Category: Union Territory

Srinagar, Nov 13: A row erupted after senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid compared Hindutva with groups like ISIS in his new book ‘Sunrise over Ayodhya”.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said that, Communal parties like RSS and BJP can be compared with groups like ISIS as both these kill people in the name of religion.

While talking to reporters about the Salman Khurshid’s comparison of Hindutva with ISIS, the PDP President said that, “It’s not about Hindutva and Hinduism. Hindusim and Hindutva doesn’t teach communalism. It’s about RSS and BJP who are creating a rift in whole country based on religion. They want to divide people based on communalism.

These parties have hijacked Hindutva and Hindusim in the name of their parties. In the guise of Hindusim they want to divide the people of country into two parts, she added.

Mufti said that, they assert that Hinduism and Hindutva is followed only by RSS and BJP. They say that “Vasudeva Kutumbakam” that is ‘whole world is one family’ which is completely taught by Hinduism but both RSS and BJP divide nation and give false claims of following the Hindusim.

“What RSS and BJP are teaching and doing to people is neither Hindusim nor Hindutva,” she added.

Replying to a question, she said that absolutely communal political parties can be compared with organizations like ISIS as they divide Hindus and Muslims of country and lynch people on the basis of religious grounds. “Such political parties are beyond ISIS because both these kill innocent people in the name of religion,” she said. (KNS)

LSrinagar, Nov 13: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Saturday said winter chill increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

“You are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke during winter months,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

Dr Hassan said the number of heart attack and stroke patients at Kashmir hospitals doubles in winter. There is increase in number of deaths from heart attacks and strokes during winter months

“Not only elderly people, but young and healthy individuals come to hospitals with massive heart attacks and strokes and some of them are brought dead,” he said.

Dr Hassan said frigid temperatures constrict blood vessels that increase blood pressure which makes heart attack or stroke more likely.

“The blood tends to be thicker and stickier during extreme cold which makes it easier to clot,” he said.

The DAK President said this winter Covid-19 is a big factor. If you catch the virus, you are at an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Covid-19 causes acute and severe inflammation that builds up fat deposits in the inner walls of the blood vessels. These fat deposits dislodge and get stuck in heart or brain where they block the blood flow.

“Flu of winter also heightens the risk of these cases,” he said adding lack of sunlight during winter leaves people vitamin D deficient which is associated with increased risk of dying from heart attack or stroke.

“While we can’t change the weather, we can take precautions to protect ourselves from heath risks of cold weather. Keep yourself warm to prevent from cold temperature. If you move out, dress in layers, wear a hat, gloves and scarf. Avoid going out in chill for walk and move your workout inside. Manage heart attack and stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, and tobacco use. Take healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits and reduce your stress. If you already have cardiovascular disease, avoid strenuous activities, such as shoveling heavy snow. Get your annual flu shot, Covid-19 vaccine and don’t forget to take your vitamin D,” said Dr Nisar.

Srinagar Nov 11: On last Monday Dr Sandeep Mawa, a Kashmiri Pandit, was at his shop in old city Srinagar at 3 pm when he was told by the police that they had inputs he might be attacked. Fearing for his life, he immediately drove his car home. He left his another car XUV outside his shop.
At around 8 pm when his salesman Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, 45, a resident of Eidgah Srinagar, boarded the XUV of Dr Mawa, he was attacked. Several bullets hit his body. Khan was taken to the hospital in a critical condition but breathed his last there.
Dr Sandeep Mawa said he was at the shop till 3 pm on Monday and left his SUV there. “The police told me that there are inputs of my killings. I immediately drove home in another car. In the evening I got to know that my salesman has been killed,” he said, who has been provided security in view of threats to minorities.
A doctor by education, Dr Mawa returned to Kashmir in 2019. While condoling the demise of his salesman, Dr Mawa said he will provide all possible help to the bereaved family.
In the last six weeks, at least 14 civilians have been killed. Among them seven were Kashmiri Muslims, four non-local labourers, two Kashmiri Pandits and one Sikh woman which has created a fresh fear in the valley.
Khan’s family members said he was targeted as attackers may have mistaken Khan as Dr Mawa.
“When he stepped in the car, Khan was attacked. It clearly seems that they had come to target Dr Mawa but killed Khan by a mistake amid the darkness,” Khan’s relative Fayaz Ahmad told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Khan is survived by wife, a son (19) and a daughter (16) studying in class 12 and 10th respectively.
Earlier on October 05, a prominent Kashmiri pandit Dr Makhan Lal Bindroo was killed in his medical shop. His son Dr Sidharth Bindroo had said that his father received threats but he did not leave Kashmir because of his love for Kashmir and its people.
Another prominent Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Tickoo was also put under security cover following Dr Bindroo’s killings. Last month when we met Tickoo, he told this reporter that he was told by the police that they had inputs that he might be targeted.
Following the recent civilian killings, many Kashmiri Pandits either prefer to stay in their homes or have left Jammu.
A police official said that many Kashmiri Pandits have been given security following recent killings. “It seems, the salesman of a Kashmiri pandit was killed by the mistake,” the official added.
Meanwhile, security has been intensified across Kashmir following the recent killings.
At least 5000 additional paramilitary forces have been deployed in the valley with 3000 alone in Srinagar where the maximum civilian killings took place.
In Srinagar, new bunkers are being raised and frisking has been intensified. Few years before, Srinagar was once considered a free militancy district but the maximum recent killings of civilians took place here.
Forces have built up several permanent bunkers in various parts of Srinagar. (KINS)

