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Srinagar: For the first time since 1948, there was no holiday and official function to commemorate the martyrs’ day in Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the official function to commemorate the martyr’s days was not held as the official holiday of July 13 in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir was omitted after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A in August last year.

A senior official said that in December last year, the list of gazetted holidays had no mention of martyr’s days on July 13, which was observed in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir to pay homage to July 13 , 1931 martyr’s.

Regional political parties used to pay homage to the martyrs on this day while the successive governments would organize official functions to commemorate this day in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir would commemorate July 13 as martyrs’ day and chief minister, ministers and DGPs used to pay tributes at the official programmes across the then state of J&K.

However, following the revocation of Article 370 on August 5 last year, the government had issued a list of gazetted holidays for the newly carved Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir wherein July 13 was omitted from the list.

The then prime minister of J&K, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, had declared July 13 as martyrs’ day in memory of those who revolted against the Dogra rule on July 13, 1931. Twenty-two people were killed in the protest against the then Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh.

December 5, the birth anniversary of former J&K Prime Minister Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was also omitted from the list of official holidays in December last year.

In the new list of gazetted holidays, the government, however, declared October 26 as a gazetted holiday. On this day in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the “Instrument of Accession” with the dominion of India.

Meanwhile, National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference (PC), CPI (M) and Apni Party paid tributes to the July 13 martyr’s by issuing party statements—(KNO)

Asma Shakeel tops the list with 98.20% followed by Madiha with 97.60% & Maira with 97.20%

Srinagar: Delhi Public School Srinagar continued its successful legacy by attaining a 100% result in the CBSE Class 12th results declared today. Out of 268 candidates who appeared in the examination, 82% scored more than 80%, while 30% scored more than 91%.

The three toppers in order of merit are: Asma Shakeel (98.2%), Madiha (97.6%) and Maira Fatima Simnani (97.2%). Each of them credited the school for their success. Speaking on the role of the school, Asma said “The School gave me a platform to hone and refine my potential. It provided me the requisite exposure to not only excel academically, but also to excel at co-curricular activities like debating.”

Madiha echoed her, and said “My teachers guided me throughout the year. Even when the school was closed after August, my teachers were just a call away at any hour.” Maira Fatima also credited the school for her success saying “The school instilled in me the confidence to believe in myself and my potential. I owe my success to my teachers”.

The parents too expressed their gratitude to the school. Speaking on the role of the school, a parent said, “The school has always gone an extra step in providing my child a holistic education. Throughout my child’s education, each teacher took a keen interest in her education and development even when the situation was not conducive to education”. Pertinently, the school has been at the forefront of adopting digital education to minimize loss of education in response to the shut-downs. In the previous academic year, the school compensated for the loss of school time by ensuring special pre-recorded lectures and study material reached the students.

Moreover, the school has relied on a dedicated digital resources and Google classes along with offline multimedia content to ensure that the students don’t suffer from want of schooling. In yet another achievement, Asma Shakeel got a 100% scholarship to Georgetown University, Qatar as well as the very highly competitive and prized South Asia Excellence Award from Nottingham University, England.

The Excellence Award worth 6500 Euros is awarded to only two candidates out of more than 70,000 applicants. Congratulating the students on their stellar success, the Principal Alistair A Freese said “The results prove beyond doubt that the school stands head and shoulders above others in quest of its excellence.

Congratulations to all.” The Chairman Vijay Dhar also extended his congratulations and said “The children have done the whole school proud and proven that trying circumstances can’t defeat the combined will and dedicated effort of students and teachers. I dedicate this success to the school’s never say die attitude in the face of adversity”

Srinagar: For the last few days, administration has issued various orders and statements which have confused the ‘valleyties’ amid COVID-19.
The decisions like reimposing restrictions and at the same time reopening tourism and tourist spots have not gone well with people widely criticising these decisions.

On Saturday evening, the government said that authorities had not taken any decision on reimposing lock down in Kashmir.
However, various district development commissioners issued orders on Sunday reimposing restrictions in various parts of Kashmir.

