Odisha police showed humane face during lockdown, says Naveen Patnaik
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik (File photo)
BHUBANESWAR: Continuing his pep talk with frontline Corona warriors, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday appreciated the lockdown enforcement by the state police. In a video conference with the range deputy inspector generals (DIGs) and superintendents of police (SPs), Naveen said the police showed its humane face during the lockdown and helped many poor migrants.
The chief minister praised the police force for coming to the rescue of thousands of poor migrant workers, who were spotted walking on roads to reach their homes in the state and outside during the lockdown. “My appeal for zero walking inside Odisha for interstate migrants was implemented in letter and spirit. Police worked with so much restraint and showed dignified conduct during the lockdown. People saw a humane face of the police,” Naveen said in a statement. Saying that the Covid battle is not yet over, Naveen said he expects the same degree of commitment from the cops in the coming days.
Naveen’s appreciation came against the backdrop of a few stray incidents of police highhandedness at some places that led to subsequent disciplinary action against the uncouth cops.
The chief minister asked the director general of police Abhay to prepare an action plan in 15 days to deploy more manpower in police stations and improve the services to the complainants.
Abhay, who was present in the video conference, informed the CM that at least 24,587 migrant workers, who were spotted walking on roads, were sent to their states in vehicles. Abhay said steps were taken to prevent domestic violence during the lockdown. The DGP also said a staggering Rs 1.25 crore fine was so far collected from people caught without face masks across the state. Police so far collected fine of nearly Rs 11.74 lakh for violation of social distancing norms, Rs 3,000 fine for violation of weekly shutdown norms and Rs 1.03 lakh for flouting night curfew across the state.
Naveen also extended his appreciation to the personnel of Odisha fire services and Odisha disaster rapid action force (ODRAF) for their post-Amphan restoration work in West Bengal. Notably, some of them were tested positive for novel coronavirus following their recent return from the neighbouring state. “I would like to mention that despite the threat of Covid-19 virus, our fire services and ODRAF personnel faced the situation boldly and helped the people in distress in Kolkata. Your service will be an inspiration for others,” Naveen’s statement read.