The lockdown owing to Covid19 in the Valley continued on Monday even as restrictions were intensified in Red Zones leaving roads and markets completely deserted. As restrictions completed the 26th day, deployment of security forces was strengthened especially in all the Red Zones.
In several parts of the Valley, police vans were seen makingannouncements since morning asking people to stay indoors while concertinabarbed wires were laid at various places to check the public movement andgatherings.
Security forces have sealed off main roads in most places inthe Valley and erected barriers at several other places to check the movementof the people and to enforce the lockdown, officials said.
People were being asked to stay indoors even during eveninghours when they usually come outside. Restrictions were imposed oninter-district movement and strict regulation of movement passes was beingensured. Only one person per pass was being allowed to move strictly betweenhis residence and place of work, officials said.
Authorities on Sunday had declared all the areas fallingunder the jurisdiction of eight police stations in downtown Srinagar as RedZones and directed officials and the police to ensure complete restrictions areimposed in these areas to prevent spread of Covid19 pandemic.
These areas include Rainawari, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, MaharajGunj, Nowhatta, Kaka Sarai and Eidgah. Earlier this week authorities haddeclared 14 areas in the summer capital as Red Zones and sealed four areasincluding Idgah, Lalbazar, Goripora near Qamarwari and Chattabal. Officialssaid the recently formed Zonal Committees by the Srinagar districtadministration were helping people in Red Zones who were in need of essentialsincluding medicines.
At a press conference last Thursday, Senior Superintendentof Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr Haseeb Mughal had said that Srinagar being a “highrisk zone” will witness restrictions being made more strict in days to come.The SSP Srinagar has also said that action would be taken against those defyingthe Covid-19 lockdown. Reports reaching from north, central and south Kashmiralso said that a strict lockdown was in place.
Meanwhile, markets across the Valley remained shut andpublic transport was off the roads with only pharmacies and groceries allowedto open. Educational institutions across Kashmir are closed, while all publicplaces including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants were shut down morethan a week before the nationwide lock down announced by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi.
While the Prime Minister announced the country-wide lockdownon the evening of March 24, the Union Territory administration had on March 22announced a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir till 31 March as part of itsefforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
The administration said the essential services includinghealthcare personnel have been exempted from the restrictions.
Restrictions were first imposed in many parts of the valleyon March 19 to contain the spread of the virus. The measures were taken afterthe detection of the first positive case of Coronavirus in the Valley.