11 more test positive for Coronavirus, tally rises to 67 in J&K
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Apr 1: Six more people tested positive in Kashmir for COVID-19 today, taking the number of Corona positive cases in Kashmir to 50 while administration efforts to trace the contacts of the positive cases are going on massive scale.
A man from Pulwama with travel history of Saudi Arabia today tested positive. Another man from Pulwama who came in contact with a COVID-19 positive case also tested positive today.
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Two women from Chattabal area of today tested positive. They are family members of one of the already positive cases who is undergoing treatment in the hospital.
A man from Bemina area of Srinagar tested positive. He had travelled with his neighbour who also tested positive last week and is under treatment in the hospital.
The father of a 10-year-old boy who was tested positive for the Coronavirus yesterday, tested negative for the COVID-19 here in the SKIMS today. Family sources said that now all the family members have tested negative at SKIMS.
Authorities had quarantined his father, mother, and sister after he tested positive. All the members have tested negative but they will have to be in for 14 day quarantine.
And the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir today issued a veiled threat to health workers with punishment under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, allowing for imprisonment up to six months, if they publicly criticise the administration’s efforts in the containment and the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
A circular issued here by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has noted that some government employees have been vocal in their criticism of the Government’s efforts “which is against the service rules”.
The circular said: “There can be difference of opinion or some minor issues, which the Government employees can bring into the notice of concerned authorities instead of putting it out on social media or the press.”
“Hence forth strict action will be initiated against such elements who resort to such uncalled for reporting to media,” the circular warned adding, “Any person disobeying any regulation or order made under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987 shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
In the meantime, lockdown across Kashmir continued for the 14th day today with authorities acting tough against the violators of Government orders issued to prevent spread of Coronavirus.
Police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on roads and they had erected concertina wire to block the roads to prevent movement of people and vehicles.
Over 50 people were arrested for violating Government’s prohibitory orders on Coronavirus.
In Awantipora, Police arrested seven persons who were offering prayers in a Masjid at Padgampora in Awantipora.
“It was found that seven persons had assembled at Padgampora Masjid for prayers. No sooner they came out of Masjid Sharif, they were arrested and taken to Police Station for legal action,” police said adding that a case (under FIR number 40/2020 under relevant sections of law) was registered at Police Station Awantipora.
In South Kashmir’s Kund Police Station, at least 15 persons were arrested for violating government orders. A case (under FIR number 08/2020 under section 188, 269 IPC) has been registered in this regard.
Police Station Devsa arrested three persons and a case (under FIR number 27/2020 under section 188, 269) has been registered.
Police Station Kulgam arrested one person for violating order and a case (under FIR number 47/2020 under section 188, 269 IPC) has been registered.
In Handwara, Police arrested 28 persons for violating the government orders and sealed six shops in Police Station Handwara, Vilgam and Kralgund after they were found open despite the lockdown and restrictions.
In Police Station Handwara, a case (under FIR No. 98/2020 under section 188 IPC) has been registered against seven persons who were found violating the orders imposed by District Magistrate.
Police said that in the jurisdiction of Vilgam Police Station, 15 persons were arrested and a case (under FIR number 20/2020 under Section 188 IPC) was registered against them violating the prohibitory orders over Coronovirus.
Police Station Kralgund sealed six shops and arrested the shopkeepers for violation the prohibitory orders and a case (under FIR number 20/2020 under relevant sections of law) was registered in Police Station Kralgund.