Odisha DGP Appeals To People To Follow COVID-19 Protocols

Bhubaneswar: Director General of Police (DGP) Abhay on Thursday appealed to the people of Odisha to strictly follow the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

Stating that the second wave of COVID-19 has assumed alarming proportions in Odisha and the country, he said he had recently toured Nuapada, Kalahandi, Balangir, Bhadrak and Balasore districts to review the situation.

“During the visit to these districts, I found most people following the COVID-19 protocols sincerely. I thank them for their concern over the pandemic situation. But there are some people who are flouting the protocols. I sincerely appeal to them to scrupulously follow those,” he added.

Requesting the people to cooperate with the state government by following its guidelines for the night curfew and week-end shutdown, the DGP stressed on mandatory use of the mask.

“It has been proven across the world that wearing mask is the easiest way to keep the virus at bay. Apart from this, to contain the spread of the virus, social distancing is another effective method. Unfortunately, the social distancing is not properly done in various institutions, coaching centres and business establishments,” he said.

Stating that the primary duty of the police is crime control, he said it does not look good to take action against the people for violating the COVID-19 norms.

The DGP said the police have collected Rs 5.24 crore as penalty from the people for not wearing the mask and Rs 5.66 crore for violating social distancing in April. Besides, about 350 shops and a number of institutions have been sealed.

“Although the police have no willful intention to prosecute the people for committing such offences, they are bound to do it for the safety of the people in general,” the DGP pointed out.