Category: Union Territory

‘Internet remains suspended in district’

Pulwama, July 14: Authorities on Wednesday imposed strict curfew in south Kashmir’s Pulwama town following a gunfight in New Colony area of the district on Wednesday

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that curfew has been imposed in entire Pulwama town “as a precautionary measure” to avert any untoward incident.

He said that announcements were made in the town about the curfew.

Pertinently, three militants including a LeT commander were killed in an encounter in New colony area of Pulwama town on Wednesday.

Internet services have been also snapped in the police district Pulwama as a precautionary measure—(KNO)

Anantnag, Jul 14 : Three Lashkar-e Toiba militants including a top commander wer killed in an encounter that broke out between militants and security forces at new colony Pulwama on Wednesday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a joint team of Police, Army’s 55 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

In the ensuing gunfight, three militants including a commander of the outfit were killed while the search operation is going on in the area. Meanwhile, Kashmir Zone police tweeteed : “Pulwama encounter update: Pakistani LeT Cmdr Aijaz @ Abu Huraira killed along with 2 local militants. Congratulations to Police & SFs: IGP Kashmir.”—(KNO)

An increasing number of suicides is an alarming trend in Kashmir valley and a matter of concern these days. It is a social evil and threat to mankind and humanity itself as a whole. Rising suicide trend in Kashmir has emerged as one of the biggest challenge for the whole society.

Suicide is a slur on Society and even State of Jammu & Kashmir has not been left untouched by the menace of suicides. It is not unusual to see the reports of suicides in daily newspapers. The purpose of the present study is to find out the role of newspapers in highlighting the increased suicide rates in the Kashmir valley.

Talking exclusively with Asian News Hub, popular religious preacher Hafiz Aadil Ahmad Pala said that the rising trend of suicide in Kashmir has become a very serious issue as young people, women and children are also choosing death over the precious blessing of life.

In Islam, ending one’s life is a serious crime, a grave sin and a cause of punishment, popular religious preacher said, adding that it is strictly forbidden and condemned in the Holy Qur’an and the Ahadeeth as life is the trust of Allah, who alone holds the authority over life and death.

Pala said, The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that, “Whoever throws himself down from a mountain and kills himself will be in the fire of hell, throwing himself down therein for ever and ever. Whoever takes poison and kills himself, his poison will be in his hand and he will be sipping it in the fire of hell forever and ever. Whoever kills himself with a piece of iron, that piece of iron will be in his hand and he will be stabbing himself in the stomach with it in the fire of hell, for ever and ever.” (Bukhari)

He said,“it’s an idea of Shaytaan to drag the believers towards hell-fire”. Never fall into it.

Whenever u feel like ending-up your life say these words, “ Inna Lihalli Wa Inna ilhahi raji’un” because Allah says:“Who say, when afflicted by calamity:“To Allah we belong,and to him is our return:—they are those on whom (descend)blessings of Allah,and mercy,and they are the ones that receive guidance.”

He further said that “Women are far more sensitive and emotionally weaker than men. They have lesser tolerance levels than men, which explains why a higher number of persons who commit suicide belong to the fairer sex”.

He said most of the women, who committed suicide, were generally fed up with marital discord in their lives.

“There might be some young girls also who committed suicide due to failed family issues, depression. There is need for a support system to check the trend of rising suicides,” he added.

Persistent conflict between parents can affect a child’s mental health. It hinders emotional and psychological growth of a child and can impact their ability to form future relationships.” Hafiz Aadil Siddique said that “In extreme cases, they may develop suicidal feelings.”

He said that parents should note what are the daily happenings among their children’s life. “What are the things which ignite emotions in them,” he said, adding that system too needs to be proactive in this matter.

“If we compare Kashmir to western societies the rate is less, but among Muslim societies the suicides in Kashmir are very high -the highest, she says. The reasons are turmoil, modernization, unemployment, business failures etc,” Hafiz Aadil says. Suicide is haram-prohibited in Islam.

