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  • How drugs devastate families in Kashmir

    Srinagar: Mohammad Subhan, (name change) a resident of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district struggles to help his lone son overcome heroin and opium addiction. His son, who is 27-year-old youth, started taking drugs at the age of 17. Subhan, a shopkeeper by profession, wanted his son to become an advocate. However, all his dreams have almost shattered now.

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    “He initially started smoking along with his friends when he was in school and I got to know about it later. When he reached high secondary, he started taking Charas and later on opium. He did not go to college as he became a drug addict. I came to know that he was introduced to a drug peddler by one of his friends in our village. Firstly, he was given drugs free of cost and then he started selling things at home like TV, bike to buy drugs,” Subhan told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

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    He feels helpless now. “I tried to stop him from taking drugs but failed. I once took him to a drug de-addiction centre and kept there for a month. Once he returned home, he again started taking drugs. The drugs have destroyed the lives of three members in our family, me, my son and wife,” he said.

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    Subhan says after taking drugs, he became more prone to aggressive behaviour, resorting to violence at home when denied money.

    Like Subhan, drugs have destroyed hundreds of families in Kashmir.

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    It has been seen that unemployment is the biggest reason for the youth to get hooked to drugs. Another reason is when one of the friends get involved in the abuse, other friends getting attracted.

    There are even some medical shops who are selling drugs to youth. In South Kashmir’s Qazigun area, a boy recently died during a night after consuming drugs.

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    “He had taken drugs at home and then could not wake up in the morning. His family members took him to the hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,” one of his relatives said. This boy was also the lone son of his parents.

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    Similarly, a boy died in a hotel at Pahalgam in Anantnag district in December last year. After investigation it was found that he died due to drugs. Police then arrested a drug peddler and three more youth.

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    Locals say drugs are easily available and youth fall prey easily. The most affected villages and areas in South Kashmir like Bijbehara, main town Anantnag, Asjipora, Shirpora, Kokernag, Sagam, Dooru and Verinag.

    A gram of heroin is sold at between 3000 rupees and 4000 rupees. A police official said that Charas is cultivated along the banks of river Jehlum in South Kashmir. Similarly, Opium is grown from poppy seeds.

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    As per Jammu and Kashmir police figures, 1132 drug-related cases were registered in 2020. Around 1672 persons involved in drug smuggling and peddling were arrested. Around 35 drug peddlers were booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).

    Likewise, 152.18 kgs of heroin were seized in 2020. Besides, 563.61kgs of charas/ganja and 22230.48kgs opium/poppy/cannabis derivatives were seized during the year. “We have made huge drug recoveries across Jammu and Kashmir. Police have worked hard to bust the narco trade. Many cases were challaned. Even some arrests were made outside Jammu and Kashmir to break the supply chain,” Dilbag Singh, Director General of Police, Jammu, and Kashmir had said.

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    An official at drug de-addiction centre in central Kashmir Srinagar said most patients are coming from four districts of South Kashmir where drugs are widely used.

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    “One of the main reasons is easy availability. There are lots of people who are involved in drug trade and cultivate drugs like Charas and opium,” the official said. (KINS)

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  • South Kashmir: Encounter breaks out in Anantnag

    Srinagar: Encounter has started between militants and government forces in Shalgul forest in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday.

    Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police, Army’s 3RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Shalgul forest.

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    As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off an gunfight.

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    A senior police officer also confirmed to GNS about exchange of firing between militants and security forces.

    As per the sources two to three militants are believed to be trapped.(GNS)

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  • One vaccine dose gives high protection from severe Covid, evidence shows

    First real data from mass vaccinations programmes in England and Scotland is promising

    Real-world evidence from the Covid vaccination programmes in England and Scotland show that one dose of vaccine gives high protection against severe disease and admission to hospital – and protects against even mild disease with no symptoms in younger people.
    The first real data from the mass vaccination programmes is promising, and although the results do not include evidence that they prevent transmission completely, there is data to show they are stopping some people becoming infected, which should slow the spread of coronavirus.

    Three studies came to similarly positive conclusions about the protection offered by the vaccines – one in Scotland and two in England – although they were set up to look at the effects in different groups of people.
    In England, the Siren study in healthcare workers under 65 found that one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine reduced the risk of catching the virus by 70% – and 85% after the second dose. The healthcare workers were all tested for the virus every two weeks, so the study picked up asymptomatic infections as well as those who had symptoms.

