Monday, 31 May 2021

Another JK Bank Officer Dies of Covid19

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Bank lost another middle management officer to Covid19. Manzoor Ahmad Hamdani breathed his last in SKIMS during the wee hours on June 1.

Manzoor Ahmad Hamdani

Hamdani was 56 and currently the Director of RSETI Bandipore. After spending almost 13 years in the bank’s Board office – where he would handle the Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Hamdani was shifted to Ganderbal as RSETI Director. He had joined the bank in 1986. His colleagues remember him as someone with sober and helpful nature, besides being a professionally meticulous person.

His colleagues in the bank said he complained of fever around Eid and was shifted to hospital. He died after fighting for life for all these days. He was the cousin of the leading SKIMS pulmonologist, Dr Parvaiz Koul.

Bashir Ahmad Dar, a JK Bank official who died of Covid19

A resident of Sederbal in Srinagar, Hamdani basically belongs to Khanqah area of the Shehr-e-Khas. He belongs to a family that would perform the duty of Muazins’s at Khanqah.

Hamdani is survived by three sons, one of whom was selected as a clerk in the bank, and his wife. His colleagues have mourned his death.

The bank lost three officials to Covid19 in May, the killer month of the contagion ever since it flew to Kashmir. On May 26, Bashir Ahmad Dar, a banking associate, posted at Kachdoora branch in Shopian died of Covid19.  The 1971 born bank worker was a resident of Manzgam in Noorabad. dar had joined the bank in 1999. te other two were branch managers Sanjay Kundu and Imtiyaz Wani.



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Covid-19 Claims 16 More Lives In J&K, Toll 3923

SRINAGAR:  Jammu and Kashmir reported 16 more covid-19 related deaths since last evening, taking the overall toll due to the virus to 3923, officials said on Tuesday.

Seven of the fatalities were reported from Jammu division and nine from Kashmir Valley, the officials told.

Among those who succumbed to the virus in the Valley include a 72-year-old woman from Nishat Srinagar who died three days after she was admitted to SKIMS Soura.

An 80-year-old man from Chanapora Srinagar died two days after he was admitted to the tertiary care hospital, they said.

A 75-year-old man from Nowgam Srinagar, they said, died at CD hospital, hours after he was admitted to the exclusive covid-19 management facility.

Three persons died at GMC Anantnag—a man from Roohu Annatnag, a woman from Shangus and a man from Bijbhera, they said.

A 50-year-old man from Handwara Kupwara died at district hospital Baramulla, they said.

An 80-year-old woman from Karnah Kupwara, they said, died at Sub District Hospital Tanghdar.

A 60-year-old man from Ushkroo Baramulla died at covid-19 management facility at Indoor Stadium Baramulla, they said.

Among others the victims from Jammu include a 46-year-old from Majalata Udhampur, a 67-year-old from Talab Tillo Jammu, a 78-year-old from Bantalab Jammu, a 76-year-old  woman from R S Pora, a 71-year-old man from Shakti Nagar and a 75-year-old from Rehari Jammu.  (GNS)



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Govt Asks Public To Obtain Receipts From Ration Stores, Starts Online Complaint System

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government has asked the general public to obtain a receipt from the storekeepers of government sale centres/fair price shops while stating that people can complain about “reluctance” on part of the storekeeper to provide the receipt on a toll-free number or on the official grievance portal.

“In case any storekeeper is reluctant to provide receipt the same shall be brought to the notice of the Department on toll-free no 1800-180-7011or through online mode on the official grievance portal i.e feastjk.gov.in/jkgrams,” the order issued by Director Food and Civil Supplies Kashmir.



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5 UN Officials Allege Waheed Parra’s Arrest Linked To His Virtual Interaction With UN SC Members

SRINAGAR: In a new twist to the continued detention of the PDP youth leader, Waheed Parra, five UN Rapporteurs have revealed that he was arrested after his interaction with UN Security Council members in a virtual event on July 30, 2020. The revelations are part of the detailed communication by five top officials to the Government of India sent on March 31, and put in the public domain 60 days later.

United Nations Security Council, File Photo

“Our concern in the case of Waheed Para is heightened by the fact that his arrest and detention appear to be linked to his interaction with UN Security Council members, which would amount to acts of reprisals for such cooperation,” the 8-page communication mentions. Apart from Parra, the communication pertains to two other individuals – Irfan Ahmad Dar of Sopore and Naseer Ahmad Wani of Dompora Shopian. While Dar was killed in police custody, Wani is missing in custody.

“.. on 30 July 2020, Para engaged with current and future members of the UN Security Council as a participant in a closed virtual meeting where he raised the alarm about the Government of India’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir, its treatment of Muslim minorities, and the recent border tensions with China.,” the communication signed by five Rapporteurs – Nils Melzer, Elina Steinerte, Tae-Ung Baik, Agnes Callamard, and Fionnuala Ní Aoláin reads.

“Following this engagement, Para received threats from officials with the NIA indicating that he was inviting trouble by engaging in such events. They gave him an ultimatum that if he did not cease speaking out about the Government, action would be taken against him.”

Here is the complete section of the communication pertaining to Parra.

“Mr Waheed Para, is a grass-roots political and social activist advocating the cause of youth in the former State of Jammu and Kashmir. He is also a member of the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership, a peace-builder, and serves as the youth President of the People Democratic Party. Mr Para has raised the alarm about the Government of India’s actions towards Kashmiris in the Muslim dominated former state of Jammu and Kashmir. He is from Naira in South Kashmir’s Pulwama District and previously worked as a journalist, who produced a number of human-interest news stories and anchored television shows broadcasted in the Jammu and Kashmir. Para was on house arrest until September 2020.

Waheed ur Rehman Para

On 25 November 2020, Para was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on alleged militancy charges and held in their custody for one month at their headquarters in New Delhi, where he was allegedly subjected to ill-treatment. Para was permitted to meet with his attorney and a family member separately approximately ten days after his arrest and again in the third week of his detention. All visits were conducted under surveillance.

His arrest has raised concern as it came three days after he filed his nomination to run for the District Development Council elections.

Furthermore, on 30 July 2020, Para engaged with current and future members of the UN Security Council as a participant in a closed virtual meeting where he raised the alarm about the Government of India’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir, its treatment of Muslim minorities, and the recent border tensions with China. Following this engagement, Para received threats from officials with the NIA indicating that he was inviting trouble by engaging in such events. They gave him an ultimatum that if he did not cease speaking out about the Government, action would be taken against him.

He was subject to abusive interrogations after his arrest, which lasted from 10 to 12 hours at a time and questioned about his participation at the above-mentioned event where he interacted with UN Security Council members. He was held in a dark underground cell at subzero temperature, was deprived of sleep, kicked, slapped, beaten with rods, stripped naked and hung upside down. His ill-treatment was recorded. Para was examined by a government doctor three times since his arrest last November and three times by a psychiatrist. He requested medication for insomnia and anxiety.

On 9 January 2021, following a hearing by a NIA Court, the judge ruled that the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) did not apply in this case. The NIA appealed the court’s ruling in a higher court. On 29 January, his legal team was granted two weeks to file their objections to the NIA challenge.

A few hours after his release, he was arrested and detained by the Counter- Intelligence in Kashmir (CIK) under a different charge related to providing financial support to terrorist groups. On 11 January 2021, he was formally charged and transferred to Srinagar under the custody of CIK. He appeared before court with a lawyer for a bail hearing. Bail was denied and he remains in remand.”

However, the communication has stated that they would not express “at this stage an opinion on the facts of the case”. They, however, called for “all necessary measures to guarantee the right of the detained person in this case not to be deprived arbitrarily of his liberty, in accordance with article 9 of the ICCPR”.

The UN Rapporteurs have sought detailed information about the factual and legal grounds for the arrests and continued detention of Waheed Para and Dar, and an explanation about how these measures are consistent with the international human rights obligations of India. They have also sought information about the factual basis justifying the recourse to militancy related charges levied against Para.

