3 cops in Margao SDPO office test positive

NT NETWORK

Margao

Three police constables attached to the office of sub divisional police officer (SDPO), Margao, tested positive for COVID on Monday.

According to sources in police, all the three constables are asymptomatic and have been accommodated at the Colva Residency.

So far five police personnel working in the police headquarters building in Margao, which houses the SDPO office apart from other offices, have been found to be positive. Swab tests have been conducted on around 40 police staff working in the building and test reports are awaited.

In view of policemen testing positive for the virus, visitors’ entry into police stations located in the jurisdiction of the Margao

police headquarters has been restricted with only the minimal staff required for duty operating at the police stations. Sources said the number of staff members including officers presently working in the Margao police headquarters building is over 250. Apart from the office of the SDPO, the building houses the offices of Superintendent of Police, accounts section, traffic cell, control room, Maina Curtorim police station, Margao town police station, CID office and the women’s cell.

Meanwhile, the first floor of the Margao police headquarters building was sanitised in the evening. Sources said the main entrance gate to the building is presently kept closed and a police constable posted there. Visitors entering the building are scanned thermally and provided with sanitiser. They are also asked to wear face mask. “We request the residents to visit police stations only in cases of emergency,” said a police officer.

“We work on the frontline, hence we remain vulnerable. Two police stations, that is the Margao town police station and Maina Curtorim police station besides the CID office, DySP and SP offices are housed in the building. Two tables have been placed in the corridor of the police stations where visitors are attended to by policemen and their grievances redressed,” said a police officer.