Precious Kashmir

Manpower shortage mars SMC

City

01/12/2021

Against requirement of 7000 sweepers, corporation has only 2700

By: Owais Gul

Srinagar: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is facing an acute shortage of manpower with officials stating it has sent an approval to the concerned authorities to outsource the sanitation in Srinagar.

According to a local news gathering agency, the officials said that SMC requires a total of 7000 sweepers, but it unfortunately has only 2700, which means the corporation is facing shortage of over 60 percent shortage.

They said that with the shortage of the manpower, the sanitation has finally got affected, besides pushing the existing manpower to the wall.

“The amount of garbage being lifted per day has also increased as against a total of 300 tons per day, the SMC is lifting 650 tons of garbage every day from Srinagar including its outskirts,” the officials said.

They said that there is a need to increase the manpower to ensure that the sanitation is not affected and the safayi karamcharis are not overburdened.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor SMC, Parvaiz Qadri, when contacted admitted the shortage of manpower, saying that such is the situation that the representatives from every wards is suggesting to go for outsourcing of sanitation process here in Srinagar as the fewer number of sweepers are not able to cater all the areas with corporation’s jurisdiction.

He also informed that the corporation has sent an approval to the Executive Committee with regard to the outsourcing of sanitation in Srinagar. (KNO)

348 SF men, 195 civilians killed since 2017 in J&K: MHA

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

Srinagar: As many as 348 security forces personnel including those from J&K Police were killed while 796 were injured in militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since 2017, Ministry of Home Affairs said on Tuesday.

Responding to questions by parliamentarians including Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth, Thirunavukkarasar Su and Parthiban S.R, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai said 195 civilians were killed during the period upto November 15. He said 534 civilians were injured during the time.

Giving year-wise details regarding casualty of the security forces and J&K police personnel, he said, 80 were killed in 2017, 91 in 2018, 80 in 2019, 62 in 2020 and 35 in 2021 (upto November 15).

Similarly, he said, 226 were injured in 2017, 238 in 2018, 140 in 2019, 106 in 2020 and 86 in 2021 (upto November 15).

Regarding the civilian deaths, the minister, said that 40 were killed in 2017, 39 each in 2018 and 2019, 37 in 2020 and 40 this year.

Regarding injuries, he said, 99 civilians were wounded in 2017, 63 in 2018, 188 in 2019, 112 in 2020 and 72 in 2021.

Regarding question by the parliamentarians about measures under taken by government to protect common man from anti-militancy/ naxal operations, the minister said that security forces take “utmost care and exercise restraint during anti-militancy/naxal operations to ensure that no common man is hurt.”

“The measures taken by the Government to protect the common man from the (militant) attacks include proactive operations against (militants), identification and arrest of over ground workers/supporters of (militancy), action against members of banned organizations, intensified night patrolling and checking at Nakas, security arrangements through appropriate deployment, coordination meetings amongst security agencies, high level of alertness maintained by the security forces, legal action in cases of (militant) funding, etc,” he said as per the reply. (GNS)

1678 migrants returned to J&K post abrogation of Art 370: MHA

Jammu & Kashmir

Tasaduq Hussain

01/12/2021

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar: Stating that the Central government is taking every step to restore ancestral properties of migrant Hindus, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday informed the parliament that a total of 1678 migrants have returned to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 for taking up jobs.

In the winter season of parliament, queries were raised regarding the migrant Hindus which include the measures taken to restore ancestral properties and the cases where the property has been restored.

The Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Nityanand Rai replied to the queries raised in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The MoS informed that the Government has taken various measures to restore ancestral properties to migrant Hindus. Under the J&K Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection & Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997, District.

The Minister said that the Magistrates (DMs) of concerned Districts in Jammu & Kashmir are the legal custodians of the immovable properties of Migrants, who take suo motto action on eviction proceedings in cases of encroachment.

“The migrants can also request DMs in such cases”, the minister said in the reply.

He informed that the DMs are further empowered to take all steps for the preservation and protection of such properties.

“As per the information provided by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, after the abrogation of Article 370, a total of 1678 migrants have returned to Kashmir for taking up the jobs under the Prime Minister’s Development Package-2015”, the Union Minister informed the parliament.

He also informed that as per the information provided by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the land of 150 applicants has been restored.

He further said that the Government of J&K has launched a portal on 07.09.2021 to address the grievances of Kashmiri Migrants in this regard. (KNO)

J&K records 171 new Covid-19 cases

Front

Nadeem Nadu

01/12/2021

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 171 fresh covid-19 cases while there was no death due to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

Among the fresh cases, 32 were reported from Jammu Division and 139 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 336852.

