New Delhi: The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the highest decision-making body on Covid-19-related issues, will on Thursday meet to review the Covid-19 situation in the national capital and to discuss demands by the traders to lift the weekend curfew and odd-even rule for opening shops.

The traders’ fraternity wrote to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, under whose leadership the meeting will take place, regarding the same.

The meeting is scheduled for 12.30 pm and is likely to be attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. An official source earlier said that the government is also likely to take a call on the reopening of schools from February depending on the vaccination status of students by the end of this month.

Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), secretary-general, Praveen Khandelwal said the retail trade in Delhi has suffered a loss of about 70 per cent in the last 25 days due to the restrictions. Non-vaccinated persons should not be allowed to move out of their home, whereas on the other hand, the odd-even system and weekend lockdown should be abolished, Khandelwal said in the letter. Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) chairman Brijesh Goyal, too, on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Baijal requesting him to ease restrictions for traders.

Nearly 20 lakh traders of the city are troubled due to the weekend curfew and odd-even restrictions on shops. Covid-19 cases have come down considerably in Delhi, Goyal stated in the memorandum asking the lieutenant governor to consider the traders’ demands during the Thursday meeting.

Last week, the Delhi government had proposed lifting the weekend curfew and ending the odd-even scheme for opening shops in view of the Covid-19 situation but Baijal suggested maintaining status quo on the restrictions till the situation improved further.

The LG office, however, had approved the government’s proposal to allow private offices to function with 50 per cent staff strength. “Now since the cases are going down and it also seems that the peak has gone, we want to ensure that the public’s livelihood continues smoothly. We have proposed to do away with weekend curfew and also with the odd-even arrangement of opening of shops in markets,” Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said.

The weekend curfew is implemented at 10 pm on Friday and continues till Monday 5 am. The decision to impose weekend curfew was taken by the DDMA on January 1 due to rise in coronavirus cases in the national capital. A night curfew during weekdays is already in place from 10 pm to 5 am. (Agencies)

Seeks cooperation of people to restore peace in South Kashmir

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based army’s 15 Corps Lieutenant General D P Pandey Wednesday said that southern district of Pulwama has indeed shown a decline in militancy related incidents but the district continues to see local militant recruitment on the rise.

He said that in the ensuing year, the army believes that Pulwama will see further dip in local militant recruitment.

The GoC was on a visit to southern districts of Shopian and Pulwama on the eve of 73rd Republic Day. He met senior citizens and traders in these twin districts of South Kashmir.

Talking to media persons at Shopian, the GoC said that people of Kashmir want peace and not militancy. “Militancy related incidents are declining and we believe they will further go down in the ongoing year,” he said.

The army officer said that if the number of militants and militancy related incidents decline, it will provide more opportunities to local youth to make their future.

“Time has come when people have to choose the path of peace and stability,” he said, adding that the people of South Kashmir like those of north Kashmir have realized the effects of militancy.

The GoC said that wrong narrative is being taught to children and wherever it happens, youth are bound to choose wrong path “as it is easy way out and just a glamour.”

“Youth are picking guns because of unemployment but wrong path is being shown to them,” Pandey said. He said that the situation was getting better as people, especially youth have understood that taking the path of militancy was wrong.

He said that militancy related incidents have declined in Pulwama but “local militant recruitment continues to be on the rise.” “We believe this (local militant recruitment) will also go down in the ongoing area,” the GoC said and sought people’s cooperating in bring peace and development in southern districts of Kashmir. (KNO)

Srinagar: Lieutenant General DP Pandey led the Chinar Corps in paying glowing tributes to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at Chinar Corps War Memorial in a solemn ceremony on the occasion of Republic Day,  a statement issued by the Army said.

Speaking on the occasion, the General Officer Commanding 15 Corps said that upholding the constitution is primary to Chinar Corps.

He exhorted all ranks to take inspiration from the devotion, resoluteness and sacrifices of the brave hearts and be prepared for all future challenges.

