Valley-wide lockdown brings normal life to grinding halt

Posted on March 23, 2020 By Asian Mail Kashmir, Latest News, Top Stories

Srinagar, 23rd March, CNS: Amid the coronavirus threat, a complete lockdown was observed across Kashmir division, after restrictions were imposed by the authorities in the valley, with Srinagar observing a complete shutdown for a fifth consecutive day on Monday. It was also the first countrywide lockdown, ordered after Janat Curfew was observed on Sunday, across India on the directions of Prime Minister Narendar Modi.

According to CNS, people stayed indoors, while shops and business establishments across the valley remained closed, with vehicular traffic off the roads.

The attendance in government and private offices, barring essential services remained nil, with employees remained confined to their homes.

The city wore a deserted look and townships across the valley turned into ghost towns.

Across all the valley districts strict curfew-like restrictions on the movement and assembly of people were imposed.

There was a heavy deployment of police and forces to impose the restrictions strictly.

To strengthen the arrangements further, for the imposition of restrictions, more barricades, including concertina wire, were put up at several places across the valley. None other than those associated with essential services were allowed to cross the barricades, without getting their identity cards checked.

The roads and highways were barricaded and concertina wires erected to stop the movement of vehicles. Local train service between Baramulla and Banihal also remained shut for 5th straight day.

Earlier 144 CrPc was imposed, restricting the assembly of more than 4 persons at a place, after a 67 year old woman from Khanyar Srinagar, having a travel history of Saudi Arabia tested positive for coronavirus on 18th March, making her the first positive COVID-19 case from valley. Restrictions were also imposed on public movement to deal with the COVID-19 threat.

3 persons have so far been tested positive for coronavirus in Jammu, while 1, the above said lady has tested positive, making the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir 4, while in Ladakh Union Territory, this number is as high as 13.