Srinagar: Twelve militants were killed in four separate gunfights within 72 hours belonged to Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), Al-Badr and Lashker-e-Toiba, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said on Sunday.

He said that while seven militants belonged to AGuH including the outfit’s chief, three were from Al-Badr and two from LeT/TRF.

Regarding two from LeT/TRF, he said that both were “hardcore local militants” and responsible for April 9 killing of a TA soldier at Bijbhera Anantnag. “They were active for long and wanted in many cases cases and were killed in Bijbhera gunfight,” he told GNS. With this, he said twelve militants were killed in four separate operations over the last 72 hours. “With the killing of seven AGuH militants at Tral and Shopian , the outfit has been fully eliminated. Three militants of Al Badr were killed at Hatipora Shopian.”

Poonch: A 29-year-old man from Pakistan administered Kashmir was apprehended Army’s 19 Kumaon near Balakote along the Line of Control in Poonch on Sunday, officials said.
He has been identified as Ghulam Qadir of Gemba Nakyal in Kotle district of Pak, they said.
It was not immediately known if the man had inadvertently crossed or he crossed intentionally.
SSP Poonch Dr Vinod Kumar while confirmed the arrest told GNS that man was still in army’s custody and would be handed over to police. (GNS)

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: A day after recording highest single day count of covid-19 cases this year, Jammu and Kashmir reported 915 fresh infections while five more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.

Among the fresh cases, 288 cases were reported from Jammu division and 627 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total tally to 138390. 915 fresh cases which include 156 travelers and 15 CRPF troopers besides five minors was the second highest jump in the daily cases reported this year in the J&K.

Regarding the fatalities, the officials told GNS that all five of them were reported from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall toll to 2034—1282 in the Valley and 752 from Jammu.

Giving district-wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 362 cases, Baramulla 111, Budgam 27, Pulwama 15, Kupwara 38, Anantnag 25, Bandipora 12, Ganderbal 8, Kulgam 15, Shopian 14, Jammu 192, Udhampur 3, Rajouri 4, Doda 8, Kathua 11, Samba 11, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 8, Ramban 3 and Reasi 48.

A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of SKIMS Soura, CD hospital and GMC Anantnag.

