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| DB directs UT Administrations to ensure creation of proper facilities | | Representation on Coronavirus treated as PIL | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 4: The representation sent to High Court by Dr Zahoor Hussain Mir, resident of Budgam, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as a guardian of a student Heena Sugra Shabnum stated to be pursuing her higher studies in medicine at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran treated as Public Interest Litigation.
A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir High Court Jammu Wing comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal observed that emergency conditions stand created by the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) and identification of Iran as the second epicenter in the world, steps for evacuation of the Indian nationals including the children from the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are required to be undertaken by Union Govt.
When Division Bench taken-up PIL for hearing observed that before an order could be passed on the above representation, a further e-mail dated 2nd March 2020 has been received from Dr Zahoor Hussain Mir placing the criticality of the circumstances of the Indian students stranded in Iran.
DB further observed that the above communications place the dire conditions of the Indian students who are studying in Iran stated to be from Jammu and Kashmir and seek immediate assistance of the authorities. The matter requires intervention of both the Center as well as authorities of both the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Upon this Division Bench arrayed Government of India through Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India through Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation Chief Secretaries of Union Territory Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory Ladakh and Commissioner/Secretaries Health and Medical Education Department of UT J&K and UT Ladakh as party respondents and
DB further observed that it appears that Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also formalized a Containment Plan-Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) and the directions stand issued to the State/District to prepare an event specific micro-plan and to implement the containment operations. Respondent nos. 4 to 7 are bound to take steps in terms of the mandate of this Containment Plan.
DB directed Union Govt are therefore, required through the Indian Embassy in Tehran, Iran and their offices, to ensure availability of the required materials including masks, medication and essential commodities including food etc. to all Indians especially the students, who are stated to be stranded there.
DB further directed Union Govt to identify the protocol to be followed, examine the mode to forthwith implement the same and take steps for evacuation of the Indian students stranded in Iran.
DB further directed JK UT and Ladakh UT to identify and ensure creation of proper facilities for isolation and quarantine in government and private sector, testing laboratories as well as availability of the health care and medication in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for prevention of the COVID 19 disease and treatment of the persons infected/carrying the infection and also to take immediate steps for acquisition of and to ensure availability in sufficient numbers and quantity of N-95 (or any other recommended) masks, for the public and separation kits for all medical personnel and staff.
DB further directed JK UT and Ladakh UT to take immediate steps for spreading information regarding the nature of the COVID 19 infection; the manner of its spread; preventive measures and steps to be taken if an individual is infected and inform this Court with regard to the steps taken in terms of the Containment Plan issued by respondent no.2.
DB appointed Adv Monika Kohli as amicus curiae in this matter and issued notice to respondents that a report with regard to the above be placed before this Court on or before the next date.
Division Bench observed that the critical aspects pressed by Dr Zahoor Hussain Mir in his above communications pertain to the Indian students from Jammu and Kashmir who stand stranded in Iran and are stated to be facing shortage of masks, medication and essential commodities due to the shutdown imposed by the Iranian authorities. Division Bench directed that however pending evacuation, it is absolutely essential to ensure all preventive measures as well as basic requirements to the Indian students in Iran.
DB further directed that all the necessary and appropriate measures required for evacuation of the Indian students from Iran to India be initiated. Furthermore, upon evacuation to India, these children who may have been exposed to the infection, would return to their homes in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, DB observed. |
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