Clamour for passes ahead of ‘corona curfew’ in J&K

Curfew to contain the coronavirus has been declared from Thursday evening to Monday morning.

Hundreds of locals fearing confrontation at security checkpoints during the upcoming 84-hour curfew in Jammu and Kashmir starting 7 p.m. on Thursday, rushed to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Srinagar for advance “curfew passes” to move around during the lockdown period. Among those who had lined up since the morning included scores of attendants of COVID-19 patients, and drivers of vehicles that transport essentials like milk and vegetables. “My expecting wife is to be admitted tomorrow at the Lal Ded hospital. I fear that I will not be allowed to move without a pass and asked to return at the barricades. Any argument or confrontation (with security personnel) may only lead to getting beaten up and humiliation,” said Nazeer Ghaash, a resident of Srinagar’s Buchpora.