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  • Kashmir’s ‘fun face’ is no more

    Srinagar: Actor and comedian Shadi Lal Kaul passed away after brief illness on Sunday wee hours. He was 65.

    Known for his acting, Kaul was widely respected fellow who is still by the name of his roles he played in Television Serials.

    Shadi Lal Kaul, was born in Kani Kadal area of Srinagar city who migrated to Jammu in 1990’s.

    “After the most difficult week fighting to survive my loving dad, Mr Shadi Lal Kaul passed away. He breathed his last today morning at 2:45am. Family friends stayed by his side caring for him. We held his hands and walked with him to the end,” wrote Vijay in a moving post for his father.

    Born in a middle-class family, Shadi Lal Kaul was a self-taught man.

    Together with his friend Ayaash Aarif (actor and director), he founded Kali Dass Theatre in Srinagar. He also joined Abdul Rahim Kuchhay and founded Yasmeen Dramatic Club or his Nukkad Theatre in Kashmir.

    He became a house hold name after his scintillating performance in Doordarshan serial ‘Shab Rang’ in which he played the role of Shamsuddin. Hundreds of people know Shadi Lal Koul still by the name of Shamsuddin in Kashmir. He was a talented actor who always gave life to the character he played.

    The most of roles, he played in different television serials like Amaar, Adam Zaad, Pazar Yeli Muod, Pagah Sholi Duniya, Anjaam, Ghulam Begam Badshah, Jetti Wanai, Naav Daar Aab, Soada, Treti Buzun , Cherry Truck and Gaash Pholnas Taam and so on were inspired by the years he spend with his neighbours and friends in Kashmir valley.

    His work has earned him a huge fan base, appreciation, regard and love. He was widely respected and loved by people in Kashmir. (KNT)

  • Drug Smuggling | BSF Jawan Arrested

    PTI

    BSF jawan posted along International Border in Jammu arrested by police in drug smuggling case: Officials

  • Kashmir heading for ‘catastrophic phase’ of COVID-19: Nodal Officer

    Call for re-imposition of lockdown gains support from several quarters

    Jammu and Kashmir recorded at least nine deaths caused by COVID-19 on Saturday. A 24-year-old woman from Hakura, Anantnag, who recently delivered a baby, was among them.

    “Spike in symptomatic COVID-19 positive cases, with increasing number of moderate to severe cases, is an indication of Kashmir moving towards a catastrophic phase of no return, with considerable quantum of severe morbidity,” Dr. Salim Khan, Nodal Officer for COVID-19, and Head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, said.

    Officials said four special wards set up at the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital, Srinagar, had become full within days. “Our COVID-19 hospitals’ capacity is getting overwhelmed. The health set-up is going to get compromised due to the limited resources in the government sector to cater to severe cases, with no back-up from the fragile private sector,” Dr. Khan said.

    According to the numbers recorded at the Chest Disease (CD) Hospital, the main government-run COVID-19 facility, out of 90 COVID-19 patients admitted, 65 were dependent on high flow oxygen, 10 were in the Intensive Care Unit, and two were on ventilators. At the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, out of 90 admitted patients, the condition of five patients is “severe”.

    “The CD Hospital has over 75% cases with moderate and severe conditions, with 5-10% of them in a critical condition. There is an urgent need for strict re-enforcement of lockdown to salvage the situation,” Dr. Khan said.

    Srinagar, with around 1,600 COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths, tops the list of districts affected by infections in Jammu and Kashmir, followed by Baramulla with around 1,200 cases. The recovery rate has fallen from 63% a week ago to around 58%, official figures suggest.

    J&K has recorded over 9,000 COVID-19 positive cases so far in a population of just 1.3 crore. With 170 deaths reported already, the mortality rate could be higher than many States in the country.

    Meanwhile, the district administrations of Rajouri, Kupwara and Baramulla have decided to re-impose lockdown measures again in the wake of the spike in cases.

    “The demand for re-imposition of lockdown is coming from various sections of society, including doctors, paramedics, some traders and other sections. The final call will be taken by the competent authority soon. So far, the government has not taken any decision over the issue,” Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P. K. Pole was quoted by a local news agency.

    Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, on Saturday called for “aggressive testing of co-morbid persons and strict enforcement of restrictions in containment zones to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus in J&K”.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • 55-year-old arrested in Bhopal for allegedly raping cow

    The shameful incident happened on July 4 at around 4 am when the man went to a dairy in Sundar Nagar and allegedly performed unnatural sex with a cow.

