Precious Kashmir

J&K reports 178 fresh cases of COVID-19

Front

04/01/2022

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 178 fresh covid-19 cases while there was no death due to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

70 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu division and 108 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 341802.

There was no death reported due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4530 persons—2199 in Jammu and 2331 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

Giving district wise details of the fresh cases, the officials said that Srinagar reported 57 cases, Baramulla 14, Budgam 11, Pulwama 5, Kupwara 2, Anantnag 4, Bandipora 2, Ganderbal 8, Kulgam 4, Shopian 1, Jammu 46, Udhampur 6, Rajouri 0, Doda 2, Kathua 2, Samba 4, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 1, Ramban 4 and Reasi 5.

A number of these cases were confirmed at CD hospital’s diagnostic centre and include male (58) from Baramulla, male (65) from Budgam, male (50) from Sgr, male (32) (NA) from BSF Kupwara, female (45) (NA) from Langate, male (03) (NA) from Gund chabuttra langate, male (40) (NA) from Hajin langate, male (30) (NA) from Chogul handwara, male (31) (NA) from 180 Bn BSF.

Moreover, 109 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time, 19 from Jammu Division and 90 from Kashmir, they said.

So far 335774 patients have recovered, leaving active case tally at 1498—559 in Jammu and 939 in Kashmir.

They said there was one new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said.

They also informed that 96789 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

19 SHOs reshuffled in Srinagar

City

Precious Kashmir

04/01/2022

Srinagar: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Rakesh Bhalwal on Monday ordered transfers of nineteen SHOs in summer capital.

As per order issued by District Police Headquarters Srinagar , Inspector Tariq Ahmed has been transferred from DPL Srinagar to police station Rainawari as SHO, Sub-inspector Rakesh Pandita from police station Rainawari to PC Srinagar, Inspector Sohail Mushtaq from DPL Srinagar to police station Batamaloo as SHO, Inspector Aijaz Ahmed from police station Batamaloo to DPL Srinagar, Inspector Aftab Ahmed from DPL Srinagar to police station Panthachowk as SHO, Inspector Nazir Ahmed from police station Panthachowk to DPL Srinagar, Inspector Sameer Ahmed from police station Lalbazar to police station R.M.Bagh as SHO, Inspector Towsif Ahmed Mir from police station R.M.Bagh to DPL Srinagar, Inspector Hafizulla from DPL Srinagar to police station Lal Bazar as SHO, Inspector Sabzar Ahmed from police station Shaheed Gunj to DPL Srinagar, Inspector Gowher Hussain from police station Nigeen to police station Shaheed Gunj as SHO, Inspector Lateef Ahmed from DPL Srinagar to police station Nigeen as SHO, Inspector Owais Ahmed from police station Zadibal to police station Safakadal as SHO, Inspector Towseef Ahmed Lone from police station Safakadal to DPL Srinagar, Inspector Javaid Ahmed from DPL Srinagar to police station Zadibal as SHO, Inspector Syed Junaid from police station Kralkhud to police station Zakoora as SHO, Inspector Parvez Ahmad from police station Zakoora to DPL Srinagar, Inspector Khalida Parven from police station Women to DPL Srinagar and Shaista Mughal to police station Women as SHO.

“All the transferees be deemed to have relieved for their new place of transfer with immediate effect”, the order further reads. (GNS)

Mass vaccination of students rolled out successfully

City

Precious Kashmir

04/01/2022

Mass vaccination of students rolled out successfully

Schools, Coaching Centers can act as best awareness centers: Var

Srinagar: A mass vaccination drive was on Monday started in coaching centres of Srinagar district in which students participated with enthusiasm and interest.

This campaign is a part of mass vaccination of children in the age group of 15 to 17 years throughout Jammu and Kashmir and the first phase of the drive was today successfully launched in some reputed coaching institutes of Srinagar.

