UT administration declares 20 villages in Kashmir red zones as coronavirus cases spike

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, March 31

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The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared 20 villages in the Valley red zones, officials said on Tuesday.

The villages that have been declared red zones are Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, and Batagund Hajin in Bandipora district; Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama, Sangerwani and Khaigam in Pulwama district; Waskura in Ganderbal; Sedew and Ramnagri in Shopian district; Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng in Srinagar district; and Chadoora in Budgam district of Kashmir .

The development comes as Jammu and Kashmir’s coronavirus cases spike to 55 with two deaths.

Meanwhile, authorities said people who entered Kashmir after March 1 have to declare their travel history within two days or face legal action.

District magistrates in Kashmir have also asked people associated with members of the Tablighi group, the religious organisation to which a person who died of COVID-19 belonged, to give their details, they said.

Most roads in Kashmir have been sealed and security forces have put barriers at several places to check unwanted movement of people, and enforce the COVID-19 lockdown, the officials said.

The administration has asked people to cooperate and warned of action if lockdown orders are violated.

Several people have been arrested across the Valley in the past few days for violating the prohibitory orders.

Markets across Kashmir are shut and public transport off the roads with only pharmacies and shops selling essential items allowed to open, the officials said.

Educational institutions, gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants are also shut.

The prime minister announced a country-wide lockdown on the evening of March 24. The Union Territory administration, however, had on March 22 announced a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir till 31 March as part of its efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The administration said essential services including healthcare personnel have been exempted from the restrictions. With agencies