As the clock struck five on 22nd March Sunday evening, people across India emerged from their homes after a day-long ‘Janta Curfew’ to express gratitude to those participating in the fight against the novel corona virus outbreak. Terraces, balconies and open areas of residential housing societies saw people clapping, clanging and banging plates, bursting firecrackers and blowing conch shells to salute medical professionals, police department, healthcare and sanitation workers who are working round-the-clock to curb the pandemic.
The important role played in the support of the pandemic is the police department. Their duty is to implement the rules declared by the government in maintaining law and order. This time they have been told to prevent every person coming out of the home. However they are more prone to pandemic as they are in the open and likely to fall as a prey to the pandemic. Being a front liner they are in the riskier zone.
Social distancing is a must to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and contain its menacing exponential growth. However, its successful implementation will largely depend on coordinated approach and mitigating sufferings of the people to the extent possible and plausible.
To enable citizens who do not have access to essential services online to go to nearby stores, online curfew pass is issued by law enforcing authorities specifying movement from and to, both places and time, and specified purpose, so as to prevent misuse. Aadhar can be used as an identifier and repeat misuse can be checked and frivolous requests declined. The services of welfare department like Aanganwadi workers and helpers may be pressed to service the old, infirm, and other venerable sections of society.
A dedicated COVID-19 pan India helpline number is available 24*7 with human beings who listen and understand the problems faced by citizens and direct them to the concerned authorities, spread across the country, rather than automated responses which are more information-oriented as at present rather than being assistance oriented.
The police force on the ground has been sensitised. While harsh treatment to offenders is required, they must understand people’s genuine needs to obtain essential commodities, and facilitate need-based movement. Their role is to enforce the lockdown but with a humane face and they should be seen as foot soldiers on streets to support people.
The patrol team on road need to find and rescue migrant labourers and other stranded passengers from cities and towns headed for their hometowns. In the meantime, authorities need to identify relief and rehabilitation centres. One idea that comes to mind is the use of trains and railway stations that have necessary retiring spaces like sleepers, bed linen and catering infrastructure, whose services can be put to service immediately in this difficult time. Police control room (PCR) vans can be utilised to provide mobile support to people in distress in metros and urban centres.
A control room is opened in each district to ensure that all measures announced by the Finance Minister, including food security for supervising logistics in reaching around 6 lakh fair price shops and then facilitating the food grain reach to the targeted 80 crore people at the bottom of the pyramid.
The police department takes the initiative to reach every nook and corner of the country and make people understand the importance of staying at home. They spread the message through announcement, placards and social media. To implement the rule they are also implementing harsh punishment (not affecting to injuries) for those who are roaming without reason. A closed watch and supervision is continuously going on the borders of the state and also punishing the offenders as per law.
This just a glimpse of the responsibilities of the police department. They are doing many more things to maintain the law and order. The important point they also need support from the commoners to implement the law and order.
Hence it’s a humble request to everyone to help and support the police department in whatever way we can.
Disclaimer: All the views in the Blog are personal of the author not attributing to any one
