Tuesday, 31 March 2020

J&K govt searching for people who attended Delhi Markaz

Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir government is searching for the people who visited the Tablighi Jamaat religious gathering at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi in mid-March and returned to the union territory.

With most corona cases in Kashmir having a history of direct or indirect contact with members from a religious gathering, nothing is left to chances.

The district Commissioners in Kashmir have appealed to the members who were a part of the gathering to identify themselves for putting them under surveillance isolation and quarantine.

“We are taking the matter very seriously and have appealed to all those who attended the Nizamuddin congregation to come up for the screening,” Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, P.K Pole told IANS.

He said initially there was some reluctance shown by the people to reveal their travel histories but now more and more people are coming forward.

“Four cases which were found positive in south Kashmir had contracted it through the members of religious gathering,” he said. “The process of tracing the men who attended the congregation is being seriously pursued.”

He said there are 87 people from Kashmir who were currently in Nizamuddin and have been put in quarantine in Delhi itself.

Coronavirus: Concerns Surge As Vested Interests Single Out Tablighi Jamat

“They have been put under quarantine, we are in touch with Delhi police on this issue,” he said.

Notably, on March 24, a 65-year-old died in Kashmir. He was a part of the religious gathering at Nizamuddin and had returned to Kashmir on March 16. (IANS)



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Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia Advises Muslims To Defer Hajj Plans

Srinagar

Saudi Arabia’s hajj minister has asked Muslims to temporarily defer preparations for the annual pilgrimage amid uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia suspended the year-round “umrah” pilgrimage over fears of the new coronavirus spreading to Islam’s holiest cities, an unprecedented move that raised uncertainty over the annual hajj.

“Saudi Arabia is fully ready to serve pilgrims and umrah seekers,” hajj minister Mohammad Benten told the state-run Al-Ekhbariya television on Tuesday.

“But under the current circumstances, as we are talking about the global pandemic… the kingdom is keen to protect the health of Muslims and citizens and so we have asked our brother Muslims in all countries to wait before doing (hajj) contracts until the situation is clear.”

Saudi authorities are yet to announce whether they will proceed with this year’s hajj, scheduled for the end of July.

The pilgrimage – which last year attracted 2.5 million people – is a key revenue earner for the kingdom. But it could be a major source of contagion as it packs pilgrims closely in religious sites.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia suspended prayers inside all its mosques except the two holiest sites in Islam as it increased efforts to contain the new coronavirus.

The announcements risk riling fringe Muslim hardliners, for whom religion trumps health considerations.

Saudi Arabia is scrambling to limit the spread of the disease at home. The kingdom’s health ministry has reported 1,563 coronavirus infections and 10 deaths from the illness so far.(AFP)



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Centre defines new domicile rule for J&K

Srinagar

A person residing in Jammu and Kashmir for at least fifteen years will now be eligible to be a domicile of the union territory, according to the new rule issued by the Centre Tuesday, reported The Indian Express.

In the latest gazette notification, Section 3A of the J&K Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order 2020, under the J&K civil services (decentralisation and recruitment) Act, has been introduced to define domicile as that “who has resided for a period of fifteen years in the UT of J&K or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in class 10th/12th examination in an educational institution located in the UT of J&K.”

Before August 5, 35 A of the Constitution (now abrogated) empowered J&K assembly to define a J&K resident, who alone were eligible to apply for jobs or own immovable property.

The definition expands to include “children of those central government officials, all India services officers, officials of PSUs and autonomous body of central government, public sector banks, officials of statutory bodies, officials of central universities and recognised research institutes of central government who have served in Jammu and Kashmir for a total period of ten years or children on parents who fulfil any of the conditions in sections.”

Additionally, persons registered as a migrant by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants) in the UT of J&K, will also be included in the definition. “Children of such residents of J&K as reside outside UT of J&K in connection with their employment or business or other professional or vocational reasons” but. their parents fulfil any of the conditions provided earlier.

The provisions of the Act authorise the Tehsildar as competent authority for issuing the domicile certificate, as opposed to deputy commissioner or any officer specially notified by the state government by way of a gazette notification in the form of a SRO.

29 state laws have been repealed while 109 have been amended. Section 5A states that no person shall be eligible for appointment to a post carying a pay scale for not more than level 4 “unless he is a domicile of UT of J&K.”

Through the same order, the Centre has repealed the the J&K civil services (special provisions) Act, reported The Indian Express.



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Coronavirus: Recovery of Kashmir’s Patient Zero Is A Good Beginning

by Syed Samreen

SRINAGAR: On the eve of March 18, when the first case of Coronavirus in the Kashmir valley was declared, the city was almost hysterical. Till that date, Coronavirus was just in the news, not in the town.

Doctors visiting the old city locality for the infection assessment on March 19, 2020, a day after a lady was detected with Coronavirus infection. In this photograph, they are seen marking a house after the visit. KL Image Bilal Bahadur

After almost two weeks, this strong woman who had earlier tested positive for the virus tested negative. Regardless of the higher risk of death amongst elderly people, this patient is now recovering at a healthy pace and is recuperating from the viral disease while still being on an extended 14 quarantine. No doubt the global pandemic has left people all over the world alarming and filled with fright, doctors have a more positive approach towards it.

Kanika Kapoor Case

Young men on the social media are comparing the aged Khyam lady with Bollywood’s bubbling singer Kanika Kapoor’s who tested positive for the fifth time in a row. Presently admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), she is stable but retains the infection.

Singer Kanika Kapoor

She tested positive on March 20 – two days after the Khayam lady, after she flew home from London. She was the key infection spreader to the power elite in India sending former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her son Dushyant Singh into quarantine. Accused of not revealing her travel history, the UP government has filed a case against her.

Kapoor attended a birthday bash in Lucknow where the power elite was around. She also mingled with the family, friends and neighbours thus triggering a long chain since March 14.

Doctors Positive

The Khayam lady, who had flown home from Umrah, however, had not infected any of the closer ones like her husband or the daughter in law or her own daughters. Almost all tested negative but are in the quarantine. She is the mother in law of IPS officer, Imtiaz Ismail Parray, currently the SSP Crime Kashmir.

Dr Farooq A Jan (SKIMS)

The doctors treating the aged Khayam lady said she is much better. Dr Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS, said it was clear and distinct that along with any medicine, the cure that lies behind such diseases is faith, willpower and teamwork.

“In the beginning, the patient was apprehensive but later on, she knew that she would soon come out of it and had the willpower to do so,” Dr Jan said. The patient responded well to the drugs and cooperated with the doctors. From being apprehensive about the infection to being optimistic, the patient recovered and tested negative after almost a period of two weeks. “The patient’s faith doubled up with the efforts of all the doctors who treated upon her and resulted in the recuperation of the patient.”

Jan’s Deputy at SKIMS, Dr Ghulam Hassan Yatoo also admitted that patient’s tremendous will power and faith helped her recover fast.

Be Positive

President of the Doctors Association of Kashmir, Dr Suhail Naik said people should avoid getting panicky though, at the same time, they must take adequate precautions in the absence of the cure.

Dr Suhail A Naik

“I request the people of Kashmir to stop worrying and panicking,” Naik told this reporter. “Indeed, the disease is infectious and anyone can contract the virus but there is a 97%-98% recovery rate of the patients who are tested positive.”

Naik emphasized that being testing positive doesn’t necessarily mean death. If a person tests positive, he should be optimistic and should hope for a healthy recovery.

“We are going to adopt the Chinese model to treat Coronavirus patients in Kashmir, which suggests that 85% per cent of Covid-19 patients be quarantined at home. The patients can recover from home itself provided that proper hygiene, social distancing and all other precautionary measures are taken,” Dr Naik said.

At the same time, however, Naik said, the doctors of Kashmir will take care of and treat the people who have tested positive.

“I want to tell people to stay positive, have faith in the staff working day in and day out for them and take every possible precautionary measure,” he said.

