262 arrested for violations, Capt tells police to go soft

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 26

In the last 24 hours, 170 FIRs have been registered and 262 persons arrested for violating curfew and quarantine directions. As many as 40,153 cops in various ranks have been deployed on ground across the districts for enforcement of curfew, an official release by the state police said.

Meanwhile, taking cognisance of reports of excesses against citizens for the enforcement of the curfew in the state, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday directed the police to be more humane and sensitive in dealing with violations.

Urging the police personnel to exercise maximum restraint in the difficult situation, the Chief Minister asked them to find more compassionate ways of handling curfew violations, especially in cases of individuals found moving out for essentials.

Use of corporal means to punish violators could not be allowed, said Capt Amarinder, directing DGP Dinkar Gupta to take all possible steps to sensitise the police personnel and warn them against taking the law into their hands in dealing with cases of curfew violation.

The Chief Minister also appealed to the people to stay at home and reach out to police and civil administration through helpline numbers in case of emergency. All efforts were being made to provide doorstep delivery of essential goods and services, he said.

Meanwhile, DGP Dinkar Gupta said while by and large the police personnel were seen to be caring and gentle, there had been a few cases of some of them using force against those found violating the restrictions. Gupta said he had directed the CPs and SSPs to make it clear to the force that there should be zero tolerance to physical beatings etc. No society can tolerate such visuals, he warned, adding that where needed, violators should be booked. Calling for patience, the DGP said, "We don't want to sully all the good work we are doing by a few aberrations here and there."