‘City police initiates stern action against people defying Covid-19 protocol’
   Date :21-Feb-2021

Amitesh Kumar_1 &nbs
 Amitesh Kumar
 
Staff Reporter :
 
Nakabandi, patrolling and checking of eateries intensified
 
In last two days, police have caught 1,302 persons for not wearing masks while 181 persons were fined for not maintaining social distancing
 
 
Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar on Saturday announced an action plan against outbreak of novel coronavirus across the city and issued directives to the force to initiate stern action against people and commercial establishments for defying Covid-19 protocol. “Some citizens are defying protocols of coronavirus and exposing themselves to the risk of contracting the virus by not wearing masks and also not maintaining social distancing. This casual approach of some people is creating trouble for the entire city,” the CP said while interacting with newspersons at Police Gymkhana on Saturday.
 
The police have caught 1,302 persons for not wearing masks and 181 persons were fined for not maintaining social distancing in last two days. Fine collectively worth Rs 3.42 lakh was slapped against the offenders under Covid-19 protocol. “Additional CPs, DCPs and police station officers have been directed to implement the Covid-19 protocol with letter and spirit. Nakabandi and patrolling will be intensified across the city to book vehicle users who are not wearing masks. Similarly, the police will conduct checks at marriage halls,” the CP said. To create an effective deterrent, fine of Rs 500 will be imposed for not wearing masks.
 
The restrictions will be effectively implemented as it becomes necessary due to sudden outbreak of the infections, the top cop said. As per the Covid-19 protocol, eating joints, including restaurants and bars, are allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity of customers. However, the commercial establishments are operating with 100 per cent capacity and defying the rules. This will not be tolerated as they are risking life of common men, said Kumar and warned of registration of offence under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code and provisions of The Epidemic Diseases Act 189 and Disaster Management Act. The CP explained that if 50 people enter a restaurant and even if one person is infected then many of those who are visiting the restaurant will contract the virus. Therefore, proper sanitisation of eating joints with only 50 per cent customers is necessary. “The City police will enforce the drive strictly and no one will be allowed to defy the rules as breaking of the chain of Covid-19 is necessary,” the CP said.
 
Crackdown against criminals To curb the body offences and organised crime, the police have launched a crackdown against the criminals. CP Amitesh Kumar said that a total of 17 goons were booked under stringent Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activity Act in the last six months. Of them, seven were booked this year. “We have identified more than 6,000 criminals who have committed murders in the last 20 years. Of them, 4,500 are hardcore criminals. These notorious goons are being booked under stringent MPDA act and MCOCA. This year, 465 habitual offenders were booked under Section 110 of CrPC and 250 are sent to jail. “The police are tracking activities of the criminals to curb body offences,” the CP said.