Sounding a word of caution, Naik said people should stop stigmatizing the patient and his family as the virus knows no limits and can affect anyone. “Alienation of the patients is not a healthy approach, we should rather pray for the fast recovery of patients because stigmatizing the patient adds to the overall fear amongst people and also the patient.”



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KCSDS Urge All Organisations To Unite In Fight Against Coronavirus

Srinagar

Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS) has appealed to all social, political, religious, business and other organisations besides trade unions to unite against the spread of dreaded coronavirus in the society through strict implementation of social distancing and helping in the sustenance of weaker sections of the society.

In a statement, KCSDS underlined a three-pronged strategy to tackle difficult situation erupted as an outcome of a prolonged lockdown.

“KCSDS makes an earnest  appeal to  people  to help  their poorer neighbours in their localities and each well to do family in a locality would adopt a needy family or more and support these with eatables or cash for the purchase of same.”

“All Mohalla/Village Committees or Masjid Committees will gear up to take responsibility of identifying the families that need assistance within their area and then allow them to  well off families in their neighbourhood to take care of them individually.”

“NGOs and other social organisations will help those who are left over after all the resourceful families are exhausted in different localities. They will also feed the migrant labourers and those who have got stranded in the valley irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion.”

The statement said KCSDS is of the opinion that the above methodology could be an alternative to crowdfunding which creates a lot of hype around aid collection with chances of missing out some deserving or replicating aid for some others. The direct help from affluent to the weaker families would also remove many apprehensions associated with it.

KCSDS has also hailed the efforts of many individuals, NGOs,  social and other organisations for their support in providing personal safety items and equipment like masks, sanitisers, PPEs etc to our front line warriors viz the doctors, paramedical staff, municipal workers etc, and wishes that they continue with such endeavours.

“Our frontline workers are presently engaged in the herculean task to save lives of the patients and suspects at the risk of their own lives for which the society would remember them for all times to come,” said KCSDS statement



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Ensure uninterrupted supplies, access to healthcare: NC to Govt

Srinagar

National Conference on Tuesday expressed concern over the shortage of essential items in Kashmir, urging the government to adopt measures to protect poorest and most vulnerable and sustain the supply chain.

The party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar while expressing concern over the shortage of basic commodities in the markets said, “One cannot have a knee-jerk reaction to such situation without evaluating and anticipating the scale of problems arising as a consequence of it.  The inevitable lockdown has put lives of poor at risk.  It is a stark reality that a sizeable chunk of our society lives by hand to mouth and it is this section of society that has been hit due to the loss of livelihood, lack of food, shelter, health and other basic needs,” Imran said.

He said the lockdown was inevitable in the wake of the spread of a global pandemic. “The challenges that the outbreak has thrown at us needs ramped-up efforts that should include financial support to the daily wagers, hawkers, laborers and other economically challenged sections of the society,” the party spokesperson said.

Imran said the government should take urgent steps to come to the rescue of those at need. “Setting up community kitchens, releasing pending wages, and stepping up procurement to protect agriculture sector will make a difference. It is for the government to ensure that everyone has access to food, medical care and that the poor and marginalized sections of the society are not left unattended,” he said.

He said the lockdown has created a shortage of necessary food items in Kashmir and that people were finding it difficult to run their kitchens. He urged the government to ensure that the normal life of the people was not hit due to the lockdown. “Many countries have been able to stave off the shortage of necessary essentials during the lockdown. But in this part of the world, we are yet to tide over the situation. The government must ensure the supply chain is not broken across Kashmir,” Imran said.



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Coronavirus: 15001 Persons Under Observation, Total Positive Cases 55

Jammu

The Government Tuesday informed that 06 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), all from Kashmir division and contacts of previous positive cases, have been reported today thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 55.

SMC workers fumigate disinfectants at Lalchowk area of Srinagar. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 55 positive cases, 51 are Active Positive, 02 have recovered and 02 have died. Regarding the location of positive cases, 43 are from Kashmir division and 12 from Jammu Division.

Till date 15001 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which includes 9895 in-home quarantine including in facilities operated by government, 350 persons in Hospital Quarantine, 51 in hospital isolation and 3334 under home surveillance. 1371 persons have completed their 28 days surveillance period.

The Bulletin further said that till date 861 samples have been sent for testing of which 804 have tested as negative, 55 positive and 02 reports are awaited till March 31, 2020.

Meanwhile, in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free No. 102.

Furthermore, a 24×7 toll-free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division).

According to the advisory, people are advised to remain calm & not to panic as the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the UT are being monitored at the highest level and necessary action to protect and safeguard the lives of people have been taken by the Government. “The Government has undertaken aggressive contact tracing and testing campaign that is why surge has been found in the number of confirmed positive cases,” the advisory reads.

People have been requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to covid-19 affected countries/areas and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.

The general public has been advised to avoid an unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops a fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility if needed.

“People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water, and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.

Advising public to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time, the Advisory urged people to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print & electronic media. Furthermore, people are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.



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Former EJAC President Qayoom Wani Bereaved

Srinagar

The elder brother of former EJAC President and Civil Society Activist Qayoom Wani has passed away in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness on Tuesday.

Ab Qayoom Wani, president EJAC.

Gulzar Ahmad Wani was the elder brother of former EJAC President and has served the education department as Chief Librarian besides Social activist and was undergoing Cancer treatment in Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai but lost the battle to the deadly disease.

Meanwhile owing to countrywide lockdown and suspension of air and surface transport, the family has decided to perform the last rights at Mumbai itself following which the deceased will be buried in a local graveyard there.

The bereaved family meanwhile has appealed well-wishers, relatives friends, neighbours and all those who intend to convey condolences to avoid visiting the family due to ongoing Corona restrictions and government directives to maintain social distancing and also requested everyone to pray for eternal peace to the departed soul.

The well-wishers can, however, convey their condolences on phone numbers Abdul Qayoom Wani [Brother ](8825094939,9419525310), Khurshid Ahmad Wani [Brother], (9419400663,9797213266), Abdul Rashid Wani [Brother], (9858805650). (KNS)



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Are We The Children of Lesser God?

by Aruba

We pay taxes; we have rights. Natural and inalienable rights, that is, they belonged to us by birth and could not be taken away. Isn’t it the duty of the state to protect our natural rights? We the Children of conflict have the right to education as any other child on earth. We too want to access e-learning, take advantage of online classes, be a part of global networking on education and research. However, all that is not for us, at least, at the moment. Though we were born free and equal in rights time and again we feel like in chains.

August 2019

On August 4 evening, Kashmir was in a state of alarm. Rumours were spreading like wildfire. The King had certain plans and the subjects knew nothing. When the doctrine of nationalism is being propagated like the divine, who could question the virtual monarch. People were rushing from petrol pumps to ATMs, from food stores to grocery shops and back. Scenes were chaotic.

It was getting dark, the clouds of fear and uncertainty had covered the moonlight. The extraordinary security deployment, the geared up administrative machinery, arrests of political leaders, had kick-started what was to follow. We were at home, anxious, apprehensive and to add to our agony, my Mamu was on his way back from Delhi in the night. We were so concerned about him that we had not even taken water for dinner. I was praying that whole night:

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake”

Rabindranath Tagore

Well, we all know what happened the next morning. I will not go in the political side of it. However, for me as a student, it brought a sea change. Pre-August 5, we were going fine with our studies. Our plans were taking the concrete shape. Inching close towards our goals, we were like in a beautiful dream. Alas, started the nightmare. Curfew was imposed. Internet and all means of communication were blocked. Everything came to a standstill.

Coronavirus: As Epidemic Looms Large, Kashmir’s 4G Desperation Surges

I literally felt as if we were back to Stone Age. Being locked at home, our routine got completely disrupted.  Without basic facilities of the modern age, particularly with regard to education, it felt like being trapped in a cave for ages. In the age of artificial intelligence and 5G, some in the administration were defending with “life before internet remarks”. Anyway, caged at home, ‘time’ started to pass slowly and it was then that I got an understanding of Einstein’s theory of relativity, ironically though.

