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Srinagar: Experts On Saturday urged people not to be overwhelmed by the fear of covid-19 which can lead to doing irrational things.

“A measured dose of fear is an absolutely normal emotion to prepare ourselves for a catastrophe like COVID-19, but we shouldn’t be so overwhelmed by the fear that we start doing irrational things”

Dr Arshad Hussain, Professor at Department of Psychiatry, GMC Srinagar, delivered the first lecture of the inter-institutional webinar series titled ‘Covid19 and Mental Health’ here.

Dr Arshad assured his support to reach out to the teachers working in colleges and universities to train them in cultivating such coping strategies and help their students to navigate through the pandemic.

The webinar series has been organised by the varsity’s UGC-Human Resource Development Centre (UGC-HRDC) in collaboration with Government Degree College Pampore and Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Kashmir.

Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad urged academics to extend all-out support to their students to cope with the psychological impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing as chief guest, Prof Talat said it was important for teachers to extend their full support to the student community in adjusting to “the new normal” and coping with the ill-effects of the pandemic, particularly on their mental health.

Chairing the inaugural session, Prof Talat said: “We need to honour the centuries-old practices and invaluable tools that are woven into the country’s culture and can be used by young students to deal with anxiety and stress amid this disruption”.

He also impressed upon students to go for frequent exercising, take adequate rest and interact freely with their friends and relatives.

The VC said the National Education Policy-2020 has underlined education as a ‘great leveler’ and to protect this promise for the current generation, it is imperative to help students and their families to deal with anxiety, stress and loss that the current pandemic has brought.

The lecture was attended by teachers from KU, CUK and GDC Pampore.

Director UGC-HRDC Prof Shabir Ahmad Bhat underscored the role of leadership in difficult situations.

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the world and there is hardly any aspect of life that has remained unaffected, he said, adding that the pandemic has caused a devastating impact on the mental health of people.

“It’s in this context that such webinars are important to help foster the ability of individuals to find courage and meaning amidst trying circumstances and enhance their ability to transcend adversity and emerge stronger,” Prof Bhat said.

Dr Samia Rashid, Principal and Dean Government Medical College Srinagar—the Guest of Honour—presented a detailed overview of measures required to combat the ill-effects of Covid19, particularly on the mental health of people.

She called for a continued management of patients suffering from mental health issues through tele-medicine, while avoiding any disruptions in the supply chain through proper planning.

“There is a pressing need to address the mental health support needs of special and vulnerable populations like elderly people, patients with disabilities, marginalised communities and people living in remote areas,” Dr Samia said.

Dr Seema Naz, Principal GDC Pampore and Dr Abid Hamid from CUK’s Department of Biotechnology also spoke on the theme of the webinar.Dr Geer Mohammad Ishaq, Coordinator UGC-HRDC at KU, conducted and coordinated the webinar, while Dr Abid Hamid from CUK and Dr Mir Ashiq Hussain from GDC Pampore delivered vote of thanks. (GNS)

Jammu: BJP J&K President Ravinder Raina sought support for the BJP candidates in DDC elections for the peace and progress in the region while he addressed massive election Rallies at Sundarbani in Rajouri.

Ravinder Raina, while addressing the massively attended election rallies said that people have built strong faith on Modi government’s policies and they trust the present dispensation beyond any doubt. He said that the public has established now that every step taken by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Union Government has very positive futuristic impact on the Nation and the society as well as the positive impact of those steps will be evident in near future as well. Raina said that the steps taken by Modi ji in last 6 years surpass all the initiatives collectively taken by previous Congress led Governments at the Centre.

Raina said that the decisive government at the Centre has given direct positive impact on the J&K in recent past. He said that from the tight curbs on the terrorists activities to the removal of unnecessary laws here will all boost up the development of the region and will surely progress the region on the path of growth as well as progress. He said that BJP policies have resulted in the zero tolerance against corruption, land grabbing, encroachments as well it promoted private sector and boosted industrial set up which will increase the employment ratio of the youth as well the per capita income of the J&K residents.

Ravinder Raina said that NC, PDP and Congress have only looted the J&K state. He said that now they have formed Gupkar gang in the J&K in connivance with Congress party. He urged the people to come together and show their power by decimating these anti-people parties in these DDC elections.

