Ghaziabad: Not wearing mask? Flying squads to keep eye, slap fines

GHAZIABAD: A flying squad has been formed at each police station in the city to keep an eye on those who are not wearing masks in public places, violating social distancing rules and not adhering to the 6am-8pm schedule for economic activity.
The flying squad has been instructed by senior police officers to penalise more than a hundred violators each day. There are 18 police stations across Ghaziabad.
SSP Kalanidhi Naithani said he has also directed the squads to create awareness among shopkeepers on the spread of Covid-19 and issue warnings to shopkeepers if they are found violating rules. “They should issue challans to those not wearing masks on roads and other public places. During night curfew, the squad will ensure that there is no public movement on the roads and other public areas,” he added.
“The squad members also have the power to book those who violate rules under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). However, sometimes people are booked under Section 151 of the CrPC (arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences). Under this section, a person can be detained for 24 hours without any order from the magistrate. Under Section 188 of the IPC, a person can be sent to jail for a term of six months,” said the SSP.