Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday said this year’s flu vaccine is even more essential for pregnant women because of Covid-19 pandemic.

Urging pregnant women to get vaccinated against flu as soon as possible, DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said this season’s flu vaccine is particularly important for expecting mothers.

“We could be facing a double danger of flu and Covid this fall and winter. Getting both diseases at the same time can be serious and even deadly,” he said.

“While pregnant women are less likely to get serious illness from Covid, flu can increase their chances of getting serious disease from the novel coronavirus,” he added.

The DAK President said pregnancy changes the immune system, heart and lung function that makes pregnant women more prone to severe illness from flu as well as hospitalization and even death.

“The risk of premature labor and delivery increases when expectant mothers catch the flu and there is a greater chance of birth defects and even death of a baby in the womb,” he said.

“Preventing influenza during pregnancy is an essential element of prenatal care and the most effective strategy for preventing influenza is vaccination,” Dr Hassan said.

Quoting a study, he said pregnant women who received flu vaccination were 40 percent less likely to be hospitalized during pregnancy than pregnant women who weren’t vaccinated.

“Flu vaccine in pregnancy saves infants from dying in the womb,” said Dr Nisar.

Quoting another study, he said flu vaccination was associated with 51 percent reduction in stillbirths.

Spokesperson DAK Dr Riyaz Ahmad Dagga said flu vaccine is perfectly safe for pregnant women and can be given during any stage of pregnancy.

“It is the injectable flu vaccine that should be given to pregnant women and not the nasal flu vaccine as it is made from live virus that makes it less appropriate during pregnancy,” he said.

“The power of vaccination in pregnancy is a message that should be broadcast far and wide. It is imperative that obstetricians should advocate for influenza vaccination and provide flu vaccine to their pregnant patients,” he added.

Kulgam, Sep 22: The decomposed male body, which was found on Wednesday morning in Mohammad Pora village of Kulgam district has been identified that of missing rifleman of 162 Battalion of Territorial Army, Shakir Manzoor Wagey.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Manzoor Ahmad Wagey father of missing TA soldier said that he has identified the body and it was his son Shakir Manzoor, who went missing last year.

Notably, Shakir Manzoor, a TA soldier of 162 Battalion hailing from Harmain village of Kulgam, went missing on the evening of August 02 last year. His vehicle was also found abandoned on that day in the area.

Earlier today, a decomposed male body was found near BSNL tower in Mohamad Pora village of Kulgam.

An official said that the body was taken into possession by the police for identification and later it was identified as that of missing TA soldier—(KNO)

Handwara, Sep 22: Mobile ear-phone reportedly became the cause of death of a policeman in North Kashmir’s Handwara town of border district Kupwara.

A sentry guarding a temple fired upon a police follower after the later didn’t listen to his signal to stop as he was busy in talking with somebody on his mobile using ear-phone.

Reliable sources told news agency Kashmir News Trust that a policeman (Follower) identified as Ajay Dhar (41/F) was on way to his resting place at Handwara temple during late night hours.

They said the Follower was talking on his mobile phone through head phone. While reaching near the temple, Guard deployed at temple took him as a suspect and signaled him to stop but busy in talking through head-phone, the Follower proceeded with an intention to enter the temple.

Sources said sentry fired upon him. Follower got injured and was shifted to SKIMS Soura where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police have registered a case and set investigation into motion. (KNT)

Srinagar, Sep 22: A police follower was killed after his colleague allegedly fired at him as a suspected person in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district last night, official sources said on Wednesday.

They said the follower identified as Vijay Dhar son of late Krishen Lal Dhar of Langate Handwara tried to make forced entry inside a temple in the area and his colleague mistook him as a militant and fired at him grievously.

Immediately, Dhar was shifted to District Hospital Handwara where from he was shifted to SKIMS Soura where he succumbed, the officials told GNS.

As per preliminary investigations, they said, the deceased had headphone in ears and despite loud calls by his colleague, he did not respond which lead the personnel on guard duty at the temple to fire at him.

