India seeks lockdown extension as total COVID-19 cases cross 6,000

As per the government data, 6,412 people including 504 cured and 199 deceased have been infected with COVID-19.

Maharashtra, the worst-hit state, has so far registered 1,364 cases followed by Tamil Nadu (834) and the national capital Delhi (720).

Kerala, which had recorded the first COVID-19 case in India back in January, has witnessed a slowdown in COVID-19 cases. 357 people have been infected in the south state of the vast country so far.

In the backdrop of the surge in the positive cases over the last few weeks, at least six states have felt the extension of the lockdown would be the most wise decision at this hour.

As the nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end in four days from now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with all Chief Ministers via video conference on Saturday to take a call on the shutdown extension.

Taking a step ahead, Odisha has already announced lockdown till Apr 30 to stem the further spread of the pandemic virus.

"At this crucial juncture, one has to decide between protecting the lives of people and economic activity. We will recommend to Government of India to extend the national lockdown up to April 30. In addition to this, we will also request the Union Government not to start airline and railway services till April 30," the Odisha government said in a statement.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of Odisha's neighbouring state West Bengal, also felt the same though the Indian economy was badly affected in the last 16 days.

Banerjee at state headquarters Nabanna on Thursday said, "Lockdown can't be stopped now because the COVID-19 cases are increasing. The coming few weeks are crucial. Nothing is more important than people's lives. Despite a lot of problems, we have to bear it." 

"We will support any decision which will be taken by the central government on lockdown," she said much being arrested in a Catch-22. 

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao earlier said he was in favour of the extension of the lockdown to save the lives.

"We can recover from the economic problem. But, we cannot get back lost lives," Rao had told media.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "We can bear the lockdown. We can also revive economy but we cannot get back the lost lives."

Rajasthan, Punjab are also among the states which have favoured the extension of the shut down that has impacted hard on daily wagers and migrant workers.

(Image Credit: UNI)