In Kashmir, ‘red zones’ without Covid-19 cases
5 Dariya News
Srinagar 15-May-2020
Without a single case of Coronavirus, Mehjoor Nagar area of Srinagar city has been declared as containment zone while the bridge connecting the area with Jawahar Nagar remains almost sealed with concertina wires much to the discomfiture of people of various areas. Ironically, Jawahar Nagar area where no Covid-19 patient exists right now is also sealed and almost all the business activities have come to a grinding halt in the area.“Jammu Kashmir Bank remains continuously shut in Jawahar Nagar and so does other establishments. Only medical shops can be seen open in the locality,” Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation members Nisar Shahdhar told news agency KNT. He said that in March a couple from Jawahar Nagar were tested positive after returning from Umrah pilgrimage. “The couple has recovered and is staying in their home, but the tag of red zone is still attached to Jawahar Nagar. There are zero Covid-19 patients and yet it has been declared red zone,” Shahdhar said.The residents say they are facing hardships due to prolonged restrictions since March when containment order was issued by the district administration.The tag of red-zone to Jawahar Nagar has affected the people badly living in adjacent areas. “People from Natipora, Chanapora, Raj Bagh, Kursoo, Mehjoor Nagar, Padshahi Bagh are unable to cross the main Jawahar Nagar-Mehjoor Nagar bridge connecting them with rest of city due to its closure.“I don’t understand the fun behind the sealing of this bridge.
They sometimes keep it open and sometimes close it for traffic,” said a commuter.The residents allege that even patients are not being allowed to cross the bridge at times.Pertinently, Mehjoor Nagar is not a red-zone.Meanwhile, people of Kadipora area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag town alleged that Assistant Commissioner Revenue Syed Yasir misbehaved with them. “A couple of days back district administration Anantnag, removed all the barricades in the area. But, today, the top official ordered to erect the barricades again. When people asked him about the reason, he misbehaved with them,” the locals told KNT.“Why should I listen to you,” this is what this official told people when they asked why he has erected the barricades again; despite the fact there is no Covid-19 patient present in the area. A single Covid-19 case had emerged in area, last month, who is under observation at Trauma Hospital Bijbehara.Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Syed Yasir told KNT that people indulged in a criminal act by lifting barricades themselves. “We had gone there to erect barricades again and we did it,” he added and refuted the allegations of people. According to the standard operating procedure, areas with a significant number of cases, where there is suspicion of cluster transmission, can be declared as red zones by deputy commissioner concerned. Except medical emergencies, inward and outward movement from containment zones is strictly prohibited. (KNT)