Surat: After the strict implementation of night curfew, now city police have diverted their focus on early morning offenders in a bid to control the unrelenting Covid-19 surge. On Tuesday, police officers visited areas frequented by people who go for walks or to exercise. They caught all found without masks and penalised them on the spot.
On the other hand, the drive had dual purpose — officers too were ordered by the city police commissioner Ajay Tomar to go out for morning walks themselves to stay fit and also keep check on those moving around without masks. “To create awareness for masks we started taking steps from the daybreak. Hence, I asked my officers to go out and check morning walkers. They do this work while out for exercising and a team of cops on duty assists them,” Tomar told TOI.
The drive surprised many who did not wear masks thinking that police will not check at such early hours. “People argued that that they have been walking in the open area and alone and so didn’t need a mask. However, many were seen walking in groups but not wearing masks,” said a police officer.
“Police gave masks to those caught without it and penalised them as well. We will continue the drive and ensure that people wear masks while out,” Tomar added.
City police are already registering offences against those found flouting quarantine rules based on complaints given by health officials. Those found roaming outside the containment area were booked.