Precious Kashmir

One dead, two injured in Ramban mishap

Front

20/05/2021

Srinagar: A 22-year-old non-local resident was killed while two others were injured after a vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident at Chanderkot area in Ramban district.

Six persons who were also travelling in the vehicle are still missing, officials said.

Officials said that a vehicle (Innova) bearing registration number HR55J-1678 met with an accident at Duggi Pulli in Chanderkot.

They said a rescue operation was launched by Police and QRT at the spot, saying that one person has died while two were injured in the incident.

The deceased has been identified as Rashid Ahmad, 22, while injured Muhammad Asif, 28 and Bilal Ahmad, 25—all residents of Bijnore Uttar Pradesh.

They said six travellers are still missing and rescue operation is on to trace them, adding that Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ramban and Superintendent of Police are on the spot.

Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban PD Nitya said that the rescue operation is on in the area. “We have started an operation but there is no success as of now,” SP Ramban said. (KNO)

DGP dedicates operations command vehicles for JKP in Jammu

Front

Precious Kashmir

20/05/2021

Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh Wednesday dedicated operations Command vehicles, equipped with modern technology to Jammu and Kashmir Police in a function held at Police Headquarters Jammu.

ADGP, Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh, ADGP Headquarters PHQ, M.K Sinha, DIG, JSK Range , Atul Goel, AIG, (Tech) PHQ, Rahul Malik , AIG (P&T) PHQ, Rajinder Gupta, AIG (Personnel) PHQ, Ramesh Angral, Chandan Kohli SSP Jammu and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

DGP on the occasion inspected the Command Vehicles and appreciated the suggestions made by officers for further upgrading of these vehicles.

He said that command vehicles are equipped with all modern gadgets which will be extremely useful during different anti-militancy operations. He said that “safety of our officers and cops is on our top priority.” He added that providing additional secure mobility and safety gears would surely increase the efficiency and capabilities of dedicated force, working on anti-militancy front.

The Command Vehicles shall be used as a communication/operational hub during any emergency particularly in anti-militancy operations. The vehicles are fully Air conditioned, bullet proof, having high resolution CCTV/PTZ cameras providing 360′ view of the area while sitting inside the vehicle framed is also suitable for comfortable stay of officers/officials during the time of operations.

The Command Vehicle has three-level power supply system which can sustain for long duration and additional powerhouse (Genset) are the other features of the Command Vehicle.

DGP also chaired a meeting of top officers wherein he reviewed the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s response to the 2nd wave of COVID-19. He directed the officers to take all the necessary measures in assisting the administration and implementing the government directives on ground to prevent its spread.

He expressed his satisfaction over the ongoing vaccination drive. He also directed the officers to provide COVID care facilities to the family members of the personnel who get infected by COVID.

ADGsP, Mukesh Singh and M.K Sinha briefed the DGP regarding various measures taken to restrict the spread of COVID. ADGP Jammu also apprised the DGP about the security scenario of Jammu Zone.

COVID-19 vaccine must to achieve herd immunity: Dr Khuroo

City

Jahangeer Ganaie

20/05/2021

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: Chairman of Covid advisory committee Dr M S Khuroo Wednesday said that the vaccine is a must to achieve herd immunity and to reduce the effect of infection of the prevailing second wave.

Khuroo said that people of J&K showed hesitancy when vaccines were available in abundance but now when there is vaccine shortage people have started to take interest in vaccination.

“However, authorities must make vaccines available again and start immunization at the earliest,” he said.

Khuroo said that to fight pandemic and decrease infection, there are only two ways that is vaccination and following Covid appropriate behaviour.

“The more people we will vaccinate, the infection rate will decrease and people must be given both doses of vaccine on time,” he said.

Khuroo said that in some vaccines like Moderna and F Pfixer vaccines have 95 percent efficacy, however, the vaccines like Covaxin and Covishield have 70 to 90 percent efficacy.

