258 people in Indore sent to jail for not wearing masks

Taking strict action against those violating COVID-19 guidelines even as the cases surge, the Madhya Pradesh police has sent 258 people to a temporary jail for not wearing masks in public places.

As per reports, a community guesthouse in Snehlataganj area of Indore was designated as a temporary jail on the instructions of the local administration. The guesthouse has the capacity to accommodate 300 people.

The violators were caught from different parts of the city under section 151 (Precautionary arrests made to prevent cognisable offences) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC). They were roaming in public areas without wearing masks.

A police official informed that these inmates at the temporary jail are usually released within three hours of admission. A total of 15 police personnel have been deployed and CCTV cameras are also installed at the temporary jail.

Notable, Indore is the worst affected district by COVID-19 in Madhya Pradesh. In the last 24 hours, 805 new cases were reported in the district.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Dr Amit Malakar, District COVID-19 Nodal Officer said, "The positivity rate of Covid is nearing 15 per cent. In March 2021, only a total of 9913 patients were found Corona positive in the Indore district, whereas 29 people died in the same month of March. In March 2020, however, there were a total of 46 cases found with no deaths."