Fortunately, no COVID-19 positive case has yet been detected in the entire district of Rayagada.
Rayagada cops under the leadership of SP Dr Saravana Vivek M have gone beyond the role of maintaining law and order. In the interior villages namely Jambu, Perigaon, Natama, Tadama which are inhabited by poor tribal households, they are rendering humanitarian services.
Rayagada IIC Nihar Ranjan Pradhan led a police team to the non-descript villages to distribute dry rations. While these poor tribal villagers along with brick kiln workers from neighbouring districts and outside States like Chhattisgarh and AP are not able to organise two square meals during the lockdown, the police are staying in their homes and temporary sheds near the klins and distributing relief materials.
Till April 14, 69 cases were registered against 69 accused persons by seizing 840 litres of illicitly distilled (ID) liquor, 56 litres of Out-still (OS) liquors, 125 litres of foreign liquor(IMFL), 70 litres of Salap Tadi and several containers. This proves along with humanitarian aid, the police have also tightened noose on the illegal liquor mafia.
The 4th Battalion of Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) has not lagged behind. The jawans under the leadership of Commandant Yatendra Kumar Rajput have taken the prime responsibility of feeding the poor at various slums beside Rayagada Railway Station, Mamkadajhola, Gayatri Nagar, attendants in District Headquarters Hospital, temple premises, Nagabali Chowk, Ghasi Sahi, Relli Sahi, Aravind Nagar, Forest Lane, backside of Abhinandan Community hall, , Chekaguda, Ontariguda, Cooperative Colony, etc. This initiative has started since the beginning of the lockdown. Recently, the jawans have visited an old age home and not only created awareness on COVID-19 among the inmates but also donated a TV set to the senior citizens in the home to keep them abreast of the situation in the country and abroad. Masks, medicines and fruits were also distributed.