Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • First Omicron case detected in Kashmir as Uri Woman test postive

    Uri, 11 Jan: First case of Omicron was confirmed in Kashmir Valley as one pregnant women from Uri area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district tested postive for the variant on Tuesday, official sources said.

    A health official told GNS that the pragnant lady is from Dhanisayden Uri and her sample was taken on 20 December 2021 at SDH Uri for for Omicron. Officials said she was already Covid postive patient.
    officials said her health is stable. Deputy commissioner Baramulla confirmed to GNS that woman’s test returned postive for the Omicron and said that she is stable.
    Officials said that a team of doctors has been rushed to the woman’s home and samples f her family members and neighbors will be done. (GNS)

  • Doctors Association Kashmir seeks mandatory Covid booster dose for healthcare workers

    Srinagar, Jan 11: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday has sought mandatory Covid booster shots for healthcare workers.

    “Vaccine mandate will ensure that all people in healthcare workforce are boosted,” said DAK President and Influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

    The DAK President said we are seeing many doctors, nurses and paramedical staff getting infected and even fully vaccinated are not spared.

    “They are at the forefront in fight against Covid-19 pandemic. We need to keep them safe. They need that extra layer of protection,” he said.

    Dr Hassan said boosters will protect medical staff from getting infected and prevent disruption of healthcare delivery services.

    “There is a moral imperative for staff to get booster shots to ensure that the hospital environment is safe for patients,” he said adding that patients entrust healthcare workers with their lives and clinicians should not be the ones to make them sick.

    “The science is clear now that while two doses of Covid-19 vaccine protects you from severe disease, but immunity begins to wane after a period of 6 months,” said Dr Nisar.

    He said it has been almost 12 months since healthcare workers were vaccinated. That makes boosters shots critically important for them.

    General Secretary DAK Dr Arshad Ali said booster shots would broaden individual’s immune response against the emerging variants of Covid-19 including the highly transmissible omicron which is responsible for massive surge of Covid-19 cases in the country, indicative of third wave.

    “Jammu and Kashmir is also seeing a significant rise in cases for the past one week and there has been increase in the number of hospitalizations too,” he said.

    Spokesperson DAK Dr Riyaz Ahmad Dagga said India rolled out booster shots yesterday for healthcare and frontline workers, and senior citizens with comorbidities.

    “Dubbed as a precaution dose, booster shot or the third dose will be the same vaccine that was given to the person for the first and the second dose,” he said adding “those who are eligible for boosters will, however, get them only 9 months after receiving second dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

  • Saudi government prohibits women to visit Prophet Mohammed (SAW) burial site

    Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has banned women to visit the burial site of Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

    The Saudi government has stopped giving permits to women for visiting the site. Only men can visit the site that too only once in 30 days.

    According to the Saudi Ministry of Pilgrimages, the Prophet’s tomb will be restricted to men. Women may request special permission to visit “Al Rawda”, the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque located between the pulpit and the tomb where Muhammad (SAW) met with his relatives.

    Ministry of Pilgrimages did not cite the reasons for this ban. It only indicated that the mobile application with which pilgrimages to the holy places of Mecca and Medina are managed will no longer allow women to book a visit to the site, according to the newspaper `Specimen’.

    With the `Eatmarna’ app, people can reserve tickets to the Great Mosque of Mecca and the Mosque of the Prophet.

    The ministry said no timings are set for performing the obligatory prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque.

    However, for praying in Al Rawdah Al Sharifa and visiting the Prophet tomb, advance reservations are required via the “Eatmarna” app, the report added.

    The ministry also stressed that it is mandatory for applicants who are applying for the permits to be fully vaccinated and show a status of ‘immunization’ on the health app “Tawkkalna.”

    This decision comes after the increase in cases of COVID-19 during the past few days after it reached its lowest level during the month of November, where 36 cases were recorded.

    On Sunday, January 9, Saudi Arabia reported 3,460 more COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 578,753. It also reported one more related death, bringing the total fatalities to 8,893.

