Naveen Patnaik lauds cops for fight against Covid-19

Debabrata Mohapatra | TNN | Apr 7, 2020, 10:27 IST

Naveen Patnaik

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik lauded police personnel for playing a key role in containing the spread of Covid-19 and enforcing the lockdown across the state. Naveen also directed the cops to adopt zero tolerance against lockdown violators.
"Thousands of policemen are making personal and family sacrifices joining our fight against #COVID19. Let us honour their sacrifices by staying at home and maintaining distance. Appeal all to respect lockdown for your safety and safety of society," Naveen tweeted on Monday.
Naveen also shared a short video, featuring appeals by police personnel to people to stay home.
"I have my kid at home. But I cannot devote much time to my child because of our fighting against coronavirus. We have been performing duty on streets to ensure that you people stay safe at home. We are unable to attend to our family members as we have been running after violators during the lockdown period," said a cop in the video.
Taking strong note of the defiance by violators, Naveen on Sunday evening directed the police to deal with offenders with iron hand.
Naveen's strong warning for violators came minutes after Odisha on Sunday recorded 18 positive cases, highest in a single day so far, in Bhubaneswar.
"There will be zero tolerance on violation of social distancing. Any violation of social distancing will attract criminal action. The concerned shop / market will be sealed," Naveen tweeted on Sunday night.