The UN Rapporteurs are used to sending detailed communications to the Government of India on issues of human rights. The Government has not responded to the communications mentioning or referring to the OHCHR report on Kashmir. On all other communications, however, the Government of India has responded. The last communication to which the Government of India has responded was about the costs and consequences of the reading down of Article 370. However, the Government of India is yet to respond to the particular communication about PDP youth leader.

Parra, it may be recalled here, faced detention post-August 4 2019 only to be released on February 5 2020 following which he was kept under house arrest. It was a couple of months later that he was completely set free only to be arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on November 25, 2020, just days after he filed nomination papers for the District Development Council elections which he won while in jail.

Two days later, a special NIA court in Jammu and Kashmir granted bail to Parra in an alleged “terror” case related to suspended Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh. Hours after the bail granted by the NIA court, Parra was again arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police’s Counter Intelligence Kashmir unit in a “terrorism” related case. Since then he has been in jail.



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Mufti Faizul Waheed, Quran’s Gojri Translator, Is no More

SRINAGAR: Mufti Faizul Waheed, the Rajouri born Islamic scholar credited with the first translation of the Quran into Gojri, is no more. He was 56.

Mufti Faziul Waheed

Mufti was admitted to ASCOMS in Jammu in late May. For most of the time, he was on a ventilator. He died today.

Mufti was living in Bhathindi, Jammu. He was the Chief Mufti o Jamia Maariful Quran, Bhatindi.



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Stealing The Bread

In trying circumstances enforced by the pandemic, the ration mafia working with the officially run PDS chain denies the poor their share of the food by lying and inventing inhuman alibi, writes Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat

In this November 2016 photograph, police are seen seizing 47 quintals of rice in Kashmir.

When free ration was being distributed among the beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ana Yojana (PMGKAY), many poorest of the poor in Budgam’s remote Goggee Pathri village were denied the same, this past Eid.  Ali Jahara, 81, a Gujjar from the scheduled tribe, went to the Government sale centre of the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department (FCS & CA). The storekeeper told Jahara that he was dead as per records. Several other poor consumers were also denied free ration on one pretext or the other. All the aggrieved alerted Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, an activist living in an adjoining village.

Mushtaq video-recorded the statements of around six below poverty line (BPL) consumers in Goggee Pathri village. Mushtaq, well versed with the e-portal of the food department, cross-checked the details of the aggrieved residents on the online portal. Jahara, who was declared dead by the storekeeper, was very much registered on the e-portal. His name figured in the Antodaya Ana Yojna (AAY) category.  Jahara and his wife Gulzara Begum were Aadhaar-linked as well. Similarly, Gulla Geege and Nazir Ahmad, two other locals who were denied free or subsidized rice on the eve of Eid were also registered as Priority Household (PHH) consumers on the e-portal.

BPL Consumer Ali Jahara

Jahara, who was waiting for the free ration announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was made to pay Rs 1,000 for 50 kg of rice (Rs 20/ Kg). Normally he would have paid only Rs 150 as subsidised rice is sold at Rs 3 per kg to BPL, PHH and AAY consumers as per the provisions of the National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA).

This phenomenon is not restricted to Goggee Pathri village alone. When I posted videos of Ali Jahara and Gulla Geegee on social media, I started getting messages and phone calls. In Dara Harwan of Srinagar one Gayasudin Rather told me he was denied subsidized ration for almost three months on the pretext of his name not being aadhaar linked. When we cross-checked, his name was very much linked on the e-portal.

Garib Kalyan Ana Yojna    

After the second wave of Covid-19, the Modi government on April 23, 2021, announced free rations for two months to economically weaker sections under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Under this programme, the government provides 5kg free food grains to approximately 80 crore beneficiaries for May and June. An amount of Rs 26,000 crore will be spent on the initiative. This includes non-poor consumers as well, unlike the PMGKAY where they are excluded.

PM Garib Kalyan Ana Yojna

As regards PMGKAY, the ministry of finance is the nodal ministry for this national programme. PMGKAY was initially announced for a three-month period (April, May and June 2020), covering 80 crore ration cardholders. Later, PMGKAY was extended till November 2020. On April 23, 2021, the government announced its decision to restart this free ration distribution programme.

Under this scheme, each consumer who is covered under NFSA will be provided an additional 5 kg grain (wheat or rice) free. This is in addition to the 5 kg subsidised food grains being provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS). PMGKAY-II lacks an important component, pulses (1kg per family), which was provided free last year with rice or wheat.

Court Takes Cognizance 

Meanwhile, the court of sub judge Chadoora took cognizance of this issue after Mushtaq filed a formal complaint against the storekeeper. The storekeeper who has been suspended by the Government was not only selling rice at exorbitant rates but he even attacked Mushtaq when the departmental inquiry team visited Goggee Pathri.

“When the team came to Goggee Pathri I was also there. The storekeeper instead of being ashamed of his activities attacked and manhandled me. He abused me as well,” Mushtaq told the court in his written application. “I then decided to move to the court of law as the department did not take stringent action against these corrupt officials. For the last one year, I have been fighting against this ration mafia who are selling the rice in the black market.”

Mushtaq Ahmad, an activist who is fighting a case against the CAPD officials

Sub Judge Chadoora Tabassum Qadir in her May 22, 2021 order directed the SHO Chadoora to take action in accordance with law and to file a compliance report by or before June 9. The court order reads:

“I have pursued the complaint as well as annexures filed by the counsel of the applicant. A perusal of the complaint reveals that the commission of cognizable offences against the accused has been made out. In view of the above-said discussion and the material on record, I deem it fit and appropriate to direct SHO Police Station Chadoora to take action in accordance of law and file a compliance report by before 9.06.2021”

NFSA Categories

There are two categories of consumers who are benefited under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) Antodaya Ana Jojna (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH). AAY families are the poorest of the poor and entitled to 35 kg of food grain per family per month. PHH is like BPL and these families are entitled to 5 kg per person per month. The work of identification of eligible households is to be done by states/UTs, but this is marred by favouritism.

Section 10 of NFSA provides that a state government or UT shall identify the households under AAY as per guidelines applicable to the said scheme and the remaining households as PHH to be covered under PDS. In J&K, there is a third category as well called Non-Priority Households (NPHH). Rice is sold at Rs 20, a Kg to these consumers. They were covered under the above poverty line (APL) category before the implementation of NFSA in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the existence of Article 370, NFSA was extended to Jammu and Kashmir in toto with effect from April 1, 2016, when the BJPDP government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was in power. The then state legislature had assented to this Bill.

Truck carrying 200 bags of PDS rice meant for black marketing seized in Kulgam, two arrested in July 2019

NFSA provides highly subsidised rations of wheat flour for Rs 2 per kg and rice for Rs 3 per kg to about 75 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir who have been listed as PHH. Another 45 lakh, listed as NPHH, get their rations at higher rates. This means that more than 90 per cent of the Jammu and Kashmir population is covered by NFSA. But its benefits are not reaching every household.  It is important to mention that beneficiaries of NFSA are based on the last Census (2011). Since then, the number of food-insecure people has increased and they remain uncovered.

Supreme Court Intervention

Prime Minister Modi launched Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan or Self-reliant India campaign on May 12, 2020. This was a special economic and comprehensive package of Rs 20 lakh crore, which is equivalent to 10 per cent of India’s GDP, to fight the pandemic. Delhi alone saw a huge migration of labourers last year. Activists and media had criticised the government for not being able to provide ration to the non-ration cardholders in Delhi NCR.

The Supreme Court also directed the opening of langars (community kitchens) for the stranded labourers. A bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhusan and MR Shah observed that it was inclined to direct the starting of community kitchens and dry rations in Delhi NCR for migrant labourers so that nobody starves.

