The Delhi Cop Who Looks After 350 Poor Families Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

At a time when videos have been surfacing showing police beating civilians who violate ongoing lockdown, imposed in the wake of Coronavirus outbreak, a police officer in the national capital paints a different picture for the Khakis.

Station House Officer (SHO) Arvind Kumar, 48, is in charge of a police station in Defence Colony, one of the poshest areas of Delhi/ When Kumar came to know through his beat constables the plight of 700 poor families who reside in Indira Camp, a slum area just behind the police station, he swung into action. 

Due to the 21-day Coronavirus lockdown, the daily wage workers have lost their sources of livelihood.

“Around 350 families out of 700 are such that they don’t have any buffer stock of food grains for more than three days. I spoke to some people in the colony about their problems,” Kumar said.

Initially, Kumar arranged 50 food bags that could last for about 20 days.

“While I was getting those bags distributed, the word spread out among other residents and they have started coming forward for help. I have got 250 more food bags with the help of residents,” Kumar said.

To maintain social distancing, instead of taking these food packets to the colony, he has asked beat constables to inform household owners to come and collect it from the police station, one by one.

“I have had 50 packets distributed. About 300 packets are ready for distribution. I have dedicated one room of the police station for the storage,” Kumar said.

He added that several affluent families came forward to donate food for the slum dwellers. “Many female members work as maids here, so residents have sympathy for them,” Kumar added.

Besides, Kumar, with the help of residents, has also started tea and snacks services for those who are engaged in essential services. The tea and snacks are offered for one hour in the morning and evening.  

“Residents also offer cocked food packets which I carry in my police van and wherever my team finds needy persons, we offer them,” Kumar said.