Category: Union Territory

In a statement carried by Saudi Arabia’s official state news agency, a Saudi military spokesman, Col. Turki al-Malki, said that the ceasefire would last two weeks and that it comes in response to U.N. calls to halt hostilities amid the coronavirus pandemic.

PTI

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen announced Wednesday that its forces would begin a cease-fire starting on Thursday, a step that could pave the way for the first direct peace talks between the two sides that have been at war for more than five years.

In a statement carried by Saudi Arabia’s official state news agency, a Saudi military spokesman, Col. Turki al-Malki, said that the ceasefire would last two weeks and that it comes in response to U.N. calls to halt hostilities amid the coronavirus pandemic.

He said the ceasefire could be extended to pave the way for all the parties to discuss proposals, steps, and mechanisms for sustainable ceasefire in Yemen … for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.

There was no immediate reaction from Houthi leaders or Yemen’s internationally recognised government to the coalition’s statement.

Within hours of the announcement, residents in the contested Yemeni province Marib said a suspected Houthi missile struck a security building in the city center. There was no immediate claim of responsibility or reports of casualties.

A Yemeni presiderntial adviser, Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi, blamed the Houthis, saying on Twitter that the attack shows the rebels “are fueling war not peace.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called for a cease-fire in all global conflicts on March 23 to tackle the virus and specifically called two days later for a cessation in Yemen, welcomed the announcement, saying: This can help to advance efforts towards peace as well as the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He urged Yemen’s government, which is backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Houthis to follow through on their commitment to immediately cease hostilities in response to his March 25 plea and to engage with each other without preconditions in negotiations facilitated by the U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths.

Only through dialogue will the parties be able to agree on a mechanism for sustaining a nation-wide ceasefire, humanitarian and economic confidence-building measures to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, and the resumption of the political process to reach a comprehensive settlement to end the conflict, Guterres said in a statement.

Mr. Guterres said earlier this month that warring parties in 11 countries had responded positively to his appeal for a global cease-fire to tackle the virus. Guterres said then that the world faces a common enemy — COVID-19, which doesn’t care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith.

Heavy fighting in Yemen between coalition-backed government forces and the Houthis killed more than 270 people the past 10 days, government officials and tribal leaders said Wednesday.

The two sides are battling over for the key border province of Jawf and the oil-rich central province of Marib. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media, while the tribal leaders did want to be quoted by name out of fear of reprisals.

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar on Wednesday proposed a three-match ODI series against arch-rivals India to raise funds for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in both the countries. The two nations have not played a full-series since 2007 due to the terrorist attacks on India by Pakistanbased outfits and the resultant diplomatic tension. They only play each other in ICC events and Asia Cup. “In this time of crisis, I want to propose a three-match series in which for the first time, the people of neither country would be upset at the outcome of the games,” Akhtar said. “If Virat (Kohli) scores a hundred, we will be happy, if Babar Azam scores a hundred, you will be happy. Both teams will be winners irrespective of whatever happens on the field,” he said. “You are bound to get massive viewership for the games. For the first time, both countries will play for each other.

And whatever funds are generated through this can be donated equally to the government of India and Pakistan to fight this pandemic,” added the 44-year-old. With both countries in a lockdown amid the fast-spreading pandemic, the games can only be organised when things improve. However, Akhtar feels the sooner they are held, the better it would be but could not tell how the logistics of such an initiative would be worked out. “Everyone is sitting at home at the moment, so there will be a massive following for the games. May be not now, when things start improving, the games could be organised at a neutral location like Dubai. Chartered flights could be arranged and the matches could he held. “It could even lead to resumption of bilateral cricketing ties and relations of both countries improve diplomatically. You never know,” said the ‘Rawalpindi Express’.

“The whole world will tune into it, so much money can be raised to deal with this crisis. In difficult times, the character of the nation comes forward.” In these extraordinary times, Akhtar feels both countries should help each other. “If India can make 10,000 ventilators for us, Pakistan will remember this gesture forever. But we can only propose the matches. The rest is up to the authorities (to decide).” India cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh were recently trolled for asking their social media followers to donate to Shahid Afridi’s charity foundation which is doing its bit in Pakistan’s fight against the deadly virus. “It was inhuman to criticise them. It is not about countries or religion at the moment, it is about humanity,” he opined. Akhtar has spent a lot of time in India as a commentator. He fondly recalled his days in Mumbai during the World T20 in 2016, the last time he came to India for work.

