Cachar Police collects Rs 2 lakh as fine in one day; "Drive against violators of COVID protocols will continue," additional SP

Assam government has imposed a total ban on the movement of individuals between 1 pm and 5:00 am in Cachar district. Unless the individual is exempted, movement outdoors during that period is a violation of the night curfew. Since the last couple of days, Cachar Police has intensified its efforts to ensure enforcement of the lockdown and night curfew norms in the district.

On June 15, SP Cachar, Vaibhav Chandrakant Nimbalkar, DC Cachar Keerthi Jalli were seen on the road at night questioning the violators of curfew norms. Yesterday, the Police had installed ogranised checkpoints at various junctions of the district.

Additional SP of Cachar, Partha Protim Saikia was leading the drive in Silchar, SPDO Lakjhipur in Lakhipur area and DSP Cachar was in Katigorah. “In Silchar town, we have collected fines around Rs 1.5 lakh, overall, it was around Rs 2 lakh collected as fines for different parts of Cachar,” informed additional SP, Partha Protim Saikia.

Cachar has been deemed as a “district of concern” and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in its recent order stated that unless the situation improves in Cachar by June 21, stricter restrictions will be imposed in the district. Cachar was consistently reporting around 600 cases a day where the outbreak was at its peak. However, in the last couple of weeks, the cases have started to decline. Yesterday, 262 individuals have tested positive for COVID 19, up from 259 the day before. Though the situation has improved from what it was, according to reports, the state’s secretariat is not happy with the progress. Violation of COVID guidelines is one of the reasons why the administration believes the cases are not dropping up to the mark.

“The drive in Cachar will continue, the Police will charge penalties to everyone who violate the curfew norms or don’t wear masks,” said additional SP, Partho Protim Saikia. Yesterday, he said, most people booked were either strolling out without proper pass or not wearing masks. “A few were penalised for pillion riding as well,” he added.