    Public Health England also released the results of routine testing in the over-80s, who are at higher risk of becoming severely ill and dying from Covid. That found that 3 weeks after the first dose, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was 57% effective against symptomatic illness, whether mild or more severe. Although not many people have had a second dose, the evidence suggested efficacy rose to 85% in those who did.
    The data also shows that people who have been vaccinated who catch the infection are much better protected against severe disease, hospitalisation and death.
    “On top of the reduction in symptomatic infection, vaccine protection against more severe disease from a single dose is even higher – at least 75%,” said Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE, at a briefing.
    She said these results justified the government’s policy of giving a first dose to millions of people and delaying the second dose for up to 12 weeks later.
    Ramsay said: “I think that does reinforce the policy of giving that single dose to more people to prevent more deaths and more admissions now and then go back later and get the second dose, which will give them longer lasting protection and potentially give them better protection.”
    Matt Hancock said the results were evidence that the strategy was successful. The health secretary said: “This crucial report shows vaccines are working – it is extremely encouraging to see evidence that the Pfizer vaccine offers a high degree of protection against coronavirus.”

    The data from Scotland was equally encouraging. While the studies in England looked only at people given the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which was available from the first week in December, Scottish experts analysed data from both vaccines over a period of 28 days.
    By the fourth week after receiving the initial dose, the Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines had reduced the risk of hospital admissions from Covid-19 by up to 85% and 94% respectively, according to a study by Scottish universities and Public Health Scotland.
    Among people aged 80 and over, vaccination was associated with an 81% reduction in hospital admission risk in the fourth week, when the results for both vaccines were combined.
    The scientists, whose work is available online but has not yet been peer-reviewed, said the results from the two vaccines should not be compared. There was more data on people who were given the Pfizer vaccine, while the AstraZeneca vaccine had mostly been administered to older people. (The Guardian)

  • Picturesque Sonamarg all set to be thrown open for tourists on Feb 25

    Ganderbal, Feb 23: Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to throw open picturesque Sonamarg tourist resort February 25 in a bid to promote tourism.

    This year, the tourist destination will be open for tourists and locals earlier than previous years. o Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Dr Shafqat Iqbal told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that that all the basic facilities have been restored which include water and electric supply in Sonmarg area.

    “The tourist destination will be thrown open on February 25 this year,” he said, adding that “the administration is organizing a winter festival in collaborations with Tourism department to promote tourism and attract more tourists to visit the destination on the first day of opening.”

    He said that all arrangements in this regard have been made and tourists can enjoy different colorful programs on the occasion. “People will made aware about different schemes of the government so that they can avail the benefit,” he said.

    The DC Ganderbal requested people to be part of the event in large numbers and help the administration to promote Sonamarg as the best tourist destination in Kashmir—(KNO)

  • MUTTON CRISIS: Stalemate over rates push retail dealers to roads

    Appeals authorities to find ‘amicable’ solution to problems of mutton dealers of Kashmir

    Srinagar, Feb 23: At a time when impasse over mutton rates continues between the government and wholesale dealers, retail dealers on Tuesday staged a protest here urging authorities to find an amicable solution to the problem so that the mutton crisis ends in the Valley.

    The retail dealers who had gathered at Press Colony to register their protest against the continuous stalemate between the two sides over the mutton rates according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said their families are on the verge of starvation as their shops are closed for the last four months.

    They appealed the government to end the four month long impasse and find an amicable solution to the problems which they said has caused immense hardships for them.

    “We appeal the authorities to find an amicable solution to the problem. The stalemate over mutton rates has not only affected common masses but retail industry too has taken a hit,” said Mohammad Saleem, a protester.

    He said their shops have been closed ever since the government announced fresh rates for mutton which led to the stalemate between wholesale mutton dealers and the authorities concerned.

    “Our shops are closed for the last four months as the two sides have yet to come to some conclusion over mutton rates. We are poor people who cannot afford to sit at home. How long we suffer, we appeal Lieutenant Governor to personally look into the issue so that four months long impasse comes to an end,” he added—(KNO)

  • Israeli city offers free drinks to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among young people

    At the Jenia bar at Dizengoff Square in Israel’s Tel Aviv, curious passersby were lured with free beer and coffee in exchange for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine jab.

    The latest bid, initiated by the city’s government starting last weekend, aims to encourage its young people to take the vaccine shots as Israel’s vaccination drive, which has inoculated since last December about half of its population, started to slow down.

    An Israeli gets a free drink and COVID-19 shot at Tel Aviv’s bar Jenia on Feb. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Nick Kolyohin)

    Maii Perez, 29 years old, was one of the first young people to get a free beer alongside a COVID-19 vaccine shot at Jenia bar.

    “It is a great idea to appeal to the young people here and an easy way to make them receive the vaccine,” she said.

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    The vaccination drive is operated by Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency service in conjunction with Tel Aviv municipality and Ministry of Health, which has set up mobile vaccination sites at various public locations.

    MDA now is dispatching across the city its special mobile caravans, which are equipped with refrigerators capable of storing the vaccines at their designated temperature.

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    Ilee Levanon, an MDA paramedic, said that they are going to the popular places to make it easier for people to get the vaccination, adding that some young people have not received vaccines because they prefer to avoid standing in long queues in vaccination centers or because the applications for vaccines are too complicated.

    “So we give people a chance to receive vaccines easily without all the red-tape,” he said.

