Cops trace 126 from Gujarat who attended Nizamuddin meet

Ahmedabad, Apr 6 () The Gujarat police on Mondaysaid they have so far identified and traced 126 people fromthe state who had attended the Islamic congregation at Delhi'sNizamuddin area, believed to be a key source for the spread ofcoronavirus, and a dozen of them have tested positive.

Among these 126 attendees, 12 persons, all fromAhmedabad, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus,said Gujarat DGP Shivanand Jha.

Search is still on to trace and identify others fromGujarat who had attended the gathering held last month at theheadquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat, he said.

The mega meet in Nizamuddin has been linked to dozensof coronavirus positive cases and also multiple fatalitiesacross the country.

A case of lockdown violation is being lodged againstone of the attendees for falsely claiming that he came back toGujarat before the shutdown was imposed (on March 25), hesaid.

"That person told the police that he had arrived inGujarat from Delhi on March 11. However, our investigationrevealed that he actually returned on March 27.

"Thus, we have started the process to lodge a case oflockdown violation under the Disaster Management Act" Jha toldreporters in Gandhinagar.

A 70-year-old man from Bhavnagar, who had attended thegathering, has died due to coronavirus.

Gujarat has so far reported more than 140 COVID-19cases and 12 deaths. PJT PDRSY RSY