Now, police staff on duty to get weekly off

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 2

There is some respite for Ludhiana police personnel who have been putting in around 16 hours a day on duty to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Police Commissioner Rakesh Agrawal has decided to give one weekly off to the police staff on duty.

Usually, the Punjab Police personnel do not get any weekly off. But now, the novel idea has reportedly come from the Director-General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta. Agrawal announced about weekly off in an audio message released today.

“Ludhiana police personnel have been discharging duty for long hours due to the curfew imposition and they have been standing guard day and night. They are leaving no stone unturned, hence implementing the curfew in a successful way. Now onwards, every cop will get one weekly off and in this regard, the ADCPs have been told to prepare a duty roaster,” said Agrawal.

Agrawal said the policemen on duty were being served two meals and tea at all nakas. A special mobile medical van has also been launched to conduct regular check-ups of policemen on duty. They are also being provided with medicines, if required.

The 20-minute message of the CP has also asked the residents to stay home so that social distancing could be maintained. “If despite instructions, people will roam illogically on roads, we will lodge them in four open jails for several hours. FIRs will also be registered against repeated offenders under sections 188 of the IPC,” says the CP.

Warning to medical stores

The Commissioner of Police has stated that the medical shops around hospitals are although allowed to open, these should ensure social distancing. Customers should stand in a queue while maintaining proper distance. If any violation is found, the store owner will face an FIR.

‘Sufficient food for migrants’

The police, in a message, share: “We want to reassure all migrants living in Ludhiana that we will take care of them fully. They need not panic. We have sufficient food and arrangements for their stay. Together we will fight corona”.