Khaki immune to Health Dept advisory on dengue

Karam Prakash 
Tribune News Service
Patiala, September 14

It seems that the Patiala Police do not care two hoots about dengue menace in the city. 

Reason: Vehicles seized by the police have turned into mosquito-breeding grounds in various police stations. 

Three months ago, the Health Department had sent a notice to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) asking him to ensure cleaning of the area and covering impounded vehicles. However, situation on the grounds remains same. 

The Health Department’s official said the SSP office has not reverted to the notice to date. On Saturday, The Tribune visited various police stations in the city and found dengue larvae in discarded vehicles. 

Stangnant water was seen under bonnet of the vehicles, wheel rims, and even under the seats. 

The Health Department has developed a soft corner for the Police Department. Despite detection of dengue larvae at Anaj Mandi and Ghagga police stations, the Police Department was just served a notice instead of challan. Till now, larvae has been detected and destroyed at 7,239 spots in the district and only 601 challans have been issued.

The sources informed that the health officials were afraid to check premises of police stations due to coercive attitude of cops in the past.

District Epidemiologist Dr Sumeet Singh said they had already informed the SSP office and police stations regarding possible dengue threat due to water accumulation in discarded vehicles. 

He said, “We have informed them to cover the vehicles or clean the space. We will again inspect police stations.”

Inspector General of Police (Patiala Range) Jatinder Singh Aulakh said, “The process to clear discarded vehicles from police stations will take time. We will take preventive measures.”

Civil Surgeon Dr Harish Malhotra said, “We will again issue letters to policeThe process to clear discarded vehicles from police stations will take time. We will take preventive measures stations to keep their surroundings clean to curb dengue breeding.”

Patiala SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu did not respond to the repeated calls.