Covid norm violations: Delhi Police to up pressure

NEW DELHI: No challans were issued for violation of social distancing norms by Delhi Police between June 1 and June 10. Not just this, zero challans were issued for large public gatherings and congregations and spitting in public places during the same period. However, with cases of Covid again on the rise, police said they would step up the drive against violators.

Cases registered for violation of Covid norms also saw a sharp decline, from 8,857 in January to just 37 in June. Similarly, 4,926 challans were issued for mask violations in the first ten days of June compared with 23,928 in May.
According to the data revealed by Delhi Police, this year from January to June 10, a total of 86,324 people were fined for mask violations, the highest being in January (31,832) followed by May (23,928) and March (11,550). However in February and April, the number dipped to 7,018 and 7,070, respectively.
While crowds could be seen in markets and several other public places in the city, many say that zero challans for violation of social distancing norms is surprising.
Asenior Delhi Police official stated that men on the ground have been asked to intensify their drive and prosecute those violating the norms.
“With the number of Covid cases on the rise in Delhi as well as in some other major cities in the country, cops on the ground have been told to ensure that Covid norms are being followed across the capital. In market places and crowded areas, teams have been told to ensure that people comply with the mask rule,” said a police official.
Last year, from April 19 till December, a total of 2,91,844 challans were issued for mask violations while 30,550 for not maintaining social distancing.
This year, from January to June 10, 1,115 challans were issued for not following social distancing norms. The number has been on a dip since January, which witnessed 989 violations, compared with 55 in February, 1 in March, 33 and 37 in April and May and none in June. Similarly, cases for violating the Covid norms reduced drastically from 8,857 in January to 37 till June 10, lowest being in April when the number stood at 20.