Precious Kashmir

Without NE’s growth, India’s progress not possible: Amit Shah

National

26/07/2021

Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that without the development of the northeastern region, India’s growth would not be complete.

He noted that for the first time since Independence, there are five Central ministers, including two of cabinet rank, from the region and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the northeast 35 times in six years showing how much he values it.

“At the instructions of the Prime Minister, one Central minister visits the northeastern states once in every 15 days,” the Home Minister said after launching various projects including laying the foundation stone of the 430-bed Tamulpur Medical College and Hospital in the Bodoland Territorial Region in western Assam.

Addressing the function at the famous Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra here, Shah said that rejecting false propaganda, people of Assam voted for the BJP-led government for the second time as they wanted development and rejected “aatankwad” (insurgency) and “andolan” (agitation) in the state.

“BJP governments in Tripura and Manipur resolved many long-pending issues and problems including resettlement of the Reang tribal migrants (from Mizoram) and other ethnic troubles. Now there is no road blockade and high price rise of essentials, including cooking gas, in Manipur.”

The Home Minister on Sunday evening inaugurated the Radio Therapy Block and dedicated to the people the new LINAC machine in the state cancer institute in Guwahati to provide better and free of cost treatment to cancer patients.

Shah said that the Prime Minister, as he loved the northeastern states, cleared all roadblocks and irritants so that the region’s peace and development are speeded-up.

He said that after the signing of the Bodoland peace accord in January last year, the government has already fulfilled the 90 per cent of the conditions of the agreement.

Reiterating the Union Government’s commitment for protecting and preserving Assam’s language, its heritage, and glorious culture, the Home Minister said that the language, dialects, cuisine, and cultural traditions of Assam and the northeast are India’s jewels and the government would safeguard these.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his speech, said that in six decades after Independence, there were only six medical colleges in Assam. “However, the BJP-led government after coming to power initiated steps for setting up of 23 new medical colleges, out of which few are completed while many are on various stages of implementation process,” he said.

The Union Home Minister also handed over financial assistance to 100 selected beneficiaries of ‘Prarthana’ scheme under which the state government provides Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of 5,114 Covid deceased.

Sarma said that the state government, in a bid to provide succour to Covid victims’ families, especially those who lost their family members, initiated the Chief Minister’s Sishu Sewa Achoni, the Chief Minister’s Widow Support Scheme, and the ‘Prarthana’ scheme.

9 tourists killed in Himachal landslide

National

Indo Asian News Service

26/07/2021

Shimla/Jaipur: At least nine tourists, including four from Rajasthan, were killed and three others seriously injured in a rockslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district on Sunday, the police said.

The tourists were on the way from Sangla to Chitkul, a popular tourist spot some 250 km from Shimla, when the boulders fell on their vehicle, killing nine on the spot.

A video of the disaster showing massive boulders sliding off the hilltop and damaging a bailey bridge and a portion of the highway has gone viral.

Superintendent of Police S.R. Rana said the rescue operation was on and the road has been closed for the traffic. Nearly 50 vehicles were stranded on the road stretch.

Two of the injured have been referred to a nearby hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the administration had a tough time extricating the victims from the boulders.

People in the area began rescue operations even before local authorities reached the spot.

The deceased include three of a family hailing from Rajasthan’s Sikar, and a woman from Jaipur.

Deepa Sharma, 34, of Jaipur, was posting some beautiful pictures on her social media accounts a few hours before her sudden death, which has left her followers shocked.

The victims also included Maya Devi Biyani, 55, from Sikar’s Bajaj Road (near Maheshwari Dharamshala), her son Anurag Biyani (35) and daughter Richa Biyani (25). Anurag was working as a Company Secretary in Mumbai, where the entire family lived, though they had a house in Sikar too.

The three had just come from Sikar two days back, though Anurag’s father had stayed back there and his elder sister had gone back to Mumbai.

Expressing grief over the accident, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur asked local authorities to speed up the rescue work and provide relief to the next of kin of each of those killed and injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.

SMC conducts multiple anti-polythene drives

City

Precious Kashmir

26/07/2021

Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Sunday conducted multiple anti-polythene drives in various areas of Srinagar City.

An official said that the anti-polythene drive was conducted in ward 16 Soura upto Buchpora. 30 kgs of polythene was recovered from shopkeepers and vendors, which was destroyed on the spot.

Similarly in ward 24 Bemina, 5 kg polythene was seized from various vendors and shopkeepers during the Anti Polythene drive.

Multiple Anti polythene drives were launched at Foreshore Road West Khona Khhan Dalgate in Ward No.03 Dal, Lal Bazaar, Hazratbal, Nishat and the adjoining areas where from polythene and fine was recovered from the defaulters.

Besides the anti polythene enforcement drive, SMC will continously conduct awareness drives regarding the ill effects of polythene.

SMC has also established various anti-polythene check posts in Srinagar City including Hari Singh High Street, Dalgate Boulevard, Bemina, Humhama Airport Road etc. (KNS)

Minor girl killed in Handwara road accident

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

26/07/2021

Kupwara: A 5-year-old girl was killed after being hit by a vehicle in Magam Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday evening.