Srinagar, Nov 11: The Lt Governor administration has transferred the case of M/S Kehwa group owned by former Deputy Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and president Youth Peoples Conference (PC) to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and FIR was re-registered for further investigation, officials said.

An official told Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that “The request of the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) for referred case FIR no 03/2019 Police station ACB Anantnag (Kehwa case) to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was considered by the government of Jammu and Kashmir and it has been decided by the competent Authority (Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha that the case be investigated by the CBI hence forth”.

He said accordingly CBI has re-registered an FIR no RC12320211A0009 dated 08-10-2021 against under J&K PC Act, Samvat 2006 under section 5(1) (d), 5 (2), and J&K Penal Code (RPC) act under section 120-B and 420 against Sheikh Imran former Deputy Mayor (SMC) at CBI office in Srinagar.

Pertinently, Imran has been accused of misappropriating the funds provided as subsidy given for setting up a controlled atmosphere store. It is alleged that the group got various credit facilities of ₹138 crore, which was allegedly restructured in connivance with the bank officials for ₹78 crore.

The case was earlier being probed by the ACB south Kashmir which had arrested Sheikh Imran in December 2019. The probing agency had then said a significant portion of the loans meant for the construction of the storage by the Kehwa Square Private Limited in Pulwama was allegedly diverted.

During the inquiry, it was found that the group had six other business units and they had raised loan facilities of ₹138 crore. As one of the loan accounts had turned into a non-performing asset, the accused had applied for a one-time settlement with the bank. Accordingly, in conspiracy with some bank officials, the restructuring led to deduction of the final amount from ₹138 crore to ₹78 crore.

Several other financial irregularities were also detected by the authorities concerned, as alleged. (KDC)

Srinagar Nov 10 : Patients admitted in various hospitals are shivering with cold as authorities have failed to keep heating arrangements in place amid dip in temperature in the valley.Bashir Ahmad, an attendant with a patient at Super Speciality Hospital Srinagar said neither the heating system has been started nor personnel blankets are allowed to patients. “Patients are shivering with cold but nobody is concerned. We are even not allowed to bring our own blankets to make ourselves warm. The non-availability of heating arrangements is causing cold-related ailments among the patients. Our patient has caught a cold in the hospital,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).An official at LD Hospital said new born babies in the hospital are also facing the threat of catching cold-related diseases.“This issue has been brought into the notice of concerned authorities many times but to no avail,” the official added.Similarly, attendants also complain about the lack of heating arrangements at SMHS Hospital Srinagar.“My mother is admitted here but there is no heating arrangement in place. Patients are shivering with cold. Nobody is concerned about patients and attendants. This is the scene of the premier hospital of Kashmir then you can imagine the condition in other hospitals,” said Mehraj ud Din, whose mother is admitted to SKIMS Soura.An official of SKIMS Soura said that heating system has been started in a few departments like pediatric department. “But majority of SKIMS is without a heating system thus bringing huge inconveniences to the patients and attendants,” the official said.When asked Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura Dr Farooq Jan about lack of heating arrangements he refused to comment. “You should talk to PRO for the comments,” he said.PRO SKIMS could not be contacted for the comments.Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has urged administration to start the heating system in Kashmir hospitals as the patients are suffering due to the chill.With temperatures dipping, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan said patients are shivering with cold as the heating system of hospitals has not been started yet.“The bone-chilling cold in hospitals is making life difficult for ailing patients,” he has said.The DAK President said tertiary care and peripheral hospitals are without heating putting lives of patients at risk.“Cardiac and Stroke patients in hospitals are at increased risk of death as cold thickens blood and constricts the arteries,” he said.“Even the condition of Asthmatics and patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Diseases worsens in hospitals because of cold conditions,” he added. (KINS)

Srinagar, Nov 8 : The man injured after being fired upon by unknown gunmen, suspected to be militants, at Bohri kadal area of downtown Srinagar succumbed to the injured at a hospital here on Monday evening.

Official sources told GNS that gunmen fired upon the man identified as Mohammad Ibrahim Khan (45), working as salesman, son of Ghulam Mohammad Khan of Ashtangi Bandipora, leaving him critically injured. The man with bullet injuries in left side chest and abdominal was rushed to SMHS hospital.