He said that vaccines can’t kill and chances of defect in platelets and clot is very rare and it can be one case in one million.

“Clots due to vaccines have been seen mainly among ladies of 18-40 and there are little chances in male and elderly people,” Khuroo said.

“All above 18 must take vaccines, however those persons having allergy with any component of vaccines, pregnant ladies should not take vaccines as of now and patients suffering from cancer, HIV, advanced liver disease must consultant doctors before taking the jab as vaccines in them won’t be so effective as it will have effect on normal person,” he said.

Khuroo said that Indian and UK variants are prevalent and though the vaccine will be effective for other variants, it will largely make an impact on the parent virus.

Khuroo said that Mucormycosis can affect people with weak immune systems, or have undergone transplant surgery, or are on steroid drugs for a long time.

“The first wave affected mostly elderly people, second wave is affecting young people and if the third wave comes, it will affect mostly children as it can cause inflammatory syndrome in them,” he said.

Khuroo said that lockdown isn’t a solution but to tame the beast it is must, “but government must take care of poor people.”—(KNO)

Taking all possible measures to break chain: DC Sgr

City

Precious Kashmir

20/05/2021

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammed Aijaz Asad Wednesday said that district administration is taking all possible measures to break the chain of coronavirus infection in Srinagar.

The DC said this while giving a brief regarding the Covid-19 management and control measures undertaken by the district administration Srinagar.

Divulging the details, the DC said that the district administration is making all out efforts to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 SOPs. He said Corona Curfew has yielded good results so far and decline in Covid positive cases has been seen.

He sought further support from general public in fight against the Covid-19 to overcome the situation evolved due to 2nd wave of Covid-19.

The DC said various measures have been taken to strengthen the system to fight the war against Covid-19 and in this regard bed capacity is being augmented at various health facilities and Covid care centers in the city.

Besides these, sufficient availability of oxygen supply has been made by commissioning medical oxygen plants at various health facilities, while more oxygen plants would be added soon to further strengthen the oxygen support system.

He also informed that district Administration Srinagar has started Community Triaging for effective Covid-19 management and in this regard Community Triaging teams are going door to door for better supervision of Covid-19 management at zone-level.

The DC also said that under DRDO a 500 bed hospital is being constructed at Khonmoh in Srinagar which shall be made operational by the end of this month to further increase the bed capacity in district.

40 Oxygen cylinders go missing at SDH Kuwpara

Jammu & Kashmir

Tasaduq Hussain

20/05/2021

3 storekeepers suspended, inquiry initiated

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Kupwara: The authorities in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have placed three employees of the health department under suspension after at least 40 oxygen cylinders went missing from Sub District Hospital mysteriously.

Officials told KNO that at least 40 oxygen cylinders are missing from Sub District Hospital (SDH), the lone COVID-19 dedicated facility in the Kupwara district.

They said that after a missing report of the cylinders at the most vital time an inquiry was ordered and initially three concerned storekeepers of the health department were suspended immediately while the investigation was launched to recover the oxygen cylinders.

Meanwhile, the Nodal officer for COVID-19 in Kupwara Ghulam Nabi Sheikh said that there is some issue with the staff entry and they are not missing from the COVID hospital rather the available stock in blocks.

“There is a discrepancy in the record and the actual cylinders and hopefully, it will be sorted by tomorrow but the matter is being inquired”, he said.

He said that any Covid positive patient requiring oxygen support is shifted to the designated facility for further treatment and no oxygen cylinders are provided for home isolation.

“In the next two days, one each Covid dedicated facilities are scheduled to come up at Langate and Sogam having a bed capacity of 50 with high flow oxygen support”, Sheikh said.

COVID-19: High edible oil prices burn a hole in peoples’ pocket

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

20/05/2021

By: Umaisar Gull Ganie

Srinagar: At a time when the second wave of the COVID19 pandemic has been a constant source of anxiety in Kashmir valley, to make things worse, citizens are struggling by the high prices of edible oils.

