Ghaziabad: When the whole nation is battling with the outbreak of Coronavirus, shutting down all the public gatherings as a precautionary measure, an inter-district sports tournament of Uttar Pradesh police is being organised at police lines in Ghaziabad inviting a hundreds of cops from seven districts of Meerut Zone.
It is to be noted that the Ghaziabad Police chief as well as administration have advised 'social distancing', which means people should avoid any major public gathering to prevent spreading the deadly virus. However, this seems not being applicable on the policemen as hundreds of police officials are participating in the three days sports event starting from March 18.
However, senior police officials of Ghaziabad Police informed that the event is being organised in a healthy environment with all precautionary measures in place. "All the players participating in different sports were screened to ensure they are fit and healthy. Sanitisers and handwash have been put into place along with all the other necessary precautionary measures," said Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, Superintendent of Police (rural), Ghaziabad.
"I had inaugurated the event on Wednesday and during inaugural ceremony I also ensured not to make physical contact with any person including handshakes," the officer added.
Speaking on the matter, Ghaziabad Police SSP Kalanidhi Naithani said that it is a small event involving only those who have come to participate in different sports. "There is no audience in this event. Only cops participating in the event are present and their number is also less. The event will be completed on Friday and from March 20, no sports or cultural event, be it of police or public, will be organised anywhere in the district," the SSP said.
Ajay Shankar Pandey, District Magistrate, Ghaziabad said that he will take cognisance into the matter and will direct police officials to postpone the event as everyone has to follow the government's order. "Police have organised the event and there is no role of administration into it. We will take appropriate actions and will ensure that the health of people or policemen is not compromised," said Pandey.