    Bhopal: In a horrifying incident of bestiality, a 55-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a cow at a dairy in Sundar Nagar in Bhopal. According to the police, the shameful incident happened on July 4 at around 4 am when the man went to a dairy in Sundar Nagar and allegedly performed unnatural sex with a cow.

    The incident came to light after the cops examined the CCTV footage of the area.

    “On July 4, a man named Sabir Ali, 55 entered a diary in Sundar Nagar. The dairy owner Ram Yadav caught him but later allowed him to go. The next day, Yadav checked CCTV footage and found Ali doing an unnatural act (sex) with the cow,” Alok Srivastava, Ashoka Garden Police Station In-Charge, Bhopal told ANI.

    “Yadav has filed a complaint in the police station and Sabir Ali has been booked under Section 377. He has been arrested,” he said.

    In a similar incident 2 months back, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered after a man identified as Samar Khan raped a cow in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh. A video of the alleged incident had gone viral on social media.

    Another horrifying and gut-wrenching case of bestiality had emerged from Kerala’s Kannur in March this year, where a 33-year-old reportedly man raped a cow and tortured it to death.

  • Sopore gunfight: One militant killed, operation ON

    Sopore: One militant was killed in an ongoing encounter that raged between forces and militants in Gulshan Abad Reban village of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said.

    Official sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that an encounter broke out between militants and government forces after contingents of Army’s 22 RR, SOG Sopore and 179 BN  of CRPF, 177 BN, 92 BTN, Baramulla QRT and Police cordoned off the Reban village.

    As the forces intensified the searches, the hiding militants in the area opened fire, resulting in a gunfight.

    Officials said that one militant has been killed in the gunfight while the operation is going on—(KNO)

  • Don’t take voters for granted; even Indira, Atal had lost: Pawar

    PTI

    Mumbai: Taking aim at the BJP, NCP president Sharad Pawar has said that politicians should not take voters for granted as even powerful leaders like Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been defeated in elections.

    Criticising former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his ‘Mi punha yein’ (I will come back) refrain during the last year’s assembly polls, Pawar said that voters thought that this stance smacked of arrogance and felt that they should be taught a lesson.

    Pawar also said that that there was not an “iota of truth” in reports about differences in the three ruling allies- Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress- that are part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

    The former Union minister said this in an interview by Shiv Sena leader and Executive Editor of party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’. The first of the three-part interview series was published in the Marathi daily on Saturday.

    This is for the first time that a non-Shiv Sena leader has featured in a marathon interview series in the party mouthpiece. It has so far published marathon interviews of late Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray.

    Replying to a query over BJP’s defeat in the last assembly polls in the state, Pawar said, “In a democracy, you cannot think that you will remain in power eternally. Voters will not tolerate if they are taken for granted. Powerful leaders mass base with like Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been defeated.

    “It means that in terms of the democratic rights, the common man is wiser than the politicians. If we politicians cross the line, he teaches us a lesson. Therefore, people do not like the stand that ‘we will come back to power’,” he said.

    “No politician should take people for granted. Nobody should take a stand that he would return to power. People thought that this stand smacks of arrogance and hence feeling grew among them that they should be taught a lesson,” Pawar said.

    He said the change of government in Maharashtra was not an accident.

    “People of Maharashtra voted in line of the sentiment prevailing in the country during the national elections. But the mood changed during the assembly polls. Even though BJP did well in the Lok Sabha polls, it fared poorly in assembly elections in different states. Even people of Maharashtra voted for a change,” he said.

    Replying to a query over his reported differences with CM Thackeray on the lockdown in the state, Pawar said, “Absolutely not. What differences? For what? During the entire period of lockdown, I have had excellent communication with the chief minister and continue to do so.”

    Pawar, who played a key role in bringing together the Sena, Congress and NCP for formation of government in the state in November last year, blamed the media and said sarcastically that the news gathering activity had been hit by the coronavirus-induced lockdown and they had the responsibility to fill the pages of newspapers.

    “I have been reading reports of growing differences among the three allies, but there is not an iota of truth in that,” he said.

    Speaking about the style of functioning of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, Pawar said, “Although Balasaheb was never in the seat of power, he was the driving force behind the power. He got power in Maharashtra due to his ideology.

    “Today, the government is not because of the ideology.

    But the responsibility of implementing that power now lies with Uddhav Thackeray,” he said.

