COVID-19: Restrictions tightened in Kashmir, aggressive contact tracing launched

Srinagar, Apr 2: Streets and markers remained deserted as restrictions on movement and assembly of people were further tightened on the 14th day of lock down on Thursday in Kashmir, where authorities have launched aggressive contact tracing to combat spread of Coronavirus.

In view of more people testing positive for COVID-19, authorities said that restrictions will be intensified in about 25 areas in the valley, including Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng in Srinagar, which have been already declared as ‘Red Zones’ in the valley.

Seven more persons were on Wednesday tested positive for Coronavirus in Kashmir valley, taking the total number of infected people to 67.

Chief Secretary BVR Subhramanyam has directed all Deputy Commissioners to carryout aggressive contact tracing campaign and putting all such persons under quarantine after taking their samples as per health protocol.

He said movement on roads should be minimized further in order to contain spread of Coronavirus and asked to implement lockdown restrictions in ‘Red Zones’ in even more serious manner.

Official sources told UNI that strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people continued has been further tightened on 14th day across Kashmir valley. “Restrictions has been further tightened in 20 villages including Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin in Bandipora dist, Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama,Sangerwani and Khaigam in Pulwama, Waskura in Ganderbal, Sedew and Ramnagri in Shopian which were declared as Red Zones,” they said.

They said Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng in Srinagar and Chadoora in Budgam district were also declared as Red Zones. “No one will be allowed in and out of these area,” they added.

Shops and business establishments remained closed while streets were deserted as locals voluntarily remained indoors due to scare following upward spiral in Coronavirus cases in the valley. Police vehicles fitted with public address system were directing people since early this morning to remain indoors in view of imposition of restrictions under 144 CrPc, barring assembly of more than three people.

The administration has asked the people to cooperate with it and warned of action against those violating prohibitory orders. Police has so far sealed many shops, hotels and educational institutes and arrested about 235 persons from Srinagar, Sopore, Handwara, Ganderbal and Anantnag in the valley since Tuesday. Over 100 vehicles have also been seized by police since Tuesday. Police is using drones in some areas in Srinagar to announce restrictions on the movement of people as part of the 21-day lockdown to combat coronavirus pandemic.

A senior police official said anyone who tries to move on the highway, specially towards Jawahir Tunnel, in private vehicle without genuine pass, his vehicle would be seized and passengers will be quarantined for 14 days at the nearest centre.

Meanwhile, all educations institutes, including schools, colleges and universities, remained closed in the valley, where train services and public transport were suspended. However, despite government asserting that arrangements would be made for online classes for children no such arrangement has been made so far even as high speed internet service remained suspended since August 5, when special status of J&K was scrapped.

The streets in uptown and civil lines were deserted as shops and business establishment were closed and traffic was off the roads. Security forces were deployed in these areas, where people alleged that security personnel were not allowing them to move out of their houses. Similar situation was witnessed in downtown, where people also alleged that they were not allowed to move out of their houses even to buy groceries and vegetables.

The main roads in downtown and SeK remained closed with barbed wires at Nawa Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Kawdara and Khanyar. Similar road blocks remained erected by security forces at Nowhatta, Rangar stop and Gojwara.

Similar reports of lockdown were received from other parts of the valley, including Kupwara and Baramulla in north, Budagm and Ganderbal in central and Anantnag, Pulwama Kulgam in south Kashmir.

Emphasizing on following proper quarantine protocol, the Chief Secretary has asked DCs to ensure that while dealing with such cases, they need to be handled as per the defined protocol so that people do not get intermingled with each other.

He said that police is doing tough job on roads restricting people not to come out unnecessary on roads. “There is need to have strict imposition of lockdown orders but ask them not to be harsh while dealing with public in this time of humanitarian crisis,” he added.

He asked the DCs to ensure that banking operations are functional in their respective districts so that disbursement of relief package announced by the Government under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) for the poor to help them fight the battle against coronavirus can be done in a smooth manner. He asked DCs to convene District Level Review Committee (DLRC) meetings to finalize action plan in this regard.

The Chief Secretary asked all DCs to reach out to people and make them calm, assures full support of administration in taking care of them especially poor class by providing ration and other essential goods.

UNI