the area through a drone and readied themselves to bust the illegal gathering.
The raid was planned with the help of the footage provided by the drone camera. None of the gamblers able to escape as the police had already sealed the possible exit routes.
The police seized Rs 1.55 lakh in cash from the accused. A case has been registered under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
“We appeal to the citizens of the State to stay indoors and help us in fighting the coronavirus. Our policemen are being infected while performing their duties. Kindly stay at your home, obey the guidelines given by the government to get rid of this virus quickly,” said a police officer attached to the Mumbai Police.
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