‘Dept accepted us with warmth, society gave cold shoulder’

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 25

Over 60 personnel of the Ludhiana police have been tested positive for Covid-19 so far and most of them are on the path of recovery. The contagion, however, claimed the life of ACP Anil Kohli in April. The Ludhiana Police Department is one of the worst-affected government departments.

We talked to some of the policemen, who have won the battle against the virus, to get an insight into their experience and challenges they faced.

Got support from dept, not from society: SI Jatinder Singh

Sub-Inspector Jatinder Singh, posted at the Shimlapuri police station, said when someone is tested positive for Covid, society usually sees him as an enemy. Instead of keeping the patient’s morale high, he/she is dragged into depression. “When I tested positive on June 16, the owner of my rented house told me to vacate the premises. Along with me, my wife, daughter and mother also tested positive. I was isolated at a hospital while my family was quarantined at home. It was a tough time for the whole family. I reached home on June 26 after recovering and joined the duty on July 3. After a few days, I vacated the house and took another one,” shared SI Singh. Despite having been cured, our family faced social boycott, he said. “When I joined back my duty, I was treated warmly by my colleagues. I am proud of my colleagues and seniors, especially Police Commissioner Rakesh Agrawal, who remained in touch with me all the time,” he said.

Received warm welcome: ASI Dinesh Kumar

ASI Dinesh Kumar, working in the Special Branch, said, “I was tested positive on June 23 and joined duty on July 17. When I joined, I was welcomed with great warmth and all my colleagues treated me as a corona warrior. Inspector Beant Juneja garlanded me, offered me sweets and other cops met me like I am their family member. Whatever trauma I faced faded away after such a welcome. Senior told me to work in comfortable zone and take leave whenever require. In short, I was overwhelmed,” said ASI Dinesh.

The ASI said his son Shiv Kumar, a constable posted at the Phagwara city police station, had also tested positive. “I want to suggest my all counterparts not to walk away from their duty but take full precautions, “he added. The ASI said he has also offered to donate his plasma to any needy patient.

People avoid me, my family: Constable Jatinder Singh

Constable Jatinder Singh, working in the Anti Smuggling Cell, had tested positive on June 27 and he joined back on July 23. The Police Department admitted me at a corona centre, he said. “I used to receive call from colleagues and even from Commissioner of Police Rakesh Agrawal. My department didn’t let me down, but society offered an indifferent treatment. Now, when I have recovered, residents still avoid me and my family. I don’t have any grudge as my colleagues were with me when I was positive and they are still with me now, “said Singh.

Residents not taking rules seriously : ASI Harjit Singh

ASI Harjit Singh, attached with the PCR Wing under the Dehlon police station, who tested positive along with his wife and two sons, joined back duty in July. His son works in the Commando Wing of the Punjab Police and is posted in Pathankot. He said, “Some people are still not following Covid-19 norms. They can be seen roaming without follwing any precautions. Getting infected is a serious matter but one should not feel depressed and must keep their will power strong, “ said ASI Harjit. “I got full support from my department in terms of treatment. Even when I was tested negative, my seniors offered me further leaves, but I denied the offer and joined back my duty,” he added.

Akhil Chaudhary, DCP, Headquarters and Security, said whenever a cop is tested positive, the department keeps a tab on him/her. “We talk to our colleague undergoing treatment so that their will power stays strong. Even after they recover we still take care of their medicines and fitness.”

The Police Department has been distributing kits among Covid positive cops for free. The kit includes pulse oximeter, steamer, yoga mat, hand sanitizer, giloy tablet, vitamin C tablet among with other items.

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