Srinagar district administration issued an order which says there are restrictions on public movement and activities imposed in 88 areas notified as COVID-19 red zones in Srinagar after a sharp spike in positive cases has been reported in the district in the last couple of weeks.
The concerned authorities have been directed to disallow all kinds of movement and activities in these areas.

“Latest guidelines as notified for management of red zones will be followed in these areas with all respective teams of management and enforcement authorised and equipped with all requisites to implement them in letter and spirit,” it says.

The order reads, “Each red zone will be sealed at 300-500 meters from spots where COVID-19 positive cases have been detected therein. Entries and exits of all these areas will be manned to ensure strict enforcement of restrictions on movement into and out of them.”
The same day, the government announced reopening of tourism from July 14.

“There will be a partial opening of the tourism sector for visitors from outside J&K, limited to tourists arriving by air only. In the view of the Covid related measures, it is felt imperative to put in place a protocol to be followed by the tourists as well the person’s/authorities engaged in the hospitality sector,” the government statement reads.

People believe there was “mismanagement” by the government on how to deal with the situation. “When COVID-19 cases are on the rise, the government still opened public parks and gardens. While on Sunday, the government announced restrictions to be imposed in parts of Kashmir and subsequently announced reopening of tourism. All these things are confusing people,” Bashir Ahmad, a government teacher told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

A Kashmir University professor said, “Government is itself responsible for creating confusion. “On one hand, administration is saying people are not adhering to guidelines while on other side it is opening tourist places and reopening tourism”.(KINS)

Srinagar: While thanking the people of J&K for their support to the administration, Lt Governor Murmu today assured people of J&K that the government will ensure more development than the expectations of people.

“My only expectation with people is to maintain peace and cooperate with administration. I assure them of accountable, efficient and clean administration in J&K,” Murmu said during a candid exclusive chat with wire agency- Kashmir News Service (KNS) at Raj Bhawan here.

The Coronavirus spread threat is still intact. The Spike phase of coronavirus is going on. I appeal to people to follow all guidelines strictly- maintain social distancing, wear masks and come out of their house only when necessary.

“Every person has to take precautions to keep not only themselves safe but for the safety of elderly and children at home,” he said. “Safety and precautions is the only mantra to keep safe from the disease. People should also take care of personal hygiene and have immunity medicines which we distributed through AYUSH. Arogya application should be downloaded in mobile phones so that it gives an idea about the health of a person.”

Lt Governor appealed the religious leaders to repeat their appeals to the people for self-control in these difficult times so that we can win the war against this deadly disease.

Regarding the security of political representatives, he said, “Security is important for all people not only for Panchs and Sarpanchs. We are working on providing security to Panchs and Sarpanchs through a different scheme.

“The threat perception of Panchs and Sarpanchs is being reviewed continuously and wherever required security is provided accordingly. It is the job of the Government to provide security to the public,” he told KNS.

Calling the Bandipira killings unfortunate and blamed misguided people for these killings, he said “I condemn this accident and we will keep trying to provide security to all people,” he said.

On being asked about the criticism by journalists for not consulting them before formulating media policy, he said, “This was reported in media. We will deliberate and discuss this. There is nothing like anti-media policy. Neutrality has been maintained in the policy. There is clearly written about the qualification for renewal, accreditation. Media has an important role everywhere in the World. Media should always play a positive role for betterment of people and make Government accountable.”

Regarding the allegations that development is not taking place even after one year after the nullification of Article 370 which is almost nearing a year, he said, “Development works are going on. We have completed 40 % of languishing projects pending since 2012 in one year only. We are now inaugurating these projects. Power and road macadamization is going on in a big way. For two-three months there was a shortage of labourers and contractors. Now development is going on in full swing and can be witnessed on the ground.”

Lt Governor informed that he has started mass public contact programme in all districts where all groups of people can raise their issues for early redressal while maintaining covid19 SOP, “We will also check on-going public projects in these areas.”

Lt Governor said that Government will soon advertise more than 20000 to 25000 vacancies.

