PUNE: ARMY’S SOUTHERN COMMAND ASSURES FULL SUPPORT TO FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19
Pune, March 27, 2020: The representative of the Pune-based Army’s Southern Command met the Principal Secretary Health of Maharashtra in Mumbai today. During the meeting various aspects for ensuring a coordinated response and latest developments in the state were discussed.
“Southern Command has assured its full support to the civil administration in these testing times and the Health Secretary in response has conveyed that the state is very well geared up to tackle the fight against COVID-19 as well as handle any law and order situation arising due to lockdown as of now”, stated a press release from Southern Command.
Meanwhile, the Army clarified that at present there is no request to deploy Army. “It is further confirmed that the Army has not received any requisition for deployment and as per inputs received from the Health Secretary, the same is not envisaged at this stage”, the release stated.
Indian Army ready to fight Coronavirus, launches ‘Operation Namaste’
The Indian Army has geared up amidst increasing cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. The Indian Army is going to launch ‘Operation Namaste’ to fight the coronavirus epidemic.
Army Chief MM Naravane said that the army has set up a total of eight quarantine centres to fight the coronavirus in the country.
Announcing Operation Namaste, Army Chief said that it is his duty to help the government in the fight against this epidemic. Army has successfully carried out all the operations of the past and Operation Namaste will also be successfully carried out.
Keeping soldiers safe is priority
The Army Chief said that it is our responsibility to help the government and the citizens in this fight against the Coronavirus. As an Army Chief, it is my priority to keep my jawans safe and fit. We can fulfil our duties only when we are safe.
Army cannot follow social distancing
He further said that the Indian Army cannot follow social distancing due to operational reasons. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep ourselves safe and fit to protect the country. Keeping this in mind there is some advice that should be followed. Assuring the soldiers, the Army Chief said that you should not worry about the people close to you because the army is taking good care of them.
No leave for ten months
The Army Chief said that he was aware that cancellation of jawans’ leave at such a time could adversely affect their morale, but mentioned that during Operation Parakram in 2001-02, the army personnel spent eight to ten months. Did not take leave.
21 days lockdown in the country
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (March 24) announced a 21-day lockdown across the country to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, saying social distancing is the only option to combat the disease.
17 dead in India till now
The total number of patients infected with Coronavirus in the country has reached 724. Of this, 17 have died, while 66 have been cured. According to Health Ministry data, four people have died in Maharashtra, while in Gujarat also three people have lost their lives due to Coronavirus. So far two people have died due to coronavirus in Karnataka, while one each in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
