SRINAGAR: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan has expressed grief over the sad demise of mother of Farooq Khan, the Advisor to Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
In his condolence message, Advisor Baseer Khan prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul as well as fortitude and strength for the bereaved family.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced that Friday, July 31, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha.
The court said that tomorrow (Tuesday) is the 30th of Dhu Al Qaeda, and Wednesday, July 22, will mark the first of Dhu Al Hijja. Since the first day of Eid Al Adha always falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijja and one day after Arafat Day, Friday, July 31, will mark the first day of Eid Al Adha.
The announcement follows a confirmation by the moonsighting committees formed to determine the beginning of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
The announcement follows a confirmation by the moonsighting committees formed to determine the beginning of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
The committees confirmed that the crescent of Dhu Al Hijja was not visible today (Monday) and will be clearly visible after the sunset of tomorrow (Tuesday). This means that Wednesday, July 22, will be the first of Dhu Al Hijja that marks the start of this year’s Hajj season, which will be limited to only 10,000 pilgrims from within the Kingdom due to the coronavirus pandemic.
– Agencies
Srinagar: Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam expressed his serious concern over the “silent arrival” of at least 10,000 non-local labourers in Kashmir and asked the government to come clear where these people are tested for COVID-19 and quarantined for the same.
He also asked the government to come clean about the testing and quarantine facilities set up for the Amarnath Pilgrims, who are set to arrive in Kashmir today as annual pilgrimage commences tomorrow.
“This is quite strange that at least 10,000 non-local work force has arrived silently in Kashmir in times of pandemic crisis. They are arriving at a time when COVID-19 is at its peak and cases are showing a huge spike. When Srinagar is under tight lockdown so are other district headquarters, what was the need to bring in outside workforce that too in a huge number when pandemic is at its peak,” Grand Mufti told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)
Government must clarify where these non-locals are tested for Covid and if anyone is positive where they are quarantined, Mufti Nasir asked. “Majority of these non-local laborers mingle with the common people of Kashmir and they can pose a huge risk not just for themselves, for the entire Kashmiri population as they spread to various parts of the Valley,” he said.
The Grand Mufti also asked the government to name the places where Amarnath Yatris would be quarantined and tested for Covid-19. “Now that the government has decided to go ahead with the pilgrimage, there seems to be no testing facility for the pilgrims and also the quarantine centres for them,” he told KNO
“The Yatris too spread in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and also to Anantnag district of South Kashmir. Besides, they stay in Srinagar also. Government hasn’t so far stated anything about the facilities put in place for testing the Yatris and quarantining them.”—(KNO)
Srinagar: Amid Covid-19 pandemic, suicide and fratricidal incidents among security forces especially paramilitary CRPF men have shown an upward trend in the Valley with ban on availing leave to go home and meet families being cited one of the major reasons for suicidal tendencies among forces personnel.
Today morning, a CRPF personnel committed suicide by shooting himself dead with his service riffle at his unit in Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar. “An inquiry has been ordered to find out the reason that led him to take this extreme step,” a CRPF official said. Today’s incident came just three days after a CRPF man posted at a hotel in Dalgate area of Srinagar accidentally shot himself with his service riffle. He was critically injured and is battling for life at Army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar.
On July 6, two Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) men were killed in a fratricidal incident in a court complex in Kulgam district of south Kashmir. The duo had resorted to an argument before shooting themselves dead with their services riffles. Earlier on May 12, two CRPF personnel committed suicide by shooting themselves with their service rifles in two separate incidents at south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
On the same day, a CRPF Assistant Sub-Inspector, Bengali Babu, committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle at his 49th battalion camp in Srinagar. Furthermore, on March 21, a CRPF man posted outside Civil Secretariat Srinagar, had committed suicide by shooting himself with his service riffle.
The rise in suicide cases among CRPF men has, however been directly linked with the prevailing pandemic as it is evident by the suicide notes left by a couple of CRPF men who took extreme step. A suicide note of one of the CRPF men who shot himself dead read: “I am afraid, I may be Corona positive…. Better to die.”
