Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday said fear of getting stigmatised leads to delay in seeking medical help which is the main reason for increase in number of Covid-19 deaths in Kashmir valley.

“Patients arrive at hospitals only when their symptoms worsen,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“Early detection of cases is the key to reduce Covid-19 deaths,” he said.

“But, patients come to hospitals late when their lungs are largely affected which decreases their chances of survival,” he added.

Dr Nisar said instead of making people aware about the disease, an environment of fear and panic has been created.

“Fear and misconceptions about the pandemic have resulted in social stigma for both patients and their families,” he said

Dr Nisar said stigma makes people to hide their illness and keep them away from seeking health care.

“There is an urgent need to scale up awareness among people on Covid and do away with the stigma that has come to surround pandemic,” he said.

Dr Nisar said shifting critically-ill patients who are on life-support from various hospitals to Covid designated hospitals is also contributing to increased mortality.

“Shifting them to dedicated hospitals is leading to interruption and delay in treatment.”

“Most of these Covid death cases have underlying medical conditions which is liable to get neglected in Covid centers for want of specialists and equipments,” he said.

“We need to revisit the existing protocol for shifting critically-ill patients, who test positive for Covid-19 at different hospitals,” he added.

Dr Nisar said another reason for surge in deaths is lack of ECMO machines in Covid centres.

“Most of Covid patients who get placed on conventional ventilators die, but ECMO machine saves patients from the brink of death,” he said.
“While plasma therapy has proved life-saving in critically-ill Covid patients, hospitals in Kahmir have nothing to offer to dying Covid patients,” said Dr Nisar.

New Delhi: National General Secretary Ram Madhav is one of the BJP’s high-profile faces. Since becoming the spokesperson of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 2003, he has subsequently been in the news not only in the country but also in the international media as the face of the saffron party.

At that time, he was also known as something of a global ambassador of the RSS. After spending a long time in the RSS, he was appointed National General Secretary in the BJP in 2014. Since then, he has overseen party activities in from Jammu & Kashmir to northeast affairs.

He is a key strategist who played an important role in BJP’s outreach in the northeast.

It is a result of his efforts that many states in the northeast where BJP did not have a presence, today have BJP governments. Madhav, 56, a native of Andhra Pradesh, had an engineering education before becoming an RSS ‘pracharak’.

In a special interview to IANS on Friday, Madhav spoke openly on issues ranging from Jammu & Kashmir to the China border issue and Nepal.

Madhav, on the question of restoring full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, said that his party supports it. He said, “BJP’s Jammu & Kashmir unit is of the opinion that statehood should be given back when the time is favourable. We want J&K to be restored to a full state’s status. Home Minister Amit Shah himself said while granting UT status that work would be done to get full statehood back very soon. The Assembly is yet to be constituted and delimitation for UT is pending.”

On the question of restarting political activity in the valley, he said that most of the detained leaders have been released. Madhav said, “BJP wants all leaders to act as bridges between administration and public by participating in political activities, but all big leaders of PDP, National Conference, Congress are sitting inside their houses. Congress leaders are not even arrested so they should answer why they are not taking part in political activities. Political activity will start when Assembly elections are held.”

On the question related to the fear of homecoming among the Kashmiri Pandits after the recent murder of sarpanch Ajay Pandita, Madhav said that the Home Ministry is looking into the entire matter. He said, “Unless we are able to guarantee both security and respect there, it will not be possible for the Kashmiri Pandits to go back to the Valley. Only the formation of colonies cannot lead to the return of the Pandits.”

On the question of why the BJP formed the government in J&K with the PDP, Madhav said that if the BJP had not formed the government, the Assembly election would have had to be held again. However, there were some benefits and some disadvantages of forming a government with the PDP. The government fell three years later after the BJP withdrew support.

Madhav said that after the removal of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir, there was very little opposition from the public. He said the people have realised that due to Article 370, the personal prosperity of the Kashmiri leaders only increased, but the public did not benefit. Now the public’s attitude is looking positive.

Veteran Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s resignation was described by Madhav as the result of Hurriyat’s internal politics. He said that Geelani’s resignation will not be able to cover up his political misdeeds of the last 30 years as thousands of youths died in the valley for which Geelani is responsible.

Madhav also spoke on the issue of China. He said that China has an old habit of land grabbing, but the Modi government has given a befitting reply in the last 5 years. After all, what is the solution to the border dispute with China? On this question, Madhav said that the government is working on two fronts in particular.

Emphasis is being laid on proactive diplomacy and strong ground positioning. While there are talks on the military and diplomatic level, the government is also committed to protect every inch of our land. Every possible step is being taken to ensure that the Galwan Valley incident does not recur again.

