Globaltoday.in|GNS|Kashmir
Srinagar, April 23 : People from Red Zone areas in Kupwara district on Thursday said that they are not being allowed to till their land and raised apprehensions of losing the harvest this year.
A number of residents of Muqam-e-Shahwali declared as Red Zone amid a growing number of COVID-19 cases, said that they are not being allowed to cultivate their agriculture land situated at Bumhama, Drugmulla, Gund, Brambri, Armpora and Shedipoda. “Most of the residents have land which falls outside the red zone area and we are not being allowed to till the land,” they told GNS.
Two persons from the area were allegedly beaten by men in uniform from venturing outside the village for agricultural purposes.
“We want to know what to do with the land. Shall we have to starve and allow the land to be barren?” they said and requested the higher authorities including Lieutenant Governor, GC Murmu , Chief Secretary and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to allow at least two members of each family to cultivate the land until the present crisis subside.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole told GNS that he will ask the deputy Commissioner Kupwara to sort-out the issue. Despite repeated attempts, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara could not be contacted.
Meanwhile, Public Health Expert at Red Zone Surveillance Divisional Control Room, Kashmir, Dr Rouf Hussain Rather Thursday advised people in COVID-19 red zones not to venture out of their homes except under medical emergencies.
He said that red zones become vulnerable as far as further transmission of the coronavirus is concerned and it becomes imperative for people to remain indoors to break the transmission chain of the disease.