The SKIMS cases include male (30) from Shunglipora Khag, female (14) from Beerwah, female (23) from Watalpora, male (42) from Chattabugh, male (38) from Soibugh, female (35) from Charisharief, female (16) from Kumar Mohalla Budgam, female (22) from Futlipora, female (40) from Goigam, female (26) from Pinjoora Kunzer, female (45) from Near Cooperative Colony Peerbagh Srg, female (30) from Bada Mohalla Narkara Srg, male (70) from Kralpora Chadoora, male (71) from Baghat Barzulla, male (32) from Kultreth Chadoora, male (27) from Chanapora Srg, female (25) from Khanda Main Budgam, male (27) from Kralpora Main Budgam, male (26) from 44 Bn Crpf HMT Zainakote Srg, thirteen males (34, 36, 35, 43, 39, 39, 56, 48, 41, 35, 39, 48, 48) from 185 Bn Crpf Lethpora Pulwama, male (36) from 56 Rr Kalaroos Kupwara, male (NA) from Tulmula Ganderbal, male (19) from Tral, female (18) from Batpora, male (29) from Habak, two males (58, 27) and female (31) from Pehlipora Ganderbal, male (30) from Batapora, male (32) from Buchpora, male (21) from Shuhama Ganderbal, male (41) from Charwan Ganderbal, female (50) from Safapora, female (42) from Theru, female (29) from Karanagar Ganderbal, male (42) from Shopian, female (32) from Zrakan Shopian, female (33) from Raamnagri Shopian, male (40) from Bonagam Shopian, female (40) from Pinjoora Shopian, male (51) from Rafiaabad Baramulla, male (62) from Housing Colony Bemina Srg, female (50) from Bemina, male (32) from Bemina Colony, male (20) and female (18) from Bemina, male (36) from Eidgah Srg, female (16) from Tulinowpora Kulgam, male (30) from Airport Budgam, female (17) from Wave classes Srg, male (15) from Khanyar Srg, male (45) from Batmaloo, three females (42, 40, 40) from Bemina, male (30) from Hazratbal Srg, male (31) from Rawalpora, female (40) from Bemina, male (55) from Khanyar, male (48) from Natipora, female (37) from Khonmoh, three males (35, 03, 33) from Batmaloo, male (31) and female (58) from Chanapora, female (24) from Lal Mandi, two females (45, 20) from Natipora, male (35) from Bemina, female (30) from Mehjoor Nagar, female (29) from Batmaloo, female (55) from Natipora, male (24) from P C Deptt Srg, male (47) from Batmaloo, female (34) and male (03) from Saifullah Srg, male (37) from Baghat, female (24) from Alochibagh, male (21) from Batmaloo, female (55) from Baghi Mehtab, female (48) from Chanapora, male (30) from Batmaloo, male (27) from Hyderpora, male (36) from Nishat, female (30) and male (70) from Chanapora, male (16) and female (45) from Alochibagh, male (33) from Gupkar Srg, male (40) from Nehru Park Srg, female (36) from Khanyar, male (04) from Elahibagh, male (32) from Lal Bazar, female (NA) from Hawal, two females (18, 60) from Nowshera, male (39) from Lal Bazar, female (30) from Soura, male (65) from Umer Colony Srg, male (30) from Nowshera, male (34) from Soura Soura, female (NA) and four males (NA, 40, 60, 30) from Lal Bazar, female (35) from Hawal, female (49) from Eidgah Srg, male (35) and three females (60, 35, 10) from Hawal, male (28) from Kawdara, female (45) from Noorbagh, male (30) from Budgam, male (31) from Mujgund, male (80) from Lal Bazar, male (40) from Saderbal, female (18) from Umer Colony Srg, male (63) from Habak, female (21) from Proff. Colony Srg, male (25) from N Srinagar, female (27) from Harwan, male (60) from Zakura, male (50) from Burzahama, male (15) from Brain Nishat, female (NA) from Darbagh Harwan, male (20) and female (52) from Mallabagh Srg, male (55) from Nishat, female (NA) from Elahibagh, male (24) from NA Srinagar, eight males (22, 21, 20, 22, 21, 22, 28, 30) and three females (22, 19, 22) from N.I.T Srg, male (30) and female (29) from Hotel Fort View Srg, male (24) from Brain Srg, male (NA) from Nishat, male (73) from Kanitar, two females (54, 20) from Elahibagh Rangpora Srg, male (NA) from Habbak, female (67) from Elahibagh, male (33) from Harwan, female (45) from Zakura Srg, female (55) from Alochibagh, female (48) from Rambagh, male (64) and two females (35, 50) from Baghat, female (57) and male (63) from Wanabal Srg, male (25) from Lal Bazar, female (46) from Rawalpora, male (50) from Balgarden, female (32) from Chattabal, male (45) and female (20) from Batmaloo, female (14) from Eidgah, male (17) from Batmaloo, male (70) from Beerwah, male (28) from Batmaloo, male (60) from Baghi Mehtab, male (30) from Chattabal, female (28) from Batpora, two males (05, 27) and two females (35, 55) from Baghat, two males (23, 50) from Rambagh, female (18) from Bemina, female (24) from Qamarwari, male (28) from Eidgah Srg, male (22) from Nawakadal, male (40) from C/O Skims Srg, male (58) from Khayam, female (56) from Buchpora, two females (56, 65) from Elahibagh, female (33) and male (55) from Rawalpora, male (32) from Zakura, male (50) from Soura, two females (10, 55) from Nawakadal, male (12) from Rawalpora, male (27) from Amdakadal, female (16) from Pandach Ganderbal, female (50) from Gulabagh, male (60) from Hazratbal Srg, female (48) from Kralsangri Srg, male (29) from Chaar Srg, female (22) from Lal Bazar, female (39) from Nowhatta, male (62) from Saderbal, female (09) from Hawal, female (24) from Lal Bazar, female (25) from C/O Skims Srg, female (48) from New Srg, female (38) from Gulabagh, male (67) from C/O Skims Srg, female (33) from Boulevard, male (05) from Buchpora, male (28) from KU Srg, male (40) from Safapora, male (60) from New Khandah Pulwama, male (74) from Qamarwari, male (77) from Chattabal, male (60) from Khawaja Bagh Baramulla, male (45) from Nishat, female (64) from Alamgarib Srg and male (60) from Nowshera Srg.

