HYDERABAD: The maximum number of cases for non-compliance of usage of masks, despite the rise in
Covid-19 cases, were registered in Hyderabad police commissionerate. Across the state, police have registered 6,478 cases regarding
mask violations from April 5 to April 11.
As per the data available with
Telangana police, a total of 2,030 cases were registered by Hyderabad police from April 5 to April 11. Hyderabad, was followed by Ramagudam police, with 938 cases booked against violators.
In all the three police commissionerates — Hyderabad,
Cyberabad and Rachakonda — in city, a total of 3,214 cases were booked by police in the last one week. However, in Narayanpet, no case was registered, whereas in Wanaparthy, Bhupalapally and Jagtial, only one case each was registered by police.
In the last six months, Telangana police had virtually stopped booking cases against those who were not wearing mask in public places. It was only after the second wave of Covid-19 began and intensified, that the state government directed officials to crack down on violators. DGP M Mahendar Reddy held a review meeting two days ago with all the unit heads, directing them to intensify the enforcement.
As of now, police are booking cases either by nabbing the violator on the spot or identifying motorists who are not wearing mask, through CCTVs. Police started nabbing violators on the spot on Sunday and it is expected that the practice will be intensified. Cases which are registered on the spot are booked under Disaster Management Act and the violators are being asked to report themselves at the court.
Meanwhile, as policemen are the frontline workers, they were asked to be cautious by their unit heads by taking precautions. “Apart from advising our policemen to mandatorily use mask and frequently sanitise their hands, our receptionists in police stations, who will be the first point of contact, will have a transparent shield at their desk and the communication will be done from a distance. Close gatherings of people at police stations are not allowed,” Cyberabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar told TOI.