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Srinagar, Mar 08: A leading private school in Srinagar has asked the parents of the students enrolled in the school to pay the transport charges of the lockdown period when schools were shut due to scare of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Parents of the students of Iqbal Memorial Institute Bemina told news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that they have been asked by the school administration to pay transport charges else their wards cannot avail the transport facility for this year.

This direction from the school has been issued to the students and parents despite the Jammu and Kashmir administration having asked the schools not to collect transport and other miscellaneous charges for lockdown period from the parents.

The schools, however, were directed to collect only tuition fee for the online classes.

“We have been asked to pay half of the transport charges by the school administration, which amount to Rs 12000. The schools authorities are not abiding by the government directive,” said a group of parents whose children are studying in IMI, Bemina.

The parents didn’t want to be named as they fear reprisal of their children by the school authorities.

“We urge the School Education Department and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to intervene in the matter and ask the school authorities to abide by the government direction,” the parents said.

However no official from the school was available for comments on the matter. (KDC)

SRINAGAR: Suspecting that ”sticky bombs” may have entered the valley, security forces are redrawing their standard operating procedures and also advising general public not to leave their vehicles unattended, officials said on Sunday.

In the middle of last month, the Jammu and Kashmir police recovered an arms consignment consisting of a Improvised Explosive Device (IED) with an in-built magnet which could be placed on any vehicle and exploded with the help of a timer or a remote.

The magnetic IEDs, known as ”sticky bombs”, have found their maximum use in war-ravaged Afghanistan where Taliban used them against US-led allied forces and in Iraq and Syria where IS terrorists have triggered them against the government forces.

The ”sticky bombs”, dropped by terrorists sitting across the border in Pakistan using drones, were recovered in Samba sector of Jammu region along the International Border on February 14.

Immediately after their recovery, a video originated from across the border on social media which gave step by step instructions about its usage and triggering mechanism, a development which took the security agencies back to the drawing board for redrawing its Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for their movement.

The video issued in the name of People”s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), believed to be a shadow outfit of the banned Lashker-e-Taiba terror group, explained about magnetic bombs and its damage capabilities.

The video, originally used in Afghanistan training modules, has been given a voice over in Kashmiri language explaining how to use this bomb for more and effective damage of the target, the officials said.

The security forces, since the recovery of the ”sticky bombs”, have instructed their formations and general public at large not to leave their vehicle unattended, the officials said.

In India, ”sticky bombs” were used by suspected Iranian terrorists in February 2012 to injure the wife of an Israeli diplomat.

The development comes two years after a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist carried out a sensational attack when he rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a bus carrying security forces that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

In response, India had carried out an air strike on terror camps located across the border.

Sticky bombs, which were also used by the British forces during World War II, can be put on any vehicle and detonated through a remote control or an in-built timer, the officials said.

This is yet another significant recovery after security forces found three Point Detonating (PD) fuses, used by the Pakistani army in their 82 mm mortar shells, from a terrorist in North Kashmir.

About the PAFF, the officials said that changing names has been an age-old modus operandi of Pakistan”s external snooping agency ISI to divert the attention of the international community and label the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir as indigenous. (PTI)

‘Holy relic to be displayed after every prayer on March 12, 13, also on Friday following Meraj un Nabi (SAW)’

There will be no night-long prayers on the eve of Shab-e-Meraj (March 11) at the revered shrine of Hazratbal, Srinagar, the Shrine Management officials said Sunday.

They said that second round of deliberations took place on Saturday in which it was decided that in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, it won’t be feasible to allow night-long prayers at the shrine on the eve of Shab-e-Meraj (Prophet Muhammad’s Journey towards skies). “There will be no Shab (night long prayers) at Hazratbal shrine on March 11.

However, holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) will be displayed after every prayer for the devotees on March 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday). The holy relic will also be displayed to devotees on March 19 after every prayer,” senior administrator of the shrine Muhammad Shafi told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Officials said that Chief Executive Officer (Hazratbal shrine Management) Mufti Fareedudin had in an interview to a news channel clarified that there will be no night-long prayers at the shrine on Shab-e-Meraj eve but holy relic will be displayed for devotees after every prayer on March 12 and 13 and also on the Friday following Shab-e-Meraj i.e. March 19.

Pertinently, the Hazratbal shrine management body will also meet the district and divisional administration tomorrow and apprise it about the decision of not holding night-long prayers on Shab-e-Meraj eve—(KNO)

For the Youth in Kashmir… If I can do it anyone can…

By: Dr. Humairah Shah

I am a dentist, author, Huffington Post Blogger and an Oral health educator. It has been a long, challenging but definitely a fun ride. For all of you reading this article, especially the youth, I want you to know that, I was just an average student blessed with “strong will” and a very supportive family. My “grades” were never remarkable, but my “resilience”, my family and my appetite for never giving up are truly responsible for who I have become.

I still recall our elementary school in Kashmir requiring that our nails be trim and clean, hair neatly tied in white ribbons and shoes polished to a gleam. We would have daily inspections. In dental college I learnt how oral health affected our overall well-being and how much more important oral hygiene screening would have been, especially when compared to well-polished shoes!

In dental college, Community Dentistry class gave us an opportunity to work in rural villages. It was shocking how many kids with swollen faces I came across in a single day. I remember examining a four-year-old girl. She had a piece of dead bone in her mouth that had partially separated from her jaw (also known as sequestrum). As a young student, I was unsure of the diagnosis. Even after all these years, I remember rushing to my professor saying, “You’ve got to see this”. He was able to tell that an untreated tooth infection had resulted in a jaw infection, causing a part of the bone “to die”. Although we were able to treat the child, what bothered me was that her parents had taken their daughter to a priest for spiritual treatment instead of a dentist.

It has almost been 20 years since that incident and to this day, it remains a vivid memory to me. I have never been able to shrug away the fact that a little education about dental health will go a long way. Years of practice since then have left no doubt in my mind that oral health education is severely lacking. Teeth are directly connected to our body and any infection goes straight into the blood. If a child is diabetic or has heart problems, it is even more important that they keep their teeth clean. Dental infections for them especially, could result in serious complications.

After dental college, I moved to United States. Of course, USA was way advanced when it came to dentistry. I had the best technology, instruments and top-of-the-line materials to work with. I was in dental heaven and then I came face-to-face with Nursing Bottle Syndrome (NBS). How could a country like USA have problems as preventable as NBS, I wondered! Why didn’t pediatricians and dentists collaborate to educate parents? Day after day, I treated toddlers who faced pain and extensive treatment for NBS. “Is my job only to fix teeth once the damage has been done? Is that all I’ve signed up for?” were questions that haunted me.

Adults however, weren’t my only audience. I felt compelled, almost obsessive about reaching out to children. How could I get kids to manage their own dental care? The question tossed and turned in my head and eventually resulted in a series of children’s books, my foray as a writer. I wrote Sam and the Sugar Bug, Leila and the Tooth Fairy and Leila’s First Visit to the Dentist. Later, I added narration and sound effects to Sam and the Sugar Bug and released it in iBooks. It makes my day to see that Sam and the Sugar Bug has four times more reviews than Cat in the Hat in ibooks. All three titles continue to be the only books to educate children about the importance of good oral health in a fun and engaging manner, especially kids with special needs. In coming years, I wrote, Funny Teeth and Bunny Ears to help children quit thumb sucking, Boogers Boogers that teaches kid basic hygiene, Greedy Dog and Me and Working on the Title Ideas Welcome.

