Sambalpur: With COVID-19 cases rising across Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recently launched a 14-day-long programme to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
People flouting COVID-19 safety protocols are being heavily fined under this programme. However, police officials not adhering to these guidelines and abiding by social distancing norms have raised the eyebrows of many.
A video that has now gone viral on social media in Sambalpur district shows the lackadaisical attitude of cops towards following COVID-19 guidelines of the government.
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On being contacted, Superintendent of Police Sambalpur Battula Gangadhar said, “Police must wear face mask even while on duty. Thereby police would be law-abiding and role models for others. Strict instructions will be issued to all police stations in the district asking officials and personnel to be more careful in this regard.”
Notably, Sambalpur district registered 86 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Odisha recorded a spike of 1,379 infections.
PNN