Kejriwal warns Delhi cases may shoot up over 2-3 days

NEW DELHI: Terming the Tablighi Jamaat congregation that took place mid-march in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West “highly irresponsible”, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said 24 of the 89 active coronavirus disease (Covid-19)-infected people in the Capital were those who were part of the religious gathering earlier this month.

Kejriwal also warned that the number of positive cases in Delhi could go up further in two-three days as 431 of over 1,500 persons evacuated from the Nizamuddin area till Tuesday had started showing Covid-19 like symptoms, including fever, cough and shortness of breath.

In a digital address to the media, the chief minister talked of strict action against his officers if they were found negligent in performing their duties.

The administration of the markaz has alleged inaction on the part of the district magistrate and the sub-divisional magistrate (south-east) for failing to evacuate people on time.

It alleged that the revenue officials did not issue e-passes for its vehicles, as a result of which a large number of guests had to stay put in the building. The Aam

Aadmi Party (AAP) blamed the Delhi Police and the organisers of the markaz and sought strong action by the union ministry of home affairs.

“Strong action should be taken against the administrators of the Nizamuddin markaz who organised a three-day religious gathering with thousands of people from March 13-15, when Delhi government orders had clearly forbidden gatherings of more than 200 persons on March 13 itself,” Kalkaji MLA Atishi said.

Earlier in the day, Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain said the organisers of the gathering had “committed a grave crime”.

The AAP also attacked the Delhi Police for its inaction. “The Delhi Police should have stopped them since they had full information about the event, especially since the Nizamuddin police station shares a boundary wall with the markaz. Strict action needs to be taken against the police officers concerned as well,” Atishi said. Kejriwal said his government had written to lieutenant governor (L-G) Anil Baijal on Monday seeking an FIR against the organisers of the Nizamuddin markaz. To this, the L-G’S office later responded with: “The matter has been referred to the police today for appropriate action as per law.”