“I am forever grateful about the love I have received from the people of India. For the first time I am revealing this, whatever I used to earn from India, I made a significant amount there, thirty percent of it, I used to distribute among the low income staff who used to work with me in the TV,” he remembered. Akhtar used to visit the city’s slum areas with his face covered to hand out financial help to elder women there. “From drivers, runners to my security guys. I took care of a lot of people. I was like if am earning from this country, I have to help my colleagues also. “I also remember visiting slums of Dharavi and Sion in the wee hours to meet people I worked with,” added Akhtar. –PTI

Jammu/Srinagar, April 8: J&K reported its fourth death from the COVID-19 pandemic as a 61-year-old woman from Udhampur district of Jammu division died of the dreaded disease on Wednesday.

The woman died at Government Medical College Jammu at around 1:30 hours. The doctors had taken her samples early morning, soon after she was admitted to GMC Jammu after complaining of chest pain.

The body of the sexagenarian, who according to his son was a chronic arthritis patient from the last 38 years, was kept at the mortuary of the hospital, awaiting test reports for the coronavirus. “Her report was received at around 10:15 p.m.,” a senior government officer told GNS.

As she complained of severe chest pain, the family had initially taken the woman to a local hospital in Udhampur where doctors advised the family to approach GMC. “When doctors told her that her sample is being taken for coronavirus, she collapsed and died,” her son told GNS.

As the test report has returned positive for coronavirus, a senior doctor at GMC told GNS that the woman’s body would now be handed over to the family after following established protocol. The woman’s death is the first fatality due to the COVID-19 in Jammu division and 4th in J&K as three earlier victims were from Kashmir Valley including a 67-year-old man from Hyderpora and two others were residents of north Kashmir—one each from Baramulla and Bandipora districts.

The deceased woman’s case has also taken the overall tally of COVID-19 patients in the J&K to 159—128 in Kashmir and 31 in Jammu.

In the highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases as many as 33 test reports returned positive for the disease earlier.

This has pushed the number of COVID-19 patients to 158–128 in Kashmir and 30 in Jammu.

“Thirty-three new cases were detected today. Out of this, 30 were in the Kashmir division and three in the Jammu division,” Principal Secretary Information and government spokesman Rohit Kansal said.

Among the fresh cases, 11 tests were confirmed at SKIMS Soura, 19 at Chest Disease hospital and three at Jammu.

A senior doctor told GNS that reports of over 100 samples, received from JLNM hospital Rainwari, District Hospital Pulwama and GMC Anantnag were tested at CD lab and their reports were received today.

“19 of them came out to be positive,” the doctor said.

Among these 19, the doctor said ten were from Srinagar—3 from Chattabal, 2 from Safakadal and five from Eidgah areas of Srinagar while nine are the south Kashmir’s districts of Shopian (8) and Kulgam (1).

Regarding five Eidgah cases, sources said all of them are from a single family including a 56-year-old man, his 54-year-old wife, and their two daughters—one 24-year-old and another 20-year-old besides 28-year-old son. They have no travel history and are said to be contacts of a 10-year-old who contracted disease last month by hugging a COVID-19 patient.

Regarding 5 other cases, sources said they include 32-year-old and 46-year-old men from Safakadal, both have travel history to Nigeria, and three others are family members from Chattabal—60 year-old male and his 56-year-old wife besides 37-year-old son. who do not have any travel history to affected countries but are contacts of the previous COVID-19 patient. Others include eight persons from Shopian and have travel history to Maharashtra and New Delhi (all Tabligi related) while one is from 26-year-old from Kulgam.

Those who tested positive at SKIMS are said to be five residents of Srinagar, four from Bandipora and one each from Baramulla and Kupwara.

Regarding five patients from Srinagar, sources said they are from Hyderpora, Badamawari Hawal and Bemina with travel history to Nigeria and they are aged 33, 35, 31, 41 and 46 years old respectively.

Regarding four patients from Bandipora, they are said to have a history of contact with previous patients and are aged 16, 38, 30 and 36 years old respectively. They all are residents Saderkote Bala area of the northern Kashmir district.

One patient is from Tangmarg and he is said to be around 70 years and contact of the previous COVID-19 patient.

The other patient is said to 16-year-old from Kupwara who had returned from Nizamuddin New Delhi.