 Winter Vacations

So somehow we managed it, in the way “life before the internet”. We read textbooks, made notes and crammed that. With winter inching close, the formality of examinations started and was soon over. As if the closure of schools post-August 5 was not enough, winter vacation was announced. Again we were at the receiving end. Imagine about the students belonging to poor families. How could have they managed the expensive tuition?  Was it rocket science for the state to understand that the schools should be kept open throughout this winter with all the necessary heating arrangements or at least high-speed internet should be restored for us to learn online? If nothing at least they could have arranged free video lectures for all of us.

 Coronavirus

Aruba

Now came the Covid-19 and we are back to square one.  Though it is a natural pandemic and probably we or state is not responsible for it, but continued restrictions on high-speed internet have again thrown us deep down the gorge. Again our education is in shambles. Though the world has geared-up for e-learning, homeschooling, online classes and the like, all that is only a dream for us.

Once we were studying normally, now we are left with almost nothing. The system claims to have provided us with sky but has chained our wings.  Though children are the future of any society and education the torch of enlightenment but for us, the future seems dark and the dawn far away. Are we the children of lesser God?

(The author is a student of twelfth class at the Government Higher Secondary School Sherabad. The ideas are personal.)



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Special CBI Court Rejects Bail Plea Of Hilal Rather in Bank Loan Fraud Case

Srinagar

A special CBI court in Jammu on Tuesday refused to grant interim bail to Hilal Rather, son of National Conference Leader Abdul Rahim Rather, in the Rs 177 crore bank fraud case.

“Court has rejected interim bail of accused Hilal Ahmad Rather in connection with a corruption case. He entered into a criminal conspiracy with the then officials of J&K Bank to get sanctioned a loan of Rs. 177.68 crore (approximately) & is lodged in Jammu Jail,” news agency ANI wrote on Twitter.

Hilal Rather had moved an application before the special CBI judge, Jammu seeking interim bail after the CBI filed a charge sheet against him in the Rs 177 crore J&K Bank loan fraud case on health grounds, citing the prevailing threat of contracting coronavirus during incarceration, said the report.



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LMD books 16 business establishments, recovers Rs 14,000 fine in Kashmir

Srinagar

The Legal Metrology Department (LMD) on Tuesday conducted checking of business establishments dealing with vegetables, Kiryana, Gas agencies, Sanitizers, Masks in various districts across Kashmir district.

LMD books 16 business establishments, recovers Rs 14,000 fine in Kashmir

175 establishments were checked by inspection teams headed by Dy Controller Enforcement in Srinagar district and by Assistant Controllers in other districts. 16 establishments were booked for overcharging of Vegetables, Masks and violation of directions issued under DDMA. 13 challans were compounded on the spot for Rs 14,000.



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Coronavirus: Concerns Surge As Vested Interests Single Out Tablighi Jamat

SRINAGAR: With a number of Covid-19 positive cases being reported from the gathering in Nizamuddin (Delhi), there is a surge in accusations blaming the organisers for the event. Kashmir’s first casualty to the virus was also part of the same gathering in Delhi and is being termed to be the ‘super spreader’.

Apart from a couple of cases in which the individuals who returned from Umrah were tested positive, most of the other cases are linked to the Delhi gathering. This, however, has led to reportage as if the Tablighi Jamaat knew of the infection and deliberately did it.

The Meeting

Of around 2500 people who participated in the gathering, so far 24 have tested positive for the serious viral infection. In Telangana, six of the positive cases have already died excluding the Srinagar businessman. A highly mobile person, the Srinagar preacher had visited various gathering on his return from Delhi. Some of his contacts have already tested positive including a Jammu microbiologist, a resident of Rajouri.

After shifting 700 people – who attended the congregation, to quarantine and 335 to hospitals, people have been admitted to hospitals, the Delhi government has registered a formal police case against the organisers. An IANS report said of the people who were evacuated from the 6-level headquarters of the religious organisation, at least 11 have tested positive as the results are awaited in 34 other samples. Apart from Jammu and Kashmir, positive cases were reported from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands also.

A number of people who have had contacts with positive cases have been quarantined. These include 18 persons in Hyderabad, 194 in Telangana, 981 persons in Tamil Nadu besides a few hundred in Kashmir and Jammu. The event was attended by a number of foreigners from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan and some of them are still in the Markaz.

All the states are attempting to trace their subjects who attended the conference. In UP authorities are busy in tracing 156 persons in 19 districts. Jammu and Kashmir has almost traced the first and second line of contacts but is facing problems in north Kashmir. “It was on day 1 that we traced the person who had contact with him,” Showkat Aijaz, the Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam said. “The person from Frisal tested negative. He is still in quarantine along with his contacts and their families; we cannot take it easy.”

The Other Side

On the flip side, however, a discourse is being built as if the virus belonged to the Tablighi Jamat. It is happening on a pattern that looks like US President Donald Trump dubbing the Coronavirus to be a “Chinese” virus. This is irking a lot of people. The people who are projecting the Delhi religious meeting as the sole Corona sources are conveniently forgetting that the virus had appeared earlier in Kerela and there were lot of meetings within and outside the parliament at a time when the Tablighi people were meeting in Delhi.

Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister, feels that Tablighi Jamat will become a convenient excuse for some to vilify Muslims everywhere. This has the potential of Islamophobia getting to the next level.

This has led the organisers to issue a detailed statement indicating that they had kept the Delhi government in the loop throughout. This is the statement:

The Statement

“Markaz Nizamuddin is the international headquarters of Tabilghi Jamaat for close to 100 years. Visitors/guests/devotees/worshippers from across the globe throng the place for pre-scheduled programs lasting for no more than 3-5 days. All the programs are decided a year in advance in order to facilitate visitors from far-off places to plan their participation.

When Hon’ble Prime Minister announced the “Janta Curfew”, for 22nd March 2020, the ongoing program in Markaz Nizamuddin was discontinued immediately, however, due to sudden cancellation of rail services across the country on 21 March 2020, a large group of visitors who had to depart by way of railways got stuck in the Markaz premises.

On 22nd March 2020, “Janta Curfew” was observed and accordingly, visitors were advised not to venture out until 9 PM as desired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, therefore the plans to move back to their native places by way of means other than railways also did not materialize. Before the Janta Curfew could be lifted at 9 PM, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi announced lockdown of Delhi beginning at 6 AM on 23 March 2020 till 31 March 2020, thereby further diminishing any chances of these visitors availing road transport for their journey back home. Despite this challenging situation, with the help of Markaz administration, around fifteen hundred visitors left Markaz Nizamuddin by availing whatever meagre transport was available.

Suddenly on the evening of 23rd March, a further nationwide lockdown was announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister with a clear message for people to stay-put wherever they are. Under such compelling circumstances there was no option for Markaz Nizamuddin but to accommodate the stranded visitors with prescribed medical precautions till such time that situation becomes conducive for their movement or arrangements are made by the authorities.

On 24’h March 2020, suddenly a notice was issued by SHO, P.S. Hazrat Nizamuddin, seeking closure of Markaz premises. The same was responded on 24th March 2020, stating that the compliance of the directions regarding the closure of Markaz is already underway and around 1500 people had departed the previous day, thus leaving around 1000 visitors belonging to different states and nationalities in Markaz. It was also informed that the Ld. SDM concerned had been requested to issue vehicle passes so that the remaining people could be sent back to their native places outside of Delhi. It is relevant to indicate here that lists of 17 vehicles with registration numbers along with the names of the drivers plus their license details were submitted to the Ld. SDM so that the stranded visitors/guests could be ferried towards their destination. The requisite permission is still awaited.

On 25th March 2020, the Tehsildar along with medical team visited the Markaz, full cooperation was provided for their inspection as well as in the preparation of the list of visitors, many of whom were examined by them.

On 26th March 2020, the Ld. SDM visited Markaz Nizamuddin and called us for a further meeting with the Ld. DM. We met the Ld. DM, apprised him of the stranded visitors and once again sought permission for the vehicles arranged by us.

