Jammu: At least nine families were rendered homeless after seven houses got damaged in a landslide in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior government official said on Sunday.
However, no one was hurt in the incident. The landslide, triggered by rains, struck Gandtop in the hilly Basantgarh sub-division late on Saturday, damaging seven residential houses so far, District Development Commissioner,Udhampur, Piyush Singla said. Singla, who mobilised quick response teams from various departments immediately after getting the information about the incident, said the landslide is still active and as a precautionary measure seven more houses have been vacated due to the lurking threat.
“All the affected families have been shifted to safer places and provided necessary aid. Senior officers of various departments are on the spot to supervise the relief and rehabilitation measures,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) expressed grief over the large scale devastation caused by landslides in various villages of Ramnagar constituency in the recent past and demanded immediate relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.
“There is a need for immediate evaluation of the damages and early payment of compensation to all those affected by the tragic incidents,” JKNPP chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh said.
He said dozens of houses had been razed to ground in the villages of Rasli Gaderan, Garh-Samnabhanj, Sundla, Babey, Jansal and Chigla Balota, besides loss of livestock, cattle and damage to other property, and lands of poor farmers.
Spine of trade, economy broken: Kashmir Trade Alliance
Srinagar: On the sixth anniversary of the catastrophic floods in the Valley in 2014, the Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) on Sunday said that the decline in trade activities in Kashmir and the deterioration in the economy which started at that time has not stopped in 2020.
According to statement issued to KNS, President KTA Ajaz Shahdhar said that the catastrophic floods of 2014 had caused a loss of nearly Rs 1,000 crore to the valley’s economy, and that the floods had dealt a major blow to business and commerce.
Shahdhar said “after 2014, trade and the economy were hit hard again and again, due to which Kashmiri traders, businessmen, industrialists, transporters and contractors as well as tourism affected”. He said that the hopes of the then state and central government for reviving trade were dashed, and even after six years, it was not enough to revive traders and business.
“No comprehensive package was announced and no other relief was given”, he said and added the relief claims were limited to paperwork, and if given, it was like cumin in a camel’s mouth. Shahdhar said that not only this but also the situation of the following years and then the situation after 5th August 2019 and now as a result of covid 19 the lockdown for the last 6 months has broken the backs of Kashmiri traders, shopkeepers and businessmen.
Shahdhar expressed disappointment and said “No serious steps are being taken to get the traders out of this whirlpool”. He hoped that the administration headed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Central Government would make a solid and serious effort to revive business in Kashmir. (KNS)
An Army soldier was killed and two others were injured in Pakistani firing in Kupwara. An official said Pakistan resorted to “unprovoked firing and mortar shelling” along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara’s Nowgam Sector on Saturday.
“Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation in Nowgam Sector by firing mortars and other weapons … One soldier laid down his life in the line of duty. Two soldiers sustained injuries and have been evacuated to 92 Base Hospital. Their condition is stable,” the Srinagar-based Army spokesman said. The deceased soldier was identified as gunner Bupinder Singh.
This is the third such encounter in the past two days. Three militants were killed in Baramulla on Friday.
In a separate incident in Bandipora, two bodies were recovered from a river in the Gurez sector. “Arms and ammunition was recovered from them,” police said. Police suspect they may be missing youth from south Kashmir and may have gone to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir for arms training.
Non seriousness of people, increased testing capacity reason behind surge: Officials
Srinagar: Covid-19 cases have started showing a spurt once again after government eased lock down in J&K, figures reveal.
The officials, however, authorities attributed the surge to the non-seriousness of people towards Covid protocol and increased testing capacity.
As, per the official data available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), from 28 July to 16 August(20 days) which was a lockdown period, 10,080 case were reported positive in J&K. However, since August 17 to 05 September (20 days) after lock down was eased 13771 cases were reported in J&K.
In Srinagar district alone 2792 cases were reported in 20 days of lock down period from July 28, to 16 August. However, 3060 cases were reported after lock down was eased from August 17 to September 05.
However, after restrictions were eased, the rate death rate has declined in J&K and officials also claim that the numbers of severe patients that were being admitted has also declared almost in all hospitals.
In Srinagar in lock down period from 27 July to 16 August, 79 deaths were reported and after restrictions were eased from 17 August to 05 September 60 deaths were reported.
A senior official said that cases have surge only due to non-seriousness of people towards covid protocol and the increased testing capacity.
A senior doctor at CD hospital Srinagar who wished not to be named said that it is obvious that cases will surge if people won’t take care of Covid protocol besides that testing capacity has also increased.
He said that we are able to conduct tests even at PHC through rapid antigent tests which has increased our testing capacity which has decreased the pressure on our main testing laboratories.
He further added that as we were receiving more and more critical patients in last month but now their percentage has also decreased.
He once again requested people to follow covid guidelines in letter and spirit and help us in beating Covid-19—(KNO)
‘Kashmir recorded 10,447 cases, 708 from Jammu, 126 from Ladakh’
Srinagar: Kashmir Valley has recorded the highest number of cancer cases compared to Jammu and Ladakh Union Territory in the last over two years with officials at SKIMS saying that 92 per cent of cancer cases registered with them belong to Kashmir division only.
