Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Thursday recorded seven more deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic taking the number of people who died due to the virus so far in the UT to 284
Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that seven patients who died include a 57-year-old male from Firdous Abad Batamallo Srinagar, a 55-year-old male from Nawakadal Srinagar, a 52-year-old woman from Zonimar Srinagar, a 46-year old woman from Gazriyal Kupwara, a 60-year old non local resident a 70-year old lady from Uri Baramulla and a 40-year-old from Chinkral Mohalla, Habba Kadal, Srinagar.
An official from SKIMS said that a man from Firdousabad was admitted on July 10 and a man from Nawakadal was admitted on 13 July with underlying ailments died at SKIMS on Thursday.
He said that woman from Zonimer was admitted on 22 July while as woman from Gazriyal was admitted on 20 July and was tested positive on Thursday after her death.
He further added that a 60 year old man who is said to be from Kerala also died at SKIMS who was tested positive for COVID-19
An official from Baramulla told KNO that a 70-year old dialysis patient from Uri with CRF, varian mass and Metastatic mitotic disease and was critically ill
Her dialysis was done at a private hospital in Srinagar and after dialysis she was advised to go home and come after one week for dialysis, he said, adding that she was sampled because of co morbidity by CMO Srinagar and in late hours result was positive and next day she expired and was buried as per COVID-19 protocol.
He further added that all primary contacts of the patient have been traced and put under quarantine.
A resident of Chinkral Mohalla, Habba Kadal, aged 40, became the seventh victim of COVID-19. “He was admitted in SKIMS, Soura on July 18 and had underlying medical conditions. He was tested positive for the virus,” a doctor at SKIMS, said.
With seven more deaths, the death toll related to COVID-19 in J&K has reached to 284 including 264 from Kashmir division and 20 from Jammu division—(KNO)
SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole Thursday said that violation of health advisories and guidelines resulted in a surge of COVID-19 cases in the valley.
Jammu and Kashmir has reported 15711 positive cases until Wednesday. The worst affected is the valley where maximum cases have been reported. The Divisional Commissioner has stressed upon strictly using masks and adhering other government health guidelines.
“Government is concerned about people neglecting health advisories and guidelines resulting in surge of COVID-19 cases in the valley,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
As per the advisory, early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put the life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice,” the advisory reads.
Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water,” it reads.(KINS)
Rs 5 Cr each for setting up additional testing labs, equipment, other things
Srinagar: Amid spike in COVID cases, the government on Thursday sanctioned Rs 15 Crore under SDRF for SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Government Medical Colleges (GMC) Srinagar and Jammu.
The decision to sanction Rs five Crore each to the three health institutions was taken in a State Executive Committee meeting headed by the Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Rs 15 Crore has been sanctioned under SDRF for SKIMS, GMC Jammu, and GMC Srinagar.
“Rs 5 Crore each has been sanctioned for the trio health institutions for setting up of additional testing labs, equipment, for PPEs and other COVID containment efforts.
“The amount sanctioned is over and above funds provided to Health department,” officials said—(KNO)
In a report, the Forum for Human Rights in J&K said the 11-month lockdown since last August hugely impacted public health & violated the basic rights of the people.
The Print
Representational Picture
Srinagar: The Forum for Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday released a report in which it said that the developments in the union territory after the scrapping of Article 370 last August have “highlighted a tri-lateralisation of the dispute over Kashmir between India, Pakistan and China” and added a “new edge to the strategic China-Pakistan nexus against India”.
Formed in May this year, the forum in its first report — titled ‘Jammu and Kashmir: The Impact of Lockdowns on Human Rights August 2019-July 2020 — has launched a scathing attack against the central and the J&K administration for the steps and actions taken after 5 August, and added that the decision to scrap the erstwhile state’s special status has left the people, especially the youth, gravely disturbed.
“Kashmir has in many ways been the litmus test of Indian democracy. As this report indicates, we have failed miserably,” according to the report.
Representational Picture
Under a section called the ‘Overall Security Situation’, the group stated that Pakistan’s seven-decade efforts to “fish in troubled waters” went into an overdrive mode after the August development in J&K as the country ramped up cross-LoC firing and infiltration, and continued inciting and radicalising Kashmiris through virulent social media campaigns and by establishing “Kashmir Cells in its missions abroad as part of Kashmir-specific anti-India information war strategy”.
