Mumbai police to intensify crackdown on Covid-19 violators

Mumbai cha raja visarjan in an artificial pond at Ganesh galli last year. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

With Ganeshotsav a little over a week away, all police stations across the city were on Wednesday instructed to beef up to check the adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols, as experts have warned that the third wave could hit around the festivals.

Starting today, Thursday, city police will intensify action against people found without a mask in public places. The instruction was given by Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Vishwas Nangre Patil.

Vishwas Nangre Patil, joint CP, Law and Order

Besides, the city police have urged organisers of Ganeshotsav to provide an online darshan facility for devotees. For visits, mandals have been told to issue tokens to prevent crowding. Any violators will face appropriate action, police have warned.

Police have also told them that not more than five people can stay inside a mandap at a time. The physical distancing rule should be followed by devotees, and the mandals should ensure a limited number of people are allowed darshan every hour.

Thirteen police teams have been formed for the task, with each comprising 11 constables, one senior inspector, one assistant inspector and two sub inspectors. One team each will be stationed at Mumbai's 13 zones to ensure Covid-19 rules are being enforced strictly.

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If any police personnel fails to implement the Covid-19 safety protocols, action will be taken against him/her on the basis of a report from the team tasked with monitoring.

Patil issued these instructions at an online meeting with all senior inspectors, DCPs and Additional CPs of all police stations. Patil told mid-day, "Action will be taken against people who do not follow Covid-19 rules. I appeal to the people of Mumbai to wear a mask while leaving their house."