Taking a serious note of instances of repeated violations of guidelines reported from Mala Mohalla neighbourhood of Habak Shanpora area, the District Magistrate Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhury on Monday ordered strict action under all relevant provisions of the law against the violators.
An official said the area has been notified as a COVID-19 containment zone after a positive case – who is a contact of another positive case who has since died from the disease – was reported from there.
“Despite notification of the area as a containment zone and instructions for adherence to relevant guidelines repeated violations have been reported from the area necessitating passing of orders for strict actions against violators,” said the official.
Following reports of repeated violations, he said, the DM Monday visited the area to inspect adherence to relevant guidelines.
He issued instructions for strict adherence to guidelines and restrictions put in place in the area for containment of the disease and strict action against violators, said the official.
He said that it was being reported that the violators move in and out of the area in late evening and early morning hours to sell vegetables along Foreshore road.
There are concerns that these vegetable sellers could be carriers of the coronavirus infection, thus posing a serious risk of transmission to people buying from them, said the official.
The district administration has appealed to the residents of the surrounding areas in particular and the people in general to be aware of the risks, and report to the administration instances of violations and assist the administration in its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the district.
It has said that the violators take advantage of night time and all people must unite and not allow or encourage violations. It said that being a collective fight everyone has a responsibility and must contribute in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.