With these fresh cases, the number of COVID-19 patients in J&K has gone up 159. Among them, 152 are active cases—124 in Kashmir and 27 In Jammu. While four patients in J&K—one in Kashmir and 3 in Jammu—have been discharged, our patients, three all from Valley and one from Jammu have died of the disease.

Two patients were discharged from SKIMS hospital after recovering from the disease, the officials said

While three patients have died, six have recovered till now, they said.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (Covid-19), government said 40336 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 8494 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 518 in Hospital Quarantine, 130 in hospital isolation and 23364 under home surveillance. Besides, 7830 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

The Bulletin further said that till date 2269 samples have been sent for testing of which 2116 have tested as negative, and 14 reports are awaited till April 08, 2020.

It said that two more Covid-19 patients have recovered and have been discharged from SKIMS Soura, Srinagar today.

The Bulletin urged the general public to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to COVID-19 affected countries and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.

The general public is advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed. (GNS)

Srinagar, March 08: The Supreme Court will tomorrow hear a petition seeking restoration of 4G internet in Jammu & Kashmir. The petition is listed before a three-judge bench comprising Justice N.V. Ramana ,Justice Subash Reddy and Justice B.R.Gavai.

The advocates will address the court through videoconferencing mode in terms of circular issued by the Court on March 23 and 26. As per wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) a petition was filed in the Supreme Court on April 2 seeking restoration of 4G mobile services in the area during the period of lockdown.

The petition filed by “Foundation for Media Professionals” contends that the patients, doctors, and the general public of Jammu & Kashmir are unable to access the latest information, guidelines, advisories, and restrictions about COVID19 that are being made available and continuously updated online on a daily basis.

The petitioner asserted that doctors are not able to access online resources on measures to curb COVID-19 at all, due to the internet speed being too slow to download heavy files.

The petitioner has also submitted that slow internet speeds rendered “telemedicine” or online video consultation impossible. The petition stated that restoration of full-fledged internet services is also crucial to strictly implement the “work from home” policy being promoted by the government—(KNO)

Srinagar, Apr 08: In fight against the deadly Covid-19, District Magistrate Pulwama Dr Raghav Langer is at the forefront and has been monitoring situation of the district very keenly besides visiting different areas every day.

Assessing the seriousness of the situation, the District Magistrate Pulwama has been conducting meetings to discuss the response mechanism to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

As per wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), firstly besides imposing lock down, he ordered for the cancellation of all holidays in district Pulwama in order to strengthen of response apparatus to contain the spread of Coronavirus. He also took action under section 51(1) of the Disaster Management act 2005 against various employees and officers for their failure to perform duties assigned to them.

He pledged to donate his one month salary to local Covid fund with an aim to fortify the efforts of government and generate a spirit of volunteerism among the officers of the district for working in unison in time of crisis and emergency. Later, he announced pick and drop facilities for the persons who voluntarily disclosed their travel history. Further, he started a counselling sessions at various quarantine centers in district to dispel anxiety and stress among the persons who were quarantined.

Besides establishing control rooms for public convenience, he started an initiative called Project Jazba for volunteers willing to fight against the covid-19 with an aim to reinforce the efforts of the government for reaching out to the people in different parts of district.

Furthermore another initiative “Ann Daan” was started by the DM Pulwam to invite donation in kind from various organizations and individuals for helping the poor, destitute and migrant labours amid Covid-19. Pertinently not a day goes by without him holding meetings, visiting different places of district besides checking hospital and he is leading from the front in every situation to fight against covid-19—(KNO)

Srinagar, April 8: A day after Kashmir recorded third coronavirus death, the authorities on Wednesday put 22 family members of the deceased Bandipora man under quarantine amid fears of transmission of the infection.

Reliable sources at the SKIMS hospital told GNS today that among the 22 people admitted today, nineteen were family members of the deceased man. Among them were ten females and children, the youngest just eight months old.

Three others are said to be relatives of the deceased man.

Hospital sources further said that tests of all the 22 people have been collected and sent for laboratory examination.

“The results are expected to come tomorrow. For now, all of them have been placed under quarantine,” they said

The 52-year-old from Gund Jahangir village of Bandipora, died at SMHS hospital hours after being admitted to the hospital. His test samples came positive for coronavirus disease on Tuesday afternoon, making him the third case of death due to the dreaded disease in the Valley.