“We have already advertised 10,000 vacancies. A committee was formed for speeding up the process.” (KNS)

Srinagar: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police north Kashmir zone Mohammad Suleiman Chowdhary on Monday said that intelligence inputs suggest that there are 35-40 foreign militants active in parts of north Kashmir, adding that some 16 or 17 local militants are also active.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), DIG north Kashmir while addressing media personnel in Sopore said there are fluctuating reports about active militant operatives in northern Kashmir but as per the reports available at present, nearly 35 to 40 foreign militants are active in northern districts besides 16 or 17 local militants are also active.

He said 35-40 foreign militants who are active in parts of north Kashmir may have infiltrated in last couple of months.

DIG said that four local militants in north Kashmir were active while three among them have been killed with the support of people who have rejected the narrative of militancy.

Chowdhary said that a major threat was averted after three militants affiliated with LeT have been neutralized in Sopore gunfight on Sunday. He said the slain militants were armed with good amount of weapon which could not rule out possible attacks.

“We can’t rule out the possibility of the attack. The arms and ammunition recovered from the slain militants also indicate that they were planning something big. After their killing, a major threat has been averted,” he said.

He added that they have witnessed such things in the past and they are ready to face any kind of challenge.

DIG identified the two among the three slain militants as Usman Bhai and Saifullah, adding, that the identification of the third militant is being ascertained.

“Usman Bhai was involved in the recent attack in model town Sopore in which one CRPF man and a civilian were killed. The duo foreign militants were active here from last two years,” he said.

DIG said that police and other security agencies are trying to ensure no youth will join militant ranks and in this regard efforts are on. “The youth who picked up arms since last year were either killed or arrested while many have been saved from joining the militant ranks,” he said, adding that “We are trying to ensure the youth will not join the militant ranks and people have been cooperating in this regard.”

Meanwhile 5 sector commander of Army, Vivek Narang, who was accompanying the DIG north Kashmir, said that “many of the infiltration attempts have been foiled by the forces along LoC. At present, some 250-300 militants are ready on launch pads to infiltrate but we are ready to foil any design.”

When asked about the investigation being carried out in the killing of BJP leader Wasim Bari, Army commander said that details have already been shared by IGP Kashmir zone, adding that they are investigating every angle of the incident. (KNS)

PTI

Srinagar: Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation early Monday morning in Srigufwara area of Anantnag district following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter around 6:40 am when the hiding militants opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated.

In the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed and incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, were recovered from the site of the encounter, the official said.

He said the search operation in the area was underway.

Srinagar: Experts have sounded an alarm over rising cases of COVID-19, saying Kashmir is heading towards disaster if precautionary measures are not taken.

There has been a steep rise in the COVID patients in Kashmir.

Dr. Naveed Shah, Professor and Head Chest Diseases Hospital said the situation is alarming in Kashmir.

“Earlier we would receive 80 percent asymptomatic patients or with mild symptoms. But presently out of 90 patients admitted at CD Hospital, 65 are on high flow oxygen and two are on ventilators,” he said.

He has cautioned people to take precautionary measures. “We are heading towards disaster if people don’t take precautionary measures. There is no treatment available for COVID. People should wear masks, maintain physical distancing and personal hygiene,” he said.

President Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nasir ul Hassan said people must strictly follow the SOPs issued by experts.

“People are not taking this pandemic seriously which is costing them. We have never seen such kinds of horrific scenes in hospitals. There is no space as hospitals are full of patients. We have designated a portion of SMHS Hospital for Covid patients,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

He said people are primarily responsible for the rise in COVID cases. “They are not following SOPs due to lack of awareness about this deadly virus. Authorities are also responsible for this situation who did not timely inform people and make aware about this virus. To prevent this virus from spreading, the only way out is to impose lockdown again for two weeks,” he added.
Experts have been saying that the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metre from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

Dr Salim Khan, HOD Community Medicine SMHS hospital in his Facebook post said, “The current spike of COVID positive cases with increasing number of moderate to severe cases and ever increasing deaths is in indication that we are moving towards catastrophic phase of no return with considerable quantum of severe morbidity for which our COVID hospitals capacity are getting overwhelmed at this incipient stage which may lead to considerable mortality within and outside hospitals. We need to move beyond rhetoric statistics of available beds as in the coming weeks, if not days, our health set up is going to get compromised. We have very limited resources in the government sector to cater to severe cases with no back up from the fragile private sector.”