He also complimented the awardees for their outstanding service to the nation.

This year, 103 Chinar Corps warriors have been awarded for their bravery and meritorious service. The awards include one Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, three Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, three Shaurya Chakras, four Yudh Seva Medals, 73 Sena Medals, three Vishisht Seva Medals and 16 Mentioned in Despatches.

The GOC conveyed his good wishes for continued success to all ranks, veterans, defence civilian employees and families of Chinar Corps. (UNI)

Srinagar: Three soldiers were critically injured in the ongoing gunfight in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said.

They said that two soldiers suffered bullet injuries as soon as the gunfight started between militants and a joint team of police and army in Nowgam area of the district.  Later one more soldier suffered injuries.

A police officer said that the trio was shifted to army’s 92 base hospital here and condition of two of them is stated to be “critical.” The soldiers have been identified as Somveer Kumar, Lance Naik Mayank Singh and lance Naik Sunil Kumar.

The encounter had ensued after Police and army launched the cordon and search operation amid information about the presence of the militants this evening.

As the joint team approached towards the suspected spot, the officials said, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off the gunfight, they said.

A police officer said that operation may take some time. He said firing has stopped for now even as tight cordon continues. (GNS)

New Delhi: The internal rift in the Congress party has surfaced again after party’s senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was conferred Padma Bhushan award while the G-23 leaders are in congratulatory note to the former Rajya Sabha leader of opposition, there has been no reaction from the party compelling Kapil Sibal to criticise over silence.

Deputy leader of Congress in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma tweeted, “Heartiest congratulations to Ghulam Nabi ji for well deserved recognition of his lifelong enriching contribution to public service and Parliamentary democracy.”

Manish Tewari, MP, too wished him. “I congratulate Ghulam Nabi Azad on being conferred the Padma Bhushan for his public Service. It is a well deserved recognition.”

Raj Babbar also congratulated him, “Congratulations @ghulamnazad Sahab! You’re like an elder brother and your impeccable public life & commitment to Gandhian ideals have always been an inspiration. The #PadmaBhushan is an ideal recognition of 5 decades of your meticulous service to the nation.”

Incidentally all the three leaders — Sharma, Babbar, Tewari and Kapil Sibal are part of the group that wrote letter to Sonia Gandhi for an effective leadership and demanded party reforms. However, the silence in the Congress setup indicates that party is unhappy over the new development.

Though there has been no official reaction from Azad except thank you messages to tweets, he did tweet when news circulated that he has changed his Twitter bio, “Some mischievous propaganda being circulated by some people to create confusion. Nothing has been removed or added to my twitter profile. The profile is as it was earlier.”

The Congress seems divided on the Padma Bhushan award conferred to its leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. Party leader Kapil Sibal has come in open support of Azad after cryptic tweets by Jairam Ramesh.

Sibal tweeted, “Ghulam Nabi Azad conferred Padam Bhushan, Congratulations bhaijan, Ironic that the Congress doesn’t need his services when the nation recognises his contributions to public life”.

After the announcement of Padma awards, Jairam Ramesh taking a cue from the rejection by West bengal former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, took a dig at his party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad, who has also been awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Ramesh tweeted on Bhattacharya’s refusal to accept the award: “Right thing to do. He wants to be Azad not Ghulam.”

The comment was indirectly aimed at his party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was conferred the Padma Bhushan in the field of Public Affairs.

Azad is also a former Union minister and till recently, he was the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Azad was one of the first in the Congress to stoke the leadership issue in the party.

Former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, on Tuesday refused to accept the Padma Bhushan award conferred upon him by the government of India. (IANS)

Congratulates personnel for winning 115 gallantry awards

Srinagar: Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah Wednesday congratulated Jammu and Kashmir police personnel for winning the highest number of gallantry awards, 115 in number on the Republic Day.

In his series of tweets, Amit Shah said that J&K police has been spearhead of India’s fight against militancy and this achievement today is a reflection of their valour and commitment.

