Day 3: Curbs continue in Kashmir, Disaster Management Act invoked
SRINAGAR: Restrictions continued in Srinagar and other areas for the third consecutive day as government decided to invoke punishments under Disaster Management Act 2005 against the violators. In the city, shops were closed and markets wore deserted look as roads were sealed with barbed wire at many places, however, pharmacies and grocery shops remained open. Kashmir only has one Covid-19 positive case so far. The people took to social media and warned each other against venturing out as majority of people preferred to stay indoors.
“I have confined myself to a room and watch television and remain in touch with my friends and family through social media and phone. Most of my friends and their families are doing the same thing because we know that this is the only way to help prevent spread of coronavirus,’’ Anil Kumar, who lives at Rajbagh, said, adding that he is prepared to remain inside his flat for one month.
Srinagar deputy commissioner Shahid Choudhary said the Disaster Management Act 2005 has been invoked in the city. “Obstructions or refusal to comply entail fine and imprisonment up to two years.’’
He also warned the officials and people who have not been following the rules. “Some officers and persons were put on notice today for not complying with the rules. Everyone needs to cooperate. We don’t have a choice.’’
Though banks and certain offices were open but very few people turned up there. “We only did 31 transactions today, which is around five percent of our daily work. We are taking precautions and maintaining distance from the customers,’’ said a senior manager working at HDFC bank.
Meanwhile, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has released ₹1 crore from his MPLAD fund to combat Covid-19, said a NC spokesman.
He said that other two MPs— Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi— will also release money from their respective funds to combat the virus threat.
Meanwhile, there were several complaints that government had failed to arrange quarantine facilities for the students coming from outside or people travelling from different countries. Many claimed that the students belonging to influential families have been skipping the quarantine. “There are cases when students are directly taken to their homes by people belonging to well-off families, while parents and relatives also visit them at quarantine centres,’’ said a doctor.
J&K WAQF BOARD SUSPENDS REGULAR PRAYERS AT MOSQUES
J&K Wakaf Board also suspended religious gatherings and displaying of holi relic on the eve of Mehraj-ul-Alam celebrations – the festival usually draws huge crowds. “It is hereby ordered to suspend regular prayers in shrines/mosques affiliated with the board on the eve of the festival,’’ read the order of the board.
GAZETTED HOLIDAYS CANCELLED
J&K government on Saturday cancelled gazetted holidays in Srinagar under the Disaster Management Act 2005 . The order has been issued under Sections 33 and 34 of the Act, which directs that officials of essential services departments and those involved in measures for containment of spread of coronavirus infection will not avail any gazetted or restricted holidays.