We need to pinpoint the causes that are pushing our youth towards this extreme and un-islamic step and then plan a way out how we can prevent the youth from going towards suicides,”there is a need to put efforts to curb the number, adding that the parents can play a pivotal role in this matter. “We should talk to the people facing mental issues and help them to come out from such a situation,” he said.

Notably, “Medical and psychiatric experts believe that the main cause of suicide deaths and suicide attempts is constant financial stress in the families and least physical movement and advise the people to be more interactive with the near and dear ones to overpower the mental stress increased due to covid and financial distress”.

Outlook India

Chinese soldiers and some civilians came inside “Indian” territory and objected to the birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama along the Line of Actual Control in the Demchok area of Ladakh.

Chinese troops carrying banners came along the LAC at Dalocamgo, Demchok, on July 6 and objected to celebrations. The PLA troops shouted at locals to stop celebrations. The locals, however, remained undeterred and celebrations continued throughout the day.

“The locals told me that PLA troops came along the LAC early morning in two to three vehicles. They were carrying banners too on which it was written that celebrations should be stopped. PLA troops also shouted at the locals and asked them to move back from LAC. However, due to the strong presence of the Indian army, locals stayed there and celebrations were completed, ” Ishey Spalzang, Councilor Nyoma told Outlook over the phone.

Dolacamgo comes under the Nyoma constituency of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh. Demochok is also part of the Nyoma constituency where no agreement has been reached between India and China for disengagement, to restore the pre-April 2020 position.

Ishey said in the past too China had objected to these celebrations. The Councilor said the apparent reasons are China doesn’t want any Indian activity along the LAC and it deliberately chose the day as a large gathering was expected.

“However, unlike in the past, this year the celebrations were muted affair due to COVID19 restrictions. Very few locals came along the river Indus for celebrations. The PLA troops had been consistently dissuading locals from carrying out any activity along the border, but it has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of locals,” said Ishey .

On July 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had first time publicly stated that he had spoken to the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on his birthday. The phone by the PM to the Tibetan spiritual leader came at a time when China has still not agreed to restore the status quo ante along LAC in eastern Ladakh. Beijing calls the Dalai Lama a “splittist”. India has in the past been very careful and calibrated in its engagement with the Dalai Lama.

Konchok Stanzin, Councilor Chushul constituency said off late China had started objecting to these and it’s time the Indian government registers strong protest with China. ” Celebrations were being held inside Indian territory. China has no business in objecting to it. His Holiness is revered not only by Buddhists but all. Even people along LAC in Chinese territory celebrate his HH’s birthday. It has hurt the religious sentiment,” said Konchok.

Locals say the area across the river Indus in Dolacamgo was also once “Indian territory” as per the local revenue record before it was “taken over” by China. About three-year back, the Chinese had objected to the same celebrations in the Demchok area, which even then were resisted by the locals. The Chinese had then asked the locals to move back some distance from the LAC for the celebrations, which was agreed by the locals, but celebrations had continued.

 (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) 

Srinagar, July 13: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday said people who are vaccinated likely need a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine to stay protected against the newly emerging variants of coronavirus.

“Booster shots would help broaden individuals’ immune response against the emerging variants of Covid-19,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“Ever since the pandemic began, the virus has been mutating,” he said, adding most of these mutants are insignificant, but some can make the virus more infectious and even deadlier.Dr Hassan said while the current Covid vaccines still protect against the circulating variants, antibodies naturally wane over time, so booster dose is needed to ensure that the protection is maintained against the new variants.

Dr Hassan said while the current Covid vaccines still protect against the circulating variants, antibodies naturally wane over time, so booster dose is needed to ensure that the protection is maintained against the new variants.

“A booster shot is to increase the body’s antibody response to a virus after the immune system has been primed by the initial vaccination,” he said.The DAK President said currently, the timing for Covid booster dose has not been established, but the early data that is coming is in support of a need for booster dose somewhere between 8 and 12 months after full vaccination. Then from there, a yearly shot is possible.

