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Srinagar: Police in Kashmir Monday said an investigation has revealed that the death of a pregnant woman at Sub-District Hospital, Pattan, was caused due to negligence by doctors and para-medical staff.

Gulshana Banoo, wife of Muhammad Sharafat Khan, a resident of Zangam in Pattan died at the hospital on May 27.

A police official said a case was registered soon after the death of the woman and a probe was conducted which revealed that the death of the pregnant woman resulted due to the negligence of two doctors and four nurses.

“We have approached the higher authorities for permission and we will soon arrest the erring doctors and para-medical staff,” the official said adding that all the formalities in this regard have been completed.

The official said the action will be initiated despite the erring staff being exonerated by the directorate of health services, Kashmir.

On May 27, the protestors had ransacked the hospital building and smashed the window panes after the death of Gulshana Banoo in Sub District Hospital Pattan.

The protestors had alleged that Gulshana died due to negligence of the doctors. To pacify the protestors, the DHSK had constituted a committee to probe the death and suspended the Block Medical Officer,Dr Haseena.

A top official from Health Department on condition of anonymity revealed that the BMO of Sub District Hospital Pattan was not suspended but she was asked by the Director Health to ‘relax’ for some days in her home. “CMO Baramulla did not probe the matter but only killed time. Dr Haseena was one of the accused but she has been transferred to her home district with a promotion,” he said adding that the CMO has accused a hospital sweeper of negligence and transferred him to a far flung area.

“On the instructions of CMO Baramulla, the ‘suspended’ BMO Dr Haseena has been promoted as deputy CMO Pulwama while another accused Dr Gul Afroza has also been transferred to her home town,” he said.

When contacted Director Health Kashmir Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman told CNS that he is busy in a meeting with Health Minister Taj Mohi-u-Din while Deputy Director Health Dr Bashir Malik said that he will look into the matter and will constitute a committee to probe all these allegations.

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday directed the Traffic cops not to keep traffic blocked for long hours in the name of security route for the CM. Eyewitnesses told CNS that Chief Minister stopped his car near the entry point in Civil Secretariat Srinagar and sent directions to the traffic cops not to block traffic on his arrival to the Secretariat. Reports said that traffic cops had blocked the traffic shortly before the arrival of Chief Minister into the Secretariat. Long grid lock of traffic was seen on the Secretariat road.

An on-duty traffic police officer told CNS that Chief Minister halted his vehicle at the entry point and forwarded a message to the officers, not to trouble to the commoners and accordingly they allowed the vehicles to ply on the road.

“This was the first time Chief Minister directed us not to block traffic on his arrival. From past six years we have been blocking the traffic after getting information about the arrival of Chief Minister,” he said.

“The Civil Secretariat Road Srinagar becomes a sight of traffic mess during the office hours because top government officials and law makers move to and from the Civil Secretariat and other offices. An ordinary cop like me cannot stop a senior police officer or a Minister moving with a squad of gunmen or any other top bureaucrat who do not usually follow traffic signals or lane rules,” another traffic cop told CNS adding that it is a common practice in Kashmir to block traffic when CM or any top VIP is on the move.

Some pedestrians told CNS that every day the commuters witness the “special status” on the roads enjoyed by the top government officials mostly guarded by armed policemen which naturally results into traffic mes, especially in rush hours.

“I work in a nearby school and have to commute daily on the Secretariat Road and witness how the ‘special’vehicles followed by police vans violate lane discipline and traffic signals with ease. The police guards even force others from moving close to their vehicle while committing violations and even at many times, some of the security guards whirl canes in air and abuse the private drivers for not clearing road for their VIP ‘Master’,” Javid Ahmed, a teacher told CNS.

Srinagar: Maintaining that Government has identified health as one of the pivotal sectors, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar today said that several schemes have been undertaken to ensure its augmentation viz a viz human resource and infrastructural assets.

According to a statement issued to KNS, the Minister was speaking after inaugurating and dedicating to the public first of its kind sophisticated and advanced Echo/TMT in the Cardiac Lab of Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital (JLNM). The funds for these were provided to the hospital out of the CDF of the Minister.

Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr. Salim-ur-Rehman, Medical Superintendent, JLNM, Dr. Iqbal and other senior doctors of the hospital were present on the occasion.

Mr. Sagar said that the Government has initiated several measures for ensuring that the necessary and need based augmentation of the health sector is done and in this regard various programmes as well as schemes have been initiated. He said that it has been the endeavour of the present government to ensure that State of the Art health facilities are provided to the people of the State.

