BANDIPORA: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad on Wednesday chaired a meeting of officers and public representatives to review the arrangements to be put in place for the upcoming Muharram celebration.
On the occasion, threadbare discussion was held regarding the arrangements put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the religious activities amid coronavirus pandemic.
It was given out that special arrangements shall be made in view of the present circumstances that emerged due to COVID-19 outbreak.
Speaking on the occasion, DC stressed upon the concerned officers to make adequate arrangements with regard to uninterrupted power and water supply in respective areas.
He also directed them to work in coordination and make a viable mechanism so that the devotees may not face any inconvenience.
The DC also directed the Municipal authorities to fumigate all the vital locations viz. Imam Baras, shrines and masjids. He also directed the health authorities to make adequate arrangements and organize special camps for distributing face masks, sanitizers and immunity boosting medicines.
Dr Owais also interacted with the religious leaders and appealed them to inform people about the precautions to be taken amid Covid-19 pandemic and also appealed to them to raise awareness among people to follow all the related SOPs and guidelines so that the risk of COVID-19 infection is mitigated.
While speaking about the need and importance of the vaccination, the DC appealed to the people to get themselves vaccinated at an earliest to safeguard previous lives.
On the occasion representatives of the religious organisations raised various issues with regard to the holy month of Muharam. DC assured full support from the administration to the people.
The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohammad Zahid, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sumbal Dr Bashir Ahmad Lone, Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz, Assistant Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Bilal Ahmad, Chief Medical Officer Bandipora Dr Bashir Ahmad, District Information Officer Jahangeer Akhoon, Officers from Jammu and Kashmir Police, BDOs, Tehsildars and other senior officers of the district.