There was no death due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4476 persons—2185 in Jammu and 2291 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

Giving district wise details of the fresh cases, the officials said that Srinagar reported 62 cases, Baramulla 42, Budgam 16, Pulwama 1, Kupwara 5, Anantnag 1, Bandipora 3, Ganderbal 9, Kulgam 0, Shopian 0, Jammu 18, Udhampur 2, Rajouri 2, Doda 1, Kathua 3, Samba 0, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 0, Ramban 1 and Reasi 2.

A number of these cases were confirmed at CD hospital’s diagnostic laboratory and include male (26) (NA) from Parraypora sgr, female (55) (NA) from Humhama, female (55) (NA) from Kawdara, male (63) (NA) from Bemina sgr, female (20) (NA) from Langate, male (17) from Sogam lolab, male (30) Doniwari lolab, female (17) (NA) from Doorusa lolab, female (20) from Darpora lolab, male (40) (NA) from BSF Kupwara, female (68) (NA) from Brain, male (58) from Ishbar, male (43) (NA) from Brain Nishat, male (35) from Batpora, male (15) (NA) from Alamgiri bazar Sgr, female (55) (NA) from Gonjiwara sgr, male (75) (NA) from Naqashpora sgr, male (72) (NA) from Hazratbal, male (37) (NA) from Barzulla, female (46) (NA) from Barzulla, female (45) (NA) from Kupwara and male (47) (NA) from Habbak Sgr.

Moreover, 172 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time, 22 from Jammu Division and 150 from Kashmir, they said.

So far 330751 patients have recovered, leaving active case tally at 1625—191 in Jammu and 1334 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 49 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said.

The officials also informed that 52425 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

BSF detects 2 tunnels, 5 intruders killed, 3 nabbed on IB in 2021

Front

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

Jammu: Two tunnels were detected and five infiltrators were killed while three persons who were trying to sneak into side of border were detained, BSF said Tuesday on the occasion of 57th raising day.

Presenting its report card on the occasion for the past 11 months, the BSF said that it mans about 192 kilo-meters of International Border with Pakistan and is also deployed on Line of Control along with the army.

“The year 2021 witnessed manifold challenges from the counterpart like drone activities, tunneling and smuggling attempts but BSF Jammu thwarted all attempts and foiled the designs of enemies,” the BSF statement read.

The statement said that as a “result of robust domination and surveillance” on International Border, there has been continued peace on the Jammu IB and BSF Jammu has continuously carried out anti-tunnel drives along IB.

“Due to its efforts, it was able to detect two tunnels on International Border in the month of January 2021 and made a huge dent to the infiltration attempts by ANEs from Pakistan,” the official said, adding that the detection of these tunnels also exposed the designs of Pakistan based militants, smugglers.

The statement said that the ever vigilant troops of BSF were also able to kill one smuggler who was trying to smuggle a consignment of narcotics from Kathua border on 23 June 2021 wherein BSF seized about 27 Kilograms of narcotics in this successful operation on the International Border.

“Apart from this, BSF troops seized about 9.995 Kilograms of narcotics from Nowshera, International Border on 30 August 2021 along with Rs 2, 75,000 FICN,” the statement said.

“Keeping a continued vigil and swift action BSF was able to neutralize 05 intruders and apprehended 03 Pakistani intruders who were trying to infiltrate from IB during January 2021 to till date.”

He said that the BSF in Rajouri and Poonch area also seized following Arms and Ammunition in hinterland during this year with recoveries include 05 AK-47 Rifles, 15 AK-47 Magazine, 421 AK Ammunition rounds, 01 AK-56 Rifle 01, 16 Pistols, 36 Pistol Magazine, 348 Pistol Ammunition rounds, 10 Hand Grenade, 04 Grenade Chinese, 01 UGBL and 233 of Other Ammunition rounds.

“BSF Jammu has been in the forefront in assisting border population in Jammu area continuously and the coordination with villagers and BSF has been very cordial and friendly,” the statement said. (KNO)

BSF celebrates 57th raising Day

City

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

Srinagar: The Border Security Force (BSF) is celebrating its 57th raising Day at the backdrop of more than 50 years of glorious service to the nation.

To celebrate the occasion, the Brass & Jazz Band of BSF, Kashmir Frontier organized a big symphony martial music show at SKICC- Sher-i-Kashmir International Conventional Centre (SKICC) here to spread the message of unity and solidity amongst the people of Kashmir valley and to showcase the glorious history of BSF.

