Malda lockdown offenders ‘punished’ with Covid tests

Malda: District authorities found a unique way to crack down on Thursday’s lockdown violation at Kaliachak block here. Offenders, most of them youths loitering on the roads, were compelled to take the rapid antigen test for Covid-19.
Officials said the drive served the dual purpose of reprimanding those who violated the coronavirus safety protocol while ramping up testing at the same time.The block administration had set up a testing camp at Chowringhee Crossing in the heart of Kaliachak. Police brought all those arrested for violating lockdown there.
DSP Prasanta Debnath said: “People found loitering were made to take the test. Results were issued within minutes. Those who came to the camp spontaneously were also tested.” As many as 400-odd samples were taken on Thursday. Of the 150 reports generated, only one was positive.
Sumala Agarwala, senior councillor of English Bazaar Municipality, said despite their efforts many symptomatic individuals shied away from tests because they “feared social harassment if found Covid-positive”. Hence, many wards of the municipality as well as blocks like Manikchak, Ratua and Kaliachak saw thin attendance at health camps. “However, the unique crackdown helped. When awareness doesn’t work, such police action may be the only alternative,” she added.