SRINAGAR: Taking cognizance of the representation made by relatives of Kashmiri students stranded in Iran, the J&K high court on Wednesday directed the Centre to take steps to evacuate them and other Indians from the coronavirus-hit country. The court also ordered the administrations of J&K and Ladakh to ensure creation of proper isolation and quarantine facilities, besides testing laboratories, for prevention of novel coronavirus The bench of chief justice Gita Mittal and justice Rajesh Bindal made secretaries of the ministries of external affairs, health and family welfare and civil aviation, and chief secretaries and commissioner secretaries of health and medical education departments of J&K and Ladakh, respectively, respondents in the case.CJ Mittal issued the order after considering the representations of one Dr Zahoor Hussain Mir , a resident of Budgam in J&K, and other relatives of stranded students as a writ petition.Dr Zahoor’s application addressed to the CJ said: “Due to sudden outbreak of Covid-19 in Iran… all air traffic has been suspended from that country to other nations, including India. It's once again brought to your kind notice that there are many pilgrims, labourers and students stranded in Iran. They are facing shortage of masks, medicines and other essential commodities due to mass closure/shutdown by government authorities. It's requested that arrangements may be made to evacuate the stranded persons/students on priority as the infection is spreading very fast… .”The court even asked the Centre to do the needful through the Indian embassy in Teheran, and ensure availability of required materials — including masks, medication and essential commodities — to all Indians stranded there.The judges further directed authorities concerned to ensure availability in sufficient quantity of N-95, or any other recommended masks for the public and separation kits for all medical personnel and staff.After issuing notices to the respondents, the bench asked the registry to submit a report with regard to the above to the court before March 12, the next date of hearing.