Srinagar: The National Conference suspended on Thursday all its political activities in Kashmir in the wake of the first positive case of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the Valley.
The NC requested party activists to lend help to the administration in spreading awareness about proper sanitation and social-distancing guidelines.
“In view of a positive COVID-19 case in Kashmir, all JKNC gatherings are hereby suspended,” a party spokesperson said here. “Colleagues and workers are requested not to hold any outreach activity for the time being. Party’s central office, Nawa-e-Subah, premises will be only open for urgent work.”
The spokesperson asked party leaders and activists to avoid visiting the residence of NC president Farooq Abdullah, who was released from an over seven-month detention last week.
“We are overwhelmed with the large number of people visiting Dr Farooq Sahib’s residence,” the spokesperson said. “However, as he is a kidney-transplant recipient and on immunosuppressants, so all colleagues are requested to avoid visiting his residence for the time being amid the COVID-19 risk.”
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress also announced suspension of all its outdoor political activities and appealed to people to strictly follow government advisories to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Union Territory.
“All outdoor political activities of the party stand suspended for the time being. The people are appealed to be fully aware and cooperate with the authorities by following the advisories and instructions to prevent the spread of the disease,” Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president G A Mir said.
He asked the government machinery to be fully geared up at all levels to meet the challenges and leave no stone unturned to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease and closely monitor the implementation of the instructions and advisories at all levels.
The Congress leader said there should be compliance of instructions over assembly of people. He also urged the government to ensure availability of all essential commodities to the people at grass-root level and regularly monitor any attempts of hoarding and profiteering by unscrupulous elements.