The next day, i.e. 27th March 2020, six persons were taken for a medical check-up.

On 28th March 2020, the Ld. SDM and WHO team visited the Markaz and 33 persons were taken for medical checkup to Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital. Surprisingly on the same day, another notice was issued, this time by the Office of ACP, Lajpat Nagar, reiterating the prohibitory orders and warning of legal action, this being totally oblivious of the above deliberations and steps that had already been taken by Markaz Nizamuddin in consultation with the authorities. However, the same was replied in detail vide letter dated 291h March 2020.

Yesterday, 30th March 2020, a rumour started gaining ground across social media that allegedly people affected with COVID-19 are present in Markaz. It is also being circulated that certain deaths have occurred due to the same. Unexpectedly, as reported by ANI, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi went on to say that he has directed authorities to take legal action against the administration of Markaz. It is humbly stated that if the above fact-check could have been done by the Office of Hon’ble Chief Minister, the authorities would have apprised him about their visits, deliberations and cooperation extended by the Markaz in order to disperse the remaining visitors.

During this entire episode, Markaz Nizamuddin never violated any provision of law, and always tried to act with compassion and reason towards the visitors who came to Delhi from different states. It did not let them violate the medical guidelines by thronging ISBTs or roaming on the streets.

Markaz Nizamuddin would like to humbly offer the entire premises as a quarantine facility to help the authorities tide-over the challenge of current pandemic. Throughout its 100-year existence, Markaz Nizamuddin has an unblemished history of cooperating with administration/ authorities and always upholding the rule of law in letter and spirit. In the present challenge of COVID-19, Markaz stands with the law enforcement authorities and shall remain forthcoming in complying with all the guidelines issued by them.”



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Coronavirus: Govt Declares 20 Areas As Red Zones In Kashmir

Srinagar

The Administration on Tuesday declared twenty areas of the Kashmir division as Red Zones as a precautionary measure after several COVID positive cases were reported from these areas.

“20 villages including Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin in Bandipora dist, Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama,Sangerwani & Khaigam in Pulwama dist, Waskura in Ganderbal,Sedew & Ramnagri in Shopian dist,” said the Department of Information & Public Relations, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, on Twitter.

“Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah & Shalteng in Srinagar dist. & Chadoora in Budgam district of Kashmir div have been declared as Red Zones,” DIPRK tweeted.

The order was issued in view of the more COVID-19 positive cases from Kashmir which these areas have become vulnerable as far as transmission of the COVID-19 virus is concerned.

As of now, J&K has reported 55 cases, of which two persons have died while two have recovered. As many as 43 cases have been reported in the Kashmir division while twelve cases were reported from Jammu.



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Release detainees, restore 4G internet in J&K: Amnesty International

Srinagar

Amnesty International India on Tuesday urged the government of India to immediately restore high-speed 4G internet services and release all detainees in Jammu and Kashmir in view of Coronavirus.

Amnesty International India in a statement said that as Jammu and Kashmir enters the next phase of lockdown this time due to COVID-19, the Government of India must immediately release all those arbitrarily detained, restore full internet access and actively pursue trust-building measures with the people of the region.

“After interviewing over a dozen detainees, journalists, lawyers and businesspersons and obtaining information through 255 Right to Information applications and communications to government departments in Jammu and Kashmir, the organisation has documented the use of administrative detention on adults and minors often through verbal orders, prolonged communication blockade and absolute lack of transparency in the region,” Amnesty International India in a statement said.

“A public health emergency is not an opportunity to bypass accountability. Continuing use of unlawful and arbitrary detention along with limited internet connectivity and medical facilities only add to the panic, fear and anxiety caused by COVID-19. The people of Jammu & Kashmir are entitled to live with dignity and be informed of the threats that COVID-19 pose to their health. Measures must be taken to protect people’s human rights in the region of Jammu and Kashmir and not further weaken them,” said Avinash Kumar, Executive Director of Amnesty International India.

“International human rights law requires states to ensure all individuals deprived of their liberty are informed, in a language they understand, in writing, of the reasons for their detention and of their right to prompt and regular access to counsel. In absolute contravention to international human rights law, the executive magistrates passed verbal orders of detention. Such orders disable the detainees from challenging their detention before the court. In the wake of COVID-19, where the police has been arbitrarily detaining people and using excessive force, such an abuse of power and complete lack of accountability cannot be continued,” said Avinash Kumar.

“On 29 March 2020, in line with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir constituted a High Powered Committee to release prisoners on interim bail or parole. It further stated that factors such as the nature and severity of the offence and the duration of the sentence must be considered for ordering the release of a prisoner. Amnesty International India urges the Government of India to also include those who are currently in administrative detention, particularly booked under PSA and Section 107, 109 and 151 of the CrPC in its criteria. It also calls on the government to immediately and unconditionally release all persons deprived of their freedom solely for peaceful enjoyment of their rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, belief or equality and non-discrimination as they should not have been imprisoned in the first place,” said the statement.

“Building trust with people is essential in fighting an unprecedented pandemic. There are limited medical facilities available in Jammu & Kashmir and the numbers of positive cases of COVID-19 have already increased to 49 in the region. While the Government of India imposes travel restrictions and quarantines, it must prioritize human rights and refrain from abusing its power in this time of crisis. It must release all prisoners arbitrarily detained with special focus on older prisoners and children or those with serious medical conditions. It must also grant protection to all people in detention and provide access to healthcare without discrimination. The government must also immediately restore full access to internet services in the region. End to the COVID-19 pandemic in Jammu & Kashmir cannot come without the solidarity of all its people,” said Avinash Kumar in a statement.



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It Is Time To Apply Chinese Model To Defeat Coronavirus In Kashmir: DAK

Srinagar

Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Monday said that Covid-19 is a new disease and every day doctors learn how to tackle the impending crisis posed by virus stating that it is time to apply Chinese model to defeat the deadly disease.

President, DAK, Dr Suhail Naik said that doctors in Kashmir must-have “experiences of failure” of many countries that have been draped by the novel coronavirus.

“We have now completed tenth days of lockdown which covers the incubation period of Covid-19 for the majority of cases to surface, but we are not in crisis,” he said.

Dr Naik said this vividly indicates that “we are following the right path to combat the Covid-19.”

“But this doesn’t mean that we will show complacency and it is right time to prepare ourselves for tackling all the expected crisis due to Covid-19,” he said.

Dr Naik said from the various scientific studies, it is now clear that around 85% Covid-19 positive patients have the mild or asymptomatic disease and can be easily managed at home.

“Further 10%  of patients have severe disease and need hospitalisation for oxygen and supportive care. While about 5 % patients have a critical disease, who invariably need ventilator support and admission in critical care units,” he said.

Dr Naik said keeping in view the strength of the local health system it is very imperative that “we must follow the Chinese model of Covid-19.”

“The Chinses model was released by Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University for the novel coronavirus Management and Research Team,” he said.

Naik said guidelines suggested that quarantine, isolation could be done at home with proper guidance, home surveillance and only sick patients should be sent to hospitals.

“By adopting the Chinese model,  it is quite possible that around 85%  of Covid-19 positive cases can be managed at home under surveillance of frontline health workers. This strategy will save our health structure from overburden and as such prevent the crisis,” he said.

DAK said that China has also released home care guidelines and recommend that those with mild symptoms and the positive test should stay in a well-ventilated, single-occupancy room at home and household articles should be cleaned and disinfected with a chlorine-containing solution (500 mg/L) frequently every day.

“Visits from relatives and friends should be limited and the caregiver should be a healthy family member who does not have any underlying diseases. The patient’s activity should be restricted,” DAK said.

“The guidelines strongly suggest that if all public health measures are implemented at home by educating family and under the surveillance of frontline health workers majority of patients can be isolated, quarantined and managed at home only,” said DAK.

