COVID-19: Dozens arrested for violating lockdown in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 23: Strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people continued to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in Kashmir, where dozens of persons were arrested on Thursday for violating lockdown order while majority of the locals are voluntarily staying indoors as the number of infected is going up rapidly.

Officials told UNI that restrictions continued for the 35th successive day to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Kashmir valley. ‘Main roads in most places in the valley remained sealed while barriers were erected at other places to check unwanted movement of people,’ they said, adding all roads leading to areas, which were declared as ‘Red Zones’ after several COVID-19 positive cases surfaced from there, also remained sealed.

They said 16 people were arrested while 10 shops were sealed and as many vehicles seized in Srinagar. ‘As many as 49 vehicles were seized in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal for violating the lockdown order,’they said, adding 36 vehicles were seized in Awantipora during the last 24 hours.
They said over 100 people were arrested for violation the order in Handwara in north Kashmir district of Kupwara.

Shops and business establishments remained closed while streets were deserted due to strict restrictions imposed by authorities to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in the valley.

Similar reports of lockdown were received from other parts of the valley, including Kupwara and Baramulla in north, Budgam and Ganderbal in central and Anantnag, Pulwama Kulgam in south Kashmir.