Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: A 32- year old man from Alamgiri Bazaar area of Srinagar died at SMHS hospital here, becoming the youngest victim of the dreaded disease.

With this fatality, 9 persons have died due to the disease so far in Jammu and Kashmir, 8 of them in Kashmir and one in Jammu division.

The man’s death has also taken Srinagar’s toll to 3, equal to Baramulla and highest so far in any other districts in J&K.

Confirming the 32- year-old’s death, Nodal officer GMC Dr. Saleem Khan told GNS that he was attending to his father admitted in Oncology department at Super Speciality Hospital Shireen Bagh.

Medical superintendent Dr. Nazir Choudhary told GNS that the man was admitted to hospital on May 05 with underlying ailment pneumonia.

” He died late last night and samples came out to be positive at around 9:00 Pm on Wednesday,” he said, adding, ” the body has been handed over to the family for last rites to be carried out as per the COVID-19 protocol”.

Official sources said Global News Service that the man had no travel history to any affected place outside Jammu and Kashmir.

However, they said he was attending to his father who was admitted at Cancer ward of Super Speciality Hospital Shireen Bagh where a 55 year-old woman, a plastic surgery patient, from Sangam Anantnag tested positive along with 19 year-old teenager (Attendant) from Surankote Poonch tested positive for the pathogen earlier. (GNS)

322 cases recovered till date in JK

Jammu: The Government Wednesday informed that 34 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), 02 from Jammu division and 32 from Kashmir division, have been reported today thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 775. According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 775 positive cases, 445 are Active Positive, 322 have recovered and 08 have died.

Moreover, 02 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals of Kashmir Division. The Bulletin further said that out of 34277 test results available, 33502 samples have tested as negative till May 06, 2020.

Furthermore, till date 82367 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 14664 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 190 in Hospital Quarantine, 445 in hospital isolation and 7625 under home surveillance.

Besides, 59435 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 132 positive cases with 69 Active Positive, 62 recovered, 01 death; Srinagar has 124 (including 11 reported today) positive cases with 46 Active Positive, 76 recovered (including 01 recovery today), 02 deaths; Anantnag district reported 11 new cases which led to 121 positive cases with 119 Active Positive, 01 recovered, 01 death; Baramulla has 104 positive cases with 59 Active Positive, 42 recovered, 03 deaths; with 5 fresh cases today, Shopian has 94 positive cases with 69 Active Positive, 25 recovered; Kupwara has 69 positive cases with 3 cases reported today, 38 Active Positive, 31 recovered (including 01 recovery today); Budgam has 30 positive cases with 18 Active Positive and 12 recovered cases; Ganderbal has 15 positive cases including 1 case reported today with 01 Active case and 14 recoveries; Kulgam has 12 positive cases (including 01 reported today) with 09 Active Positive and 03 recoveries; Pulwama reported 09 positive cases with 06 active positive, 03 recovered.

Similarly, Jammu has 29 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 03 active positive cases and 26 recoveries; Udhampur has 21 positive cases with 01 active positive case, 19 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 07 positive cases with 03 Active Positive and 04 recoveries; Rajouri has 04 positive cases, 01 active positive and 03 have recovered; Kathua has 01 positive case who is active positive; Kishtwar had only 01 positive case who has recovered while Ramban and Reasi districts both have 01 positive case each who are active positive.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing. According to bulletin, the people have been informed that Hand Hygiene is one of the effective actions they can take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including COVID-19.

The public has been urged upon to protect themselves and others from getting sick, wash their hands frequently with soap and water; After coughing or sneezing, when caring for the sick, before, during and after preparing food, before eating, after toilet use,·when hands are visibly dirty, after handling animals or animal waste, before and after wearing face cover/mask.

The bulletin says that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease, let us be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. Not disclosing symptoms could put 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. Advisory urged 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 handwashing with soap and water.”

In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free number 102.

People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and are urged to rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media. People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time— (KNO)

Class work in all educational institutions to remain off till May 30

Jammu: Pursuant to directions of Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu, the Higher Education department has ordered that class work of all educational institutions will remain closed till May 30th 2020.

The government order issued here today in this regard reads that ‘However, in the interest of administration, it is hereby ordered that offices of Vice Chancellors including Head of Departments and Principals of Government Degree Colleges of Higher Education Department and Principals of Polytechnic Colleges and ITI’s of Technical Education Department across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall start functioning from 06-05-2020 (Wednesday) with minimum 30% staff strength on rotation basis.

Besides, Principals of respective Institutions shall draw duty roster of teaching staff to start pending work of evaluation/assessment, virtual class-work, lab work, curriculum development, scholarships and other activities assigned by the Principal of their institutions.

