Srinagar: On the first day of the third phase of lockdown, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed some main events during the day.
CIVIL SECRETARIAT
After working for six months in Jammu, the Civil Secretariat opened partially in Jammu and Kashmir summer capital, Srinagar amid lockdown imposed to prevent further spread of novel Coronavirus.
However, the civil secretariat in Srinagar will work partially and only employees from the Kashmir valley will attend to offices on a rotation basis to maintain social distancing protocols for prevention of COVID-19.
The Jammu wing of the Civil Secretariat will be open and employees residing in Jammu region will attend to the offices there on a rotation basis.
A complete Darbar Move will take place on June 15 depending on the COVID-19 situation then.
Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu was given 'Guard of Honor' by police. But the media persons were not allowed to cover it due to COVID-19 protocols. Tight security arrangements were in place in and around the civil secretariat.
This is for the first time in the 148 years of Darbar Move history when it could not be shifted completely to Srinagar. As part of the practice of the Dogra monarch Maharaja Ranbir Singh, the civil secretariat would work for six months each in Jammu and Srinagar.
VALLEY DECLARED RED ZONE
The Jammu and Kashmir administration today declared all 10 districts of the Kashmir valley as the red zone, while three districts in Jammu region-Jammu, Samba and Kathua- were kept in this zoning.
The central government on Saturday had declared only four districts- Srinagar- Anantnag, Bandipora and Shopian- as Red Zones.
According to the government order, all ten districts of Kashmir province and three districts - Jammu, Kathua, Samba of Jammu province have been categorised as Red zones. Reasi, Udhampur, Ramban and Rajouri are placed in Orange zone while Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch are in the Green Zone.
Jammu and Kashmir has so far reported 701 cases, of which 406 are active positive, 287 have recovered and eight have died.
NIGHT CURFEW IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced imposing a curfew on the movement of the people from 7 pm to 7 am from Monday onwards.
"Prohibitions (Curfew) on movement in all areas between 7 pm and 7 am. No movement without passes. Medical emergencies exempted," J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, the Srinagar district administration today announced that the restrictions placed in the city following the outbreak of COVID-19 will continue till May 20.
"The step has been taken in view of the prevailing health situation in the district. There will be complete restrictions on the public movement, business operation and other non-essential activities till May 20," District Development Commissioner (DDC) Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told ETV Bharat.
He asserted that the large part of the district is notified as either COVID-19 containment or red zone thus it becomes imperative all ongoing restrictions must be extended.
However, according to DDC, there will be relaxation for people associated with essential services as they have been issued movement passes.
"There will be strict action against anyone found misusing the pass," Dr Choudhary said, adding that the restrictions on movement have further being tightened in red zones and the violators will attract strict proceedings and action under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and Section 51 of National Disaster Management Authority Act (Punishment for obstruction of order).
BAN ON 4G INTERNET
4G internet has been banned in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5 last year, the day when the central government read down Article 370 of the constitution and divided the erstwhile state into two Union Territories-JK and Ladakh.
Hearing a petition on removing the ban on 4G internet, the supreme court today reserved the order about the matter.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice NV Ramana heard the petitions led by ‘Foundation of Media Professionals’, ‘Private Schools Association of J&K’ and Soayib Qureshi via video conferencing.
“We will pass appropriate orders in the case,” Justice Ramana said.
While the 2G services and broadband have been restored, 4G services still remain suspended.
