Farooq Abdullah donates Rs. 1 crore to combat COVID-19 outbreak in Jammu & Kashmir

Farooq Abdullah, who was released from his detention last week, released an amount of Rs. 1 crore to combat outbreak of COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday after first case was reported on March 19. Strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people continued for third consecutive day on Saturday in Kashmir to contain spre of pandemic. 

Out of Rs. 1 crore donated by National Conference (NC) chief and Srinagar MP Rs 50 lakh has been earmarked for SKIMS Srinagar and Rs 25 lakh each for Budgam and Ganderbal districts, party anunced through twitter. 

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Only government and essential services employees with valid identity cards, media persons, and people with health emergency were allowed to move on streets in Kashmir. Police asked people to stay indoors and maintain social distancing through public dress systems. Most markets across valley were shut, public transport was off ros and train services were suspended. Educational institutes and public places such as gymnasiums, parks, clubs, and restaurants have been shut down. measures have been taken after a 67-year-old woman from Khanyar area of Srinagar, who returned to city on March 16 from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, tested positive for COVID-19.

On Thursday, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir wrote to PM to direct   J&K ministration to restore 4G internet services in Valley. He pointed out that with restrictions imposed in Valley, post abrogation of Article 370, students of Union Territory were alrey finding it difficult to study. With ditional restrictions imposed in Valley to fight Coronavirus (COVID-19), he said it was impossible for students and people to work/study from home without fast internet services. valley has reported four cases - one positive.

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Situation in Kashmir

Union territory ministration has alrey declared COVID-19 an epidemic, imposing section 144 in certain areas. ministration has also barred all foreign visitors from visiting Valley and stopped all pilgrims to Shri Mata Vaish Devi Shrine. Shutting down all schools, educational institutes, restaurants, hotels, gyms, swimming pools till March 31, ministration has also all foreign tourists or visitors arriving in J&K will be quarantined, including all travellers coming from Union Territory of Lakh.

Since abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, mobile internet speed in Jammu and Kashmir was increased on Friday in view of growing demand for restoration of 4G services in wake of coronavirus scare, officials said. On February 25, 2G mobile internet services were extended in newly turned union territory citing 'security concerns.' Earlier on Saturday, Hurriyat Conference's Mirwaiz Umar Farooq demanded restoration of 4G internet in Kashmir in wake of outbreak.

While former chief minister Farooq Abdullah was released from detention on March 13, or mainstream leers including former CMs -Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and ors including Shah Faesel, Naeem Akhtar, Ali Mohamm Sagar, and Sarah Mni have been detained under draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) by Jammu-Kashmir ministration for almost eight months w. 

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