Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 9: District Disaster Management Authority, Srinagar has put in place arrangements as per ICMR guidelines pursuant to foreign travellers testing positive for Covid-19 on arrival at Srinagar which includes institutional quarantine and other logistics arrangements. Guidelines have been notified for Covid-19 containment in view of new cases.
Chairman District Health Society and DDMA chaired meeting to finalise arrangements to be put in place as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidelines issued on 1st January 2021. Addl Commissioner, Kashmir Dr Srikant Suse, Addl Deputy Commissioners Dr Syed Hanief Balkhi, Syed Khursheed Ahmed and Harvinder Singh, Divisional Nodal officer Dr Talat, HoD SPM Dr Saleem Khan, CMO Dr Jahangir Bakhshi, Epidemiologist Dr Tasadunq Shafi and other officers attended the meeting.
District Administration in coordination with Department of Health has earmarked institutional quarantine and healthcare arrangements for contacts of Covid-19 travellers as per guidelines issued by the Ministry meanwhile UK travellers testing positive for Covid-19 are admitted for hospital isolation. It was informed that contrary to some reports appearing in media two cases of foreign travellers tested positive are yet to be conformed for UK strain as the samples have to be sent to and tested at Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) Lab for genome study. A total of 21 passengers travelling from UK have been tested so far and two cases testing positive for Covid-19 have travelled from Italy and UK respectively. Meanwhile, a robust public health Surveillance and contact tracing has been initiated for the same. The Covid Positive patients have been shifted in Hospital Isolation and their contacts are identified and are being quarantined for observation and to be tested accordingly.
DC Srinagar emphasised that in view of research and studies about COVID variant strains still at an early or emerging state precautions shall be taken for all foreign travellers to avoid any risk to the local population. Logistic and infrastructure support is accordingly extended to health department.
As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, if the report of sequencing is inconsistent with the current SARS-CoV-2 virus genome circulating in the country, the ongoing treatment protocol including home isolation/treatment at facility as per case severity is to be followed. In conformed cases of genomic sequencing indicative of new SARS-Cov-2 variants the patients will continue in separate isolation unit and shall be tested on 14th day. Hospitals have been notified by the Government already.
DDMA has put in place required arrangements in view of fresh guidelines of ministry in view of returnees from UK and European countries. Meanwhile public appeal has been issued for ensuing covid containment SOPs including wearing masks mandatory at public places, maintaining physical distance and personal hygiene. It is pertinent to mention here that as per provisions of DM act the district administration has authorised officers including Magistrates, Police officers, Medical officer, SMC officers and others under the Act for imposing and recovering fine.

Flags off girls contingent for 15 day ski course & training at Gulmarg
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 9: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Saturday flagged off a batch of Girls contingent for a 15 day Ski Course and Training to be conducted at Gulmarg.
While interacting with the trainee skiers, the Lt Governor asked the youth to grab opportunities provided by the government, and positively transform their energies in the right direction.
“J&K Government is creating an appropriate platform for productive engagement of youth and to give necessary exposure to the budding sportspersons; besides providing access to the best of the coaches to hone the skill sets of the youth”, observed the Lt Governor.
He said that the UT Government is dedicated towards identifying and promoting the young talent of J&K by providing sustained handholding with necessary equipment, infrastructure and facilities to nurture the skills.
The Lt Governor directed the Department of Youth Services and Sports for ensuring best arrangements and facilities for all the trainee skiers and keeping staff available at all the difficult locations for assistance of the trainees.
The trainees who have already completed their Ski course also shared their experiences and thanked the UT Administration for providing them with the opportunity to be trained by best coaches and trainers.
It was informed that food, lodging, equipment, transportation, training, coaching, lift charges, heating arrangements and other facilities are being provided free of cost to the trainees.
The current batch consists of girls from different Government run schools from Poonch, Kathua, Jammu, Ramban, Kishtwar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Baramulla and Kupwara. A total of 600 budding skiers (Boys and Girls) in a 2 and a half month long programme will be trained under Olympian Gul Mustafa and other experienced coaches and trainers.
Farooq Khan, Advisor to the Lt Governor; Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department; Dr. Saleem-ur-Rehman, Director General, Youth Services and Sports, J&K and other officers were present on the occasion.

Jammu, Jan 9: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed ur Rehman Parra, who recently won DDC polls from a seat in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, has been granted bail by NIA court in Jammu on Saturday.
Para was produced in the NIA court in Jammu, which granted him the relief on a surety of ₹1 lakh, officials said.
He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on November 25 last year, a few days after filing nomination papers as a People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) candidate.
The NIA had said Para was arrested in connection with the Naveed Babu-Davinder Singh case for supporting Hizbul Mujahideen in conspiracy with the other accused persons, a charge denied by PDP which had termed his arrest as “ “politically motivated”.
Para, an influential youth leader from south Kashmir’s Pulwama area, is a close aide of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
He held the post of secretary of the J&K Sports Council during the PDP-BJP coalition government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Para was among the hundreds of mainstream politicians who were detained after abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year.
He was released after spending almost a year in detention last year.

