NASHIK :
Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, rural police Nashik have sought the support of Imams and Maulanas of mosques in ensuring that social distancing norms and lockdown guidelines are not violated during the celebration of the festival tomorrow (Monday). Accordingly, Muslim clerics in Malegaon made videos viral on social media appealing people to celebrate Ramadan Eid at home, don’t congregate at Eidgah maidans or mosques and follow the government orders.
A release issued by police superintendent Nashik rural on Saturday said that district administration has declared 119 containment zones on the backdrop of Corona outbreak in rural areas, especially Malegaon town.
Based on the notification of the government, the rural police have deployed about 1800 police personnel comprising 2 police superintendents, 2 additional police superintendents, 5 deputy superintendents of police, 22 police inspectors, 83 subordinate officials, and 1058 police. Besides this 3 platoons of RCP, 3 enforcement squads, 34 home guards and 6 companies of State Reserve Police Force.
On the backdrop of Ramzan Eid, an additional police force has also been deployed to maintain law and order in rural areas. The deployed force comprised of 20 police officials, 100 police personnel, one rapid action force (RAF) company of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and 150 home guards.
The police superintendent Nashik rural has appealed to Muslim brothers that they should offer Eid prayer at home, just like Muslims in Malegaon have been offering Friday prayers at home and had celebrated Shab e Barat peacefully at home by following the social distancing norms and government instructions.
Earlier, the clerics at Malegaon were sensitised about the guidelines that need to be followed on Eid. They were directed to ensure that their message reaches the entire community and no gathering takes place in mosques.
They were briefed to motivate the followers through announcements and to follow the government’s instructions on lockdown 4.0 and celebrate Eid from homes only. The police has also requested the public to avoid coming out of their homes, unless necessary.
Police rely on drone eye to maintain vigil
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are becoming vital tools in the fight against Covid-19 with law enforcement agencies using UAVs to monitor public gatherings, ensuring social distancing, among others. The rural police have planned to use four drones for aerial surveillance. In addition to this, 1800 police, 6 companies of state Reserve Police Force, one rapid action force company of the CRPF have been deployed.
