In view of a possibility of rise in domestic violence during the lockdown period in the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to keep a strict vigil on the habitual offenders.
At a COVID-19 review meeting held here, Patnaik said that as domestic violence is also a major cause of concern during the lockdown, police should begin a process of identifying the habitual offenders and extend help to the complainants through phone calls.
According to DGP Abhay, in order to lodge complaint during the lockdown period, victims of domestic violence need not come to police stations. On receipt of telephone calls, police would reach the spot or home to collect complaints or FIRs and take necessary action.
The victims can also approach police through the Odisha Police Citizen Portal and Sahayata Mobile APP. All cases of the domestic violence during lockdown period would be investigated by the officer not below the rank of SI of police and all the cases would be supervised by an officer of rank of DSP or above.
The Chief Minister on Tuesday also directed the police to ensure that field works of farmers and movement of their agricultural produce are not disrupted due to the enforcement of lockdown.
Besides, Patnaik ordered for setting up of a COVID-19 hospital in each district in next one week. The Government has planned to keep a total of 6,000 beds ready at 36 places across the State to treat the patients by the end of this month, he pointed out.
“I am pleased to see that the coronavirus statistics are levelling in the State and going down. That’s a very good sign. And those who are responsible for this including doctors, health workers, police and administrative officials, very well done!,” Patnaik said.