Police should be alert if lockdown continued: Maha minister

Nashik, Apr 29 () Maharashtra Home Minister AnilDeshmukh on Wednesday asked the police to take precautionsto avoid law and order problems in the state if the lockdownto contain coronavirus continued after May 3.

He held a meeting to take a stock of the coronavirussituation in the Nashik district here.

"At present, the problem of migrant labourers in thestate is serious and there are 1,900 such labourers in Nashikdistrict," he was quoted as saying in an official release.

"Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is in contact withthe Union government and efforts are on with the Centre andthe concerned state governments to take a policy decisionabout sending these labouers to their respective states.

"People in Maharashtra are eager to see the lockdownlifted on May 3 and the police should take precautions toavoid any law and order problem anywhere if the presentsituation continues on May 3," the home minister said.

"Crowding in Muslim settlements in Malegaon (in thedistrict) is a very sensitive subject. People have beenquarantined on a large scale. Attention should be given toprovision of all facilities there," Deshmukh said.

"Survey should be conducted of all homes in Malegaon,"the minister added.

Health Minister Rajesh Tope, district guardianminister Chhagan Bhujbal, Agriculture Minister Dada Bhuse,collector Suraj Mandhare, divisional commissioner Rajaram Maneand other government and police officials attended the meetingwith Deshmkh.

Speaking to reporters, Deshmukh made it clear thatattacks on police personnel will not be tolerated.

"Many incidents of attack on police personnel in thestate have taken place. Such attacks will not be tolerated andstrict action will be taken against the attackers," he said. COR KRKKRK KRK