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Valley remains under lockdown for 9th day amid Covid-19 scare

MAJID NABI. Dated: 3/28/2020 1:12:24 AM

No Friday prayers in mosques, shrines

SRINAGAR, Mar 27: Normal life continued to remain disrupted as Kashmir entered the lockdown for 9th day today amid potential threat of Novel Corona Virus.
People offered Friday prayers at their homes as no religious gathering was allowed anywhere in the valley including Srinagar city following orders issued by the government asking people to halt congregational prayers at mosques following outbreak of deadly epidemic.
Valley’s major mosques and shrines which include Dargah Hazratbal, Central Jamia Masjid Nowhatta, Hazrat Syed Yaqoob Sahab (RA) shrine Sonwar, Asari Shareef Kalshpora and Asari Shareef Soura remained closed for congregational prayers.
Religious preachers also appealed people to stay indoors and offer prayers at homes rather moving out to mosques to prevent themselves, their families and surroundings from contracting infections.
As the Kashmir valley reported four more case of Corona Virus, demand for 4g internet restoration goes high with people criticizing the government for depriving them from basic requirements even in this hour of emergency.
“This is highly deplorable that government is still reluctant to restore 4G internet service in the valley which was snapped on August 5 last year,” Mohammad Shafi a local said.
Meanwhile curfew like restrictions continued in Srinagar and elsewhere in the valley on 9th straight day with contingents of police and paramilitary deployed on roads to enforce government orders.
Roads were sealed at many places in Srinagar with spools of concertina wires and iron barricades by with police and paramilitary to curtail people’s movement.
Public transport was as usual off the roads with extremely thin movement of private vehicles could be seen plying on deserted rods.
In Srinagar police cautioned people against violating government orders and asked them to stay at home till April 15 “please stay indoors for your own safety and that of your family,” messages were being relayed through public address system fitted on vehicles.
Government has already ordered closure of all educational institutions, clubs, pubs, gardens, hotels, restaurants, health spas, indoor and outdoor stadiums in Kashmir as a precautionary measure to prevent Novel virus from spreading.
Train services from Banihal to Baramulla axis continues to remain closed following government lockdown in the valley amidst potential threat of COVID-19.
Reports reaching here from other parts of the valley including north, south and central Kashmir suggested that a total lockdown was witnessed in these districts and people stayed indoors to avoid getting contracted.