  • Restaurant and Cafe Association shows concern over fire damage to houseboat and restaurants in Valley

    Srinagar: Sheikh Feroz, President  Restaurant and Cafe Association today expressed serious concern for the fire damage caused to some houseboats in Dal lake and some hotel restaurants in the Kashmir valley during last week.

    Sheikh Feroz , president of the association said, “The owners of the hotels, restaurants and Cafes in the Kashmir should take all the timely measures for all kind of protection to the valuable properties all across the Kashmir valley especially in the harsh winter season.”

    He further said that the all such owners should do the insurance of all the properties timely and also take care of the payment of yearly premiums timely so that the untimely property loss can get recovered from the concern insurance companies timely.

    The president said that the timely action of the insurance and premium payment by the restaurant and café owners can play an important role for the restoration of the damaged property and could restore the livelihood of so many associated employees of such business houses as tourist season are limited in winter as well as in summer.

    We have constituted a working committee to make a corporate tie up with the leading insurance companies for the welfare of all the registered restaurant and café owners so that maximum insurance benefits can be achieved and suitable premium amount can be accelerated with them.”
    He further said that all other measures are already in vogue with government department which we have discussed with the concern departments to get down timely.

    The association has already urged the UT administration to step up promotional and convenient strategies for the revival of tourism sector in the valley all the seasons of year and to make economic success in tourism sector, hotelier, restaurant and café owners  are also making efforts and encouraging national and international tourists to visit Kashmir all the seasons again and again.said Babar Chowdhary Vice President RAK

  • 2022: 10 days, 7 encounters; 13 militants killed

    Two Al-Badr militants killed in overnight Kulgam encounter; 13 militants killed in first ten days of year 2022 in seven encounters; Sgr, Kulgam record two gunfights each, Kupwara, Pulwama, Budgam witness one encounter each since Jan 1

    Kulgam, Jan 10: Two Al-Badr militants were killed in an overnight encounter at Hasanpora village located on the border of Kulgam and Anatnag districts of south Kashmir, police said Monday. The first ten days of year 2022 have recorded seven encounters resulting in the killing of 13 militants.

    A police official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that acting on a specific lead about the presence of militants in village Hassanpora bordering twin districts of Kulgam and Anantang, a joint cordon was laid by police and 1 RR in the area on Sunday late evening.

    “As the security forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately triggering an encounter. The fire was retaliated and the heavy exchange of fire took place,” the official said. “In the ensuing encounter, two militants of Al-Badr were killed and their bodies retrieved from the site. They have been identified as Imad Muzaffar Wani, resident of Arigam, Pulwama and Abdur Rashid Tokher, resident of Hassanpora.” Police said that both were involved in several cases.

    Pertinently, the year 2022 started with encounters and as per official figures, in the first ten days of the New Year, 13 militants were killed in seven encounters. The slain includes top Lashkar-e-Toiba Saleem Parray. Srinagar district witnessed two encounters, Kulgam two, Kupwara one, Pulwama and Budgam one encounters each, figures state—(KNO)

  • 706 Fresh Covid-19 Infections 4 Deaths In J&K; Active Cases Jump Over 4000

    Srinagar, Jan 10: Jammu and Kashmir reported 706 fresh covid-19 cases while four persons succumbed to the virus in last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

    345 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu division and 361 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 345358.

    There were four deaths, three from Jammu division and one from Kashmir Valley, due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4544 persons—2209 in Jammu and 2335 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

    Giving district-wise details, officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 172 cases, Baramulla 64, Budgam 45, Pulwama 14, Kupwara 18, Anantnag 14, Bandipora 11, Ganderbal 4, Kulgam 19, Shopian 0, Jammu 233, Udhampur 18, Rajouri 4, Doda 4, Kathua 18, Samba 8, Kishtwar 12, Poonch 16, Ramban 1 and Reasi 26.

