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Nocturnal gunfight starts in Yaripora Kulgam

Kulgam: A nocturnal gunfight has started between Government forces and militants in Yarmrach village of Yaripora belt in South kashmir’s Kulgam district.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that on specific inputs about the presence of militants cordon and search operation was launched in the area by joint team of forces including 34 RR, CRPF and Kulgam Police.

As forces zeroed in towards suspected spot, hiding militants fired upon forces which was retaliated, triggering an encounter, he said

Two to three militants are believed to be trapped and operation was under way when this report was filled

– KNO

Srinagar: With the advent in technology across the globe and in Jammu and Kashmir in particular, girls have turned to be the worst victims of cyber-crime with people using social media platforms to tarnish their dignity forcing them to undergo extreme mental stress.

Number of teenage girls has complained about the scary incidents they have been going through over past few months. A couple of girls wishing anonymity told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that cyber-crimes against girls are on rise with people using their names and profiles to use social media accounts, thereby leaving them in a state of extreme depression.

Saima (name changed) from north Kashmir complained that over past few months cyber-crimes have witnessed huge spike and most of the girls are in depression and suffering from mental health issue and which has adversely impacted their social life as well.

She shared couple of instances where many of her colleagues including herself were exploited through online means by unknown users having their actual profile names, address and sharing the details of their life with others through chat messages on different social media platforms.

“A Facebook profile with female username would chat with many people including the native guys and presented self as one of my friends who isn’t available on any of the social media. The person even shared a photo of my house that almost caught me in a state of extreme mental depression. I am unable to report it anywhere and talk about it even with my family members,” she said.

Another girl who wished not to be named said that most of the girls are in state of dispersion and suffering badly because they are unable the give voice to what they’re made to undergo even maximum fear to report about it.

She said if the girls raise voice or report about, it puts their dignity at stake and at the same time such incidents are happening at an alarming rate.

The girls have demanded that there should be a proper medium for reporting where their name remains anonymous as such incidents where girls are made the victims by misuse of social media tarnishes their image.

They demanded that a separate reporting cell be established so that such indents don’t go unreported and involved get punished for the crime.

They also suggested that authorities should initiate measures and ensure they come up with necessary mechanism so that girls are encouraged to report about such incidents—(KNO)

Srinagar: The migrant labourers continue to remain stranded in Kashmir as authorities are not making any efforts for their evacuation.

On April 29, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that it has issued an order to state and Union Territories to facilitate inter-state movement of stranded people including migrant labourers in the country.

Since then states have started evacuation of labourers in various parts of the country. However, the non-local labourers stranded in Kashmir said they have been left at the mercy of God.

Shahid Ahmad, 25, a resident of Sapual district of Bihar is stranded at Sopore Degree College along with 300 other co-workers.

“There is no hygiene here. Non-local labourers are not safe of coronavirus here as we are not maintaining distance from others. We are running out of money and all the stock we had brought have exhausted,” he told news agency KINS.

Shahid, a mason by profession has been working in Kashmir for last three years. Last year in August before abrogation of Article 370 he had to leave suddenly Kashmir and came recently for the work.

He has appealed the government to make arrangements to evacuate them to Bihar in view shortage of food and uncertainty about the future.

Similarly, Mohammad Hyder Ali from Marwa Westbengal arrived Kashmir in the first week of March.

“We have been left at the mercy of God. Nobody is approaching us. Why are we not being evacuated like other labourers in rest of the country,” he asked.

He has been lodged at a government accommodation at Lassipora Pulwama. He has been coming to Kashmir in the last six-years. Last year in August before abrogation of Article 370 he had to leave suddenly Kashmir and came back in first week of March.

Another labourer Suresh Kumar of West Bengal who too is stuck in south Kashmir said government has asked non-local labourers to make online registration on Labour Department website who want to go to their respective states.

“Nobody approached us. Nobody is concerned about us. We are running short of money. Even internet is not working then how can we make online registrations,” he said.

As per the MHA notification, the states and Union Territories should designate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving an sending such stranded persons. The nodal authorities shall also register the stranded persons within their states and UTs. “But we don’t know whom should we contact neither anyone has asked us for any details,” they said.

