Following detection of the first coronavirus positive case in the paramilitary ranks, the Border Security Force (BSF) has home-quarantined about 50 personnel and kept at least five other officers under isolation at the Force’s academy at Tekanpur in Madhya Pradesh.
The move comes after BSF second-in-command officer Ashok Kumar, overseeing preparation of quarantine facility at BSF Academy, Tekanpur, was reported COVID-19 positive. Meanwhile, a CISF head constable posted at Mumbai airport also tested COVID-19 positive on Sunday. The CISF head constable was undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital for the last few days.
Five officer of the BSF’s Tear Smoke Unit at Tekanpur who have been isolated since March 22 include a Deputy Commandant, an Assistant Commandant, two Inspectors and a Sub-Inspector While the Deputy Commandant has been kept at Government Quarters, Officer Colony, Tekanpur, the Assistant Commandant and an Inspector have been kept at Government Quarters, CENWOSTO (Central Workshop & Stores) campus at Tekanpur. Another Inspector and the Sub-Inspector have been lodged at separate rooms of TSU’s Mess. The DC, AC, one inspector and the Sub-Inspector reported from a course. One isolated inspector’s daughter came from Kerala in the government quarters in Tekanpur, according to an internal circular of the BSF’s Tear Smoke Unit (TSU) issued on Friday. The TSU manufactures a range of tear smoke shells and pellets for supply to various paramilitary and police forces across the country.
“Ashok Kumar, 2IC OF Subsidiary Training Centre (STC), Tekanpur has been found positive for COVID-19 today i.e 28/03/2020. BSF Academy was directed to establish quarantine centre for 250 beds and STC BSF Tekanpur for 200 beds. Ashok Kumar, 2IC was detailed as supervisory officer for quarantine centre of STC, Tekanpur. Accordingly, two meetings were conducted at BSF Academy to review the progress/preparation of quarantine centres which were chaired by ADG/Director BSF Academy on 19/03/2020morning and evening in which IG/Joint Director BSF Acadmy and all commanders of wing /unit attended the meeting along with a few officers of BSF Academy and in these meetings Ashok Kumar, 2IC OF STC, Tekanpur was also present . Accordingly, Director, Joint Director Director and all other related officers and staff have been placed in home quarantine. For info please,” reads a communication sent by BSF Academy, Tekanpur to BSF headquarters here on Saturday.
The BSF has been asked to set up quarantine facilities for COVID-19 suspects with a capacity of 1,940 beds across 12 locations of the paramilitary establishment across the country, including BSF Academy at Tekanpur. This is the largest number quarantine beds allotted to any paramilitary force.