“China’s attempts to mobilise the UN Security Council against the August changes, and its own army’s May 2020 intrusions in Eastern Ladakh have added further diplomatic and security concerns for the Indian government.”
“They have also highlighted a tri-lateralisation of the dispute over Kashmir between India, Pakistan and China, lending a new edge to the strategic China-Pakistan nexus against India, specifically in Jammu and Kashmir,” stated the 70-page report.
The forum and the report
The report has been compiled based on NGO fact-finding reports and also responses to questionnaires sent to government sources, media, as well as information gathered through petitions and from industry bodies such as the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Besides former Supreme Court judge (retd) Justice Madan Lokur, members of the forum include well-known personalities such as Air Vice Marshal (retd) Kapil Kak, Major General (retd) Ashok Kumar Mehta, Justice (retd) Ajit Prakash Shah and current National Conference leader and Anantnag MP Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi.
The 21-member group also has historian Ramachandra Guha, former foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, Lieutenant General (retd) H.S. Panag and author-academic Radha Kumar as its members.
The forum has studied the impact of the 5 August decision on civilian security, children and youth, industry and employment, health and media, and recommended 13 corrective measures that are needed to be taken on an immediate basis.
Violation of human rights
The report stated that central government’s prioritisation of counter-insurgency concerns over human security has led to an across the board violation of human rights, including the vitiation of protections such as habeas corpus, illegal detention, arrests, and misuse of draconian legislations such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to stifle dissent.
“In the same manner, the 11 months of lockdown — comprising closures, barricades, checkpoints and restrictions on mobile telephones and internet connectivity — have enormously impacted public health, and caused trauma and stress among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, violating the rights to health and medical care under the Indian, and Jammu and Kashmir, Constitutions.”
“The rights of children to a trauma-free environment have been arbitrarily ignored,” the report added.
Impact of mobile data restrictions
The report further went on to say: “The impact on education has been particularly severe. Schools and colleges functioned for barely 100 days between 2019 and 2020. After the pandemic lockdown, limiting networks to 2G has made it impossible for online classes to function adequately.”
“Local and regional industries have suffered large losses in almost every sector. Companies that are heavily or solely reliant on 4G networks that are available in the rest of the country, such as tourism and cottage industries, have been forced out of business. The new domicile rules introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Jammu and Kashmir administration, moreover, erode prior employment protections for permanent residents of the former state,” stated the report.
The report also concluded that journalists have been harassed and slapped with draconian charges such as the UAPA. “The new media policy is a death blow to an independent media and the freedom of expression,” the report stated.
The group has also studied the post-Covid 19 situation in J&K and how the consecutive lockdown has impacted key business sectors, health infrastructure, education and employment in the region.
Release political detainees
In its recommendation section, the forum asked for release of all the remaining political detainees, an amendment to the controversial PSA, strict implementation of juvenile protection legislation, withdrawal of charges under the UAPA against journalists and activists, and restoration of high speed internet.
Reinstating all the statutory oversight human rights bodies of the former state that ceased to exist after the scrapping of Article 370, roll back of the new media policy, compensation to businesses and people whose homes were destroyed in counter-insurgency operations were the other recommendations.
Radha Kumar, a specialist on peace and security, and a member of the Group of Interlocutors for J&K appointed by the central government (2010-11), told ThePrint that she hopes that the authorities take cognisance of the recommendations made by the forum.
“Unfortunately realism tells me we can have very few expectations. However, one would hope that there would be some impact. I would hope MPs and elected representatives take up some of the issues,” she said.
“It is shocking that almost an entire year has passed and you are denying children proper rights to education, you are denying doctors proper rights to knowledge and treatment,” she added.
Srinagar: A 53-year-old, an employee of Jal Shakti Department, died of covid-19, taking the fatality count due to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir to 279.
A resident of Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar, the quinquagenarian died at SKIMS Soura, officials told GNS.
With these deaths, 259 people in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu have died so far due to the covid-19.
