Bhat Yasir
The Manoranjan cum Exhibition Mela, which is going on amid COVID-19 in Pattan, sub division of Baramulla district is raising serious questions.
The locals, here, raised several questions over the mela (funfair event) which has been witnessing huge gathering of visitors while no Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) are being followed.
The visitors are enjoying the mela but at the same time, also violating SOPs in front of the administration’s eyes. Face masks and social distance like guidelines are being openly violated by these visitors. Meanwhile, it is said that the Mela will continue upto a month.
Some locals, raising serious concern over the huge gathering, asked that if the schools had been closed by the administration, citing COVID-19 as a threat to the students’ health, how was the permission for organising ‘Manoranjan Mela’ amid COVID-19 in Pattan granted?
Although at various points in the Mela itself, the banners bearing slogans of “No Mask, No Ride” and “Without Mask Fine Rs 500,” have been hung, seldom are such rules adhered to.
“Law is in the pocket of administrators of Kashmir,” Adil Nazir Khan, a socio-political activist, told The Kashmiriyat.buy vigora online https://www.adentalcare.com/wp-content/themes/medicare/languages/en/vigora.html no prescription “There is no rule of law for government programmes and government permitted programmes,” he told us.
“Covid-19 is only for schools and colleges, and there is no Covid for the ‘Manoranjan Melas’ and other such programmes,” he added.
A local, Ghulam Hassan – Anesthesia Assistant by profession, while talking to The Kashmiriyat said that if the schools and religious places were closed amid COVID-19 how was this mela allowed to be organised.
“Everyday, I hear the administration warning people in Srinagar areas to wear masks. Can COVID-19 not reach Pattan, where SOP’s are being violated?,” Gh. Hassan said.
Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, President of Doctors Association Kashmir, told The Kashmiriyat that “This can be disastrous at the time when experts are predicting third wave of COVID-19.”
“There is no vaccine for below 18 population and thus, they are more susceptible to this virus,” he said, adding that “Such events where people gather shouldn’t be allowed to happen at all”.
As per a document (a response by Executive Officer of MC Pattan to fhe SDM), a copy of which lies with The Kashmiriyat, the Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee has said, “The issue was discussed with Hon’ble President, MC Pattan who as issued the directions that this MC has no objection if the exhibition and amusement park is installed by Mohammad Aslam Prop. MAK Trading Co. R/O Bla. at new Bus stand Pattan”.
“Subject to NOC from concerned Police Station and the applicant will Pay the fee of Rs 1000/= per day with an advance of 15 Days,” the document further reads.
It is unfortunate that in the letter, there was no statement in regard to COVID-19 SOPs, which indicates that MC has perhaps forgotten the deadly COVID-19 virus.
When The Kashmiriyat contacted SDM Pattan, he said, “They have been asked to maintain all COVID-19 related precautions or else they won’t be allowed if any violation comes to the fore.”
In a recent order by the Jammu Kashmir administration, the indoor/outdoor gathering has been strictly restricted to 25 after the administration observed an uneven trend in COVID-19 cases.
The administration, in the same order, has said that the schools below 10th standard shall remain closed and educational institutions have been permitted to direct attendance of vaccinated staff for administrative purposes only.