Aatif Qayoom

Srinagar, Mar 22 (KNS): Amid the swelling number of coronavirus cases in India, people across the Kashmir region observed the ‘janata curfew’ on Sunday on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The nation-wide ‘Janata Curfew’ was observed across the kashmir region on Sunday as the shutdown is near total as most people remained indoors.
Officials said that Janata Curfew got an unexpected response from all walks of life in the entire region,.
In kashmiri region , all the roads including the summer capital lal chowk wore a deserted look right from the morning with only those involved in essential services like milk vendors, policemen and scribes stepping out. Policemen in Srinagar were seen holding placards that read “ “Avoid social gatherings” and the likes, sending a strong message to the people not only for the day but for the days to come in battling the deadly virus that has claimed thousands of lives across the globe.
Reports from the districts said life had come to a standstill with people remaining indoors, and shops and other business establishments remaining shut. There was no movement of vehicles on both national and state highways.
Primer minister Narinder Modi in his address to the nation on Thursday, had appealed the countrymen to observe ‘janata curfew’ on Sunday from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm, avoiding social meeting and urging people to avoid all ‘non-essential’ travel.
"If possible, please call at least ten people every day and tell them about the 'janta curfew' as well as the measures to prevent coronavirus. Restrain is compulsory to protect ourselves and remain healthy. I request that for the coming weeks people should go out of their homes only if essential," PM Modi had said.
Meanwhile reports also said the strict restrictions across the Kashmir region will continue to combat with the covid 19. (KNS)