Srinagar, Apr 22: International Forum for Justice and Human Rights JK on Thursday criticized the government for failing to safeguard people from the coronavirus saying that the government has let the situation out of its own reach.
In a statement, the chairman of IFJHRJK Muhammad Ahsan Untoo said that the government allowed the parks and other public events run normally when the cases were rising. He said that the massive gatherings were allowed in Tulip Garden and Badamwari. “Instead of shutting these parks, the administration imposed night curfew which was of no use.”
Besides he said that the government allowed tourists in the valley despite the fact that cases were rising enormously in the mainland. He said that the tourists infected a number of shopkeepers and hotel staffers and hence theirs spread like wildfire.
Untoo said that while the government has now acknowledged that the situation is alarming and has come up with schedules for markets and other workplaces, it still has not addressed the issue of non-local beggars in the valley who are potentially a major threat of carrying the virus.
“Everywhere we go we see non local beggars begging without masks. What if they are infected? Who will guarantee Kashmir’s that they are not infected. The administration should immediately act and drive these Indian beggars out of the valley.”
Untoo said that in Srinagar these beggars are seen at various intersection points and traffic signals.
He asked why does not the Srinagar Municipal Corporation act against them. “The mayor goes roaming around the city and threatens shopkeepers and small business houses but has failed to act against the menace of these beggars who are potential carriers of the coronavirus,” Untoo said.