Movement passes issued in Srinagar before May 5 cancelled; new system introduced

The Srinagaradministration has introduced a new movement pass system replacing the existingpasses to enable movement of essential and emergency services officials duringongoing restrictions put in place to contain spread of the COVID-19 disease.

Issuing an orderunder Section 144 of CrPC and Section 34 of the national disaster managementact or NDMA 2005, the District Magistrate Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudharywho is also the Chairman District Disaster Management Authority SrinagarTuesday ordered cancellation of all existing movement passes issued in thedistrict before May 5.

   

The order said thatcancellation of existing passes follows violations noted in the last week or sowith numerous instances of misuse of the said passes and fraudulent imitationthereof for movement reported from different parts across the district.

It states that allessential services departments and government offices as authorised will beprovided special tokens indicating name of the department and a serial numberfor movement adding however that movement will be allowed only after verifyingidentity of officials. It states that banks and media persons will also beissued tokens for their movement.

The order statesthat sufficient movement passes have been issued to health department andprofessionals across the board adding however that in the absence of movementpasses the doctors and paramedics will be allowed to move even just onproduction of valid IDs along with their duty roster.

It states thatreplacement of existing movement passes with a new system is to preventviolations of restrictions through misuse and forgery on public movement andactivities put in place in the district in efforts to contain spread ofCOVID-19.

For other cases theorder states that movement passes wherever required shall be valid only withthe seal and original signature of the District Magistrate Srinagar and mustcompulsorily have a 3D hologram affixed thereon. It states that no passesissued by anyone other than the DM will be entertained.

To minimisevehicular traffic the order states that a total of 86 busses and other forms ofpublic transport have been provided to different departments and banks. Themeasure is aimed at minimising inconvenience to officials in reaching to theiroffices and home after office hours.

In regard tointer-district movement the order states that the movement will not be allowedexcept on the production of valid inter-district passes issued by the competentauthority adding that all such passes must indicate places of origin anddestination. It adds that any person moving out of a red zone area without aclear permission will be booked under relevant laws.

Medical emergenciesand exigencies will be allowed without a pass. The order directs the ADSSrinagar (SQ) to collect and advertise details of contact numbers of allservices of emergencies set up in the wake of the prevailing health situation.

It should be notedthat regardless of possession of a movement pass access to areas notified asCOVID-19 red zones in the district will be strictly as per SOP and guidelinesas laid down.

The order warnsthat violations of guidelines and instructions as given in the order willattract strict penal action as per provisions of Section 188 of IPC and Section51 of NDMA 2005.

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