He said all designated COVID hospitals are fully occupied with a majority of moderate to severe cases. “CD Hospital Srinagar has over 75% cases with moderate and severe conditions with 5-10% critical. A non-COVID SMHS Hospital has dedicated 4 wards for COVID cases. There’s an urgent need to revisit lockdown relaxation policy and strict re-enforcement of lockdown is essential if we have to salvage our limited health resources. Else, despite all efforts, no effort will be sufficient enough to prevent deaths of vulnerable population,” he added.(KINS)

‘Changing Govt calendars cannot belittle reverence for July 13 brave hearts, shall continue to live in peoples’ hearts’

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday paid glowing tributes to the July 13 martyr, stating that their role in Jammu and Kashmir’s freedom struggle can neither be undone nor can be forgotten.

PDP spokesman has said in a statement that the memory of 13th July martyrs cannot be erased by changing the government calendar of holidays as they will live forever in the hearts and memories of every freedom loving Democrat.

He said that the martyrs laid down their lives for the empowerment of the people of J&K and that it is tragic that the myopic and communal actions of the present government demolished with one stroke on August 5, all the progress that had been achieved in the last seven decades. “The resultant chaos is now showing results that are completely opposite to what had been sold to the people of India at the time of scrapping of state constitution and special status granted by the constitution of India,” said the spokesman.

He said that PDP reiterates its commitment to the objectives of justice, empowerment and democratic rights that the martyrs have laid their lives down for. “Though the July 13 movement had originally started as a campaign for empowerment of Muslims of the then princely state it had later evolved into the most inclusive and secular movements of the pre-independence era. Unfortunately for the present government it became the main target of its agenda of hate. The people will however continue their struggle to resist demographic change, disempowerment, and oppression through democratic, constitutional and non violent means to rebuild the state in accordance with our traditions of tolerance, accommodation and amity,” said the PDP spokesman.

“We reject the undemocratic status quo imposed on us by the BJP government, which has deprived us of our autonomy, freedom and human dignity, which underpin the constitution. We demand an immediate end to Centre’s denial of the political issue. Our people have endured a brutal security clampdown and the world’s longest internet shutdown. Many of our people continue to be unjustifiably held in prisons, despite huge risks to their lives from the Covid-19 pandemic. Our voices have been ignored, our institutions erased. We cannot afford to remain silent any longer. We must act now to restore our dignity and take charge of our own destinies,” says the party.

Spokesman added: “We are proud of our shared identity, the historical, cultural and political bonds that connect our all three regions and various parts on both sides of the Line of Control. Our people have shown remarkable resilience and unity in the face of natural and imposed crises and lockdowns.

Srinagar: Bhartiya Janata Party National General Secretary Ram Madhav Sunday said abrogation of Article 370 was to end “terrorism and anti-national” activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Madhav said, “Some people were promoting anti-national activities and showing wrong path to children. Article 370 was abrogated to end terrorism and anti-national activities in Jammu and Kashmir.”

This he stated at a party workers function here organized in remembrance of slain BJP leader Waseem Bari, who was killed recently.

“These terrorists are targeting party workers and innocent civilians. Solution is to teach a lesson to those (Pakistan) who make them terrorists and export here. Every person is ready to give sacrifice for this country,” he said.

“We won’t spare them who killed Waseem Bari and promote terrorism,” he added.
Earlier, he visited slain BJP leader from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district Waseem Bari’s home and offered condolences with the bereaved family.

“We have come here to offer condolences with the bereaved family and provided them some help. All BJP leaders, workers stand with the party workers of Kashmir. Those who did this act (killed Bari and his father and brother) will be tracked soon and neutralized,” Madhav told reporters.

“We all demand party workers should be given proper security,” he added.
He was accompanied by Union Minister Jitendra Singh and J&K BJP President Ravindar Raina and few other leaders.

Wasim Bari, his father and brother were killed on Wednesday evening outside their home when they were at their shop. Following the incident, 10 of their PSOs were also suspended. (KINS)