Dr Kanwaljeet Singh, medical superintendent of the hospital, told GNS Khan succumbed to the wounds. (GNS)

Srinagar, Nov 08: With sudden surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in Kashmir valley for the last few days, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Monday said winter months could bring rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

“We could see further spike in cases,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“However, the number of severe cases and hospitalization will be considerably less than that of last winter,” he added.

The DAK President said cold and drier conditions of winter are pretty favorable to the viral stability.

“Covid-19 tends to thrive in cooler conditions and survives outside better when it is cold,” he said.

Dr Hassan said low humidity during winter is the main driver of virus transmission. In environments with low humidity, the virus stays suspended for much longer in the air which increases the risk of transmission.

Quoting a study from the University of Sydney, he said for every 1 percent drop in humidity, the number of Covid-19 cases could increase by 6 percent.

“In winter, we have less of direct sunlight and Covid-19 survives longer in environments of decreased sunlight,” he added.

Dr Nisar said winter is also the time when people tend to spend more time indoors when ventilation is less and social distancing not so easily achieved.

“That would allow Covid-19 to spread more easily,” he said.

General Secretary DAK Dr Arshad Ali said Jammu and Kashmir (JK) has a large proportion of the population who are unvaccinated. As of November 8, 2021, 45% of the population in JK has been fully vaccinated. This means we have around 55% of the population who are susceptible, and that is enough to sustain the virus.

“In order to prevent the revival of Covid-19, we need to vaccinate 80-90% of the population,” he said.

Dr Farooq Ahmad Ganie
Assistant Professor Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery SKIMS SOURA.

Everyone is at risk for vascular disease. And the prevalence   increases with age, it is important to keep your vascular system healthy  no matter your age. Knowing your risk factors  and making healthy lifestyle changes will go a long way in ensuring you are doing well with your vascular health. This will ultimately contribute to your overall well-being. So how can you improve your vascular health
To keep your Vascular system   healthy, you need to be careful about what you eat. Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and bad cholesterol as they will contribute to a buildup of plaque in your arteries. Instead, choose a high protein, high fiber diet. A healthy diet will help to improve blood flow and control your blood pressure. Your diet should include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, beans, lean meat, and poultry. Staying physically active will have a huge impact on your circulatory health. Also, walking at least 30 minutes daily promotes the growth of new blood vessels and helps with circulation in your legs. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized suggestions based on your health and needs. weight  is critical to ensuring proper vascular health. Indeed, fat can clog your blood vessels, something that will have a negative effect on your circulation. If you are overweight, losing additional weight will go a long way in improving blood flow and preventing vascular disease. Keeping your body in good shape will also help you to avoid a host of lifestyle diseases. 
Mange your Diabetes if you are diabetic , as diabetes  is one of the risk factors for vascular disease. Excess blood sugar can cause your blood vessels to narrow, a factor that will lead to increased blood pressure and reduce the supply of blood and oxygen. If you are hypertensive  mange your blood pressure as  have high blood pressure  Hypertension can damage the walls of your blood vessels over time, causing them to narrow, leak or rupture. As such, it goes without saying that controlling your blood pressure will contribute to good vascular health. This will also help you to reduce your risk of stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney damage.
Avoid smoking, Smoking increases the vascular disseases  significantly with multiple prongs. The chemicals in cigarettes cause blood to thicken and can accelerate the process of atherosclerosis. To maintain your vascular health, 
Try to reduce your stress: Chronic stress can have serious negative consequences on your vascular health. Without proper stress management techniques, long-term stress can lead to increased blood sugar, blood cholesterol, and blood pressure. Stress may also contribute to changes that promote plaque build-up in the. Vascular health is important to your overall health and wellness. You should take any related concerns seriously.

Srinagar, Nov 7: A militant of Lashker-e-Toiba/TRF was critically injured with a bullet wound in Hermain area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday.

Official sources told GNS that the militant identified as Sahil Bashir Lone of Hermain was found in critical condition at native area. Some locals who saw him took him to district hospital, they said. It was not immediately known how Sahil suffered injuries.

A police officer told GNS that Sahil is a category-C militant and had joined militant ranks on October 12 this year. “He was in our list. He is critical,” the officer added. (GNS)

Srinagar , November 6: The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday declared the Srinagar International airport as a “Major Airport”.
The Gazette notification issued by the ministry on Saturday read, “In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-Section (i) of Section 2 of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 (No.27 of 2008), the Central Government hereby declares the airport at Srinagar as Major Airport.”
Notably, on October 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated international flight operations at Srinagar airport.
Shah inaugurated the first direct international flight between Srinagar and Sharjah and United Arab Emirates (UAE) there. (KINS)