However, the family of the deceased ruled out his death due to Covid-19. They also alleged that the family members were not given protective gear when the body was being shifted to his native village for last rites.

Reyaz Ahmad, brother-in-law of deceased had told GNS over phone, that the man was admitted to hospital on Monday. “No doctor visited him despite our requests. At 3 pm, two paramedical staffers came and administered two injections to him,” said Reyaz who claimed to have accompanied him to the hospital for “checkup.”

“He was diabetic and hypertension patient and we went to the hospital for ‘check-up’. He was admitted to hospital and kept inside the ward which we came to know has been kept for COVID-19 management,” he said.

He said that the deceased had not traveled outside Hajin in the recent past. “He was an orchardist and was at home from last several months,” he added. (GNS)

Srinagar, April 08: Dr Bilquis, wife of jailed Hurriyat leader Shabir Shah on Wednesday cited her hubby’s example and said if Shabir Shah can spent 33 years in jail, why can’t people stay indoors for 33 days.

Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Dr Bilquis who is Resident Medical Officer (RMO) in JLNM Hospital Rainawari appealed people to act upon the guidelines issued by administration and stay indoors to ensure safety of their lives, family members and community as well.

She said Covid-19 has hit badly Jammu and Kashmir and we don’t know who will be the next target of this deadly pandemic.

“Covid-19 attacks indiscriminately without knowing who is employed or unemployed, old or young, doctor or engineer. It is our collective responsibility to stay away from gatherings and remain indoors for time being”, Dr Bilquis said.

She said my husband Shabir Shah has spent thirty-three years in jail because of his strong political belief. Still he is confined in New Delhi’s Tihar jail where he has been kept in 6×6 cell. People should learn from him and act upon the advisories issued for their wellbeing.

“If Shah Sahab can spent thirty-three years in jail, why can’t people of Jammu and Kashmir stay for 33 days in home so that the spread of deadly Covid-19 pandemic could be overpowered”, she said.

She stated that I’m unable to understand why people are scared and fleeing from quarantine centres despite there having good atmosphere and facilities, even they can meet there with their relatives also. She added medical experts and other health workers have volunteered themselves for safety of people at this challenging time.

“I didn’t visit my home from couple of weeks. My husband is also in Tihar Jail. I along with other health experts are screening and monitoring patients continously, so people should behave maturely and assist administration at this juncture”, she added. (KNS)

Srinagar, April 08: A day after a nurse tested positive for coronavirus, a fear has created among the medical fraternity in Kashmir.

A nurse from Sopore Baramulla who is working at JVC Bemina tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday. An official said the 35-year-old nurse from Teliyaan Mohalla Sopore was home quarantined for 18 days. The official said her whole family has been taken to hospital for quarantine.
This was the first case in Kashmir when a staff member of any hospital was tested positive. This has created a fear among the medical fraternity who have to work without proper protection gear.

“We have been saying for last several weeks both doctors, nurses treating COVID-19 patients are not safe. We don’t have proper protective gear,” a nurse at Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar told Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

Another nurse from JVC Bemina said they live under constant fear. “Since Tuesday when it came to fore that nurse has been tested positive for coronavirus, our families are worried that we might get infected. There is fear among medical staff. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics are susceptible to catch virus in absence of personal protective equipment (PPE),” the nurse told KINS.

He said several doctors have been quarantined after coming in contact with coronavirus patients as former were not wearing proper protective gear.

Several doctors and nurses of various hospitals who had seen a coronavirus patient from Hyderpora Srinagar were quarantined. The patient who later died had also visited JVC Bemina where according to sources might had come in contact with the said nurse.

A doctor at Shar-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura said doctors and nurses were fighting the coronavirus at the forefront.

“We are reluctant to treat coronavirus suspect patients in absence of protective gear as we too fear for our lives. If government does not provide doctors protective gear, we will lose doctors before patients,” he told KINS.

Kashmir Nurses Association in a statement said, “In every situation we work among the forefront but unfortunately government has never gravitated a grain of attention towards our prestige profession. We work in grave risk and ironically we have been deprived of equipments to lessen the odds of the consequences that the risk can toll on us.”

The statement further reads, “We no longer request but demand the basic tools that can weigh our chances of staying well and safe heavier. So we all can treat and help those effected and be in good health enough to go back home unaffected.”