The CD cases include female (47) from Pampore, female (29) from Sopore, male (22) from BB Cantt Srg, female (10) from Pampore, male (15) from Kadalbal Pampore, male (38) from Konibal Pulwama, male (12) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (40) from Sharshali, female (30) from Nowgam, female (68) from Rajpora, male (21) from Mugalpora Shopian, male (NA) from Islamabad, female (65) from Sonwar, female (70) from Hyderpora, male (24) from Barzulla, two females (13, 40) from HMT, male (34) from Rajouri Kadal, male (35) from Parraypora, male (40) from Srinagar, male (11) from Soura, female (19) from Shalimar, female (45) from Rawalpora, female (32) from Nowgam, male (22) from Srinagar, female (50) from Budgam, male (77) from Fatehkadal, male (60) from Srinagar, male (72) from NA, male (30) and female (30) from Zakura, female (21) from Barzulla, male (47) from Nishat, female (06) and male (30) from Nowgam, male (46) from NA, male (28) from Dalgate, five males (70, 80, 72, 75, 54) and female (70) from NA, two males (60, 18) from Rajbagh, male (36) from Fatehkadal, male (NA) from Srinagar, male (50) from Eidgah Srg, male (35) from Sidiq Lane, female (34) from Dalgate, female (36) from Panthachowk, male (60) from Anantnag, male (55) from Barzulla and male (26) from Kulgam.

The GMC Anantnag cases include two females (40, 80) from Bus Stand, male (22) from Dailgam, male (30) from KP Road, male (51) from New Qazibagh, male (32) from Bijbehara, male (33) from K B Pora, male (75) and female (55) from Barzulla, two males (34, 29) from Khanabal, male (78) from Checkpath, male (28) from Lowermunda, male (65) from Chittergull, male (28) from Khundroo, two males (55, 42) from B B Nowgam, female (35) from Manzgam, male (53) from Ahmedabad and male (59) from RNY Anantnag.

There are 7335 active cases—2332 in Jammu and 5003 in Kashmir, they added.  (GNS)

New Delhi: India on Sunday reported 1,52,879 new cases of COVID-19 during the past 24 hours, the data by the Union Health Ministry stated on Thursday.

With this, the country’s overall Covid tally now stands at 1,33,58,805.

The death toll mounted to 1,69,275 with 839 more fatalities in the past day, highest in six months.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the active cases rose by 61,456 to stand at 11,08,087. It is now 8.29 per cent of the total caseload.

The past 24 hours saw 90,584 people recovering from the deadly virus, taking the total recovery count to 1,20,81,443, which is 90.44 per cent of the case tally. The fatality rate stood at 1.27 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 25,66,26,850 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Out of this, 14,12,047 were tested in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, a total of 10,15,95,147 people have been vaccinated across the country till now with 35,19,987 vaccinations administered in the past 24 hours.

New Delhi: In wake of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, India on Sunday prohibited the exports of remdesivir injections and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the situation improves.

The decision was taken considering a sudden spike in demand for remdesivir, which is used in treatment of Covid-19 patients, a Health and Family Welfare Ministry statement said.

Noting India has 11.08 lakh active Covid cases as on Sunday amid an increasing trend, the Ministry said: “There is a potential of further increase in demand of injection remdesivir and remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in the coming days.”

“In light of the above increasing Covid cases, Government of India has prohibited the exports of injection Remdesivir and Remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the situation improves.”

Seven Indian companies are producing injection Remdesivir under voluntary licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences, US. They have an installed capacity of about 38.80 lakh units per month.

In addition, the Central government has taken several steps to ensure easy access of hospital and patients to Remdesivir.

As part of its effort, it has advised all domestic manufactures of Remdesivir to display details of their stockists or distributors on their websites to facilitate access to the drug.

“Drugs inspectors and other officers have been directed to verify stocks and check malpractices and also take other effective actions to curb hoarding and black marketing,” the Ministry said.

“The state Health Secretaries will review this with the Drug Inspectors of the respective states and Union Territories (UTs). The Department of Pharmaceuticals has been in contact with the domestic manufacturers to ramp up the production of Remdesivir.”

The Centre has also advised states that the “National Clinical Management Protocol for Covid-19”, developed after many interactions by Committee of Experts, is the guiding document for treatment of Covid-19 patients and lists Remdesivir as an investigational therapy, where informed and shared decision making is essential, besides taking note of contra indications mentioned in the detailed guidelines.

The states and UTs have been advised that these steps should again be communicated to all hospitals, both in public and private sector, and compliance monitored.

Srinagar: Amid continuing spike in the reported covid-19 cases, all schools in the Jammu and Kashmir upto 12th standard shall continue to remain closed for imparting on-campus and in-person education to the students till April 18, officials said on Sunday.

