While the country’s positive coronavirus cases crossed 90,000, there is no let-up of the increase in Maharashtra as well. The vicious virus has affected citizens, medical workers and the men in uniform alike.
The pandemic has claimed the life of one more police personnel on duty. The deceased has been identified as ASI Madhukar Mane, who was posted in Mumbai. The DGP and all ranks of Maharashtra Police offered their condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased policeman.
The pandemic has claimed the lives of 11 policemen in Maharashtra – eight in Mumbai and one each in Solapur, Nashik and Pune.
In the last one month, four policemen have died battling COVID-19, including police officers Kulkarni and Mane, ASI Murlidhar Waghmare, attached to Mumbai’s Sewri Police Station, and Naik Bhagwan Parte of Shivaji Nagar Police Station.
“The number of police officers infected due to the virus is increasing as they are being posted at the containment zones. So far, 128 officers and 1026 police constables have been infected, bringing the total to 1154,” said a police officer attached to the Mumbai Police.
But we also need to focus on the good news as well. The recovery rate is also showing an increase. 174 police personnel have successfully recovered from his virus, he added.
A large number of policemen have also been put in self-quarantine; leaving a staggering shortage of personnel in the department.
To cover the decreasing number of police personnel, the State Government has requested the Central Government to help and provide around 2000 additional force from the Central Armed Police Force to provide some respite to its fatigued officers.
“We have registered 299 incidents where policemen were attacked while performing their duties. So far, we have arrested 803 people. We have registered 1,07,256 offences under Section 188 of IPC for violating prohibitory orders and arrested 20,237 accused persons. We have also recovered Rs 4.10 Crore as fines during this period,” an officer added.
Police Help Migrants
The Maharashtra Police has so far issued nearly six lakh E-passes to facilitate inter and intra-state travel following the nationwide lockdown in place since March 25.
These passes were issued against the 23.98 odd lakh applications the police had received during the period from citizens requesting permission to travel for emergency purposes during the lockdown.
Special Inspector General of Police (IGP), Law and Order, Milind Bharambe said: “23,98,067 applications were processed by the police stations in their respective jurisdiction. Following scrutiny, 5,97,650 were approved, while 11,90,633 were rejected.”
To apply for the E-Pass, one has to:
- Click on the link: covid19.mhpolice.in
- Click on: ‘Apply for pass here’
- A form will appear which has to be filled properly and the relevant documents have to be attached. For example, in the case of a medical emergency, a soft copy of the medical certificate has to be attached. In case of stranded passengers, Voter ID or Aadhar Card indicating the domicile has to be attached.
- Click on the ‘Submit’ box. A token ID will appear which has to be saved.
- After approval, the status can be checked, or the pass can be downloaded once it is approved
- Keep a hard or soft copy of the E-Pass at the time of travel for scrutiny at any point.
Milind Bharambe also stated that the duration for the approval of the application will depend on the time taken for processing it. “The facts in the application are verified by the respective units (police units) in the State. In places where the load or number of applicants is less, it will be done faster, and vice versa,” he said.
