Category: Union Territory

PTI

The Pakistan Army resorted to intense firing on forward areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Saturday, a defence spokesperson said.

The intense firing from small arms across the border started around 10 a.m. in Kirni sector, drawing befitting retaliation by Indian Army, the spokesperson said.

The unprovoked ceasefire violation was initiated by Pakistan and the cross-border firing between the two sides was going on when last reports were received, according to the spokesperson.

There was no immediate report of any casualty on the Indian side, he added.

The move comes nearly a month after the Ministry in its April 29 order had extended the CAT’s Chandigarh Bench’s jurisdiction to the States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and Union Territories of Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

PTI

The Benches of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), that adjudicates Central government employees’ service matters, will function from Jammu and Srinagar, the Personnel Ministry has said, modifying its earlier order that had created confusion and resentment among many over the jurisdiction of tribunals.

The move comes nearly a month after the Ministry in its April 29 order had extended the CAT’s Chandigarh Bench’s jurisdiction to the States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and Union Territories of Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

This order had created resentment and confusion among many employees of the newly created Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Following which, the Central government had on May 1 clarified that neither the petitioner nor the lawyer need to go to Chandigarh for filling petition or appearing before the tribunal related to service matters of employees.

“The term Chandigarh circuit is being misinterpreted to mean that the petitioner/lawyer would have to go to Chandigarh, which is not so. All service matters of Central government and UT employees of J&K and Ladakh will be heard and disposed off in CAT Bench in J&K itself,” it had said.

However, on May 28, the Personnel Ministry came out with a notification that said, “The Central government hereby specifies Jammu and Srinagar as the places at which the Benches of the Central Administrative Tribunal shall ordinarily sit for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.”

It removed the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh out of the ambit of Chandigarh Bench. It has now amended its last month’s order by inserting Jammu Bench and to specifically say that the Bench will have jurisdiction over the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

With the creation of new Bench, over 31,000 matters of the employees of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, which were heard by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, will now be transferred to the CAT, officials said.

The erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir has been reorganised into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh — with effect from October 31, 2019.

The Personnel Ministry’s earlier order had evoked shared reactions from all concerned in the State. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice Gita Mittal has shot off a letter to Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh, a move resulting in sharp reaction from CAT chairman L. Narasimha Reddy.

The establishment of Benches at various places and to ensure disposal of the cases is the responsibility of the tribunal and the high court need not be so apprehensive. Wherever necessary, the guidance and help of the high court would certainly be taken, the CAT chairman had said.

Srinagar: Ten pregnant women were among fresh COVID-19 infections reported in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, taking the overall case count to 2333.

Sources told GNS that 112 fresh cases were reported in J&K—67 among them from Kashmir division and 45 from Jammu division.

They said among the fresh cases in Valley, 48 were confirmed at CD’s diagnostic laboratory, Dr. Salim Khan, nodal officer for COVID-19 at the Government Medical College Srinagar, told GNS. 19 others were confirmed at viral diagnostic lab at SKIMS Bemina, Dr. G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Measures at SKIMS, told GNS.

Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, told GNS that among them 12 are from Srinagar, four from Kulgam and two from Kupwara and one from Baramulla.

Among 48 cases reported from Jammu, 30 were confirmed at Army’s Command Hospital Udhampur.

Confirming that 30 samples tested positive at the Command Hospital Udhampur, Lt Col Inam Danish Khan told GNS sixteen of them are from Rajouri, 11 from Udhampur, two from Doda and one Reasi.

Pertinently, GNS already reported 185 cases in J&K on Friday while official bulletin by had put the number at 128. (GNS)

The ongoing return of workers led to a sharp rise in the COVID-19 graph in Kashmir, as 128 more cases and one more fatality were recorded in the past 24 hours.

“The total number of patients is 2,164 now, with 875 recoveries. Of the 128 fresh cases, 36 were detected in the Jammu division, 92 were registered in the Kashmir division. Sixteen such patients were also discharged from the hospitals,” said a government spokesman.

The official said 990 cases (46%) were inward travellers. “Till date 1,58,773 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been listed for surveillance. At least 81,410 persons have completed their surveillance period,” the officials said.

J&K saw over return of over 60,000 persons in the past one month. “With 48% of all positive cases in the Union Territory being contacts, indicates highly aggressive contact tracing and surveillance. Whereas, detecting of positive cases in travellers can be attributed to the stringent policy to sample, test and quarantine each incoming individual,” Chief Secretary B.V.R Subrahmanyam said.

Srinagar saw a spike of 27 cases, up from less that 10 cases per day in the past few weeks. “Srinagar has 246 positive cases,” said the spokesman.

Anantnag recorded six cases, Baramulla eight, Kupwara 18 , Kulgam 19 and Pulwama 13. In the Jammu division, Jammu witnessed seven new cases, Udhampur one, Samba two, Rajouri six, and Kathua six.

Meanwhile, on the Day 5 of resumption of operation of domestic flights, 16 flights with 1,652 passengers arrived on Friday at the Jammu and Srinagar Airports, official said.

Samples of a 70-year-old man from south Kashmir’s Shopian district tested positive for COVID-19 a day after his death.

Dr. Salim Khan, nodal officer for COVID-19 at the Government Medical College Srinagar, said, “The resident of Aliarpora, Bagander in Shopian was admitted on May 27 as pneumonia patient with underlying hypertension and diabetes melitus. He died at SMHS hospital last evening. Today his sample report showed positive.”