The DAK President said currently, the timing for Covid booster dose has not been established, but the early data that is coming is in support of a need for booster dose somewhere between 8 and 12 months after full vaccination. Then from there, a yearly shot is possible.“The booster dose can be the same as your original vaccine or it can be from a different vaccine. The booster can also be a tweaked one to include the variants that have mutated significantly from the original version you were vaccinated against,” he said.

“The booster dose can be the same as your original vaccine or it can be from a different vaccine. The booster can also be a tweaked one to include the variants that have mutated significantly from the original version you were vaccinated against,” he said.“A recent Oxford study found that a booster dose of AstraZeneca vaccine increases antibody and T-cell immune response,” said Dr Nisar.

“A recent Oxford study found that a booster dose of AstraZeneca vaccine increases antibody and T-cell immune response,” said Dr Nisar.

 “United Kingdom is planning to offer a booster jab to its citizens from September this year.”

“Pfizer plans to seek US FDA emergency authorization next month for the booster dose of its Covid vaccine, based on the company’s initial data showing that the booster dose raises antibody levels by 5 to 10 fold compared with the original vaccine,” he said.

 “Moderna is working on a tweaked booster shot. The trial results show that the vaccine works well against Covid variants.”

 “Bharat Biotech, the makers of India’s Covaxin is conducting trials for a third dose which will be administered as a booster shot,” he added.

Srinagar, Jul 12 : From being a student of the medical science stream to choosing computer sciences as her subject, this young artist has come a long way to find solace in the art of calligraphy and drawing her imagination on the canvas.

For 22-year-old Urooj Latief, hailing from Karan Nagar locality of Srinagar, learning the art calligraphy has been a “blessing in disguise” during 2019 when the entire Jammu and Kashmir was under a security lockdown and communications blackout that had been imposed throughout the Union Territory, following the revocation of Article 370 on August 05, 2019.

It was when Urooj learnt the titbits of calligraphy until she joined an academy in 2020, for a two-month course in her locality.

“I used to learn the titbits of calligraphy during 2019 lockdown from a teacher, who resides in the locality and then I used to practice it at my home. It was not inborn, I learnt it in just 3 years and though there are special and different tools for calligraphy, like pen, ink and pages, I started with normal tools and learnt the basics at home,” she said.

Urooj, while talking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that after learning the basics at home, she joined an academy in her locality to do a two-month course in calligraphy and after that, she started drawing on the canvas. “This is when I created an Instagram page to showcase my talent and upload my customized calligraphic painting on the page, and soon I started getting a good response from the people,” she said.

Urooj, who is pursuing a course in computer science engineering (CSE) from the IUST before being a student of medical science stream in class 12th, said that though she was not inspired by anyone, she used to follow several calligraphy pages on Instagram and Facebook and she got attracted by the work, the calligraphy artists have been doing.

“Lockdown in 2019, post abrogation of article 370 was a sort of blessing in disguise for me as I learnt the art of calligraphy, which needs a lot of time and patience, and then Covid-19 lockdown also helped me in honing my calligraphy skills, as by then I had already done a two-month course in it. After completing my course, I practised for about 4 months, till the perfected the art and then I started customizing orders for my customers,” she said.

She said that she has participated in several calligraphy competitions and has won several prizes for her work at various levels in the past 3 years.

Urooj says there are different genres in calligraphy as well and Khattinasakh, Thuluth, Kufi and Dewani are among those she has learnt and are well-versed in them.

“Dewani is the one, which I love the most, but I usually do calligraphy in other remaining genres as I still need some more practice in Dewani. This art needs a lot of practising and learning and one has to keep working and practising it, otherwise, you forget about what you have learnt,” she said.

She said that besides doing calligraphy she also has to study, and she has to maintain a balance between the two so that her studies do not suffer as well. “You have to maintain a balance between your studies and your hobby, to keep them going. And there are some hobbies which do not want to lose and keep them with you forever and keep them alive as well,” she said.

Like many new aspiring artists, who are emerging on different social media sites to make people aware of their art and the services they offer, this young artist is no exception. So to expand her clientele, Urooj started her official business page on Instagram by the name “calligraffiti__”

Urooj, who is the youngest among her two other sisters, besides her father (a government contractor) and a housewife mother, said that she plans to open an academy in future, where she can teach children calligraphy for free to keep her hobby alive.