The increased prices of oil have come amid movement restrictions announced by the government due to the surge in Coronavirus pandemic.

The news agency KNO received several complaints about a sudden rise in the edible oil prices from across the valley.

The prices of edible oils have risen by up to 35 percent in the last three months and the price of a 15 kg mustard oil has increased from around Rs 2000 to Rs 2700.

The popular mustard oil brands including Pir, P-Mark, and V-brand, which are widely used for cooking in Kashmir, are being sold around Rs 2700 per 15 kilograms. Similarly, the rates of refined oils like a 5-liter of Dhara have increased from Rs 600 to Rs 1000.

Mohammad Iqbal Samad, associate at Abdul Samad & Sons Batamaloo said that the rise of edible oils is from the last three months and is increasing gradually each passing day.

“The main reason behind the rise in prices of oils is because of the import hit in India caused by COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Samad said India is importing 70 percent of oils from foreign countries now and because of COVID-19 the import process is affected.

“This problem is not restricted to the Valley, the entire India faces it,” he said, adding that farmers’ protests in India have equally affected the oil prices.

Aaquib Nabi, who is residing in a rented accommodation at Khanyar Srinagar said “I had bought two litres of mustard oil in the first week of the previous month (April). It cost me Rs 120 for a litre of oil. On May 8, I was amazed to see that the shopkeeper charged Rs 180 for a litre.”

Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kashmir, Abdul Samad Mir said that rates are not being fixed by them for edible oil and its MRP is fixed by the center.

“If anyone is found selling the same on higher rates strict action shall be taken against them,” he said.

Bandipora-Gurez opens for two-way traffic

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

20/05/2021

Bandipora: The Bandipora-Gurez road, which remains closed during winters due to intense snowfall, was officially thrown open for two way traffic on Wednesday.

In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that the road opening ceremony was held at the Razdan pass- 11500 feet high wherein Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad flagged off the traffic declaring official the road open for two-way traffic.

He said that Senior Superintendent of Police Mohammad Zahid, Chief Engineer BRO IK Jaggi, Commander Aijai Singh Dabas, Major Brijesh, SDM Gurez and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

“Gurez valley remains cut-off for around 5 months every year owing to the closure of the 85-kilometre-long road.”

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad lauded the efforts of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for working tirelessly to keep the road open for maximum time and then opening the road in record time after heavy snowfall from time to time.

He said road clearance amid adverse weather conditions is not an easy job but a herculean task. He said that it was the hard work of the BRO that helped to keep the road open till mid-December and then opening it for one way traffic in record time after snowfall.

BRO officers on the occasion said clearing of the road was not expected in such a short time in the wake of regular and heavy snowfall this year.

“However, collected and concerted efforts at the hands of the security forces and civil administration led to the breakthrough,” the statement reads—(KNO)

Man allegedly involved in raping minor girl in Kulgam: Police

City

Precious Kashmir

20/05/2021

Kulgam: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday said that they arrested an accused, allegedly involved in raping a minor girl, within an hour after receiving a complaint in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that a girl (Name withheld) aged about 14 years along with her father approached the Police Station Devsar with a written complaint stating that on May 12, she was on way towards her orchard and in the mean time one person namely, Mudasir Ahmad Lone son of Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, a resident of Dardgund wrongfully restrained her and forcibly raped her.

The spokesperson said that thereafter the accused had threatened her not to disclose the incident to anyone.

“Acting promptly upon the complaint, a case FIR No. 28/2021 U/S 341, 376, 506 IPC, 4 POCSO Act was registered in police station Devsar and investigation was taken up instantly,” he said.

He said that on a tip off, Police party from Police Station Devsar led by SHO Devsar Inspector Jazib Mohammad under the supervision of DySP PC Kulgam Azhar Rashid was constituted to nab the accused.