Using e-PoS Machines 

Around four years back the Government decided to install electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) machines in all government-run ration depots across Jammu and Kashmir, which include private fair price shops as well. The then Food Minister, Chowdhary Zulfiqar termed the introduction of ePoS machines as one of the biggest reforms in bringing transparency in the PDS. Crores of rupees were spent on the purchase of these machines and for many years the machines were not put to use. Three years later, the Government put these machines into use.

Last year, when our volunteers exposed a PDS scam in Loolipora village in Chadoora, the Government then decided to make effective use of ePoS machines, and aadhar linking all consumers. This was only possible due to the personal efforts of the then Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Simrandeep Singh.

A woman walking through a paddy field when the farmers are busy in the trans-plantation of paddy.

The Government ration storekeeper in Loolipora was also selling subsidized rice to poor and disadvantaged consumers at exorbitant rates, a practice in vogue for many years. When our volunteers crosschecked the ration cards of almost 50 poor households on the e-PDS portal (www.jkpsc.nic.in) they were registered under the Priority Household (PHH) category which is the name given to BPL consumers under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

In four years, more than Rs 25,000 were looted from each such PHH or BPL family by the Food Department officials in Lolipora alone. I had been urging the Government to get this matter probed by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) or Crime Branch but the Government only suspends the officials involved who get reinstated after a few months and then these officials again get back to ‘business’. This is what I have been observing for the last many years.

Conclusion 

The Aadhaar-linked electronic ePoS machine used at ration stores displays the price, the weight of items and the credentials of a consumer.

Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat

The storekeepers are reluctant to use these machines, as there is no space left for corruption, mismanagement and black-marketing. The PDS storekeepers as well as fair price shop owners were supposed to sell the ration on the fixed rates to consumers. At the end of the transaction, the consumer is supposed to get an electronically generated receipt, which would show all these details. How many consumers get these receipts from ration stores? The Food Department tells consumers to get a bill from shopkeepers, but their own storekeepers never generate a bill from e-PoS machines? There are thousands of such cases where free or subsidized ration isn’t reaching the real beneficiaries under NFSA in almost all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir, but these cases go unnoticed. If somebody tries to raise their voice, the storekeepers – and the associated ration mafia – muzzle the same. The storekeepers on the other hand allege that they get less supply from the granary and then they are forced to manipulate things. Will the Government ever streamline Jammu and Kashmir’s PDS?

(Founder & Chairman J&K RTI Movement, the author is an Acumen Fellow.)



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Briefing May 30 – June 5, 2021

BOSTON

Dr Khalid Shah’s therapy to treat brain tumour has now been acknowledged as one of the 12 technologies that will impact patient care in near future.

After working on cutting edge technology, Dr Khalid Shah and his team finally succeeded in getting a slot in this year’s 12 technologies that will impact brain tumour management in future. A Kashmir scientist, Dr Khalid heads Harvard Medical School’s Centre for Stem Cell Therapeutics and Imaging while being a Principal Faculty at Harvard Stem Cell Institute. Dr Shah’s technology involves using genetically engineered cell including cancer cells themselves and turning them into turncoats and eventually guiding them to attack the very tumour. For this novel cell therapy, Dr Shah’s team developed and tested two techniques to harness the power of cancer cells. The “off the shelf” technique used pre-engineered tumour cells that would need to be matched to a patient’s HLA phenotype (essentially, a person’s immune fingerprint). The “autologous” approach used CRISPR technology to edit the genome of a patient’s cancer cells and insert therapeutic molecules. These cells could then be transferred back into the patient.

Jammu, Shopian and Ganderbal districts achieved 100% vaccination target in 45+ age group.

JAMMU

Gurdeep Singh Sasan

The NC lost its Jammu Provincial Vice President Gurdeep Singh Sassan to Covid19. After being treated in GMC Jammu’s ICU for around 20 days, Sasan had tested negative for Covid19 but died of post-Covid19 complicacies. With this, the NC lost four senior leaders in the Jammu region. Earlier, the Covid19 killed former lawmaker, Rashpal Singh. He was followed by another lawmaker, Kashmir Singh, an ex-MLC from Billawar and then Abdul Wahid Shah, a member of the assembly in the 1996 session from Gool Gulabgarh. The pandemic, however, was very kind in Srinagar. A number of the party leaders including the President and Vice President contracted the virus and fought it successfully.

Journalists are the high-risk group under Covid19 categorisation. In one week, more than 600 of them were inoculated across Jammu and Kashmir. 

SRINAGAR

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Monday, March 22, 2021 chairing Provincial review meeting of the Party’s Parent, YNC, Women’s Wing, and segment in charges here at party headquarters. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

National Conference had history’s first virtual meeting of its Working Committee. Almost 80 leaders virtually discussed the issue for six hours. After the meeting, it issued a long statement insisting that there cannot be a trade-off between the development and the aspirations of the people. It said the peace will elude till Article 370 and Article 35A are not restored. However, it did not speak even a word on an issue that consumed a lot of time of the meeting – to end the boycott of the Delimitation Commission. The party leader specifically asked the question to the members and almost 99 per cent said the boycott must end and the party must articulate the demands of the people. In absence, they said, BJP is the only party that is talking before the Commission. The party president said he will set up a Committee within the party and then will decide. Political observers read a major change in this especially after Dr Farooq avoided keeping the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) active.

JAMMU

Dr Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS)

Arun Kumar Mehta, a 1988 batch (IAS) officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre has been appointed as new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir after BVR Subrahmanyam was transferred to the Commerce Ministry at the Centre. In his more than three-decades-long bureaucratic career, Mehta has held key positions in the administration. Subrahmanyam, a 1987 batch IAS officer from Chhattisgarh, a choice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was appointed as Chief Secretary soon after the BJPDP alliance was undone in 2018. Under his bureaucratic leadership, precedence was created when a state was dismembered, downgraded to a UT and disempowered by undoing Article 370.

Maruti Udyog Ltd will set up a 500 LPM Oxygen generation each in Srinagar and Jammu.

KUPWARA

Ashraf Sehrai, who died of Covid-19 in GMC, Jammu on May 5, 2021, while being in preventive custody under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act.

Sehraies’ are emerging a classic Covid19 case. Separatist leader, Ashraf Sehrie allegedly caught the infection in Udhampur jail and died in GMC Jammu on May 5, 2021. His son drove him to their Tekkipora home for burial. Police said there was sloganeering and registered a case against 20 people. On May 16, two of his sons Mujahid Sehrai and Rashid Sehrai were arrested and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for “raising anti-national slogans”. On May 27, both test positive. Jail authorities said they did not receive them because they had tested positive so the police are keeping the two brothers in a police lock-up in Kupwara.

SHOPIAN

Jamia Masjid Shopian. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

Jamia Masjid Shopian. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

With the pandemic dominating the scene, the priority of the governance systems across India is to ensure that people stay home. But Jammu and Kashmir seem to be an exception. While people are scared of the virus, the forest officials – in Jammu as well as in Kashmir, are busy in evictions and “retrieving” the “encroached land”. In Zampathri (Shopian), almost 18 persons including five journalists were injured when the forest officials armed with lathis almost invaded the Gujjar belt. They have been living there for ages. With the forest officials resorting to such evictions, the rights the jungle dwellers have under Forest Rights Act becomes null and void well before it would be implemented.

BEERWA

In a heartrending incident, two minor girls; a three-year-old Dua Jan and two-year-old Arsheman Bashir and a boy, Sabzar Ahmad died after they fell into a pit in Narwara village of Beerwah. The trio had fallen into a pit while playing in Beerwah area, saying that they were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared them dead on arrival.

Of Kashmir’s 8308 Ex-Servicemen (ESM), 1412 have volunteered to work in Covid19 facilities and 212 have actually been deployed.

QAZIGUND

In the last few weeks, shocking gender violence is being reported from this belt. In the latest case, a girl has approached Police at Mirbazar saying she was raped in a truck (JK18-9100) on National Highway, at Nipora near petrol pump, by one Mudasir Ahmad Ganie, son of Abdul Rashid Ganie, a resident of Banimulla. She identified his support as Manzoor Ahmad Naik, son of Ghulam Mohammad Naik, a resident of Gadol. Police have seized the vehicle and arrested rapists.