While schools upto 9th standard were already closed till April 18, others—10th to 12th—were shut last week till April 12.

“It is clarified that this order does not prohibit the conduct of any scheduled exam during this period by examination conducting body or institute subject to existing covid-19 norms of adequate social distancing and sanitization,” reads an order member secretary State executive Committee, a copy of which lies with GNS.

Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Sunday urged authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to expand the vaccination roll out and include young people.

“Everyone above 18 years of age should be vaccinated against coronavirus,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“While people over the age 45 are being vaccinated, it is time to relax the age limit as Covid-19 spread is on the rise among young people.”

“Kashmir is reeling under the grip of a second wave of Covid-19, with cases escalating at an unprecedented rate,” DAK President said.

“More young people are getting infected in this new wave.”

“This is because they are the ones who go out for work, socialize, and travel, which increases their chances of contracting the virus,” he said.

“And, many of them do not follow Covid appropriate behavior which facilitates the spread of the virus in the community.”

“Though severe cases mostly constitute elderly, young people are getting admitted in hospitals with severe bilateral pneumonia needing intensive care and some even ventilators,” Dr Nisar said.

“Not only will vaccine protect young people against Covid-19, but will also help achieve herd immunity which is when large enough proportion of the population is immune to the virus so that the virus no longer spreads easily from person to person.”

“The goal is unlikely to be achieved if young people, who constitute a huge portion of the population, are not vaccinated,” he said.

“And, if we leave a large number of the population unimmunized, we will not be able to break the chain of infection and the current wave will linger on.”

“Young people can take the virus home and give it to elder members in the family who are at high risk of complications, hospitalization and death,” said Dr Nisar.

“Vaccinating young will protect old people and other vulnerable groups that will help reduce the number of deaths in the community.”

“Given the pace of spread, it seems there is a mutant in circulation which is more infectious than the previous one,” he said.

“Opening up vaccination to young people quickly and thoroughly can prevent the mutant from gaining foothold,” he added.

Chairs meeting of all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir   

Srinagar: In order to receive a first-hand appraisal of the Administration’s response towards addressing the issues of public, besides ensuring transparency & accountability in the governance system, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today chaired a meeting of all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division here at Raj Bhavan.

The meeting was also attended by Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir, and Rahul Pandey, Director Information & PR.

The Lt Governor observed that officers are the face of administration and exhorted them to discharge their duties with utmost sensitivity and responsibility, and put in best efforts to mitigate the problems of the people.

He directed them to hold grievance redressal interaction with people at least three days a week in their respective offices to redress genuine grievances at the earliest.

In view of the upcoming holy month of Ramzan and Navratri festival, the Lt Governor directed the DCs to ensure all basic facilities to the people in their respective districts.

He asked the officers to make sure that uninterrupted power and water supply is made available particularly during Sehri and Iftaar so that people do not face any difficulty during the holy month of Ramzan.

While underscoring the importance of Block Diwas, the Lt Governor said that it is an important administrative intervention and called upon the officers to use this platform optimally for public service delivery and redressing grievances of the people.

He also instructed the visiting officers to chalk out rational plans for Block Diwas programs in their respective districts, and audit the grievances received and settled.

With regard to management and containment efforts to control COVID-19 in J&K, the Lt Governor directed the officers to ensure that COVID-19 appropriate behaviour is adopted by the people in their respective jurisdictions. He also instructed the officers to make serious efforts to scale up the vaccination in all districts.

In wake of the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Lt Governor directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure fully functional toilet facility at designated places in the districts through which the Yatra passes, within the set time frame. He called for synergizing the inter-departmental efforts to provide the adequate facilities to the visiting Yatris.

The Lt Governor, while reviewing the activities under “Azaadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’, asked the DCs to identify people from their districts who have played an important role in the Indian freedom struggle & in safeguarding the territorial integrity of J&K, and felicitate them in the ongoing celebrations. He also directed the officers to ensure the hoisting of the National flag on all government buildings and establishments under their jurisdiction following proper protocols and laid down procedures.

Underlining the significance of e-Governance, the Lt Governor directed for updating websites of all government departments dynamically with all important information including beneficiary lists and details of welfare schemes for people in the most user-friendly way. The Lt Governor also instructed the district officers to make tangible efforts towards implementation of e-Office system at the district level.