Raina said that by supporting and making sure the win of BJP candidates in these DDC elections the region will be pushed towards an era of peace and progress. (PTK)

Srinagar: West Pakistani refugees have voted for the first time in last 70 years for the first phase of DDC elections.

According to them, abolition of article 370 has proved as liberty and equality for them.

One of them said “College toppers of our community were always discouraged and disheartened as they had no job opportunities. Our parents used to console us and finally that day is here. Today, we all are standing together and finally feel equality in J&K. This is justice for us.”

“Abrogation of article 370 has made us liberal. We were bounded by this. We were mistreated. What West Pakistani refugees are we when we have born and brought up in India?” added the other.

These people voted for first phase of DDC elections in Akhnoor and expressed their happiness as they feel liberal. (PTK)

Srinagar: Many subscribers Saturday alleged that they are frustrated the way private internet service provider SNTPL is providing internet services to them.

SNTPL formerly known as Kashmir Valley Networks Provides Internet is providing services to a number of subscribers in Srinagar city.

Subscribers told news agency KNT that the services offered by SNTPL are poor in nature. A subscriber from Zaldagar area alleged that the internet connectivity of SNTPL has turned from bad to worse over the past few weeks.

“The signal strength has been very low and this seems to be the case with SNTPL only,” said a Journo who runs a news portal.

“I am fed up with this service and it irritates me a lot,” he added.

Another subscriber said that despite bring the matter into the notice of concerned employees, nothing changed on the ground.

“Whenever a customer calls SNTPL customer helpline, they never resolve a problem. They make customer to do everything and don’t even send any technical person. Is this what private internet service provider is supposed to do?” said a customer of SNTPL in Srinagar.

These subscribers appealed SNTPL to look into the matter and resolve the issue at an earliest. (KNT)

Srinagar: The South Kashmir girl who was kidnapped and allegedly raped in the last week of October last month by duo died in the Srinagar hospital this late evening.

The incident had sparked massive protest while people had demanded stringent punishment for those who were responsible for alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of the girl.

The incident had occurred in Akhal village of Kulgam district while the victim was the resident of Poniwah hamlet of the same district.

“The victim, a resident of Poniwah village had gone to Akhal hamlet to attend a wedding ceremony that took place in the house of one Sabzar Parray. Two youth from Ashmuji village kidnapped and raped her in a dense orchard. The girl was found in semi-unconscious state and was shifted to local hospital where from she was referred to Srinagar hospital for treatment.”

The police had identified the accused as Adil Dar and Wasim Dar. The accused had arrived in the village as guests.

The girl was battling for life while the accused had been taken into custody.

A police officer while divulging information about the incident had told KNT that Police Station Devsar received a written complaint for assistance from complainant that his sister (name withheld) had been kidnapped by two persons namely Aadil Ahmad Dar and Waseem Rehman Dar both residents of Ashmuji Kulgam from Akhal and took her to nearby dense orchards and tried to rape her and also outraged her modesty.

“In the meantime the victim girl was brought by her cousin brother to police Station Devsar in unconscious state and injured condition. The girl was instantly taken to hospital for treatment and medical examination.”

“Taking cognizance of the incident a team headed by SHO Devsar under the supervision of DSP Headquarter’s Kulgam was constituted to nab the accused. Utilizing all available means, with strenuous efforts specific information was generated by the investigating team which led to arrest of accused within three hours after complaint was received.”

“Regarding the incident, case vide FIR number 116/2020 U/S 341, 366, 376/511, 354, 323 had been registered in Police Station Devsar.”

The victim girl was undergoing treatment at SKIMS Soura. A doctor at SKIMS told KNT that the said girl succumbed to her injuries. He said the body has been handed over to family for last rites. (KNT)

Srinagar: Even after several rounds of talks between India and China, no consensus has been reached on the removal of forces from eastern Ladakh. Now it is almost decided that the soldiers of both the countries will have to remain there for several months in the harsh winter.

Even after the talks between the corps commanders on November 6 and November 8, there has been no significant progress in this matter.

“The negotiations have almost come to a standstill due to lack of agreement on the conditions and steps to withdraw by mutual consent. China has not yet given any fixed date for the ninth round of military talks” Media reports According to the report, China is still adamant that the proposal to withdraw the army should be implemented from the southern side of Pangong Soe Lake and Chushul area, where Indian troops have been strategically leading China since August 29.

