Bar Association Srinagar Wednesday moved J&K High Court with an application seeking direction upon the authorities for taking preventive measures against Covid-19 in J&K and Ladakh, even as pleading that “over 100 suspected coronavirus affected passengers” who have reportedly travelled to Srinagar from Ladakh may “risk” lives of others.
The plea by the J&K High Court Bar Association Srinagarthrough its Vice President Aijaz Bedar prayed that it be taken up with thePublic Interest Litigations seeking directions for taking up measures toprevent spread of coronavirus in J&K and Ladakh.
Notably, two public Interest Litigations including the onewhich the court has initiated on its own motion are listed on March 20 before adivision bench, which will hear the matter through video conference.
“It is apprehended that if these passengers are affected orrequire further medical investigation, they are likely to endanger all otherpersons who will come in contact with them which includes airline staff andsecurity personnel,” the Bar’s plea reads.
While the lawyers’ body sought a direction to prevent entryof the residents of Leh to Kashmir both by air as well as road, it suggestedthat quarantine facilities need to be set up at Leh and Kargil itself, wheretreatment can be provided to the affected persons.
“It becomes necessary that the travel to the valley issubjected to serious medical checks at airports, bus stations, railwaystations, etc,” the Bar said.
In order to verify the travel of “more than 100 passengers”to the valley today morning by Air India flight, the Bar said, immediatereports be obtained from the authorities concerned. “And based on such reports,directions as warranted in the facts and circumstances of the case may beissued.”
The Bar submitted that it will be highly appreciated ifquarantine and other facilities are urgently set up at Leh and Kargil to makeavailable medical facilities to the affected persons or suspects before theyare certified to travel out of Leh and Kargil by any mode of transport. “BothLeh and Kargil have low level of density of population as compared to theKashmir valley or Jammu”.
The Bar prayed that its application may be allowed and inthe light of the submission made, further directions be passed in the interestsof justice.