CM firms up lockdown, opens 'Himachal Bhawans' for stranded Himachalis
Shimla: Firming up lockdown orders, Himachal Pradesh government decided to completely quarantine the state, refusing to allow 'in or out' entry of stranded persons.
The government, however, opened up 'Himachal Bhawans' to temporarily lodge stranded Himachalis, primarily domiciles students and job-holders at Chandigarh and Delhi.
The government has been under pressure to allow return of hundreds of students stranded at different places and also those working in different towns including Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab.
"It is my humble appeal to parents not to press on this. We are also concerned on problems being faced by them. They are most welcome to return but keeping in view a larger interest to stop spread of Coronavirus infection at community level, we have decided to enforce zero mobility to the state," Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Sunday.
Himachal Bhawans at Chandigarh was opened to temporarily lodge all those students who were told by 'Paying Guest' (PG) owners to vacate the accommodations .Similarly Himachal Bhawan at Mandi house, New Delhi was also permitted to accommodate Himachalis struck-up in Delhi and nearby places including Gurgaon.
Even Director General of Police S R Mardi also made an emotional appeal to the parents to bear with the law enforcing agencies to allow their wards to pass off lockdown period at their places.
"I never wanted to share this yet telling that my two daughters are in USA .The younger one is at New york where 8,800 deaths have taken place so far and 54,000 people affected..It's currently hotspot of coronavirus . I talk to them in the morning hours and thereafter remain busy in my work whole day. I can also request you to show some patience " he said in an appeal.
Mardi made it clear that violators of lockdown orders and curfew orders will be dealt under law .It is an unprecedented situation as several countries were facing serious threat of coronavirus .Law has to prevail for everyone and no one is above the law.
He said the government has passed orders for making arrangements for food and lodging of migrant workers and others held-up due to 21-day lockdown .No one will go hungry in the state ,he assured .
Meanwhile all 17 samples tested on Sunday at Indira Gandhi Medical College ,Shimla and Dr Rajendra Prasad medical college ,Tanda (Kangra) were reported negative .Right now there is only one coronavirus positive case –a 63-year old woman at Tanda.
Under-trials released
The state government ,following orders of the Supreme Court relating to COVID -19 outbreak,decided to give a give temporary bail to the under trials for a period of three months.
A committee head by Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, a senior sitting judge of the High Court took this decision in favour of under -trials ,who were only first time offenders and facing trial for offences punishable up to seven years, and are in the custody for last three months or more.
Compile Data
Former minister G S Bali asked the government to compile data on Himachalis stranded outside the state and arrange their safe transportation to homes. " It is better to bring them under proper medical supervisions than allowing them to walk on foot and bring infection" he cautioned.
