COVID-19: Lockdown continues, 30 arrested for defying Govt orders

Srinagar : In wake of deadly Coronavirus outbreak, the lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir remained in place for the 15th straight day to prevent the virus from spreading.
Officials said that the strict lockdown has been enforced in many areas after the authorities declared them as red zone following the number of positive cases detected from the areas.
Officials said that the police and paramilitary troopers remained deployed on the roads to prevent the assembly of people.
All the educational institutions, markets and other things remained locked with people preferring to stay indoors with the tally of positive cases soaring to nearly 140.
Moreover, the Jammu and Kashmir police continued to book the people after they were found violating the government’s prohibitory orders imposed under section 144 CrPC.
Officials said that at least 30 persons were and six vehicles were seized in different areas for defying the restriction orders imposed by government in view of Covid-19.
In Srinagar, officials said that police have arrested three persons in the jurisdiction of Police Post Rangreth for defying the restriction orders imposed by government in view of Covid-19. “Cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at Police Station Sadder and further investigation into the cases has been initiated,” police said.
In Handwara, Police Station Qalamabad have arrested eleven persons and seized one vehicle for violating prohibitory orders imposed under section 144 CrPC.
A case under FIR number 24/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in PS Qalamabad against the violators, police said.
They said that Police Station Vilgam have arrested five persons and registered a case vide FIR number 27/2020 under relevant sections of law for violating the prohibitory orders over Coronavirus.
Similarly, Police Station Kralgund have arrested eleven persons and seized five vehicles for violating prohibitory orders imposed by District Magistrate under section 144 CrPC. “A case under FIR number 33/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in PS Vilgam. Investigations in the cases have been initiated,” police said.
Meanwhile, Police also initiated action against a number of violators including a stone crusher owner, tipper drivers, salesman of a bar and a shopkeeper.
A stone crusher was arrested and a case under FIR number 194/2020 under sections 188 IPC, officials said, adding that three tippers drivers were also arrested for violating the government orders. Police said their tippers were also seized three separate cases under FIR numbers 191/20, 192/20 and 193/20 under section 188 IPC have been registered against them.
Similarly, police said a salesman of liquor seller was arrested in the district after he was found selling the liquor amid lockdown and 36 liquor bottles were recovered from his possession, adding that a case under FIR number 195/20 under sections 188/IPC 48A Excise Act has been registered against the accused. Four persons were also found violating the government orders in the jurisdiction of Rainawari police station, who have been booked by the police as well. A shopkeeper and many others were also arrested by the police for violating the government orders
Moreover, the government has banned the large gatherings at religious places on the eve of Shab-e-Barat, being observed tonight across Jammu and Kashmir.
The congregational has been banned to prevent the deadly virus from spreading. Meanwhile, the religious clerics in the Valley have appealed people to offer prayers at home and avoid large gatherings at religious places. Five of the shopkeepers were also arrested in Kupwara district by police after they were found violating the government’s prohibitory orders.