Since the Haryana government directed the police to take strict action against people found violating Covid norms, officials in the state have issued around 7.25 lakh challans for offenses like not wearing masks and not following social distancing norms. Fines worth about Rs 52 crore have been levied in Haryana in the last one year.
Owners and managers of hotels and other venues have also been issued challans and notices repeatedly, besides warning about sealing their establishments if they refuse to follow norms. However, despite this, people have flouted the rules, which has forced officials to impose sterner action against them.
Issuing an advisory on Thursday, Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana, Manoj Yadava, also said that the widespread requirement of remdesivir injections and oxygen cylinders has become an ideal front for cybercriminals who are trying to manipulate people in need of these resources. Haryana Police cautioned citizens against such fraudsters who could dupe them on the pretext of providing oxygen cylinders and life-saving drugs through the e-commerce portal OLX and other social media platforms during the ongoing Covid crisis.
Amid rising cases of Covid-19, the state police has also launched a hotline 7087089947 and a toll-free number 1800-180-1314 where citizens can share any sort of information related to the black marketing of oxygen cylinders, remdesivir injections and other drugs being used for Covid treatment.