MORE RED ZONES
Administration in UT of Jammu and Kashmir has decided to isolate many localities by declaring them as red zones as more COVID-19 positive cases have surfaced. Amid all this gloom, there is a silver lining also, as four COVID-19 positive patients including a 10 year old boy were discharged from SKIMS as they recovered from the infection. This is a positive development as the minor boy is the resident of Rathpora Eidgah and had got infection in a local Masjid.
On Tuesday administration set up concrete barricades around the red zones to isolate the population with presence of the COVID-19 positive cases, evoking sharp response from locals and experts, arguing that the official response was repressive in nature.
Iron bars were erected on the main supply roads of the Natipora area, where two positive cases were reported till date, by the Srinagar Disaster Management Authority. The barricading is part of the new containment plan of the government to restrain inward and outward movement of locals in designated red zones.
While the locals are not happy with the sealing of the area, the administration has clarified that they have kept some roads open in the containment areas for the supply of essential items and other emergencies. The barricading of the localities is not happening in Srinagar city alone, but even in Kulgam two villages were declared as red zones and barricaded. All the exit and entry points have been sealed, after few villagers tested positive. Instead of going for rapid testing, the authorities are only barricading the areas and isolating the population.