Similarly, duty roster of non-teaching staff on rotation basis shall also be drawn to start routine official work as assigned by the controlling officer of the institution. Research Scholars are also permitted to start their activities in the lab while strictly observing the COVID-19 protocol.

Meanwhile, all staff detailed for duties shall observe/follow COVID-19 protocol and safety precautions issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI from time to time particularly regular hand wash/sanitization and maintaining proper hygiene, mandatory wearing of mask, maintaining social distance etc.

Pertinently, Advisor to LG, K K Sharma, had also held a detailed review meeting with the Principal Secretary Education and Secretary Higher Education regarding the status of preparation of online content and various centrally sponsored schemes.

It was suggested in the meeting that the administrative staff of all education institutions and polytechnics should be asked to resume their duties for successful implementation of CSSs and preparation of online content keeping in view the protocols set in place for COVID-19.

Srinagar: On specific inputs two cordon and search operations were launched by J&K Police and SFs at Sarshali and Beigpora in Awantipora.

These cordon and search operations led to encounters as the hiding militants fired upon the operation parties.

During these encounters four militants were neutralized. In Sharshali encounter 02 militants of LeT were killed. The identification of killed militants is being ascertained. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.

In the second operation in Beigpora village of Awantipur district, a top militant commander was trapped along with his associate. The operation was launched last evening and contact was established with hiding militants in the morning today.

In this encounter two militants were killed. One of the militant has been identified as Riyaz Naikoo. He was the Chief operational Commander of (HM) outfit in Kashmir.

In a statement issues to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that he joined Militant ranks of HM outfit in May 2012 and was a close associate of Burhan Wani. After Zakir Musa’s defection from HM to form his own Outfit called Ansar Gazwat ul Hind, he took command of HM outfit in Jammu Kashmir. Pertinent to mention that Zakir Musa was eliminated in operation last year.

Naikoo had been continuously making audio and video clips and putting up on social media to motivate youth to join militancy and went on recruiting new boys. He was responsible for a large number of innocent youths getting into militant ranks and indulging in serious violence against local population and SFs .

He was a masterminded behind the revival of HM outfit in Jammu and Kashmir. He also released videos / audios on number of occasions carrying Pro-Pakistan and separatist propaganda.

He executed a series of attacks on policemen, SF and civilians. He resorted to brutal killings of civilians branding them as police/SFs informers.

He looted orchard owners and farmers to collect funds for his outfit. He also has been collecting booty from illicit cultivation of opium and bhang in South Kashmir.

His outfit also figured in narco trade case in jammu where a huge sum of sale proceeds was transferred to one of his contacts. Some of the Killings/ Crime where he was directly involved were –

1) killing of Haji Ghulam Mohd Dar Father Of a Sarpanch At Dogripora 0n 8-3-2014

2) Firing On Police Bus Near Bhatpora Tokena

3) killing of Gh Mohi-Ud-din Dar

4) killing of Javaid Akbar Khanday R/o Khandaypora

5) killing of a Police HC Ashiq Hussain Mir at Padgampoara crossing.

6) kidnapping of constable Naseer Ahmad 7) looting of 09 weapons from the residence of ex MLA Wachi

8) killing of six migrant labour in kulgam

9) killing of truck drivers and fruit traders post Aug 5.

10) Release of an audio tape threatening attacks on the Jail staff after Preferential treatment being provided to militants and the separatists lodged in various jails was discontinued.

Apart from the above he was involved in many other cases of heinous crime for which a big number of FIRs were registered against him.

Cross-border shelling between the two sides was going on when last reports were received, officials said.

PTI

Pakistan Army on Wednesday resorted to firing on forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in two sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, drawing retaliation from Indian soldiers, a defence spokesperson said.

“Around 1540 hours today, Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms along LoC in Shahpur sector,” the spokesperson said, adding the Indian Army retaliated befittingly.

Cross-border shelling between the two sides was going on when last reports were received, officials said.

However, there was no immediate report of any casualty.

Fear has gripped villagers along the LoC in Rajouri, Poonch and Kupwara since three civilians were killed last week in shelling by Pakistan.

Tral: In a major breakthrough, security forces today killed Hizbul Mujahideen chief commander Reyaz Naikoo and his aide in an encounter at Beighpora, Awantipora in Pulwama district.

The slain Hizb commander had a bounty of Rs 12 lakh on his head and was most wanted commander. Official sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that Reyaz and his aide have been killed in the ongoing encounter.

He had taken the reigns of Hizb soon after Burhan Wani’s killing in July 2016. “Yes we have killed Hizb chief commander Reyaz Naikoo and another militant,” a police official said—(KNO)

Agencies

Srinagar: An Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has been established in Srinagar to meet any flood threats following increase in the water level of river Jhelum due to rain in Kashmir Valley.

An official spokesperson said here Tuesday evening that the government has established the Emergency Operation Center to deal with any eventuality that may arise due to flood like situation.