A senior CRPF official told KNO that every incident is followed by an internal inquiry but one of the main reasons why “boys are taking extreme step” is that they are not able to go on leave and meet their families. “Back home, their families are worried too, which increases mental pressure for the boys on duty in Kashmir, which is a challenging place. Even though regular counseling sessions are being given to the CRPF men in the morning and evening, still the level of pressure on their minds remains due to coronavirus outbreak,” he said.
Special Director General of CRPF Zulfikar Hassan said that every suicide case in the CRPF ranks has a different reason. “Remaining away from the families may be one of the reasons. Jawans haven’t been able to avail the leave facility since March. So it’s been over four months, they haven’t seen their families. We have taken steps to prevent such incidents among our men,” he told KNO.
Asked whether the number of incidents are more this year so far compared to last year, the top CRPF officer said that the numbers are far less than last year. “Every incident is followed by an inquiry and accordingly measures are taken,” he said—(KNO)
Srinagar: The re- imposition of restrictions in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir has failed to curb dreadful surge of COVID-19 cases, raising questions about the strategy adopted by the authorities in the district.
Shockingly, the COVID- 19 cases which were supposed to decrease post the imposition of fresh lockdown on July 13 have worryingly gone up. As per the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 456 persons tested positive for the virus in the week before the lockdown. After imposition of the lockdown, 1206 cases have been witnessed in the district in the past seven days.
With 1206 fresh cases, Srinagar continues to remain on the top of the Coronavirus cases list among all the districts of the Union Territory.
On Monday, when the lockdown was re-imposed, a total of 101 cases were reported from Srinagar district. However, the cases started witnessing a surge from Tuesday as 127 persons were tested positive. On Wednesday, the cases witnessed further spike as 153 tested positive while on Thursday, a total of 259 persons tested positive in the district.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the district recorded 152, 124 and 290 cases respectively, thus taking the total number of cases in the week to 1,206.
Meanwhile, a prominent flu expert, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan told KNO that “lockdown doesn’t mean that we have absolute guarantee that the virus will not move”. “It still moves and people still have to follow the guidelines amid the lockdown,” he said.
He said that the lockdown period should be utilized to create awareness so that things can change on the ground. “The virus is going to stay and the next two-three months are crucial. We should not allow it to spread further by adhering to the guidelines ,” he added—(KNO)
Srinagar: At a time when COVID testing laboratories are already overburdened with the testing of samples after Kashmir witnessed a steep spike in COVID positive cases, Government has allowed entry of thousands of Brick Kilin workers from outside.
According to the official figures, it is estimated that since July 14 with 60 to 70 buses carrying around 2,500 workers to the valley each day.
According to the reports, the labourers brought in hoards from outside are being accommodated by the brick kiln owners in shacks near the brick kilns against the Government set guidelines which say that all the passengers coming to J&K by train, air or road are supposed to remain under institutional quarantine for 14 days after being tested for coronavirus.
A health expert, who is dealing with COVID 19 crises, said that if 60,000 labourers who work in 350 brick kilns in Kashmir arrive here and go for testing and quarantine as per the protocol it would water down all our efforts in containing the spread of COVID 19 here.
“Almost everyone in administration is puzzled by the decision of Government to allow entry to these workers here. Everyday testing laboratories report positive cases in hundreds. Now in this scenario how can resource-starved place in terms of machinery and manpower grapple testing of these workers and among them positive cases in hospitals,” he told KNS.
Meanwhile a video has gone viral on social media in which these brick kiln labourers entering Kashmir via road categorically denies going through any testing. It has raised serious concerns among netizens over the protocol being followed by the Government in allowing these workers in Kashmir.
President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Ashiq asked the government to come clean over the issue.
“Why Government is maintaining silence over the issue. We urge come clean on this subject and not allow a single person in Kashmir without being tested. Every person whosoever enters Kashmir should be dealt with as per set protocol,” he said.
