Circulation of newspapers banned in Kangra district due to coronavirus

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Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, March 24

The district administration of Kangra has banned circulation of all kinds of print media in the district in view of coronavirus outbreak in the area. The deputy commissioner Kangra, Rakesh Prajapati issued these order on Tuesday evening.

He has, however, allowed publication of newspapers in the district and their transportation outside the district.

Kangra has become the first district in the state to stop circulation of all kinds of print media amid fears that circulation of print media might also aid coronavirus spread.

Meanwhile, two patients whose samples were sent to Pune for testing have been found to be positive for coronavirus. The patients who are now confirmed coronavirus patients in the district include Sarla Devi, a resident of Shahpur area of Kangra district. Sarla Devi had returned to Kangra from Dubai on March 17 but had not informed the authorities. She was later tested positive for infection in Tanda medical college. Many people who were in contact with her have now been quarantined.

The other patient who is now a confirmed Corona virus patient is Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Lunj area of Kangra district. He had come to Kangra from Singapore. He came in flight from Singapore to Bangalore and then from Bangalore to Delhi. From Delhi he had come to Kangra on HPRTC Volvo bus. All those, who came in contact with Dinesh Kumar have also been quarantined.

Yesterday, 69-year-old Tibetan Tenzin Choden, who died in Tanda medical college, tested positive for cvoronavirus in preliminary tests. His test reports are awaited from Pune.

The district authorities have warned the Tibetan government in exile and asked them to quarantine and check the people who remain in touch with deceased.

Meanwhile, Mcleodganj has been sealed after the death of the Tibetan. Nobody was being allowed to enter or leave Mcleodganj area of Dharamsala. The deputy commissioner said that provisions would be provided at door steps to residents of tourist spot. The Tibetan had arrived in India from US on March 15. He stayed in Majnu Ka Tila area in Delhi for five days. Then he came to Kangra in private taxi. He also had food in a dhaba in Amb area of Una. In Mcleodganj, his condition deteriorated and he was hospitalised in Balaji hospital, Kangra. He was later shifted to Tanda medical college where he died. All those who came in contact with the deceased Tibetan have been quarantined.

The deputy commissioner had also imposed curfew in entire Kangra district. The step was taken after some people seen violating the lock down and section 144 of CrPC.