Meanwhile, the Jehlum’s carrying capacity has been raised from 32000 cusec to 42000 cusec and the target is to take it to 60000 cusec.

Mehbooba Mufti was initially detained on August 5 last year.

PTI

The Public Safety Act against former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was extended by three months on Tuesday, officials said.

In a brief order, district magistrate of Srinagar handed over the continuation of her custody at her residence, hours before her present term under the PSA was to expire.

She was initially detained on August 5 last year when the Centre abrogated special status of the erstwhile state and bifurcated it into two union territories — Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Having spent over eight months in detention at two government facilities that were designated as sub-jails, Ms. Mufti was shifted to her home on April 7 as a partial relief to her.

Ms. Mufti heads the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was in power in Jammu and Kashmir in alliance with the BJP till June 2018.

Initially, she was taken into preventive custody. Later on February 5 this year, she was slapped with the PSA along with Omar Abdullah, who was released in March. Farooq Abdullah had been released early last month.

Earlier, Ms. Mufti was lodged a government guesthouse in Chashma Shahi and a bunglow on Maulana Azad Road near Lal Chowk.

Daughter of Ms. Mehbooba, Ms. Iltija has moved a habeas corpus petition before the Supreme Court in February challenging her mother’s detention.

A three-judge bench had issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration seeking its response on the plea and posted the matter for a hearing on March 18. However, the petition was not taken up for hearing due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Habeas corpus is a writ seeking production of a person supposed to be in illegal detention before a court.

Authorities bring her back after 12 hours; Persons kept under quarantine says lack of facilities reason behind fleeing centre

Budgam: A woman along with two children had escaped from administrative quarantine centre in Budgam district while the officials have managed to bring her back to the centre after twelve hours.

Persons kept under quarantine told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the administrative quarantine centres in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) School Budgam and Govt Degree College Charar-i-sharief lack proper facilities, saying that they have been facing hardships in absence of the proper arrangements by the concerned authorities.

A person at Quarantine Centre JNV Budgam said that “on Monday evening, a woman from Charar-i-sharief who was kept under quarantine along with her two little children fled from the centre due to lack of facilities.”

She along with her two children were brought back after twelve hours on Tuesday morning, they said adding that the trio had spent a night at their relatives home.

Besides lack of facilities, the people kept there have also complained of unhygienic food and contaminated water, which they said increase the chances of getting more exposed to infections.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Tariq Hussain Ganaie and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) couldn’t be contacted for the comment—(KNO)

Srinagar: Administration has framed new protocols where a pregnant lady has to go COVID-19 test two weeks before estimated date of delivery (EDD) in Kashmir.

Kashmir has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases. At the same time, the pregnant ladies are facing immense inconvenience at the time of delivery. It has been seen that various hospitals have shown reluctance to conduct surgeries on pregnant women.

Taking note, administration has taken a serious note and has framed new protocols. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole has directed the health authorities to devise a birth plan for the pregnant women.

“The possibility shall be explored for sparing the separate maternity OT facility in the hospitals JLNM, SKIMS Bemina. However the pregnant ladies of the red zone areas shall be tested for the COVID 19 well before two weeks of EDD.

Directorate of Health Services shall ensure that gynecology/OBG facilities in the district and sub district hospitals are functional at the separate block or nearest CHC for the convenience of the pregnant ladies,” read the directives of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, a copy of which lies with news agency KINS.

An official said execution of these directives can help the hospital authorities to take all necessary measures while admitting a COVID-19 pregnant lady.

“If COVID-19 test is done before pregnancy, health authorities can accordingly decide where her surgery has to be conducted,” the official said.
Two pregnant ladies have died in the last 10 days in Anantnag district due to alleged medical negligence.

One of them hailed from Kharpora village which has been declared a coronavirus red zone by the administration in south Kashmir- was pregnant with twins and was admitted to the maternity and child care hospital. She died with unborn babies. Following which the doctors at the hospital took her sample for testing, which turned positive.

Another pregnant also died but her family reportedly did not allow to take her samples for test.

The Anantnag district court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the deaths and directed the Senior Superintendent of Police-Anantnag, to hold an inquiry into the matter.

A Principal District and Sessions Judge, Anantnag, in his order, said, “A video has gone viral on the social media sites where in a pregnant lady is being ferried on trolley by her relatives through the streets of Anantnag obviously for not having been provided an ambulance by the hospital authorities.”

The order also said, “This is not the first incident of medical negligence. A pregnant lady has also died at Bijbehara Hospital, who was denied treatment and this authority cannot watch such medical negligence as a mute spectator. Such kind of negligence needs an inquiry and persons involved in negligence must be brought to book so that trust of people that they have lost in the working of administration is reposed.”(KINS)