Dr Naik, who is also consultant Paediatrician said that even the Paediatric department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) recommends the home quarantine and Isolation for contacts and cases of Covid-19 positive respectively.



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Evacuate Labourers, Students Stranded Outside J&K: Tarigami To Lieutenant Governor

Srinagar

CPI (M) leader and former MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to evacuate labourers and students stranded in various states of the country on humanitarian grounds.

MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

M Y Tarigami (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

In a letter to Lt Governor G C Murmu, he said, “As the entire country and the world is battling with deadly coronavirus, the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the disease has resulted in hundreds of Kashmiri labourers and students getting stuck in various states of the country, including Punjab, Harayana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, UP and other states.”

“The lockdown following the spread of coronavirus may make their survival difficult as these include women and children as well. A good number of those stranded have been making repeated calls to make arrangements for their safe return,” he said.

“No work for 21 days means no income and for a labourer surviving in various cities of the country without any income would be a tough task. For labourers, who are often employed in low-paid, precarious jobs, the measures are a double blow. The economic shock has vaporized their incomes while the transport restrictions eliminated their normal ways home,” he added.

“Reportedly several state governments have promised to evacuate the stranded labourers, students of their states to their respective destinations. To alleviate the suffering of Kashmiri labourers and students struck in different parts of the country, it is imperative that similar decision is taken by the J&K administration urgently,” reads the letter.

“Everybody has a right to go home. J&K government must appoint it’s Nodal Officers in various states of the country to coordinate with the local authorities to provide much-needed support to the students and labourers of J&K who are stuck there and are making distress appeals for their evacuation. Till adequate measures are worked out for the evacuation of these stranded students and labourers of the Jammu and Kashmir, there is urgent need to arrange boarding and lodging facilities for them at their present locations,” it reads.

“Besides arrangements may be made for the labourers from outsides states, struck in Jammu and Kashmir including railway loading and unloading workers struck in Jammu railway station for their return to their homes. The district administrations may be directed to provide food and shelter to them till arrangements for their safe return are made. As such, I request you kindly consider their return to home on humanitarian grounds,” said Tarigami.



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Ensure excellent official accommodation for frontline health care workers: SDSJK

Srinagar

In an extraordinary meeting through medium of video conference, members of Society Of Dental Surgeons, J&K(SDSJK) showed serious concern about the families of medical staff who are working as frontline workers while handling Covid Crisis.

In a statement Dr Imtiyaz Banday, President SDSJK said medical professionals who work at covid hospitals are probable tickling bombs and a threat for their families. In these circumstances when there is no measures available for protection against coronavirus, it is full of risk to meet family members back home after performing duties.

SDSJK spokesperson Dr Adil Wani demanded excellent official residential facilities for all medical staff who are dealing with such patients.

He added that the government should come with some contingency plan for pick and drop of hospital employees during the lockdown. We can’t allow our families to suffer.

SDSJK is hopeful that government will wake from a deep slumber and take necessary measures to safeguard our interests.



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Coronavirus: 78 Individuals Go Home After 14 Days Quarantine

SRINAGAR: After the students and foreign travellers started completing their mandatory 14 days quarantine, authorities have started permitting them to return home. It started with a group of 78 individuals who left for home on Monday.

Syed Hanief Bulkhi, Srinagar’s additional Deputy Commissioner, with the first batch of quarantined people who were permitted to go home after 14 days of mandatory stay in a Srinagar hotel.

“They completed their 14 days and there were hale and hearty,” Syed Hanief Bulkhi, the additional DC Srinagar, who is overseeing the quarantine facilities in Srinagar, said. “It was a must for the larger good.”

Bulkhi said the 78 individuals who left for the home were in the quarantine facility at Heemal Hotel on the Boulevard. They were part of almost 40 similar facilities where more than 2000 people, mostly who travelled from abroad, were quarantined.

This group of people was the first to be quarantined. They all had come from Leh where the first case was Coronavirus was reported in the region.

The first batch of the individuals starting for home after completing the 14-days mandatory quarantine in a Srinagar hotel on March 31, 2020. Syed Hanief Bulkhi, Srinagar’s additional Deputy Commissioner, who is overseeing the quarantine facilities in Srinagar is seen with them.

“By Tuesday, I believe another batch of almost 36 persons who are in the quarantine facility that was set up in the Silver Star Hotel,” Bulkhi said. “Now it will be a regular process.” He said these people are still advised to stay in home quarantine for the time being.

Bulkhi said that quarantine is and continues to be the only sure system of ensuring social distancing especially about the people who had flown from far off places. He said most of the travellers quarantined were all right and were taken care of as per the systems and availability of resources.

The people who completed their quarantine belonged to various places across Kashmir including Kupwara, Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama. some of them are residents of Srinagar from Chanapora and Nishat.



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Coronavirus: Bandipora Admin Declares Four Villages As Red Zones

Srinagar

The District Administration, Bandipora, Tuesday declared four villages of the district as Red Zones as a precautionary measure after several COVID positive cases were reported from these areas.

Invoking prohibitory orders under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, Section 144 of the CrPC and Disaster Management Act, 2005, Nodal Officer COVID-19 Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Reyaz Ahmad Beigh said four villages including Parray Mohalla Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin and SK Bala Hajin were declared red zones.

He said there would be no inward and outward movement of any person from the villages declared as Red zone and the people would stay inside their homes to ensure complete lockdown. He warned of stern action against violators as per provision of relevant Acts.

The order was issued in view of the COVID-19 positive case from Hajin, Bandipora due to which the area has become vulnerable as far as transmission of the COVID-19 virus is concerned.



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Coronavirus: Three More Test Positive, Total Cases 55

Srinagar

Three more patients have tested positive for the Coronavirus in Kashmir taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 55, the official spokesman said.

Taking to social networking site Twitter, government spokesman Rohit Kansal wrote: “ UPDATE : 6 new positive cases confirmed in Kashmir Division.  All contacts of previous positive cases. Meanwhile contact tracing continues in both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions.  Please cooperate. Let’s#Fightittogether.”

As of now, J&K has reported 55 cases, of which two persons have died while two have recovered. As many as 43 cases have been reported in the Kashmir division while twelve cases were reported from Jammu.



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Coronavirus: 10-year old among 3 test positive, total cases 52

Srinagar

The number of covid-19 patients in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday crossed 50-mark as three more persons have been confirmed to have contracted the dreaded disease, all of them from Kashmir and include a ten-year-old boy, who had hugged a man who later tested positive for coronavirus.

Official sources told GNS that the boy, a resident of Eidgah Srinagar, tested positive for the pathogen and he had no history of travel. “He had hugged a man who later tested positive for the coronavirus,” a senior doctor at SKIMS told news agency GNS. He also confirmed that the boy’s test came out to be positive early morning.

Confirming it, Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS, Dr G H Yatoo told GNS that the boy reported to SKIMS yesterday and accordingly his sample was taken and came out to be positive today.

The two other persons who tested positive are presently admitted to JNLM hospital.

With these three more persons testing positive for the globally raging disease, the number of covid-19 patients in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up to 52.

On Monday, J&K recorded second single-day jump in covid-19 cases as 11 persons were confirmed to have contracted the dreaded disease in J&K and included a doctor in Jammu.

In an ominous development, this was the first case of a doctor contracting the novel coronavirus in the erstwhile state.

Coronavirus: Labs Collect Record 130 Samples In A Day

Officials said that the doctor was working as a microbiologist at the microbiology laboratory of Government Medical College Jammu. While the doctor has been moved to isolation, all staff working in the laboratory and others who might have come in his contact were shifted to quarantine.

Meanwhile, the government has said that several areas surrounding the location of covid-19 cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, and Rajouri in the interest of controlling the spread of the dreaded disease.

“Aggressive contact tracing of positive cases key to control the spread of #Coronavirus. Yesterday several areas surrounding the location of positive cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Rajouri,” tweeted Principal Secretary of Information Department, Rohit Kansal.