The Minister said that the Government has already ensured that the JLNM hospital comes up as model in the State by ensuring that better and modern health facilities are provided to the people living in the area besides other areas of the district and Kashmir division as a whole. He said that clear instructions have been passed on to the concerned to ensure quality healthcare to the patients being treated there and proper mechanism is also put in place to get the requisite feedback about the functions and facilities being provided.

Jammu: Syed Junaid Hashmi, journalist, on Monday joined National Conference and described it a great movement for him to carry forward the cherished mission of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah by serving the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a statement issued to KNS, welcoming Hashmi in the party fold at a function held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana said that joining of young people will further strengthen National Conference at the grass roots level and help achieving the objective of empowering people politically and economically.

He described National Conference as a movement that has withstood test of times during most turbulent phases but never compromised with the just cause of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, He said Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister  Omar Abdullah have been carrying forward this legacy of serving the state with sincerity of purpose to enable people live a dignified life.

Rana congratulated Hashmi and hoped he will put in his best to make the people at grass roots level aware about policies and programmes of National Conference.

Those present on the occasion included Provincial Secretary Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Jugal Mahajan, Surinder Singh Bunty, S Peter and Taranjeet Singh Tony.

Later,  Hashmi met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who congratulated him on joining National Conference. Besides the Provincial President, Sr State Vice President Surjeet Singh Slathia was also present on the occasion.

Srinagar: Quality control Laboratory of Agriculture department has declared various batches of different pesticides misbranded after analytical tests, which include Macoban M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP) with batch No. MA40506MZ, MA40508MZ, MA40509MZ, Ekalux 25 EC (Quinalphos 25% EC) with batch No. SPK4D031, SPK4D032, Hunter G-S (Butachlor 5% GR) with batch No. S-258, S-257, S-259, S-263, S-261, S-262, Finish (Butachlor 5% GR) with batch No. F/FHG-084, Agro Meesheti (Butachlor 5% GR) with batch No. 22, 23, 24 & 25, Luzem M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP) with batch No. DM14D011, an official spokesman said.

He said the Law Enforcement Agency has seized the above mentioned batches of insecticides from various districts of the valley.

The Law Enforcement agency has also stopped the sale of these products. However, pesticide companies have challenged the test results and have approached the authorities for joint re-analysis under law, he added. (GNS)

Calls for Constitution of an ‘Expert Group’

Srinagar: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Monday expressed deep shock and grief on the loss of precious lives due to an unfortunate accident of a minibus travelling from Doda to Bhagwah.

According to the statement issued to KNS, Azad also conveyed his sympathies to those who got injured in this tragic accident.

While appreciating the efforts of administration to airlift the seriously injured patients to Srinagar for making available super-speciality services, Sh Azad urged the State Government to make available required medical assistance to all those who have been seriously injured in the accident.

Conveying his heartfelt   condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in yet another tragic road accident, Sh Azad called upon the State Government to take serious note of the underlying causes of the recurrent road accidents.

Azad said that no doubt India has the dubious distinction of reporting highest number of road fatalities in the world, with more than one death and four injuries occurring every minute, however, there current, heart-rending accidents in Chenab Valley have become a matter of deep and abiding concern for all of us, adding that we have to part with precious and quality human resource in these tragic road accidents. “Even in today’s accident, most of the dead or injured are teachers and Government employees who were on their way to respective places of duty”, Azad said.

2 employees suspended CE orders inquiry

Srinagar: Power Development Department (PDD) Monday has reportedly suspended two employees including a Junior Engineer for reporting that Baba Reshi Floor Mills reportedly owned by PDP leader was bypassing the meter.

Reports according to KNS maintained that the employee PDD officials are suspended by the office of Chief Engineer Bashir Ahmad. Reports maintained that in July 2013, the inspector of Narbal area reported to his seniors that he suspects that Baba Reshi Floor Mills was bypassing the meter and sought the intervention of the senior officials into the issue. The concerned Junior Engineer in his report to Assistant Executive Engineer wrote: “The installation (Baba Reshi Floor Mills) was inspected and the reading of the installation are reducing. I personally visited the site and the gate was not opened by the gate keeper. It is as such requested that the installation may be checked by higher offices as I suspect that there is bypassing of the meter.”

Chief Engineer PDD Bashir Ahmad Khan, when contacted said that the department has imposed Rs 30 Lac fine on the floor mill owner as he had bypassed the  meter. “We have placed two officials under suspension and I have ordered a departmental inquiry headed by SE Srinagar-Budgam Shubhan Kumar. He has been directed to submit his report within a week.” Khan said the incident  is a violation of electricity norms.

Earlier this year, in Feb-March, the higher office responds and Chief Engineer send an inspection team to Baba Reshi Floor Mills which gives clean chit to the mill. Another inspection team was sent by Commissioner Power’s office in June which however, found the meter was being bypassed. 

