Cops enforcing lockdown remain exposed to Covid-19

Four officials died, over 500 tested positive for virus during the year

LAHORE:

Policing in the wake of the global pandemic Covid-19 was the first challenge of its kind for Lahore police in their history.

The police in the metropolis lost four officials, while as many as 508 contracted the disease. However, the department appears as ill-prepared to protect its personnel from the infection as it was nine months back.

As the government announced lockdowns to counter the onslaught of the pandemic, it put the police in central position to cope with the crisis after the medical community. World Health Organisation (WHO) had suggested social distancing as the most effective tool to stop the pandemic from spreading and countries across the world moved for shutting down most sectors to ensure that people stay home.

After the announcement of the government of Punjab, the additional chief secretary (home) issued an order on March 23 for the enforcement of lockdown throughout the province from the following day. All intra-city, inter-district and inter-province movement of people was banned. The government also banned gatherings of all kinds for social, religious or any other purpose at any public or private place. All government and private offices were also shut.

The police had never prepared to enforce the restrictions at such a massive level for the population of over 12 million. The commanders of Lahore police, in a haphazard manner, set up pickets at hundreds of points on all major roads of the city.

The policemen deployed at the points were not provided Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). The WHO had declared the PPE mandatory for people coming in close proximity of suspected Covid patients. The PPE included N-95 masks, special gowns, gloves and goggles.

The policemen at pickets were hardly provided sanitizers and surgical masks.

While the police were deployed on an emergency basis at the points, no urgent measures were taken to procure the items required for their safety.

The foot soldiers had to pay the price for the insensitivity and myopic planning, and cases of Covid-19 among cops started pouring in.

At least four officials lost their lives and 480 tested positive for the virus during the first wave of the pandemic. The higher authorities did not make any extra efforts for welfare of the affected officials except their treatment in government hospitals and disbursement of a few thousand rupees as financial aid after months with a cumbersome procedure.

Those who lost their lives to the pandemic were junior officials, although senior officers like SSP Administration Liaqat Malik, SP Security Belal Zafar, the SP City and SSP Operations also tested positive.

In 140 days of lockdown imposed in the city from March 24 to August 10, the police claimed to have stopped as many as 268,302 citizens for questioning about the reason for leaving home. Of them, at least 256,925 were warned and told to go back to their homes. Another 4,599 citizens involved in unnecessary travel were released after submitting surety bonds.

Over 245,000 vehicles, including 130,173 motorcycles, 64,405 rickshaws, 8,886 taxis, 57,900 cars and 15,961 bigger vehicles were stopped at pickets and their owners warned against unnecessary travel.

As many as 2,212 FIRs were registered over violations of the partial lockdown and 8,280 vehicles were impounded.

DIG Operations Lahore Ashfaq Khan said the police also repeatedly appealed to the citizens to adopt the precautionary measures.

During the lockdown, incidents of police humiliating people and filming the acts were also reported.

In a video that went viral on social media, a woman was seen arguing with police in Raiwind to let her leave the vicinity to earn livelihood. In another video clip, a man dressed as a woman to to dodge the ban on pillion riding on motorcycles.

Videos of people using goods transport to travel to their hometowns were also shared.

Shops serving customers behind closed shutters were also reported in several cases.

Second wave

As the second wave of coronavirus intensifies with each passing day. At least 28 police officials have contracted Covid-19.

The provincial government is imposing 'smart lockdown' in the vicinities where cases of the disease have been reported. The police are enforcing the lockdown. However, the policemen deputed in the affected areas are as unprotected against the infection as earlier. A police official wearing PPE while performing duty in the Covid hotbeds is a rare scene.

Moreover, a large number of people visit the police stations, pickets and offices daily without much regard for the precautionary measures.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2020.