Reports said that a Tata Tiago vehicle (JK09B-9036) hit the girl, resulting in critical injuries to her. She was immediately shifted to nearby hospitals wherefrom the minor was shifted to DH Handwara for treatment. However she succumbed on the way and was declared brought dead on arrival.

The deceased has been identified as Hoor Jan (5) Daughter of Abdul Rashid Bhat of Magam.

Meanwhile a police official confirmed to death of the minor girl and said that a case has been registered in this regard. (GNS)

Army organises awareness programme

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

26/07/2021

Handwara: Army on Sunday conducted an awareness program in Haphruda. The aim of the programme was to create awareness among villagers about government schemes. Young, elderly, men, women, from 66 villages participated in the programme.

According to a statement, employees of Common Service Centre from Haphruda and Taratpura were called to educate villagers about Government Schemes. During the programme Awareness related to Ayushman Bharat (Gold Card Facility), Digital India Program ( PMG Disha, Digital Literacy) , Tele Law and PM Kisan Yojna been explained. In addition, documentation check and Queries related to Aadhaar Card, Election Card and various other government schemes were verified and answered by the CSC representative.

The overall programme was interactive and fruitful for the locals as it focussed on various new government beneficiary schemes.

1st T20I: India beat Sri Lanka by 38 runs

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

26/07/2021

Colombo: India put up a commanding display to defeat Sri Lanka by 38 runs in the first T20 International here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. While India made 164/5 which looked within Sri Lanka’s range, the bowlers led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/21) and Deepak Chahar (2/24) ensured it was too much for the host.

Though the Sri Lankans had got off to a flying start, losing wickets only intermittently, and were in the game at 107/4 after 15 overs, Chahar’s wicket of Charith Asalanka (44 off 26 balls) started the slide for the home side who kept losing wickets at regular intervals as the pressure of a rising required run rate kept mounting.

From 111/4 — with 54 to get in 27 balls — the Dasun Shanaka’s side was all out for 126 in 18.3 overs.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (1/19) bowled well to build the pressure on the Sri Lankans. Debutant leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy (1/28) took a wicket towards the end.

Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav’s 50 (off 34 balls) and skipper Shikhar Dhawan’s 46 (off 36 balls) helped India score 164/5 in 20 overs.

The two batsmen’s knocks kept India steady in the face of some disciplined Sri Lankan bowling that was powered by impressive spells from leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (2/28) and pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera (2/24).

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan scored unbeaten 20 off 14 deliveries with a four and a six.

ICMR’s Latest Survey

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

25/07/2021

The latest survey by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), estimating the prevalence of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the population, was released earlier this week. The survey, conducted in June-July 2021, reported a prevalence of 67.6 per cent in the general population aged over 6 years.

The finding shows 61.2% sero positive among the general population while the health care providers showed a whopping 81.1% sero positive response to COVID infection in Pulwama district.

This figure reveals a big jump from prevalence estimates of earlier surveys.

The first survey, in May-June 2020, reported only 0.7 per cent. The estimate went up to 7.1 per cent in August-September 2020. Between December 2020 and January 2021, as the first wave reached its nadir, the prevalence was noted to be 24.1 per cent. The 280 per cent increase, since this last survey, is principally due to the second wave that surged skywards during March-May 2021, though vaccination too commenced from mid-January to confer immunity on some. Children aged 6-9 years had 57.2 per cent seropositivity, while 61.6 per cent in the 10-17 year age group tested positive.

While antibody surveys are useful to gauge the extent of virus spread across the population, experts cautioned that these numbers cannot be taken to fit a particular city or village. While it’s true that antibodies mean protection, their longevity, especially among those who were infected, is likely to wane in the next few months.

The latest ICMR survey covered 28,975 individuals randomly selected from the population and separately examined 7,252 healthcare workers. The sampling frame for the population survey covered 70 districts, across 21 states. While they may be considered fairly representative of the 741 districts of India, some regional variations may be missed.

In overall context, the centre has rightly underlined the need for the people as well as local governments to remain careful and avoid any sort of gathering, whether social, religious or political. The government as well as people shall not become complacent. Same mistake again can prove detrimental.

The Lieutenant Governor has set the target for the Health Department to vaccinate 15 lakh additional population in coming weeks in Jammu and Kashmir. The target should be met and measures taken in advance to meet it.

In anticipation of the 3rd Wave, the Lieutenant Governor has rightly underlined the need to remain prepared to deal with any future health challenges. By vaccinating the targeted population at the earliest, the government will be able to save precious lives from any such threat.

Fake Arms License Case: CBI raids 40 locations including residences of 2 IAS officers

Front

Indo Asian News Service

25/07/2021

Fake Arms License Case: CBI raids 40 locations including residences of 2 IAS officers

New Delhi/Srinagar:: The multiple teams of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday carried out searches at 40 locations, including the residential premises of two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi in connection with its probe into an alleged illegal arms license case.

