Pictures from Nizamuddin Markaz reveal lack of social distancing

Pictures from inside the Nizamuddin Markaz, which have now surfaced, show members of the Tablighi Jamaat in close proximity to each other, and not following the social distancing norms even after the lockdown was announced.

New Delhi:With several fresh COVID-19 positive cases across India now being traced back to the Nizamuddin Markaz, pictures have now emerged which show members of the Tablighi Jamaat not following social distancing measures even after the lockdown.

The fresh pictures and video from inside the Markaz, which have now surfaced, show scores of men in close proximity to each other. The visuals are from a time after the lockdown orders were put in place, which show that the Jamaat members were not following the social distancing measures.

Earlier yesterday, the Delhi government informed that the Nizamuddin Markaz has totally been evacuated.

"After 36 hours of operation with the help of medical staff, DTC till 4 a.m. whole building has been emptied. A total of 2361 persons were found out of which 617 have been admitted to the hospitals, and the rest of them have been quarantined," Delhi deputy chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted.

Read:36 hours operation, 2,361 evacuated from Markaz: Sisodia

Tablighi Jamaat Markaz, which is fast emerging as the epicentre of the pandemic in the national capital, has been booked for violating the Epidemic Act provisions and also IPC Section 120B (criminal conspiracy).

It said that Tablighi Jamaat workers, both foreigners as well Indians, indulge in Chilla activities across the country throughout the year. All such foreign nationals normally report their arrival at Tablighi Markaz at Banglewali Mosque in Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi.

From here, they are detailed for Chilla activities to different parts of the country. Chilla activities in all states are coordinated by district coordinators in different districts, and these in turn, in some states are supervised by state 'amirs'.

(With inputs from IANS)