COVID-19: Demand for Total Lockdown as Ladakh Records 5 Deaths on One Day, Rise in Cases

Two days ago, when Ladakh recorded five daily COVID deaths and 202 fresh infections in a single day, the civil society and religious organisations appealed to the authorities to extend the complete lockdown for at least 15 days. On May 19, COVID-19 claimed the lives of four people in Leh and one in Kargil, the highest single day deaths in Leh district as well as in the Union territory of Ladakh.

“We requested the authorities that there should be a lockdown of at least two weeks so that we are able to break the transmission chain. The civil society and religious organisations will fully cooperate but this is on the administration to decide now,” Dr Abdul Qayoom, President, Anjuman e Moenul Islam, Leh, told NewsClick.

With partial lockdown in effect, Ladakh reported 107 new daily COVID-19 cases on May 20 with one fatality bringing the overall number of cases to 1,589 and the number of deaths to 172. However, there is a stark difference in the figures between Leh and Kargil district. Out of total deaths, 124 are from Leh district and 48 are from Kargil district.

“The testing is happening at a rapid pace in both the district. The possible reason that could be is that Kargil has only one entry point via Zojila pass. Leh has three entry points via Zojila, Manali Road and Airport. There is the possibility of more outsiders entering Ladakh through Leh,” Ali Waziri, a journalist from Kargil told NewsClick.

Leh has three entry points  -- Upshi checkpoint on the Leh-Manali Highway, Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (KBR) airport and Khatlsi Checkpoint tehsil in the Leh district 337 km from Srinagar via Zojila.

As per the current lockdown, all shops selling groceries, vegetables and fruits, automobile spares, confectionary items and sundry repairs are allowed to open from 7a.m to 2p.m. However, supply of essential commodities from wholesale distributors to shops is allowed between 5 a.m to 9a.m. All government employees, staff of public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, universities, and other such offices are working on roster basis and are allowed to commute but with a valid identity card.

Development operations are also permitted only if a facility for labourer accommodation is established on the jobsite. Similarly, agricultural activities are also permitted, but only under the rigorous COVID-19 regulation.

The death of five people in Ladakh as a result of the virus has sparked fear among local residents. As per the 2011 Census, Ladakh has a population of 2.27 lakh with 133,487 in Buddhist-dominated Leh district and 140,802 in Muslim-dominated Kargil district.

“Ladakh has very less and scattered population and everyday one or two deaths are being reported. These deaths in proportion to the population are worrisome. Amid this, only a complete lockdown will help us else things are going to turn bad for Ladakh,” said Dr Tashi Namgyal, Executive Member Ladakh Buddhist Association.

However, activists have blamed the administration’s laxity for the surge in cases. The delay in the results of RT-PCR testing at entrance points, according to Sajjad Kargili, an activist from Kargil district, led travellers, labourers, and tourists to mix with the local population.

“When individuals first arrived in Ladakh, they were tested at the entry points and sent home. In the meantime, the results of the tests would take three-four days. Travellers should have been accommodated so that they don’t leave until the test results were received,” he added.