Pampore: Tehsil administration Pampore on Tuesday sealed 16 shops on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Lethpora area of Pampore Tehsil in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district for violation of lockdown orders.
Officials told Kashmir Reader that they were receiving information from people that some dry fruit shops were violating lockdown orders by keeping their shops open in view of COVID-19.
A team of officials from revenue department Pampore led by Tehsildar Pampore ,Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din, reached the spot and sealed 16 shops during a raid for violation of lockdown norms, officials said.
Officials said that the shopkeepers were selling dry fruits and saffron to tourists.
They added that during the purchase the tourists would crowd the shops without any regard for COVID-19 SOP’s.
The officials further said that Lethpora village is witnessing a surge in positive cases.
” The density of COVID-19 positive cases has increased in Lethpora village, we were receiving complaints that shopkeepers along national highway keep their shops open,” Tehsildar Pampore, Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din told Kashmir Reader, adding that they carried out a surprise inspection during which they found around 16 shops dealing in dry fruits and saffron open.
” The shops were sealed and a fine under relevant laws will be imposed on them,” he said.
The Tehsildar appealed to people to follow SOP’s and comply with government orders for containing the spread of COVID-19.

BILAL HABIB