First batch of 5 Companies of CAPF arrive in Mumbai; deployment from tomorrow – Mumbai Mirror

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Three companies of SRPF to be taken off duty: COVID-19 positive figures in Mumbai police cross 600 mark)

Mumbai: The first batch of 5 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) has arrived in Mumbai to assist the Mumbai police in the on-going battle against coronavirus, even as over 600 of the city police personnel tested positive for COVID-19 by Monday.

A top Mumbai police official told Mirror Online that the 5 companies of the CAPF arrived in the city from various parts of the country on Monday morning and the process of their deployment will begin from tomorrow. “They have just arrived. After settling down following the overnight journey, they will be pressed into duty on Tuesday,” the official said.

Mumbai police spokesperson Pranay Ashok confirmed the development.

The five companies of SAPF are the first batch of the 20 companies of Central forces sought by the Maharashtra government for assistance in the fight against the virus as over 1,200 of the state police personnel are now battling with the virus infection after testing positive.

Giving details of the new Central reinforcement, the official said that of the five companies of CAPF, 3 are from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while the rest 2 are from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Each company consists of 120 personnel who are fully trained and armed to deal with any exigencies arising out of enforcing the lockdown.

Sources said that the five companies would be split into an equal number of police zones during their deployment starting Tuesday. Zone 1 (South Mumbai), Zone 3 (South Central Mumbai), Dharavi, Zone 6 (eastern suburbs) and Zone 9 (From Bandra to Andheri in the west side) have been allotted one Company each.

Following the receipt of the CAPF, the Mumbai police has decided to offer the much awaited break to personnel from the reserve forces. Accordingly, 3 Companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) would be taken off duty and sent back to the barracks for rest. However, police stations in Mumbai will continue with their present deployment while following the Health department guidelines of not pressing those of and above the age of 55 on duty and adherence of strict safety and sanitation measures by those on duty.