According to a statement issued, on this occasion, Chairman Coaching Centers’ Association G.N.Var said that schools and coaching centres can be utilised as best awareness centres for creating mass awareness among common public regarding vaccination and other instructions necessary to be followed when it comes to adopting of Covid appropriate behavior.

Var thanked Director Health Services Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather for launching the drive from coaching institutes. He also thanked Chief Medical Officer Srinagar Dr Jameel, Dy CMO Srinagar, Zonal Medical Officers and other officers and officials from immunization wing for their support and cooperation.

Var thanked Director School Education Kashmir Dr Tasaduq Hussain Mir for his personal efforts and support in making the launch of vaccination drive a grand success.

Talking to media persons, Var said that if students are fully vaccinated, then there will be no justification of keeping the schools shut again in March.

He reiterated the statement that online schooling is no substitute for teaching learning process and this mode of teaching has instead given rise to many social, mental and psychological issues among children.

He requested the Government to consider reopening of schools after winter vacations seriously as the students, by then, will be fully vaccinated while the teachers are already vaccinated. He said that keeping schools shut continuously can result in huge learning loss which can never be fulfilled.

CS lays stress on women & child empowerment

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

04/01/2022

CS lays stress on women & child empowerment

Jammu: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Monday said that identification, rehabilitation and empowerment of the vulnerable/disadvantaged women and children in J&K have to be the sustained policy focus of the Social Welfare Department.

He made this observation in the course of reviewing the progress made by the department under UT capex in a meeting attended by Secretary and other senior officers of the Social Welfare Department.

The Chief Secretary directed the department to adopt community based dialogue, social and behavior change interventions and support through institutions for empowering vulnerable/disadvantaged women/children in the UT.

“The vulnerable/disadvantaged people should feel that if they approach the government, they will be looked after well,” he said.

Earlier Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sheetal Nanda in her presentation said that the department will shortly launch skill development programmes for the vulnerable and disadvantaged women in collaboration with the Mission Youth.

It was informed that helpline for women in distress is functional 24×7 in J&K and on an average 150 calls are being received from the distressed women daily.

Secretary, Social Welfare Department, said that one stop centres have been set up in all districts for providing access to an integrated range of services including police, medical, legal, psychological support and temporary shelter to women affected by violence. The Scheme is funded through Nirbhaya Fund.

These centres are working in close coordination with Mahila Shakti Kendras in their districts, which are also empowering rural women through community participation by involvement of student volunteers.

It was further informed that social workers engaged by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)are working in different police stations in J&K to facilitate the vulnerable distressed/women in their interactions with the police officers in these police stations.

Dr. Mehta directed the department to conceive and roll out Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana for integrated welfare assistance for the disadvantaged women and children under an appropriate institutional framework, which also includes a provision for stakeholder’s feedback by 15th January, 2022.

The Chief Secretary directed the department to consider whether the department can step in to supplement/improve the efforts of these TISS engaged social workers for better results.

The Chief Secretary directed the department to roll out the scheme of assistance for the disadvantaged women in close harness with Mission Youth by 15th January, 2022.

Dr. Mehta further directed the Social Welfare Department to coordinate with Home Department for setting up more all women police stations in J&K.

He further said that old people with inadequate social support from their children or relatives also need to looked after and old age homes should be re-imagined as centers for one stop legal, medical and psychological assistance.

Dr Mehta said no one in distress/ or in need of help should be left behind.

He also directed the department to set up a 24×7 help line for the welfare of the old age people.

DGP releases CB’s crime gazette

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

04/01/2022

‘28936 cases registered in 2020 as against 25072 in 2019’

Jammu: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh Monday released the annual edition of crime gazette of J&K Police for the year 2020 in the conference hall of Police Headquarters here.

The crime gazette for which the data has been collected, tabulated and maintained by the Crime Record Bureau was prepared and presented in the form of the book under the chairmanship of Spl. DGP Crime, J&K A.K Choudhary.

