Punjab police register 201 cases over lockdown violation
Spokesperson says reporting infection to health dept is compulsory
PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
Lahore police have formed special teams to prevent violation of the lockdown imposed by the government to save the citizens from coronavirus.
The decision was taken during a meeting of Lahore police on Tuesday that reviewed the situation after imposition of the lockdown and steps taken in this regard. It was informed that the police had so far registered 233 cases in connection with the coronavirus emergency and arrested 548 people. On Monday, a total of 201 cases were registered on charges of violation of restrictions imposed under Section 144. Action was also taken against 32 people for selling masks and sanitisers at high prices.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Zulfiqar Hameed chaired the meeting that was attended by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Rai Babar Saeed, DIG Investigation Dr Inaam Waheed, Chief Traffic Officer Captain (retd) Abid Hammad and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mohammad Naveed.
Speaking on the occasion, the CCPO warned that the lockdown aimed at stopping coronavirus spread would be implemented strictly and the violators would face a crackdown. He said the lockdown should be taken seriously for the sake of the lives of others.
He also instructed all SPs to enforce the lockdown strictly. Hameed appealed that citizens should not leave their homes without an emergency. “Action will be taken against those who violate government orders,” he warned. “Minimum social interaction is in our interest. Cooperate with the government by voluntarily implementing the lockdown,” he advised the people.
The police also arrested the owner of a fashion brand who had sent an employee to his village in Vehari rather than shifting him to quarantine after he tested positive for the virus. A case was registered against him. The employee was tested positive after a test from a private laboratory.
Dismissing criticism by the booked man’s wife, who is a dress designer, a police spokesperson said that in the prevailing emergency situation, reporting of such incidents to the health department was compulsory. The spokesperson said the patient met a number of people during journey and in his village in Melsi tehsil, leaving hundreds of people vulnerable to the virus. The spokesperson said the accused Tahir Saeed would have been held responsible for his act in any part of the world. On receiving the information, Nishtar Colony police registered a case and arrested him. Later, he was released on bail in accordance with the law, he said.
A statement issued by the police said that now the entire village of the patient would have to be quarantined and the health department had initiated measures in this regard.
The police would continue fulfilling their duty under Section 144 and the Police Order, the spokesperson said.
The Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit held a flag march, while the DIG and SSP operations visited several areas of the city to check the pickets and other steps by the police to ensure lockdown.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2020.
Lahore police have formed special teams to prevent violation of the lockdown imposed by the government to save the citizens from coronavirus.
The decision was taken during a meeting of Lahore police on Tuesday that reviewed the situation after imposition of the lockdown and steps taken in this regard. It was informed that the police had so far registered 233 cases in connection with the coronavirus emergency and arrested 548 people. On Monday, a total of 201 cases were registered on charges of violation of restrictions imposed under Section 144. Action was also taken against 32 people for selling masks and sanitisers at high prices.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Zulfiqar Hameed chaired the meeting that was attended by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Rai Babar Saeed, DIG Investigation Dr Inaam Waheed, Chief Traffic Officer Captain (retd) Abid Hammad and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mohammad Naveed.
Speaking on the occasion, the CCPO warned that the lockdown aimed at stopping coronavirus spread would be implemented strictly and the violators would face a crackdown. He said the lockdown should be taken seriously for the sake of the lives of others.
He also instructed all SPs to enforce the lockdown strictly. Hameed appealed that citizens should not leave their homes without an emergency. “Action will be taken against those who violate government orders,” he warned. “Minimum social interaction is in our interest. Cooperate with the government by voluntarily implementing the lockdown,” he advised the people.
The police also arrested the owner of a fashion brand who had sent an employee to his village in Vehari rather than shifting him to quarantine after he tested positive for the virus. A case was registered against him. The employee was tested positive after a test from a private laboratory.
Dismissing criticism by the booked man’s wife, who is a dress designer, a police spokesperson said that in the prevailing emergency situation, reporting of such incidents to the health department was compulsory. The spokesperson said the patient met a number of people during journey and in his village in Melsi tehsil, leaving hundreds of people vulnerable to the virus. The spokesperson said the accused Tahir Saeed would have been held responsible for his act in any part of the world. On receiving the information, Nishtar Colony police registered a case and arrested him. Later, he was released on bail in accordance with the law, he said.
A statement issued by the police said that now the entire village of the patient would have to be quarantined and the health department had initiated measures in this regard.
The police would continue fulfilling their duty under Section 144 and the Police Order, the spokesperson said.
The Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit held a flag march, while the DIG and SSP operations visited several areas of the city to check the pickets and other steps by the police to ensure lockdown.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2020.