In the evening, the surrounding area of Dal Lake reverberated with drum beats and trumpets as the band played songs after songs of patriotic music. The visitors and spectators while witnessing and experiencing the rich music and skillful play of BSF Band steeped in fine tradition and glorious history of the force, enjoyed it to fullest.

The audience also liked the BSF theme song “Hum Seema Ke Prahari Hain” played by Brass and Jazz Band in wonderful tuning with heart touching lyrics. In addition lights and sound shows were another major attractions.

The show was attended by BSF officials and School children alongwith their staff. Media persons and civilians appreciated the good beginning and nice public connect through such Force band display.

The show culminated with the best wishes extended by Raja Babu Singh, IPS, Inspector General, BSF Kashmir Frontier to local civilians of Kashmir valley and acknowledging the contributions of different local groups in making this BSF Musical band display evening a grand success.

Shopian youth planning to join militancy detained: Police

City

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

Rajouri: Jammu and Kashmir police prevented a youth from South Kashmir from joining militancy ranks and detained him in Rajouri district of Jammu, officials said Tuesday.

An official said that the detained youth was reportedly in contact with some militants through social media platforms and he was called to Rajouri.

“On the basis of specific information, police constituted a team and intercepted him. He hails from South Kashmir’s Shopain district who was travelling to Rajouri district in a passenger vehicle,” the official said. “During questioning of the detained boy, it has been found that he was in regular contact with some militants through social media handles and was all set to join militancy ranks.”

They said that the youth was called to Rajouri from where he was to be given next destination but before he could reach Rajouri police team succeeded in detaining him. “He is being questioned and counterparts of Police in Kashmir have been informed,” said officials. (KNO)

AIDS Remains Pandemic

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

01/12/2021

On December 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. On this day, as per United Nations, people show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS.
On June 5, 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an unusual fungal infection of the lungs (pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) in five gay men in Los Angeles. That was the first time the world learnt about the devastating infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in people with a weak immune system. AIDS remains a pandemic, and only by moving fast to end the inequalities that drive the pandemic can it be overcome. There is not a choice to be made between ending the AIDS pandemic and preparing for the pandemics of tomorrow. The only successful approach will achieve both.
A person suffering from AIDS is unfortunately often regarded as a stigma in the contemporary society and such people often become victims of ostracism, rejection and discrimination. There is need to fight this aspect of the pandemic.
Social stigma surrounding AIDS-infected people remains a challenge and the concerned must remain mindful of the scale.
If government is serious about tackling HIV, it must find ways to reach concerned groups and consider targeted interventions.
Targeted Intervention (TI) is one of the main components under NACP III. The Program is designed to reduce the rate of HIV transmission among the Core Group viz. Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Men having Sex with Men (MSMs) and Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) & Bridge populations like migrants and truckers. The TI programme is being implemented through the Community Based Organizations (CBO) and Non Governmental Organizations (NGO).
At the same time, implementing targeted interventions in J&K state does not negate the need for broader interventions in the community. In many settings, it optimizes the use of resources by focusing on the environments and populations in which the risk of HIV infection is the greatest.
The right to health is universal. Concerned authorities must take note of this to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV. There is a need for bold action against inequalities and without it, the J&K and India risks missing the targets to end AIDS by 2030, as well as a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

IPL 2022: Kohli, Rohit, Dhoni, Pant retained; Rashid, Rahul & Hardik released ahead of mega auction

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

01/12/2021

IPL 2022: Kohli, Rohit, Dhoni, Pant retained; Rashid, Rahul & Hardik released ahead of mega auction

New Delhi: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, and Rishabh were retained by respective franchies — Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals as BCCI unveiled the retention lists on Tuesday ahead of the IPL mega auction.

KL Rahul, Rashid Khan, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kagiso Rabada are among the big names that haven’t been retained by their franchises. The players — will now be in the pool from which the two new IPL teams, Ahmedabad and Lucknow, will have up to three picks each (2 Indians, 1 foreign).

Among foreign players, Glenn Maxwell, Jos Buttler, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Anrich Nortje were retained. Allrounder Kieron Pollard made the cut for Mumbai Indians whereas Moeen Ali was chosen over the likes of Sam Curran, Faf du Plessis, and Dwayne Bravo at Chennai Super Kings.

Defending champions CSK retained captain Dhoni in their team as second retention behind all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja while Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad were the third and fourth retentions respectively.

Apart from captain Rohit, five-time champions Mumbai Indians decided to retain Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Kumar Yadav, and Kieron Pollard for the upcoming season of the IPL.

