Guwahati: It was a proud moment for the Assam Police Monday when Vice President Venkaiah Naidu praised the contributions of Robin Kumar, superintendent of police (SP), Barpeta district, for assuming the dual role of a doctor and a police officer with the state witnessing a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Speaking to ThePrint, Kumar said, “I find myself very fortunate to serve in both ways — as a doctor and police personnel. Both physicians and police are over burdened and stressed during these trying times. So, I thought of just sharing their burden, and it is motivating for me.”
He has been running a 50-bedded Covid Care Centre at Barpeta Police Reserve for personnel and their families. It has four ICU beds, 32 beds in a general ward and 14 in the isolation ward.
It is a great gesture of service. My appreciation to Shri Robin Kumar, Barpeta District SP in Assam for performing the dual role of a doctor & police officer to fight COVID-19 pandemic. @Barpeta_Police @IPS_Association pic.twitter.com/CeqIumuajv
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) September 7, 2020
Kumar took charge as the Barpeta SP in January 2019 after serving his probationary years in Sonitpur district of Assam. While in Sonitpur, he had started an outpatient department for personnel at the police reserve in Tezpur town.
The officer had recently also held a special health camp for police personnel above the age of 50, in which around 95 personnel were screened.
“The Assam director general of police had issued a guideline 10 days ago, asking all SPs to get a health screening done for police personnel above 50 years in order to check for co-morbidities,” Kumar said.
Expressing his gratitude to the Vice President for supporting law enforcement personnel, G.P. Singh, additional director general of police (law & order), Assam, told ThePrint, “He (Kumar) has displayed the highest level of dedication expected of an IPS officer. Not only while discharging duties as a police officer, but looking after the medical needs of police family and reducing load on the medical system.
“He has also conveyed to the health department that should his services as a doctor be needed beyond police fraternity, he would be available to the extent it does not hamper his primary duty as the district SP.”
Until 6 September, 4,053 Assam Police personnel have tested positive for Covid-19. Of this, 3,573 have recovered while 16 died.
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