Truth be told, I could have never imagined that my books would find their way into the National Resource List for Kids with Special Needs or that I would be featured on Austim Live. To this day, whenever I hear from parents of kids with Special Needs about the difference the books have made, I feel a sense of satisfaction that I didn’t stop at wringing my hands in despair but that I did something about the issue. In the process, I unknowingly created a tool for children who most needed it. Professionally, I feel complete. Being a dentist wasn’t enough for me. The impact I make as an oral health educator makes me feel truly accomplished.
I honestly believe that a little education about dental care has the potential to prevent a host of diseases. If manufacturers of dental care products spent half the money on education that they do on advertising or if government invested half as much time and money on educating our patients, as we do on treatment, we will have a new beginning.

Butchers Union sends legal notice to Dir, says no one can force them to open shops till rate issue stands resolved

Srinagar, Mar 06 : Amid tussle over the Mutton rates, the butchers have been directed to open their shops within two days and that any shops found closed will be seized. However, the butchers have sent legal notice to the concerned authorities, questioning which law permits them to seize the closed shops.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), President Butchers Union, Khazir Muhammad Regoo said that they have been directed to open up their shops within two days.

He said after receiving the government directives, they have sent a legal notice through their Counsel Advocate Imran Ahmad wherein they have mentioned the Director’s recent statement in which he stated that those who are not willing to sell mutton at the government fixed rates can’t be forced to open shops.

“We have categorically stated that we are not on strike to leave people to suffer. But, we want the government to fix reasonable rates so that we can resume our business,” Ragoo said, adding that “let the government address our concerns, we will open up our shops tomorrow.”

However, he also said that those who are found selling the meat at their homes should be dealt with strictly. “We will not oppose the government action against those who are selling the meat at exorbitant rates at their homes,” he said, adding that they have been facing tremendous hardships as they have conducted their businesses from the last four successive months.

General Secretary of All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association (AKWMDA), Mehraj-ud-Din said that they are not on strike at all, adding that the rates finalized between the mutton wholesalers and the government is almost agreed from both the sides.

However, he said, the issue is about the retailers and butchers. “We are waiting to see any positive development in this regard so that the business will be resumed again,” he said.

He also demanded strict action against the people involved in black-marketing, saying that anyone found selling meat in black should be dealt with strictly and the association will appreciate the action. Meanwhile, repeated attempts to reach out to Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution didn’t fructify—(KNO)

Primary classes to reopen on March-15: Officials

Srinagar: The government on Saturday said only upper primary schools will reopen on March-08 while the primary schools are scheduled to reopen from March-15.

Top officials of School Education Department told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that only upper primary schools will reopen on Monday.

“On Monday only classes 6th to 8th will reopen for physical academic activities, while the classes below 6th standard will reopen on March-15,” the official said—(KNO)

A session of the National Assembly of Pakistan has been called on Saturday when Prime Minister Imran Khan will seek a vote of confidence from the parliament.

Pakistan Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, said in a tweet that the session will commence at 12:15 pm on Saturday. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said on Wednesday that Khan would seek a vote of confidence from the parliament after the ruling PTI lost the hotly contested Senate general seat from Islamabad to the joint opposition, the Dawn reported.

Poor condition of roads: Govt seeks report over macdamisation of roads in last 3 years

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed the officials of Roads and Buildings Department to prepare a report on the macadamization of roads done in the past three years.

