Chandigarh, May 5 (Agency) Haryana Police registered 21 FIRs in connection with black-marketing of oxygen, oxygen cylinders and Remdesivir injections across the state amid surge in COVID-19, DGP said on Wednesday. A total of 45 persons have been arrested in these cases, while 77 oxygen cylinders and 101 vials of Remdesivir have been recovered, Director General of Police Manoj Yadava said here. He said that the demand for oxygen and anti-viral drug Remdesivir had gone up after a massive outbreak of the coronavirus.
Taking advantage of the situation, many unscrupulous persons and employees of private hospitals indulged in the black-marketing of oxygen and Remdesivir, which is in high demand for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Giving details, the DGP said that since April 23, a total of 8 FIRs had been registered in connection with black-marketing of oxygen and oxygen cylinders in six different districts of Haryana and 12 accused persons had been arrested in these cases which led to the recovery of 77 oxygen cylinders. Similarly, 33 accused have been arrested who were engaged in black-marketing of Remdesivir injections by lodging 13 FIRs against them in eight different districts after the recovery of 101 vials from their possession.
”In addition, a total of 1249 cylinders have been collected by the Police as a voluntary contribution from factory owners, welding shop owners, gas balloons sellers and ordinary citizens which have been made available to district administration for utilization,” he added. Mr Yadava said that police teams were working tirelessly to stop the black-marketing of oxygen cylinders and drugs used in the treatment of Covid-19.