Police gave Rs 5000 each to 1848 of its personnel who contracted Covid19 since 2020.

SRINAGAR

The team of doctors at JLNM Hospital Srinagar did a successful operation on a Covid-19 patient on May 30, 2020. KL Image: Special Arrangement

By offering incentives to frontline health workers, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has put many others at a disadvantage despite the fact that they are also fighting Covid19 in the same hospitals. The Resident Doctors are actually running the main show in the hospitals but for many months they are seeking separate accommodation to prevent their families. They say more than 120 of them, and countless families of their members were infected. In another case, the government asked the medical school undergrads to work in hospitals. They are given Rs 12000. But they say they must also be entitled to the special package that was drafted for frontline workers. They have no accommodation. These issues are adding to the crisis of the people who are risking their lives for society at large.

POONCH

The Brigader level flag meeting between the two armies in Poonch's Chakan-da-Bagh

The Brigader level flag meeting between the two armies in Poonch’s Chakan-da-Bagh in 2013

When they are aggressive even human beings do not matter. When they become friendly with each other, even bovines matter. Last week, the army sent back six cattle that had inadvertently crossed the LoC and come into Poonch. The six buffaloes were owned by a poor man on the Rawlakot side whose household depended on the milk he was selling. The armies established contact and the animals were formally handed over to the Pakistani army. The two armies are exhibiting a sort of friendliness after UAE brokered a peace deal that led to the revival of the moribund ceasefire of 2003. It is holding. The only tension is that there is no follow up.



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35 Years Later, Police Arrests ‘Absconder’

SRINAGAR: Mohammad Shafi from Matlote area of Reasi was arrested 35 years after he allegedly escaped from custody, days after he was arrested for selling the sheep of a resident who had given them for grazing. That was in 1986 when the cops from Police Station Mahore arrested him.

Mohammad Shafi arrested after 35 years by police in Reasi after he was accused of selling sheep of a resident and later escaping from custody

A detailed statement issued by Reasi Police about the old man said that in 1986, Police Station Mahore had received a written complaint on November 6, from a person named Shivsaran in which he had claimed that his sheep entrusted to Mohammad Shafi for grazing were sold by him and others, thus causing a criminal breach of trust.

The police lodged case FIR number 128/1986 dated 06/11/1986 U/S 406, 34 RPC of Police Station Mahore. The accused Shafi went underground and was evading arrest after the commission of the alleged offence. However, he was arrested on January 1, 1987, but managed to escape from police custody.

So the police lodged another FIR no. 6/1987 U/S 224 RPC.

Shafi, as per police, managed to evade arrest by changing his locations in grazing pastures in Dhokas in “militancy infested” areas of Kashmir.

In the ensuing years, the investigating officer of the case proved offence against the accused and submitted the charge sheet before the court of law. The Mahore court issued two warrants against the accused on July 17, 1987, and November 29, 1987.

Now after 35 years, a team of Police Station Arnas developed a specific input, which led to the arrest of Mohammad Shafi from the Dhokas (temporary nomadic hutments) in Banihal.

However, the court now released Shafi on interim bail for four days on the production of a personal surety bond of Rs 50,000. The photograph released by the police suggests that Shafi has grown too old.



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Father Allegedly Kills Two Sons, Self In Doda

Doda: A father has allegedly killed two sons and later killed himself in the Doda district of the Jammu region on Monday evening while police stated that they have rushed to the spot to ascertain the facts.

Sources said the three persons including the father and two sons were found in a pool of blood at Kahara Tehsil of Doda district.

They said that the father identified as Sumeet Singh (38), son of Chunni Lal allegedly killed his two sons and later killed himself as well.

The sons have been identified as Chander Kant (17) and Kamal Kant (15) of Joura Khurd village in Doda.

However, a police official said they have rushed to the spot to ascertain the facts. “It is being informed that a father has killed himself as well as his two sons with a 12-bore rifle. We are heading towards the spot to investigate the matter,” he said. (KNO)



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Bring Covid19 Positivity Rate Below 2% By Late June, CS Mehta In His Maiden Meet

SRINAGAR: In his first meeting with the district administration, Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta emphasised that they must work towards bringing the positivity rate below 2% by the second half of the month, a.n official spokesman said

In the maiden meeting, Mehta took stock of progress achieved with regard to Covid19 mitigation, implementation of district development plans, completion of works identified under ‘Back to Village’ programme and redressal of public grievances.

Reviewing the progress achieved in containing the spread of Covid19 infections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Secretary asked the district administrations to remain focused on working towards bringing the positivity rate below 2% by the second half of the month. He laid emphasis on optimal utilization of Panchayat-level Covid19 care centres to provide timely medical care to patients in rural areas.

The Deputy Commissioners were asked to immediately submit the lists of beneficiaries to be given financial relief under the new scheme Saksham, which envisages extension of pension/scholarship benefits to the families that lost their breadwinners to Covid19.

Laying down the priorities of the Government, the Chief Secretary said that the outcome of various welfare measures, schemes and programmes must be a reflection of local needs and demands, adding that a robust monitoring mechanism will be followed to measure the progress.

Regarding district development plans, the districts were asked to submit the documents immediately so that approval is granted latest by 10th June for early implementation and completion of proposed works.

He further directed to expedite completion of works identified under ‘Back to Village’ programme, and asked the concerned to display village wise lists of newly created assets at prominent places for general awareness of the residents of the area with a view of promoting public ownership of the infrastructure.

The Chief Secretary said that the administration must remain sensitive to the issues of the general public and proactively engage with them at regular intervals.



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Covid19: 1624 People Died In May, Jammu Pushed Srinagar To Slot 2

by Yawar Hussain

SRINAGAR: May proved to be a killer month as far as Covid19 mortality is concerned in Jammu and Kashmir.

With the overall death toll of the pandemic reaching 3907 by the evening of May 31, the number of people killed in May stood at 1624, the highest in a month. These included 605 in the Kashmir region and 1019 in the Jammu region.

By the end of the month, Jammu city has pushed Srinagar city from the No 1 position in the 20-district tally as for as mortality by the contagion goes. April ended with Srinagar topping the list with 536 deaths and Jammu playing second fiddle with 478 Covid19 mortalities since the beginning of the pandemic in Jammu and Kashmir.

A month later, however, the position is completely changed. Srinagar lost 235 people and Jammu 589 in a month thus pushing Jammu to the top. Now Jammu has 1067 deaths and Srinagar 771.

Statistics released by the government suggest that out of total 1908 deaths in the Jammu division, Jammu district alone has a share more than 50 per cent followed by Rajouri at 184, Kathua 132, Udhampur 124, Samba 111, Doda 89 Poonch 78, Ramban 53, Reasi 36 and Kishtwar 34 till May end.

In terms of mortality, of the 1999 Covid19 deaths that have taken place in the Kashmir division, Srinagar tops with 771 deaths but is slightly more than one-third of the total in the region.

Srinagar is followed by Baramulla with 260 deaths till now, Budgam 179, Pulwama 169, Anantnag 161, Kupwara 142, Kulgam 102, Bandipora 91, Ganderbal 69 and Shopian 55.

Kashmir, however, continues to remain at the top with the number of infections. Of the active 35095 Covid19 cases across Jammu and Kashmir right now, Kashmir alone has 22034 cases leaving only 13061 to the 10 districts of Jammu. By the end of April, Jammu and Kashmir had 28359 active cases of whom 17699 were in Kashmir and 10660 in the Jammu region.

What is interesting, however, is that the percentage is shifting between Srinagar and Jammu cities. By the end of April, Jammu had 6189 active cases. The numbers have been reduced to 5617 by the end of May.

