Police have set up a team of “Covid warriors” in Tikiapara, Howrah, where cops were attacked last week when they had tried to enforce the lockdown, to tell residents the importance of staying indoors.

The “Covid warriors” will reach out to people of the area and explain to them the threat posed by the novel coronavirus and what it means to be Covid positive, the police said.

The group will also help residents get medicines and essential items.

The group has more than 100 youths, who have been chosen from local clubs, communities and mohallas. They volunteered to reach out to residents of this densely populated part of Howrah, the police said.

As a first step, police officers on Saturday visited the house of one of the 13 arrested for the attack on cops and handed over to his family a bag containing rice, pulses, a packet of salt and potatoes.

“His mother is a widow and the family is in distress. His uncle is the sole breadwinner and he has a family of his own to look after as well,” an officer said. “The law has taken its own course. But that doesn’t stop us from reaching out to the family of the accused in such times.”

“We felt it would be better if local people told residents why the clampdown is necessary,” an officer of the Howrah commissionerate said.

“The Covid warriors will be able to clear several misgivings regarding the lockdown… it will help people understand why the police have been asking everyone to stay indoors and avoid any sort of gathering,” the officer said.

The work of these volunteers will be monitored and cops will move in as and when required, the officer said. The thrust of the whole exercise will be to clear doubts regarding the coronavirus while helping residents with anything they may require, he said.

On April 28, close to 200 men had pelted cops with stones and damaged at least two police vehicles when they had tried to enforce the lockdown.

Thirteen men have so far been arrested in connection with the attack on the police.

The volunteers have been tagged with vegetable-sellers and local grocers so that they can help out residents if needed, the police said. If there is any problem, cops will reach immediately.

Tikiapara, which is near to the Howrah Maidan, is dotted with multi-storey buildings and slums. The place has a population of close to 200,000.