Coronavirus: Restrictions continue in Kashmir
Srinagar/UNI: Markets and streets remained deserted, as strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people continued for the 28th day on Thursday in Kashmir valley, where the lockdown would remain imposed till May 3, to curtail the spread of Novel Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, authorities are strictly implementing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including 100 per cent lockdown and closure of all access points with removable barriers in Red Zone areas.
Reiterating his appeal, asking people to stay at home to combat the spread of COVID-19, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said a fleet of cargo autos is delivering vegetables and essentials across Srinagar. 'Priority would be given to Red Zone areas,' he added.
Officials told UNI that main roads in most places in the valley remained sealed, while barriers were erected at other places to check unwanted movement of people. 'All roads leading to areas, which were declared as 'Red Zones' after several COVID-19 positive cases surfaced from there, remain sealed,' they said.
They said restrictions have also been intensified in other areas of the valley as well, in view of upward spiral of COVID-19 cases during the last two weeks.
'Strict action will be taken against people found violating the lockdown,' they said, adding that only persons with valid passes were allowed to move.
The number of Coronavirus cases has swelled to 300 in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as 22 people, including 18 from Kashmir and four from Jammu, tested positive for the infection on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the infection has so far claimed three lives in the valley, where 27 COVID-19 patients have been treated successfully.
Shops and business establishments remained closed, while streets were deserted due to strict restrictions imposed by authorities to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the valley, where so far over 792 people have been arrested and several shops have been sealed for violating the lockdown order since March 31.
Police vehicles fitted with public address system were directing people since early this morning to remain indoors, in view of imposition of restrictions under Section 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.
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 the 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.
Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu on Wednesday alleged that SMC workers were being thrashed by police for 'entertainment' and said that he can't remain a mute spectator to this brutalisation.
The Srinagar Mayor further alleged that he was threatened by an officer, who warned him not to speak about this.
However, Mattu said that he will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seek his intervention in the matter and action against the accused.
Image Credit: UNI
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