People have to understand the magnitude of the problem: DGP

Jammu, March 27 (GNS): Director General of Police J&K Dilbag Singh has said that people have to understand the magnitude of the situation we are in and cooperate with dealing agencies to fight the deadly COVID-19. General public must understand the purpose of lockdown.

The DGP said that the impact of COVID-19 is not seen only in Jammu and Kashmir but across the world. He said that the day when the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi appealed for the Janta Curfew, Jammu and Kashmir Police along with civil administration, Health department and all other essential organisations started taking measures to contain the spread of this deadly disease.

He said besides the lockdown, Jammu and Kashmir police immediately launched awareness drive to aware people about the dangers of this virus as people largely were not aware about the dangers of it and added that people have to co-operate in breaking the chain of this deadly virus. 

He said that in the initial stage of the lockdown there were some people who were not aware about the virus but as the time is passing people get educated and are cooperative. He said that at times Police has to be harsh but that is for betterment of the community.

The DGP said that thousands of J&K Police personnel along with other security forces are on ground to make sure that the orders issued from time to time by the Governments are being adhered to by the general people.  He said to ensure the lockdown 329 FIRs were lodged against the violators and 600 vehicles/ shops were seized for non-compliance of the orders by the authorities and added that some persons arrested by the Police were later on released after detailed briefing about the threat posed by the virus.

He said that to create awareness about the Coronavirus on large scale short audio clips in Urdu, Kashmiri and Dogri languages were posted on social media sites, loud speakers were used at Police station and Police post levels to make the people aware even in the remote areas of the villages about the preventive measures and to make them understand that staying at home is the best remedy to tackle this disease. He said that the messages of social, political and religious leaders were also used to promote the preventive measures and social distancing.

The DGP said that Police along with Civil administration has started to find out all those persons who are hiding their travel history at a large scale and added that till now 1200 such persons were identified from different places who either have international travel history or have come in contact with such persons.

He said that about 300 Police personnel batch who were outside the Union Territory for training purpose have been put under quarantine. He said no one is being spared as this is the only preventive measure in our hands to check each and every one. He said that people must understand that one infected person can be harmful for the whole community.

Referring to the death of a man caused by COVID-19 in Srinagar, the DGP said that people have to understand the magnitude of the problem and follow the protocol strictly.

He said that help lines at different levels have been established by the police department and we are encouraging people to come forward in helping us to identify those doubtful persons who have any type of suspicious travel history. He said that about 200 to 400 anonymous calls were received by these help lines which helped Police and civil administrations.

Singh said that people don’t have to panic as our thousands of officers and Jawans are on ground and every possible assistance and help will be provided as and when required. He said besides fighting the deadly virus all the necessary security arrangements are also in place across Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Police today lodged 30 numbers of FIRs across the Union Territory. In Kashmir zone 26 FIRs were registered against the violators that include four each in Srinagar, Shopian and Handwara, three each in Pulwama and Baramulla, two each in Awantipora and Bandipora, one each in Ganderbal, Kupwara, Sopore and Kulgam. Similarly in Jammu zone four FIRs one each in Samba, Udhampur, Reasi and Poonch has been registered against the violators.

Meanwhile to encourage voluntary disclosure of people with travel history Police in Nagrota, Jammu ropes in Panchayat Raj Institutions & volunteers to have door to door appeal to trace out such people. So far 32 such people have been traced. (GNS)