Srinagar: Restrictions on movement and assembly of people to curtail the spread of Coronavirus continued on the second day of the holy month of Ramzan in Kashmir, where authorities have decided not to implement the Centre’s directions on opening of shops, citing too many COVID-19 red zones.
As many as 167 people from Kashmir were tested positive for the infection this week, prompting authorities to intensify action against people violating restrictions and further tighten the lockdown which remained imposed since March 18.
Officials told UNI that restrictions continued for the 38th successive day to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Kashmir valley. “Main roads in most places in the valley remained sealed while barriers were erected at other places to check unwanted movement of people,” they said, adding all roads leading to areas, which were declared as ‘Red Zones’ after several COVID-19 positive cases surfaced from there, also remained sealed.
They said several people were on Sunday arrested for producing fake movement passed in the valley. “Several dozen people have been arrested while over 120 vehicles have been sealed for violating the lockdown order during the last 48 hours in the valley, where shops and business establishments remained closed while streets were deserted due to strict restrictions imposed by authorities to curtail the spread of Coronavirus.
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 downtown, where people also alleged that they were not allowed to move out of their houses even to buy groceries and vegetables.
Similar reports of lockdown were received from other parts of the valley, including Kupwara and Baramulla in north, Budagm and Ganderbal in central and Anantnag, Pulwama Kulgam in south Kashmir.
The ministry of home affairs on Friday eased curbs imposed on businesses during lockdown, saying that shops in neighbourhoods and those in residential buildings within municipal limits except those in the hotspots can resume business. However, authorities in the valley said that in view of the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases, shops and other businesses should stay shut for a while longer.
A 70-year-old man, a resident of Baramulla, on Saturday died due to Coronavirus in Kashmir valley, taking the death toll in J&K to six.
J&K recorded first death due to COVID-19 on March 25, when a 65-year-old man from Hyderpora died due to the infection at Chest Disease Hospital. Then, on March 29, a 50-year-old man, a resident of Tangmarg, passed away at CD hospital.
Earlier this month, a 54-year-old Bandipora resident, who was tested positive for the infection, died at SMHS hospital. Later on April 8, a 61-year-old woman from Udhampur died at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. A 70-year-old patient died on April 17 due to Coronavirus in Kashmir valley.
UNI ABS