The Srinagar city started with 8346 active Covid19 cases on April 30 and reduced it substantially to 4348 by the end of May.

Among the total 13061 active positive cases in the Jammu division, Jammu district has 43 per cent (5617) share in the region followed by 1472 in Rajouri, Samba 1273, Doda 1136, Poonch 866, Ramban 836, Udhampur 686, Reasi 485, Kathua 480, and Kishtwar 246 till May 31.

In the Kashmir division, Srinagar is followed by Anantnag district with 3797 cases, Baramulla 2576, Budgam 2232, Pulwama 2213, Kupwara 1864, Kulgam 1664, Ganderbal 1277, Shopian 1165 and Bandipora with 898 till May end.

Among the total infected till May 31 in Jammu and Kashmir, 86.55 per cent of patients in Kashmir have recovered so far while in Jammu the percentage is 86.60.



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J&K Govt Orders Lightening Homework Load Of Students After Young Girl’s Viral Video

Srinagar: Two days after a video of a six-year-old girl went viral on social media demanding curtailment in homework, the Lieutenant Governor has now directed the School Education Department to come out with a policy within 48 hours to lessen the load.

“Very adorable complaint. Have directed the school education department to come out with a policy within 48 hours to lighten the burden of homework on school kids. Childhood innocence is a gift of God and their days should be lively, full of joy and bliss,” LG Manoj Sinha tweeted from his official Twitter handle.

It is pertinent to mention here that all educational institutions have shifted to the online mode of education since the beginning of Covid-19’s second wave.

It was in this backdrop that a six-year-old girl from Kashmir made a video on social media complaining about a hectic timetable.

“Why teachers give such heavy classwork to the kids of 6th standard? When I wake up in the morning, from 10 am to 2 pm I need to attend online classes. This schedule is meant for higher class students,” she said.

It went viral on different social media platforms and finally grabbed the attention of the administration.

Educational institutions of Jammu and Kashmir have been closed since the beginning of the second wave of COVID-19 and will remain closed till June 15 2019.

Users hailed the move of administration and termed it as a welcome step.



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Go-Air Will Fly Cherry, Strawberry To Outside Markets

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Department has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with airline carrier Go-Airlines for transportation of perishable horticulture and agricultural produce to various destinations across the country.

Kashmir produces almost six varieties of cherry. Recently even the high density was introduced. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

The MoU was signed in presence of Principal Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Horticulture departments, Navin Kumar Choudhary at Civil Secretariat here on May 31, 2021, an official spokesman said.

Choudhary said that this significant step will empower the fruit growers and address the transportation hiccups for the horticulture produce especially the highly perishable items like Cherry, Plum, Apricots etc.

Kashmiri Muslim farmers harvest strawberries at a farm on May 13, 2020, in Gousoo on the outskirts of Srinagar. Strawberries are the first fruit crops that come to market and fetch a good price. However, despite the bumper crop, strawberry growers are afraid they might incur losses if Coronavirus lockdown is not lifted soon as it has less shelf life. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

The government, he said, is considering providing some sort of financial support to fruit growers who will utilise this facility for transportation of horticulture and agricultural yield to outside J&K as well as the facility of refrigerated vans for which the decision could be taken by the government in a couple of days.

Navin K Choudhary

Under this MoU, the airline will charge Rs 24, Rs 34, Rs 47, Rs 48 and Rs 50 for transportation of perishable fruit produce from Jammu and Srinagar to Delhi, Mumbai/Pune, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru respectively. (Seemingly, the freight mentioned is for a kilogram but the spokesman has not mentioned it.)

The growers can directly approach the airline and transport their produce at the said rates.

Pertinently, the government had invited bids from airlines regarding this and the Go-Airlines was selected as it offered the lowest rates per Kg for transportation of perishable fruit produce.



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Ramesh Mehta, Former Secretary Academy Is No More

SRINAGAR: Ramesh Mehta, former Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) is no more. He breathed his last at the Naraina Hospital Katra. He was 74.

Family sources said Mehta was suffering from Covid19 infection. He survived by his wife son and daughter.

Ramesh Mehta, former Secretary of JK Culture Academy died on May 31, 2021. He was suffering from Civid19

Born in 1947, Ramesh Mehta was a writer, artist, and critic of national repute. He was a Hindi poet as well. Between 2003 and 2006, Mehta served as Secretary Cultural Academy.

Mehta joined Academy in 1973 as Editor Hindi section. This was the position wherefrom he contributed immensely to the promotion of Hindi and Dogri. In 1984, he was bestowed with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Authors Guild of India.

The staff of the Academy condoled the death of their former Secretary and remembered his contributions. In a special condolence meeting, Dr A S Amn, additional secretary, Dr Javaid Rahi, Dr Sudhir Mahajan, Ratan Basotra, PP Singh and Rita Rani spoke about Mehta, a statement issued by the Academy said.



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Covid19: 37 Deaths, Fewer Infections At 1525 Reported As 4070 Defeat The Contagion

SRINAGAR: At the end of May, when shops and other business activities have been restored across Jammu and Kashmir, as many as  37 deaths were reported owing to Covid19 across 20 districts of the erstwhile state. During the last 24 hours, 1525 fresh infections were reported, with 1000 from Kashmir while 525 from the Jammu division.

Kashmir lost 17 citizens and Jammu 20 in the last 24 hours. Jammu city’s Covid19 casualties reached 1067, the highest in the 20 districts.

But what is rarely being seen is that more people return home from hospitals fully recovered than the new tally of infections. In the last 24 hours, as many as 4070 people recovered thus reducing the number of active cases to 35095. The recoveries included 1801 cases in Jammu and 2269 in Kashmir.

Now the death toll of Covid19 in Jammu and Kashmir is 3907 including 1999 in Kashmir and 1908 in Jammu.

As many as seven deaths took place in Jammu city and seven in Srinagar city, the information revealed by the government said.

The district-wise details suggest that Kashmir lost three citizens in Kulgam, two each in Baramulla, Bandipora, and Pulwama, and one in Budgam.

Apart from 12 deaths reported from Jammu city, the region lost four citizens in Udhampur, two in Doda, and one each in Kathua and Rajouri.

In Kashmir, the new cases include 102 from Baramulla, 121 from Budgam, 77 from Pulwama, 181 from Kupwara, 88 from Anantnag, 35 from Bandipora, 46 from Ganderbal, 65 from Kulgam, and 32 from Shopian.

From Jammu, officials said Udhampur reported 25, Rajouri 40, Doda 64, Kathua 13, Samba 06, Kishtwar 14, Poonch 29, Ramban 36, and Reasi 20.

Right now, Jammu and Kashmir has 35095 active cases, which includes 22034 in Kashmir 13061 in Jammu.



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J&K High Court Announces Summer Vacation, Nominates Four Judges To Hear Urgent Matters

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today ordered sunmer vaccination for a period of 18 days, trom 7th June to 25th June, 20121 (both days inclusive)

An order issued in this regard read,
“It is hereby notified that the Hon’ble High Court of Jammu and Kashmir will remain closed for summer vacation with effect from 7th June, 2021 to 25th June, 2021 (both days inclusive). The period commencing from 7th day of June to 12 day of June, 2021 shall be No work period for the Hon’ble High Court”

Further the order stated, “In terms of Rule 12 of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Rules, 1999 Hon’ble the Chief Justice has been pleased to nominate the Hon’ble Judges for both the wings of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, named in Column (1) below, to be the vacation Judges to hear all matters of urgent nature for the period mentioned against their names in Column (2).”

The table indicating the names of judges for both the wings of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir to be the vacation Judges to hear all matters of urgent nature for the period is:



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J&K High Court Orders Virual Hearings To Continue Till 15 June

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today ordered that virtual hearings will continue till 15th June, 2021.

