Delhi's Nizamuddin Declared Coronavirus Hotspot, Cleric Of Tabligh-e-Jamaat's Markaz Booked

Delhi's Nizamuddin has been declared as a coronavirus hotspot by the centre after around a dozen people tested positive after attending a religious gathering at Hazrat Nizamuddin Markaz. An FIR has also been lodged against the cleric of Tabligh-e-Jamaat's Markaz for violating government orders on the management of the Markaz in relation to social, political or religious gathering. “The police registered an FIR against Maulana Saad of the Nizamuddin centre under sections of Epidemic Disease Act and other sections of the Indian Penal Code,” reports PTI.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said 1,548 people who attended the religious congregation at Tabligh-e-Jamaat's Markaz have been evacuated and 441 hospitalised after they showed coronavirus symptoms.  

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After the matter came to light, the Centre and the Delhi government swung into action to trace people who attended the congregation. Six people from Telangana and one from Jammu and Kashmir, who attended the event, died due to coronavirus.

The Centre said 2,100 foreigners visited India for Tablighi activities since January 1 and all of them first reported at Tablighi Jammat''s headquarters in Nizamuddin.

The Home Ministry also said a total of 303 Tablighi activists had symptoms of COVID-19 and were referred to different hospitals in Delhi.

In a statement, the Home Ministry also said so far 1,339 Tabligh Jamaat workers have been shifted to Narela, Sultanpuri and Bakkarwala quarantine facilities, as well as to LNJP, RGSS, GTB, DDU Hospitals in Delhi and AllMS, Jhajjar (Haryana). The rest of them are being screened for coronavirus.

In a digital press conference, Kejriwal said 1,107 people, who attended religious congregation in Nizamudddin West, have been quarantined.

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The Delhi Police has cordoned off a major area in Nizamuddin West. Tablighi Jamaat workers, both foreigners as well Indians, indulge in preaching tours or ''Chilla'' across the country throughout the year.

With PTI Inputs