Kupwara: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole Wednesday said that there won’t be any relaxation on corona curfew during the Eid-ul-Fitr festival in Kashmir given the steep rise in COVID-19 infection cases here.
He also said that the overall situation is under control in the Valley, with essential medicines and oxygen available in adequate quantity.
Pole was on a visit to the border district of Kupwara along with other administrative officials to review COVID preparations put in place by the health authorities and district administration.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the visit, Divisional Commissioner said that the overall situation in Kashmir is under control while the preventive restrictions put in place upto May 17th will remain in place.
“There won’t be any sort of relaxation on Eid eve in Kashmir,” he said, adding that Covid-19 does stop on any special occasion.
“We hope that the COVID ends soon but there won’t be any laxity from the administration’s side and preparations are in full swing to contain the spread,” he said.
About the situation in Kashmir Valley, the Divisional Commissioner said that the overall situation is definitely under control.
“The cases will increase in the coming days in Kashmir and that shouldn’t be a source of panic for the people,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir urged the people to stay away from any such information that leads to health issues, mainly mental problems, saying that people must stick to things that don’t impact their stability.
Asked about the oxygen refilling issue faced in Kupwara, he said that the 1000 LPM oxygen plant is already functional here and the cylinders won’t be of that use besides concentrators have been made available.
Meanwhile, a day after several areas in Kashmir witnessed a huge rush of people ahead of Eid festival, curfew-like restrictions were imposed in the Valley on Wednesday as authorities strictly enforced the lockdown put in place to contain an alarming surge in coronavirus cases in the union territory.
Police and paramilitary forces had sealed vital roads and erected barricades at many places in the city and other district headquarters to stop unnecessary movement of people, officials said.
Markets remained shut and public transport off the roads. Movement of only those engaged in essential services and in cases of emergencies was allowed, and that too after a lot of very aggressive and impolite questioning by the policemen guarding the barricades.
The officials said the restrictions were tightened on Wednesday in the wake of crowds gathering at several places in the city here and many other areas of the Valley for Eid shopping.
Massive traffic jams were witnessed on Tuesday at several parts of the city including the commercial hub of Lal Chowk with people thronging the markets.
On April 29, the Jammu and Kashmir administration imposed a curfew in 11 districts in a bid to tackle the surge in COVID-19 cases, which was subsequently extended to all the 20 districts the next day.
The curfew, which was supposed to end at 7 am on May 03, was extended in the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar besides Budgam and Baramulla till May 06.
However, the authorities in other districts of the Kashmir Valley also ordered extension in the restrictions first till May 06 and then till May 10. The restrictions were again extended till May 17.
678 persons fined, 92 FIRs registered, 145 arrested for violating lockdown
Police on Wednesday informed that during past 24 hours, it has arrested 145 persons, lodged 92 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of ₹1,09,200 from 678 people for violating the lockdown guidelines across Kashmir.
It also informed that 15 vehicles were also seized in Budgam and Kulgam for violating guidelines/restrictions and indulging in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals.
Four shopkeepers were also booked by police in Ganderbal and Handwara for violating Covid-19 norms.