“In an unfortunate incident last night one Policeman Posted at PS Handwara Ajay Dhar s/o Lt Krishen Lal Dhar r/o Langate Handwara, succumbed to the bullet injury he got while trying to forcefully enter into the temple in midnight,” DIG North Kashmir said, adding, “The sentry assuming it an attack by ANEs (anti-national elements) opened fire.” (GNS)

Ex-cricketer’s move to help tackle a possible third wave of Covid.

Srinagar: A foundation run by former cricketer Yuvraj Singh has set up 50 critical care unit (CCU) beds at the Government Medical College & Hospital here to tackle a possible third Covid wave.

In a press statement issued on Monday, a foundation spokesperson said the CCU beds had been set up under its ‘Mission1000Beds initiative’, in collaboration with Accenture. “Funds contributed by Accenture have also been used by YouWeCan Foundation to provide a range of medical equipment including ICU ventilators, BiPAP machines, patient monitors, ECG machines, defibrillators and oxygen cylinders to the hospital,” the spokesperson said.

She said the facility was inaugurated virtually by Yuvraj Singh. The NGO also arranged 50 CCU beds in Assam as well at Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh. — PTI

Jammu, September: Traders and Apni Party activists on Tuesday staged separate protests against the proposed opening of 100 Reliance retail stores in Jammu, a claim which the company said is “completely untrue”.

The protest was staged on the eve of a strike call given by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries over various issues including the opening of a chain of Reliance stores, evoking widespread support from opposition parties and various social groups.

The Jammu transporters, however, said they would not join the day-long September 22 strike. Amid the ongoing protest over the purportedly proposed opening of the Reliance retail stores chain over the past many days, a spokesperson of Reliance Retail said “the talk of 100 stores being opened by us (in Jammu) is completely untrue. We have not opened any store in Jammu.”

Earlier, the JCCI alleged that businessmen in Jammu were facing “discrimination”, like ending age-old biannual darbar move, new excise and the Geology and Mining Department policies, proposed move by big business houses like Reliance to open stores and restrictions on banquet halls, among other issues. — PTI

BJP has put UT on sale, says Mehbooba Mufti

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has said the J&K had been put on sale by the Central Government.
Addressing media in Jammu, she accused the ruling BJP of “dividing”Jammu and Kashmir on religious lines.

Kokernag, Sep 21: Hours after she went missing, the five-year-old girl from Nagbal Lisser area of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district was found in the nearby Spring. However, she breathed her last in the hospital.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the girl identified as Sheelu Jan (05), daughter of Gulzar Ahmad Bhat was missing since 05:00 pm.

“After searching for a while, she was found in a nearby Spring/Nallah by locals,” the official said.

The girl was brought to Sub-District Hospital Kokernag in critical condition where she breathed her last, he said, adding that probably it is a drowning case while investigation is going on to ascertain the facts—(KNO)

Budgam, Sep 21: “Everybody I met today has a message of faith in PM Modi and we are keen on delivering upon the promises made by the Union Government to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

These remarks were made by Union Minister for Women and Child welfare Smriti Irani on her two day visit to Budgam as a part of Union Government’s outreach initiative.

The Minister presided over a day long function organized by Directorate of ICDS and Department of Social Welfare in connection with celebration of 4th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2021. The minister said that 31000 smart phones have been provided to 28000 Aganwadi Centers operational in the UT of J&K and about 9 Crore rupees have been provided as monetary relief to the deserving women and children across the UT of J&K under Poshan Abhiyan Scheme.

The Minister expressed gratitude and hailed the efforts of district administration for the measure taken to mitigate the effect of COVID 19 pandemic. She said that district administration has demonstrated commitment and dedication while rendering their services despite challenging circumstances.

“I salute all COVID warriors, health workers police, civil administration officials and other volunteers who despite all dangers put themselves into high risk and saved many precious lives,” she said.

Secretary Social Welfare, Sheetal Nanda in her welcome address said that aim and objective of celebrating this Poshan Maah is to spread the message and awareness among the concerned about precautions and preventions during pre and post natal periods.

Earlier the Minister laid the foundation stone for up-gradation and widening of 10 Km road from Budgam to Mamat to Handjan coming at a cost of Rs 5.85 crore to be executed by NABARD.

