UP cop makes men roll on ground for not wearing masks; suspended
In Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, a policeman was suspended and action recommended against a home guard on Tuesday (May 18) for allegedly making two men roll on the road beside a railway crossing here for apparently stepping out during the lockdown without face masks, Hapur police said.
At a time when political parties and state governments are struck in the middle of their a blame game to decide who is responsible for the plight of migrants, cops are continuing with their unique ways to make people follow lockdown norms.
In Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, a policeman was suspended and action recommended against a home guard on Tuesday (May 18) for allegedly making two men roll on the road beside a railway crossing here for apparently stepping out during the lockdown without face masks, Hapur police said.
Videos of the purported incident that took place at Chamdi Fatak in Hapur’s Kotwali area were shared widely on social media, drawing severe criticism for police barbarity.
Cakes for the rich and dehumanising treatment with poor. A glimpse of Indian Police punishing men for not wearing face masks in Hapur town in north India’s Uttar Pradesh state. pic.twitter.com/rdTKZ1RWMZ
— Uzair Hasan Rizvi (@RizviUzair) May 19, 2020
In a video, the two men are seen rolling on the road under the scorching sun and barely a few meters away from the railway tracks. They are not wearing face masks.
The home guard gestures at them with his baton to continue rolling from one side to the other and goes on to hit one of them in the back for stopping. The policeman stands at some distance watching.
A train passes by while all this is happening.
“The policeman concerned has been found guilty and suspended with immediate effect by the Superintendent of Police, Hapur. A report has been presented to the District Commandant, Homeguard, recommending necessary action against the guilty homeguard,” the Hapur police tweeted.
On basis of viral video 2 police personnel attached to lines. Out of 2, report of homeguard sent to commandant home guard. In video, they made 2 people roll on road near railway lines. Their action was inappropriate: Sarvesh Kumar, ASP Hapur (screengrab from viral video in pic 2) pic.twitter.com/xXyMhNp3BN
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 19, 2020
In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the Uttar Pradesh government has invoked the Epidemic Act, 1897 and the Uttar Pradesh Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Rules, 2020.
These laws make covering the face in public places compulsory either using masks or handkerchief or gamchha, and violation of the order could invite legal action.
(With inputs from agencies)
