THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Police Chief Loknath Behera on Tuesday issued circular demanding police officers to pay Rs 100 each for earning the 'COVID Warrior' badge. As per the circular, all the officers who require the badge have been asked to pay Rs 100 each.

Nearly 52,000 police officers in the state were engaged in the COVID duty. As per the circular, a total of Rs 52 lakhs will have to be collected from the officers in order to provide them with the badge. On August 17, the police chief had issued a notification stating that all police officers who were engaged in COVID duty for more than 30 days will be provided with the badge. However, the new circular states that the officers seeking the badge must register with the email id of the Police Headquarters or contact the CI.