Ph-II of vaccination kicks off, DGP first to get jab

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 2

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh launched the second phase of Covid-19 vaccination with Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta volunteering to be the first one in the Punjab Police to get the jab here today.

Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Home Anurag Agarwal also got vaccinated in the same session, along with the top brass of the Punjab Police. Under this phase, around 82,789 police personnel are supposed to be inoculated across the state.

52 cops died due to Covid: CM

• A total of 6,153 police personnel tested positive for Covid-19, out of whom 6,086 successfully recovered while 15 are undergoing treatment, said CM Capt Amarinder Singh
• The Chief Minister said 52 personnel, including one gazetted officer, 33 non-gazetted officers, nine of other ranks, six Punjab Home Guard jawans from the Punjab Police, lost their lives due to the ongoing pandemic

Prior to the launch of the vaccination drive, Captain Amarinder was given the Guard of Honour, after which he laid a wreath at Punjab Police Martyrs’ Memorial in the foyer of the police headquarters to pay homage to 1,800 personnel of different ranks, who laid down their lives during the fight against terrorism.

While lauding the efforts of the Punjab Police, the Chief Minister said the entire force had worked day and night on the front line when Covid-19 was at its peak. Besides maintaining law and order, the police also ensured home delivery of food, medicines and other essential items during the curfew.

He said a total of 6,153 police personnel had tested positive for Covid-19, out of which 6,086 had successfully recovered while 15 were currently positive and undergoing treatment. He said unfortunately 52 personnel, including one gazetted officer, 33 non-gazetted officers, nine of other ranks, six Punjab Home Guard jawans from the Punjab Police, lost their lives due to Covid-19.

He said though no amount of money could compensate the loss, the Punjab Government had stood behind the families of persons who died due to Covid. He expressed satisfaction that an ex gratia amount of Rs 50 lakh had already disbursed to families of police personnel who had died due to Covid.

DGP Dinkar Gupta said it was important for the entire police force to come forward to get vaccinated. Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Hussan Lal were among those present.

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