On this momentous achievement, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government always stands committed to recognizing and honoring brave police personnel.

Srinagar: On the occasion of the country’s 73rd Republic Day, the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps in collaboration with Punit Balan Group unfurled the Tricolour after installing a 150 feet tall flagpole at Shopian in South Kashmir.

“The event ushered in a new milestone in the history of South Kashmir with the installation of the highest flagpole in entire Jammu and Kashmir. The second highest flagpole is also located at Shopian,” the Army said.

The foundation stone was laid on October 18, 2021 at the Army Goodwill School, Balapur.

During the inauguration ceremony, the Tricolour was unfurled by Lt Gen D.P. Pandey, GOC, Chinar Corps, in the presence of the students of the Army Goodwill School.

Dedicating the flagpole to the people of Shopian, Pandey congratulated the gathering on the auspicious occasion of 73rd Republic Day.

The GOC said that the national flag is the greatest symbol of national conscience, as it represents the supreme collective expression of the commitment and loyalty to one’s motherland.

Srinagar: The 73rd Republic Day was celebrated with great patriotic zeal and fervor in the premises of the JAK LI Regimental Centre, Srinagar.

According to a statement, the event commenced with wreath laying ceremony at JAK LI Regimental Centre War Memorial and unfurling of National Flag at Chunni Lal Dwar, JAK LI Regimental Centre.

The events were attended by all ranks of the Centre, following proper COVID protocols and guidelines.

This year the Nation celebrated 73th Republic Day. Several activities were initiated in the run-up to Republic Day Celebration 2022. The JAK LI Regimental Centre also organised and conducted Flag unfurling at NIELT (National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology) Rangreth.

Live telecast of Republic Day parade from Rajpath, New Delhi in which JAK LI contingent also participated was organised at Chunni Lal Dwar, JAK LI Regimental Centre for the civilians.

The youth who witnessed the Republic Day parade telecast were highly motivated and excited to see the National Celebration. In addition, JAK LI Regimental Centre Pipe Band participated in the Flag Unfurling Ceremony at Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport, Srinagar which was attended by the civilians, officials and Airport staff.

‘First village in India to record 100% vaccination’

By: Sajid Raina

Bandipora: Vewan, a remote village, located on the foothills of famous Harmukh peak in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has managed to stave off the pandemic since its inception in early 2020. The village has reported zero cases so far with all its population being vaccinated against the COVID-19.

The village is 28km from Bandipora town and the first 10km of the journey is by road, up to a place called Athwatoo. The remaining 18km is by foot, up the hills. Even as the Bandipora district was in the grip of the COVID-19 many times with highest cases but the village has never been affected while it’s all population have been vaccinated against the virus before the villagers knew about the disease.

Officials said that there was not a single case reported from the village till date as the villagers mostly uneducated have always cooperated with administration while fighting the pandemic and has kept itself completely safe from the Covid.

They said that the hamlet became the first village in India where 100 percent vaccination was completed under the J&K model, a 10-point strategy to inoculate everyone who is eligible for the shots at a faster pace.

Locals said that they know everything about this disease but its effects have never been allowed in this village as they have always been committed and cooperated with the administration in fighting it.

They said that there are no other habitants around their village which benefited them to keep the virus at bay, while the people were always taking precautions against the Covid.

Shabir Ahmad, a local, said that there has not been a single case of Coronavirus infection in their village.

Now the entire population of the village has been vaccinated. He said that the residents of his village do not venture out of the village without any work.

Noori Begum, an elderly lady of the village said that they have never felt the effects of the deadly disease.

“People still go to each other’s houses and eat together but as the condition of other areas has deteriorated due to the Covid as we listen on the radio, it isn’t like this here,” she said, adding that the daily work of the village was always going on.

Block medical officer (BMO), Bandipora Dr, Masrat Iqbal also confirmed that no Covid cases have been reported so far in the village while all the people of the village have been vaccinated in advance against the virus. (KNO)