An order in this regard was issued by the Registrar General of J&K High Court which read,

“After taking feedback with regard to the prevailing situation due to the spread of Covid-19 infection cases in UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and also the latest SOPS and Guidelines of the Government in vogue, the High Court order No. 259 of 2021/RG dated 26.04.2021, read with order No. 299 of 2021/RG dated 10.05.2021 and order No. 332 of 2021/RG dated 25.0 2021, is further extended up to 15th June, 2021.”

Further details awaited.



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Admin Sets June 10 Deadline For Vaccination Of All Secretariat Employees

SRINAGAR: The J&K Administration has asked Administrative Secretaries to ensure all employees working in civil secretariat are vaccinated by June 10.

“Attention of all Administrative Secretaries is invited towards Circular No. 12-JK(GAD) of 2021 dated 06.04.2021, wherein instructions were issued for ensuring vaccination of employees above the age of 45 years. Since, vaccination against the COVID-19 disease is now available for the age group of 18 years and above, it is imperative that entire staff working in the Civil Secretariat, Jammu/Srinagar gets vaccinated immediately,” Manoj Kumar Diwevdi, Commissioner Secretary GAD, said in an order.

“Accordingly, it is impressed upon all Administrative Secretaries to ensure vaccination of all the employees working in their Administrative Departments by 10th of June, 2021 and submit a report in this regard on 11thof June, 2021 to the General Administration Department.” (GNS)



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One More IED Detected, Defused In South Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Police and security force on Monday detected one more Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, official sources said.

They said that second IED was found in Saimu Tral area and later defused by the Bomb Disposal Squad which was rushed to the area.

Earlier an IED was found in an orchard near Panjgam area of Awantipora in the district, the officials told a local news agency.

The Bomb Disposal Squad later defused the device without any damage, they added. (GNS)



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Police Foils Suicide Bid From A Lady

SRINAGAR: Alert police personnel foiled a suicide bid here in Kashmir capital Srinagar on Monday afternoon.

Sources said that a lady (name withheld) from Budshah Nagar Natipora emerged on Budshah Bridge Srinagar and tried to jump into the river Jehlum. However, the alert policemen on the spot stopped her and after hard efforts bundled her into a police vehicle.

A video of this incident is viral.

A police official said that the lady has been pacified and is being counselled while reasons behind taking this extreme step are being investigated.

Earlier, today, unknown person jumped into the river Jehlum on Cement Bridge Qaamarwari Srinagar. His body has not been fished out so far. A couple of days ago, a man from Indira Nagar Sonawar tried to end his life by jumping int the river Jehlum near Abdullah Bridge. However, he was rescued by locals and the River Police. (KNT)



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Quick Response From Guard Personnel Prevents Temple Fire Incident In North Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Security personnel guarding a temple in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district prevented a fire incident by responding quickly without wasting any time.

Local sources told that chinar leaves on top of the Shardah Temple located at Kaloosa Bandipora caught fire after coming into contact with a passing HT wire.

Before the fire could have spread and damaged the roof of the temple, the quick action by the guard personnel deputed for guarding the said temple prevented the fire from spreading.

A police official while confirming the incident said that no loss of property was reported as fire was prevented from spreading by quick action from the guard personnel. (KNT)



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Wear Black Bands On 1st June, DAK To All Health Care Workers

SRINAGAR: Doctors Association Jammu shall hold statewide black day protest while bearing black bandages on June 1st 2021 “without hampering the patient care to voice their protest against statements of Baba Ramdev against corona warriors and modern medicine.

President of Doctors Association Kashmir Dr M Y Tak said that recent comments by Baba Ramdev wherein he says thousand doctors have died even after getting the double dose of vaccines. What kind of doctors are they if they could not save themselves?   has hurt entire medical fraternity of this country. The statement of Ramdev at a time when frontline Health care workers are waging a war against an invisible enemy, to utter such irresponsible & callous statements is highly condemnable.

Ever since WHO declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, it was the frontline HCWs who took up the challenge of meeting this killer invisible enemy head on, without caring for their own safety or of their family. But issuing such vitriolic & hateful statements against frontline Health workers mocks them & their sacrifice. Thousands of frontline HCWs have perished in this pandemic, instead of showing gratitude towards them, Ramdev was seen mocking them in the shallowest perverse manner.

General Secretary DAK Dr Owais H Dar said the battle against SARS CoV2 pandemic has been led by none other than our PM, it was he who celebrated the efforts & sacrifice of frontline Health care workers by asking Indians to clap & light diyas last year. The guidelines for Covid-19 treatment have been issued time to time by MoHFW & ICMR. By challenging the treatment guidelines, Ramdev has raised a question mark on this Govt led by PM Modi ji & other government bodies itself.



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Sunday, 30 May 2021

J&K Reports 14 More Covid-19 Deaths, Toll Nears 3900 Mark

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir reported at least 14 more covid-19 deaths since last evening, taking the total fatality count due to the pathogen to 3884. Most of the deaths were reported from Jammu division, officials told.

Among others, they said the victims include a 66-year-old man from Bajalta, 64-year-old man from Raipur Bantalab Jammu, a 75-year-old man from Shastri Nagar Jammu, an 88-year-old man from Shakti Nagar Jammu , an 80-year-old man from Sarwal Jammu, a 75-year-old woman from Sarwal Jammu, an 84-year-old Talabtillo Nagar Jammu, a 78-year-old Rehari colony Jammu, a 65-year-old man from from Ekta Vihar Jammu (died at Amritsar hospital), an 80-year-old man from Samboora Pulwama, a 71-year-old man from Wasoora Anantnag and an 85-year-old man from RS Pora Jammu.

In this month so far, over 1550 people have succumbed to the virus and it amounts to almost 40% of the total fatalities recorded in J&K since the pandemic started in March last year. (GNS)



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IED Found In Orchard In Awantipora, Defused  

SRINAGAR: The security forces on Monday morning detected an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) and later defused it in Awantipora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

A senior police official told that a joint team of forces detected the IED in an orchard in Panzgam village in Awantipora.

He said that bomb disposal squad was rushed to the area and the IED was later defused.

He further added that the area has been cordoned off and further investigation has also been taken up. (KNO)



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Restore Art 370, Will Talk, Imran Khan Says

SRINAGAR: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated that Pakistan will have talks with India if New Delhi restores Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-5 August status.

A news item published in the Hindustan Times quoted Khan during a live questions and answers session with the people saying, “If Pakistan revives its relations with India (without the latter restoring the status of Kashmir), it will be similar to turning our back on the Kashmiris.”

 



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“How Long It Will Take Us To Be Graduates,” Kashmir University Undergraduate Students Ask!

SRINAGAR: Zahid Rashid Khanday, 19, a student in GDC Boys Anantnag affiliated with University of Kashmir is pursuing his graduation for the last three years and is still in his third semester of his studies. To complete graduation, a student has to get through six semesters in three years.

Khanday got his admissions in 2019, and by now he should have been in his last semester. He had plans that he would complete his graduation in three years and would then go outside for further studies. But three years have passed and he is yet to sit the exams of third semester.

“Our degree is to be completed in 2021. But for the last 11 months we are in the same year and there has been no exam. Normally, we should complete our two semesters in 11 months,” said Khanday.

This situation where students have been pursuing their degrees for years and had no definite dates in mind about when will their degrees end, has consumed their peace of mind. “My sister is three two years younger to me and is doing her graduation in IGNOU. She is about to complete her graduation,” said Khanday.

Another student from Baramulla degree college Ishfaq Malik said that we understand the times we are going through but University has to manage it. “This cannot be the excuse. Everywhere other than Kashmir University exams are taking place online, only we are lagging behind.”

He further said that Jammu university and cluster university are conducting exams. “Let us suppose even if a university holds our exams on time and on a fast-track basis that still means it will take us five years to complete our graduation,” Our precious time is getting wasted, he added.

“We now appeal to university authorities to please conduct our exams as soon as possible to avoid any further delay,” Malik appealed.

Pertinent to mention that students were already alleging Kashmir University of delaying the degrees even in pre pandemic times.