Madhav said that since the formation of the Modi government, India has been strict regarding the border policy. Regarding the 2017 Doklam incident and the recent Galwan Valley incident, he said, “China was also surprised by our strength in Doklam. China was then trying to get closer to the Chicken’s Neck area, but India gave a befitting reply, and the plot was not allowed to succeed. China wanted us to remove our army, but the Modi government had made it clear that the army would not withdraw until China removed the construction near the border.”

Madhav said that this time also when China tried to enter into LAC, they were physically stopped. It also used rods and stones. “Unfortunately, 20 of our soldiers were martyred. But India has sent a message to China that we will not allow China’s move to occupy the border quietly.”

Why has the friendly country Nepal stood up against India? On this question, Madhav said that even today Nepal may be making some anti-India statements, but this will not affect relations between the two countries.

Although this is not the first time, as such incidents have happened many times since the days of the monarchy in Nepal. He said, “When the king was ruling in Nepal, he used to oppose Nehru. On the basis of past and present experiences, I can say that much of the reason for Nepal’s opposition to India is internal. When there is an internal problem if it happens, then the government there feels it can target India. “

But the BJP general secretary made it clear that relations between India and Nepal will remain as strong as ever.

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Friday said the 2016 demonetisation exercise, scrapping of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir have done nothing to improve the security situation in the terror-affected Union Territory.

The former BJP ally wondered why there is no peace in the newly-carved out Union Territory when there is a “strong” government at the Centre.

“Its status quo despite scrapping of Article 370 (that gave special status to J&K) and bifurcation of the erstwhile state.

“There is blood on the streets every day and there is loss of innocent lives. Despite demonetisation, there is no respite from terror activities and circulation of fake notes,” said an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

Referring to a recent encounter in Soporein which a CRPF jawan was martyred and a senior citizen lost his life in firing by terrorists, it said the picture of the civilian’s three-year-old grandson sitting on the body of his grandfather was heart-wrenching.

PTI

Srinagar: A Jammu and Kashmir policeman was on Thursday arrested for his alleged involvement in the peddling of drugs in Ganderbal district of the union territory, police said.

In continuation to its drive against menace of drive drugs from society, Ganderbal Police developed information about the involvement of a police official in the peddling of drugs in Kurhama area (of the central Kashmir district), a police officer said.

He said after a hot pursuit, constable Showkat Ahmed Ganie was arrested with an initial small quantity of Codeine Phosphate bottles.

A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was registered against him and investigation taken up, the officer said.

The accused was subjected to interrogation and based upon his disclosure, 800 bottles of Codeine Phosphate were seized from his house, the officer said.

He said a special investigation team has been constituted to probe the involvement of other people while the constable has been placed under suspension.

Srinagar: A militant has been killed and a CRPF personnel injured in ongoing gunfight between militants and forces in Malbagh area of Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district.

A senior Police officer told GNS that one militant has been killed and a CRPF personnel injured in ongoing encounter. The CRPF personnel has been shifted to nearby hospital, the officer added.

Earlier, A joint team of Police and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Malbagh.

As the joint team approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter.(GNS)

His family said he had been asking for police protection but the local police had not acted on the requests, eventually leading to his death at the hands of terrorists.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Jammu and Kashmir Police to submit a report by August 8 on its alleged failure in providing protection to a sarpanch, Ajay Bharti Pandita, who was killed by terrorists in Anantnag district on June 8.

The NHRC on Wednesday ordered the J&K Director General of Police to submit an action taken report within four weeks on the complaint by Hyderabad-based law student Baglekar Akash Kumar, who cited a June 10 report of The Hindu that said the victim had requested police protection before his death, but to no avail.

Being a member of the minority Kashmiri Pandit community and part of the democratic process, Pandita had been targeted by militants, J&K DGP Dilbag Singh had said. His family said he had been asking for police protection but the local police had not acted on the requests, The Hindu had reported.

The NHRC noted in its proceedings that the complainant had sought relief for the victim’s next of kin and for an inquiry in the matter.

“The Commission directs its registry to transmit the copy of the complaint to DGP, Jammu and Kashmir calling for a report within four weeks. In case the report will not be received within the stipulated time, the Commission shall be constrained to invoke coercive process u/s 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 for personal appearance of the concerned authority,” the NHRC observed.

With inputs from The Hindu

Srinagar: As most of the government-run-schools are without Commerce, authorities are mulling to introduce the stream in all higher secondary schools in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The government said that it will accommodate all eligible post graduate (PG) commerce teachers to teach different subjects of the stream.

In this regard a notification, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observe (KNO), was issued by additional secretary to the government for school education department, Naseer Ahmad Wani to directors of both the regions.

