Category: Union Territory

Negligence can prove very dangerous, says expert; Will investigate matter, says MS SMHS

Srinagar: In what appears to be a sheer negligence on part of hospital authorities, a patient from Srinagar was declared COVID-19 positive a day after her death at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital.

Sources informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a patient from Gurgari Mohalla area of Zainakadal in Srinagar died on Sunday morning and was declared COVID-19 positive on Monday evening.

However, they said the family was allowed to take the body for the last rites without even waiting for the fresh COVID-19 test report.

The patient’s son told KNO that her mother was admitted in the hospital after she complained of respiratory issues and fever. “She was kept in COVID-19 designated isolation ward after doctors stated that she is suffering from bilateral Pneumonia,” he said.

“Her sample for COVID-19 was taken, but the report was inconclusive following which her swab was taken again on July 25 afternoon,” he said, adding that on Sunday morning, the patient breathed her last and they were allowed to take the body home for last rites.

He said on Sunday afternoon, she was laid to rest at Malkha Srinagar, adding that number of her relatives and neighbours participated in her funeral.

On Monday evening, they received the fresh COVID-19 report of her mother wherein she was declared positive.

He questioned how the attendants were asked to take the body when the COVID report was still pending, adding that the ‘negligence’ of the authorities have put family, relatives and neighbors in trouble.

However, he said after receiving the fresh test report, none from the health department have so far visited them for taking necessary steps.

Meanwhile, Influenza expert, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan told KNO that not adhering to the guidelines may have infected all the family members of the deceased. “This is highly irresponsible and needs to be probed. The body should have been kept in GMC mortuary till COVID-19 test results would have come,” he said.

Medical Superintendent SMHS, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Choudary said that he will investigate the matter—(KNO)

Srinagar: Though there are several laws on the illegal conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural, all what is seen is that their implementation is poor.

Sources told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that there has been rapid conversion of agricultural land in almost all the Districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources said that large scale conversion of agricultural land into horticulture, unplanned construction including residential colonies, factories, brick kilns, shopping complexes and other commercial infrastructure have come across as prime reasons for the damage of agricultural land.

As per official figures of the Agriculture Department, Kashmir had 4,67,700-hectares of agriculture land in 2015 which has shrunk to 3,89,000 hectares till 2019.

This shows Kashmir has lost around 80,000 hectares of agricultural land to non-agricultural purposes since 2015.

Data shows that land under paddy cultivation in Kashmir region shrank from 1,48,000 hectares in 2015 to 1,40,000 in 2018.

The data further shows that cultivation of pulses has declined from 14,600 hectares to 12,767 hectares.

An official told KINS that there are several laws on the illegal conversion of agricultural land use into non-agricultural purposes but the implementation is “poor”.

“For instance, Section 133-A of the J&K Land Revenue Act says ‘No land growing Shali crops, vegetables or saffron Lullis can be put to any use other than the purposes mentioned above, without obtaining prior permission of the revenue minister or an officer duly authorized by him in this behalf is required for conversion of agriculture land,” he said.

He said, “Similarly, Section 13 of the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 also prevents the conversion of agricultural land. A high court judgment of 2013 also banned the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes.”

A senior official at the Agricultural Department said that the agricultural land is shrinking fast.
“People are also converting agricultural land into horticulture as it gives them good economic returns,” he said.

He asserted, “To make the matters worse, the government seems keen on promoting the horticulture sector only. However, there is no strong agricultural policy which can help save the agricultural land”.(KINS)

Four remaining militant took away body of their colleague, returned back to Launch pads, say officials

Jammu: A militant was killed when a group of five militants tried to sneak into this side of the fence opposite to Kalal area of Nowshehra sector of Rajouri district, security officials said Tuesday.

The official sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a movement of five militants was seen in Samhani Bagsar area opposite to Kalal in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.

” The movement was well intercepted before militants could have managed to reach LoC and were engaged,” official sources said.

They divulged that amid engagement of militants, an explosion took place in the area after one of the infiltrators stepped over a land mine or an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and died on the spot.

” The body of the killed militant was taken along by his four associates who returned back to the launch pad,” the sources said. They said that the group of militants was possibly a fidayeen squad and were heavily armed.

” Since the incident, searches are going on in the area for to ensure proper area dominance,” the sources said—(KNO)

Srinagar: Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam has asked people to take all precautions while sacrificing animals and distributing meat among people on Eid-ul-Azha.

“On Eid-ul-Azha people should take care and maintain social distance, wear face masks, and use hand sanitizers. They should follow all SOPs while sacrificing the animals,” Mufti Nasir ul Islam told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

He said that people should take all precautions while distributing the meat. “The Qurbani meat can be distributed for some days. People should not worry about it. This can also be done on fourth or fifth Eid.””The Qurbani should be done in proper and traditional manner as it is important practice in Islam,” he said.

He asked people not to sacrifice animals on roads. “They (animals) are not carriers of disease. The COVID-19 disease is transmitted through humans,” he said.

