Carefree Attitude

The country has entered unlock 2.0 and with it work has restarted for many businesses in India.  Through unlock 2.0 many restrictions are lifted and now more public activity is allowed in the ongoing pandemic. In past some days, we have witnessed a very sharp surge of COVID-19 cases in India. Yet in a phased manner steps are being taken to reopen public activity in India. The foremost reason for reopening the country is that the government wants to revive economic activity in order to ease the pain of millions of people who were pushed to the edge during the lockdown. The impact of lockdown on the Indian economy doesn’t allow the government to wait more for normalcy. Although for many sectors reopening appears faulty, there is no other option before the government to ease economic pressure.

With this reopening, we are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Already after unlock 1.0 negligent behaviour is being witnessed among Jammuites. Initially, we all were very cautious about the mask and social distancing but now these rules aren’t being followed seriously. And it is clear-cut that with such behaviour, we are again in high risk and COVID-19 cases may increase further. Need is to remain alert during such crucial times of pandemic. In Jammu a serious rethink is required because we daily notice how people are out in markets with a carefree attitude during COVID times.  Forget social distancing, in Jammu several people are seen in public places without even wearing a face mask/cover. The COVID-19 cases in Jammu are far less in comparison to Kashmir. But if any spike in cases comes in upcoming days then it would be the result of ignoring the warnings of health experts.

Up till now COVID-19 cases in J&K are not coming down so we have to make sure we don’t lower our guard against the virus.  As business and trade activities have to continue amid pandemic, we can just protect ourselves by following all precautions and the established SOPs. Recently, I saw a picture of Jammu Narwal Mandi which highlighted how hundreds of people were violating social distancing norms and a recipe for disaster was being prepared there. If any individual with symptoms of COVID-19 goes to such a crowded place then it could turn into a tragic sequence of events which may go beyond control. This is also an issue of complete negligence on part of government administration and should serve as a reminder to administration.

Although keeping our health and of everyone around us safe is a moral duty, the concerned officers should see that they don’t overlook their duty. The officers entrusted with the task of governance have a tough job these days. But there is little likelihood of people following new norms without constant vigil by the officers. A drive against such violators should be started. All such people who are found violating safety norms should be challaned as per law. In the past 3 months, human life has changed across the globe and the need is to follow the requirements of the changed situation. We have to continuously take precautions until normalcy returns and for this onus now only lies on us.

Experimenting On Emotions Of Public

J&K is doing far better than other states in controlling coronavirus. It is understandable that it is the result of the so called 'war' against corona pandemic by the government administration in Jammu and Kashmir. While doing this, the administration failed to prepare a full plan for those who fell to this deadly infection. The administration was completely unsuccessful to perform for this public cause as the families of COVID-19 victims didn’t just deal with death of their near and dear ones but also social embarrassment caused to them. We all saw how the family members of victims were denied place at cremation grounds in Jammu to perform the last rites. Initially, a case came when the family members had to run from pillar to post for cremating the mortal remains at Jogi Gate crematorium. It all started after local residents led by councilors didn’t allow cremation to take place at Jogi Gate. Such was the state of affairs that the body of the deceased was taken back to the mortuary of the GMC, Bakshi Nagar. Next day, the body was consigned to flames at Shastri Nagar cremation ground. When this victim was denied a dignified cremation, nobody in government administration stood against this episode although it reflected their failure. A cross section of people in Jammu expressed their grave resentment over this incident but this too didn’t move anyone in the local administration.

This lack of empathy in government officers led to denial of cremation place to another COVID-19 victim in Domana cremation ground. We all know the corona virus has struck fear in the minds of people, but in the Domana area humanity was ashamed as family members had to leave with the half-burnt body of the victim.  By now negligence on the part of the government administration was clear and loud but administrative lethargy further aggravated the miseries of others. Still nothing was done on humanitarian grounds by identifying proper cremation places in order to provide dignified rites to those who succumbed to COVID-19. Result of all this was another incident that took place in Sidhra where during the cremation two relatives of the victim died after falling unconscious before the pyre of victim was consigned to flames. This all happened due to lack of proper amenities and inattention on part of concerned government officers.

This third case where two more deaths happened was the most unfortunate incident. These two innocent lives were simply sacrificed as no one at helm of affairs in the past three months bothered for every COVID- 19 SOPs. The administration here is claiming to follow all SOPs yet they couldn’t ensure to identify a place for burial/ cremation.  These deaths and events which followed it reflect that attention was paid to some SOPs and as per administrative convenience. The people responsible in administration in years to come wouldn’t be able to wash the sins committed by humiliating the dead in Jammu. In order to prevent any untoward incident during last rituals, it was the most important part of the plan against COVID- 19 nonetheless the step was taken after seeing so much. When this all started the concerned officials without wasting time should have taken action. But sadly after experimenting on emotions of the public now the Chief Secretary has directed all Deputy Commissioners in J&K to identify cemetery/cremation grounds exclusively for COVID-19 victims.

All the concerned officials shouldn’t just run after the statistics for the daily official bulletin because it won’t count for public cause. All that is required is a human heart with a compassionate approach for the dead which we saw were missing in Jammu. Nothing was done to show any kindness in these difficult times to those who were infected and later died. Hereafter, with the latest direction by Chief Secretary a hope is generated that such incidents will stop forever. Nevertheless, it is required that some accountability should be fixed for all these mishandlings and justice be delivered to all who suffered this humiliation due to some government officials. The Lieutenant Governor should personally make sure that these matters are taken to a logical conclusion in order to set the system right for days ahead. The tough decision should be taken against ‘tricky decision makers’ so that some moral relief is delivered to those who suffered for no fault of theirs in this ongoing pandemic.