Threat looms as thousands enter state unscreened

Shimla, April 28

The unrestrained issuance of curfew passes, facilitating the entry of thousands of people into the state without adhering to the mandatory safety protocol, could pose a major threat to Himachal.

Surprisingly, the data of vehicles and persons entering the state on the permits issued by the Police Department does not match the data of curfew passes issued by various DCs. Despite the chaos at the Mehatpur border in Una yesterday, 19,000 curfew passes were issued today.

The total corona positive cases have been stagnant at 40 for the last five days in the state and with 25 persons being cured, there are only 10 active cases. As such, the state could have become corona free within a week, but now with thousands entering the state without screening, the threat of Covid spread cannot be ruled out.

Even though the police have given a figure of 22,946 persons, who have entered the state in the last three days till 6 am today, the fact is that the Kangra DC alone issued 25,600 curfew passes for April 27, which falsifies this figure. Besides, over 1,500 vehicles have entered the state from Baddi and Parwanoo entry points. As per figures of the police, 6,811 vehicles have entered the state in the last three days.

“The manner in which the entry points were thrown open will render all our efforts futile in combating the spread of corona,” said a senior bureaucrat. The health authorities too are worried at the manner in which people are entering the state.

It was humanly impossible for a handful of policemen and the Health Department staff at Mehtapur border in Una to handle thousands of people who were eager to reach their native places. As such the police only counted the vehicles and not the people who entered the state.

Contradictory claim

• Chaos prevailed at the Mehatpur border in Una even as 19,000 curfew passes were issued on Tuesday.
• The police have said 22,946 persons have entered the state in the last three days till 6 am today, the fact is that the Kangra DC alone issued 25,600 passes for April 27, which falsifies the claim.

Corona cases stagnant

The total corona positive cases figure has been stagnant at 40 for the last five days and with 25 persons being cured, there are only 10 active cases. As such, the state could have become corona free within a week, but now with thousands entering the state without any screening, the threat of positive cases being reported cannot be ruled out.