POLICE MACHINERY UNDER GREAT STRESS: HC

The Bombay high court (HC) on Tuesday said the “police machinery is under great stress and strain” and directed the Maharashtra government to relieve police personnel of Covid-19 duties wherever possible by engaging other public servants for the duties.

“For example, if migrant workers, displaced persons or students desire to return to their native places and need to register themselves, the government and the local administration can utilise ‘off-duty’ employees of the revenue department to ease the burden on police,” said justice Ravindra Ghuge.

The judge noted that in its endeavour to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the government has deployed police almost everywhere. “Police personnel are deployed on streets, at railway stations, in various localities, and are even asked to handle applications for seeking travel passes and permissions to migrate,” said the judge.

He added that several revenue employees are not on duty and the government should consider deploying these employees, especially those below 50 years of age, to deal with such activities and issues for which police presence is not a must.

Justice Ghuge was hearing a suo motu petition concerning several issues relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The court also directed the authorities to provide protection to Covid warriors – doctors and paramedics working round the clock for treatment of Covid-19 patients. It took note of the threats by residents to a staff nurse from district general hospital at Aurangabad and directed the authorities to register offences against those who threaten, abuse, or assault medical or paramedical staff.