CP walks the talk: Kicks off enforcement of Covid protocols in markets

Nagpur: City police chief Amitesh Kumar and his team on Monday kick-started the ‘mandated protocols’ to fight the pandemic, including enforcing distancing and wearing of masks. Kumar undertook a 6km foot patrol, visited police stations and some markets, and met traders and hawkers associations. Citizens and traders also thronged the road to assure cooperation.
The first day of enforcing Covid distancing also turned into polices’ show of strength at key market places. The CP stressed on decongestion of lanes and clearing footpaths of encroachments. Meeting the traders, the CP asked them to remove their materials from the roads in front of their shops, and warned of action.
The CP asked all police station staffers and traffic cops to fine traders Rs5,000 and citizens Rs100 if they fail to follow Covid distancing norms in public places, along with Rs500 fine for not wearing masks.
Speaking to the hawkers’ association, Kumar strictly told them to refrain from putting up stalls on Sitabuldi main road until fresh orders from NMC.
Kumar, along with Joint CP Nilesh Bharne, DCP Vikram Sali and hordes of senior inspectors, went around the markets at Sitabuldi and Itwari. Across the city, on Monday, cops collected over Rs1.95 lakh fine from 942 persons for not wearing masks.
Kumar said this drive will last till October 31 with zero tolerance policy. “Voluntary compliance of traders and masses is equally desirable along with enforcement. In view of the critical Covid situation, police are seeking cooperation from the public as it concerns their health and well-being too,” he said.
Beginning with traffic police office at Meetha Neem Dargah, Kumar went to Variety Square, then he walked beyond Modi Lane No. 3 speaking to hawkers and shopkeepers. Later, he went around Maskasath, Shaheed Chowk, Teen Nal chowk, Jagnath Budhwari, Itwari market and Nanga Putla Chowk before visiting Tehsil police station. Here, he interacted with constables and officers, inquiring about their intake of medicines. “I will ensure reimbursements, buy and take immunity boosting medicines,” he said.
Later, Kumar went to Lakadganj police station where he interacted with the traders’ association and asked them to follow Covid distancing and also shut premises as early as possible in the evening.