Outsiders entering Himachal Pradesh overstaying e-pass period, lament police

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 16

People from other states entering Himachal by obtaining e-passes for 48 hours but not returning has become a cause for concern for the state authorities.

There have been cases in Dharampur and Kasauli of Solan district when people from other states are staying back even after the expiry of their e-passes. A couple, which had come to Himachal on the plea of a death in the family, was found roaming in Dharampur. They stayed back though their e-pass period had elapsed -- the authorities are now wary that death as the reason for obtaining an e-pass could be false.

People, who do not belong to the state but own houses or flats are heading towards the hills, as they feel that the situation with regard to coronavirus is far better here than in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh or Delhi. A huge influx of people, though on valid e-passes, is visible in Bharari, Mashobra and Shoghi areas where people have bought a number of flats.

The sudden relaxation in quarantine norms, ordered by the state government and laxity in checking at the inter-state borders is becoming visible with the single day highest spike of 38 cases yesterday. “People are concealing facts and giving false reasons to obtain e-passes, so we will have to be far more stringent in allowing entry, especially to outsiders,” said a senior officer.

Though the police are keeping vigil, people are flouting the norms. “We have registered 255 cases and impounded 188 vehicles since the lockdown was imposed in Shimla district,” said Omapaty Jamwal, SP, Shimla.

Covid +ve person enters state, booked

A Covid-positive person, belonging to Ladbhadol area of Mandi district, entered the state by concealing his health condition. According to the police, the person, who had tested Covid positive on June 13, was accompanied by his mother and brother’s family. However, the state authorities got to know that he was Covid-positive when his condition deteriorated before reaching home. He sought help from his friends, who informed the authorities. While he was shifted to the Covid care hospital from Swarghat, his other family members have been placed in institutional quarantine. A case has been registered against him for endangering the lives of others