Srinagar district with 75 deaths has the highest fatalities followed by Baramulla (58), Kulgam (26), 19 each in Shopian and Anantnag, Budgam (20), fifteen each in Pulwama and Kupwara, Jammu(12), Bandipora (7), Ganderbal (5), two each in Rajouri and Doda and one each in Poonch, Udhampur, and Kathua. (GNS)
Party to rope in members from Valmiki and Gorkha community to counter opposition’s campaign.
Jammu: The J&K unit of the BJP has decided to celebrate the ‘first anniversary’ of abrogation of Article 370 and bi-furcation of the erstwhile state of J&K into two Union Territories in a big way.
The 15-day celebrations will be held from August 5 to 20 and during this period the party will organise various programmes across the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
On Wednesday, a meeting of senior leaders was held in which the party decided to rope in people who were benefited by the abrogation of Article 370, especially Valmikis, Gorkhas and West Pakistani refugees.
The party has also decided that Tricolour would be hoisted on every roof-top of Jammu province.
Speaking on the occasion, party general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul impressed upon all the BJP leaders to ensure that the ‘pakhwara’ would be celebrated like a festival in every nook and corner of the region. He discussed various programmes to be conducted during the whole ‘pakhwara’.
Koul asked the party leaders to ensure that the ‘Tiranga’ be grandly hoisted on every housetop of the region.
He said that to mark the important historical day a “virtual rally” will also be addressed by a Union Minister and asked the party leaders to ensure that it reaches every person owning a mobile phone or having Internet access.
The party has already appealed to all the citizens to illuminate their houses, chowks and prominent buildings in their areas with candles in the evening of August 5. (TNS)
Fatalities Include Bank Manager, 28-Year-Old Woman, BSF Trooper
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday reported twelve more deaths attributed to covid-19 including a 5-year-old child from Bandipora and a 28-year-old young woman from Kulgam district. With these deaths, the fatality count due to the virus has risen to 278—258 in Kashmir Valley and 20 in Jammu division.
Five deaths occurred at SKIMS Soura, as many at SMHS hospital including BSF trooper posted in Baramulla while one each was reported at CD hospital and SKIMS Bemina here, official sources told GNS.
They said that the child, a resident of Qazipora Bandipora, died at SKIMS Soura, a week after he tested positive for covid-19. The minor had about 90 burn injuries, they said.
Regarding the young woman from Qazigund Kulgam, they said, she was admitted to SKIMS Bemina on July 14 had various underlying ailments including diabetes mellitus.
“The woman was shifted to ICU on July 20 and today at 9:15 a.m. she was intubated but at 12:05p.m. She developed sudden cardiac arrest and was declared dead at 1:15 p.m.,” they said.
The other casualties include a bank manager, in 50s, from Batamaloo who died at SKIMS Soura, a 45-year-old from Shahgund village of Bandipora, presently at Zoonimar, who was declared brought dead on arrival by the doctors at CD hospital, his age-mate male from Palpora who passed away at SMHS hospital, a 70-year-old male from Ganderbal, a 54-year-old man from Sonawar Srinagar, 58-year-old from Rajbagh Srinagar, a 45-year-old from Khanyar Srinagar who was suffering from diabetes, hypertension and bilateral pneumonia, a male, in 50s, from Umarhair Srinagar who died at SKIMS Soura and 56-year-old woman from Pulwama.
Regarding the quinquagenarian from Pulwama, they said, she was resident of Pathan. She was admitted to SMHS hospital on July 21 and died today. “she was a cancer patient suffering for Myelodysplastic syndrome” they added.
Regarding 45-year-old from Shahgund Bandipora, they said, he was declared brought dead on arrival by the doctors at CD hospital, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of the covid-19 patients here, late last night. “The patient was declared covid-19 positive and was brought to CD hospital late last night. However the doctors who attended upon him declared him dead on arrival,” they said.
Regarding the 45-year-old male from Palpora who was diagnosed of having community acquired pneumonia among other ailments died at SMHS hospital, a senior doctor there told GNS.
Regarding the quinquagenarian from Rajbagh, they said, he was admitted on July 16 and tested positive subsequently.
Regarding septuagenarian from Ganderbal, they said, he was admitted on July 20 and died last night at SMHS. “He was suffering from bilateral pneumonia and had tested positive posthumously.”
