Six villages locked down in Garhshankar

Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi

Garhshankar, March 20

The district administration has barred the entry of outsiders to six villages — Moranwali, Aiman Jattan, Binjhon, Sooni, Noorpur Jattan and Posi — amid Covid scare.

On learning that an elderly person at Moranwali village was in touch with the 70-year-old Nawanshahr man, who died in Banga hospital two days ago, the authorities cordoned off the villages. Dr Raghuveer Singh, SMO, PHC, Moranwali, told mediapersons that after Moranwali village resident showed symptoms, he was admitted to the isolation ward of the Civil Hospital, Hoshiarpur. All villagers are being screened.

Apart from this, an announcement was made in gurdwaras and temples that the villagers are not supposed to come out of their houses.

Meanwhile, one more elderly person from Garhshankar village was admitted to the isolation ward. His son was also taken to Hoshiarpur for check-up.

Civil Surgeon, Hoshiarpur, Dr Jasvir Singh confirmed that there were two persons in the isolation ward and their samples had been sent for testing. Six more persons from different villages of Garhshankar were sent to Hoshiarpur for investigation after they showed Covid symptoms.

Garhshankar DSP Satish Kumar said police personnel had been deployed in all villages. No outsider was allowed to enter these areas.

SDM Harbans Singh said Section 144 had been imposed in six villages of Garhshankar under the directions of the DC and the people had been advised to stay at home.

Meanwhile, six more persons were sent to Hoshiarpur for check-up. One is a resident of Nangal, whose father is also in the isolation ward. Three persons from Binewal village and two from Malkowal have also been sent to Hoshiarpur.

Forced shutdown triggers panic

• Muktsar: The district administration, accompanied by police personnel, forced shopkeepers to shut their establishments in Muktsar, Gidderbaha and Malout.
• However, exemption was given to those running grocery stores, eating joints, dairies, medical stores and vegetables shops.
• The maximum impact of the forced lockdown was witnessed in Gidderbaha, where locals are panicky.
• “We are already worried as Janta Curfew has been announced. Now, the administration has locked down most cities. People are buying essentials in bulk,” a resident said.
• To check hoarding, the district administration has deputed officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.
• With the District Administrative Complex shut, a number of people had to return without getting their works done.
• “I need ‘jamabandi’ of my land, but the work has been stopped till further orders. I am already distressed and this has aggravated my woes,” said Jagroop Singh, a farmer.
• Earlier in the day, Health Department officials conducted a mock drill at various places to deal with Covid cases. TNS

STATE TRACKER

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