People assaulting police personnel during COVID-19 lockdown will be booked under NSA, warns UP government

The Yogi-Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh government on Friday took a strict stance against reports of misbehaviour against police personnel in the state and said that anyone who attacks the police at any place in the state will be booked under the National Security Act (NSA).

A directive issued by the state government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, read, "During the lockdown, strict action will be taken against those who attack the police at any place in the state. They will be booked under the NSA."

Prior to this, the Madhya Pradesh government had also warned of strict action against anyone found assaulting the health workers in the state.

This comes amid reports of police and health sector professionals getting assaulted across the country by a section of citizens when the officials are visiting localities in the state to collect blood samples for COVID-19 testing.

On Thursday, three people were detained after a group of miscreants pelted stones at officials in Rampur's Tanda area.

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak continues to spread like wildfire across India, several disturbing reports have emerged of doctors, health workers, and police officials being discriminated against by citizens, sometimes even outright attacked and insulted. It is important to remember here that these officials are fighting the virus outbreak at the frontlines and it is uncalled for to insult the very people who are risking their lives to protect fellow citizens.

In light of the heightened concern on the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in India, the country has been placed under complete lockdown for 21 days from March 24. Authorities have asked citizens to maintain strict social distancing to cut the spread of the virus outbreak.

As of 12::15 PM on Friday, more than 2,300 people across India have been reported to have contracted the COVID-19 disease. The virus has affected more than 10 lakh people worldwide. The global death toll has crossed 50,000, according to the COVID-19 statistics center at the John Hopkins University.