Eid-ul-Adha: Lockdown eased in Kashmir Valley

To overcome the shortage of sacrificial animals, the divisional administration has directed for throwing Mughal road open exceptionally for ferrying these animals for Eid-ul-Adha.

The administration took a series of decisions in view of Eid-ul-Adha during a meeting chaired by the Divisional Commissioner, P K Pole recently. During the meeting, police authorities have been asked to prepare a separate security plan on the eve of the festival, which will be celebrated on August 01.

“To overcome the shortage of sacrificial animals in the valley, Mughal Road shall be thrown open exceptionally for ferrying these animals for Eid and no passenger vehicle is allowed to ply on the road. Deputy Commissioner, Shopian shall deploy magistracy in this regard at the three identified locations. Besides, Deputy Commissioners of Rajouri and Poonch shall be taken on board for the purpose,” the meeting decided.

Pole in a meeting has told Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone and Deputy Commissioners that lockdown shall be eased on 28, 29, & 30th of July 2020 in Kashmir Valley so that people shall be able to purchase the goods essential commodities and no public transport except passenger auto/personnel vehicle shall ply on roads. “Besides, the Deputy Commissioners shall locally take call on the issue with regard to pattern of opening of market on these days keeping in view the SOP/guidelines of COvid-19,” Pole has further directed.

In the meeting, the Deputy Commissioners were asked to identify the suitable places for the sale of sacrificial animals keeping in view COVID-19 Pandemic and general public shall be made aware through media PAS that no sale/purchase of these animals shall be allowed from 31" of July 2020. Besides, it shall be ensured that the rates fixed by the government are implemented in letter and spirit. “Moreover, all the Deputy Commissioners shall explore the possibility of distribution of pamphlets (Dos and don'ts) viz-a-viz Covid-19. Besides, big size hoardings shall be displayed/erected at the identified locations,” the meeting decided, News agency KNO reported.

The Divisional Commissioner further asked all the Deputy Commissioner to conduct a capacity building programme well before Eid ul Adha under the supervision of Epidemiologist /Physician for imams and PRI/UL members with regard to precautions to be taken for containment of Covid-19 while distributing the sacrificial meat.

“All the Deputy Commissioners and SSPs shall ensure that the shop keepers are following all the covid-19 related SOPs in letter and spirit, and in-case of any violation such shop keepers shall be booked under relevant provisions of law,” the meeting further decided.

The Joint rigorous market checking teams comprising of FCS&CA Deptt, Revenue, Police, SMC, Legal Metrology and Drug & Food Safety Standards Deptt shall ensure market checking to curb profiteering black marketing of essential commodities by traders (wholesalers/retailers) and ensure availability of essential commodities like Mutton, Chicken, Vegetables, fruits, Bakery and confectionery etc in the markets as per the notified rates with standard quality and maintenance of better relations between Administration and the general public in following the covid-19 SOPs and guidelines.

Furthermore, Controller, Drug and Food Safety Organization was directed by the chair to ensure that the standard quality of food items like Bakery & confectionery products, snacks, soft drinks, spices and other food stuffs are available in the Market. KPDCI has been asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply on the eve of Eid ul Adha. Besides, it shall he ensured that all damaged transformers he made functional well before the Eid.

The PHE department was also asked to take adequate measures for providing of water supply on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha. “Ensure availability of Water through tankers at the places where needed. Besides, the tanker supply shall be enhanced to the areas suffering due to the breach of Malshaibagh Cannal,” Chief Engineer PHE Kashmir was directed.

The meeting also asked the FCS&CA department to make all possible arrangements for availability of ration i.e. Rice, Atta, Sugar, K-oil and LPG cylinders in buffer stock on these occasions as per notified rates and standard quality, Besides, Nodal Officers shall be nominated (by name) for the purpose.

Furthermore, it was decided that all the masjids and shrines shall remain closed for Namaaz, while SMC and ULB were asked to launch cleanliness drive at all the mosques and shrines in Srinagar and Valley well before the Eid ul Adha. Besides, they will also ensure that all street lights are made functional, the meeting decided.

The SMC was also directed to ensure frequent checks of the markets to ensure availability of quality food products like mutton, chicken, bakery, milk, vegetables, fruits etc in Srinagar city on the already fixed rates and in-case of violation such persons shall be booked. Besides, a special sanitation drive shall also be conducted at Eid Gah Srinagar.

Sheep Husbandry Department was asked to ensure that the sufficient Sacrificial animals (sheep goals) are available in the market as per the notified rates on the spots identified by concerned Deputy Commissioners.

Director Animal Husbandry was directed to ensure the availability of poultry birds on notified rates.

Meanwhile, Police authorities were asked to prepare a separate security plan on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha while traffic department was asked to prepare routine management plan on 28, 29 and 30th of July 2020.

Fire and Emergency Department shall keep available Fire tenders at all the fire stations, besides a mock drill shall also be conducted at all the fire stations, the meeting decided.

Meanwhile, all the departments have been asked to adhere to the COVID-19 SOPs and guidelines and implement them on ground in letter and spirit. “Ensure strict compliance as per the decisions taken. The essential commodities shall be made available as per notified rates and standard quality,” the meeting decided.

Reported By Wahid Bhat, He is a Journalist based in Jammu and Kashmir.

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