| Natives of Jammu-Samba, other districts coming from outside enter without testing | | Restrictions for Kathua residents at Lakhanpur irk residents | | Early Times Report
kathua, Nov 7: The number of new COVID-19 positive cases as well as mortality rate in Jammu province is still worrisome but one reason for increase could be linked to the free entry of visitors to and fro Jammu, Samba, Udhampur and other districts, who are not getting tested anywhere even at the Lakhanpur entry point.
According to employees and officials posted at Lakhanpur, only the residents hailing from district Kathua who are coming from other states, were put to test at Lakhanpur while those hailing from other districts of Jammu province in their personal vehicles are not being tested by the authorities.
"If the personal vehicle owner simply informs the officials at Lakhanpur that they have to go to Jammu, Samba, Udhampur or any other district except Kathua, they are given a separate form. After filling the form the vehicles are allowed to proceed for their native districts", an official said, adding that only those visiting the UT in public transport vehicles, have been tested at Lakhanpur.
The officials further said that though as per the official norms, the visitors of other districts have been asked to furnish their details and same have been forwarded to their native districts for COVID-19 testing at their native districts but same has not been done. "In case of Samba as well as Jammu district, those coming from other states have got free entry at Lakhanpur but are never tested along the National Highway, except those visitors with their vehicles having registration number from other states", an official said, adding that it was out of comprehension as the restrictions for merely Kathua residents have been serving what purpose.
An official pleading anonymity said that it was as per official instructions that as per capacity at Lakhanpur, only those hailing from district Kathua have been tested, while those hailing from other districts including Jammu, Samba or other districts have been allowed to go to their respective districts to get themselves tested there.
He further confirmed that those hailing from other districts, their details are recorded along with phone numbers as well as registration details of their vehicles and then allowed to go. The same details are shared with their authorities of their respective districts to get them tested, the official said.
"If the restrictions have been put in place at Lakhanpur to control COVID-19 spread then the process is totally faulty and the district administration has totally failed in making full proof arrangements as thousands of untested people have been entering Jammu province but only the residents of Kathua have been forced to face restrictions", a local said, adding that the Lieutenant Governor should intervene and either impose complete restrictions or stop unnecessary harassment of Kathua people. |
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