A doctor working at a hospital in Baramulla in north Kashmir said the situation was scary for doctors and nurses. “Now doctors feel cough, cold fever is COVID 19 and are hesitant to see such patients. Doctors feel helpless. Only PPE will boost doctors’ confidence to deliver,” he said.

‘Coronavirus patients recovering fast, none on ventilator’14 positive patients negative on retest.

Srinagar, April 08: Despite fast spreading pandemic Covid-19 that has targeted 139 people so far with three deaths already taking place in the J&K UT, none of the patients having Coronavirus infection in Kashmir have been put on ventilator or admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The Authorities here in three major Covid-19- hospitals claimed that patients were recovering fast while repeat test of 14 positive patients has already came negative.

Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, Chest Diseases hospital Dalgate, and Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) hospital Rainawari, while speaking to Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), disclosed even though they have been treating Coronavirus patients since March 18 onwards, but none was put on ventilator or admitted in the ICU so far.

“Fortunately we have no coronavirus patient on ventilator or in the ICU. All patients are stable and even I can say majority of them are recovering fast,” SKIMS Soura Medical Superintendent, Farooq Ahmad Jan told KINS over phone.

The MS further said, “So far 329 suspected Covid-19 patients were treated at the hospital. “846 tests were conducted of which 54 tested positive and rest negative. At present we have 28 patients who are admitted in the hospital. But none of them is on ventilator or in ICU,” Jan said.

He said that the condition of one Covid-19 positive patient deteriorated recently but thank God, he recovered sooner than expected. “Otherwise, we were planning to put him on a ventilator but later, we decided not to as his condition improved,” the MS told KINS.

Sources in the SKIMS said that even so far no Covid patients were classified as “critical” and majority of the cases are only “mild”,.

“There is a part of luck involved and above all, it’s God’s mercy on us,” the medicos said. “Once the patient is on ICU, it’s all up to Almighty when he or she would be off the ventilator. Putting a person on ventilator itself means, the patient is very sick.” One of the doctors described.

“Ventilators are required for Covid-19 patients who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome when the lungs are filled with fluids that make it difficult to breathe.

“A ventilator is used when lungs are filled with fluid. Such patients find it very difficult to be oxygenated in a normal way. The only way to manage is to put the patient on ventilator assistance,” said the doctor.

Similarly, at the Chest Disease hospital Srinagar, that was in news for non-cooperation of patients and also for the unhygienic wards for Covid-19 patients in the initial stage, so far 14 patients have recovered after they were tested positive for the deadly virus. “In total, 25 patients were tested positive. Of them 14 recovered after spending time in isolation. Their tests were again conducted and they tested negative,” Medical Superintendent CD hospital Dr Saleem Tak told Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

He said that at present eight positive patients are admitted in its isolation cum quarantine facility and they are gradually improving. “Thanks to Almighty, none of the patients deteriorated to an extent that we could shift them in the ICU or put them on the ventilator. All are improving gradually,” he told KINS.
At the JLNM, where patients even fled amid allegations of lack of facilities including food and toilet facilities, there are 12 positive coronavirus patients including a toddle and her seven-year-old sibling.

“All the 12 patients are undergoing treatment. None has recovered but the condition of none has either deteriorated too. No one is on ventilator or ICU. Hope all the 12 will recover soon,” Medical Superintendent of JLNM, Dr Roshan din Kasana told KINS over phone.
According to the recent reports not more than 230 ventilators were available in J&K and that the government had ordered for more.
Athrout, an NGO, donated a few portable ventilators to CD hospital recently. Given the situation in countries like France, Spain, Italy, and even United States (US) where all modern equipment is available, the morality rate is increasing each passing day.

Back home, only three deaths have taken place in J&K so far since the outbreak of the pandemic, there is of course some divine intervention that morality rate is almost zero here otherwise it would be a real disaster and not even doctors can stop it.
Murtaza Ahmed (name changed), a doctor who has more than eight years of experience in serving in an ICU and dealing with the patients on ventilators, said there is obviously some divine intervention in J&K that mortality rate is almost zero.

“Three deaths is nothing if we compare things with Italy and USA that have world’s best health care facility. Hope things will remain same in Kashmir for next three weeks. The only thing is that people need to understand importance of staying in homes, otherwise a catastrophe is waiting at our doors,” the doctor told KINS. (KINS)