The administration here has received information about 889 persons with travel history through its online platform Talaash. The information about persons with travel history submitted also included the cases from other districts, which were forwarded to authorities concerned. On 27 March, the district administration launched the online initiative for people to report travel history.The website and app, titled Talaash (search) provides options of “self report” and “report about others.”“We received a total of 889 cases of persons with travel history through this initiative,” said Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar Shahid Iqbal choudhary. He said 256 persons from Srinagar used the website and android application for self-reporting while 317 cases were such where other people reported about the persons with travel history.Authorities have repeatedly asked people to disclose their travel history to stop spread of COVID19 or face legal action.The DC said 316 cases of persons with travel history received through Talaash belonged to other districts. “We forwarded those cases to respective district authorities,” he said.The district administration launched the initiative when people were not voluntarily coming forward to reveal travel history, which is one of the most important measures to contain spread of the virus.To avoid and discourage fake information, the official said that website generates One Time Password, to be sent on mobile number of information provider.Then, the information provider has to submit four digit code (OTP), before he proceeds. While submitting travel report about others, the website gives an option to the information provider if he/she wishes anonymity. The website can be accessed on www.talaashsrinagar.inThrough the website an appeal has been made to family members, neighbors and people in general to bring suspected cases in notice of the administration so that necessary measures in the interest of public health can be taken by the government.The website has also contact numbers for general public in case they want to provide information telephonically. The numbers are: 0194-2457552, 0194-2457543, 9419028251, 9419028242, and 9419014723.On March 24, this year J&K High Court took serious note of reports that some people were concealing their travel history. The Court directed authorities of J&K and Ladakh to strictly punish violators in accordance with the law.