Another student Shayaan from Pulwama degree college said that this attitude of University disinterests a student from his students. “we appeal to the university authorities not to ruin our careers in disguise of bad times. Every department is functioning online.” Has the salary of University staff stopped coming, that needs more documentation and records to maintain? If that has not happened, why are our exams! Shayaan questioned.

When Kashmir Life contacted controller examination, despite repeated calls he did not pick up the call.



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Partial Unlocking, Here Are The Guidelines

SRINAGAR: As the Jammu and Kashmir administration yesterday announced partial relaxation of activities to be carried out amid Covid19. The district administration Srinagar took to twitter to state the detailed guidelines on Covid containment measures in Srinagar.

The guidelines shared by the Srinagar administration on their twitter handle reads,

“(A) Permissible Activities (outside containment zones only).

i. Normal functioning of private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.

ii. E-commerce and courier services.

iii. Standalone shops of all types shall be allowed to open only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. iv. Outdoor Bazaars and Outdoor Shopping complexes shall be allowed to operate on Mondays and Thursdays, starting from Monday i.e. 31-05-2021 in following manner:

a) Markets having Shops on both sides of Road: Shops on one side of the road only shall open on a particular day/date, the other side shall remain closed completely, the sequence of opening shall be on Rotation basis.

b) Markets having shops on one side of the Road only: Odd numbered shops to open on Mondays, even numbered shops to open on Thursdays (Joint Commissioner Administration, SMC to ensure proper numbering of shops wherever required.

c) Shopping complexes/ equivalent business establishment: only alternate shops shall open on rotation basis.

v. Indoor shopping malls; 25% of shops inside the malls shall be allowed to operate on a given day. Owner/Manager of the mall shall carry out numbering of the shops and accordingly come up with the roaster of operating within allowed capacity and submit the same with DDMA, Srinagar for issuance of orders for opening.

vi. Barber shops/Saloon/Beauty parlors shall be allowed to open only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

vii. Restaurants shall be allowed to open on all days (except on Saturdays & Sundays) only for Home delivery of orders and room service of residents. No entry of customers shall be permitted even for self take-away of orders.

viii. Sports persons shall be allowed to resume their training and activities in outdoor sport-stadia/ground. However indoor sports activities shall not be allowed.

ix. Public transport (Matadors/Mini buses/Buses/Taxies and Cabs etc.) shall be permitted to ply only at 50% of authorized seating capacity. However, Auto Rickshaws/Three Wheelers are permitted to ply without any restrictions.

x. Religious and social gatherings such as marriages, shall be permitted with attendance of up to 25 persons only, whether indoors and outdoors and funeral/last rights shall be attended by up to 20 persons only.

xi. All workshops, service centers and home workshops can operate with not more than 5 persons working on site/inside premises.

Special Covid-19 Vaccination drive was launched by the Government for High- Risk/Vulnerable groups, as such Shopkeepers shall conspicuously display/paste Covid Vaccination Certificates in front of their shops and all drivers of public transport shall paste the Covid Vaccination Certificates on the inner surface of windshield of their vehicle.

(B) Non-Permissible Activities.

i. Lock down shall remain in force in containment zones.

ii. All schools and coaching centers shall continue to remain closed.

iii. All Universities, Colleges and Technical Skill development institutions in J&K shall remain closed for imparting on-campus/ in-person education to the students till 15-06-2021, except for the courses/programmes that require physical presence of students on account of laboratory/research/thesis work and internship etc.

iv. Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will remain closed.

(C) Other Measures:

i. There shall be Daily Night Curfew from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM next day.

ii. There shall be Weekend Curfew w.e.f 8:00PM each Friday till 7:00 AM each Monday.

Last but not the least, public at large is also being informed that Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act provides for penalties in case a person obstructs any officer or employee in discharge of his functions or refuses to comply with any direction given under this Act. Any violation of the above directions will, therefore, lead to prosecution under section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and section 188 of Indian Penal Code. SSP Srinagar shall strictly enforce compliance to this order.” further read the guidelines issued.



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Why Smoking Is The Most Stylish Way To Get Cancer?

by Umar Shafiq Khanday

Tobacco is deadly in any form and threatens the lung health of everyone exposed to it. Tobacco kills one person every four seconds.

"One of the historic photographs taken by legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson in Srinagar in 1948 shows a smoking Sheikh M Abdullah intercating with UN officials who were working on a map to draw CFL. The picture was recently availiable for auctioned at Christie.

“One of the historic photographs taken by legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson in Srinagar in 1948 shows a smoking Sheikh M Abdullah interacting with UN officials who were working on a map to draw CFL. The picture was recently available for auction at Christie.

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. The Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) created this in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.

In 1987, the World Health Assembly passed a Resolution calling for April 7, 1988, to be the World No-Smoking Day. In 1988, a Resolution was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on May 31.

It aims to reduce deaths from tobacco-related health problems. World No Tobacco Day is a very famous event organized by the WHO. It is a major event that helps people to understand the worse effects of tobacco on the person and their family members. The event organizer mostly encourages smokers to stop having tobacco for better lives. Also, the organizer encourages smokers to not smoke for twenty-four hours for at least one day. You should probably check the following given three sets of ten points, which will help to motivate smokers to quit Tobacco on the day of World No Tobacco Day.

Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is well known that half the people who smoke regularly today – about 650 million people – will eventually be killed by tobacco. Equally alarming is the fact that hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by passive smoking.

This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco; the business practices of tobacco companies; what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

Tobacco on sale. This tobacco is locally grown and locally manufactured to suit a vast Hukka smoking population.

Tobacco products kill more than eight million people every year. Tobacco and related industries must continuously find new consumers to replace the ones that their products are killing to maintain revenue. Tobacco companies spent over eight billion in marketing and advertising and the world lost eight million lives from causes related to tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.

We want to create a generation that is free from tobacco and second-hand smoke and the death and disease that they cause.

Tobacco use is believed to be responsible for 25 per cent of all cancer deaths globally. Use of nicotine and tobacco products increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.

Newer tobacco products contain chemicals similar to those in traditional tobacco products and are harmful to health. Respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of death globally, and tobacco is a major risk factor. The millions of deaths caused by the tobacco-related respiratory disease are distressing, but even more distressing is the tremendous suffering caused by these illnesses, the debilitating effects of which affect the quality of life of people of all ages, in all regions of the globe.

 Prevention

Umair Shafiq Khanday

Take an active stance against teen smoking. Participate in local and school-sponsored smoking prevention campaigns. Support efforts to make public places smoke-free and increase taxes on tobacco products. Talk to your teen early and often about the dangers of smoking and vaping.

Teen smoking might begin innocently, but it can become a long-term problem. In fact, most adult smokers started smoking as teens. Teen smoking is more common among teens whose parents smoke. If you smoke, quit. Ask your doctor about ways to stop smoking.

(The author is a student of BSc Nursing at Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Kashmir Life.)



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78 Covid19 Positive Inmates In Kupwara Jail

KUPWARA: There are 78 inmates in Kupwara jail who have tested positive for Covid19, an official spokesman said. The information was revealed when Principal District and Sessions Judge, Tasleem Arif who is also the Chairperson of Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) and the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Imam Din visited District Jail Kupwara and inspected the healthcare facilities being provided to the jail inmates.

Superintendent of District Jail Kupwara informed the dignitaries that sampling of all jail inmates have been done and 78 inmates have tested Covid positive.  He further informed that all positive inmates have been kept under isolation for their recovery and all medical and dietary facilities are being provided to the inmates strictly as per the Covid protocol.

The dignitaries interacted with the inmates and enquired from them about the healthcare and other essential facilities provided to them.

Jail Worries

On the demand of the Jail Superintendent for an Oxygen concentrator and other items like masks, sanitisers and soaps,  the CMO was directed to record the requirement and provide the required items to the District Jail.