Later the Minister chaired the meeting of officials of district administration to review up-gradation and reformations besides completion of various developmental initiatives through different centrally and state sponsored schemes in the district. The Minister appreciated the efforts of District Administration in ensuring the timely completion of key projects mostly linked to common people’s interest despite facing huge hardships and disruptions due to COVID 19 crisis.

During the meeting the minister emphasized upon the need for collective sharing of responsibility from all line departments in facing challenges and ensuring vibrant implementation of all schemes. She stressed for establishment of mobile desk in police stations where female clients going through domestic violence or other physical abuses shall register their grievances.

The Minister also interacted with different delegations of DDC’s, BDC’s, PRI’s and MC’s about their demands and grievances. The Minster gave them a patient hearing and directed district administration to register all genuine issues for proper redressal.

Later delegations from traders, youth clubs, and local deputations also had an interaction with the Minister and put forth their issues and demands .The minister assured them of addressing the genuine demands and also taking up the issues with concerned central Govt. Ministries.

The Minister also visited Sheikh ul Alam Hall Budgam and distributed nutrition kits, sanction letters among the selected beneficiaries including adolescent children and old age persons. Later the minister participated in a plantation drive at the nearby Bihisti Zehra Park.

DDC Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, SSP Budgam Tahir Salim Khan along with all concerned District Officers were present on the occasion.

Budgam: Joint Forces launched a massive cordon and search operation at Drang forests of Lachampora Khag in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Sources told news agency Kashmir News Trust that soldiers from 62 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and Police cordoned off vast chunk of forest area and started search operation.

Sources added that all the entry and exit points were sealed. During the operation neither any contact with militants was established nor any objectionable thing was recovered from the forest.

Sources said that soldiers after returning from Drung forest area towards Lachmanpora village found three persons on the road side, one of whom was wearing a ‘Feran’.

They said when trio were asked to stop, they fled away from the spot. Soldiers reportedly fired after they ran away. One among them identified as Bilal Ahmad Rather alias Musa son of Ghulam Muhammad Rather of Chairhara Khag got bullet injury in his leg. He was shifted to PHC Khag where he is stable. (KNT)

Srinagar, Sep 21: Jammu and Kashmir reported 145 new covid-19 cases while two persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

They said 24 of the cases were reported from Jammu Division 121 109 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 328214.

There were two deaths, both from Jammu division, due to the virus during the time. So far 4419 people have died— 2172 in Jammu division and 2247 in Kashmir.

Giving district wise details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 56 cases, Baramulla 13, Budgam 19, Pulwama 5, Kupwara 5, Anantnag 4, Bandipora 5, Ganderbal 13, Kulgam 1, Shopian 0, Jammu 6, Udhampur 6, Rajouri 1, Doda 4, Kathua 0, Samba 1, Kishtwar 3, Poonch 1, Ramban 2and Reasi 0.

A number of these were confirmed at diagnostic laboratory of CD hospital and include female (40) from Ganderbal, male (32) from Zadibal, two males (28, 25) and female (28) from Lal Bazar, male (16) from Hawal, female (60) from Baghwanpora, female (22) from Nowshera, female (34) from Lal Bazar, male (65) from Hawal, female (24) from Nowpora, male (50) from Khayam, male (55) from Kathidarwaza, female (21) from Khwaja Bazar, male (60) from Nowpora, female (30) from Gulabagh, male (8) and female (11) from Noorpora, male (23) from K Bal Pompora, female (45) from Shalena Pompora, male (40) from Srinagar, male (NA) from Narwah Pul, male (50) from Indra Nagar Srg, female (55) from Dalgate, female (70) from Bandipora, female (NA) from Sumbal, two females (42, 38) from GDC, male (45) from Handwara, male (35) from Barpora, female (35) from Nishat, male (27) from Naseembagh, male (33) from Baspora and male (13) from Kanitar.

Moreover, they said, 154 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—30 from Jammu and 124 from Kashmir. With them, 322345 people have recovered. There are 1450 active cases in J&K—218 in Jammu and 1232 in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, there was no fresh confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today, they said. So far 46 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials added. (GNS)