“This is purely in the interest of controlling the spread of #coronavirus, and helping identification of contacts on a real-time basis,” Kansal, who is also the government spokesman, said.  “Inconvenience so caused is temporary in nature but benefits will be immense. Request all to cooperate and take it in the right spirit,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the sealing of the areas is important and indispensable. “With some more cases coming positive these areas will be restricted till all precautions and measures are in places,” he added.



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Cultural academy releases song to raise awareness about coronavirus

Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) today released a song to generate awareness among masses on the deadly virus.

The song is written by poet, Muzafar Hussain Dilber and sung by noted Sikara fame singer, Munir Ahmad Mir.

The first song, ‘Traw Nerun Te Pherun Watan Baya’ on deadly virus covers the wide-range aspects of the genesis of deadly coronavirus and the havoc created by it across the globe.

On releasing the song, the Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), Muneer-Ul-Islam said that artists across the globe have been encouraging people to combat coronavirus though various mediums of art. He said society as a whole have to play their roles in their respective areas and see how one must respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said that as the coronavirus disease continues to evolve, in Jammu and Kashmir is taking a proactive approach to help ensure the safety of the people. He said that there is a greater need to generate awareness among people, locally in their own language and melody—which will help us achieve the goal of fighting this deadly virus. He said besides this government was closely monitoring the situation and provide updates as they become available.

The Secretary said that JKAACL was also aiming to get the ‘songs in plague’ written and composed in other languages too. “We will be soon releasing a song on coronavirus awareness in dogri language,” he said.

Music composer and noted Singer, Munir Ahmad Mir, who also works at in the Cultural Wing of Department of Information and Public Relations said that due to the lockdown, every activity is shut and people back home need some entertainment and infotainment.

“We as artists wanted to raise coronavirus awareness through songs and JKAACL is always there to handhold us,” he said. “In these times of crisis too, JKAACL honored the artists and made us to do our bit to make some difference on the ground,” he added.

Another music composer, Prof Muzafar Bhat said that he along with his friends is running an online platform, namely, Kashur Studio. He said that ever since the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, they have been working on the tracks in their respective homes and sharing them with artists. “We have released awareness songs. We will be soon releasing more songs to the general public,” he said.

Prof Bhat said that music is often called the universal language. Artists have to finding that, when trying to spread lifesaving information about the coronavirus pandemic, it helps to have a catchy beat.

“Musicians will be recording songs about social distancing, spotting symptoms and, of course, washing hands. It’s all part of an effort to get vital information about disease prevention to people who might not get it otherwise,” Bhat said.



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J&K Bank deducting EMIs, not adhering to RBI guidelines: KTMF

Srinagar

Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) Monday claimed that J&K Bank is deducting EMIs from the accounts despite RBI guidelines, saying it is “highly unfortunate”.

“RBI has clearly asked banks to put on hold EMI payments on all term loans including personal, home, education and other loans for three months and cut interest rate falling due from March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020,” KTMF said in a statement.

“There is no justification for the deduction of EMI,” said KTMF acting President Manzoor Ahmad Bhat.

“We got various calls from traders about the deduction of EMI from their accounts. On enquiring from higher-ups in the Bank, they said that borrower should give in writing about non-deduction of monthly instalments and its deferment. How is it possible for thousands of borrowers to go to the bank as we are under strict lockdown since last 10 days and maintaining social distancing,” he said.

“It is impressed upon J&K Bank to reverse the deductions made today and not to cause inconvenience to the traders in these testing times. We also hope that CMD J&K Bank will abide by its word of implementation of RBI guidelines in J&K,” Bhat in a statement said.



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Monday, 30 March 2020

Youth injured after shot at by unknown gunmen succumbs at SKIMS

Srinagar

A 28-year-old man who was injured critically after shot at by unidentified gunmen on March 21 in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district succumbed to injuries on Tuesday at SKIMS Soura.

Reports said that a youth identified as Waseem Ahmad son of Muhammad Amin a resident of  Turigam village in Kulgam district was fired upon by unknown gunmen on March 21. In the incident, Sameer sustained critical injuries.

Waseem was subsequently evacuated to a nearby hospital and then SKIMS Soura for advanced treatment. However, Waseem lost his battle with injuries on Tuesday early morning.

A senior doctor at SKIMS confirmed that the Waseem succumbed to injuries on Tuesday. His body is being taken by the family to his native village for last rites.

 



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DC Anantnag Launches Web Portal To Combat Coronavirus

Srinagar

The Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Bashir Ahmad Dar, today launched Web portal to combat COVID-19 in the district. The portal will help in tracking persons with travel history. The registration can be made on the web portal “combat covid.ang.in” on which voluntary registration can be made by the doctors, nurses, paramedics, NGOs and individuals.

Talking to the media persons, the Deputy Commissioner said that a helpline has been already made available in COVID-19 Control Room, set up in his office and anyone having problem regarding the supply of medicines, essentials can contact on the helpline number. He also said that home delivery of ration and other essential commodities are being made available at people’s doorsteps to ensure complete lockdown in the district and to avoid public movement.



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Reveal travel history or face criminal action: DM Pulwama

Srinagar

Under the reeling COVID-19 pandemic, the hiding of travel history and contact history with the COVID-19 positive cases has further endangered the lives of people.

Dr Raghav Langer

In this regard District Magistrate, Pulwama has issued a final warning to the people not disclosing their travel history or contact history with any COVID-19 positive case.

DM emphasized that any departure from disclosing travel history will be dealt as per relevant laws and district police would initiate immediate action against such people. He added that no case of self-reporting or voluntary disclosure of self-reporting will be entertained after 8.pm of March 30.

The District Magistrate has been appealing people to shun irrational fear associated with disclosing their travel or the contact history with any COVID-19 positive person and cooperate with the authorities by self-reporting of either histories.

He urged the persons with any travel history to self-report at the established COVID-19 control room, on contact number 01933-240412 and  01933-240912, set up in CMO office.

Moreover, such persons can also contact Help Desk set up at CMO Office, Pulwama, Dr Nuzhat on 7006130677and UZMA BASHIR on 9419297323.

Similarly, people can also contact  Help Desk established at PHC  Awantipora, Dr Jaweed Mehmood on  9906785983 and Gh Hassan Magray on 8803948011 or can directly report  https://ift.tt/2Jsc7TS up till 8:00 pm today.

The authorities have reiterated that concealment of travel history or circumvention of screening would coerce the authorities to invoke relevant sections of IPC and stringent action shall be initiated under section 269 IPC( unlawfully or negligently doing something which is likely to spread infection of any dangerous disease to life), section 270 IPC ( malignant act likely to spread infection of dangerous disease to life), section 271 IPC (knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule) and section 188 IPC ( for disobeying any Government order).



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Coronavirus: FCS&CA start home delivery of ration in Pulwama

Srinagar

On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Dr Raghav Langer, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) department, Pulwama started home delivery of ration to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the district, here today.

More than 17000 Quintals of advance ration was distributed among the households across the district as per the requirement including migrant labours at different locations in the district, today.

Sharing details regarding the availability of essentials, the AD Food said that there is adequate stock of essential commodities including ration, LPG  and other essentials in the district.

He said the department is providing ration to the registered consumers at their doorsteps as per protocol to avoid public gatherings and observe social distancing.

AD stressed upon the TSO’s and other concerned officials to make the home delivery system a success for convenience of the general public.



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Coronavirus: Animal Husbandry Deptt Appeals Public For Providing Food, Water To Stray Animals

Jammu

The Department of Animal Husbandry Jammu, Monday appealed the general public to be kind to animals and birds near their surroundings by providing food and water to them so as to minimize the sufferings of these speechless at this moment of crisis.

In view of complete lockdown to contain the spread of COVID- 19 pandemics, the street animals and birds are worst sufferers for want of food and water. Besides, there are reports that fearing infection of CORONA virus, many pet owners are abandoning their pets to stray without food, water and shelter.

