How CRPF Is Battling The Virus

Battalion is sealed as its officer dies in Delhi; 46 from the force have tested positive & reports of 257 are awaited.

- Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu

The death of a 55-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Delhi on Tuesday due to the coronavirus has set alarm bells ringing in the largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).

The death of the sub-inspector rank official of the 31st battalion based in Delhi is the first such death in the force due to coronavirus. So far, 46 CRPF personnel have tested positive for Covid-19. The results of 257 others are awaited. Meanwhile, an entire battalion of nearly 1,100 has been quarantined and sealed.

Sub-inspector rank CRPF soldier Mohammad lkram Hussain was admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi a few days back after he tested positive for the coronavirus. The deadly virus claimed his life on Tuesday evening. The trooper, who hailed from Barpeta district in Assam, was posted to CRPF’s 31st battalion in Mayur Vihar, Phase-3 in Delhi.

CRPF VERSUS MHA MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Sources say the top echelons of the Home Ministry on Tuesday got into a huddle after the death of the paramilitary trooper was reported. While Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted to express sorrow over the trooper’s death, the MHA top brass, sources said, has taken note of CRPF personnel contracting Covid-19 in Delhi and asked the DG to explain circumstances due to which the spread of infection could not be contained.