Spl DGs, R. R Swain, A.K Choudhary, ADGsP, Mukesh Singh, M. K. Sinha, Danesh Rana, IGP Alok Kumar, AIsG of PHQ, senior officers of Crime Branch, J&K were present on the occasion.

DGP J&K while unveiling the gazette congratulated the officers and officials of the State Crime Record Bureau of Crime Branch J&K, who remained associated with the compilation and publication of the gazette.

He said that the gazette is traditionally a very useful documentation which has been continued with all seriousness. The DGP said that it gives an insight about the crime rates and trends for which the counter measures could be taken accordingly. He stressed on setting up a target date for completing the 2021 gazette.

The DGP said that the crimes in today’s times are not only varied in but also more complicated in nature. He said that special focus has to be on militancy, cyber and narcotics.

He said that the Crime Branch as a nodal agency of J&K Police should plan Police response against crimes in a systematic manner. He emphasized on organizing special training courses for the JK Police investigators so that conviction rate is improved. DGP reiterated that the police personnel deputed in courts should submit the report of their working to the controlling officers/offices on daily basis.

DGP directed for organizing fortnightly meetings between PHQ officers and district officers and also between PHQ officers and Wing offices so that issues pertaining to various unit of police are discussed and subsequently addressed in a desired fashion in a result oriented manner. He directed the officers to analyze the 2021 work and plan their strategies as to what they are going to achieve in the current year. He also directed a series of measures to be taken for better policing and better results.

Earlier, the Spl DGP Crime, J&K in his welcome address briefed the DGP regarding the crime Gazette and how it would benefit the J&K Police investigating officers. The ADGP, Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh and ADGP Headquarters, PHQ, M.K Sinha on the occasion also gave valuable suggestions for policing and extending police service to the people.

The crime gazette highlights increasing and decreasing trends in the crime scenario in the J&K during the year 2020 and also depicts the comparison of crimes to previous year i.e 2019.

It is distributed among the Police officers so that they could analyze the trend and plan their strategies accordingly.

As per the gazette, a total of 28936 cases were registered under various heads of crime under IPC/LSL in J&K UT during the year 2020 as against 25072 cases during the corresponding year 2019, which shows an overall increase of 15.41% in the total registration during the year 2020. The Crime Rate for the year 2020 remained at 216.90 for per lakh population as against 189.41 for year 2019.

Parents, students jubilant as Govt starts vaccination drive for children

Jammu & Kashmir

Jahangeer Ganaie

04/01/2022

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: Scores of children came out with their parents to be inoculated as the Government began its national vaccination drive for adolescents 15 to 18 years old.

The experts viewed the drive as the safest way to have the students return to in-person classes.

Students were seen jubilant over taking the vaccines and were hoping that this will help them in starting offline classes.

Mehrab Mushtaq (17) a student from Srinagar said that it is a good news that government has started vaccination for below 18 age group and all children must leave hesitancy and come up for vaccination so that educational sector can start functioning normally like it was before Covid-19.

Muskan Jan, another student said that starting vaccination of people below 18 age group is the best step and if this step will help us in starting offline classes then we won’t demand and pray for anything else.”

Another student Azra Fayaz said that we have suffered in the last two years due to Covid-19 and we hope this step will help us in starting offline classes.

“I want to go back to face-to-face learning, and the purpose of the vaccine is to give them some protection from the virus. I have seen what it has done to people close to me,” said Kifayat Ahmad, another student.

“I was very excited, because online school is a struggle. It is not a very good learning environment at home,” he said. (KNO)

‘Spot where Chinese flag unfurled not in Galwan Valley demilitarised zone’

National

Indo Asian News Service

04/01/2022

‘Spot where Chinese flag unfurled not in Galwan Valley demilitarised zone’

New Delhi: In the wake of the controversy over a video of Chinese PLA soldiers unfurling their national flag in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley to celebrate New Year that went viral, army sources have clarified that the spot shown was not in the disputed area, which is a demilitarised zone as agreed in the series of talks following the June 2020 clashes.

