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COVID-19: People stay indoors as lockdown enters 10th day in Kashmir

MAJID NABI. Dated: 3/29/2020 12:31:57 AM

SRINAGAR, Mar 28: People continue to stay home ‘voluntarily’ out of COVID-19 fear even as the restrictions continue to remain in force in Kashmir as part of countrywide lockdown for 10th consecutive day today.
Government forces sealed off several roads and erected barriers across the Valley to enforce the lockdown. Police vehicles fitted with public address systems went around the residential areas announcing imposition of restrictions under section 144 of CrPC and advising people to stay indoors, the officials.
It may be in place to mention Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for 21 days countrywide lockdown to prevent spread of deadly epidemic in the country.
So far 28 persons have been tested positive for deadly virus in Jammu and Kashmir of which 25 belong to valley and 03 hails from Jammu province.
Roads were deserted as public transport was off the roads for 10th straight day while markets across Kashmir including Srinagar were shut. A skeletal movement of private vehicles was however witnessed on roads.
People at many areas in Srinagar could be seen purchasing essentials from grocery shops to ensure adequate supplies are stocked at homes to deal with any eventuality in coming time.
People as usual stayed indoors in compliance with government orders to avoid contracting infection which so far has affected 28 people and claimed life of one in Jammu and Kashmir.
People also preferred to offer regular prayers inside their homes other than in mosques as the administration has asked people to avoid religious gatherings as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of Corona Virus.
Government has already ordered closure of all educational institutions, clubs, pubs, gardens, hotels, restaurants, health spas, indoor and outdoor stadiums in Kashmir as a precautionary measure to prevent Novel virus from spreading.
Train services from Banihal to Baramullah axis continues to remain closed following government lockdown in the valley amidst potential threat of COVID-19.
Two shopkeepers were arrested by the police in Nowgam area on the outskirts of Srinagar for defying the orders of lockdown issued by the government.
A police spokesman in a statement said that one shopkeeper who he identified as Sajad Ahmad Wani of Bunpora Nowgam was arrested for violating government prohibitory orders.
“He has been arrested and shifted to Police Station where he remains in custody. A case FIR No 34/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Nowgam and investigation into the matter has been initiated,” said the spokesman.
Meanwhile, Ganderbal Police along with Magistrate have also arrested a shopkeeper and sealed his shop for violating the government prohibitory orders over COVID-19.
“He has been arrested and shifted to Police Station where he remains in custody. A case FIR number 09/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Kheerbawani and investigation into the matter has been initiated,” he said.
To mitigate the risk of COVID-19 outbreak, free ration was distributed among poor families of the district Ganderbal and the seasonal laborers, from different parts of the country.