    A number of these case were confirmed at CD hospital’s diagnostic centre and include male (43) (NA) from BSF Trehgam, male (47) (NA) from BSF Trehgam, male (47) (NA) from BSF Trehgam, male (25) (NA) from BSF Trehgam, male (42) (NA) from BSF Trehgam, male (32) (NA) from BSF Trehgam, male (33) (NA) from BSF Trehgam, male (54) (NA) from BSF Trehgam, female (40) (NA) from Dareshpora handwara, female (36) (NA) from Keegam kupwara, female (45) (NA) from Natnusa, male (60) (NA) from Lilam vilgam, male (80) (NA) from Batpora magam, female (45) (NA) from Wanipora mujiabad, female (80) (NA) from Kalamabad mawar, female (13) (NA) from Braripora, female (58) (NA) from Kulthura langate, male (52) (NA) from PS kralgund, female (30) (NA) from Hajin langate, male (29) (NA) from PS langate, male (28) (NA) from PS langate, male (32) (NA) from PS langate, male (36) (NA) from Kralpora, male (52) (NA) from Sgr, male (23) (NA) from Kishtawar, male (70) (NA) from Sgr, female (45) (NA) from Sgr, female (28) (NA) from Barzulla, female (26) (NA) from Kupwara, male (40) (NA) from Tulbagh pampore, male (20) (NA) from Namlabal pampore, male (37) (NA) from Namblabal, female (50) (NA) from Kalampora pulwama, female (35) (NA) from Drabgam bala, male (55) (NA) from Gulab bagh, male (20) (NA) from Nowpora tral, male (26) (NA) from Sgr, male (56) (NA) from Budgam, female (12) (NA) from Rawalpora, male (55) (NA) from Hawal, female (58) (NA) from Hyderpora.

    In last 24 hours, they said, 209 patients—91 from Jammu and 118 from Kashmir recovered. So far 336581 336790 have recovered, leaving active case tally at 4024—2283in Jammu and 1741 in Kashmir.

    They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 92518 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

  • Government afraid of struggle carried out by PDP for people of J&K: Mehbooba Mufti

    Says PDP will continue this struggle and fight against all odds

    Srinagar, Jan 10: Peoples Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that the government is afraid of the struggle carried out by her party for the people of J&K and that is why Covid SOPs are meant for her party only.  

    As per Kashmir News Service (KNS), talking to reporters at the party office in Srinagar, Mufti said that Coovid-19 protocols are only to be followed at the time of rallies and conventions organized by the PDP and not at the time of other political parties. 

    “COVID comes only when PDP leaders and workers visit for Fateh Khwani at their deceased leader’s graveyard. Maybe administration is scared with our party as PDP always stands with the truth. PDP is struggling for a particular cause and the government is afraid of that struggle,” she said. 

    She also said that election agenda of the BJP is based on dividing Hindus and Muslims of the country, while the party has nothing to offer on developmental front and other issues. 

    “They only have one agenda in their hands which is rioting between Hindus and Muslims of the country. They only want to break the harmony between the two communities and they are attacking the age-old communal harmony of the nation only for elections,” she added.

    Meanwhile, welcoming the new entrants into the party fold, Mehbooba said that she is happy that new entrants have joined the PDP with a passion of doing something good for the Jammu and Kashmir. “It is not easy for anyone to join the PDP in these uncertain times for the party. But when youth come forward to join us then it generates a new hope for the party.”

    She said that the party will continue this struggle until all motives get fulfilled and they will fight against all odds. (KNS)

  • Kept promise of fast-track restoration of electricity post snowfall in Kashmir: LG’s Advisor Farooq Khan

    Says all power distribution lines restored; 113 transformers out of 140 damaged repaired; All major roads cleared; Urges people not to take Covid, Omicron variant lightly, follow SoPs; Sufficient beds, oxygen available to meet any situation; Will provide police support to hospitals for implementing CAB; more testing facilities to come up; Imposing lockdown depends on peoples’ behaviour

    Srinagar, Jan 10: Advisor to J&K LG, Farooq Khan Monday said that the government kept its promise of restoring the electricity on fast track basis post snowfall as power supply stands fully restored to entire Valley while as all major roads across the region stand cleared of the snow.

