Mumbai, Jun 10 (PTI) Maharashtra Health Minister Anil Deshmukh on Wednesday inaugurated a 50-bed COVID-19 care centre for police personnel at the Navi Mumbai police headquarters in Kalamboli.

Speaking to reporters, the minister condoled the deaths of 35 police personnel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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"We want police personnel who put their lives at risk to have the best care if they get infected by coronavirus," Deshmukh said.

All police commissioners and superintendents have been instructed to start such facilities, he said.

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"Although nearly 3,500 personnel have contracted the deadly infection in the state, the police don't hesitate in discharging their duties at quarantine centres, isolation wards or any other highly contagious areas," he said.

Senior officials including Navi Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Kumar were present for the inauguration of the 50-bed facility.

"All police personnel need is a pat on their backs and a signal that their interests and welfare will be taken care of," the minister said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)