J&K cops use drones to ensure lockdown
Drones broadcast message seeking cooperation
Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday used drones to broadcast audio messages asking people to stay indoors as the incidence of defiance of the virtual lockdown in force here and elsewhere in the Valley since Thursday in view of growing Covid-19 threat.
“People are requested to cooperate. There’s no cure for Covid-19 but your cooperation. Stay at home to ensure you and your family do not contract this deadly disease”, the message broadcast through drones said.
The hi-tech Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or remotely controlled camera drones and other modern surveillance equipment were used by the police and other law enforcing agencies also to maintain high vigil in the area.
Simultaneously, mikefitted police vehicles drove through the streets here and in other major cities and towns of the Valley and several areas of the Union Territory Jammu region to announce that restrictions under Section 144 CrPC are in force and warning that anyone found violating these would be dealt with severely.
J&K police is also contemplating to distribute pamphlets this week to spread awareness about the deadly Covid-19.
Srinagar and towns of Budgam and Pulwama were placed under curfew-like restrictions to limit the spread of Covid-19 on Thursday.
A day later, the virtual lockdown was extended to the rest of the Valley. On Sunday, the government formally announced closure of all establishments and services across the UT till March 31 which was followed by sealing of borders with Punjab and other neighbouring state. Sixteen services and commodities were exempted after being declared as essential.
However, Srinagar’s DC Shahid Iqbal Choudhary regretted that exemption was misused by many people to converge at places in large numbers thus creating conditions which could prove harmful to them and others. He tweeted “Inclusion of groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables (in the list) mistaken by many as license to roam on streets.”
Wielding a big stick in view of the “instances of non-cooperation and violations of restrictions”, he ordered stricter restrictions on movement of people in the district and said that no one except those delivering healthcare, power, water and food services officially and media persons can now move without a movement pass issued by his office. The order issued by him said, “All kinds of business and other establishments will remain closed and public movement including pedestrian and vehicular is prohibited up to 6 pm of March 31. Cremations and funerals will be allowed though”.
Similar and more stringent measures have been ordered by his counterparts in several other districts of the UT.