The Qurbani meat should be divided equally in three parts. The first part should be distributed among poor and neighbours. Second part should be distributed among relatives and the third part should be for self use.

“On the occasion of Eid ul Azha people should take care of their neighborhood and help them. It is the duty of every Muslim to take care of needy so that they can celebrate Eid with happiness,” the Grand Mufti said.(KINS)

PTI

Jammu, Jul 28 (PTI) The Pakistan army resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling in forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, prompting Indian troops to retaliate effectively, officials said on Tuesday.

The ceasefire was violated by Pakistan for the eighth consecutive day on Tuesday, officials said, adding that there have been more than 20 incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan troops in the last more than a week.

“At about 1000 (10 am) hours today (Tuesday), Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along LoC in Degwar and Qasba sectors of district Poonch,” a defence spokesperson said.

The Indian Army is retaliating befittingly, he added.

Pakistan troops had shelled forward areas of Mankote and Mendhar sectors of Poonch district and resorted to firing along the International Border (IB) in Hirangar sector of Kathua district on Monday resulting in injuries to an animal and damage to a house, they said.

Pakistani troops had shelled areas along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday last week as well as on Monday in Balakote, Subderbani, Nowshera, Qasba, Kirni, Mendhar, Mankote, Degwar, Krishnagati and Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.

Srinagar: Nine more patients including a doctor have died in Kashmir Valley on Tuesday, thus taking the toll of deaths due to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir to 337.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that nine patients who died include a 60-year-old woman from Nowhatta, Srinagar, a 62-year-old man from Batamaloo, Srinagar, a 59-year-old man from DH Pora, Kulgam, a 75-year-old man from Noorbagh, Srinagar, a 60-year-old man from Nagbal Khag, Beerwah, Budgam, a 75-year-old man from Sumbal, Bandipora, a 40-year-old doctor from Bata Mohalla, Sumbal, a 25-year-old youth from Suligam, Ramban and an elderly lady patient from Rainawari.

An official from SKIMS told KNO that a woman from Nowhatta was admitted on July 27 while as patient from Batamallo was admitted on July 17, who were suffering from multiple ailments, died on Tuesday.

He further added that a patient from Yarikah DH Pora Kulgam was admitted on July 11 while a patient from Noorbagh, Sopore was admitted on July 25 with Pneumonia and other ailments and both died on Tuesday.

He also said that a 60-year-old man from Khag, Budgam was admitted on July 22 and died on Tuesday morning, adding that a 40-year old doctor who was tested positive for COVID-19 on July 04 and recovered on July 15, suddenly fell ill on July 27 and was shifted to SKIMS where his sample was collected, which came positive again after his death. The patient died at SMHS hospital as he was shifted from SKIMS to the hospital.

An official from SMHS told KNO that a 75-year-old man from Nesbal, Sumbal who was admitted ten days before, died on July 26 and was tested positive after death.

He added that an elderly lady patient from Rainawari who was suffering from bilateral Pneumonia also died on Tuesday morning and was tested positive after death at SMHS.

An official from GMC Jammu said a 25-year-old youth from Suligam, Ramban who was referred from CHC, Batote to GMC Jammu on July 21 died on Tuesday at 5:30 am.

He said the patient was suffering from multiple ailments including right sided thigh and gluteal abcess, spinal tuberculosis and jaundice.

With nine more deaths, the death toll in Jammu and Kashmir due to COVID-19 has reached to 337 including 314 from Kashmir division and 23 from Jammu division—(KNO)

Party functionaries pay tributes to party leaders Syed Shafi, Lone at Nawa e Subah

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Monday said the measures that were undertaken on 5th of august last year, and since then pose a fundamental threat to the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to statement issued to Kashmir Today, Party additional general secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal said, “Situation in Kashmir has turned from bad to worse. There is no semblance of good governance. The borders are tense. The everyday confrontation has not confined itself to LOC. The militancy hasn’t shown any decline, every day we come to hear about gun battles. It has been a year now since Articles 370, 35-A was unconstitutionally, and immorally rendered defunct.

The prevailing situation does suggest that everything is not right in J&K. Where are the jobs? Where is the development? J&k has only suffered with major reverses on every front be it economy, agriculture, administration, education and health. People don’t know where to go and get their issues redressed.

The tourism, handicraft sector is going through the worst ever slump,” he said.

He further added, “GOI is presently playing the shorts, but despite having all the administrative apparatus at its disposal it has miserably failed on every front. It has failed to ensure security of political workers, and common people. On the contrary the measures that were undertaken on 5th of august have despoiled what was achieved over the years.

The measures undertaken on 5th of august have reversed the situation in J&k back to the 90’s. What was done to those who had been watering the bond between New Delhi and Srinagar? Most of the former legislatures, MLAs are still under house detentions. Every single step taken by GOI in J&k after August 5th last year has only added salt to the miseries of people. The domicile law is no less than a humiliation, where natives of J&K are being made to queue up in lines to get their certificates. Work on all major projects has come to a grinding halt.”

