The lockdown will help to contain soaring graph of Covid-19 : CP Amitesh Kumar

Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar

The fresh surge of novel coronavirus cases has forced the government to enforce lockdown to break the chain of the ‘super-spreader’ virus. While the medicos are fighting to save the precious lives in the hospitals, the men in ‘khaki’ are guarding the streets round the clock for enforcement of the lockdown and stop the further spread of the virus. Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar has himself hit the streets and supervised the bandobast across the state. When ‘The Hitavada’ talked to the young and dynamic Police Commissioner, he was very much confident about containing the soaring graph of the virus and said that the cases would be decreased by the end of the April if people will help the police by staying at home. The CP also warned that any misadventure of people like unnecessarily roaming on the streets would be dealt firmly and they will liable for legal action. In a freewheeling chat, CP Amitesh Kumar shared his plans and experiences of lockdown.

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Q. Please explain the deployment plans of the police force for enforcement of lockdwon.

A. The enforcement has been done in four categories. In the first part, nakabandi is being done by police station staff day and night. In the second category, there are specific points earmarked for stronger nakabandi which is directly monitored by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). These are the major junctions where stringent checking and stringent action taking place. In the third category, traffic police are doing challan for not wearing masks and not maintaining social distance. In fourth category, a total of 10 special squads of traffic police have been formed for checking vehicles for no masks. Such vehicles are detained by these special squads. Apart from this, there is a fifth category of bandobast deployed at critical points that include Mominpura, Itwari, Mahal, Sitabuldi market, Coffee Bhavan square.Similarly, police patrolling vehicles, loudspeakers mobiles are continuously guarding the city. The city police is also providing bandoabst to more than 100 Covid care hospitals, 175 containment zones, two institutional quarantine centres and six oxygen plants. A total of 160 beat marshals are specially tasked for random visits to Covid hospitals, containment zones and oxygen plants. Two companies of SRPF and six platoons of Riot Contrail Police (RCP) have also been deployed in the city. I am personally going to the fields everyday and taking stock of the situation. Our strategy is very clear. Right from CP to Police Constables everyone should be in the field.
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Q. How do you protect the over exposed policemen ?

A. It is our profession duty to enforce the restrictions and guidelines given by the government. Similarly, it is our professional duty to ensure safety and security of everyone who is involved in dealing with this pandemic. The cops are working day and night and handling the crisis very well.We have an advantage that our 90 per cent men are vaccinated. The government has given us the opportunity of priority vaccination. Therefore, the burden has increased on us to give our best to society. Also, we are making efforts to ensure that the spread does not affect the police personnel deployed in the field. Use of masks, sanitizers, gloves, PPE kits are being supplied to the staff. Rapid Antigen Tests of policemen are being done in large numbers to detect early symptoms.We are also ensuring top class medical facilities for police personnel. The 60 bedded police hospital is functional and we have a team of doctors and staff there. A total of 350 policemen are infected in the second wave so far and none of them are in serious condition and most of them are asymptomatic.  We are giving our professional output at maximum capacity to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the city.
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Q. What are responses the cops are receiving in the field ?

A. Some restrictions were put in place in the second week of March. We thought that the pandemic will be controlled in the last week of March. But many restrictions were lifted in the fourth week of March. Unfortunately, we saw a fresh surge in April. Therefore, the fresh lockdown has been enforced on the instruction of the government. The fresh lockdown was enforced on April 15. The police have started enforcement of lockdown with area domination exercise including route march. The Public Announcement system was used on a large scale to sensitize the people. Yesterday was the second day of lockdown and we came in full action mode and all the efforts were put in place. We saw a good response of people may be due to the deterrence of police force. There were a few occasions of large scale crowding. Today was the third day of lockdown and we have now started Rapid Antigen Test on streets at nakabandi points. The roads wore a deserted look and the impact was good. Yes, it is a challenge for us to continue the same till the end of the month. We are totally committed and our men are fully spirited to take this ahead.
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Q. Have you identified areas for strict implementation ?

A. We have identified some areas and intensified deployment of force there. These areas include - Kamal Chowk, Jaripatka, Mominpura, Itwari, Mahal, Ambazari lake, Dharampeth. As these areas were seen a large congregation of people. After studying the time period of the congregation, the force deployment is done accordingly.
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Q. What is the idea behind interdicting Rapid Antigen Test on the streets ?

A. The spreaders are roaming on the streets without their knowledge. These spreaders need to be identified to prevent the spread. It will also act as deterrence for the people who are unnecessarily coming on the streets. If their test comes positive, they will be sent to institutional quarantine for 14-days. They will not be allowed for home quarantine. This is the basic idea.
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Q. Some shops are operating by putting their shutters down. How will you deal with it ?

A. We have received certain reports about some shopkeepers are operating in malafide manner by opening back door of the shops or half opening the shutter. We are working on it. Special teams will be dealt with such shopkeepers from Monday and these shops will be sealed till the Covid pandemic does not get over.------------------------
Q. Do you have new plans for enforcement ?

A. Frankly, making the restrictions stringent will be decided by the government or by the planning authorities. However, the challenge before the police is to ensure smooth enforcement of the restriction in letter and spirit on a sustainable basis till the end of the month. In this summer heat, it is not easy to do it. The cops are doing in a very firm hand and enough sensitization has been done. We will act very tough on people who are found violating the rules.
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Q. What would be your appeal to the citizens.

A. Keeping in view the wide spread instances of corona cases and the medical infrastructure is already overburdened with shortage of oxygen, beds and medicines. It will be best for the people to stay indoors for the next 10 to 12 days. It will help to prevent the spread of this disease and keep them safe. Please follow the guidelines issued by the government after a lot of deliberations which have been issued in public interest. They must keep in mind that any misadventure by them would be dealt firmly and they will be liable for legal action. Please cooperate with the police and local administration which is trying to enforce the guidelines to help prevent the spread.

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