Helpline from Saturday for citizens to cope better

Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad police will launch a helpline — Police Samaritan — for people struggling with different issues due to the pandemic. The police have issued four helpline numbers that will be operational from May 15. Pimpri Chinchwad police commissioner Krishna Prakash has initiated the helpline in coordination with two social organisations.

Due to rising number of Covid-19 cases, people are struggling with different problems such as ambulance drivers overcharging patients or even family members of Covid-positive patients facing problems getting essentials as well as medicines. “They can contact the helpline numbers and the police will provide help,” said an officer from the Pimpri Chinchwad police.

The officer said that if people come across any Covid-19 patient not following isolation norms, people not wearing masks, any commercial establishment operating beyond the prescribed time limit, they can contact the helpline. “We will take strict action against them,” the officer stated.

He added that people can contact the helpline, if they are overcharged by ambulance driver or they come across someone involved in black-marketing of remdesivir or tocilizumab injections.

The police will also provide help if the entire family is Covid-19 positive and needs medicines and/or essentials.

“We will also provide help for children, who have lost their parents in the pandemic,” the officer said.

The helpline numbers are 8010430007, 8010810007, 8010460007 and 8010830007.