SOPs issued for cops, paramilitary forces

NEW DELHI::The ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Sunday asked chief secretaries and police chiefs of all states and heads of central paramilitary units to prepare a second line of defence if Covid-19 were to reduce the effectiveness of law enforcement forces. MHA also asked the police forces to create special Covid-10 cells inside their control rooms to exclusively deal with issues related to the pandemic.

Police chiefs were also asked to consider the option of work-fromhome for personnel not deployed on the frontline and in areas where the option is deemed feasible. The ministry said the states and Union territories can use the services of home guards, civil defence personnel, and members of the National Cadet Corps, scouts and guides and student police cadets in the areas where there are no imminent law and order duties.

Detailed standard operating procedures (SoPs) for the police and security central paramilitary forces were issued on Sunday along with a letter written by. Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla to the states; the letter dovetailed with many central police forces reporting Covid-19 cases among their personnel.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been the worst hit with 135 of its troopers testing positive in Delhi; a driver was confirmed with the disease on Sunday due to which it had to seal its headquarters.

The letter, a copy of which was reviewed by HT, said: “To meet the challenge of Covid-19, and to ensure sustainment of control strategy..., police forces need to prepare an effective second line of defence to make up for the police personnel who may be rendered ineffective due to Covid-19 infection during the pandemic.”

The police have been asked to treat the public at large, especially the weaker sections, with empathy and compassion.

“Police should also be watchful of migrant labourers/slums to contain any unexpected and undesirable mass movement,” the letter said.