Cops conduct raids at Balurghat to check sale of masks at exorbitant rate

BALURGHAT: Amid the Coronavirus scare, police on Saturday conducted raids in different medicine shops in Balurghat to oversee whether mask and hand sanitisers are being sold at extra price.

The raid was conducted by Deputy Superintendent of Police of District Enforcement Branch, Vinod Chhetri. According to him, the raids were conducted after receiving allegations that specialised mask, known as N95 respirator and hand sanitisers were being sold at a higher rate in reputed medicine shops in Balurghat. However, during raids, no such masks and hand sanitisers were available in the market.

"We have directed the traders to sell the said items in actual price otherwise the concerned department will ensure stringent legal action against them. They have agreed to follow and abide by the directions strictly. During raids, we have, however, found no mask or hand sanitiser were available in the market. Most of the pharmacists said the items are out of stock," Chhetri said.

A local trader Asit Basak said: "Police have raided the medicine shops to inspect whether the special mask and hand sanitiser are being sold in higher rates. We said we have no stock of those items."

According to the experts, masks are effective at capturing droplets which is a main transmission route of Coronavirus. If a person is likely to be in close contact with someone infected, a mask cuts the chance of the disease being passed on. Meanwhile, the district Health department has initiated measures to distribute pamphlets to people of both urban and rural belts advising them to follow basic hygiene habits like frequently washing hands, using handkerchief while sneezing to reduce the risk of infection.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr Sukumar Dey said novel Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illness ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndromes.

"We have made all probable arrangements regarding the prevention of Coronavirus to deal with any situation amid mounting global concern over rising cases in China. We have opened separate isolation wards in Balurghat and Gangarampur hospitals," he said.