NewsGate Press Network

Two fast paced developments took place on Tuesday 07 April 2020 with regard to India’s fight against CoronaVirus and possible extension of lockdown period.

First big news came soon after meeting of Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID19 headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

According to highly places sources the Central Government might extend country-wide lockdown beyond 14 April 2020 by another week or so. However final decision rests with what Prime Minister Narendra Modi decides.

And second noteworthy news was with regard to, now considered as ‘the biggest headache’ the security and health agencies are facing  – to trace and detect the ‘super spreader of CoronaVirus’ by alleged followers of Islamic preaching community known as Tablighi Jamaat.

In this regard Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh issued a 24-hr ultimatum to hiding Tablighi Jamaat members to disclose their locations or otherwise face severe criminal charges.

(The Tablighi Jamaat members are not to be mistaken with Tihar Jail inmates similarly identified by their acronym ‘TJs’ in bureaucratic parlance)

Soon after the GOM on COVID19 had met at Rajnath Singh’s residence, sources in the North Block said that government is mulling to extend the 21-day lockdown.

Many state governments had indicated that given the spike in COVID19 positive cases emanating from TJs, it would be advisable to continue the lockdown in an attempt to break the chain of virus, sources added.

Situation in the last seven days has changed specially in wake of largescale spread of CoronaVirus cases allegedly by followers of Tablighi Jamaat members who after being afflicted with virus traveled to almost four corners of India allegedly hiding their details from police and health authorities

It may be recalled that about a week back, the Cabinet Secretary had denied that there were any plans to extend the lockdown.

The government on 07 April 2020 said total number of CoronaVirus cases are 4,421. There was an increase of additional 354 positive cases in the last 24 hours.

Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, till now 326 persons have been discharged after recovery.

Meanwhile an All India Radio (AIR) report quoted their Himachal Pradesh correspondent that state’s DGP Sita Ram Mardi in a press conference held at Shimla said that ‘FIR would be registered against Tablighi Jamaat members for the charge of attempt to murder under section 307 of IPC if they deliberately conceal  information’,  that they had taken part the controversial event of TJ’s Markaz held  in Nizamuddin Delhi in March 2020