Delhi Police Cordon Off Nizamuddin Area As People Show Covid-19 Symptoms; Delhi Govt Orders FIR Against Maulana

"After we learnt that such an event was organised, we served notice to them for violating prohibitory orders and restrictions imposed owing to lockdown," a senior police official said.

Paramilitary personnel cordon off an area in Nizamuddin, where several people showed symptoms of coronavirus. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Over 300 people in the national capital were taken to different hospitals on Monday afternoon to be tested for the deadly Coronavirus after gathering at a mosque a few days ago. Reportedly, the gathering was attended by visitors from Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan. As per latest update, one man has died and 10 more have been tested positive for Covid-19 after attending the event. Major areas of Nizamuddin was cordoned off by Delhi Police after people living around the vicinity showed symptoms of Coronavirus after taking part in a religious gathering. Later in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directed the Delhi Police to register an FIR against Maulana Saad Kandalwi of Nizamuddin Markaz,  accused of organising a Tablighi Jamaat congregation in the area. According to sources, when the 21-day nationwide lockdown was announced, there were thousands of persons present inside the Tablighi Jamaat's international headquarters in southwest Delhi. The Delhi government said the lockdown was imposed in entire country from March 24 midnight, and "it was the duty of every owner and administrator of every hotel, guesthouse, hostel and similar establishment to maintain social distancing. It looks like social distancing and quarantine protocols was not practiced here". The government said now it has come to knowledge that the organisers violated these conditions and several cases of corona positive patients have been found here. "Strong action would be taken against those in charge of this establishment. By this gross act of negligence, many lives have been endangered. It was the responsibility of every citizen to proactively avoid such gathering of people during the lockdown and this is nothing but a criminal act," Delhi government said. An FIR against the Maulana, in his early 50s, has been directed, it said. The Delhi government added that after the Centre informed them about the first positive patient and requested assistance, "we moved all symptomatic patients to our medical facilities and as a safety precaution, all non symptomatic contacts have been moved to the quarantine centres". Over 100 people have been tested for Coronavirus so far and reports are awaited. This is the largest single group being tested for Covid-19, which is transmitted easily from person to person. (With inputs from IANS)