Official sources told news agency KINS that the government has taken note of the condition of roads in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Chief Engineers have been directed to prepare the report on macadamization of roads done in the past three years under all sectors along with road length achieved and road wise status and action was taken by XENs on DLP damaged roads,” sources maintained.
Whereas, all the Chief Engineers of Jammu / Kashmir, Public Works (R&B) Department will categorize the road length as Inter-District Roads, Major Roads, District Roads, Rural Roads, Local Roads etc along with their name, length, width, year & month of construction, life span, last renewal coat is done and exact geographical location.
Sources said that the Government has observed a regular audit of the roads for their proper and timely maintenance which include all works of routine maintenance/ repair, periodic maintenance, road rehabilitation including pavements, drainage, potholes repair and also maintenance of emergency nature.
Sources said that the government has also issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for maintenance of roads across the Union Territory.
As per the official data, presently Public Works (R&B) Department maintains a road length of more than forty thousand kilometres, created under the various developmental programmes across the UT, out of which road length of 23654 kilometres is blacktopped.
In this regard, an order has been issued by Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Govt. Public Works (R&B) Department.
“It has been strongly felt to have a regular audit of the roads for their proper and timely maintenance which include all works of routine maintenance, periodic maintenance, road rehabilitation including pavement repair, drainage repair, potholes and also emergency maintenance”, the order reads.
“While to streamline the procedure for the maintenance of the roads, the standard mechanisms have been put forth in the shape of SOPS”, it added.
“Data collected from the surveys shall be scrutinized, analyzed and estimates should be prepared and forwarded to Chief Engineer through the proper procedure for immediate necessary action. The result of the entire road stretch survey under the Jurisdiction of each Sub Division should be provided to the Executive Engineer by every 25th instant otherwise disciplinary action is initiated”, the order reads.
Further, the concerned Sub Divisions will make a survey regarding cleaning and desilting roadside drain, gutter constructed by PWD causing a hazard to traffic movement and will do the job immediately after locating the problem. This exercise shall be done at least thrice a year in the month of February, May & June, August & September and as and when required.
“Maintenance of Road Register containing an inventory of road with surface status on completion of construction, up-gradation of road proposal for renewal coat be submitted to Chief Engineer for appropriate action. Review of routine inspection for identification of defects/damages and performance evaluation by in charge Engineer bi-monthly”, the SOP reads.
“The road workers will immediately report the road breach/blockade to concerned AEE / XEN for immediate attention. The report will include the Name of road, Location/type of breach/blockade, it’s surface area, Date and time of occurrence, Assessment of assistance in the form of men and material required, immediate the procedure should be followed for smooth flow of traffic to prevent any jamming/accidents”, it added.
“The Superintending Engineer shall hold a review meeting with its divisional/sub-divisional officers before the 25th instant of every month and send his report to Chief Engineer PWD by 30th of the same month”, it added.
It added that road workers, Works supervisors and Junior Engineers will immediately report to higher authorities regarding violation of RD Act if any notice. The field staff will immediately inform the authority about the road accident with the exact location and brief reasons and time. The circular instructions are issued for strict compliance by all concerned.
“Immediate removal of site dumping material after the construction is over to keep the road free from all impediments without which no bill to be prepared and payments to be made. A certificate from the contractor and site engineer be appended with Measurement Book. Removal of encroachment should be carried out around the year”, the SOP reads. (KINS)

Srinagar, Mar 05: The wholesale mutton dealers on Friday said they would end four month strike’ provided the government fixes mutton prices in consideration of its own rates and that of the fact-finding committees.

Mehraj-ud-Din Ganai, general secretary of the wholesale Mutton Dealers Association (WMDA) told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the dealers too suffer the way common masses do in the wake of four months deadlock over mutton prices.

He said they want to resume their business as stalemate over the prices has taken toll on people ever since the government fixed rates of per kilogram mutton @ 480.

“If the government has fixed rates then why we are adamant on strike, why don’t we agree? We really do not want people to suffer; a lasting solution needs to be found to end the deadlock, if the government wants us to end strike, let it fix prices of mutton as its own assessment and that of the twin committees,” Ganai told reporters.

He said the fact-finding committee headed by Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) in its report submitted to the government has shown wholesale mutton @ 418.5 per kilogram while as the governments’ own committee has shown mutton per kilogram @ 497.

“The only way-out to end the stalemate is dialogue, we don’t want to suffer anymore as the government despite rates suggested by the fact-finding committees protracted the issue afresh. Let’s come to some conclusion. Let our retail sellers also open their shops as they too suffer for long,” he added—(KNO)