Srinagar, Mar 9: From canceling Holi celebrations to screening soldiers returning from home, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have gone into an overdrive to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus among its ranks.
The top brass of Army, CRPF, BSF, and Police have directed the field commanders to take all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
To start with, the army and CRPF have canceled Holi gatherings across Jammu and Kashmir. Plus medical examination of soldiers is being regularly conducted in the camps.
“Our medical department has passed some directions which need to be followed under such circumstances. As a precautionary measure, we even avoided public gathering for Holi celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir,” Lieutenant Colonel Abhinav Navneet, defence spokesman at Northern Command Headquarters, told The Kashmir Monitor.
Lieutenant Colonel Navneet said the personnel returning from home are being screened before joining their battalions. “There are routine check-ups for jawans and all the steps are being taken to keep camps or posts in a very hygienic condition,” he said.
CRPF too has stepped up efforts to prevent the spread of infection. Officials said regular sessions are being held in camps to aware personnel about measures for combating infection.
“We constantly counsel our forces to ensure washing their hands and avoiding gatherings. A medical team is active to keep track of the health of jawans. Personnel returning from leave are taken to the medical room for various tests and check-ups,” said spokesperson CRPF Neeraj Rathore.
Rathore said they have also provided safety gear including face masks and hand sanitizers to the soldiers. “We are following measures to ensure good health of our jawans,” he said.
Border Security Forces and Sashatra Seema Bal are also taking different measures to fight coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said forces have been asked to report any sort of infection with the medical department in Ladakh and Jammu region.
Jammu and Kashmir police also have launched an awareness campaign across the police stations. An official said all the police stations have been directed to maintain hygiene.
“A cleanliness drive including fumigation of buildings is conducted in every police station. Similarly, the policemen are directed to wash their hands regularly and use masks in crowded places,” he said.
