1,000 cops Covid positive as virus shoots past police ranks in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Cases of Covid-19 are on a rapid rise within the police department with close to 1,000 policemen - across the three commissionerates - testing positive for the virus lately. Of them, 700 are from the Hyderabad commissionerate alone, said sources. Also on this list are some senior IPS officers posted at the Telangana police headquarters in Lakdikapul or holding key positions within the three commissionerates.
Majority of them are said to have mild symptoms and are under home quarantine, sources added. The condition of two policemen who are hospitalised is also stable.

With many policemen at the Hyderabad central crime station and local police stations also testing positive, restrictions have been imposed to arrest the entry of people. At many police stations, for instance, officials are allowing only one person to walk in and talk/lodge complaint with the police from a distance. Family members or friends accompanying the complainant are not being allowed inside. At the Narsingi police station, the personnel have set up a tent outside the station for petitioners to file complaints. Recently, interactions between Hyderabad police commissioner, CV Anand and complainants too were made virtual.
Previously, during the first and second waves too a large number of policemen had contracted the virus. In the wake of the third wave, they are being administered a booster dose on priority as policemen are frontline workers.