Restrictions tightened in Kashmir

TNN Bureau. Updated: 3/26/2020 11:26:12 AM Front Page

1.6 lakh Srinagar families to get ration home delivered

SRINAGAR: Restrictions on movement imposed in Kashmir to prevent the spread of coronavirus were tightened on Wednesday and strict action initiated against violaters, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a 21-day nationwide lockdown.
In the wake of the surfacing of two more coronavirus positive cases in the district the District Magistrate Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has ordered imposition of very strict restrictions in the summer capital.
The order issued under Section 144 of CrPC states that there shall be complete restrictions on public movement including private transport and operation of businesses and activities across the district up to April 15.
It states that only officials of essential services departments as designated and certified by their heads will be allowed to move on the production of movement passes issued by the District Magistrate adding that the lowest minimum number of officials are being provided passes and allowed to move.
The order states that doctors, paramedical staff, ambulance operators and those officials assigned by the district disaster management authority on COVID-19 emergency response duty will be allowed to move on production of valid identify cards.
Concerned agencies have been asked to ensure strict implementation of the order and strict action against violators.
The order states that the decision to impose strict restrictions has been taken as a preventive measure in view of the increased number of coronavirus positive cases — now grown to three — surfacing in the district and are aimed at containing spread of the infection.
On Wednesday, security forces sealed off several roads and erected barriers across the Valley to enforce the lockdown.
Police vehicles fitted with public address systems went around the residential areas late Tuesday as well as on Wednesday morning, announcing the imposition of restrictions under section 144 of CrPC and advising people to stay indoors, the officials said. Police also used drones in some parts of the city to announce the restrictions, they added.
The administration said essential services, including healthcare, were exempted from the purview of the restrictions.
It asked people to cooperate with it and warned of action against any violation of the prohibitory orders.
Forty-nine people were arrested in Srinagar, Sopore, Handwara and Anantnag areas of the Valley for violating the prohibitory orders on Monday, while 45 were arrested in Ganderbal and Kupwara districts on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, around 1.60 lakh families in Srinagar city would get ration delivered to their homes from Saturday as part of measures by the administration to contain the spread of coronavirus in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir amidst the lockdown announced by the government.
"Home-delivery of PDS (public distribution system) ration to 1.60 lakh families in #Srinagar will start from 28th March under strict safety-protocol. Depts (departments) of Food, Agri (agriculture), police along with magistrates, SRTC (State Road Transport Corporation), SMC (Srinagar Municipal Corporation) and volunteers included. Pl #StayAtHome and #BreakTheChain. Spread the word," District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary, wrote on Twitter.
In another tweet, Choudhary said the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Srinagar and Srinagar Smart City has launched a social protection plan to help women, children, poor/destitute, specially-abled and the elderly in need of food or medicines or emergency services.
"DDMA & Srinagar Smart City launched social protection plan from today - women, children, poor/destitute, specially-abled, aged, & others in need - food packets, medicines, emergent help/services," he posted.


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