Home Ministry Asks States To Prepare Second Line Of Defence As Many Cops Test Covid-19 Positive

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Sunday (3 May) has suggested to all states and union territories (UTs) to come up with prepare a “second line of defence” amid concerns of many frontline security personnel catching the COVID-19 disease, reports India Today.

In a letter, MHA has asked chiefs of Para-military forces and Director Generals of Police to consider the option of work from home for personnel not deployed on the frontline and where feasible.

"To meet the challenge of Covid-19, and to ensure sustainment of control strategy for virus, police forces need to prepare an effective second line of defence to make up for the police personnel who may be rendered ineffective due to Covid infection during the pandemic," the home ministry said.

The order further stated that the states/union territories can use the services of home guards, civil defence, NCC cadets, Scouts and Guides and Students Police Cadets in the areas where there are not imminent law and order duties.

It should be noted that the order came after more than 200 of central paramilitary troopers tested positive for Covid-19.

The order also advised the police forces to use a methodology to sanitise their physical environment at place of duty.