Hyderabad Commissioner holds meet in jam-packed hall

Top brass sets a wrong example on physical distancing

26/03/2020, ABHINAY DESHPANDE,HYDERABAD

Wrong move: Representatives of essential services attending a meeting organised by Hyderabad Commissioner.

A hall packed with representatives of essential services for a meeting with Hyderabad Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar on Wednesday shows the extent to which social distancing is being ignored at this time of COVID-19 pandemic, with the top brass setting a wrong example.

What is worse is that these very people, who were seen sitting and standing close to one another at the meeting held by Mr. Kumar and top officers of the city police, already came in contact and will continue to do so with hordes of people as part of their essential supply chain.

Though each one of them was made to wash their hands with liquid soaps at the entry gate and later given hand sanitisers, social distancing was not maintained leaving a chance for the virus to spread, if there were to be any carrier among them.

The meeting, which saw the presence of Principal Secretary (IT) Jayesh Ranjan and several senior police officers, lasted for close to three hours.

Police personnel present and staff at the CP office were worried after seeing the large gathering. The main concept of lockdown was to make sure people don’t come in large numbers and gather at a place. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumar appeared terrified at the huge turnout and was seen wearing a premium mask.

The conference hall at Mr. Kumar’s office in Basheerbagh has a capacity to seat 180 to 200 people.

Several representatives from hospitals, marketing, cable operators, pharmacies and groceries, had to stand because the hall was jam-packed.