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    While the elderly rushed to vaccination centers, younger populations were much more hesitant about getting jabs. Around 90 percent of Israelis above the age of 60 received the COVID-19 vaccine, while only half of the people aged 16-39 have been inoculated, said the Israeli Health Ministry.

    Younger generations feel less pressure and urgency to take the vaccine, mostly because the virus seems to be less deadly and dangerous for them.

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    Eytan Schwartz, Tel Aviv municipality spokesperson, told Xinhua that “right now, Israel has enough vaccines to inoculate the entire population within a month. There is no shortage of vaccines, but there is a shortage of willingness. And that is what we are trying to tackle,” said Schwartz.

    Schwartz reminded the young people that if they miss bars, nightclubs, and parties, then they should take the responsibility to get vaccine shots so the dynamic nightlife of Tel Aviv can finally return.

    With inputs from XINHUA News Agency 

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  • “Our close look at the disengagement of India-China soldiers”: America

    SRINAGAR, FEB 23: The US has said that it is closely monitoring the reports of disengagement of Indian and Chinese soldiers and is constantly monitoring the situation.

    This statement of the US State Department has come at a time when the army of India and China have started the process of retreating in eastern Ladakh after eight months of tension.
    The two countries have reached an agreement to withdraw their forces in the most controversial area of North and South Pangong Lake by mutual agreement.
    Foreign Ministry spokesman Ned Price told reporters at a daily press conference, “We are closely watching the reports of the military’s disengagement.” We welcome efforts to reduce stress. “
    In response to a question related to reports of withdrawal of Indian and Chinese troops in the Pangon Lake region of Ladakh, he said, “Both sides are working towards a peaceful settlement, we will definitely continue to monitor the situation.”
    Tension on the border between India and China increased after the violent clashes in the areas of Lake Pangong on 5 May last year and both sides gradually increased the presence of thousands of troops and heavy weapons there, meanwhile both sides They were also negotiating at the military and diplomatic level.
    Military commanders of the two armies held a 10th round of talks on February 20 at the Chushul-Moldo border outpost on the Chinese side.
    After this long meeting, a joint statement was issued that both sides positively praised the completion of the disengagement process of frontline troops in Pangog Lake area. It was also said that this is an important step towards resolving other issues on LAC in the western sector.
    There is a dispute between India and China over the 3,488 km LAC. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India rejects this claim. (PTK)

  • Corona model can eliminate TB in India by 2025: PM Modi

    SRINAGAR, FEB 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday in a webinar related to the health budget that if the experience gained during the Corona period is used against TB, then by 2025 it is possible to eliminate TB from India.

    He said, the world has set a target by 2030 to end TB. We have set a target by 2025 to eliminate TB from the country. TB also spreads through droplets of the infected person. Wearing masks, early detection and treatment of disease are also important in prevention of TB.

    In such a situation, the experience we have got during the Corona period, which has reached the common man of India in a way. Now, taking the same precautions, we will work in the same mode in the field of TB, then the fight we have to fight against TB. We can win it very easily. “

    Prime Minister Modi has also said that by making necessary changes in this model, it can be used against TB and by doing this, the dream of TB-free India can be fulfilled by 2025. (PTK)

  • Railway commuters allege sudden fare hike in Kashmir

    Srinagar: A day after partial restoration of Railway service in Kashmir valley after remaining suspended for more than eleven months, local commuters on Tuesday alleged that Railway authorities have resorted to unilateral hike in the fare tariffs.

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    One of the passengers Sahil Shakeel told News Agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that soon after partial restoration of railway services; authorities have raised the fare amount unilaterally, which has left common people in doldrums.

    “Earlier, we used to pay 10 rupees fare from Anantnag to Srinagar, now after its partial restoration we are being forced to pay rupees 30 fare to reach the same destiny. Similarly, commuters were being charged Rs 25 earlier from Budgam to Banihal now the fare has been increased to rupees 50″ he alleged.

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    “This sudden hike in fare is unacceptable and the administration needs to intervene into the matter” said another commuter Fayaz Ahmad.

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    The fare hike has invited sharp criticism from masses across Kashmir and people are demanding its immediate rollback. (KDC)

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  • MeT issues weather warning for 25-27 February

    Srinagar: The MeT office forecasts erratic weather throughout the week with a possibility of heavy rain/snowfall at some places in Jammu and Kashmir on 25-26 February. According to the MeT official, the weather system may cause disruptions of flights and slippery road conditions Banihal-Ramban, Zojila, Mugal road etc during the two days.

    For 26 and 27 February, the weatherman has issued a “yellow warning” for “isolated heavy rains/snow/thundershowers” in Kashmir as well as Jammu divisions.

    There are four types colour codes signifying the level of caution: green which means no action, yellow—situation to be watched), amber –government agencies need to be prepared for severe weather and red –action needed by the agencies. (GNS)