Regarding fumigation spray, Municipal Committee Kupwara was directed to fumigate the premises of the jail on priority. The dignitaries were accompanied by Incharge Chief Medical Officer Kupwara, Abdul Gani Dar; Tehsildar Kupwara, Javaid Ahmad and some other magistrates.

(Photograph used in this report is not related to it.)



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PDP Provincial Committee Meets Virtually, Urges Admin To Systematically Chalk Out Plan With Stakeholders For Gradual Easing Of Lockdown

SRINAGAR: The People’s Democratic Party today held a meeting of office bearers from Kashmir province virtually. The meeting was presided over by party President Mehbooba Mufti with senior leaders present.

A statement issued by the party here read,

“Meeting started with a minute of silence followed by messages of condolences and sympathies to those who have lost their loved ones and prayers for the departed.”

“Asserting that traders, industrial units, transport sector, hospitality and service industry, horticulture sector, middle-class and lower sections of society are undergoing unbearable financial pain, Mehbooba Mufti urged the administration to systemically chalk out a plan in coordination with stakeholders and technical experts from health sector to prepare a road map for gradual easing of restrictions and extend financial assistance to these sectors.”

“Lockdown and other SOP’s are precautionary measures. Administration should redirect its efforts on an expeditious vaccination program which is the only lasting solution.  We cannot be under perpetual lockdowns, to prevent deaths and recurring lockdowns mass vaccinations is the only way out,”

“The PDP President also lauded the efforts of doctors, health care professionals, front line workers, Non Governmental Organisations and the society at large for their untiring efforts in mitigating the crisis.”

“Impressing upon the party leadership to ensure party cadre is at the forefront of helping needy in these times of crisis Mehbooba directed the leadership to double down on their efforts to reach out to needy and deserving sections of the society.”

“Regretting the fact that  in the middle of this deadly pandemic the tribal communities from Jammu as well as in in the valley are being  hounded and harassed from their traditional dwellings in the garb of clearing forest encroachments, Mehbooba said this vicious campaign of displacement of natives and indigenous people should be stopped immediately.”

“Pitching for early release of political prisoners Mehbooba also said that in spite of clear Supreme Court orders prisoners and under trials in Jammu and Kashmir unlike other parts of the country are yet to be released.”

“Vice President A R Veeri, General Secretaries G N Lone Hanjura, Dr Mehboob Beg & Nizam ud Din Bhat, Additional General Secretary Agha Syed Mohsin, Senior Leaders Farooq Ahmad Andrabi, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Aasiya Naqash, Advocate Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, Aijaz Ahmad Mir, Anjum Fazli, State Secretaries Ab Hameed Kosheen, Ghulam Mohi ud Din Wani, Advocate Khurshid Iqbal Shah, coordinators, district presidents, additional spokespersons among other attended the meeting.”



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Lt Governor Visits DRDO’s 500-Bedded Under-Construction Covid Hospital At Khonmoh

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today visited the construction site of Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) 500-bedded COVID Hospital at Khonmoh and inspected the work done for the establishment of the Covid dedicated facility.

A statement issued here read,

While reviewing the progress being made so far, the Lt Governor directed the DRDO and district officials to expedite the pace of work and complete the Hospital by 5th June,2021 for trial-run of all the facilities.

Emphasizing the importance of developing specialized critical care for infants and children, the Lt Governor directed the officials to prepare a 25-bedded Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in the facility with a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, dieticians and coordinators.

Take comprehensive measures to ensure that staffing, medical supplies, durable equipment, diagnostic tools, and other logistics are ready within the timeline, the Lt Governor told the officers.

“My focus is to ensure high quality of care with sincere effort, rapid and efficient interventions, while integrating emergency response of healthcare services at the Hospital to fight Covid-19 pandemic”, observed the Lt Governor.

Nothing is more important than people’s lives and the administration is working round-the-clock for the best healthcare facilities for everyone and in every corner of J&K, added the Lt Governor.

During his visit, the Lt Governor took a round of the facility and enquired about the Covid care facilities including availability of ICU beds, triage facility, medical equipment, doctors, paramedics and other facilities to be extended to the patients.

It was informed that the Hospital has the capacity for 125 ICU beds and 375 beds with oxygen connectivity.

The Lt Governor asked the officials to equip the facility with CT Scan machines and other medical imaging techniques to be made available at the Hospital.

The Lt Governor reiterated that the operationalization of DRDO’s Hospitals in twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar would strengthen Government’s efforts against Covid pandemic, besides substantially increasing the Covid dedicated bed capacity and treatment in J&K.

Health Officials, Divisional, and District administration were directed to lend all possible support to DRDO so that the hospital would be completed within stipulated time.

Pertinently, the Lt Governor, on May 29, had inaugurated the DRDO’s 500-bedded Covid hospital in Jammu to ramp up the healthcare infrastructure to effectively deal with the Corona virus pandemic.

Sh. Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Sh. Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Prof (Dr.) Samia Rashid, Principal GMC&AHs Srinagar; Sh. Mohammad Aijaz, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Sh. Ajaz Ahmad Dar, Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL and other concerned officers accompanied the Lt Governor during his visit.

Dr. Anil Khurana, Chief Engineer R&D North and officials of DRDO were also present on the occasion.



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Pediatricians Suggest Steps To Safeguard Children From Covid-19

SRINAGAR: A sense of apprehension is prevailing around the impending “third wave” of Covid-19 among the masses. It is said that it is going to target children, a section of society which might never be able to defend the infection as the other age groups. In this regard, several pediatricians of Jammu shared their advice.

A statement issued here read,

Professor Department of Pediatrics, SMGS Hospital Jammu, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Digra has said that irrespective of the hyped third-wave of Covid-19, young children have always been at risk of contracting the infection. Although, in earlier waves, the infection was observed to be asymptomatic and mild in nature, it could become more serious in future, he said.

‘The onus of protecting children from Covid-19 lies upon elders. If they religiously follow Covid appropriate behaviour, they can make sure that the infection doesn’t reach their kids at home’.

The doctor has also reminded parents to get children their routine vaccines in order to prevent other deadly diseases. ‘Vaccines help prevent numerous deadly diseases in children. If only they’re protected from them all, can we expect our children to have strong immunity against Covid also’, he said.

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics at SMGS Hospital, Dr Anuj Bhatti said that if a child is suffering from high grade fever for more than three days, is not eating well, starts vomitting, not breathing naturally, has bluish discolouration on body parts, has sunken eyes or dry lips, and his/ her oxygen saturation level dips below 94, has conjunctivitis or pain in neck, stomach ache, one must immediately consult a doctor telephonically, or through eSanjeevani telemedicine facility. If a child displays symptoms of Covid, get the child tested for Covid, and treat him accordingly, he adds.

Lecturer SMGS Hospital Jammu, Dr Pallavi Sharma, says that, due to nonchalance towards Covid appropriate behaviour, many patients are infecting young children in their families. She requests parents and other family members to keep children under watch and  immediately get them tested for Covid if they show any symptoms. ‘Fever, redness of eyes and passage of loose stools are among the major symptoms being observed in kids’, she says.

‘Families must adopt Covid appropriate behaviour whole-heartedly so that the young generation is saved. It is usually the adults who venture out of the house and it is them who could bring home the infection’, informs Dr Pallavi. She also warned that the suspected third wave of Covid is expected to attack the young age group and said, ‘since they are the ones not-vaccinated, they could be an easy prey to the pandemic’.

She also requested parents to inculcate the habit of frequent hand washing, sanitisation and properly wearing a mask, in their children.

Senior Resident Pediatric Doctor, SMGS Hospital, Dr Sachit Sharma, tells that if a lactating mother is Covid-positive, she can feed her milk to her child. ‘She should wear a mask and collect the milk in a bowl. The same milk can be fed to the child with a spoon, by another healthy member of the family’, he informs. On the other hand, if she is Covid positive and asymptomatic, she can feed the baby while wearing a mask and observing other Covid appropriate hygiene. He also advises that such a mother keep distance between her bed and the baby’s cot.



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