Srinagar, Apr 12 : Strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people continued on Sunday to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in Kashmir valley, where rapid testing and door-to-door screening have been intensified in Red and Buffer ZonesStrict restrictions on the movement and assembly of people in Kashmir were in place for the 25th consecutive day on Sunday to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, as the deputy commissioners have been directed to enforce a round-the-clock lockdown in the Valley, officials said.
They, however, said the curbs were tightened across the valley after Baseer Ahmad Khan, the adviser to the lieutenant governor and incharge of coronavirus control efforts in Kashmir division, directed deputy commissioners to enforce 24/7 strict lockdown in their respective districts.The Advisor directed DCs to plug all loopholes immediately and take strict action against people who try to break the lockdown. He asked DCs to involve religious heads so that they can advise their followers against holding any congregations and spread awareness about observing social distancing norms to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Mr Khan issued these directions while chairing a high level meeting to review the arrangements and preparedness to combat Coronavirus epidemic in the valley.
The Srinagar administration has issued guidelines for further regulation of operations of NGOs involved in relief efforts in this summer capital, where 14 areas have been declared as ‘Containment Zones’ after several positive cases of COVID-19 were reported from these localities. All the entry points in the Red Zone areas have been sealed barring a few which are meant to facilitate employees on essential duty and to ensure supply of essentials. Similarly, about 25 areas in other districts have been declared as ‘Red Zone’.
The total number of Coronavirus cases has risen to 224 in the Union Territory of J&K with 17 more people, including 12 from Kashmir and five from Jammu, testing positive for the infection on Saturday. Meanwhile, the number of deaths due to COVID-19 has risen to four in the Union Territory as a woman from Udhampur, who had tested positive for the infection, died late on Wednesday night.Official sources said that restrictions were intensified on movement and assembly of people across Kashmir valley on the 24rd successive day of lockdown.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 streets in uptown and civil lines were deserted as shops and business establishment were closed and traffic was off the roads. Following the directions by the Advisor, 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 NawaKadal, RajouriKadal, Kawdara and Khanyar. Similar road blocks remained erected by security forces at Nowhatta, Rangar stop and Gojwara.Acting tough on lockdown violators, police has so far sealed many shops, hotels and educational institutes and arrested about 650 persons from Srinagar, Sopore, Handwara, Ganderbal, Anantnag and other parts of the valley since March 31. 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.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.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, PulwamaKulgam in south Kashmir.DrChoudhary, who is also the Chairman District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), issued instructions for further regulation of operations of NGOs involved in relief efforts in Srinagar. “Further regulation of operations of NGOs comes in the wake of declaration of various areas – 14 as of now – as containment zones after several positive cases of COVID-19 were reported from there,” he said.The circular containing this additional set of instructions states that areas declared as containment zones will have strictly restricted entry. It states that only designated essential and emergency services officials will be allowed to enter these areas in strict compliance with all stated guidelines and precautions.It states that operations of NGOs and distribution of relief items in these as well as other areas will be in strict coordination with the NGO Cell of the DDMA. It states that two KAS officers along with the supporting staff have been deputed for the purpose to ensure strict adherence to all guidelines issued from time to time.The circular states that Additional District Magistrate (SQ) will keep details of all families or persons earmarked to NGOs for provision of relief items and ensure equitable distribution in all areas and avoidance of duplication thereof.It directs that neither government agencies nor NGOs must circulate photographs or videos of distribution of food or other relief items on social media
