Sec 144 imposed at Karimnagar collector's office , 13 more shifted to Gandhi Hospital

By Coreena Suares  Published on  19 March 2020 9:32 AM GMT
Sec 144 imposed at  Karimnagar collectors office , 13 more shifted to Gandhi Hospital

Telangana: Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been imposed around Karimnagar district's collector office. This comes, a day after eight Indonesians of the 13 member group, were tested positive for CoronaVirus, taking the number of active cases to 12 in the state. To note, the foreign nationals who were on a religious tour in India, spent two days in Karimnagar beginning March 14th, 2020.

On March 13th, the group boarded AP Samparkranti train (12708) from Hazrat Nizamuddin Station in Delhi and reached Ramagundam, the following day. Reportedly, the group proceeded to Karimangar via road, they traveled by autos.

Speaking to this correspondent, an official serving at the Karimnagar Collector's office (on condition of anonymity) said, " The 13 are religious preachers from Indonesia, the purpose of their visit was to meet senior leaders of their community in the district. The group stayed at a worship place in Mukurampuram (a stone throw away from the collector's office). They visited a few homes, shops and hotels during their two days stay, besides holding religious activities which include visiting homes of the senior community members '.

The officer further adds, " Towards the end of the first day, that is March 14, 2020, one of them fell ill, the man with cold and cough, approached the district Civil hospital. The doctors had difficulty in understanding the man following a language barrier. It was then, the nationality of the patient was disclosed. The district health medical officials advised him to approach Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad, where he was subsequently confirmed the fifth case positive for CoronVirus'.

A few days later, on March 18th, the Telangana government confirmed that seven more positive cases, all Indonesians. The number of active CoronaVirus cases in the state stands at 12 ( the first patients has been discharged and recovering)

Notably, the Karimnagar Police had no information on the Indonesians attending religious meetings in the district, they were on a visit visa. A senior police officer serving in the Karimnagar Commissionerate, confirmed to NewsMeter, that no permission was sought or granted to hold religious meetings in the district between 13- 16 March 2020.

Around 13 from Karimnagar shifted to Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad

The district health officials have launched a door-to-door survey analyzing the health of the residents. On day one, 13 persons have been shifted to Hyderabad, including the auto driver who ferried the group, besides others who moved closely with the Indonesians. A majority of the shops are temporarily shut. Mr.K. Bhavin, a resident of Karimnagar told NewsMeter, " During the afternoon, all shops were asked to shut down, wedding schedules for today saw a hand full of guests. Citizens have been asked to remain indoors and venture only in case of an emergency. Every 1 kilometer Police personnel have been pressed in'.

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