Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High court also issued a direction to the Director General (Prisons) to file a report with regard to steps taken in the prisons in Jammu and Kashmir especially with regard to creation of isolation wards and treatment facilities in case prisoners are suspected to be or get infected with coronavrus.
“Let such report be placed before us by Director General (Prisons) before the next date of hearing,” the court said while hearing a PIL which was posted for further consideration on March 20.
“Let the Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh be also informed about the Jammu and Kashmir Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 issued by Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and examine the necessity of similar action so far as the Union Territory of Ladakh is concerned,” the court said, adding, “There are such other places where people are living in institutional care as Orphanages and Old Age Homes amongst others. The official respondents are required to ensure awareness amongst inmates thereof as also that all measures are taken to protect the inmates or orphans and the senior citizens”. It ordered that a status report in this regard be also placed before the court on the next date of hearing. “The respondents shall inform this Court about the status of the students from the Union Territories who had to be evacuated from Iran,” the court added.
Appearing for the authorities, D.C Raina, Advocate General, handed over a copy of a notification dated 16th March 2020 issued by the Health and Medical Education Department notifying the Jammu and Kashmir Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020. “These Regulations are taken on record,” the court said, adding, “We are assured by learned Advocate General that these
Regulations shall be strictly enforced.”