The closure of food /eat points during lockdown may also result in starvation /death of stray animals and birds in large numbers which later may pose greater health issues to the humans. The stray animals and birds need to be provided with care, food and water to mitigate their sufferings. The general public is also informed that cruelty to animals is an offence under Section 3, Section 11(1) of prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and also that WHO has clarified that dogs and cats are not involved in spreading infection of Coronavirus.



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Pulwama Admin Launches Project Jazbaa To Fight Coronavirus

Srinagar

To fortify the efforts of government, Pulwama administration has started an initiative called “Project Jazbaa” for volunteers who are willing to fight against the Covid 19.

The aim of the initiative is to reinforce the efforts of the government for reaching out to the people in different parts of the district

People who are willing to become volunteers in the fight against Covid-19: can follow the link: https://ift.tt/2WTwSj6

The District Magistrate(DM), Pulwama issued an order in this regard, which reads, “In view of Coronavirus pandemic and its outbreak in various areas of the country, there is an urgent requirement of young volunteers for their duties related to mitigation and awareness measures at the community level”.

The DM has appointed District Youth Services and Sports Officer as nodal officer for identifying the volunteers of NYC, NYK, NCC, NSS, Red Cross, disaster management and for maintenance of a database of such volunteers and putting them on various duties.



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Coronavirus: A Movement Takes Off To Manage Mask Appetite

by Syed Samreen

SRINAGAR: One fine morning when Sagar Suhail, 24, a tailor saw the residents in his Gulgam village in Kupwara, desperate for the masks, he put everything aside. He just got into stitching the masks for the panicked villagers.

Made of ordinary cloth, these were not the blue sterilized medical masks – for which the health workers across the world including New York are protesting on streets. But the quick availability reduced part of the panic the villagers were pushed into by the viral threat.

Sagar and Mother

“I know we all can contribute to the society one way or the other but I chose to do something which involved my skill of tailoring to help people,” Sagar said. “I don’t intend to sell my masks, rather give them to people for free.”

Sagar felt the need to manufacture masks at home after seeing the desperation of people around.

In Gulgam, tailor Sagar Suhail tying a mask stitched by him around an elderly man outside his workplace.

Aware that he wouldn’t be able to give masks to all the villagers, because he’s tailoring them alone, Sagar said he would be content even if a single-family would get benefitted from him.

On asking him about the material required to make the masks at home, he replied, “I need three meters of cloth to stitch sixty masks, and till now I have made 300.”

Typically, it takes Sagar one full day of concentration and hard work to make 60 masks. All the material required, from thread to the cloth is bought by Sagar from his own savings.

“There is one major reason that I am willing to help scores of people with my skill – my mother. She literally forces me on daily basis to stitch more masks,” Sagar said.

The market started exhibiting an appetite for masks at a time when the marriage season was about to begin. The season is usually profitable for tailors as people rush to get new sets of clothes stitched for the new season. In Sagar’s case, his mother, Sadiya Begum, 45, makes sure that her son takes out enough time from his tight schedule to help and contribute to society.

As things get tough, tougher get going. That is what Kashmir has seen in every crisis for a long time now. Every time, there is a crisis, the people join in. The only problem, this time, is that the requirement of social distancing is preventing the larger involvement. Despite that people are working, using social media to connect and reach more people.

Tarzoo Volunteers

In Sopore’s Tarzoo Village, a group of young men are busy telling people what to do and what not to do, as part of the outreach. They are Waseem Ahmad Mir, 25, Talib Shaheen, 17, Sami Ullah Bhat, 28, and Saddam Hussain Khan, 16, led by Aijaz Ahmad Malik, 33.

Recently, In a Facebook post by Saddam Hussain, 16, it was made known to the people of Tarzoo that they no longer worry due to the shortage of masks.

Stacked up masks, which were distributed to people of Tarzoo village by Aijaz Ahmad and his friends.

Hussain, who happens to be a part of the group, started receiving messages from people who were in need of masks. The group of compassionate friends started manufacturing masks at home. Not having the necessary skill and equipment to make the masks, they hired two tailors who belonged to the same locality.

“The two tailors, who we handed over our job to, also happen to be my cousins,” Aijaz said. “They worked extremely hard because this was the first time they were stitching something apart from the regular Salwar-Kameez.”

The amount that Aijaz paid to the two mask-makers was too small but was politely declined. “But we forced them to take a token of Rs 100 each,” Aijaz said.

Aijaz said mask making and distribution is the only thing, right now, they can do for the society while sitting at home.

Finally, after making 400 masks, when the time arrived to distribute the masks, Aijaz exercised social distancing and made the people stand three feet apart in the queue. “While giving away the masks, I made sure that I had put on gloves and a mask so that people wouldn’t doubt our efforts,” he said.

Along with the mask giveaway, what Aijaz also gave the people were lessons and ways to protect them from contracting the virus.

Mask making is something that everybody feeds the need of and everyone tries to contribute. Even kids do that now.

A Little Model

Aayat Tanveer, a ten year from Karan Nagar had vowed to make a hundred masks this week.

Aayat is a student of the International Islamic School and is studying in sixth grade. Interested in craftwork since the very beginning, Aayat thought of putting her skill to work at the time it was most needed.

Aayat Tanveer, the ten-year-old mask maker from Karan Nagar holding a mask.

Tissue paper wrapped up in layers of cloth and fastened by elastic, Aayat thinks she can make up to a hundred such masks for people.

Aayat’s uncle, Ejaz Ayoub, Supports Aayat in her passion and calls it an ‘emotional project’ for her.

“The main Idea of this mask-making project and making her efforts public is that people start standing in unison at difficult times like these and help each other,” said Ejaz.

The material Aayat requires for her project includes cotton, jute bags, hot glue gun, elastic and tissue paper. The first seventy masks, said Ejaz, were easy to produce by her. Later on, Aayat made the masks at a slower pace, but more intricately.

Coronavirus: Are We Ready?

Aayat inspired many people including her friends in the mask-making craft. She received many calls after her craftwork got publicized on social media. Being just a ten year old, she is well aware of the pandemic that has befallen mankind. She maintains that the masks she is making should be given to the people in dire need.

“Whenever the bin man comes to collect the trash, she makes sure that he has a mask on,” Ejaz said. “Also, on her directive, we provide ten to fifteen masks to everyone who walks in through the main gate be it the trash collector, the milkman, or for that matter any other relative.”

Basically, the first inspiration to people across the Valley in helping out people by making masks was Aayat, after her pictures with masks went viral on the Social media.

Fashion Designer Joins

Finally, the biggest ever production of masks came from a Fashion Designer from Rawalpora Srinagar, namely Mufti Sadia. Till now, over a whopping 2000 masks were manufactured by her tailors in the unit set up at her lodging.

While people were stressing and panicking due to the uncertainty that loomed large on them, Sadia went to the market to buy masks for her, staff and the family. To her surprise, she saw that the masks that were usually sold at a cheaper price were now sold off at Rs 90 each. The hike in price was definitely due to the rising demands of masks. This led her to finally start making the home-made masks.

Belonging to a Fashion Designing background, she found it doable to produce a large number of masks in a short span of time as she had the labour and the equipment. Owner of The Hangers, a city boutique, Sadia was preoccupied with kurtis or kaftans when the virus overtook everybody’s priority. She started with triple-layer masks and is now into the making of personal protective equipment (PPE) that medical staff requires.

In four to five days, Sadia got more than two thousand masks manufactured.

Fashion designer, Sadia Mufti busy on her machine, stitching face masks. Photo: The Hindu

“I pay my tailors extremely less as compared to what they get on a regular basis,” Sadia told Kashmir Life. “I purchase the cloth and thread myself that is needed for the project and give away the masks.”

Sadia thought of increasing production and reaching out to more and more people in the coming days.

More Hands Join

Aware of the crisis that the health sector faces, a lot of women have joined hands. “Around 60% of the 270 skilled and semi-skilled professionals engaged by Ehsaas International, a non-governmental organization (NGO), are women,” The Hindu reported. “Besides 500 pieces of personal protective equipment, 3,000 triple-layered masks are supplied on a daily basis to the District Disaster Management Authority, Srinagar,” it quoted an NGO volunteer saying.

