STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: COVID-19 is taking its toll on the police personnel in the State, a development that may be a setback in the fight against coronavirus. It needs no mention that the police personnel are one of the front-line warriors in the fight against COVID-19 in the State.
According to police sources, in Paltan Bazar police station ASI Gunjananda Taid and Havildar Pradip Dutta; three staff members of Birubari Police Station, an SI Jagadish Kalita, a constable and a driver; constable Ganesh Bordoloi of Fancy Bazar Police Outpost have tested COVID-19 positive in Guwahati.
According to ADGP (Law and Order) GP Singh, a total of 56 police personnel have tested COVID-19 positive in the State, and eight of them have been discharged after their recovery. He also said that 1,159 other personnel in the State, including 40 in Guwahati, 1 in Lakhimpur, 4 in Karimganj, 1 in Dhubri, 1 in Railway Police, 1 in Barpeta and 8 others have been quarantined.
It seems that such a large of number of personnel either in quarantine or in hospitals is a cause of concern since police personnel are the ones among the front-line warriors against COVID-19. Strict implementation of the total lockdown in Guwahati and the weekend lockdowns in other urban areas in the State largely depends on police personnel.