Sports develop ability to face adversity with poise, dignity: DGP

Srinagar: The Director General of Police (DGP),  K. Rajendra Kumar said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has been playing an important role in promoting sports and refining talent of sports person in the state. He said that performance of JKP in sports has remained much encouraging at national and international level, helping in a great way to inspire the youth towards such activities.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Rajendra was speaking at the closing ceremony of   5-day long Inter Battalion Sports Meet-2014 at Bakshi Stadium here this evening. He said that JKP has been organizing various sports events within the Organisation, aiming at imbibing spirit of sports among the personnel to shape their physique and promote discipline. Such activities create a team spirit among the participants, besides developing ability to face any adversity with poise and dignity.

The DGP said that JKP has many achievements to its credit at national and international level in sports, besides having an outstanding role in the service of the people. Our central teams are proud to be the state champions in all major events, the DGP disclosed. He said that even in  aquatic sports JKP team has earned a good name at international level.

Giving details Rajendra said that the tournament is an annual event in which sports personnel from all the 28 battalions of IRP and Armed Police participate in various disciplines including basketball, volleyball, football, handball, tug-of-war, boxing, wrestling, weight-lifting, swimming, shooting, hockey, kabbadi, marathon, short-put, hammer throw, javelin throw, discus throw, long jump and high jump, table tennis, lawn tennis and shooting. He said that during the 5-day long tournament more than 1200 sports persons including 200 women participated in different games. All the matches were played on knockout basis as per the rules and regulations laid down by All India Sports Control Board.

DGP appreciated the players and the staff for maintaining high standards of discipline during the entire tournament. He also appreciated the efforts of Organizing Committee headed by ADGP Armed, S. M. Sahai for smooth conduct of the tournament.

Congratulating the medal winners in different disciplines, Rajendra stressed upon the participants to keep themselves involved in sports activities regularly as practice is of paramount importance to refine the talent. He said that a true sports person should never participate in any event under the fear of losing but should always play with the spirit of sportsmanship, keeping his morale high.

Earlier, the ADGP Armed, S. M. Sahai highlighted the sports activities undertaken by JKP during the year and said that our aim is to identify the talented sports person and boost them for performance at higher levels. He said that sports infrastructure would be strengthened across the state to provide better facilities to sports person so that they could improve their talent in the said field. Among others, the function was attended by ADGP, V K Singh and Dilbag Singh IGP,  Arun Kumar, Dr. B Srinivas, A G Mir, Muneer Ahmad Khan, Sunil Kumar Sharma, M S Salaria, Sunil Kumar and T Punchok DIsGP, S A Mujtaba and M L Sadiq and senior retired police officers and Commandants of Armed and IRP battalions.

Srinagar: The Army will construct a 50 feet bridge at Baltal to cater for the anticipated heavy rush for the Amarnath Yatra this year. The existing bridge had been damaged due to heavy snowfall.

Rakesh Gupta, CEO, Amarnath Shrine Board mentioned that the civil administration had requested Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, GOC Chinar Corps for assistance. The Army has agreed to construct the bridge with close support of the civil administration. A makeshift bridge has been constructed, but since a heavy volume of Yatris is anticipated, this additional bridge will facilitate smooth movement for all. The bridge is expected to be ready by 20 June 14.

Srinagar: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) President and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid has castigated the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) for fomenting communal polity in Jammu and Kashmir and especially at a time when it has recently assumed the reins of power. Engineer Rashid was today addressing a public gathering at Supernaghama Langate, Kupwara.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to visit the state on 23rd of June, the death anniversary of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. History bears testimony to the fact that after falling out with Nehru, Mookerjee quit the Indian National Congress party and founded the communal   Bharatiya Jana Sangh party in 1951.Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and other Hindu organizations will celebrate this day in Jammu and in other parts of India and as matter of concern even government functions will be organised. We need to remember that on June 23, 1952 RSS leader and Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder, Dr Shyama Prasad Mokerjee, died in Kashmir during detention as he had demanded abrogation of article 370 and his entire travel had heightened communal tensions. According to a statement issued to KNS, all these developments indicate communal overtures from BJP and also dashing the hopes that Narendra Modi will act as a statesman rather than representative of communal Hindu polity of BJP, RSS and other Hindutva organizations,” observed Engineer Rashid. “We would have welcomed if Narendra Modi would have come to Kashmir and offered an unconditional dialogue with browbeaten Kashmiris who have suffered from many decades,” stated Engineer Rashid

Engineer Rashid stated that BJP is striking sore chords by raking up the sensitive issues like Article 370 and uniform civil code. Engineer Rashid cautioned the ruling BJP not to play with fire as communal polity can worsen the situation further.