Meanwhile, RCB have decided to retain Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj ahead of the mega-auction. Kohli won’t be leading the team anymore therefore, RCB will have to find a skipper for the second season.

Delhi Capitals retained the quartet of Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel, and Anrich Nortje for IPL 2022.

First IPL season champions Rajasthan Royals have retained their captain Sanju Samson ahead of next year’s mega-auction, along with Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The two-time champions KKR held back West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy along with young Venkatesh Iyer and Sunil Narine.

At SunRisers Hyderabad, Williamson was picked as the first player, something that Rashid was looking at too as a second pick costs INR 4 crore less. But SRH ruled in favour of captain Williamson and have also gone ahead and retained all-rounder Abdul Samad and fast bowler Umran Malik who made his debut in the last season.

Punjab Kings have decided to retain just two players for the IPL 2022 in opener Mayank Agarwal and left-arm-pacer Arshdeep Singh ahead of the mega-auctions.

Of the 27 retained players, eight are overseas and four uncapped Indians.

Each of the eight franchises used the Player Retention option with CSK, DC, KKR, and MI opting to retain 4 players each. RR, RCB, and SRH have retained 3 players each while PBKS) have retained 2. The PBKS thus have the highest salary purse available with INR 72 crore while Delhi Capitals have least at Rs 47.50 cr to be used at the mega auction.

The final retention list:

CSK: Ravindra Jadeja (16 cr), MS Dhoni (12 cr), Moeen Ali (8 cr), Ruturaj Gaikwad (6 cr)

KKR: Andre Russell (12 cr, 16 cr to be deducted from purse), Varun Chakravarthy (8 cr, 12 cr to be deducted from purse), Venkatesh Iyer (8 cr), Sunil Narine (6 cr)

SRH: Kane Williamson (14 cr), Abdul Samad (4 cr), Umran Malik (4 cr)

MI: Rohit Sharma (16 cr), Jasprit Bumrah (12 cr), Suryakumar Yadav(8 cr), Kieron Pollard (6 cr)

RCB: Virat Kohli (15 cr), Glenn Maxwell (11 cr), Mohammed Siraj (7 cr)

DC: Rishabh Pant (16 cr), Axar Patel (9 cr, 12 cr to be deducted from purse), Prithvi Shaw (7.5 cr, 8 crore to be deducted from purse), Anrich Nortje (6.5 cr)

RR: Sanju Samson (14 cr), Jos Buttler (10 cr), Yashasvi Jaiswal (4 cr)

PBKS: Mayank Agarwal (12 cr, 14 crore to be deducted from purse), Arshdeep Singh (4 cr)

J&K witnesses over 1000 militant attacks in last 3 years: Govt

Front

Precious Kashmir

30/11/2021

J&K witnesses over 1000 militant attacks in last 3 years: Govt

177 Army, CAPF men killed, Rajya Sabha told

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed over a thousand militant attacks on army and Central Armed Police Forces in last years’ since 2019 in J&K and 177 personnel were killed, government informed parliament on Monday.

Replying to a question by parliamentarian Anand Sharma in the Rajya Sabha, presently in winter session, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said that 594 militant attacks were recorded in 2019, 244 in 2020 and 195 as on Mid November.

He said that while 80 security forces personnel include CAPF were killed in 2019, 62 in 2020 and 35 till 15 November 2021.

The MoS Ajay Bhatt also informed that 137 soldiers, 49 air force and four navy personnel lost life due to Covid-19.

Responding to separate question by parliamentarian Dr. Santanu Sen regarding the details of the total number of defence personnel, their family members and civilian staff who got COVID-19 positive since its outbreak and those who lost their life due to virus, the minister said that 1311 family members of serving army personnel and 276 defence civilian staff died due to covid-19. He said 114 family members of serving Air Force and 41 defence civilian staff of Air Force besides 66 family members of serving navy personnel and 96 family members of defence civilian staff died due to the pathogen.

He said as per extant Rules, no special compensation for deaths occurring due to infectious disease is provided to Armed Forces personnel by the Ministry of Defence, while they are in service. However, all such cases of death while in service are provided terminal benefits, he said as per the reply.

In addition, he said, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued guidelines on the 11th September, 2021 for grant of the ex-gratia assistance of Rs. 50,000 (Rupees fifty thousand only) per deceased person, including those involved in the relief operations or associated in the preparedness activities, subject to cause of death being certified as COVID-19, as per the ‘Guidelines for Official Document for COVID19 Death’ jointly issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Indian Council of Medical Research on the 3rd September, 2021. (GNS)

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