Director General of Jammu and Kashmir police Dilbag Singhsaid 337 FIRs have been registered and 627 persons arrested for violatingprohibitory orders in the Union Territory amid the coronavirus outbreak.
He said 118 shops and 490 vehicles were seized for defyingthe government orders.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered a shutdownof all establishments, except those providing essential services andcommodities, on March 22 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The disease has so far claimed two lives in the UnionTerritory. A total of 337 FIRs were lodged against the violators (of thelockdown) in which 627 persons have been arrested (till Saturday evening). Mostof the arrested were later released after sensitising them about the threat,the police chief said in a statement.
A total of 118 shops and 490 vehicles have been seized fordefying the government orders, it said.
Reiterating his appeal to the people to follow the healthprotocol, the DGP said, The fight against COVID-19 is not restricted to oneorganisation or community. It is time to fight against this deadly diseasetogether.
He said the cooperation provided by people in such times is”highly encouraging”, adding the outreach programmes conducted by thepolice at the grassroot level helped in controlling social and religiousgatherings.
Singh also urged the people to come forward in disclosingtheir travel history or if they are in contact with any such persons who havebeen tested positive for the infection.
There is no harm in disclosing travel details rather it isfor the safety and security of the individuals, their families, relatives andfor the community, he said.
Referring to the tremendous response of the people to thecall of the government to stay away from religious gathering, especially onFriday, the top cop said the people of J&K understood the need of stayingat home and offering prayers from there.
Most people are cooperating in fighting this threat and havepreferred to remain indoors. The people should not be afraid, it is the time tobe cautious,” Singh said, adding quarantine centres are ready in everydistrict.
“The individuals need to come forward and contribute inbreaking the (transmission) chain. The number of positive cases are increasingwith each passing day, but can be reduced if we fight it together, he said.
The DGP said the police is providing all possible assistanceto the civil administration, particularly the health department, in managingthe quarantine centres.
All those coming from outside Jammu and Kashmir are beingquarantined,” he said.
The senior police official said more than 1,200 people withtravel history have been traced with the cooperation of the general public.
For the police personnel, he said, training centres atdifferent locations have been activated as quarantine centres. “Policehospitals at Srinagar and Jammu have launched helpline numbers.
All officers and security agencies have been strictlyinstructed to follow the health protocol and prepare quarantine centres at unitlevels,” he said.
Singh added that the police is also providing ration to themigrant labourers who have been rendered jobless due to the lockdown.