By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/ROURKELA: DGP Abhay visited Rourkela, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur districts on Sunday to review the on-going covid enforcement drive in these four districts and plans for implementation of the lockdown from 5th May onwards. Ramping up enforcement measures, strict implementation of lockdown and weekend shutdown, strengthening vigil on interstate movement by more stringent checks at border check posts and preparedness to ramp up Police assistance further to tackle Covid-19, was reviewed.
DGP also interacted with Policemen engaged in enforcement duties and verified about their wellbeing and operational matters. In the month of April, 2021, Rourkela police has acted against 3822 number of mask usage and social distancing rule violators and collected fine of Rs17,85,730/-. Similarly, Sundargarh Police has acted against 3277 number of mask usage and social distancing rule violators and collected fine Rs. 16,90,300/-. Also,, Jharsuguda police has acted against 3691 number of mask usage and social distancing rule violators and collected fine Rs. 16,78,820/- and Sambalpur police has acted against 9948 number of mask usage and social distancing rule violators and collected fine Rs. 34,10,600.
DGP also reviewed the border sealing arrangements on Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh borders. Border Check posts connecting to Jharkhand border are maintaining vigil at Mahipani, & Sarda under Bisra PS and Jhirpani bridge and Sankha bridge under Biramitrapur PS, Rourkela. Border checks connecting to Chhattisgarh are active at Taparia, Lulkidihi, Rajagangpur Railway station. Further, border check posts connecting to Jharkhand at Old Octroi check post, Telijore, Gotitangar, Salangabahal are functioning round the clock in Sundargarh district. Similarly, border check posts connecting to Chhattisgarh at Kanaktara, Lara chhak, Bikram Palli in Jharsuguda district are functioning to check the interstate movement.
3 platoons force have been deployed for Covid enforcement duty in Rourkela, 4 platoons each in Sundargarh and Jharsuguda and 7 Platoons in Sambalpur. Additional officers in SI/ASI rank have been deputed to strengthen police enforcement.
Of the 214 tankers with 3964.542 MT medical oxygen escorted by Odisha Police in last 10 days, being supplied from Odisha to different needy states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Chhattisgarh. A total of 82 tankers/containers carrying 1570.702 MT medical oxygen have been escorted from Rourkela alone.
GRP police personnel along with medical teams are performing health check-up and scrutiny of interstate passengers arriving by trains. ADG (Law & Order) YK Jethwa accompanied the DGP during his visit. IG NR Narasingh Bhol, SsP Rourkela, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur district, and SRP Rourkela attended the review.
DGP appreciated the strenuous duties performed by police personnel of the four districts in fighting Covid 19, and urged all to ensure strict enforcement with empathy for success in the drive to address the pandemic situation in the State.
