Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today pressed drones into service in Srinagar as well as other parts of the Valley to monitor the COVID-19 situation and make people aware of the restrictions imposed by administration in wake of novel coronavirus pandemic.
At Lal Chowk here today, cops were seen using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to urge people to remain in their homes, through a speaker attached to the drone.
“People are requested to remain indoors as administration has imposed some precautionary curbs for their well-being. Your stay at home is the remedy of COVID-19,” police told locals while making announcements.
These drones are also being used to check whether there are any violations of prohibitory orders, police said.
Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar, Haseeb Mughal told media that isolation is important and they have asked people to remain confined to their homes. “Through drones, we are appealing people to remain inside and avoid social gatherings,” he said.
He further said that to contain the virus, the administration has imposed section 144 in the whole Valley including Srinagar to restrict the movement of people.
Yesterday, Inspector General of Police, Vijay Kumar (IPS) said that thermal capability-based drones are being pressed in service to track the movement of people.
He also appealed people not to come out in view of the lockdown announced by the government.
Jammu and Kashmir Government has already declared COVID-19 an epidemic and has ordered the closure of all establishments and services except essential commodities and services till March 31.
