Influx of outside labourers without COVID-19 test poses threat to people of Kashmir

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Influx of outside labourers without COVID-19 test poses threat to people of Kashmir

People demand action against violators of law, enforcement of lockdown in real sense

7/20/2020 12:09:17 AM

Jehangir Rashid

Early Times Report

SRINAGAR, July 19: At a time when the Kashmir valley is witnessing a tremendous spike in Corona Virus cases the people of valley are perturbed following a huge influx of labourers from different parts of country that too without the mandatory COVID-19 test.
Over the past many days reports are pouring in that labourers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chattisgarh and others have arrived in the Kashmir valley through the Srinagar-Jammu national highway without the necessary COVID-19 test. These labourers have already reached their work places with the locals expressing fear about their own health now.
A video that went viral on social media today has sent shock waves among the people since the people interviewed in the video say that they have not been put to necessary COVID-19 test despite entering the Kashmir valley. The people who have been interviewed say that the COVID-19 test was not carried on them and they don’t posses any COVID-19 negative certificate.
“It is highly shocking that people of Kashmir are not allowed to move out freely as the authorities say that lockdown has been enforced for their safety. If this is the case then how come the outsiders enter the valley and that too with the Corona Virus test?” questioned a group of locals while sharing their views with Early Times.
The outside labour force has already reached various brick kilns in the Kashmir valley where they used to work as labourers before lockdown hit the world earlier this year. Most of the brick kilns are located in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district and South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Majority of the bricks that are used for construction in Kashmir are received from these brick kilns.
At the same time the masses have voiced their concern over the lackadaisical attitude of some people who move around without any rhyme and reason and that too without wearing the mask and not following the social distancing norms. The masses demanded enforcement of lockdown in real sense and action against people who violate standard operating procedure (SOP).
“It is quite astonishing that the decision of enforcing the lockdown is being taken by the concerned Deputy Commissioner. The decision in this regard has to be communicated from the office of Chief Secretary. Once the directions come from the top the respective Divisional Commissioners along with the Deputy Commissioners would follow them in letter and spirit,” said a group of people.
The people voiced their concern over the free flow of movement of people in the Kashmir valley and demanded that stern action needs to be taken against the violators of law. They said the process of imposing fine on the violators of law needs to be streamlined and taken seriously so that the same acts as a deterrent.

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