Good response to Janata Curfew

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 22

With emission-free clear sky and bright sunshine, the citizens today extended total support to the anti-Covid-19 ‘Janata Curfew’ declared by Prime Minister on Friday. The city witnessed a complete lockdown as shops, hotels, restaurants remained closed. Traffic and movement of public in the state capital and other towns was also minimised. At 5 pm the residents across the state beat utensils, bells and burst crackers from their homes, showing their gratitude to the doctors, nurses paramedics and health workers fighting the Covid-19 outbreak in the state.

Barring a few persons spotted on the Mall road and a few vehicles, Shimla observed a near complete lockdown.

In a tweet, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the ‘Janta curfew’ declared by Prime Minister had got full support from the public across the state.

Kalka-Shimla-Narkanda highway was also deserted throughout the day. DM Shimla district Amit Kashayap, who monitored the curfew, told The Tribune that the lockdown was complete barring a few odd people spotted at a few places in the city. The curfew would continue till 7 am Monday till further order, he added.

He said the policemen wearing masks remained deployed at key locations and barriers at Shoghi, Kuddu and Ferach in the district to check the entry of outsiders.

Invoking the National Disaster Management Act, DM in his order issued on Saturday had said all tourists — foreigners as well as domestic who are in the district would be kept in quarantine for 14 days.

Other towns of Rampur, Rohru, Theog, Chopal, Nerwa, Recongpeo in Kinnaur also observed Janta Curfew.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister and his wife Dr Sadhna Thakur and the staff clapped at their Oak Over residence as a mark of respect to the workers fighting the virus outbreak in the state.

Mandi-Kullu sealed

• Mandi: On the call of Janata Curfew by the Prime Minister, Mandi, Kullu and tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti wore a deserted look. There was a pin-drop silence in these districts since morning till 5 pm because people stayed at their home.
• At 5 pm, siren was blared in Mandi and people came out of their houses in balconies to beat plates, ring bells and blow conches. They were seen clapping at the same time. It was all to boost the morale of doctors, health workers, police, media and cleaners.