By: Amjad Hussain
Srinagar: Throwing laid-down COVID-19 protocols to the winds, people from different parts of the City throng Dhara Harwan and Chandpora areas on the outskirts of Srinagar to kill their time amidst ongoing ‘restrictions’ in the summer capital.
Witnesses said since gardens and parks are closed in Srinagar, masses from morning until late evening throng Chandpora and Dhara areas of Harwan without giving damn to the COVID-19 guidelines.
Hundreds of people including men, women and children visit these places on a daily basis ever since the authorities announced lockdown in Srinagar in the aftermath of a huge surge in COVID-19 positive cases in April this year.
Hundreds throng Dhara and Chandpora Harwan without adhering to laid down guidelines; maximum people could be seen roaming without wearing face masks while tea, beverage and cigarette stalls have also been set up near Chandpora Bridge for the convenience of visitors.
In order to get rid from the scorching heat, people use to bathe in Chandpora stream while stunt bikers and dope heads carry out illegal activities without any fear as the issue of illegal gathering goes unnoticed.
People living around however said they will temporarily shift to their relative’s homes till the issue is resolved as the locality reported hundreds of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths during the second COVID-19 wave.
When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Sandeep Chaudhary sought details, however, he did not comment on the issue.
“We cannot put ourselves and of our families in trouble and most of the people living here have decided to shift somewhere else till the authorities stop illegal assembly of people at Chandpora stream amid this pandemic,” Ajaz Ahmad, a local resident said.
He said since people from different parts of the city throng there for recreational purposes, the area also witnesses huge traffic jams for hours together.
“Some bikers blow creepy horns and taunts whosoever comes their way irrespective of age and gender, we appeal to the administration to kindly look into the issue as most of the visitors do not even wear face masks not to talk of adhering to other guidelines,” he added.