An official at Divisional Commissioner Kashmir office said few districts have started a process for registering non-local labourers for evacuation.
“Some migrant labourers have resumed their work in Kashmir.

Those who want to move back to their states should apply online on the Labour Department’s website. Registration process will take some time then only evacuation will be started,” he added.

The migrant labourers are estimated to make up 80% of the Valley’s construction workforce.(KINS)

Srinagar: Three nurses, one doctor and a sweeper are among 15 people who have been tested positive for the coronavirus at Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, creating a scare among the staff members and the patients over the spread of the virus.
This all started on April 29 when a patient who was admitted in plastic surgery ward tested positive. After which he was referred to the Chest Disease Hospital.

Surprisingly, 10 patients and their attendants who were in the same ward where the patient was admitted were not quarantined.

“The patients and their attendants should have been quarantined. Since then 15 people have been tested positive including three nurses, one doctor, and sweeper while rest are patients and attendants. The family of the said doctor has also tested positive,” a doctor told news agency KINS.

Two people who were tested positive at the hospital also died.
The doctor claimed the hospital administration did not show any concern to contain the spread of virus. “They took things lightly. Even patients were not screened for COVID-19 prior to their admission. The hospital was not properly sanitised,” the doctor said.

On May 8, a 70-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital. His attendant son according to the doctor got infected in the hospital after coming in contact with a couple of other attendants. He died within 24 hours after admitted to the hospital. Four days later, his father also became victim of the deadly disease.

“When the patient was admitted he was COVID-19 suspect because of some symptoms. But hospital administration told us that we should treat him as non-COVID till his reports came. We were not given any protective gear. One of the nurses who tested positive had come in contact with the said patient. The nurse also resided in the hostel for days and shared a room with other nurses despite she had brought into the notice of the hospital administration she had come in with a positive case. We were not provided personal protective equipment despite our repeated requests,” a nurse at Super Speciality Hospital claimed.

At least 40 staff members who have come in contact with COVID patients have been sent into quarantine. Maximum among them are nurses.
“Why 15 people including nurses and doctors of the non-COVID hospital tested positive? Why not in hospitals where coronavirus patients are being treated,” the nurse asked.

The nurse said the GMC Srinagar administration block has been shut after a clerk tested positive there.

“But 15 cases have been tested positive here but hospital has not been declared contaminated. I don’t care about myself as being young I can fight it out if gets infected. But what about my old parents if they get infected because of me who are already immune compromised,” the nurse asked.

The super-specialty hospital provides facilities such as neurology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, oncology, plastic surgery and others. So far urology and gastroenterology wards have been shut and new admissions to plastic surgeon department have been stopped.
Another nurse claimed that hospital administration was risking their lives.

“The infection has already transmitted in the hospital. We are vulnerable to catch infection. There is an isolation ward but there is no cabin and separate washroom,” another nurse said.

The nurse said government should provide them a hotel where they can stay after hospital duty instead of going home. “Who will like to infect their families,” they asked.

They protested on Monday against the authorities for not sending them into quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak. They were also joined by resident doctors, registrars, security guards, demanding personal protection equipment (PPEs), and accommodation for the front line workers.

Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Samia Rashid claimed that administration was addressing the issues of staff members of Super Specialty Hospital. “Administration has taken measures to contain virus from spread,” she said. (KINS)

21 more positive cases reported Kashmir, 20 from Anantnag and 01 from Kulgam.

Taking toll to 955, out of which 455 have recovered and death toll stands 11

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir reported a fresh Covid-19 death on Wednesday. This time the death occurred in Jammu city. It is the second Covid-19 death in Jammu. Earlier, an elderly woman from Udhampur had died due to its lethal infection. Kashmir has already witnessed 9 deaths so for.

Reports said that a septuagenarian from Preet Nagar died at his home. After his death, his family members shifted him to Government Medical College Jammu, where after taking his samples, he was declared Covid-19 positive.

Confirming that the deceased was a Covid-19 infected, Dr Dara Singh, Medical Superintendent Government Medical College Jammu said that body has been handed over to family after following proper Covid-19 protocol.

Out of the total 90 positive cases in the Jammu region, there are now 34 active positive cases, while 55 have recovered, while, besides today’s victim, a woman has lost her battle to the deadly virus. (KNT)