The launch of this unique programme, in which one policeman has been deployed to each of the 749 villages in the district and is aided by 10 volunteers, has helped curb the spread of Covid-19
Ashok Kumar | Clarion India
MUMBAI – Osmanabad, one of the most backward districts of Maharashtra, has been able to tackle the outbreak of Covid-19 due to an innovative strategy adopted by the police.
Called ‘Ek Gaon, Ek Police’ (One village, one policeman), the programme has been able to tackle the spread of Covid-19 across this largely-rural district.
Raj Tilak Roushan, the Superintendent of Police, Osmanabad, told Clarion India on Tuesday that he has deputed one policeman in each of the 749 villages across the district.
“The policeman is helped by 10 to 15 volunteers in each of the villages,” Roushan told this correspondent. “There are in all more than 7,000 volunteers spread across the district, who have been aiding the police, interacting with the people, ensuring they maintain social distance and also wear masks.”
These volunteers are part of the ‘anti-Corona corps,’ and are also known as ‘Corona warriors.’
According to official figures, Osmanabad – where 80 per cent of the population lives in rural areas – has seen 39 deaths so far. There were 663 positive cases, but 465 have been discharged so far. The district features among the most backward ones in India and also in the ‘101 aspirational districts’ category.
“The response to our programme has been very good,” says Roushan, who interestingly is also an author, having recently come out with his book, The Good, the Bad and the Unknown: Deep, Dark and Captivating Crime Stories. “These volunteers helped the police during the two peak summer months (April and May),” he adds.
They also ensure that the residents adhere to the norms and the infected persons are quarantined. The policeman in the village coordinates with different government agencies, hospitals and the local community.
The volunteers have been given masks, sanitisers and T-shirts and are available all the time for the police and the villagers.
Osmanabad is part of one of the most backward regions of Maharashtra, Marathwada, which includes seven other districts including Aurangabad. Covid-19 has resulted in the death of nearly 750 persons in the region.