Travel norm duality comes to fore in HP

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 21

In yet another case of double standards in granting permissions during lockdown, the family of Kinnaur SP made it to the remote district all the way from Delhi, crossing several inter-state borders without the mandatory quarantine, while a patient en route to a Mohali hospital was made to wait on road for hours over travel permit.

Pyare Lal (47), who was referred to a Mohali hospital, was made to wait at the Chaura barrier in Kinnaur district for over three hours today after the police demanded a fresh e-pass as the one he had was issued two days ago.

The ex-serviceman and his attendant pointed out that they couldn’t travel to Mohali right away as they didn’t have enough money. The police sources maintained since the patient was referred to Mohali three days ago, the ASI advised them to get a valid permit. The patient waited at the barrier from 5.30 am to 8.50 am till a fresh e-pass was received on mobile.

Permission is usually not required in medical emergency, but this was a unique case wherein the patient had been referred three days ago, said the police.

Kinnaur MLA Jagat Singh Negi termed the incident unfortunate and said the police and administration should be considerate.

The SP contended his cousin was murdered in Parwanoo and the children were brought home on emergency pass (on condition of death of close relative) on April 13 from Karol Bagh area, which is not red zone. Moreover, the children were in home quarantine in Kinnaur and under observation of the health department.