Coronavirus Epidemic: Life comes to grinding halt as Govt enforces Lockdown | KNO

Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 23 (KNO): Normal life across Kashmir came to a grinding halt as government enforced lockdown across the region leaving lakhs of people indoors in view of the outbreak of deadly Covid-19 in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the government has booked nearly four dozen people across the Valley for violating its orders issued in wake of the Coronavirus epidemic. According to the Correspondents of wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the markets across Jammu Kashmir wore deserted look as people affiliated with only 16 sectors declared as emergency services were seen opening up their business units in the Union Territory. Witnesses said that police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in large number on roads, who had at some places put barricades on the roads as precautionary measure to avoid the large gatherings in the run of Coronavirus. Witnesses said that public transporters especially Auto rickshaws were being intercepted by the forces deployed on the roads, adding that after proper counseling, the drivers were being sent back to their homes along with their vehicles. Besides, the defying of government orders has also completed the administration to book a number of people across the Valley who were found violating the government orders issued so far in wake of the Coronavirus epidemic. As per –KNO, at least 29 people across Kashmir were booked for violating the government orders. Officials informed that 16 people from South Kashmir’s Shopian district were booked for defying the restrictions imposed the administration today. In Achabal area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, one violator has been booked for violating the government norms today, officials said. Similarly, eight businessmen who were found violating the government orders were also booked in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said. In Baramulla district, police has booked 22 persons for violating the government orders, officials said, adding that a case was also registered against four among them. According to KNO Correspondent from Sopore, 10 shopkeepers were also arrested by police for violating the government norms, adding that a case vide FIR number 51/2020 under section 188 was registered against them. In Jammu region also, nearly three dozen people have been booked for violating the government orders. They also informed that three youth who had organized a cricket match at Gani Memorial Stadium today were also booked under FIR number 12/2020 under section 188, 270 IPC, adding that the organization of cricket match had resulted in large gathering at the stadium. Moreover, the Jammu and Kashmir police had also used drones today to make announcements of restriction under section 144 CrPc, officials said, adding that the police were also keeping eye on the localities to see whether anyone is violating the government orders. The restrictions across Jammu and Kashmir will continue till March 31, 2020, the government has said, appealing people to stay indoors till further orders – (KNO)