“Utilising all available means and with strenuous efforts, investigating team arrested the accused within one hour after complaint was received,” the spokesperson said—(KNO

Sarmad Hafeez directs augmenting winter sports facilities

Sports

Precious Kashmir

20/05/2021

Directs joint inspections of Sonmarg slopes, Manasbal treatment plant

SRINAGAR, MAY 19: Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Sarmad Hafeez today directed the Tourism Department to augment all winter sports facilities and equipment at Gulmarg so that these are kept in a state of readiness before the onset of winter season.

Chairing a meeting of officers of Tourism and related Departments here today, the Tourism Secretary directed the constitution of teams from Tourism Department and J&K Cable Car Corporation to check the operational worthiness of the equipment like ski lifts, snow beaters etc. at Gulmarg and make these ready for use by the start of winter season. For this, he directed taking all the steps required at the earliest. He said he has already directed upgradation and further improvement of Gulmarg Golf Course for which work is already on.

Mr. Sarmad Hafeez also underscored the need for developing Sonamarg as a winter destination in view of the heavy rush of tourists witnessed last winter. In this regard, he directed exploring slopes for establishing ski lifts and other mechanical equipment at the resort. In this regard, he directed the Sonamarg Development Authority and J&K Cable Car Corporation to undertake a joint survey of the area within a week’s time.

The Tourism Secretary also took a review of the progress on installation of Bio digesters in Dal lake by LAWDA. He asked the LAWDA to fix a timeline in this regard and call the experts from DRDO at the earliest, as decided already. He also asked the LAWDA to pace up its anti-encroachment drive along the peripheries of Dal lake.

Sarmad Hafeez also directed conducting a joint inspection of water treatment plant at Manasbal by a joint team of officials from Tourism Department and UEED. He directed ramping up lighting facilities along Boulevard, at Royal Springs Golf Course and Pari Mahal within a week’s time and make it aesthetically pleasing. He also sought full details of the signages being installed at various tourist destinations by the J&K Cable Car Corporation.

The Tourism Secretary also reviewed pace of disbursement of COVID-19 relief announced by the Government for various segments of tourism sector and directed its speedy disbursement among the beneficiaries.

Earlier, the Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Dr. G N Itoo briefed the Tourism Secretary about the activities being carried out by the Department currently.

He said the Department is collecting details of all the tourism stakeholders for undergoing vaccination programme and in this regard a separate cell has been created in the Department. Besides, the Department is also planning, in coming days, a capacity building programme for tourism stakeholders for post covid business activities once the situation improves.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner, SMC, Athar Amin; VC, LAWDA; Chief Engineer, UEED, Basharat Ahmad; CEOs of Gulmarg and Pahalgam Development Authorities, Inam ul Haq Siddiqui and Mushtaq Ahmad; CEO, Golf Development Authority, Javed Humayun Bakshi; officers from Tourism Department, LAWDA, Mechanical Engineering Department; Cable Car Corporation and other related Departments.

COVID-19: Vardhan advises people against indiscriminate, excessive use of steroids

National

United News Of India

20/05/2021

New Delhi: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday advised people against excessive use of steroids to treat coronavirus, to prevent side effects and complications arising due to indiscriminate breach of treatment protocols.

After inspecting the newly-installed Oxygen plant and reviewing the COVID preparedness of the hospital during the meeting held with doctors, Dr Vardhan said, ‘People are taking heavy doses of steroids even when they have not turned hypoxic.Steroids are to be provided only when a patient is hypoxic, to be administered in small doses to prevent side effects and not more than a few days at a stretch. Recommendations of a doctor is must for the use of these medicines.’

These steps should be taken care as higher number of Mucormycosis infections were being reported country-wide, a statement from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare quoted Dr Vardhan as saying.

He also requested doctors to stick to ICMR guidelines while treating COVID patients.

Asserting that the daily recoveries have now outnumbered the new cases for the sixth consecutive day which has contributed to the reduction of Active Caseload, he asked people to bring down the infections by following covid-appropriate behaviour.

The Union Health Minister also remembered the countless COVID warriors who have died in the line of duty.

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