In an effort to give some rest to “overburdened” State police personnel who have been “working day and night in these challenging times of coronavirus”, the Maharashtra Government has requested the Centre to make available 20 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) ahead of the Eid.
State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Wednesday said, “Owing to the outbreak of coronavirus in the State, our police personnel have been working day and night. Considering that Eid is round the corner and we have to maintain law and order situation in the State, the State Government — in order to give some rest to our police personnel — has requested the Centre to make available 20 companies CAPF to the State”.
32 companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) are working in tandem with the Maharashtra Police.
“Many of our police personnel have tested positive for Covid-19. They need time to rest and recuperate... Since Eid will be on May 25, when we will have to augment security presence to ensure law and order is not disturbed. Hence, we have asked the Centre for immediate deployment of 20 CAPF companies to assist our police,” the State Home Minister said in elaboration. Deshmukh’s announcement came a day after an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of the Mumbai police succumbed to Covid-19.
“ASI Murlidhar Shankar Waghmare from Sewri Police Station, Mumbai lost his life to Coronavirus. May his soul rest in peace. DGP and all ranks of Maharashtra Police offer their condolences to the Waghmare family” the Maharashtra police tweeted on his twitter handle @DGPMaharashtra late on Tuesday night.
Waghmare, attached to the Sewree Police Station, had been undergoing treatment after having tested positive for Coronavirus.
With Waghmare’s death, the total number of fatalities among the police force has gone up to five in Mumbai and the total death tally in the state has climbed to nine.
Meanwhile, the total number of Maharashtra police personnel testing positive for Covid-19 has crossed 1,000 mark. “More than a 1000 cops have tested COVID-19 positive while serving the state tirelessly & ensuring the safety of its people @DGPMaharashtra have left no stone unturned in keeping the state safe and yet breathing in the ongoing pandemic,” Maharashtra Minority Development Minister and NCP’s national spokesperson Nawan Malik tweeted.
In response, State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh tweeted: “Thank you @nawabmalikncp for your kind encouragement for #MaharashtraPolice! Means a lot in these times!! #MaharashtraGovtCares”