Nisar Dharma
Srinagar, Apr 7: The administration in J&K, which has 109 positive cases and is witnessing a daily spike in them, plans to continue with enforcing strict curbs in areas declared ‘Red Zones’ while follow a policy decision on the rest of the valley after April 14 when the country-wide lockdown ends.
The preliminary call has been taken even as at least seven states of India have hinted they will continue with the restrictions.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole told The Kashmir Monitor that continuing with or easing the lockdown was “a policy decision” and the government decision will be implemented.
He, though, confirmed that restrictions will be stricter in ‘Red Zones’.
Official sources, however, said the lockdown will be moderately eased in Kashmir with exception to areas declared ‘Red Zones’ and places closer to them.
So far, at least 45 areas across J&K have been declared ‘Red Zones’, a place from where a cluster of positive cases emerge.
The buffer zones, the areas within around 5 km radius from the centre point of a red zone, too will be kept under strict restrictions, sources added.
Of the ‘Red Zones’ 26 fall in Kashmir while the rest are in Jammu.
The ‘Red Zones’ in Kashmir include: Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah, Shalteng, and Chattabal in Srinagar; Chadoora in Budgam district; Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin in Bandipora district; Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama, Sangerwani and Khaigam in Pulwama district; Waskura, Guzhama in Ganderbal district; and Sedew and Ramnagri in Shopian district.
Since Saturday, J&K has witnessed 34 fresh cases of coronavirus with bulk of them detected in Kashmir.
The administration has put under surveillance more than 35,000 people across J&K.
Seven states in India, with bulk of coronavirus cases, have preferred having some restrictions in place after the country-wide lockdown ends on April 14. They include Telangana, Assam, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. These states together have reported 1,367 coronavirus cases, almost one-third of the 4,281 cases across the country so far.
