All 2000 participants of Tableegi congregation traced: LG Murmu

Srinagar:  Jammu and Kashmir government has traced 2000 Tableegi Jamaat members who had participated in a religious congregation (at New Delhi).

 In an interview with a local television channel, J&K Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu said they tracked the mobile phones of Tableegi Jamaat members who were staying at home since they were asymptomatic.

 “We tracked their phones. The local administration also roped in religious leaders and with their help, we traced almost all the 2000 Tableegi Jamaat members. They have been staying at home since they were asymptomatic,” Murmu said.

Lieutenant Governor said they have succeeded in identifying the people having travel history outside Jammu and Kashmir, and abroad. 

“We have identified people with travel history. We have traced their contacts. We have gone for massive testing of the suspected cases in Jammu and Kashmir.  Travelers who returned from aboard were quarantined,” he said.

 Murmu said the government will bring all the stranded people back to Jammu and Kashmir once the lockdown is lifted.

“We have established a helpline in coordination with other state governments to help stranded people from Jammu and Kashmir. After lockdown is lifted, we will explore the option to bring them home,” he said.

Murmu noted that they would strictly enforce the restrictions in red zones in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

 “So far restrictions have not been strictly enforced in Jammu and Kashmir though police had to act at times for crowd control.  We will now enforce strict restrictions particularly in red zones to ensure that people observe self-quarantine and social distancing,” he said. 

 Murmu said they have decided to use hospital and medical facilities of the army and paramilitary forces during exigencies. “Administrative staff, particularly paramedics and doctors, are at the forefront. Then there are CRPF and Army, which have been put on alert. Their hospitals can be used in case of emergency,” he said.

Lieutenant Governor noted the Jammu and Kashmir administration was fully prepared to tackle coronavirus much before.

“In the first week of March, we imposed restrictions and installed screening facilities at airport and railway stations. All the advisories were followed under the epidemic act, disaster management act and CrPC provisions. Religious gatherings, festivals were banned immediately,” he said.