16,554 passes released in four days for basic services
Nagpur: Every day, thousands of people approach police stations to get passes to travel around the city, believing that they cater for ‘important services.’ Between Tuesday and Friday, the City Police distributed about 16,554 passes to residents who want to move out.
A senior officer told TOI that the order passes are given to people who have a legitimate purpose and who are parts of critical services, such as government employment, MSEB, doctors or medical institutions.
Elsewhere, on Friday, the police arrested 73 people walking around town without a valid excuse or a police pass.
There have also been incidents where people have approached police stations to get passes to fly from one location to another to bring money to the staff. “The contractor decided to give money to his staff, and they needed it because of the current lockdown. So, we issued a one-day pass to the contractor, “said a police officer at Sitabuldi Police Station.
“We’re just trying to ensure that the passport holder’s pictures are on the pass so that they can’t be misused,” the cop said.
Though, the scheme of images on passes seems to be restricted to a police station, as some of them only offer stamps and a justification for the pass/letter.
It is learned that police officers are currently issuing one-day passes as well as long-term passes, as requested by residents and their reasons.
Prasad Pophali, the owner of the tiffin delivery service, said, “We are currently providing dabbas lunch and dinner to about 300 people across the area. It was necessary for me to get a pass, as those outside the city rely solely on my tiffins. So, we applied to the office of the additional police commissioner (crime) Nilesh Bharne, listing the food delivery places, names and vehicle numbers of all our employees. “Pophali received an approval letter the following day, granting his delivery team permission to operate in the defined areas until 31 March. “We will then apply for a renewal of the passport so that our services remain uninterrupted,” he said.
The senior officer explained that delivery boys appointed by online food distribution sites do not need a police pass to deliver orders. “Because the distribution of food is permitted, the delivery boys do not need a police pass to travel to the area. The delivery boys must wear their company’s clothing and carry a valid identification card issued by the company. They must also provide a legitimate reason for stopping during nakabandi, “the cop said.
Until now, no applications for passes has been denied, said the police. However, several people have been told to visit the police stations near their locality to get a pass.
