Srinagar, May 1: The restrictions continued to remain in place for the second straight day on Saturday across Jammu and Kashmir to prevent the deadly virus from spreading.
The busiest markets, roads in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Union Territory wore a deserted look throughout the day as all the shops except emergency and standalone remained closed since Thursday evening.
Police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on roads since the wee hours of this morning to enforce the lockdown strictly.
Witnesses said that barricades and concertina wires were erected at many places and bridges to thwart the public movement. The officers from different departments were also seen on roads to ensure that the lockdown is implemented in letter and spirit.
However, the emergency services, standalone shops were normally functioning throughout the restriction bound districts as the government had exempted them from the restrictions. Besides, the public transport with 50 per cent seating capacity was also allowed to ply today by the authorities.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir police claimed to have arrested 40 persons and filed 26 FIRs after the people were found violating the COVID lockdown norms.
A total of 335 persons were also fined, police said in a statement issued to KNO.
“In view of the record surge in daily cases across the Kashmir Valley, Police have enhanced the efforts to implement the Covid-19 guidelines, SOPs, restrictions strictly throughout the valley. During the last 24 hours, Police has arrested 40 persons, lodged 26 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 51,270 from 335 people for violating the guidelines, rules in Kashmir,” the statement said.
“Besides, 11 vehicles and four two-wheelers were also seized for violating guidelines and restrictions. The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines and rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley,” it said.
In Bandipora, DC Bandipora Dr. Owais Ahmad accompanied by SSP Bandipora Mohammad Zahid and other officers visited various places, markets of Bandipora to inspect the implementation of restrictions and COVID-19 guidelines, SOPs to combat second wave of Covid-19.
During the visit, the officers impressed upon the people to exhibit compliance to the government directions for larger public safety and health and also sought their cooperation. They also appealed to traders and transporters to strictly follow government orders and Covid-19 SOPs so that the infection rate may be significantly reduced.
Meanwhile, police urged people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines, protocols for the safety of the people. “The special drive shall remain continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” the statement said.
