Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Thursday directed top police officials in the State to take action against political leaders violating the lockdown in the mandis where procurement of wheat is going on.
Referring to recent visits to grain markets by opposition leaders, who have alleged mismanagement in the wheat procurement, Vij said it came to the fore that crowds build up due to their visits and social distancing is not being maintained. He, however, said he does not want to point out any particular leader.
Action will be taken against any political leader, whether from the ruling party or the opposition, if found violating the lockdown, he said. “If they (leaders) visit mandis and crowds build up, then we will be compelled to take tough action. I have asked all superintendents of police and commissioners of police that if any leader violates the lockdown, attracts crowd in mandis, then immediate action should be taken against him as per law,” Vij, who is also the state's health minister, said.
Reacting to it, senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said the State Government does not want “its failures of mismanagement in the crop procurement to be exposed”. Surjewala and INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala have been visiting several ''mandis'' in the State, alleging mismanagement in the wheat procurement.
Vij said, “If they have something to say, they can give in writing to the district administration and the Government will look into it."
DGP ASKS POLICE HEADS OF DISTRICTS TO TAKE ACTION
Director General of Police (DGP), Manoj Yadava on Thursday asked all the District Police Chiefs (CPs & SPs) to take strict legal action against all those found violating lockdown protocol in state mandis by way of unnecessary gathering during current procurement season.
In a written communication to all Commissioners of Police and District Superintendents of Police, the DGP asked them to check and restrict the entry of all unauthorized persons and unnecessary gathering in mandis during the current Rabi season amidst lockdown so that social distancing guidelines could be followed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
He said Home Minister Anil Vij has also taken cognizance of recent reports to this effect and directed the police to take strict action against the violators as department concerned engaged in the procurement process has been calling only a limited numbers of farmers or arhatiyas each day.
“It has been observed that recently some political and other gatherings have been taking place in mandis and other procurement centers to take stock of the procurement process of wheat and mustard which is a clear violation of Union Ministry of Home Affairs order/guidelines", added Yadava.
As both the Police and Civil administration is facing a very tough challenge in the times of Covid-19, he urged the representatives of all the political parties to cooperate with the police in the trying times and should not pay visit to the mandis by strictly following the lockdown for some more days to defeat the Covid-19. Any kind of violation of lockdown will also attract penal action, he added.
DIG TO BE NODAL OFFICER TO CHECK ATTACK ON HEALTH WORKERS
Haryana Government on Thursday designated a DIG-rank official as the state nodal officer for the implementation of an ordinance passed by the Centre to protect healthcare professionals against violence during the coronavirus crisis.
The ordinance, which amends the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 has made acts of violence against healthcare personnel fighting the Covid-19 pandemic cognizable and non-bailable offences.
Adhering to the directions of Central Government. Haryana Government on Thursday designated Deputy Inspector General of Police, Law and Order as the State Nodal Officer (SNO) and all Police Commissioners, Senior Superintendent's of Police, Superintendents of Police (as the case may be) as District Nodal Officers (DNO) for the implementation of the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.
Additional Chief Secretary Home, Vijai Vardhan said that detailed directions have been issued to the officers concerned officers.
He said that as per the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 any act of committing or abetment of violence by any person against any healthcare person serving during an epidemic or any act of abetment or causing damage or loss to any property during an epidemic has been made a cognizable and non-bailable offence punishable under the said ordinance.
Vijai Vardhan said the District Nodal Officers had been directed to regularly submit reports to the State Nodal Officer. The SNO would submit Action Taken Reports (ATR's) in consultation with the Director-General of Police to the Home Department accordingly.