Updated April 28th, 2020 at 20:20 IST

Amit Shah mourns CRPF Sub-Inspector's demise due to COVID-19 in Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah mourned the death of a 55-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who died due to coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

Reported by: Digital Desk
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah mourned the death of a 55-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who died due to coronavirus infection on Tuesday. The assistant sub-inspector (ASI) rank official was admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung hospital a few days back after being detected positive for the virus.

On Twitter, Shah wrote, "I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of brave CRPF Sub-Inspector Mohammad Ikram Hussain. He fought heroically against Coronavirus until the end. His contribution to the service and internal security of the country inspires all of us."

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Amit Shah also said that he has spoken to the family of the jawan over the phone the day before yesterday. "Losing a brave soldier of the country is an irreparable loss for all of us. I express my condolences to his family. The entire country and central government are standing with their families in this hour of grief," the Home Minister said.

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COVID spreads among CRPF

A senior CRPF official said that the jawan was posted with the 31st battalion of the force based in Delhi. At least 23 other personnel of this battalion have been admitted with coronavirus after they are suspected to have contracted the virus from another colleague found positive in their camp. There have been a few positive cases in other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) like the BSF and CISF.

This is the first death due to the pandemic among the about 10 lakh personnel strong CAPFs or the paramilitary forces that function under the Union Home Ministry for the upkeep of internal security and border guarding. The CRPF is the country's largest paramilitary force with about 3.25 lakh personnel in its ranks and it is designated as the lead internal security force apart from the mainstay for anti-Naxal operations and counter-terrorism duties in the Kashmir valley.

(With PTI inputs) (PTI Photo)

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Published April 28th, 2020 at 20:20 IST