Day 3: Complete lockdown cripples Kashmir amid COVID-19 spread fears

Srinagar: There was no let up in panic and scare among the people across Jammu and Kashmir over the outbreak of deadly coronavirus as people across the Union Territory on Saturday continued to stay indoors with restrictions imposed by many district administrations continued for the third straight day.
Witnesses said the deserted roads in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir marked the third day of panic in the Valley after a first positive case of coronavirus was detected in the Valley.
The Kashmir districts virtually witnessed lockdown with all the shops and business establishments continued to remain closed while as the public transport remained off the roads. The movement of private vehicles has also declined.
They said police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in strength in many parts of Srinagar and other districts across Kashmir, who had also erected concertina wires at crucial juncture to ensure the large gathering is avoided with an aim to prevent the virus from spreading.
Sources said that some of shopkeepers in different parts of Kashmir who were found violating the government orders were detained and their shops and other food outlets were also sealed by the government officials.
They informed that the officials from the district administration intensified checking in markets to act against those who had violated the orders.
In Central Kashmir’s Budgam and Ganderbal districts, the situation was no different as the virtual lockdown was also witnessed in these districts.
In north Kashmir districts, the lockdown besides the continuous imposition of restrictions were witnessed in almost every district. The public transport was off the roads while as the private vehicles in less number were seen plying normally.
Reports from parts south Kashmir districts said all the shops and other business establishments remained closed while as the shops of chemists and vegetable sellers were seen open. The private traffic movement as compared to Friday was also less on the roads. Meanwhile the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir P K Pole said that restrictions imposed in Kashmir as precautionary measures will continue till March 31st, 2020. He said that “we are in phase three of deadly Coronavirus. We need to control the speed of this virus. Therefore, it is necessary to continue with the restrictions in Kashmir so that the precious lives can be saved.”
Meanwhile, in Jammu region, the restrictions in Rajouri, Poonch and other districts remained in place while only chemists, grocery, vegetables and milk product shops remained open throughout the day.
It is worth to mention here that four positive cases of Coronavirus were reported so far in Jammu and Kashmir while as in Leh 13 positive cases have been detected, the government said.
Only one case has so far been reported across Kashmir. A lady who had arrived Kashmir on March 16 from Saudi Arabai was tested positive and has been out in isolation by the authorities ,The Bhaderwah town of Chenab Valley also witnessed lock down. Authorities also reviewed their preparedness to ensure success of the ‘Janta curfew’ on Sunday. “All the markets wore a deserted look as shops remained closed,” locals from Bhaderwah said