Guwahati: Amid the continuing surge in COVID-19 cases in Assam, Guwahati's Police Commissioner Munna Prasad Gupta today said that "strict action" would be taken against persons found without wearing masks by the city police.
"We have imposed a fine of Rs. 1,000 on these violators as per the prevalent rules. People caught without wearing masks will have to choke up that amount or else we will register a case against them," Gupta told The Sentinel Digital, pointing at the dire consequences of not wearing masks. "We have stepped up action against these offenders, and as per the directions of the Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna, visible and prompt action is being taken against them."
Gupta also expressed that this iron grip shall be maintained as long as the Government continues with its directive of wearing masks to mitigate the risk of a COVID-190 spread. " As long as the Government continues with its directive of wearing masks to arrest the spread of the contagion, the city police will be on full alert to bring violators to book," he said.
The Guwahati Police has been tasked with ensuring the wearing of masks amid a worrying spike in the number of COVID-19 cases across the state, coinciding with India's massive boom. In Guwahati, especially, the spike in recent times has put the health machinery in a spot of bother, with the COVID-19 positivity rate also starting to exhibit a rising trend. Yesterday, another steep spike of 700+ cases was witnessed in the city, worrying pundits and laymen alike.
Jumping into action, the men in uniform across the city were seen busy at work and extracting fines from the people caught without face covers. In the Beltola locality, a police team led by the Joint Commissioner Debraj Upadhyay checked vehicles to ensure that the passengers were wearing masks for COVID-19 control. Similarly, another drive was conducted at the Bamunimaidam locality in Chandmari.
Many city residents were caught not wearing masks and fines were realized from the culprits. However, many people asked to pay fines were also seen getting into heated arguments with police personnel.
After all was said and done, the city police had collected around Rs. 2.2 lakh from "careless" citizens caught without masks. "Yesterday, as well as today, we were able to realize around Rs 2 lakh in fines from errant citizens. People who chose to openly flout the rules should mend their ways for the police force has stepped up vigil across the city to catch hold of these violators," Gupta told The Sentinel Digital.