States »EasPosted at: Apr 29 2021 8:20PM Odisha police collect Rs 5.24 cr fine for not wearing masks, seal 300 establishments, seize 1800 vehicles for covid violation
Bhubaneswar, Apr 29 (UNI) Odisha police have arrested 418 people, collected fines to the tune of Rs 5.24 crore for not wearing masks, seized over 1800 vehicles and sealed over 300 business establishments and coaching institutions in April for violation of covid protocols.
Disclosing this at a video conference, Director General of Police Abhay today appealed to the people of the state to follow all protocols of COVID guidelines strictly to contain the spread of the virus.
The DGP appealed to people to strictly observe night curfew, and weekend shutdown clamped in all urban areas, wear masks and maintain social distancing
Mr Abhay said during the last few days he had toured some districts and found a substantial number of people not following the covid guidelines.
He said the main job of the Police is to maintain law and order and to take action against the criminals.
Action against the criminals gives professional satisfaction to the police but to take action against the people for violating Covid guidelines is a very unpleasant thing and it pains him.
But Police, Mr Abhaya said, has to do it for the interest of the state and the people and appealed to people not to force police to take action for flouting Covid norms.
He said despite repeated appeals and several steps taken by the government some people are still not following the covid guidelines.
Mr Abhay said in April last alone Police have collected a fine of Rs 5.66 crore from the people for not wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
He said 418 people were arrested and as many as 350 coaching classes, shops and other institutions were sealed for their failure to abide by the covid norms.
During the months over 18,000 vehicles were seized and Rs seven crore fine was collected from them and as many as 1300 excise cases were filed.
Mr Abhya said “we are not happy with the action taken but forced to do so for the interest of the people and the state.
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