Cops to engage Cov warriors to spread clean-Diwali msg – Times of India

Kolkata: Kolkata Police is planning to take help of Covid warriors to build up a strong pitch for green Diwali. The fact that doctors, nursing staff and the Covid survivors need to breathe in fresh air will be highlighted in the campaign. The police have already called for tenders from interested agencies that can develop online contents on behalf of police — each clip to last between 90 seconds and 120 seconds.
According to police sources, each year, they take help of schoolstudents and those residing in housing apartments to develop awareness against sound crackers. There have been instances where the cops even organized rallies, asking people to think about the pets and their rights. “However, given the pandemic situation, we will not be able to involve the children much beyond some online contribution from home. There is no question of involving apartment residents. So, the Covid warriors and survivors can deliver the most important message,” said an officer.
The final decision will be taken by the top brass and the community policing unit is expected to pitch in. With barely less than two weeks to go before Diwali, the police want to identify the core areas of focus, said a source. “We want to reach out to the maximum number of people in the shortest possible time,” said an officer.
“We are requesting the residents to avoid burning firecrackers in congested lanes or roof tops and stop people from crowding together. Apart from trying to bring down pollution levels, accidents, too, can be avoided. We will have proper security arrangements so that people can enjoy the festival in a peaceful manner. Each police station has been asked to begin their homework,” said a senior officer of Kolkata Police.
In south suburban Kolkata, the cops will go to some of the biggest high-rises in the Garfa, Anandapur and Kasba areas where they said firecrackers ideally should be burst at only one open space and in turns so that all social distancing norms are maintained. “This will stop the chances of embers falling on people walking on the road. This will also ensure community watch on the actions of each individual. Last year, two persons had lost their lives due to such accidents — one of them an eight-year-old child. We cannot allow the same this year,” said an officer.