Meanwhile a meet was held here at Party Headquarters Nawa e Subha, where glowing tributes were paid to veteran party member and Block President Eidgah Ghulam Muhammad Lone. On the occasion the participants also paid glowing tributes to party senior leader Dr Syed Muhammad Shafi, who passed away the other day. Among those who were present include Mohammad Syed Akhoon, Showkat Mir, Peer Afaq. The functionaries offered Fateh for the deceased members and prayed for eternal repose to their departed souls. They also prayed for strength to the bereaved families.

Srinagar: Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called the talks about the offer of statehood to J&K by GOI after abrogation of 370 akin to amputating a person’s feet and offering him shoes

She took to Twitter and wrote, ” GOIs tactic of dangling statehood post scrapping of Article 370 is akin to amputating a person’s feet & offering him shoes.BJP due to electoral compulsions in Jammu has to grant statehood so they’re not doing people of J&K any favours.” (KNS)

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday resolved that NC has not backtracked from Gupkar Declaration and reiterated that a concrete strategy will be chalked out once leaders in prison will walk out.

Talking to Shaherbeen Radio Program, senior Abdullah said that party’s stand over Article 370 & 35(A) has not changed. “Our stand is clear on Article 370 & 35(A). There is no change in it. Party stands on Gupkar Declaration”, he said.

He said GoI has “unconstitutionally” snatched the special status of J&K and urged for immediate repeal of decisions taken on August 5, 2019.

“New Delhi has snatched special status of J&K under Article 370 & 35(A) unconstitutionally but we will bring it back with a constitutional fight”, Dr Abdullah said.

He added the tall claims of development in J&K post-abrogation of Article 370 are prank which New Delhi is using to hoodwink its countrymen.

He also added that the process of delimitation is absolute “wrong exercise” and an attempt to change the demographic character of J&K which will be resisted tooth and nail.

“NC will resist delimitation process sternly as it is purely aimed to change the demographic character of J&K”, NC President said.

When asked why NC kept grave silence after August 5, 2019, Dr Abdullah said “Party has not changed its stand on this core issue. We will draft future course of action once leaders in prison will walk out”.

Pertinently former Chief Minister and vice-president of NC Omar Abdullah in a column written to national daily hinted out that he will not contest Assembly election in J&K if New Delhi will not undo the decisions taken on August 5 last year.

“As for me, I am very clear that while J&K remains a Union Territory I will not be contesting any Assembly elections. Having been a member of the most empowered Assembly in the land and that, too, as the leader of that Assembly for six years, I simply cannot and will not be a member of a House that has been disempowered the way ours has”, Omar writes. (KNS)

Srinagar: The Divisional administration in Kashmir won’t allow Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayers in view of COVID-19.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole regarding arrangements on this year’s Eid-ul-Adha with stakeholders.

According to the official communiqué to deputy Commissioners and other concerned departments from Divisional Commissioner’s office, the meeting held on 22nd of this month decided that the prevailing COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the administration from July 22-27 shall be eased from July 28 till July 30 to allow people to buy essentials for Eid.

However, no public transport except passenger auto/personnel vehicles shall be allowed to ply on the roads on the said days.

Regarding the opening of markets from July 28-30, the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to locally take a call over the reopening pattern on these days in accordance with SOP and COVID-19 guidelines.

The DCs have also been asked to identify suitable places where sacrificial animals shall be kept available on the said days at rates already fixed by the government and aware general public that “no sale/ purchase of these animals shall be allowed from July 31”.

In order to overcome shortage of sacrificial animals, Mughal Road shall be specially thrown open for the purpose, the communiqué said.

The respective DCs have also been asked to hold a capacity building programme under the supervision of epidemiologist for Imams regarding precautionary measures to be taken while distributing the sacrificial meat.

While the concerned departments have been asked to facilitate general public on the occasion, the communique said that “All the Masjids/ shrines shall remain closed for Nimaz”.

“But SMC/ULB shall launch a cleanliness drive at all the mosques/ shrines in Srinagar and valley well before Eid-ul-Adha, ” it added.

The deputy Commissioners/SSPs shall ensure that the shopkeepers are following all thc covid-19 related SOPs in letter and spirit, and in case of any violation such shopkeepers shall be booked. under relevant provisions of law, the order reads.

“The Join market checking teams comprising of FS&CA Deptt/revenue/Police/SMC/ legal Metrology/ Drug & Food Safety Standards Deptt shall ensure market checking to curb profiteering/black marketing of essential Commodities by traders (wholesalers /retailers) and ensure availability of essential commodities like Mutton, Chicken, Vegetables, fruits, bakery and confectionary etc in the markets as per the notified.

The order also reads rat KPDCL shall ensure uninterrupted power supply on the Eve of Eid ul Adha.

“It shall be ensured that all damaged transformers are made functional well before the Eid.” (KNS)