Restrictions tightened in Kashmir as nation enters 21-day lockdown to combat coronavirus

Restrictions on movement imposed in Kashmir to prevent thespread of coronavirus were tightened on Wednesday and strict action initiatedagainst violaters, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a21-day nationwide lockdown, officials said.

Security forces sealed off several roads and erectedbarriers across the Valley to enforce the lockdown, they said.

   

Police vehicles fitted with public address systems wentaround the residential areas late Tuesday as well as on Wednesday morning, announcingthe imposition of restrictions under section 144 of CrPC and advising people tostay indoors, the officials said.

Police also used drones in some parts of the city toannounce the restrictions, they added.

While the prime minister announced the country-wide lockdown on Tuesday evening, the Union territory administration here had on Sundayimposed a similar restriction till March 31 as part of its efforts to combatcoronavirus.

The administration said essential services, includinghealthcare, were exempted from the purview of the restrictions.

It asked people to cooperate with it and warned of actionagainst any violation of the prohibitory orders.

Forty-nine people were arrested in Srinagar, Sopore,Handwara and Anantnag areas of the Valley for violating the prohibitory orderson Monday, while 45 were arrested in Ganderbal and Kupwara districts onTuesday.

More than 1,800 residents of Kashmir, who have arrived fromvarious countries, have been placed under quarantine at makeshift facilities. Theauthorities have appealed to people coming from outside to approach healthofficials and not conceal their travel history.

Meanwhile, markets across the Valley were shut and publictransport was off the roads. Only pharmacies and groceries were allowed tooperate, the officials said.

Train services stand suspended till March 31.

Educational institutions across Kashmir and all publicplaces, including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants, have closed.

The restrictions were initially imposed in many parts of the Valley last Thursday after a 67-year-old woman from Khanyar area of the city, who had returned on March 16 from Saudi Arabia, tested positive for COVID-19 infection.

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