Why jam-packed vehicles go unchecked?

The ongoing pandemic has forced the government to extend the lockdown, known as ‘Corona Curfew’ in Jammu and Kashmir yet again. The lockdown has been extended for the fifth straight time since April 29. However, to prevent the virus from spreading, the enforcement agencies have been arresting people and also seizing the vehicles for violating the lockdown norms. Besides, the government had issued directions for the public transporters to ply with only 50 per cent seating capacity to ensure the virus is prevented from spreading. One fails to understand why the vehicles coming from outside Jammu and Kashmir carrying the non-local labourers are being allowed to enter into Jammu and Kashmir. A video has recently surfaced on social media, which displays the open violation of the SOP set by the government about 50 per cent seating capacity. The jam-packed vehicles carrying non-local labourers can prove disastrous at a time when the J&K is already witnessing a huge number of COVID-19 cases almost every day. The million dollar question remains why the government is allowing the non-local workforce to enter J&K when it knows the intensity of the situation due to Covid. There is a need to stop the entry of the non-local work force till the situation improves or else should ensure that the 50 per cent seating capacity is adhered to in letter and spirit to contain the virus spread well on time.