Mob Damages Barricades In TN Dindigul Locality Cordoned Off After Coronavirus Cases From Nizamuddin Tablighi Events Rise

An unruly group of persons at the Begumpur locality in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul town damaged barricades put up by the Government authorities to quarantine it in view of a higher number of people testing positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19) there.

A local in the town said that the authorities had scaled up the quarantine vigil in the area putting up steel barricades after more tested positive for Covid-19.

Of the 1,172 Coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu, Dingidul accounts for 56 cases, the fifth-highest in the State. The positive cases are high as most of them have got infected after attending the Tablighi Jamaat Aalami Marakaz congregations last month in Delhi.

Towns near Dindigul such as Theni and Karur, both about an hour drive away, have also got over 40 Covid-19 cases each.

The Begampur locality houses one of the oldest and biggest mosques in Dindigul, dating back to 1760s. The mosque, the Tablighi Jamaat head Markaz in Tamil Nadu, was constructed by Hyder Ali. His sister was buried here in 1766.

In view of these facts and also because of the movements here, there were possibilities of this area being more prone to Coronavirus infection.

Besides, with the number of positive cases rising from the area, the authorities decided to make it a buffer zone to tackle the spread of the pandemic.

“Until a few days ago, the barricades in the area were the normal ones put up in other localities that tested positive for Coronavirus. But a couple of days ago, the barricades were changed to steel, making it difficult for people to go out and come,” the local said.

This upset the locals, who gathered and knocked down some of the barricades. The situation has been brought under control.

Of the 1,172 Coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu, the Nizamuddin Markaz congregations have been traced as the source for 1,062 cases.

At least 58 persons have recovered, while 12 persons have succumbed to Coronavirus. The latest victim is a 92-year-old person from Dindigul.