Third Battalion of Delhi Police takes prisoners to hospitals with precautions

New Delhi: Amid COVID-19 outbreak, the Third Battalion of Delhi Police is dutifully ensuring that prisoners who need medical attention are taken to hospitals, but with precautions. Police sources said that in some cases the police personnel are also using Hazmat suits to protect themselves from COVID-19.

According to officials, they have taken prisoners for hospital visits or custody parole. "We have told staff to maintain proper hygiene and take precautions like using masks, sanitisers, gloves when they are taking prisoners on hospital visits or custody parole, which is granted in case of extreme emergency," the officer said.

The Third Battalion is tasked with transporting prisoners in Delhi for court appearances in and outside the city but in March, due to present situation, the Third Battalion informed the districts that their lockups functioning in court complexes will remain closed. Therefore, local police were asked to devise their own means to take under trial prisoners to prisons.

The officer said that some prisoners are admitted to hospitals, where their staff are deployed. "We regularly monitor the health condition of our staff and they have been told that whenever they feel COVID-19-like symptoms, they should inform the senior officials so that they can be sent for medical check-up and quarantine," another official said, adding that so far there are no positive cases reported in Battalion.

"The staff who have health complications and are above 50 years of age were asked to stay in their homes as we don't want to risk their health," the officer added. According to police, they use Hazmat suits only if the prisoner shows flu-like symptoms or is a COVID-19 suspect.

Helping hands

The armed forces of Delhi Police have also come forward in helping people in need through food and other necessary items. Special Commissioner of Police (Armed Police) Robin Hibu said that they have a dedicated team for food distribution which includes a 24*7 NGO control room, where volunteers speak to the people in need. A list of people is prepared and later their team distributes food and other items to these people.

"We are reaching out to Tibetians, Burmese refugees, migrant labourers in Janakpuri, Sagarpur, Okhla. Social distancing is followed during distribution," the official said.