Srinagar, Sep 06: Sleuths of Anti Corruption Bureau on Monday conducted a joint surprise check in the planning section of Srinagar Municipal Srinagar (SMC) in Kashmir Capital here.
Sources in ACB told news agency (KDC) that a team of probing agency visited Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Monday to conduct a joint surprise check in the planning section of the corporation.
“It is a routine checkup to collect some information”, they said. (KDC)
The second wave of Covid has waned in India, and medical experts in the country are now awaiting a potential third wave that could hit the nation anytime soon.
Amid looming scare, a study conducted by a team of Bangalore scientists has suggested that the third wave of the pandemic in Karnataka may witness seven times more Covid cases among children than the previous wave. The study report noted that findings like these could help shape public health strategies in the coming months.
Is it possible to avert the third wave?
The study report also made it clear that the third wave of the Covid pandemic can be averted by doubling the vaccination rates, and by assuring strict restrictions and mandating the usage of masks and sanitizers.
The revelation from this team of Bangalore scientists hints at the necessity of increasing the number of pediatric ICU beds in Karnataka.
“The study is not to scare but to prepare. Even if they develop Covid-19 infection, most of the kids would not require a hospital stay. The seven times more estimate is on average, and it could range between three and ten,” Giridhara Babu, an epidemiologist at the Indian Institute of Public Health and one of the co-authors told Deccan Herald.
Researchers who were part of this study made this conclusion using a sophisticated modeling exercise, and they made it clear that failing in following Covid safety protocols could result in the outbreak of the third wave.
The possibility of the third wave
According to the study report, the third wave could hit the nation only by early 2022 if the immunity offered by the vaccines lasts for the next 180 days.
“If we assume that there is no antibody waning at least for 180 days, then, a new wave is predicted only at the beginning of next year, even if a new variant emerges before September 2021,” wrote the researchers in the study report.
AGENCY
Jammu: Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Jammu, the city of temples, next week, a senior party leader said Sunday. Gandhi was in Kashmir for two days last month.
Rajni Patil, the AICC in-charge of J&K affairs, said Gandhi would commence his Jammu visit by paying obeisance at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district.
Addressing a meeting of senior party leaders here, Patil said Gandhi will later interact with Congress functionaries from blocks, districts and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
He will also interact with leaders of frontal wings during his two-day stay in Jammu, Patil said.
Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president G A Mir also attended the meeting, a party spokesman said.
He said the Congress MP would also interact with the members of the extended working committee including former ministers, legislators, AICC members, PCC and District Congress Committee delegates.
The spokesman said Patil received suggestions and discussed preparatory arrangements for the proposed visit.
Gandhi had visited Kashmir on August 9-10 and paid obeisance at the holy shrines of Mata Khir Bhawani and Hazratbal, and held interactions with party leaders and activists.
During the inaugural function of the new building of the party office at Srinagar, Gandhi had announced that he would visit Jammu and Ladakh in near future.
Mir said Gandhi would take the feedback from the ground about the state of affairs and the feelings of people over the division of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories in August 2019 and the current spell of central rule.
“No rally has been planned in view of the Covid situation. All necessary precautions will be taken while facilitating top party functionaries to interact with the leader (Gandhi),” he said. (PTI)
Srinagar, Sept 5: Police on Sunday recovered a 29 Day-old baby girl who had been “separated forcibly” from her mother by latter’s in-laws.
On August 31, the High Court had ordered police to take action in order to ensure reunion with mother of the girl who was 24-day-old then.
On September 3 respectively, the court asked police to accelerate the investigation and ensure recovery of the baby.
“The baby was born on August 7 and on August 11 she was separated from her mother. The police was directed to trace out the baby by whatever means and handover to the mother,” Superintendent of Police, East Zone, Srinagar, Tanushree told reporters here as per GNS.
“Raids were carried in almost all districts and around 20 houses were searched to recover the baby and finally the baby was handed over to her mother,” she said, adding, “Five accused, four of whom are in-laws of the woman besides their maid have been arrested.”
After a petition by the girl mother, the court had said that it cannot act as a mute spectator and in the interest of justice felt need for necessary measures to save the life and health of the child.
The court had directed Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, to take all necessary measures to ensure recovery of the female child.
“The SSP and/or the Police team he may assign such duty or may be accompanying him shall be authorised to raid any place and household they may suspect the child has been confined in or kept hidden,” the court had said.
The searching police team was ordered to keep a “magistrate along and available to meet any eventuality or to fulfil any legal formality.”
The team had also been ordered to keep a Paediatrician along and available from Children Hospital, Sonawar, Srinagar, or some other Hospital, depending upon the convenience of the police team for conducting immediate medical check-up of the child on his recovery to assess her health condition, “the trauma she must have physically and mentally suffered and undergone, and ailments, deficiencies or health problems caused to her by lack of breast milk and mother’s care due to her separation from her mother by the private (in-laws).”
The Police had been also asked to make a detailed report accompanied by the medical report of the medical check-up.
