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PTI

A 65-year-old woman was killed and another critically injured on Wednesday in heavy shelling by Pakistan Army on forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The shelling from across the border in Balakote and Mendhar sectors started around 2 am, drawing strong retaliation by the Indian army, a police officer said.

He said two women, Resham Bi and Hakam Bi, were critically injured in the Pakistani shelling at village Lanjote and were evacuated to hospital.

However, Resham Bi later succumbed to her injuries while Hakam bi was referred to Jammu hospital for specialised treatment, he said.

A defence spokesperson said Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars at around 2 am.

The cross-border shelling from both sides continued for 45 minutes, the spokesperson said.

The casualties suffered by Pakistan in the retaliatory action was not known immediately, he said.

Srinagar: The spat between suspended IPS officer Basant Rath and DGP Dilbagh Singh has gone rebellious despite action taken by MHA on Wednesday.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), 2000-batch IPS officer and former IGP Traffic Basant Rath tweeted, “Apna tou Kaam hai jalaate rahe chiraag, Rastey mai chahiye Dost ya Dilloo ka ghar miley”.

“It’s our job to keep the lamp burning, whether a friend or foe’s house comes on the way”. The couplet actually written by eminent poet Kaleem Ajizi was edited by IPS officer and replaced “Dilloo” instead of “Dushman” (enemy) in a tweet.

Earlier Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) suspended former IGP (Traffic) Basant Rath in connection with repeated instances of gross misconduct.

An order issued by Under Secretary to the Government of India S D Sarkar reads, “Whereas, a disciplinary proceeding against Shri Basant Rath (IPS: RR 2000, JK) is contemplated in connection with repeated instances of gross misconduct and misbehavior, which have been brought to the notice of the Government”.

“Now, therefore, the Competent Authority in the Ministry of Home Affairs, in exercise of powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-rule (i) of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, hereby places, the said Shri Basant Rath, (IPS: RR: 2000, JK), under suspension with immediate effect”. (KNS)

Srinagar: From past couple of weaks, after goverment decided to lift the restrictions that were imposed after the outbreak of COVID-19, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing steady rise in COVID-19 positive cases and fatalities.

In last less than 15 days, Jammu and Kashmir has reported more than sixty COVID-19 related deaths and around three thousand cases. According to doctors, the situation is worry and they attribute the current situation to the people going out without taking any precautions.

Despite the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities, the government has decided to open parks from today. The experts are concerned about this decision and according to them this move will throw up new challenges to the health department.

The health experts and doctors are unhappy with the policymakers and according to them deadly virus curve has flattened in the previous few weeks due to the failure of authorities. “They (authorities) have failed to ensure that precautions are being used in markets and other public places post unlock,” said a doctor.

“No distancing is being maintained by people, masks are not being used. The sudden rise in fatalities and positive cases is it’s results. We may see more worse situation in upcoming days as authorities have decided to re-open the parks. Tall claims of government have fallen flat. Opening of parks is clearly a wrong decision,” he added.

Youth don’t take precautions, and the rise in facilities is a result of it. “Youth don’t take precautions. They become the carrier of virus to their homes. They infect their elderly parents who are already underlying diseases and then subsequently die,” a doctor posted at SKIMS said.

The data provided by government shows that the virus started to turn deadly in Jammu and Kashmir after the government’s decision to remove restrictions. The official data available shows that in the first three months after the outbreak of virus, 51 fatalities were reported. On July 2, J&K saw the highest single-day spike of 10 deaths.

The highest fatalities have been reported from Srinagar, 35, followed by 28 from Baramulla, 17 from Kulgam, 14 from Shopian, 12 from Anantnag, 10 from Budgam, 7 from Kupwara, 4 from Pulwama, 3 from Bandipora, 1 from Ganderbal, 8 from Jammu, 2 from Doda, and 1 each from Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua and Udhampur.

Our E-commerce sector is on ventilator since 5th August and has suffered immense losses. Nobody is raising voice in favour of businesses which are constantly being driven into losses. It is estimated that more than 10000 business proprietors are associated with e-commerce in valley and have been ignored by and large by everyone.

We, the associated members have tried to find and give work to thousands of the people and helped in reducing the burden on state departments in conditions when job availability is miniscule and unemployment rate is rising.

It is high time to lend support to the ventures by giving them chances to grow rather than giving free hand and access only to mega giants like myntra, amazon, flipkart etc. The products that are developed and are unique as far as the cultural association of the products is concerned are not finding markets due to unavailability of resources and frequent data barring.

Since now the conditions have more or less stabilised, it is the need of hour to give support and lend a helping hand to these businesses for the greater good of community

PTI

Jammu: Some villagers were booked for organising a bull race in violation of the social distancing norms in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Tuesday, police said.

According to Rajouri SSP Chandan Kohli, a few residents of Derian village had organised the race leading to a huge gathering of people despite the prohibitory orders imposed to check the spread of coronavirus.

The case in this regard has been registered at Rajouri police station and an investigation is underway, the senior superintendent of police said.

People are requested not to indulge in such violations of norms, Kohli added.

PTI

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced that all the parks and gardens in the union territory will be thrown open to the public from Wednesday.

Advisor to the J-K Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan made the announcement on Tuesday, an official spokesperson said.

Khan, however, stressed that all the people should strictly observe the protocols and medical advice related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He requested the people to wear face masks, use hand sanitizers and maintain social distancing norms both inside and outside these places.

Khan also directed the authorities to penalize those found violating the precautionary measures.

Officials informed Khan that there will be thermal screening of people at the entry gates of gardens and parks.

They also told the advisor that hand sanitizers would be made available for the use of visitors in the park and gardens.

PTI

Srinagar: An overground worker of Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit has been arrested from Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Tuesday.

“The police in Sopore along with security forces have arrested a terrorist associate linked to proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT),” a police spokesman said.

He said a joint team of police, Army and CRPF established a checkpoint at Sangrama crossing and arrested Sajad Ahmad Khan, a resident of Uri.

Incriminating material, including arms and ammunitions, have been recovered from his possession, the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, the Army busted a militant hideout in Uri area of Baramulla district on Tuesday.

An Army official said the troops launched a search operation close to the Line of Control at Maidan Nala in Uri sector.

“A cache of arms and ammunition, including three AK 56 rifles and two pistols with magazines, were recovered,” he said.

PTI

Leh: In a significant development, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council here on Tuesday allotted 103.75 acre of land along the Indus river among 98 families of Stakna village, an official spokesperson said.

The Chairman, LAHDC, Leh Gyal P Wangyal allotted plot numbers to 98 families through a draw of lots in the presence of senior BJP leader and Member Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, he said.

Wangyal expressed happiness over the allotment of ‘Srongpey Rantak’ land in favour of Stakna villagers and said the “historic day” fulfilled one of the oldest demands of the locals.

He urged people to make full use of the allotted land by converting it into a green patch in the shortest time.

He assured all support from the Hill Council Leh in providing irrigation and other required facilities in future.

MP Namgyal thanked the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh for fulfilling the long-pending demand of the locals and said “such remarkable decision initiated by area councillors and land distribution committee will be cherished and remembered by the coming generations of the village as such developments will give our posterity a better and sustainable life”.

He urged people to make the best use of the allotted land and said that projects like the Mission Organic Development Initiative will also prove beneficial for such land.

Highlighting some major achievements of the village, including completion of a bridge over the Indus river, the BJP leader said about Rs 1 crore is proposed under a centrally-sponsored scheme to provide drinking water facilities to the village.