The official figures reveal that in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh UTs, at least 11,281 cancer cases were registered at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) from January 2018 to July 2020.
Official figures available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) revealed that out of total 11,281 cancer cases, 10,447 cases were registered from Kashmir division only.
However, from Jammu division only 708 such cases were registered in SKIMS and 126 cases were registered from Leh and Kargil areas of Ladakh Union Territory.
This information was revealed by the Public Information Officer (PIO) of SKIMS in a reply to the Right to Information (RTI) application filed by the rights activist M M Shuja.
The PIO in a reply said that the most number of cancer cases registered at SKIMS were from district Srinagar with 2601 cases.
The documents reveal that from Kashmir division, Anantnag district recorded a total of 1488 cases followed by Baramulla district with 1422 cases, Budgam with 1032, Pulwama with 1007, Kupwara with 728, Kulgam with 672, Ganderbal with 532, Bandipora with 49 and Shopian district also recorded a total of 472 cases.
Similarly from the Jammu division that recorded a total 708 cases in SKIMS includes 165 cases from Doda district, Ramban 165 cases, Poonch 118, Rajouri 101, Kishtwar 93, Jammu 26, Resai 20, Udhampur 10 and five each cases from Kathua and Samba districts.
Likewise, Kargil and Leh districts of the Ladakh UT recorded a total of 126 cases of cancer patients in SKIMS Soura—(KNO)
Youth stage protest in Srinagar, appeals Govt to revoke ban
Srinagar: Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has probably become the first place to witness protests over the ban on popular online mobile game Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) by the government.
Days after the centre banned PUBG in India, the youth from Kashmir staged a peaceful protest in Srinagar, demanding the government to revoke the order immediately.
A couple of PUBG enthusiasts, carrying placards in their hands which read “revoke PUBG ban, we cannot live without PUBG” according to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) appeared at Press Enclave to protest government’s decision to ban PUBG in India in the wake of mounted tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
The protesting youth appealed to the centre to revoke the ban on online mobile games considering its popularity and ‘addiction’ among youth in Kashmir Valley and elsewhere in India.
They said the government instead of resorting to digital strike against ‘Dragon’ should settle down the differences through dialogue. They also said the center’s decision to ban PUBG has left youth in virtual shock who find it hard to live without it.
The BJP led centre has mounted a fresh strike on Chinese apps, banning as many as 118 new apps including PUBG for engaging in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of state and public order.
This was the first of its kind protest when players hit streets against the center’s decision to ban online mobile game PUBG following protracted standoff between two neighboring countries.
“We are also PUBG players and we play it more often. We were shocked the moment we came across the shocking news that the government has banned PUBG in India. We had gathered to appeal to the government to revoke the ban on PUBG immediately,” one of the protesting PUBG player’s told KNO.
He also said the differences are removed through meaningful dialogue and not by resorting to digital strikes in this jet era—(KNO)
Srinagar: National Conference Member Parliament for South Kashmir Justice Hasnain Masoodi today said developmental report card exposes dismissal development on the ground after the abrogation of Article 370.
He made these remarks with reporters after chairing a meeting of sectorial officers in Dak Bungalow Anantnag.
“5th august decision of last year should be revoked. Assurances have not been fulfilled. There is no development on the ground,” he said, “Development is not possible unless there is peace, 10 thousand rooms are lying vacant and there is no tourist because of conflict.”
They have not able to restore normalcy here as they have promised.
Replying to a question, the NC leader said that a good number of intellectual class in India is supporting people of J&K in their fight against the revocation of special status of J&K.
According to KNS correspondent, Justice Masoodi said that he had called the meeting to review the progress of healthcare, road and drinking water infra sector grievances had become a norm in south Kashmir.
“We are hopeful that the grievances of the public which came into my notice from Kapran to Shopian are resolved,” he said.
I also took the review of the various equipment’s like ventilators, PPE kits and masks for front line workers procured from the MP fund, NC leader told KNS correspondent
He expressed satisfaction over the efforts of the administration in containing COVID pandemic.
Justice Masoodi also said that there is a poor performance of the administration in affordable housing scheme besides transparency issues in its allotment
He also expressed dismay over the poor health infrastructure in Shangus and Kokernag area of Anantnag and demanded deployment of machines and healthcare personnel in health centres.
He also demanded the release of all Political prisoners at earliest.(KNS)
Meet Salman Charoo, 25, whose debut book on Urdu poetry Alfaaz-E-Nafz was launched last year. This multi-talented guy from Sopore has many feathers in his cap.
He completed his Engineering in 2018 and thereafter was teaching in Lovely Professional University in the Department of Languages & Training as an Assistant Professor. However his academic pursuits never stopped him from following his passions. He writes poetry whenever he has time for himself.
He is also a motivational speaker from Kashmir delivering lectures online and has also worked as a trainer for IELTS English learning courses.