As regards the 54-year-old man from Sonwar Srinagar, they said he was admitted on July 14. Regarding the BSF trooper, they said, he was from 40 battalion and admitted to SMHS hospital of July 20. “he died today,” they added.
With these deaths, 258 people in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu have died so far due to the covid-19.
Srinagar district with 74 deaths has the highest fatalities followed by Baramulla (58), Kulgam (26), 19 each in Shopian and Anantnag, Budgam (20), fifteen each in Pulwama and Kupwara, Jammu(12), Bandipora (7), Ganderbal (5), two each in Rajouri and Doda and one each in Poonch, Udhampur, and Kathua. (GNS)
Kulgam: Suspected militants shot dead an Ikhwani turned policeman in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district this late evening.
Sources told News Agency KNT that suspected militants emerged outside the house of one Abdul Rashid Dar son of Ghulam Hasan alias Khurshid Alam in Fura village of the district and fired upon Dar before escaping from the spot.
Dar was shifted to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
Dar according to local sources was a renegade before joining police. He had also been the security guard of a top rank police officer.
No arrests were made during the cordon and search operation that followed after the incident, reports said. (KNT)
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena on Wednesday slammed the UT administration for cancelling Amarnath Yatra at the last moment stating that when tourist destinations can be thrown open in the Union Territory why the yatra has been cancelled.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) J&K Shiv Sena president, Manish Sahni said that the UT administration has misled the devotees by cancelling the annual yatra at the last minute and wasted a huge amount of money spent in its preparation.
He said that the cancellation of the yatra at the last minute proves the weakness and confusion in the decision made by Jammu and Kashmir administration.
Sahni said that earlier it was decided to allow the first batch on 21 July but the sudden decision was taken to cancel the yatra on the same day which is a loophole of the administration.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier had advised us to learn to live with this virus when the Jammu and Kashmir administration has also issued directions to open tourist destinations but religious journey is not being allowed which is disappointing.
Sahni appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to issue timely guidelines regarding forthcoming Eid.
Meanwhile, he welcomed the decision of showing the “Darshan” and “Aarti” from the holy Amarnath cave virtually—(KNO)
‘Trucks entering Lakhanpur provided vehicular pass, truck terminals at Lakhanpur are functional round-the-clock’
Srinagar: The government on Wednesday said that over two lakh trucks carrying essential supplies have entered Jammu and Kashmir since the lockdown was imposed in March this year.
State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Department of School Education, Arun Manhas, who has been deployed at Lakhanpur for management of supply of essentials, said that a total of 2,01,472 trucks carrying essential supplies entered Jammu and Kashmir since lockdown was imposed in wake of deadly Coronavirus outbreak.
While talking to KNO, Manhas said that in an average, over two thousand trucks carrying essentials are arriving Jammu and Kashmir on daily basis. He said that the number of trucks arriving J&K has gone up from the initial days of lockdown.
Sharing details on his personal twitter handle, Manhas added that 17 per cent of trucks among them were carrying ration and food grains, adding that 18 per cent of trucks that entered J&K were carrying fruits and vegetables.
According to State Project Manager, ten per cent of trucks were carrying construction material while as the five per cent trucks were carrying cattle feed and fodder. “17 and 15 per cent trucks were carrying other essentials and non-essential supplies,” he said, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)
The data he shared mentioned that six per cent of trucks were carrying poultry, sheep and eggs while five per cent trucks were carrying raw material. It added that three per cent trucks were carrying medicines while one per cent trucks were carrying milk.
It also added that one per cent trucks were carrying petroleum and Oil lubricants and two per cent trucks were carrying LPG.
In a tweet, Manhas said that every truck entering Lakhanpur is provided vehicular pass, saying that the truck terminals in Lakhanpur are functional round-the-clock.
“Total trucks carrying essential supplies into J&K since lockdown crosses 2 lacs mark. Every truck while crossing Lakhanpur is provided vehicular pass.Truck terminals in Lakhanpur are functional in Lakhanpur 24*7 since lockdown,” he tweeted.
“The upswing in flow of trucks into J&K carrying construction material and industrial raw material shows the normalisation of construction and economic activities in J& K,” he tweeted—(KNO)
