Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, May 5: The lockdown continued for the sixth straight day in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to prevent the virus from spreading while police said that 129 persons were arrested and 586 people were fined in Kashmir for violating the norms.
A day after the government extended lockdown in five J&K districts till May 10, the roads in Srinagar, however, witnessed brisk vehicular movement coupled with traffic snarls at several places.
Eye-witnesses said that the traffic snarls were witnessed at a few places amid lockdown.
They said that such is the leniency on ground that the traffic cops were seen regulating the vehicular movement at Rambagh area today.
Notably, Corona Curfew is in place across Srinagar district and other districts in a bid to prevent the deadly virus from spreading further. The government on Tuesday extended lockdown in Srinagar and four other districts till May 10.
Eye-witnesses informed that police and paramilitary troops were deployed although in large number to enforce the lockdown restrictions. The barricades and concertina wires were erected at many places and bridges to thwart the public movement, they said.
Meanwhile, all the shops and business establishments barring emergency services, standalone shops remained closed throughout the day in Srinagar and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, the public transport with 50 per cent seating capacity was also allowed to ply today by the authorities.
Moreover, police said that during the last 24 hours, Police has arrested 129 persons, lodged 74 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 91,650 from 586 people for violating the guidelines and rules throughout Kashmir valley.
“Besides, 23 vehicles were also seized in Budgam for violating guidelines, restrictions and indulging in illegal excavation and transportation of clay. 11 shops were also seized by police along with the Executive Magistrate in Beerwah and Khansahib areas of Budgam for violating Covid-19 norms,” police said.
The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines and rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs and guidelines envisaged by the government to curb COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said.
Meanwhile, police urged people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for the safety of the people. “The special drive shall remain continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” police said.
