Mah police call for additional manpower to enforce lockdown
   Date :04-Apr-2020

Mah police for lockdown_1
 
 
By Dheeraj Fartode :
 
Personnel working with CID and ACB directed to report to local police units
 
 
Police personnel on deputation to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) are now being drafted for regular duties with uniformed personnel as Maharashtra Police gears up to face the onslaught of novel coronavirus in the State. Maharashtra Police move comes as the current manpower is falling short in coping up with increasing demand for cops in the stepping-up fight against COVID-19.
 
Director General of Police (DGP) Subhodh Jaiswal issued an order directing CID (Crime), ACB and Protection of Human Rights (PCR), considered as non-regular units, to release personnel who are told to report to their respective police units immediately. A police official said that the additional manpower is required to maintain law and order in the State amid increasing number of asymtomatic and positive patients. Staff of these special units are appointed on deputation from State police. The police staff would be deployed in the state for manning bandobast, informed the official.
 
The order was issued by Shrishail Chandappa Imde, Office Superintendent, DGP Office, stated that as the coronavirus is spreading its tentacles in the State, preventive measures are needed to be taken immediately. The current staff available with Commissioner of Police (CP) and Superintendent of Police (SPs) is falling short and hence all non-executive staff and officials should be released as per the need,” the order stated. As per information, Maharashtra police has 2.20 lakh police personnel on its rolls, it includes 10 per cent staff serving in CID, ACB and PCR.
 
After State ordered lockdown to prevent spread of coronavirus, entire police staff was deployed for enforcement of lockdown. Units of HomeGuards were also roped-in for the field duties to shoulder the load of picket points put up at various places. Still the field officials are facing staff crunch for maintaining bandobast duties as the existing force is stretched to its limits. Sources claimed that drafting of additional manpower could be an indication that the lockdown period may get extended, if not in entire State but in specific areas that would required putting up extra picket point, claimed sources.