The health department issued an order for Rs 5 lakh insurance coverage for coronavirus treatment for all staff fighting the spread of the virus and another Rs 5 lakh as death compensation. Close to 10 lakh staff will be covered under this.

Arrested

A man trying to drive away with a vehicle carrying cold drink bottles was arrested outside the brand’s factory in Taratala on Saturday morning. Police identified the accused as Sonu Ahmed Sheikh.

Tin shed fire

A fire broke out on the ground floor of a two-storey building with a tin shed on Ultadanga Main Road on Saturday afternoon. Seven fire tenders doused the flames. No one was trapped or injured in the fire, police said.

Shop looted

A group of armed youths entered a jewellery shop on the Sodepur-Madhyamgram road and fled with jewellery and money on Friday evening. The youths were wearing masks, police said. Cops have started a probe.

Pipeline blaze

An underground pipeline caught fire near Behala Chowrasta on Saturday evening. Two fire tenders doused the flames, police said. No one was trapped or injured in the fire, the police said.

Gurpurab celebration deferred

A religious organisation on Saturday deferred the celebration of Gurpurab that was scheduled to be held for three days from April 11 to 13 at Shahid Minar.

Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Calcutta, that organises the programme, called an urgent meeting on Saturday and decided to defer the celebrations because of the coronavirus outbreak. They said the celebrations will not be held till the situation normalises.

“The state government asked us not to hold the programme because it would mean a huge assembly of people. It is not safe to have such a large gathering now,” said Satwant Singh, president of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Calcutta.

The gurdwaras have been informed about the decision and the message is being circulated over social media as well.

Masks, soap distributed

A Rishra-based organisation called Offline distributed free masks and soap among poor people between Uttarpara and Sheoraphuli stations on Saturday. Chandrabhan Mullick, the secretary of the organisation, said the initiative was aimed at checking spread of the virus.

CBSE helpline

CBSE has started a toll-free tele-helpline number 1800 11 8004 from 8am to 8pm on coronavirus safeguards for students.

Trained counsellors will speak to students and parents about precautions to stop the spread of the virus as well as counsel on first aid, said Anurag Tripathi, secretary, CBSE. The facility is initially available up to March 31.

“They will also assist students to engage in useful and productive activities while at home,” he said.

Teen found hanging

The body of a 17-year-old homemaker was found hanging at her house in Nadia’s Murutia on Saturday.

Her father filed a murder complaint against his son-in-law. The girl had got married when she was 16 and was four months pregnant, police said.

Building ransacked

A group of men allegedly ransacked two floors of the Bhatjangla gram panchayat building in Krishnagar late on Friday. Eyewitnesses told police the group stormed the building and damaged windows and furniture belonging to the gram panchayat and an agricultural co-operative bank’s office. A probe has been started.