Six villages locked down in Garhshankar

Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi

Garhshankar, March 20

The district administration has barred the entry of outsiders to six villages — Moranwali, Aiman Jattan, Binjhon, Sooni, Noorpur Jattan and Posi — amid Covid scare.

On learning that an elderly person at Moranwali village was in touch with the 70-year-old Nawanshahr man, who died in Banga hospital two days ago, the authorities cordoned off the villages. Dr Raghuveer Singh, SMO, PHC, Moranwali, told mediapersons that after Moranwali village resident showed symptoms, he was admitted to the isolation ward of the Civil Hospital, Hoshiarpur. All villagers are being screened.

Apart from this, an announcement was made in gurdwaras and temples that the villagers are not supposed to come out of their houses.

Meanwhile, one more elderly person from Garhshankar village was admitted to the isolation ward. His son was also taken to Hoshiarpur for check-up.

Civil Surgeon, Hoshiarpur, Dr Jasvir Singh confirmed that there were two persons in the isolation ward and their samples had been sent for testing. Six more persons from different villages of Garhshankar were sent to Hoshiarpur for investigation after they showed Covid symptoms.

Garhshankar DSP Satish Kumar said police personnel had been deployed in all villages. No outsider was allowed to enter these areas.

SDM Harbans Singh said Section 144 had been imposed in six villages of Garhshankar under the directions of the DC and the people had been advised to stay at home.

Meanwhile, six more persons were sent to Hoshiarpur for check-up. One is a resident of Nangal, whose father is also in the isolation ward. Three persons from Binewal village and two from Malkowal have also been sent to Hoshiarpur.

Forced shutdown triggers panic

• Muktsar: The district administration, accompanied by police personnel, forced shopkeepers to shut their establishments in Muktsar, Gidderbaha and Malout.
• However, exemption was given to those running grocery stores, eating joints, dairies, medical stores and vegetables shops.
• The maximum impact of the forced lockdown was witnessed in Gidderbaha, where locals are panicky.
• “We are already worried as Janta Curfew has been announced. Now, the administration has locked down most cities. People are buying essentials in bulk,” a resident said.
• To check hoarding, the district administration has deputed officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.
• With the District Administrative Complex shut, a number of people had to return without getting their works done.
• “I need ‘jamabandi’ of my land, but the work has been stopped till further orders. I am already distressed and this has aggravated my woes,” said Jagroop Singh, a farmer.
• Earlier in the day, Health Department officials conducted a mock drill at various places to deal with Covid cases. TNS

STATE TRACKER

Two Covid suspects put in isolation

Fatehgarh Sahib: High drama was witnessed at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College when a person, who came from abroad, was contacted by the local Health Department and requested to quarantine himself in his house for 14 days. However, he did not heed the request and rather started moving outside openly. Dr NK Aggarwal, Civil Surgeon, said he was brought to the Civil Hospital, but he fled. Then, he was brought back again. The another case was reported in Amloh subdivision, but he has tested negative. OC

2 suspects in Barnala, Sangrur

Barnala: Two Covid suspects have been admitted to hospitals in Barnala and Sangrur. “Two patients were admitted to a local hospital. There is no need to panic as the situation is under control,” said TPS Phoolka, DC, Barnala. The Sangrur administration has made special isolation wards in Mastuana Sahib hostel, Gurdwara Nanakiana Sahib and Mahakali temple. “A suspected woman patient was admitted to Sangrur Civil Hospital and we are providing treatment to her,” said Raj Kumar, Sangrur Civil Surgeon. TNS

Youth’s body handed over to family

Jalandhar: The body of a youth, who had allegedly committed suicide in New Delhi, was handed over to the family today after two days. Sukhdev Singh, uncle of the deceased, said after several requests, the post-mortem was finally done. “We wanted to cremate the body of our son without any suspicion in the mind, and wanted to perform last rites properly,” he said. The 23-year-old’s father had arrived from Mumbai today after receiving the news. The uncle said the post-mortem report would come in a few days. TNS

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