Mumbai Police start challaning citizens for not wearing masks

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Police have started challaning people not wearing

masks

in public places, in the wake of

Covid-19

cases rising in the city. The commissioner of police, Parambir Singh announced this on Sunday night via his Twitter handle. Not wearing masks will invite a fine of Rs 200.



"The challaning began on Saturday and over 1500 cases were made in a day," said joint commissioner, law and order, Vishwas Nangre Patil. Previously, only marshalls contracted by the

BMC

had the power to issue challans. This will now be shared by the police. "A uniformed policeman will be taken more seriously by citizens. In the next three to four days, we will ensure that all Mumbaikars wear a mask," said Nangre Patil.

Of the Rs 200 fine collected from citizens, Rs 100 will go towards treatment of policemen who are suffering from Covid-19. Every police station has been asked to ramp up action in public places, parks and gardens, markets, promenades like

Marine Drive

, Girgaum and

Juhu Chowpatty

.

A daily report of action taken by each police station will be compiled. Those who have done well will be rewarded and police stations that have taken negligible action will have to submit reasons.

Senior officers cautioned that wrongful action should not be taken against anyone.

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