“Commerce stream at higher secondary level can strengthen and inculcate skills for ease of business amongst students to train educationally established entrepreneurs with knowledge of accountancy, finance management and other skills for successful business modules,” the notification reads.

It was also mentioned that the introduction of commerce stream in all higher secondary schools shall also facilitate self-employment amongst youths for more business opportunities.

Wani said, “A delegation of PG commerce teachers of school education department approached me for introduction of commerce stream in higher secondary schools of the UT.”

He said that he has forwarded the representation of the delegation to directors of Jammu and Kashmir division for exploring feasibility for introducing commerce stream in all remaining higher secondary schools within their jurisdiction.

“The directors can absorb all eligible PG commerce teachers in phased manner for the purpose, keeping in view at present, sanctioned strength of 311 commerce lecturers working in 250 higher secondary schools across JK UT,” Wani said

KNO has learnt that in two tehsils of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, the commerce stream is being taught in only one higher secondary school.

One of the teachers from the district said, “In Hajin and Sumbal tehsils of the district, commerce subjects are being taught in only one of the higher secondary’s of Sumbal area,”—(KNO)

Jammu: At least three members of a wedding party died and 23 others were injured in a traffic accident in Reasi district of Jammu division on Thursday evening.

Reports reaching GNS said that a vehicle (JK02AU-0634) carrying a marriage party rolled down a gorge near Narlu Sai area of Arnas tehsil in the district.

In the incident, three people were killed on the spot even as twenty-three others sustained injuries, reports said.

The injured were evacuated to Primary Health Centre Arnas wherefrom thirteen of the critically injured persons have been referred to District Hospital Reasi for advanced treatment, reports said.

Confirming the incident, SSP Reasi Reshmi Wazir told GNS that three persons have died. “Twenty-three other injured persons are undergoing treatment at different hospitals,” he said. (GNS)

Srinagar: Gunfight breaks out between militants and forces in Malbagh, Hazratbal area of Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district on Thrusday evening.

A joint team of Police and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Malbagh.

As the joint team approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter.

A senior Police officer also confirmed to GNS about the exchange of firing between militants and forces in Malbagh area.(GNS)

New video of three-year-old boy shows him describing the sequence of events leading to the killing of his grandfather

Mental health professionals in the Kashmir valley have warned of an “epidemic of psychological disorders” among the children exposed to “rare, complex, ongoing trauma” due to the prolonged conflict in the region, as a new video of a three-year-old boy showed him describing the sequence of events leading to the killing of his grandfather before his eyes in north Kashmir’s Sopore on Wednesday.

The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences-Kashmir (IMHANS-K) on Thursday began monitoring the behaviour of the three-year-old child from Srinagar’s HMT area, a process that is expected to continue for the next six weeks.

“We will monitor how the child will heal from the traumatic experience. Any disturbing behavioural pattern would require management by mental health experts,” Dr. Syed Karrar, paediatric neuropsychiatrist at IMHANS-K, told The Hindu.

‘Highly disturbing’

Describing the images, where the child was seen sitting on the body of his grandfather, and the latest video of the incident “highly disturbing”, Dr. Karrar said, “Children at this age may not have an idea of the permanence of death but they find it hard to extract the trauma, unlike older children and adults. In fact, the traumatic experience may manifest differently.”

What worries mental health professionals in the Valley is the danger of the affected children reliving these experiences for many years.

“Early childhood (0-6 years) traumatic experiences have immense impact on psychological well-being. They have more potential to impact the development of brain structures,” Dr. Karrar said.

Such images may have already become a cue for conflict-affected children to experience “vicarious trauma”, he added.

Children in south Kashmir

IMHANS-K has already seen around 200 mental trauma cases among children in the past 12 months, which were marred by frequent crackdowns by security forces, encounters and funerals in J&K.

Of the 200 cases, according to the IMHANS-K data, 65-70% of the affected children were from south Kashmir and around 80% belonged to pre-adolescence and early adolescence age groups.

“Many children from south Kashmir talked about the presence of security personnel as a trigger for anxiety, irritability and anger. Many were having flashbacks, inducing episodic sightings of trauma, fright, scary dreams and sleep disorders,” Dr. Karrar said.

Doctors said children in south Kashmir cannot be categorised as “classic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)”. “In Kashmir’s case, trauma is an ongoing experience, from one episode to another. It’s a complex trauma peculiar to Kashmir, unlike the clinical acute or chronic trauma,” he added.

There were chances of “maladaptive coping” among such children. “The developmental trajectory of such children gets affected as a consequence, and it may lead to depression and drug abuse,” doctors at IMHANS-K warned.

With inputs from The Hindu