CRPF unit in LWE-hit Gadchiroli prepares masks for locals from hundreds of new vests

An anti-Naxal CRPF unit in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli has used hundreds of fresh cotton vests to prepare nearly 2,500 face masks for locals to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the area.

The 191st battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force is deployed in an interior location in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-hit Gadchiroli district where the supply of regular goods was hampered after the country went into a lockdown from March 25.

The paramilitary unit was directed to immediately begin relief work in the area and distribute hand sanitizers, soaps, detergent, face masks, dry ration and cooked food to the needy.

"We had no masks. Supplies from outside would have taken some time to arrive. Then, we found we had 415 fresh vests in our unit canteen."