The video was shared by the Chinese media outlet on social media showing PLA troops celebrating New Year and unfurling the flag, with the caption: “China’s national flag rises over Galwan Valley on the New Year Day of 2022.”

It also said that the flag was “special since it once flew over Tiananmen Square in Beijing”.

The PLA troops did celebrate the New Year at Galwan Valley and unfurled the Chinese flag, but well away from the demilitarised zone, and not at all near the bend of river, where the clash between the two armies took place in June 2020, said army sources.

The Chinese troops celebrated New Year in an area which is very much in Chinese territory and not disputed, so there is no point to question this action, the sources said.

In June 2020, 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in the clash and later awarded gallantry awards, while the PLA lost an undisclosed number, said to be 45.

After that, both countries held a series of talks for disengagement, and in one of these NSA Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and after that, both armies mutually agreed to step 2 km back from the river bend at Galwan Valley.

2nd Test: I think we can definitely make something out of this score, says Ashwin

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

04/01/2022

2nd Test: I think we can definitely make something out of this score, says Ashwin

Johannesburg: India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that his team can definitely get something out from the modest first innings total of 202. He added that pacer Mohammed Siraj, who went off the field and clutched his hamstring just before stumps were called on day one, will be assessed by the medical team.
“The totals in South Africa have been a tricky one in the first innings, especially when it’s a good thing to win the toss and bat first. You want to post a good score in excess of maybe 260-270 which is a round-about score. South Africa always have batted first and has posted totals in excess of 250 and dominated the Test matches before. So, we are a bit short but I still think, with our entire bowling arsenal available tomorrow, fingers crossed, I think we can definitely make something out of this score,” said Ashwin in the virtual press conference.
Siraj had hobbled off the field when he was trying to bowl the last ball of his fourth over and couldn’t complete his action. His last ball was then bowled by Shardul Thakur. “The medical staff are assessing him overnight. I think it is very immediate, so initially what they do is they just put the ice and just see for the next hour or two. I am hoping that with the history Siraj has, he will definitely come out and give his best,” updated Ashwin.
Asked about the nature of the Wanderers pitch, Ashwin remarked, “I just felt the pitch was a little two-paced. Generally, Wanderers has the tendency to start a bit slow and then become a little quicker. It did quicken up a bit but it just feels a little different to a typical Wanderers pitch. We have to wait and see how it responds tomorrow if it doesn’t quicken up and doesn’t continue to be two-paced, will the cracks open up, that is something we can only judge at the end of the game.”
The 35-year-old was in praise of young South African all-rounder Marco Jansen, who picked 4/31 and played a crucial hand in bowling out India for 202. It was also the second four-wicket haul for Jansen after taking 4/55 in the second innings at Centurion.
“Left-armers add a lot of variety to any attack. There’s no doubt about it. He’s special, is six-eight (feet-inches), anybody that comes into the game has got a bit of height, bit of skill, he’s got a nice action, gets close to the stumps with his good side-on action.”
Ashwin signed off by saying that one has to go out and play against any kind of fast-bowling attack on any given day. “Whatever said and done, it’s not like somebody does a role in the nets and go there and sort it out. At the end of the day, all seamers have got wickets. Shami has gone nine wickets, Bumrah has got eight odd wickets, Rabada has got wickets, Marco Jansen has also got wickets. It is South Africa, you get quicks to get wickets.”
“To be over-rawed or to be over-conscious about anything is not worth it. You just go out there and play the game. I thought he bowled well, compared to what he did in the first innings. I think he (Jansen) had a bit of nerve and bowled really well in the last couple of innings he has bowled.”

