New Delhi (NVI): The Government today said that foreigners who attended the Tablighi Jamat event at a mosque in Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin, had violated visa conditions. The Centre has now asked states to complete the contact tracing process of the participants at the even “on a war footing”.
The latest development in the matter took place a day after India warned against the use of tourist visas for religious activities, as authorities started hunting for those who attended the congregation despite lockdown.
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba today held a meeting via video-conferencing with all the Chief Secretaries/DGPs of the States where they were sensitised about the intensive contact tracing of Tablighi Jamat participants as this has increased the risk of containment efforts of COVID-19.
During the meeting, the States were also asked to initiate action for violation of visa conditions against the foreigners and the organizers of the Nizamuddin Markaz event which took place around mid-March.
Tableeghi Jamaat workers, both foreigners as well Indians, indulge in Tabligh activities (Chilla) across the country throughout the year, MHA said in a statement yesterday.
Various nationals, particularly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan come for Tabligh activities, it said.
Meanwhile, in today’s meeting, the States were also asked to implement the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana within the next week.
This will involve large cash transfer to beneficiaries. It should be organized in a staggered manner to ensure social distance, the government said in a statement, after the meeting.
It was also noted that lockdown is being implemented effectively all over the country. The States were asked to ensure that intra-state movement of goods is allowed without any hindrance while maintaining social distance.
“The manufacturing of essential goods should be ensured. It should also be ensured that the supply chains of such goods are maintained,” the Government said in a statement.
