Fearing ‘community spread’, Admn declares 5 villages in Rajouri as ‘Red Zone’

5 villages in Manjakote kept in ‘Red Zone’ for COVID-19 in Rajouri.
5 villages in Manjakote kept in ‘Red Zone’ for COVID-19 in Rajouri.

43 suspects identified, sent to quarantine centres

Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 29: Fearing ‘community spread’ of the deadly Coronavirus in Rajouri, the District Administration has declared five villages from Manjakote tehsil as `Red Zone’ while 43 identified suspects have been sent to the Quarantine centres established at the district headquarters.
Official sources said that after the first death of an elderly Moulvi from Kashmir with Coronavirus few days ago and declaration of a doctor hailing from Manjakote area of of Rajouri, as ‘positive’ after he came into Moulvi’s contact in Bari Brahmana area of Jammu recently, the District Administration declared doctor’s village and its adjoining four villages as ‘Red Zones’ and sealed the entire area.
All those villagers and family members of this retired Ayurdevic doctor, who came into his contact thereafter, have been identified and sent to the quarantine centres established at Degree College and Pahari Hostel, Rajouri town. A total 43 persons including family members of the doctor have been sent for the quarantine and screening by the Medical teams at district headquarters. Many elderly villagers, women and children have been kept in home quarantine and their movement has been strictly restricted as security forces were deployed all around the villages.
The villages which have been declared as Red Zone are- Dehri Dhara from where doctor hails, Mangal Nar, Sarola, Gambir Muglan and Kotli Kalaban in tehsil Manjakote. No body is allowed to move in or out from this cordoned area by the forces for the safety of the other people. All the people inside have to go for 14 days of quarantine and then screening/ medical tests.
Twelve other adjoining villages which have been declared as Buffer Zone and kept under strict surveillance are- Dehri Ralyot, Dabrote, Darairi, Behrote, Patrara, Galhotti, Jamoula, Kalali, Hayatpura, Rajdani, Neli, Kalaban and Majakote. While the lockdown is already going on there but more restrictions have been imposed in these areas. The Administration believes that if immediate precautions were not taken, the deadly Coronavirus may create havoc as ‘community-spread’ in Rajouri belt.
Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Nazir Sheikh when contacted said that after a doctor from Dehri Dhara village of Manjakote was declared ‘positive’, the Administration declared Dehri Dhara and adjoining four other villages as Red Zone, with alarming chances of having COVID-19 affected people. It was must to stop ‘community spread’ of this deadly virus which has threatened the entire world. The DC said not only these five villages, but 12 more adjoining villages were declared as Buffer zones as many of these villagers who came into the contact of this doctor have relatives and family friends in these localities.
Replying to a question, the Deputy Commissioner said that they are sending data and developments of each day to the top officials in the Civil Secretariat at Jammu monitoring the COVID-19 cases on day-to-day basis. The people under Red Zone are being provided every possible facility including medicines, essential supplies etc. The elderly people of the area, women and children have been kept in the home quarantine for 14 days. The medical teams have started screening of these people.
The DC further disclosed that first of all, the screening of the family members of the said doctor and people who came into his contact including villagers falling under Red Zone will be conducted, followed by those falling under Buffer Zone. This exercise will be performed shortly. Total 92 suspects have been kept in quarantine centres at Pahari Hostel and Degree College at Rajouri, he added.
When asked about the status of utilization of Rs 2 crores kept at the disposal of the Deputy Commissioners by the Government, the DC said for this a committee is being framed which would decide about the quantum of money to be utilized for medical help, food, shelters, quarantine centres and other facilities for the affected people. The district level officers including CMO, AD CAPD, ADC and other officers are the members.
Meanwhile, Sarpanch Rajdani in Manjakote has alleged shortage of food grains and other items in the area. He said about 13 labourers from outside the UT are struck in his area. The locals are providing them food but there is no help to them from the Government side. Sarpanch Javed from Kotli Kalaban also alleged shortage of ration and kerosene oil in the area. He said there is dearth of medicines at the local health centre. Even the LPG cylinders are not available in the area for the last over one week. One Sara Thakur from Samote area of Kandi also alleged shortage of ration and grocery items and appealed the Sub Divisional Administration to take cognizance of the matter .
One Nazim Shahzad, hailing from doctor’s village and kept at quarantine centre at Degree College alleged that there were no proper facilities available for the people kept there. He alleged they were provided breakfast after hue and cry at around 11.30 am today that too, a cup of tea and a small biscuit packet. No medical staff or any other visits there. Even food at lunch was not good and was merely half cooked. Worst is the condition of bath rooms, and only one bucket of water has been kept there. There are no proper bedding and under such circumstances it will not be possible for them to stay there for 14 long days.
Similar were the views of one Munshi Anwar Shah and one Zameel Ahmed from the same area. They said at least the Administration must realize that they are also human beings. Administration should provide proper facilities as the Government of India is sending huge money to the States and UTs for the purpose, they maintained.

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