Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza Monday imposed ban on the entry of people into Gurez Valley as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of COVID 19.
Gurez—Bandipora Road is presently closed for any kind oftravel movement due to heavy winter snowfall.
“It has come to fore that people are embarking on travel byfoot on Bandipora— Gurez Road in violation of the instructions of the concernedauthorities, thereby putting their own lives at risk,” DC Bandipora said.
He said the travel of new people to Gurez also poses anenhanced risk of spreading of Corona Virus to a geographically isolated placelike Gurez valley.
“The ban on entry of people into the valley has been imposedtaking into consideration various advisories on precautionary measures issuedby the Government on prevention of spread of COVID-19,” he said.
He further went on to say that no vehicular movement as wellas travel on foot shall be allowed on Bandipora—Gurez, with immediate effect,till further orders.
The DC directed Police and concerned BSF Unit at Tragbal tostrictly implement the directions.
Meanwhile, all movement passes for travel to Gurez Valleyissued by any authority has been withdrawn and cancelled with immediate effectand no new passes shall be issued without prior permission from the DistrictMagistrate.
He warned of strict action against the violators of theorder under section 188 IPC and other relevant provisions of Epidemic DiseaseAct 1897 and the Disaster Management Act 2005.
The DC Bandipora appealed the general public to cooperatewith the administration and ensure strict adherence to the order as the non-compliance shall constitute criminal offence and attract strict actions.