COVID-19: Pulwama has now 16 Red Zone villages

PULWAMA — As two new positive cases of COVID-19 surfaced in the district, the district authorities in Pulwama today declared Rahmoo, Gusso and Frasipora villages of Tehsil Rajpora and Reshipora, Chirat, Monviji, Banderpora Chirat, Wandakpora, Kakapora town of Tehsil Kakapora Red Zones including Mirgund, Zaigam, Mitirigam, Chewa Kalan, Wahibugh, Tujan and Thokerpora as Buffer Zones in Tehsil Rajpora while Galbugh, Lelhar, Hajibal, Ratnipora of Tehsil Kakapora and Goripora from Awantipora Tehsil as Buffer Zones.

These precautionary measures were taken as two persons from Rahmoo and Reshipora villages were detected positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, a portion of IGC Lassipora falling within a radius of 300 meters from Al-Noor CA Store situated in Tehsil Litter has also been declared Red Zone while Lassipora, Armpora, Tantraypora, Petipora and remaining portion of the IGC Lassipora Estate were declared Buffer Zones for containing the spread of COVID-19 infection in the area.

Invoking prohibitory orders under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, Section 144 of the CrPC and Disaster Management Act 2005, district authorities said that there would be no inward and outward movement of any person from the villages declared as Red Zone and the people shall stay indoors to ensure complete lockdown. Authorities also warned of stern action against violators as per provision of relevant Acts.

The order was issued in view of two COVID-19 positive cases from Rahmoo and Reshipora, who have visited few places prior to moving to their native villages, due to which several pockets in the district have become vulnerable as far as transmission of the COVID-19 virus is concerned.

Authorities added that door to door survey has been started by village surveillance and containment committees and all the contacts are being traced and quarantined accordingly.

The authorities said that it becomes imperative to take stringent precautionary measures including declaring villages as Red Zone and surrounding villages as Buffer Zone to break transmission of the disease in the area.

District authorities directed the officials concerned to ensure supply of essential commodities as per laid down protocols in the villages falling in Red Zones and Buffer Zones.

Earlier, seven villages which include Khaigam, Sangerwani, Abhama of Tehsil Rajpora and Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena and Parigam of Tehsil Pulwama were declared Red Zones and are under restrictions.

The people have been advised to abide by the orders as any violation will invoke Section 269 IPC (unlawfully or negligently doing something which is likely to spread infection of any dangerous disease to life), Section 270 IPC (malignant act likely to spread infection of dangerous disease to life), Section 271 IPC (knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule) and Section 188 IPC (for disobeying the government orders).

To ensure coordination, joint control rooms with dedicated nodal officers have been established and people from Red Zone areas have been asked to contact 24×7 COVID Control Room (01933-240412, 01933-240912) for COVID-19 queries and emergencies.

Moreover, people hailing from the Red Zone villages have been asked to contact round the clock (24×7) District Emergency Control Room in case of any grievance regarding the essential services and other related issues on landline (01933-240354).