Karnataka hesitant to open borders with Kerala as cases mount in Kasaragod

Following the novel coronavirus outbreak hitting the Kasaragod district in Kerala the worst in southern India, the Karnataka government closed the inter-state borders. However, the decision has affected the locals who otherwise access healthcare facility in the city of Mangalore for critical illness.

Besides, the residents alleged that even movement of essentials and ambulances were not being permitted.

Kasaragod, which shares borders along Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, has recorded nearly 42 per cent of the COVID-19 cases in Kerala.

Of the 182 positive cases in Kerala as on Monday, 78 came from one district, Kasargod which forced the Karnataka government to take preventive measure so as to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

Related news: Send selfie, prove loyalty: Karnataka’s new plan for COVID quarantined

Even as three people have died dude to closure of borders, Karnataka is unrelenting with two separate cases filed in the Kerala High Court and in the Supreme Court. No orders are passed yet.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure that ambulances and essential vehicle movement are permitted along the borders.

The villagers in Enmakaje and Manjeshwaram gram panchayats along the Karnataka borders in Kerala said not only were they accessing healthcare facilities, but some of them had to cross the border gates to purchase food essentials.

“Mangalore and Puttur are about 60kms and 30kms which is relatively closer for us compared to Periyaram in Kerala which is about 90kms. So for any medical emergency, travelling to Mangalore is convenient for us,” Sharadha Y, Enmakaje grama panchayat president told The Federal during a telephonic conversation.

Sharada said around 200 households’ access to the ration shop is cut as they have to cross the border gates to get their ration, which now is not allowed. “Route wise if one looks at, some people cross the border gate to access ration shop even if it’s within Kerala,” she said.

Related news: Amid COVID-19 lockdown, villages in Karnataka block outsider entry

However, the Kerala government had earlier assured to door-deliver essentials to all household in Kasargod district.

Reiterating a similar issue, Manjeshwar grama panchayat president Manu TP said, “Which state we belong to should not matter when three people have succumb to death following border closure.”

On March 29, an elderly woman died in the ambulance after she was being denied entry into Mangalore.

The ambulance, travelling from Kunjathur in Kerala was not allowed to enter Mangaluru at Talapady check post, about 17 km away from Mangaluru city. The patient was allegedly suffering from kidney disease.

According to reports, the driver of the ambulance said that the villagers stopped him even when he travelled by interiors roads bypassing the state borders.

In another instance, a person with breathing problem passed away along the borders after being denied entry into Karnataka.

Related news: Kerala CM writes to PM on Karnataka blocking key state highway

On March 28, a pregnant migrant labourer from Bihar, is said to have delivered a baby in the ambulance, after it was being denied entry into Mangalore.

A similar incident was reported on March 23 when a critically ill person, who was sent back from Mangalore hospital for being a Kasaragod native, breathed his last.

After a coronavirus infected person, who was placed under quarantine, violated the rules and attended several public events around March 20, the district has been put on high alert.

While the police registered the case against the individual, the number of COVID-19 cases shot up 5 times since then.

While the government ruled out community transmission, the number of cases are on the rise in the district.

Matter in Court

Following the restrictions imposed, the Kerala government and its representatives approached the State High Court and the Supreme Court seeking orders to direct Karnataka to open its borders.

A public interest litigation was filed in the Kerala High Court by advocates’ association seeking the court to direct Karnataka to open the borders.

A report in Manorama on Tuesday read that the Karnataka government filed an affidavit stating it would not open the borders even as the court observed that it would affect people’s right to life.

Related news: 39 fresh COVID-19 cases in Kerala; 34 from Kasaragod

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Rajmohan Unnithan from Kerala, has moved the Supreme Court seeking direction for the State of Karnataka to open its border with Kerala. He sought the court to direct the neighbouring state to allow passage of emergency vehicles such as ambulances at least.

The blockage imposed by the State of Karnataka at a time like this is violative of Articles 21 and 19(d) of the constitution, the MP stated in the petition. The matter is yet to come up for hearing.