Kerala: Now, cops to call shots in mitigation activities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following the surge in Covid-19 cases and reports of people violating restrictions, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has decided to act tough and has given more powers to the state police for mitigation activities. From contact tracing to control of containment zones, the state’s law-enforcement officers will now dictate the terms.
The government also revised guidelines for declaring containment zones. Instead of branding an entire ward, only places where primary contacts of positive cases reside would now be assigned as containment zones.
As soon as contacts test negative and steps are taken accordingly, containment zone status will be lifted.
District police chiefs have been given power to ensure quarantine and maintain strict measures in containment zones.
“In case of violations, the police will have the authority to initiate strict action. From now on contact tracing will be carried out by the police. The force will also ensure that people don’t jump quarantine,’’ the chief minister said.
Police should collect details of infected persons and their primary and secondary contacts. The bike squad should conduct daily checks on them to ensure strict compliance with quarantine rules. “The police will be responsible for any lapses on this front,’’ he said.
Kochi police commissioner Vijay Sakhare has been appointed state nodal officer to coordinate efforts of the police department. Moreover, IAS officers have been named as incident commanders in cluster areas. District police chiefs or city police commissioners will also be part of the team.
Police chiefs, collectors and medical officers will review the situation in their respective districts every day, Pinarayi said.
The containment zones will be fully under the control of the police.
The force and its volunteers will also be responsible for ensuring supply of groceries and other essential commodities to residents in such zones.