Cover page of Alfaaz-E-Nafz
His book which was published last year and released a day before the restrictions were imposed amid the change in constitutional status of J&K, could not receive the appreciation it merited due to internet shutdown and remained unknown for quiet a long time, however through print media the book received great commendation from various literary circles.
Being a man of wisdom who likes to try new things, this time he took up another challenge amid Covid-19 lockdown across the country with the internet being restricted to 2G services in J&K. Salman has now come up with an online platform “Kashmiri Wear”, a store for ladies’ apparels, especially suits and a wide variety of Shawls which come from registered dealers and artisans across Kashmir.
Salman delivers the products both across J&K as well as outside UT of J&K. “Living outside J&K always made me miss home and anything connected to it, I always wanted Kashmir to be everywhere, in whatever sense it could be. Besides during the Covid lockdown I realized that ladies of our household could not go out for shopping, so the idea of starting an online platform came to my mind.
I want to make “Kashmiri Wear” global. Kashmir has immense talent. I am planning to include designer wear which will be local in its origin thus giving a boost to local latent who are so creative, I am sure our local designer wear will one day become a global fashion storm. I have full faith in myself and the talent of our youth, says Salman. Salman currently operates “Kashmiri Wear” as a sole proprietorship through Instagram and Facebook under the name and style of “Kashmiri Wear”.
Amid restrictions on high speed internet, Kashmiri Wear has received a great response from various places. So far Kashmiri wear has delivered to places like Poonch, Rajauri, Jammu and even Punjab.
With restriction on the internet being lifted , there is a hope that online business platforms like Salman’s will receive a boost. Besides Kashmiri Wear, Salman is also working on his second book. Salman’s example is an inspiration for our youth who want to create a place for themselves and contribute to the society in the best possible manner despite existing hardships.
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday reported 1251 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day count so far, taking its tally to 42241. This is for the third day in a row that Jammu and Kashmir recorded cases in excess of one thousand.
With 86 travelers among the cases, official sources told GNS that 739 of them were reported from Jammu Division and 512 from Kashmir Valley
Moreover, they said, 489 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals 123 from Jammu Division and 366 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)
They were set up when top hospitals started running out of beds due to the unprecedented flow of critical patients
A screenshot of the voluntary Whatsapp group in the Valley.
Over 330 doctors from Kashmir valley turned WhatsApp groups into COVID-19 clinics and managed around 10,000 affected patients and their families by turning hundreds of valley houses into mini-hospitals, eventually helping in flattening the curve.
These online clinics were set up in the last week of July, when the Valley’s three top hospitals, the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS), the Chest Disease Hospital and the Sher-i-Kashmir Medical Institute, started running out of beds due to the unprecedented flow of critical patients, mainly complaining of bilateral pneumonia.
Data bank of patients and line of treatment
“The first aim of these WhatsApp COVID clinics was to create a data bank of patients and their line of treatment. We were all blank initially about what works because it was a novel virus. The data about patients across the length and breadth of the Valley did help us to identify drugs and conditions where patients were responding well,” Dr. Nasir Shams, a physician at the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) Hospital in Srinagar, told The Hindu.
Dr. Shams was one of the admins of two such WhatsApp clinics. “The government decision to allow mild COVID patients to be treated at home provided a rare opportunity to decrease footfall at the hospitals. Each doctor decided to handle four to five families, 25 persons on an average, beyond their duties. It was voluntary and free. It did yield results,” Dr. Shams said.
Around 330 doctors joined to run two such WhatsApp groups and started grading critical patients who required hospitalisation and those who need at-home monitoring. “It was not possible unless a housemate would not volunteer as a nurse. In many cases these ‘nurses’ also got affected but their tending did help patients recover faster because of the emotional support,” Dr. Shams said.
Oximeters and oxygen concentrators
Hundreds of houses in Srinagar functioned like mini-hospitals, maintaining the pandemic protocols. A cluster of houses in Lal Bazaar saw four families contracting COVID-19 and affecting around 21 inmates in the last week of July. “All were managed at home with multiple lines of medicine. Oximeters and oxygen concentrators were kept available to ensure patients are shifted before any complication,” said another doctor.
Two NGOs, the Athrout Kashmir and the Social Reforms Organisation, helped with oxygen concentrators donated by philanthropists in the Valley. “We have received six consignments of oxygen concentrators so far. It did help in reaching out to the needy. We were receiving around 100 distress calls a day,” said a volunteer of the Athrout Kashmir.
The effort was backed by info videos online and Zoom meetings arranged where doctors and the affected population posed queries. Dr. Masood Rashid, also part of the effort, was handed over a certificate of appreciation by J&K Health and Medical Education Department Commissioner Atal Dulloo recently for his “courage and strength as a COVID warrior”.
According to official figures, the footfall of patients in the JLNM hospital has come down by 40%. Similarly, the bed occupancy at the SMHS and the CD Hospital has improved significantly, according to officials.
Witnessing a decline
Kashmir valley, which saw over 700 patients a day, is slowly witnessing a decline with 554, 457, 376 cases reported in the past three days, official figures suggest. “We are still still on a flat plateau but hopeful to see a further decline in coming weeks,” Dr. Shams said.
