42 Jharkhand cops quarantined after accused in illegal liquor factory raid tests COVID positive

Forty-two police personnel who raided an illegal liquor unit on Saturday (July 4) have been quarantined in Jharkhand’s Koderma district after an accused who was arrested tested positive for COVID-19, police officers said on Tuesday (July 7).

The 42 people includes a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and officers incharge of two police stations – Jay Nagar and Chandwara.

“As many as 42 policemen were quarantined at our Domchanch based institutional quarantine centre. After five days, the high risk personnel that includes whosoever came in close contact with the Covid patient, will be examined. Then, samples of low risk personnel will be taken,” Hindustan Times quoted Koderma deputy commissioner (DC) Ramesh Gholap as saying.

The 42-member police team raided an illegal liquor factory in Chutiyaro village under Jay Nagar police station on July 4, according to Koderma sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Rajendra Prasad.

He said they had arrested two persons from the site of the raid. “Before sending them to jail, they were tested for Covid-19 as per rule and a 24-year-old accused was found infected with coronavirus. He was immediately sent to COVID hospital, while the other person was sent to jail,” Prasad told Hindustan Times.

He added that all 42 personnel who were involved in the raid were put in quarantine on Monday.

As part of the precautionary measures, the entry of common people has been prohibited in Jay Nagar and Chandwaro police stations. Both stations have been sanitized. Those who have complaints have been asked to submit their applications at drop boxes or at the outer gates of the stations.

The village of Chutiyaro, where the illegal liquor factory was running, was notified as a containment zone on Monday. “Contact tracing exercise in the village is being conducted. The villagers who came in contact with the accused will undergo Covid test,” the Koderma DC said, according to Hindustan Times.