With inputs from The Hindu

The security forces got a tip off about the presence of militants in Wanpora area

Two militants were on Saturday killed in an operation of the security forces in Wanpora area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday, police said.

A police spokesman said the identities of the slain militants were being ascertained.

The duo was killed when a joint team of the police, the Army’s 01 RR and the CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Wanpora and encircled them.

“The hiding militants opened fire at the security forces. In the encounter, two militants were killed,” the spokesman said.

With inputs from The Hindu

By: Sajad Inqilabi Sahab

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Srinagar: Nine members of a family and four pregnant women were among 128 COVID-19 infections reported in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, taking the overall case count to 2221. However, as per the official bulletin, 128 new cases were reported today. Among all the cases, 875 patients have recovered while 28 others have died.

Dr. G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Measures at SKIMS, told GNS that out of the 1430 samples processed at the viral diagnostic lab today, 58 returned positive.

Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, told GNS that among them, 27 are from Srinagar, 19 from Kulgam, four from Kupwara, seven from Baramulla and one from Pulwama.

Sources said that cases confirmed from Srinagar at SKIMS include residents of Amda Kadal, Lal Bazar, Hazratbal, Hawal, Nowhatta, Bemina, Qamarwari, Nawa Kadal and Solina.

Similarly, cases from Kulgam belong to Chattabal, one from Police Station Manzgam, and Nursingpora while Kupwara cases from Hyhama Kupwara.

Dr. Salim Khan, nodal officer for COVID-19 at the Government Medical College Srinagar, told GNS that out of 842 samples processed at Microbiology Lab at CD hospital, 58 came out to be positive.

They include 17 from Anantnag including 9 from a family in Cherward Kokernag and 4 pregnant women, 17 from Pulwama, 15 from Kupwara, three from Srinagar and one each from Bandipora, Ganderbal and Shopian. The pregnant women include 25-year-old woman from Anchabal, 31-year-old from Brenti, 33-year-old Chaki Wanhama and 35-year-old Geebum Dooru.

Dr Riyaz Untoo, Principal SKIMS Bemina said that out 274 samples processed at the hospital’s diagnostic laboratory, 33 came out to be positive. Sources said among the cases, there were cases of retest.

Sources said that among all the cases, 3 cases were reported from Jammu division and include 14 from Poonch, seven from Jammu, six from Kathua, two from Samba and one Udhampur.

Meanwhile, the government said 16 COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals, 05 from Jammu Division and 11 from Kashmir Division, today.

It said till date 158773 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 34495 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 54 in Hospital Quarantine, 1261 in hospital isolation and 41525 under home surveillance. Besides, 81410 persons have completed their surveillance period. (GNS)

Cousins, friends, teacher played major role, acted as morale booster, says teenage boy

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Sopore: A teenage boy, who hails from Dangerpora area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has compiled his first edition of English Grammar book. The teenage boy identified as Shahnaz Kaiser Mir has compiled the English grammar book in two years.

Mir while talking to news agency, said that the book compiled by him in two years and was eagerly waiting to complete this edition of Grammar book with zeal and zest.

He said he had got complete support from his cousin, friends and his teacher who he identified as Showkat Ahmad Ganaie, stating that they played a major role in compiling this edition.

Giving details about the edition, he said the edition as compared to other English grammar books can help the students to understand the basic very easily as the book has been compiled in lectures.

The youth who has compiled the English grammar book has recently passed class 12th examinations. He said that the motive behind compiling the edition was to help the people especially students to understand the English grammar.

“I am not able to printout and publish my book because of prevalent situation over COVID-19,” he said. His teacher, Showkat Ahmad Ganaie told that he is proud and happy for his student. “We should appreciate other students,” he said.

He added that instead of wasting time on social media and other things amid the prevalent situation, the youth should they should nourish their talent – (KNO)

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday ordered that all educational institutions and training institutions in the Union Territory shall remain closed till June 15.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the educational institutions were closed almost three months back in wake of Coronavirus outbreak in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 29 lives and infected over 2000 people across the UT so far –(KNO)

Srinagar: National Conference Member Parliament retired justice Hasnian Masoodi Friday said he won’t be part of delimitation commission set-up by the Government of India for fixing boundaries of assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir.

LS Speaker Om Birla Thursday nominated three NC MPs- Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Justice (retd.) Hasnain Masoodi and Muhammad Akbar Lone- as associate members of delimitation commission.

NC MP Hasnian Masoodi said, “Law says MPs of those states and union territories have to be associated members of the commission where delimitation is taking place. There was no consultation with us,” Masoodi told news agency KINS.
“They nominated us as per the law and now it is for us to decide how we should react. Individually I can’t be part of anything which is questioned and opposed by us before SC,” he added.

Another NC MP Mohammad Akbar Lone said they have been nominated without their consultation. “We have to now decide whether to be part of the commission. So far NC is concerned, our clear is stand that we won’t be part of any political activity till all political leaders are released,” Lone said.

The government had on 6 March constituted the commission, to be headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, to redraw Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.

The National Conference has against the exercise and the reorganisation Act since it is a consequence of the scrapping of Article 370, carried out last year by the Centre. (KINS)