Lockdown helplines get requests for gutka, liquor, and samosas in Uttar Pradesh

It's t yet dawn. A helpline set up after coronavirus outbreak crackles into life. re are panic calls for essentials like medicines, but some callers demand rasogullas, samosas, and even pan and gutka, mit officials. chief minister's helpline number 1076 gets a frantic call from Ram Ratan Pal, who suffers from high blood pressure, that his stock of medicines is exhausted.

Officials manning control room swing into action, arranging ir delivery in Luckw. In Gautam Buddh Nagar district, Shankar Singh dials number for food essentials. ration is delivered at his doorstep, officials say. Ram Ratan and Shankar are among one lakh beneficiaries so far of CM's helpline.

Uttar Presh's police helpline recently got a strange call when an elderly person me an "urgent request" for rasogullas. cop who answered phone thought it was a prank. But, when a volunteer-delivered sweets in Luckw's Hazratganj, it was found that man in his 80s really needed m.

RE | Coronavirus Hotspot Districts In Uttar Presh: se Are Sealed Hotspots

He is diabetic and his blood sugar level h dipped sharply. But, reports suggest that many demands may t be that urgent. Those answering police helpline 112 have been baffled by requests for betel leaf, gutka and hot samosas (with chutney). samosas were indeed delivered. But, man who me call h to pay price he was asked to clean out a drain.

RE | Coronavirus: 44 Fresh Cases Reported In Uttar Presh, Total Climbs To 849

Police were also t amused by a demand for pizza in Rampur, where district authorities are punishing those making such calls, reports say. Some callers have even asked for liquor. re have also been reports of house-bound children pleing with invisible "police uncle" at or end for chips, cakes, ice cream and pizza.

Trained to enforce law and order, personnel deputed with police response vehicles (PRVs) are w also performing a new role during nationwide lockdown. Thousands of m are engd in providing emergency services sought through 112 helpline, an official said.  y fulfil demands for food and medicines and look into complaints about shopkeepers overcharging for essential commodities.  re are 35,000 PRVs across state.

RE | Uttar Presh Declares 3 Districts In State As COVID-free, Continues To Take Precautions

"Since lockdown started, PRV jawans have been working round clock to meet demands of people calling on helpline number," ditional Director General of Police Asim Arun, who is in charge of police emergency services, told PTI.

Around 1,100 police personnel man helpline phones. "re have also been calls for shifting pregnant women for delivery, and d and sick to hospitals. Policemen working with PRVs have helped m by arranging ambulances," Arun says. department has set up infrastructure for women personnel on helpline duty to take calls at ir homes, G says. 112 helpline is also linked to fire and ambulance services and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). 

RE | Uttar Presh: Medical Colleges In ida, Meerut Asked To Return 'inferior Quality' PPE