Kerala: Police intensify checking to ensure protocol

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To ensure that Covid-19 norms and protocols are followed strictly, the state police has asked its field staff to intensify enforcement activities. It began on Wednesday and is expected to continue even after the announcement of the state assembly election results on May 2.
In his message to the unit heads, state police chief Loknath Behera called for the presence of police personnel at places such as fish markets, vegetable markets, bus stands, railway stations, food courts, and way-side eateries, etc, where there is a possibility of crowding.
Checking will be done with the help of four-wheeler patrols, motor-cycle patrols, and foot patrols. Station house officers will be responsible for ensuring the protocol in their respective jurisdiction. The police have also been asked to ensure that the markings in front or inside the shops are being used by the public to maintain social distancing. Random checks will be conducted by the police in such areas to ensure that protocols are not violated.
Behera in his message noted that even though several offices were closed, several others were operating on 50% attendance. Besides, there is a large presence of commuters on the roads, meaning several people could be travelling without any purpose. He has urged the police to verify the purpose of travel of people and discourage them if it is not found to be necessary.
Vehicles will be checked to ensure that the travelers are wearing masks along with checking the purpose for which they are travelling.
All the police officers, except those working in the state special branch, have been asked to be put on Covid-19 duty. This includes those in the police training college and the Kerala police academy.
The Kerala police had a tough outing on Saturday and Sunday when despite more restrictions, violations were reported in numbers.
In the capital city alone, as many as 880 FIRs were registered, 2,400 persons were fined for not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing and violating quarantine, and 9,800 persons were warned for violating the protocols.
Meanwhile, the railways with the help of the railway protection force, have been asked to check the train passengers to ensure the Covid protocol.