In Covid war, religious leaders to administration aid in Malerkotla

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, July 3

Several religious leaders are playing an important role in helping the authorities enforce lockdown in Malerkotla. Today the administration announced a lockdown in the town on Saturday and Sunday to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

As per the latest bulletin of the Health Department, Sangrur has 169 active cases of Covid, while 14 patients have lost their lives. But the gravity of situation in Malerkotla can be gauged from the fact that of the total number of patients, 86 are from Malerkotla and 11 of the deceased also belonged to the town.

Though civil and police authorities have been trying to convince residents to follow guidelines, it seems impossible without the help of local religious leaders.

“We all must follow the directions of officials as they are working for our safety. I appeal to all city residents to get themselves tested,” said Ertiqaul Hasan, Mufti Azam, Punjab, while addressing locals through a video message released on Friday.

Apart from releasing videos on the social media, the religious leaders are also visiting various affected areas. Narinderpal Singh, a member of the management committee of Gurdwara Haa Da Naara Sahib, said they had regularly been visiting containment and buffer zones to convince residents to follow the directions of the government.

“Without the help of religious leaders, no one can maintain peace in the area as officials are not familiar with the narrow lanes,” said Manjit Singh Brar, SP.