“I want to keep this hobby of mine alive, so I am planning to open an academy, where I can teach children the art of calligraphy, and it will be free of cost. I won’t charge for it as this is not just my hobby but my passion as well. I also want to provide a platform for the children who want to excel in the field of calligraphy,” she said—(KNO)

Srinagar June 30: Jammu and Kashmir police personnel and their families live under constant fear after the recent spate of militant attacks on cops when they were off from their duties and with their families.
There are over one lakh Jammu and Kashmir police personnel. After attending their duties, they return to their homes and spend time with their families. However, it has been recently seen gunmen have attacked the cops when they were off their duties.
The recent incident took place on Sunday evening when suspected militants barged into the house of Fayaz Ahmad Bhat at Hariparigam Awantipora in South Kashmir, who had been a Special Police Officer (SPO) with the Jammu and Kashmir police.
“When masked gunmen pointed their gun at 50-year-old Bhat, his wife Raja Begum and 22-year-old daughter Rafiya Jan tried to save him by shielding from the bullets. The militants fired indiscriminately and the bullets hit Bhat on his head while bullets pierced into the abdomen and chest of his wife and daughter,” one of their relatives told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Bhat died on the spot while his wife died at Government Medical College Anantnag an hour later while his daughter breathed her last the next morning in the hospital.
Bhat’s son 27-year-old Liyaqat Ahmad is in the army and posted at Khrew in his native district Pulwama.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar who visited the bereaved family on Monday said when the SPO’s family members had tried to save him, the militants fired upon them too. He said that two foreign militants from the Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit had carried out the attack.
Kumar said that policemen are always under threat for being on the frontline, but targeting their families was nothing short of cowardly.
In the month of June, militants killed three policemen when they were off their duties.
Recently, militants shot dead Parvaiz Ahmed Dar, a J&K police inspector, near Nowgam area of Srinagar city when he was returning home after offering prayers in the Mosque. CCTV footage showed two gunmen fired at Dar from very close range who died on the spot.
On June 17, militants also shot dead a J&K policeman, Javaid Ahmed in Srinagar near his home.
The spate in attacks on policemen has created a fear for cops and their families. “My son who is the lone bread earner in our family has been serving in Jammu and Kashmir for the last over five years. He never caused any harm to anybody. But we live a fearful life that he too may be attacked at home when he comes to meet us on the weekend. If he leaves the job then who will feed me and my two daughters,” mother of a cop from Pulwama told news agency KINS.
Earlier in April, militants disguised as burkha-clad women killed a J&K policeman, Rameez Raja, who was guarding the residence of a local politician in Nowgam, Srinagar. In February, Suhail Ahmed and Muhammad Yousuf, two J&K policemen, were killed during a militant attack in Srinagar when they were having tea at a local Dhaba.

