Category: Union Territory

GK News Network

In wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the students from the Valley pursuing various courses in Bangladesh are struggling to return home.

The colleges in Bangladesh have been shut and all the students have been asked to go home. “But the students from Kashmir and other states of India are not allowed to return,” said Sheikh Uzair.

Greater Kashmir received email from distressed students saying they were going through a tough situation in Bangladesh.

“Considering the poor health infrastructure and high population density in Bangladesh, the students living there are at high risk of contracting coronavirus. Hostel messes are also closed in most of the colleges and students are forced to go out into crowded markets to fend for themselves,” Uzair said.

The Valley students have urged the J&K administration to intervene into the matter and ensure their safe return.

“Most of them studying in Bangladesh are medical students and are at a higher risk of contacting coronavirus because of the fact that their colleges and hostels are in the vicinities of unprepared hospitals with no proper healthcare facilities to contain the virus,” another student said.

The students demanded that they should be allowed to return homes after going through proper screening test.

“The Government of India, along with the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh should assist the students as soon as possible before the outbreak gets out of control,” the students said.

Bangalore University suspends class work in all colleges, hostel closed:

Meanwhile, the authorities in Bangalore University have ordered for suspension of class work in all the departments and its affiliated colleges besides shutting down hostel messes as well. The order came into effect from Monday. The decision has been taken as a preventive measure to control COVID-19.

In wake of this, Valley students who are pursuing different courses in the University said they have to spend nights on roads if they are vacated from university hostels.

“We are not given rooms on rent neither anyone agrees to accommodate us as PG,” said one of the students.

The students demanded that the university should keep hostels functional as all students cannot return home for just 15 days.

“Going home and returning to University within 15 days will be a risk and a costly affair as well. We appeal the J&K administration to take up matter with University administration and get us retained here,” the student said.

The University notice states that once the students return their campuses after 15 days, they will have to produce a medical certificate declaring they are free from coronavirus. “University will also screen the students on their return,” it reads.

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

GK News Network

Jammu Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said that central government would come up with a concrete plan about domicile rights of the people of J&K within a week.

He said that during the meeting with PM Modi in New Delhi, the party delegation represented people in true sense and urged GoI to release all political detainees without any delay.

Bukhari who recently met PM Modi in New Delhi along with dozens of party leaders said during the meet his group discussed future roadmap of J&K. He said that during meetings with PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, he took up issues faced by people of J&K after August 5, 2019 when New Delhi scrapped special status of J&K.

“We tried to take up apprehensions of people of J&K regarding domicile, land and job rights.”

When asked further, he said we will share each and every detail with media at an appropriate time. He added during the meetings with union leadership, the delegation urged early release of all political leaders and activists.

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

GK News Network

District Magistrate Ramban has banned public transport in the town till March 31 in the wake of coronavirus threat.

“No public transport including buses, mini-buses, tempos, tata sumos, innova, and tavera will operate in the district till March 31,” reads an order issued by DM Ramban Nazim Zia Khan.

The order further provides that all the markets including Batote, Ramban, Chanderkote, Banihal, Gool, Sangaldan, Rajgarh, Khari, Ukhral, and Ramsoo will operate as per the prescribed schedule i.e. from 7 AM to 10 AM and then 5 PM to 7 PM till March 31.

The DM Ramban has directed the hotel and restaurant owners to close their establishments. “However, in case of extreme urgency, the guests and the hotel owners have to get permission from the SHO concerned.”

“The guest has also to fill up self-declaration form which shall be provided by the hotel owners,” an advisory from the DM Ramban read.

The SSP RambanSub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Tehsildar and SHOs of Ramban will ensure implementation of the order.

“There is a need to put a stop on the travelers. We do not know who is carrying the virus,” said a senior official in the administration.

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Supreme Court will hear today a plea by Sara Abdullah Pilot, seeking release from detention of her brother and former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister “Omar Abdullah”.

GK News Network

Six patients admitted with flu symptoms and having history of travel to outside India have been found negative for coronavirus while 28 people are admitted across J&K hospitals.

At Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), 13 patients are admitted in quarantine section of the hospital while one patient continues to be in isolation ward. This patient, along with two more who had been admitted yesterday, have been found negative for coronavirus but are “very sick,” hospital administration said. No test report is awaited, medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr Farooq Jan said.

At Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, three samples have tested negative for coronavirus, Dr S Saleem Khan, nodal officer for coronavirus and head, department of community medicine said.

Meanwhile, Government has extended J&K Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 to both the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir to step up efforts to tackle the contagious coronavirus disease. The Regulations were extended to whole of J&K under the orders of Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandar Murmu which define powers, duties and responsibilities to the surveillance personnel, duties and responsibilities of Medical Officers and Practitioners, enforcement and offences.

According to official Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 2615 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance and, so far, three cases have tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir. Whereas 2060 persons have been kept under home quarantine, 28 are in hospital quarantine, the bulletin said. Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 297 while as 230 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

Further, 113 samples have been sent for testing, of which 105 tested as negative and three cases have tested positive so far, while as reports of five cases are awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Health Advisory regarding COVID-19

Srinagar: National Conference has long been synonymous with the aspirations of the people of J&K and that it exhibits the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of J&K, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah Tuesday said.

In a statement National Conference said that scores of delegations from across Kashmir called on party president Dr Farooq Abdullah at his residence to greet him on his release. “The delegations comprising of workers, party functionaries, delegates and civil society groups who called on party president had come from Qazigund, Amirakadal, Soura, Shahar e Khas, Ganderbal,” NC said.
Addressing the visiting delegations NC president thanked all those who had thronged his residence.

NC said that Dr Abdullah extolled the enthusiasm of party functionaries, workers and others.

“NC is a symbolic of J&K’s personality; it mirrors the cultural diversity of J&K. It is the unflinching faith of people in us that keeps us going for decades. The way our workers, functionaries have been upholding the party flag high in the most trying times is commendable. We have been lending voice to people irrespective of their religion, region and creed. Our idea of politics is participatory, it puts people first,” NC quoted Farooq Abdullah as saying.

“I am overwhelmed to see the enthusiasm of our workers. Our unity unnerves our opponents,” Abdullah said.

Expressing gratitude to the visiting delegations, NC president said that he is appreciative of the love and affection that he has received from people. “I express my gratitude to all who prayed for me.

I am overwhelmed with the support we have received from the people. The enthusiasm of workers and delegates is indeed elevating,” he said.
Among others who were present on the occasion include Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, Syed Tauqeer, M Y Taing, Pirzada Firoz Ahmad Shah, Qaisar Jalali, and Dr Syed, NC said.

Srinagar,  Mar 17 (KNO): In wake of the deadly coronavirus epidemic,  the government on Tuesday evening decided to ban the entry of foreign tourists in Kashmir.

According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), District Magistrate, Srinagar, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said that the foreign tourists will not be allowed to enter in Kashmir.

The decision has been taken as precautionary measure. “Entry of all foreign tourists in Kashmir has been banned as a precautionary measure,” DM Srinagar said –(KNO)