  • COVID-19: Three more patients die at SKIMS, toll reaches at 174

    Srinagar: Three more patients who were tested positive for Covid-19 have died at SKIMS, taking the total number of  deaths in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to 174.

    Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that three patients who died at SKIMS include an 80-year-old woman from Budoo Kulgam, a 47-year-old woman from Kulgam and a 60-year-old male from Gulab Bagh Srinagar.

    Dr Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent at SKIMS said that the elderly woman from Budoo, Kulgam who was admitted on 26th June expired at 01:50 am due to Cardiopulmonary arrest.

    He said the patient was suffering from Community acquired pneumonia, ADHf and other ailments.

    Professor Jan added that the 47-year-old woman from Kulgam who was admitted on 10th July died at 02:20 am due to Cardiopulmonary arrest.

    “The patient was suffering from hypertension, diabetes, pneumonia and other ailments,” he said.

    Dr Jan further added that the elderly male from Gulab Bagh, Srinagar who was admitted on 09th July and tested positive on Saturday died at 03:25 am due to Cardiopulmonary arrest.

    He said the patient was suffering from community acquired pneumonia and other ailments.

    With three more deaths, the death toll related to Covid-19 has reached to 174 including 157 from Kashmir division and 17 from Jammu division—(KNO)

  • No decision taken on reimposing lock down yet: Admin

    Srinagar: Administration on Saturday said that authorities were yet to take any decision on reimposing lock down in Kashmir.

    “There is a concern for non-adherence to mask and social distance measures in cities. Many persons expressed concern, demanded lock down. Govt has seized the matter and will decide over it,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

    His late evening statement came as some people have been posting on social media that administration has announced lock down and creating panic.

    “Government is considering to reimpose lockdown. A final decision will be taken within 24 hours. No decision has been taken so far,” a senior official told KINS.

    Earlier during the day, District Development Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Chowdhary in a live interaction with a journalist said the government will hold a review meeting tonight.

    “A decision will be taken within 24 hours over reimposing of lockdown. People have to decide whether they want lockdown or they wear masks, maintain social distancing and personal hygiene,” he said.

    He however said every stakeholder is being taken on board before taking a decision.(KINS)

  • COVID-19: Panic grips J&K as 11 die in a day, highest since pandemic outbreak

    Five women among deceased, toll 171; 17 from Jammu region, 154 from Kashmir

    Srinagar: A fresh wave of fear gripped Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday after the deadly virus claimed nine lives in a single day including five women, taking the total number of people, who died due to Covid-19 to 169 in the UT.

    Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that nine patients who died due to the Covid-19 include a 73-year-old male from  Pattan, Baramulla,  55-year-old man from Bari Brahmana, Jammu, 45-year-old man from Trehgam, Kupwara, 24-year-old woman from Anantnag, 50-year-old man Baghat-e-Kanipora, Budgam, 65-year-old woman from Habba Kadal Srinagar, 70-year-old woman from Nuner, Ganderbal, 56-year-old woman from Shalimar and 77- year-old man from Hyderpora Srinagar, 58-year-old man from RS Pura,  Jammu, 70-year-old female from Magam, Handwara in Kupwara district, 58-year-old male from RS Pura, Jammu.

    “Among nine patients, four including 73-year-old man from Pattan, Baramulla, 77-year-old man from Hyderpora, Srinagar, 70-year-old woman from Nuner, Ganderbal and 56-year-old woman from Shalimar died at SKIMS hospital, two patients including 24-year-old woman from Hakoora, Anantnag and 50-year-old man from Baghat-e-Kanipora died at SMHS hospital, two patients including 45-year-old male from Trehgam, Kupwara and 65-year-old woman from Habba Kadal, Srinagar died at CD hospital and 55-year-old male from Bari, Brahmana Jammu died at GMC Jammu,” the officials said.

    Dr Farooq Jan Medical Superintendent at SKIMS told KNO that a 73 year old Covid-19 positive male from Pattan, Baramulla, who was admitted on July 9, died at SKIMS on Saturday afternoon.

    He said that the patient was suffering from COPD with Pancytopenia with bilateral lung infiltrates.

    He said that a 77-year-old man from Hyderpora, Srinagar who was very sick and was on a ventilator in IDB block died at 7:45 am. “Patient was a case of Carcinoma Urinary Bladder and was admitted with bilateral pneumonia with ARDS,” he added.

    Prof. Jan said that a 70-year-old woman from Nuner Ganderbal who was admitted on Friday died at SKIMS on Saturday at 12:30 pm and was tested positive after death. He said that the patient was suffering from bilateral pneumonia, type 1 respiratory failure and other ailments.