Surviving Epidemics

The newspaper reported that the Ehsaas International and J&K Skill Development Mission Society pooled manpower and trained certified professionals to develop health safety gears from a locally procured non-woven polypropylene material. “With their help, we have started making face shields, a substitute for goggles used as a part of personal protective equipment kit,” said Hakim Mohammad Ilyas, an Ehsaas International executive told the newspaper.



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Govt directs schools to extend date for depositing fee till April 30

Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday directed the schools to extend the last date for depositing school fees up to April 30 besides no charge should be levied for the online lectures/assignments or link the result of the child on the basis of home assignments.

The order issued by Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon reads, “It has come to the notice of the Government that some private schools in UT of Jammu and Kashmir have fixed 30th March 2020 as the last date for depositing school fees and are sending various messages to students and their parents to deposit such fees immediately.”

It also reads, “Whereas, complaints have also been reported that parents are being harassed by school authorities and the teachers concerned to mandatorily submit their assignments on the same day. Whereas in view of the existing pandemic situation, it may not be possible for students or their parents to deposit the school fees as per schedule fixed by various private schools and it is unethical to pressurize parents and students amidst prevailing circumstances to do so.”

Taking cognizance of the issue, the Government directive reads, “in the interest of the public at large and students and their parents in particular, it is ordered that the last date to deposit school fees is extended up to 30th April 2020 without any late fees and no school shall either charge any fee for the online lectures/assignments or shall link the result of the child on the basis of home assignments. The Management bodies of all CBSE/BOSE affiliated Private Schools of UT of Jammu and Kashmir are directed to issue appropriate directions in this regard”, the order reads.

“Regarding the annual fees being charged by the schools, the Government directive also asked the Director School Education Jammu/Kashmir to give the opportunity of being heard to all the stakeholders including parents and Private School representatives and submits their recommendations to the Administrative Department within a week,” it reads.

The Order added that violations reported if any shall be viewed seriously and warrant stern action under rules.

Meanwhile, Dr Samoon appreciated the initiative taken by some private schools to provide home assignments through WhatsApp and other means to their students.



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Coronavirus: 50 Arrested For Violating Lockdown Orders

Srinagar

Continuing its actions against violators of government prohibitory orders, Police in many parts of Kashmir have booked 44 persons besides, seized vehicles in Handwara and Awantipora.

A police spokesman in a statement said that Handwara Police in its efforts to ensure complete lockdown across PD Handwara booked 30 persons for violating Govt prohibitory orders in the jurisdiction of PS Handwara and Vilgam.

“Accordingly, cases vide FIR numbers 89/2020, 90/2020, 91/2020 under relevant sections of the law were registered in Police Station Handwara against 17 persons & a case FIR number 18/2020 was registered against 13 persons at Police Station Vilgam who were defying Govt orders. Two vehicles have also been seized by PS Vilgam,” said the spokesman.

In another action, Sopore Police have booked 14 persons who were violating Govt orders. In this regard, police registered a case FIR No. 57/2020 under relevant sections of law at Police Station Sopore and further investigation has been initiated, he said.

He said that in the jurisdiction of Police Station Batamaloo, six shopkeepers were also booked for defying the Govt prohibitory orders.

“They have been identified as Abdul Gani Sheikh, Waseem Ahmad Sheikh both residents of Baranpather Batamaloo, Hilal Ahmad Wani resident of Iqbal Colony Sonwar, Showkat Hussain Mir resident of Shivpora Sonawar Srinagar, Gh Mohi-Ud-Din Pandit resident of Iqbal Abad Bemina and Nisar Ahmad Dar resident of HMT Srinagar,” said the spokesman.

Accordingly, cases vide FIR numbers 32/2020, 33/2020, 34/2020 and 35/2020 under relevant sections of the law were registered in Police Station Batamaloo and further investigations into the case have been initiated.

In Awantipora, Police have seized 23 vehicles and 14 bikes from different areas of PD Awantipora for violating Government orders. Among the seized vehicles, 15 vehicles & 07 bikes were seized by PS Awantipora, 06 vehicles & 02 bikes were seized by PS Pampore, 02 vehicles & 05 bikes were seized by PS Khrew who were found plying in the said areas without the passes issued by the competent authorities, said the spokesman.

Police have once again requested the general public to follow the restrictions imposed by Government in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and those who are violating the restrictions will be dealt strictly, said a police spokesman in a statement.



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Coronavirus: Kupwara Admin distributes Rs 2.59 Cr among construction workers, labourers

Srinagar

Continuing its efforts to provide timely succour to the needy and impecunious persons during the lockdown, District Administration Kupwara, Monday distributed Rupees1.45 Crore among 1880 beneficiaries as education assistance under Building and other construction workers (BOCW) Act as COVID-19 assistance announced by the Central Government recently.

Assistant labour commissioner Kupwara added that apart from Rs 1.45 crore, an amount of Rs 1.14 crore was also distributed among 11427   registered labours at the rate of Rs. 1000 per head through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as COVID-19 assistance during the lockdown.

District Development Commissioner, Kupwara, Anshul Garg has urged upon labour class of the district, whose livelihood has effected during the lockdown, to avail the benefit of various welfare schemes envisaged for the welfare of construction workers.



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IGP caution people against travel on highway without ‘genuine passes’

Srinagar

Amidst the ongoing lockdown ordered by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar (IPS) on Monday cautioned people against travel on Jammu-Srinagar highway in a private vehicle without a genuine pass.

The Top police officer of Kashmir said that the police will seize the vehicle and passengers will be quarantined for 14 days at the nearest centre.

“Anyone tries to move on the national highway, especially towards Jawahar tunnel, in a private vehicle without the genuine pass, the vehicle would be seized and passengers will be quarantined for 14 days at the nearest centre,” the IGP Kumar told news agency GNS.



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I&FC department installs nine automatic WLRs on river Jhelum, major tributaries

Srinagar

Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC) had installed nine Automatic Water Level Recorders (WLRs) on River Jhelum at Sangam, Pampore, Ram Munshi Bagh & Asham and at its major tributaries including Sind, Lidder, Doodganga, Vaishaw and Rambiar.

The German-based technology Automatic Water Level Recorders are fitted with SIM cards, which will records water level data of river Jhelum on an hourly basis and send it to the control room of Irrigation and Flood Control department. For better planning and preparedness to tackle the flood-like situation, the department is further expanding network of Automatic WLRs across the valley to obtain instant data. The data as of now is being disseminated to various sections of media for real-time information.

This was revealed in a meeting convened by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole, here today to review the flood preparedness of Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC) in Kashmir.

The meeting was further informed that 12.6 lacs sand and 80,000 Geo bags have been kept at different locations of river Jhelum and other water bodies.

The Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned for instant mapping of all automatic Rain Guages which have been erected at IMD, Agriculture, SKAUST and Kashmir University. Besides, preparation of inundation maps at different water levels of river Jhelum at different locations. He directed the concerned to submit the information to the Div Com office at earliest.

He further directed Executive Engineers (Exens) of I&FC to contact their respective Deputy Commissioners for selecting the abandoned government buildings which will be used as stores at a time of any eventuality. They have also been asked to prepare a list of machines procured by Mechanical Engineering wing which can be used during floods.

The I&FC authorities department have been directed to update and list all its available tools and plants and upload it on IDRM network besides preparing a list of Boats available with Tourism, LAWDA, SMC, CRPF, BSF, Police, Disaster Management and private Shikara owners along with their locations. He also directed the concerned to up-date the Disaster Management plans and rectify the deficiencies, if any.

The Div Com said that bulk SMS services should be availed for the dissemination of warnings to the People on a real-time basis, at the time of exigency.

Pole exhorted to take the status of various works taken up by the ERA under Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project including consultancy studies on flood management and hazard risk assessment.

Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Chief Engineer I&FC, M M Shahnawaz, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.



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