Bhubaneswar: It has been over six months since the deadly COVID-19 pandemic started in Odisha. The battle to contain the spread of the disease still continues. The police have been one of the frontline warriors in the fight against the pandemic.
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In recent times the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have emerged as hotspots of COVID-19 infections. A large number of policemen have been infected by the COVID-19 virus leaving forces in both cities depleted. As a result enforcement of law and order has also suffered.
Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhansu Sarangi has said that, of the 20 police stations in Bhubaneswar, nine station heads have got infected by COVID-19. Among those heading six police zones in the state capital, three have succumbed due to the deadly virus. So far, over 1,000 police personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 and four have died after contracting the disease.
Police personnel continue to be vulnerably exposed to the rising COVID-19 infections as they are guarding Containment Zones and enforcing guidelines. The shortage of staff coupled with Bhubaneswar and Cuttack emerging hot spots for the disease has resulted in a huge challenge for the police in maintain law and order.
Taking the present scenario into consideration, Odisha Police DG Abhay has announced the deployment allotment of 50 more officers and five more platoons of armed police from other police stations. These personnel will also be used in the twin cities for effective enforcement of law and order.
PNN