A view of a deserted Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Friday- Photo: Abid Bhat / KO
Srinagar- The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration on Friday imposed tough curbs in parts of the Valley in an attempt to restrict the movement of people in wake of coronavirus pandemic.
Restrictions were imposed under section 144 in Srinagar and other major towns of the Valley as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the Covid-19 infection, two days after a woman tested positive to the deadly disease.
Here in this capital city, government forces enforced curbs by barricading the roads with spools of razor wire, reports said. At many places, forces had blocked roads with armoured vehicles to curtail the movement of people and vehicles.
Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the city presented a deserted look as all shops and offices remained closed. All the fuel stations in the city also remained closed, while public transport was off the roads in wake of the restrictions.
Only government officials holding valid identity cards, mediapersons, and emergency cases were allowed to move, reports said.
Reports of restrictions were also received from other districts of the Valley. In the morning, police used public address system announcing the curbs and urging people to stay indoors.
On Thursday, the authorities had announced to suspend Banihal-Baramulla train service in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infection.
Pertinently, all educational institutions, gardens and parks, restaurants, gyms have been closed by the administration as a precautionary measure to contain coronavirus.
School Teachers Told To Stay At Home
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday directed all teachers to stay at home till further orders as academic work in educational institutions has already been suspended till March 31 to prevent spread of coronavirus.
“No school teacher to attend duties at schools as class work (is) suspended,” an order issued by Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Education, Asghar Samoon, reads.
However, headmasters, zonal education officers, chief education officers and engineers involved in works and centrally sponsored schemes were asked to report for work but advised to maintain social distance.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