The Lt Governor directed the officers to put the list of works identified under the Back to Village program, and those which have been completed, at vital public places across all the Panchayats for the information of people.

The Lt Governor further directed for laying specific thrust on the development of playfields in Panchayats, implementation of Forest Rights Act, developmental needs of border villages, implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission, and removing illegal encroachments from the state land. He also directed for discouraging the practice of poppy and bhang cultivations by replacing such practices with cash crop cultivation.

He further laid stress on working out the best district plans and incorporate all important developmental proposals well in advance.

The Lt Governor passed specific directions for tapping the tourism potential of uncovered areas for the socio-economic upliftment of the local population.

Earlier, all the DCs put forth their suggestions before the Lt Governor for making public delivery system and redressal system more efficient.

Interacts with 150 member delegation of Gujjar-Bakerwal community

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today held an interactive session at Raj Bhavan here with a 150 member delegation of Gujjar-Bakerwal Community comprising BDC Chairpersons, BDC members, and Sarpanches from different districts.

While expressing their views, the community members projected their issues and grievances and sought Lt Governor’s intervention for the redressal of the same.

Recalling his interaction with the Gujjar- Bakerwal community members in Jammu, the Lt Governor reiterated the significance of education in the progress of every community and advised the community members to promote education among their youth.

Assuring government’s full support in educational upliftment of the community, the Lt Governor said that concrete measures are being taken to shape up the future of the students living in remote and far-flung areas.

A Comprehensive Assessment Programme is being prepared by Education department for the students living in far off reaches who are unable to attend the school due to unfavourable weather & topological conditions for assessing their learning outcome and providing bridge courses to fill the gap, observed the Lt Governor.

To pave a strong foundation for the future generation and to fill the educational gap of seasonal migration, the Lt Governor announced that UT administration would provide Tablet Computers with pre-loaded educational content to the students living in higher altitudes without any discrimination. Besides, Mobile Solar System for lighting and charging purposes will also be provided to such students.

With new guidelines, Best Education, Good meals, Safety, and Recreational facilities would be made in Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas. Nine Residential schools will also be set up in different parts of J&K. It will be also ensured that Warden, Assistant Warden and Teacher, and other supporting staff are available in Gujjar and Bakerwal Hostels, the Lt Governor maintained.

While responding to the issues and demands projected by the community leaders with regard to Mobile Schools, the Lt Governor observed that Government has initiated the process to increase remuneration of the teachers working in Mobile Schools to Rs 10,000 per month for better functioning of these schools. All possibilities would be explored for improving the infrastructure of Mobile schools across J&K, he added.

Government is committed towards safeguarding the rights, besides ensuring basic amenities and socio-economic upliftment of every community of the UT without any condition or discrimination, the Lt Governor observed.

Various schemes are being launched in the UT for the welfare and development of tribal Community, besides other initiatives for the development of infrastructure including roads, power, water, healthcare, and educational facilities, in remote and far-flung areas which are hitherto left uncovered, said the Lt Governor.

He also lauded the tribal community for their valuable contribution towards nation building.

Earlier, the members of the community led by Sh. Rafiq Balot expressed their gratitude towards the Lt Governor led J&K Administration for working for the welfare and interest of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community, besides implementing Forest Rights Act and Political reservation for the benefit of the tribal community.

Srinagar: Several delegations including public representatives, individuals, and sportsperson from different parts of Kashmir called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha here at Raj Bhavan today.
Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Member, District Development Council Tulail, Bandipora, and a public delegation led by President Pahari Youth Association Uri, Sh. Naveed Bukhtiyar separately called on the Lt Governor and projected various developmental issues of Pahari and Tribal communities in their respective areas.
Another deputation from Pakharpora, Budgam led by Advocate Rayees Ahmad submitted a memorandum regarding their concerning issues.
Meanwhile, renowned Water Sports athlete and coach, Bilquis Mir also met the Lt Governor and projected various issues pertaining to the development of water sports infrastructure and water sports activities.
The Lieutenant Governor gave patient hearing to all the deputations and assured that all their genuine issues would be looked into on priority.

Several welfare measures have been taken for the development and welfare of people belonging to every community across J&K.

On development of water sports in the UT, the Lt Governor observed that J&K is rich in water resources and Government is committed to developing world-class Water Sports infrastructure to provide best platforms to the budding local talents in this sports discipline.
He also urged the members of the delegations to continue extending cooperation to administration in providing better services to the public.