At the same time, India wants the withdrawal of the troops from the northern side of Pangong So where the Chinese border has set foot on the eight kilometer area from Finger-4 to Finger-8.

Apart from this, there is also a difference of opinion about the distance to retreat in the Finger area in both countries. Also, there is controversy over the strategically important Depsang plains. (PTK)

Srinagar: Former minister and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Altaf Bukhari on Friday said that those involved in Roshni Scam must not be spared.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Bukhar while addressing media on the sidelines of joining of SMC Mayor Junaid Azim Mattoo, said that whosoever has encroached the land illegally under Roshni scam should be exposed.  “Strict action should be taken against those involved in the scam,” he said. 

He added anyone who has availed the benefits through proper procedures must not be harassed, adding that “we will not act as mute spectators, if anyone who has followed the procedure, will be harassed.”—(KNO)

The case pertains to illegal conferment of land ownership under the now annulled Roshni Act

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked Taj Mohiuddin, a former Congress minister in Jammu and Kashmir, and others, in connection with the alleged illegal conferment of land ownership under the now annulled Roshni Act.

The case was initially registered by the erstwhile Vigilance Organisation. Mr. Mohiuddin, the then deputy commissioner (Shopian) Mohammed Ramzan Thakur, then additional deputy commissioner Mohammed Yousuf Zargar, then assistant commissioner (revenue) Hafizullah Shah, and a then tehsildar Hassan Rather, were named as accused.

The State’s Vigilance Organisation had started the inquiry on the basis of a news article published in the Greater Kashmir English daily on January 20, 2011.

As it turned out, the then tehsildar of Shopian had processed and placed 190 cases for vesting of ownership rights to the illegal occupants of State land before a committee chaired by the then deputy commissioner, on June 16, 2007, under the J&K State Land (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act, also known as the Roshni Act.

The committee approved only 17 cases, which included a matter involving 13 kanals and 16 marlas of land in the Estate Sedow shown under the alleged illegal occupation of Mr. Mohiuddin.

During verification, it was found that the land in question came under the Forest Department. After a gap of almost two months from the date of approval on August 6, 2007, the accused sought a No Objection Certificate from the Forest Department.

In November 2007, the Forest Department raised an objection to the move for giving the land ownership to Mr. Mohiuddin. Instead of rejecting the case, the Revenue officials concerned informed the forest authorities in December that year that the case had already been disposed of and the objection did not serve any purpose.

The Vigilance Organisation found that the then divisional forest officer of Shopian had again in May 2008 returned the case file of Mr. Mohiuddin with the remarks that it was forest land and that the case should be rejected. However, the Revenue officials approved the illegal claim, clearing the way for vesting of ownership rights to the accused under the Roshni Act, it is alleged.

Following a J&K High Court directive, the CBI has so far taken over investigation into nine cases. Several other FIRs related to the ₹25,000-crore Roshni scam may be registered by the agency soon.

With inputs from The Hindu

(Except for the headlines, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

BJP manifesto promises 70,000 jobs, industrial growth

PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released its election manifesto for the forthcoming District Development Council (DDC) polls, promising to provide 70,000 jobs with 100 per cent reservation to locals besides ensuring private sector employment, industry-friendly policy and a clean, transparent and accountable administration in Jammu and Kashmir.

Claiming that the “stone-pelting era” is over as the enemies of Jammu and Kashmir have been “identified and neutralised”, the BJP in its manifesto promised retrieval of land from encroachers and zero tolerance towards violence and terrorism.

BJP state general secretary and former minister Devinder Singh Manyal and chief spokesperson advocate Sunil Sethi released the party manifesto here.

According to the manifesto, the BJP said 70,000 jobs have been identified. It said the local population will benefit from the decision to reserve 100 per cent government jobs for locals.

It said a huge potential for industrial growth has been envisaged in the Union Territory and the private sector has pledged investment to bring jobs and business opportunities for the youth in Jammu and Kashmir.

The industrial policy will focus on industrial estates to full-scale development of the industrial environment, it said.

The BJP said there will be zero tolerance to encroachments on government lands and promised to retrieve all such lands from vested interests.

It promised regularisation of daily wagers, casual and contractual workers.

With inputs from The Hindu and PTI

(Except for the headlines, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)