The police had been also asked to record the exact time and place of the recovery of the child including the details about whom she is recovered from; in what condition she was kept etc. (GNS)
Having turned Kashmir into an open air prison, now even the dead aren’t spared.A family isn’t allowed to mourn & bid a final farewell as per their wishes. Booking Geelani sahab’s family under UAPA shows GOI’s deep rooted paranoia & ruthlessness.This is New India’s Naya Kashmir.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 5, 2021
Srinagar, Sept 05: Mobile internet services in Kashmir Valley shall remain suspended till September 6 , government has said. The authorities had snapped telephony and internet except lesser-used BSNL services following the demise of Hurriyat Conference chairman on the evening of September 1.
In an order, Principal Secretary to Government, Shaleen Kabra, said that mobile internet shall remain suspended till 1700 of September 6 “unless modified earlier.”
The order was issued on September 3 after making “objective assessment of the prevailing circumstances and the necessity of continuation of (the) restrictions.”
He said reports were sought from the law enforcement agencies, in which it has been brought out that these directions have had a salutary effect on “misuse of data services for rumour mongering, circulation of lake news, instigation for violence etc.”
While the situation has by and large remained peaceful, he said, there have been “sporadic incidents” at some places.
He said there was apprehension of breach of peace and public order remains due to the “nefarious designs by the Pakistan supported handlers from across the border and the secessionists forces within, through misuse of mobile data services.”
“Upon careful review of the overall security scenario, I. Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, being satisfied that, it is absolutely necessary so to do in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state and for maintaining public order, in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (2) of section 5 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public-Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017, hereby direct that the mobile cellular services (Voice calls/SMS) and the internet services (leaseline /broadband) shall be restored forthwith,” the order, a copy of which lies with GNS reads, adding, ““However, the mobile data services shall continue to remain suspended across the Kashmir Valley, till 6th September, 2021, 1700 hrs, unless modified earlier.” The mobile telephony on all networks including Jio and Airtel was restored on 10 p.m. on September 3.
“The IGP Kashmir shall ensure compliance of this order by the service providers forthwith. He shall also closely monitor the impact of lifting of restrictions,” the order added. (GNS)
Government-owned telecom company (BSNL) Was the only network functional after authorities suspended mobile & internet services in Kashmir following the death of Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the United States at the end of September, according to a report by Hindustan Times’ sister website Livehindustan. As per the report, PM Modi will visit Washington where he is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden.
He will also visit New York for the 76th session of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Though no official date for PM Modi’s visit has been announced, the first day of the high-level general debate is scheduled for September 21.
This will be PM Modi’s first official visit to the US and a first in-person meeting with Biden, since the latter took over the presidency in January this year.
According to a report by news agency ANI, the preparations for the visit are already underway. PM Modi last visited the US in 2019 during Donald Trump’s presidency. He had addressed a massive diaspora event in Houston, titled “Howdy Modi”.
The development comes in the backdrop of US withdrawal from Afghanistan and seizure of power by the Taliban.
The US and its Nato allies withdrew forces from Afghanistan last week, plunging the country into a major crisis. Thousands of people are now rushing to the borders to flee the Taliban rule, known for its brutal and radical justice system.
After the Taliban captured the capital city of Kabul on August 15, the US had supported India with the evacuations of its citizens. The US has also been extending help to India in the Covid-19 crisis by sending medical supplies.
India is a non-permanent member of the UN security council and its month-long presidency has just ended. During the upcoming UNGA session, Afghanistan is expected to be a key topic of discussion.
Meanwhile, the 2+2 dialogue between India and the United States would be held in November later this year, foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla announced earlier in the day. He is currently in Washington and has been holding discussions with several senior officials of the Biden administration including Secretary of State Anton Blinken and Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman.
“We’re looking at the 2+2 which will happen in November. The exact dates are not yet worked out,” Shringla told a group of Indian reporters at the conclusion of his three-day visit.
The last meeting of the 2+2 dialogue was held in New Delhi and the next meeting is to be hosted by the US in Washington DC.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also held a series of telephonic conversations with his counterpart Blinken.
Srinagar, Sep 04: Police Saturday lodged an FIR against the family members of deceased separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani and others for raising anti-national slogans and putting Pakistani flag on the body of Geelani.
A police official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Police Station Budgam has registered FIR against the “family members of Syed Ali Shah Geelani along with other elements for raising anti-national slogans and resorting to other anti-national activities” (putting Pakistani flag on the body) after the separatist leader’s death at his home. The official said the case under FIR number 277/2021 US/ 353, IPC, 13 ULA,P, dated 2/9/2021.
Geelani, 92, passed away on Wednesday evening at his Hyderpora residence after prolonged illness. The family members had alleged that police snatched the body of Geelani in the dead of the night and buried him silently, a charge out rightly refuted by the police. A video showing Pakistani flag over the body of Geelani had gone viral on social media—(KNO)
Srinagar, September 04: Police and security forces detected and defused an Improvised Explosive Device at Bemina area of Srinagar on Saturday.
A senior Police told GNS that the device was found on roadside in Hamdania Colony of Bemina.
Later, a bomb disposal squad reached the spot and defused the IED without any damage to life or property.
A case has been registered and further investigations takenup, the police officer added. (GNS)