LG chairs high-level meeting to review Covid-19 status, Omicron

Front

Precious Kashmir

03/01/2022

LG chairs high-level meeting to review Covid-19 status, Omicron

> Issue directions to ensure functioning of oxygen plants, availability of requisite medicines
> Anantnag, Budgam complete 100% coverage of 2nd Covid dose

JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting to review Covid-19 status, Omicron, vaccination for 15-18 age group and preparedness of health infrastructure across the J&K UT.

While chairing the meetings with Covid Task Force and DCs, SPs, the Lt Governor issued directions for ensuring functioning of oxygen plants, availability of requisite medicines, audit of ICU and Oxygen supported beds across all hospitals in the UT, in view of the new variant and rise in the cases across the country.

The Lt Governor directed Deputy Commissioners and Health officials to ensure the infrastructure beginning from the Panchayat Level is strengthened and optimally utilized. Health teams in the districts were directed to focus on prompt contact tracing, audit of oxygen cylinders and concentrators as well as availability and functioning of ventilators.

The meeting discussed the time-bound implementation of the action plan of Covid vaccination drive for 15-18 years age group to be started on 03 January, 2022.

Enquiring about the modalities and preparations done for smooth administering of Covid vaccine to the 15-18 age group, the Lt Governor directed for ensuring observance of mandatory monitoring period of 30 minutes of each inoculated person.

District wise status of covid containment measures was sought from the respective Deputy Commissioners where they informed the chair about the implementation of Covid protocols and awareness campaigns being run to sensitise people regarding the danger of omicron variant of covid.

The Lt Governor directed the Health department and District teams to keep their men and machinery ready, health infra, testing and vaccination capacities up to the mark and undertake a dry run of PSA Oxygen Plants and other health equipment for effective management of any emergent situation.

Reviewing various parameters of covid analysis, the Lt Governor underlined the importance of following Covid Appropriate Behaviour, which includes maintaining social distancing and wearing masks. He directed the District administrations to ensure proper implementation of Covid Protocol and following of CAB in their districts.

Directions were also issued to Directors of Health Services Jammu, and Kashmir to conduct a meticulous mock-drill for preparing their resources to deal with any emergent situation.

The Lt Governor asked the Deputy Commissioners and CMOs to submit a joint report enlisting the steps of preparation and status of health infra and human resources in their respective districts to effectively deal with any emergent situation.

The Lt Governor also congratulated people of Anantnag and Budgam for completing 100% coverage of 2nd dose of Covid vaccine.

Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department gave a detailed briefing on the analysis of Covid-19 situation, District-wise threat level, testing, contact tracing and vaccination across the UT, besides vaccine stock, and preparations for administering vaccine to 15-18 age group.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lt Governor; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Sh Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Sh Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to the government, Home department; Sh Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Government, Public Works (R&B) Department; Sh Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Sh Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Dr Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sh Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners and SPs, attended the meetings, in person and through virtual mode.

India gears up to vaccinate teens

Front

United News Of India

03/01/2022

New Delhi: India will start administering its indigenous Covid vaccine Covaxin to the 15 to 18 age group from Monday, with inoculation drive for teenagers commencing on Saturday with registration beginning for them on the CoWIN App.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday tweeted: “On the occasion of New Year, registration is being started on CoWIN portal for immunisation of children against COVID-19 in the age group of 15 to 18 years from today. I request the family members to register the eligible children for vaccination”.

The national capital has also geared up with the vaccination centres ready to administer the jabs for the younger population.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said that there was no need to set up separate vaccination centres for the teenagers as the city has already completed the administration of the first dose to all eligible and the same centres will be used for children too as people due for the second dose come only when it is scheduled.

Talking to IANS, senior paediatrician and Delhi Medical Council President, Dr Arun Gupta, said: “Covaxin is absolutely safe for teens as enough trials have been done. It is high time that we should shun anxiety, and come forward to participate in the vaccination.”

However, he added that while the decision was much awaited, the age group of 15 to 18 is too narrow and the government must consider the vaccination for school-going children too.

“The below 10 age group also should be included in the vaccination drive to keep them safe from pandemic,” he added.

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