Assam Police action during Pandemic: 4,777 arrested; 65 arms seized; 3,705 cases registered

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: There has been no letup in the operations against antisocial elements in the State since March 25, 2020 even though a large number of personnel of the State police force have been engaged in the fight against COVID-19.

Such a reality came to light on Monday when State DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta spelt out the success which the State police force achieved during the period. Talking to the media here on Monday, the DGP said, "Since Assam Police is part of the greater society of Assam, it is accepting the challenge with grace like the people of Assam are doing. Some police personnel becoming COVID positive is no way deterring the Assam Police in its service delivery, anti-insurgency operations, crime control and general helping hand for the people in distress. Our continued operation during the COVID-19 period against antinational elements, illicit arms, drugs etc., are going on unabated and startling success have been achieved during the last three months."

Spelling out the incidents during the past three months when the State has been reeling under the twin evils of floods and COVID-19, the DGP said that as many as 3,906 incidents did take place during the period, leading to the arrest of 4,777 people, besides the seizure of 35,056 vehicles – 30,931 tow-wheelers, 726 three-wheelers, 32,714 four-wheelers, 76 six-wheelers, 4 buses, 28 trucks, 1 trailer, 15 tractors, 3 JCBs,1 Pokland, 23 country boats and 11 mechanized boats.

As many as 3,705 cases were registered during the three months, besides the realization of Rs 4,57,89,150 as fines, he said. Fine charged from people not wearing masks during the period stands at Rs 73,24,500.

According to the DGP, during the period there were seven law-and-order incidents – two in Darrang district and one each in Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Chirang, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur. As many as 97 cases were also registered for spreading fake news on the social media/rumours related to COVID-19, leading to the arrest of 51 people. Twelve of the 51 arrested have been released on bail.

The DGP said that 65 arms – seven AK-56 Rifles, two AK-47 Rifles, five 7.65 mm pistols, three 8 mm pistols, one M-4 Rifle, three MQ81 Assault Rifles, ten country-made pistols and 34 other arms – were recovered, besides 1,628 ammunition, 197 grenades, three IED bombs, 26 detonators, 2 kg explosives and 16 RPGs.

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