    Addressing a press conference here, Advisor Khan said government had taken a review meeting how to react quickly post snowfall to provide immediate relief to people. “The meeting was held in summers last year and all the officials of concerned departments were present to frame a strategy. Today, we have repaired all 33 KV lines barring one in South Kashmir. Out of the 140 damaged transformers, 113 have been repaired and electricity stands restored to entire Valley,” he said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

    He said that out of the 5536 kms of road length that had got affected by snowfall and 4886 kms stand cleared. “Some interior roads are being cleared,” he said. The LG’s advisor said that there is no issue of water availability in any part of Kashmir.

    On the fresh spike in Covid related cases, the LG’s advisor said that in view of the Omicron threat, positivity rate has shown a spurt and people are solely responsible for not following Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB). “People need to follow the SoPs in letter and spirt to stay away from Omicron and Covid,” he said. On whether government is mulling to deploy police in hospitals to prevent Covid spread as people are seen violating CAB in hospitals, the LG said that he has spoken to SSP and if needed police support will be provided to all city hospitals for implementing Covid SoPs.

    “People shouldn’t take Omicron lightly and follow the SoPs in spirit,” he said. “As of now, there is adequate supply of oxygen and beds in the Valley.” On whether the government mulls to impose lockdown, he said the onus lies entirely on people. “If they follow what has been conveyed to them time and again, then there is no need to impose lockdown,” he said.—(KNO)

  • Restaurant gutted in fire at Sangarmal City in Sgr

    Srinagar, Jan 10: A two storey restaurant Nirulas at Sangarmal city center in Srinagar caught fire on Sunday late night.

    Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) owner of the restaurant Mr Ashiq said that the cause for the fire is yet to be ascertained but the loss is in lakhs as fire blaze has gutted two stories of the restaurant.

    He said soon after the incident fire and emergency reached the spot to douse the flames and saved the rest of nearby shops in the building .

    However there is no report of any loss of life or injury to anyone so far—(KNO)

  • Hey loser! I’m a Muslim: Bollywood actor Gauahar Khan shuts down a troll

    Amid `Bulli Bai’ row, Gauahar Khan took on a troll who raised the `four wives and girls education’ issue to pin down the actress.

    “Outside world doesn’t know that India still has separate family laws for Hindus&Muslims. Hindus have to abide by the secular code. Muslims can have 4 wives &ban education for their wives &girls in name of Sharia. #UniformCivilCode has to apply to ALL Indians,” the troll said.

    Gauahar hit back with equal ferocity to silence the troll. “Hey loser! I’m a Muslim, and nobody can ban us from having our rights, India is secular, it’s a democracy, not a dictatorship like u would desire! So stay put in the comfort of your American status, n stop inciting hate in my country!” she said.

    On Saturday, she supported the eviction of Umar Riaz. “Sorry to say, but he was evicted because he was extremely aggressive. Not once but on many occasions. I’m surprised he wasn’t evicted before. Karan has been extremely aggressive too. What’s actually unfair is that multiple chances are given to many offenders. It’s a mental game,” wrote Gauhar.

    Last year, she set the internet on fire after she shared pictures of herself dressed in Kashmir suits layered with Papier Mache embroidered shawls.

    In one of the pictures, the Bigg Boss 7 winner wore a mustard yellow kurta and a pair of pants with simple Kashmiri embroidery along the neckline and hemline.

    A maroon base woven shawl covered in ethnic paisleys and floral patterns embroidery complimented the dress.  Adding to ethnic looks was a pair of long silver earrings.

    In the second picture, she wore a warm grey Kashmiri kurta suit and layered it with a dark green shawl with Papier Mache embroidery. Her silver earning gelled perfectly with the ethnic wear.