Interview Times Do you remember the time when police’s excess all across the state was palpable? Attempting to contain the spread of the Covid widespread and breaking the spread chain of the deadly virus, the cops deployed on obligation went the full hoard. They overlooked the lessons in human compassion whereas enthusiastically attempting to implement the lockdown. It was the primary wave of Covid in the scorching summer of 2020 and everything was evidently managed with a strict hand.
And, in the battle against a willful virus, the individuals experienced the high-handedness of the police, in broad sunshine.
As always media and their photojournalists played a vital role here, by capturing in their lenses and on print the ruthless scenes- visuals that affirmed how the posse of police forces went over the edge in their action.
The victims were the ordinary people who battled difficult amid the top widespread to squeeze out a living. Too, those who were tormented were the heroic Covid warriors and their kinfolk. The scenes and recordings went viral on social media. A few citizens who doubled up as journalists, composed open letters to none less than the Chief Minister, hailing the implied remorselessness and Draconian acts of the police. This accelerated quick action from the powers that be and reestablished a few sanitizes within the administration secured Covid-19 management.
Comparing the scenario of last year with today, the change could be seen and is refreshingly welcomed. Today, mutation of the coronavirus is developing new strains and disconcerting scientists and policymakers alike with its variants of concern. The need for a calibrated Covid strategy to tame this virulent pandemic is perhaps more needed than the year-ago period. In response to the intensifying pandemic, the state machinery has clamped weekend shutdown in urban locations to curb its spread, especially in the hotspots where the concentration of virus grows unabated.
Yet, there is no harsh measure directed at the public. Some may attribute it to the rising awareness amongst the public that has sensitized them to deal more cautiously with a rampaging virus. But it doesn’t take away any luster from the remarkable efforts invested by a revamped Commissionerate of Police helmed by Soumendra Priyadarshi.
Mr. Priyadarshi, the one who has stood the test of time and countered some seemingly intractable law & order situations in Odisha, has proved his mettle yet again. He has shown what amiable policing can achieve. Kudos to his changed leadership mantra, the police are now polite and sensitive to the people’s concerns. And, he has made the Commissionerate Police a citizen-centric and more responsive institution. Leading from the front, Mr. Priyadarshi actively responds to the stream of queries posted by netizens across social media platforms.
“Our policy is here to give protection and safeguard to the core of common people of their life & goodness in general. We are duty-bound to do so. In doing so, people will be more cautious and sensible in obeying the regulations of government authorities”, he humbly says.
I have the highest regard for the police fraternity that fights for the rights of the citizens. Let’s profusely salute the spirit of the cops who are risking their lives to keep us safe.