Ashiq also demanded augmentation of health infrastructures like ventilators and emergency beds and testing facilities.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole has yet to respond to the questions from KNS. The story will be updated when KNS receives a reply.(KNS)
Srinagar: Administration on Monday authorized district development commissioners to impose fine on those who don’t follow the COVID guidelines in Jammu and Kashmir.
Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Department issued an order, a copy of which lies with news agency KINS reads, “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (3 of 1897), the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir hereby authorizes all the Dept ty Commissioners of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to take following measures within their jurisdiction and impose such penalties as shown against each column to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
As per the order, persons not wearing a mask in public places can be fined Rs. 500, persons violating the home quarantine instructions Rs. 2,000, persons spitting at public places Rs. 500, persons violating social distancing norms by owner of shops commercial laces Rs. 2,000, for violating the social ‘ uses . Rs. 3000, distancing norms by vehicle Rs. 2000/- owners of auto rickshaws two wheelers Rs. 500/.
“Non-payment of penalty, as aforementioned, by the violator will attract proceedings under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860),” the order reads.(KINS)
SRINAGAR: The production of trout has increased at Asia’s largest fisheries farm in south Kashmir’s Kokernag area, which is in greater demand among locals.
Known for its natural beauty, Kashmir has the distinction of having Asia’s largest fisheries farm in Kokernag.
The farm is emerging best producer of Rainbow Trout fish across the world.
“We provide seed to over 500 farmers. This farm generated revenue of Rs 1.73 crore during 2018 which went up to Rs 1.83 crore last year. In addition seed was sold for Rs 40 lakh to farmers,” an official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
The official said at least 500 farmers are provided quality and healthy seed.
The Fisheries Department set up a trout farming project at Kokernag in south Kashmir with the European Economic Community’s assistance in 1984.
“The infrastructure has been upgraded over the years and Kokernag has turned out to be Asia’s largest fish farm project,” the official said.
The project is managed by the local officials who are technically knowhow about trout seed production.
Syed Manzoor is the supervisor of the farm, who has well expertise in rearing fish.
Chief Project Officer (CPO) of the farm, Muzaffar Hussain Bazaz said the farm is known worldwide for its production.
“Rainbow trout is cold water fish and should have temperatures between 0 to 20 degree Celsius. It is rich in protein and boosts immunity. The revenue and production increase with each year,” he told KINS.
After achieving success in breeding trout, the Department over the years has ensured that the trout which was considered as a Royal food reaches the common people in Kashmir.
Trout is a highly nutritious food. An average-sized trout contains about 1.8 grams of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that are needed for the development of the brain and retina in infants.
Trout also contains 20 percent protein, vitamins A, B, B1, C2 and D and forms the basis of a healthy, low-fat and fibre-rich diet.
The introduction of trout in Kashmir for angling is credited to a Britain Frank Mitchell. In 1899, he reared the trout in the premises of his private carpet factory at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan, located in Shahr-e-Khas. He established the first trout hatchery at Harwan in 1901 and trained the locals.(KINS)
The Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineer Graduates’ Union (JKEEGA) in collaboration with a national-level engineers’ body has come up with a report analysing the cost of energy post-privatization of DISCOMS.
Further details awaited
– Agencies
Jammu: Police on Monday claimed to have busted a militant funding module of Pakistan-based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) tasked to activate its cadres in the Jammu region, with the arrest of one person, officials said.
The police received information that LeT has activated a module of its members for carrying out militant activities in the Union Territory, particularly in the Jammu region, and in furtherance to this, a delivery of funds was to take place in Jammu, they said.
According to the officials, Special Operation Group (SOG) Jammu and the Army have busted the militant funding module.
The security forces apprehended Mubashir Bhat, a member of the module who was asked to collect a consignment of Hawala money from Jammu, the officials said.
During the search, the police seized a bag containing cash worth Rs 1.5 lakh, they said.
Initial questioning revealed that the money was sent by Haroon, a self-styled commander of LeT from Pakistan, to be delivered to terrorists through over ground workers in Doda, they added.
A case has been registered at Peer Mitha Police Station and further investigation into the matter is underway, the officials added.