IT News
Mumbai, May 9:
Nearly 569 Maharashtra policemen, including 7 officers and 480 constables and some jail inmates , have tested positive for COVID-19 ,who are being treated at various hospitals in the state. So far, five policemen have died due to the virus.
Maharashtra jail authorities said that 72 inmates, an under trial and two prison guards and 7 staff members, have tested positive for COVID-19 at Mumbai Central Prison, triggering fears of a possible infection hotspot.
All infected were shifted to GT Hospital and St George Hospital in guarded vehicles on Friday morning while staff members were shifted separately. Besides, as many as 150 others, including over 15 staffers and senior prison officials who came in close proximity with the infected people, have undergone tests.
Since the lockdown, there had been 189 incidents of assault on policemen in which 73 personnel and a home guard sustained injuries. Besides around 30 health professionals were attacked, the official said adding at least 683 persons were arrested for these attacks.
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said that 487 policemen have tested COVID-19 positive in the state ever since the nationwide lockdown, which was imposed on 24 March and was extended till 17 May to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The Maharashtra Police have registered at least 96,231 offences so far under section 188 of the IPC for violation of lockdown-related norms and arrested 18,858 people. The IPC section 188 deals with disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.
Police have registered 1,281 offences of illegal transport and seized 53,330 vehicles which had come on roads in violation of lockdown rules and a fine of Rs 3.56 crore was collected from violators by the police for various offences during this period.