INDORE: Health department officials engaged in COVID-19

of people in

area on Wednesday had a narrow escape when a group of agitated locals of the area started pelting stones, prompting police to deploy in large numbers to gain control.

However, no injury to anyone or damage was reported in the incident that took place at around 02.30pm.

has already declared the area an epicenter following detection of two COVID-19 cases, and as many as 54 families have been put under home isolation.

Sources said that a team of two doctors were on sent to the area for screening of locals.

“Some of the residents threw abuses and also pelted stones on the team forcing them to stop their screening work and leave the area,” DIG

told TOI.

He said that no injury to anyone was reported in the incident. “We have asked team members to point out those who threw stones. A case under section 353 of IPC will be registered against those involved in the act,” he said.

He added that teams from three of nearby police station have been deployed in the area, and situation is under control.

This is for the second time when health department staff had to face opposition from locals. Earlier on Monday, a health department team had heated argument in Ranipura area – another COVID-19 epicentre -- over screening of locals for symptoms.