States »NortPosted at: May 22 2021 7:46PM 'COVID curfew' continues; 941 violators fined, 214 others arrested in Kashmir
Srinagar, May 22 (UNI) As many as 941 people were fined while 214 others were arrested for violating restrictions enforced by administration to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley, where 'COVID curfew' has been extended by another week till May 31.
Meanwhile, police have sought cooperation of general public to curtail the spread of the virus in the valley, where 'COVID curfew' imposed by the administration amid unabated rise of the coronavirus and deaths entered 24th day on Saturday.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday extended the 'COVID curfew' by another week till May 31 in all 20 districts in the Union Territory though essential services were exempted from the lockdown. This is the fourth successive extension of COVID curfew in the valley since April 29. The extension had come in the backdrop of no letup in the number of COVID-19 cases in J&K, particularly the summer capital, Srinagar, which has recorded the major chunk of positive cases during the last over a month.
A police spokesperson said that police has arrested 214 persons, lodged 102 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 1,45,360 from 941 people for violating the guidelines/rules in Kashmir valley.
Besides, he said a vehicle was seized and 02 shopkeepers were also booked by police in Budgam for violating COVID-19 norms. ''The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines/rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs/ guidelines envisaged by government to curb COVID-19 pandemic,'' he said.
Streets wore a deserted look while shops and business establishments were closed in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley, where standalone shops -- selling fruits, vegetables, grocery, milk and other dairy products -- have been allowed to function between 0600 hrs and 1000 hrs every day amid strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, including ensuring social distancing in Srinagar and other districts in the valley.
However, many shops and business establishments were open in some areas in Uptown Srinagar, including Mehjoor Nagar and Ikhrajpora, after the 1000 hrs.
All the roads and market places, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, remained sealed to prevent movement of people. Shops and businesses established were closed while all the roads were deserted as traffic and people were off the roads in downtown, civil lines, uptown in Srinagar. But, people with emergency or associated with essential services, including doctors and paramedics, were allowed to move on the roads after proper verification at various checkpoints established by police.
Reports of similar restrictions were coming from other parts of the valley, including Sopore, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north and Shopian, Anantnag, Pulwama and Kulgam in south Kashmir. Shops and business establishment were closed and road wore a deserted look in these districts, where police parties were patrolling their respective areas to ensure strict implementation of the lockdown.
Business and other activities remained crippled in central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal, where roads have been closed with barbed wires in most parts to prevent movement of vehicles and people.
On April 29, the Jammu and Kashmir administration imposed curfew in 11 districts to curtail the spread of COVID-19, which was subsequently extended to all the 20 districts in the Union Territory the next day. The curfew that was supposed to end on May 3 was extended in Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla and Jammu till May 6. However, the Deputy Commissioners of the remaining seven districts in the valley extended the lockdown till May 6 separately. The COVID curfew was later extended till May 10 and then till May 17. The lockdown was again extended till May 31 on Saturday by the administration.
The administration last month ordered the closure of all universities, colleges, schools, and coaching centres in the Union Territory till May 15 though teaching and non-teaching staff was asked to attend schools and colleges. But, the J&K administration later allowed teaching and non-teaching staff to stay home in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. The closure of the educational institutes was last week extended till May 30.
Teachers, however, are conducting online classes from home in the valley though many students alleged that they were unable to attend these classes due to non-availability of smart phones. The decision to allow teachers to take online classes from their respective homes was taken after many teaching and non teaching staff members of government schools tested positive for the virus in the Union Territory.
UNI BAS SV 1854