    Jan further added that a 56-year-old woman from Shalimar who was admitted on 06 July and tested positive for Covid-19 died on Saturday at 05:10 pm due to cardiopulmonary arrest. “He said that the patient was suffering from bilateral pneumonia, hypertension and diabetes,” he said.

    Dr Nazir Choudhary, Medical Superintendent at SMHS said that a 24-year-old woman from Hakura, Anantnag who was admitted on 03 July died at SMHS on Friday late night.

    He said that the patient was referred from Lal Ded hospital after she had caesarean delivery and the patient was kept on ventilator, however, she had intracranial hemorrhage due to high blood pressure and died while her male baby is fine.

    He said that a patient from Baghat-e- Kanipora died a few hours, he was admitted at SMHS and was tested positive after death. “Patient was suffering from bilateral pneumonia and other ailments,” Dr Choudhary said.

    Dr Salim Tak, Medical Superintendent at CD hospital told KNO that a 45-year-old man from Trehgam, Kupwara, who was referred from SMHS after testing positive for Covid-19 on 04 July died at CD Hospital on Saturday.

    The patient was very sick and was suffering from bilateral pneumonia, hypertension and other ailments, he said. He said that a 65-year-old woman from Habba Kadal who was admitted on 08 July died at CD hospital on Saturday afternoon.  “The patient was suffering from bilateral pneumonia, hypertension and ailments,” he said.

    Dr Dara Singh Medical Superintendent at GMC Jammu said that a 55-year-old man from Bari Brahmana, who was admitted on June 29 died at GMC on Saturday afternoon. He said that the patient was suffering from diabetes, Carcinoma bladder and other ailments. The 10th death was reported late evening at SMHS Srinagar 70-year-old female patient from Magam, Handwara, Kupwara,who was admitted on July 9. “Her sample was taken on July 09 and she died today morning. Her samples returned as positive for the virus,” Dr Nazir, Medical Superintendent SMHS told KNO.

    The 11th death was reported from R S Pura, Jammu. A doctor at GMC Jammu said that the 58-year-old male from RS Pura, Jammu, was suffering from hypertension, liver disease and repiratory problem. “He was tested positive for the Covid-19,” said a doctor at GMC Jammu.

    With 11 more deaths, the death toll related to Covid-19 has reached 171 in J&K including 17 from Jammu division and 154 from Kashmir division. Srinagar district with 43 deaths has the highest fatalities followed by Baramulla (32), Kulgam (18), Shopian (16), Anantnag (14), Budgam (11), Jammu (10), Kupwara (10), Pulwama (5), Bandipora (3), two each in Doda and GAnderbal while one death each has been reported from Poonch, Udhampur, Rajouri and Kathua—(KNO)

  • ‘If people won’t follow health guidelines in spirit, lockdown to be re-imposed for longer period’

    Srinagar: Amid spike in the number of COVID cases in Srinagar, a high-level meeting was chaired by the district administration on Saturday wherein the surge in the Coronavirus cases was discussed.

    The meeting was attended by the administrative, police officials and other stakeholders.

    Reliable sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a high-level meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary.

    Sources said that it was told during the meeting that the contacts of positive cases, which are being tested positive, have also gone up. “During the period of lockdown, one or two contacts of any positive case were being tested positive. But, after the relaxation in the lockdown, at least 15-20 contacts of a positive case are being detected positive in many instances ,” the meeting as per sources discussed.

    They further said that the meeting also stated that the cases are witnessing a surge in the district as being the busiest place, people from other districts also visit here and majority of the people are not following the health advisories.

    Srinagar’s high number of cases also includes huge numbers from other districts referred to tertiary care hospitals for advance treatment and testing positive here during mandatory testing before medical procedures, the meeting as per the sources said.

    Meanwhile, officials told KNO that the people need to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in letter and spirit to help in reducing the number of positive cases. “The people have two options. Either to follow the health guidelines in spirit or to witness another lockdown, which will be for a longer period,” they said.

    Officials said if the people follow the health guidelines in spirit, the cases will go down in the district, but if they will not follow the advisories, the administration will be compelled to announce a lockdown for a longer period to prevent the deadly virus from spreading.

    Pertinently, Srinagar has topped the list of COVID cases as the toll of active cases has gone up to 1012. From Sunday, the district has recorded 456 COVID cases in Srinagar—(KNO)