Bhubaneswar, April 8 -- Sambalpur: In the backdrop of the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases across Odisha, the Sambalpur Police under the supervision of Northern Range Inspector General (IG) Narasingha Bhol, Superintendent of Police (SP) and other senior officers started a special drive in the city on Wednesday night by conducting surprise checks at shopping malls, market complexes and crowded places for strict enforcement of Covid-19 appropriate behavior.

According to reports, some people were penalised for violating the Covid-19 guidelines in market places during the drive. Special emphasis was laid on the enforcement of mask use and maintenance of social distancing norms.

"Following directives of the Director General of Police, we have ...