Srinagar, June 30: Many in Kashmir believe that the novel coronavirus pandemic is over and are openly flouting Covid-19 norms.
It has been seen in almost every district that a sizable number of people flout Covid rules adamantly. They have their own reasons and versions and beliefs. Most who flout precautionary norms cite the drop in the number of cases in the Union territory as the reason for their actions.
What is even more surprising is the fact that even educated individuals also place their trust in such outlandish beliefs.
“I think the serious phase of coronavirus is over. Look at the cases in Union territory, they are coming down daily. So there is no need to be alarmed now I guess. The intensity of the virus has died down ,” a youngster from City centre lalchowk told early news agency KINS on condition of anonymity.
With his face mask dangling from the side pocket, the young resident says he does not always wear it. He adds, “It is suffocating plus when there is no one around, there is no need to wear the mask. It is only needed when there is a crowd around you.”
When asked why he kept the mask with him if he did not believe in wearing it at all times, the youngster responded with a smile saying, “Police roam around at so many places and impose a fine. So it is better to have one with you.”
Another youngster found at a mall had his own excuse for not wearing a face mask.
Requesting anonymity, he told early times, “Look now we have developed enough immunity so now there is not much tension. Only the old people and those who have issues with heart and lungs need to take precautions and perhaps wear a mask all the time.”
Asked where he had gathered such information from, the youngster, taken aback, said, “Look around you. Look at the local shopping complexes, the other bazaars. The crowd is back. And the cases are not rising. This means that we have got immunity now.
Another person said, “I do not have any symptoms so I do not wear a mask. I am not a threat to anyone. But I keep a sanitizer with me. My friends and I went to Lalchowk yesterday and we did not wear masks and we are fit.”
However medical experts warn that this reckless behaviour could cause serious harm in the coming days.
KINS talked to some senior doctors to understand their viewpoint on the issue.
“It will require months before we let our guards down completely. We believe that it would take early 2022 to vaccinate the majority of the population. Till then, we have to be on our guard. Wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and avoiding venturing out is still a must. We have to put our best foot forward to reduce the chances of getting infected.” The doctor who is posted here in the SKIMS sour said wishing anonymity.
Another Pulmonologist at SHMS said the number of cases reflects the status of the disease in the community, but for an individual, the probability of infection and severity of the disease is still determined by the precautions that one takes, and this has remained unchanged through the pandemic.
Dr adds, “If you actually get vaccinated and the vaccine takes effect, nothing has changed in terms of the probability of severe disease, the availability of drugs to cure the disease, and the possible long-term effects of the disease, even when mild.”
A similar sentiment is echoed by another doctor. He said that herd immunity may take time even after vaccination and that people should be careful till a majority of the population undergoes vaccination and that will take time.
The doctor goes on to say that people should be cautious in letting their guard down thinking that it is an immunity passport since the immunity may be short-lived and the virus may re-emerge in a stronger manner.
“Bottom line is to continue to follow all the norms of social distancing, wearing masks, adhering to hand hygiene and following all respiratory etiquettes,” the doctors added.(KINS)

Srinagar: The BJP would have slandered even BR Ambedkar, the father of Indian Constitution, as pro-Pakistan had he been alive, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said on Sunday amidst criticism of Congress leader Digvijaya Singh over his remarks on Article 370.

Mehbooba said Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of J&K before its operative provisions were nullified by the Centre in 2019, was granted by the Constitution drafted by Ambedkar, but it had been “subverted” by the Centre.

Her remarks came amidst growing criticism of the Congress and Singh over his purported comments in an audio chat on social media that his party will have a “relook” at Article 370 revocation and Jammu and Kashmir’s lost statehood if it returns to power.

The BJP has said that Singh’s remarks were part of a larger pattern of the party being “hand in glove” with Pakistan. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who was a BJP ally for some time in J&K, criticised the saffron party.

“Thank God! Ambedkar ji isn’t alive or else he too would have been slandered as pro- Pakistan by BJP” she tweeted.

“The decision of revoking Article 370 and reducing the statehood of J&K is extremely, I would say, sad decision, and the Congress party would certainly have a relook on the issue,” Digvijay Singh had said, according to excerpts of the clubhouse conversation available on social media.

Srinagar, June 21: Prof. Saifuddin Soz, Former Union Minister Monday said that: “India’s Central Government did not learn from its mistakes and it continued to repeat its mistakes.

“Now, it’s (Central Govt.’s) intention to restore the ‘Statehood’ will not yield any advantage to it because that is a small issue before the people of Jammu and Kashmir State,” Soz said.

He said the real issue is the J&K State’s Special Status enshrined in the now-abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution of India, which the Union Govt. has to be restored.

Soz said that India has earned a great flak at the international level, where the peoples’ as well as their governments feel convinced that the people of Jammu and Kashmir State are deeply hurt and angry on the erosion of Internal Autonomy ratified by the people of the State and the then Central Govt., through the Delhi Agreement of 1952.

“Any move by the Central Govt. short of restoring the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution of India will be rejected by the people of the J&K State, out-rightly.”

Soz said people of the State will prove it again to the Union that their anger will never subside till the provisions of Article 370 will be restored.” (KNT)