A CBI spokesperson in Delhi said that the agency is conducting searches at around 40 locations in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Anantnag, Baramulla and Delhi, including the official and residential premises of certain then public servants (including IAS, KAS officers, then DM, then ADM etc).

The official said that it is also carrying out searches at around 20 gun houses or dealers as part of its ongoing investigation into a case related to an arms licence racket.

Another CBI official said that the searches began early on Saturday morning.

An agency source revealed that the CBI is carrying out searches at the premises of former Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, and another IAS officer named Neeraj Kumar, among others.

The CBI had registered two cases on the request of J&K government and further orders from the Central government and had taken over the investigation of two FIRs on May 17, 2018 on the allegations of bulk issuance of arms licence in the erstwhile state of J&K during the period between 2012 and 2016. It was alleged that more than 2.78 lakh arms licences were issued to non-entitled persons.

The CBI also collected documents pertaining to the issuance of the said armed licences, allegedly spread over 22 districts of J&K.

The official said that during investigation and scrutiny of documents, the role of certain gun dealers was found, who in connivance with the public servants, including the then DMs and ADMs of the concerned districts, had allegedly issued such illegal arms licences to the ineligible persons.

He said that it was also alleged that the persons who got these licences were not residents of the places from where the said arms licences were issued.

After 2-years, people celebrate restriction free Eid in Kashmir

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

25/07/2021

After 2-years, people celebrate restriction free Eid in Kashmir

By: Afaq Bhat

Srinagar: After facing three consecutive lockdowns on Eid festival due to COVID-19, people in Kashmir celebrated Eid-ul-Azha in a relaxed atmosphere this year as the cases declined.

After the pandemic broke out in early 2020, the government had imposed restrictions on religious gatherings and had even closed down all the places of worship across the country. Maintaining social distance, wearing masks and keeping the hands clean are the basic protocols that people need to follow even today.

“When the COVID-19 appeared the entire world was clueless about how contagious the virus is, and how it can be cured. But one thing was proven beyond that it spreads from one human being to another. So the experts suggested that people should remain away from one another to prevent the virus from moving. For the past two years people have been living under fear and threat,” said an observer.

It’s in place to mention here that religious places, including shrines, temples and masjids remained closed for a long time. People have not been able to perform Hajj for the past two years. The annual Amarnath pilgrimage in Kashmir has not been held for the last two years. Similarly many religious pilgrimages across the world were called off as none of the governments wanted to take a chance by allowing people to gather at one place.

After nearly two years, people in Kashmir were seen visiting the houses of their relatives and even Eid congregation prayers were offered in mohallas and villages. “We are hoping that COVID-19 won’t appear again and we will be able to live our lives normally. For the past 2-years we have been confined within our homes and the pandemic hasn’t spared anyone,” said Farooq Ahmed of Rawalpora.

He said, “The Covid cases have declined but the threat of a third wave is still there. Following Sops and getting vaccinated hold the key. The virus can raise its ugly head at any point of time. We can’t relax till we defeat the virus completely.”

Feroz Ahmed Khan of Nowhata, while recalling the last three Eids that were celebrated amidst COVID-19 restrictions, said, “The threat of getting infected kept most of the people inside. But this time around one could feel that Eid has come and we can celebrate it. The Covid has taught us many lessons and we need to thank the Almighty for giving us another chance. Many people lost their kith and kin during the past two years and we should not forget it. Everyone across the world is praying for the pandemic to end. The virus has changed our lives. We want to get back to our normal routine,” he added.

Investigation agency found nothing incriminating: Dr Shahid

Front

Indo Asian News Service

25/07/2021

New Delhi: Amid the searches at 40 locations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the illegal arms licences case, IAS officer Shahid Choudhary broke his silence saying that the agency searched his premises and found nothing incriminating.

In a tweet Choudhary said, “With reference to media reports I have to confirm that CBI did search my residence and found nothing incriminating in ongoing arms license probe. Media friends may note the probe covers four years across all distts. I am fully answerable to CBI for my tenure.”

He also attached a sheet with his tweet of the stats from his tenure.

In his statement, Choudhary said, “Tenure in three districts: Out of 4.49 lakh arms licences issued in J&K between 2012-16, only 56,000 (12.4 per cent) issued in three districts of Raesi, Kathua and Udhampur where I served as DM.”

He said that this is not “disproportionate”.

Choudhary added that “lowest number: of the 56,000 licences issues in three districts — Raesi, Udhampur and Kathua — between 2012-16, only 1,720 were issued in my tenure — three percent of all licences issued in three districts in four years or during the period under investigation and 0.38 per cent of all such licences issued in J&K.

He said the licences issued in three districts under his tenure have been among the lowest by any DM in any district.

The officer stated that “procedural irregularity: oversight or procedural indiscretion in few cases cannot be completely ruled out as this passes through several clerical stages”.

“Of the 36,000 licences issued in Udhampur between 2012-16, only 1,500 odd (less than four per cent) issued under my tenure. I have complied with agency queries, committed to do so in future also,” he added.

His remarks came amid the CBI searches at 40 locations, including the residential premises of two IAS officials, in Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi in connection with its probe into alleged illegal arms license case.

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