Agencies
New Delhi, Jan 9: A Chinese soldier was on Friday apprehended on the Indian side of the LAC in Ladakh. He was taken into custody by Indian troops, officials said Saturday.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldier is being dealt with according to laid down procedures and the circumstances under which he crossed the LAC are being investigated, the sources said.
“During early hours of 08 January 21, a Chinese soldier was apprehended on the Indian Side of the LAC, in Ladakh, in area South of Pangong Tso lake. The PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area,” an official said.
“The PLA soldier is being dealt with as per laid down procedures and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are being investigated. Further details are awaited,” the official added.
This is the second such case of a Chinese soldier straying across the LAC since October last year. In that month, a PLA soldier, identified as Wang Ya Long, was caught by Indian forces in eastern Ladakh’s Demchok sector. He was repatriated shortly after by the Indian Army.
Troops from either side have been deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops.
The tension between India and China in eastern Ladakh peaked in June 2020 in a clash that left 20 Indian soldiers dead and an unspecified number of Chinese casualties. The two countries have moved tens of thousands of troops and weapons into the high-altitude region since March and several rounds of talks have failed to significantly ease tensions.

SDM pitches for their suspension
Precious Kashmir News
Baramulla, Jan 9: The Sub-District Magistrate made a surprise visit to Trauma Hospital in Pattan town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district and found at least ten staffers including five doctors absent from duties.
Among those who were found absent were President of one of the factions of Doctors Association Kashmir Dr Suhail Nayak, Dr Asim Rather (USG) Dr Zeeza (Dentist) , Dr Mehmooda (Dentist) , Dr Arshid Hussain (Physician) and others.
During the inspection SDM Pattan also found NRHM, Dental, RNTCP, USG Sections locked.
SDM Pattan Syed Faheem said he made the surprise visit at around 1:15 PM after receiving complaints that in absence of doctors and para-medical staff, patients are suffering immensely.
“I was told most of the patients who visit the Trauma Hospital from far flung areas return back, when they found doctors absent. This is unacceptable and during my visit I found ten employees absent,” he said.
Faheem added that he has recommended their suspension before Deputy Commissioner Baramulla till then Block Medical Officer has been asked to withhold the salaries of these employees.
The patients and their attendants present in the hospital demanded stern action against the absentees saying snowfall can’t be an excuse for a doctor on whom ailing patients rely. (KNT)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 9: Put extra efforts to create more conducive atmosphere for the people of Jammu and Kashmir so that gains of 2020 are consolidated, said Director-General of Police Dilbag Singh while chairing first 2021 review meeting with the senior officers of Kashmir Zone at Police Control Room Srinagar on Satruday.
The DGP appreciated role of JK Police personnel during recent snowfall throughout Kashmir. “Besides assistance in snow clearance at various places, medical emergency calls were attended by the policemen and helping hand was extended to people in cities and also in the far-flung areas which shows the commitment and resolve of force towards the public service”.
He applauded the role of JK Police in assisting the civil administration for restoration of essential services. He emphasized that readiness of the force plays a pivotal roll in any contingencies to ensure better service to our own people.
The DGP stressed upon officers to put elaborate security arrangements in place as Pakistan and its sponsored elements are looking for soft targets to foment trouble.
“The stringent action should be taken against the elements found involved in anti-national activities,” he said and stressed for increased anti-militancy operations to provide peaceful environment in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said strict security measures must continue to thwart the ill designs of Pakistan sponsored militant outfits and elements inimical to peace.
Singh said JK Police along with its sister agencies is carrying forward the agenda of peace and every possible effort should be made to bring lasting peace to this place.
The DGP directed the officers to gear up and put extra efforts to create more conducive atmosphere for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “A lot of good work has been done in the past year but there is much more to be done in the near future.”
The DGP congratulated the officers for the commendable work done during the previous year on the various fronts and accomplishing every challenge with fortitude. He said that 2020 was a successful year for JKP and other forces and agencies working together on different fronts.
IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar briefed the DGP regarding the security measures put in place in Kashmir Zone.
He also apprised the DGP about the work done by the JK Police personnel at different places during the recent snowfall.

Varsity’s UGC-HRDC organises special lecture for refresher course participants
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 9: Internationally-acclaimed earth scientist and Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad Saturday urged inhabitants and policy-planners of the Himalayan region, including Kashmir, to do away with constructing heavy concrete houses and buildings to minimise casualties during earthquakes.
Addressing as lead speaker a technical session of the ongoing two-week refresher course in science, organised by Kashmir University’s UGC-HRDC, Prof Talat said that wooden houses are best suited for a place like Kashmir since the Himalayan region falls in a high seismic zone.
He said houses and buildings in Japan, which experiences high magnitude earthquakes, are largely wooden which gives these structures flexibility to withstand ground-shaking which concrete buildings of heavy marbles and limestone cannot do.
“This is why Japan sees fewer casualties during earthquakes,” he said.
Talat said people must learn the ways and techniques to survive properly and not disturb the ecosystem.
“That will be my message to the people,” he said.
He said that greenery and vegetation on mountains were crucial to prevent flooding.
“In Zabarwan and all mountains around Kashmir, if you have greenery, it’s going to reduce the soil erosion. When you have less vegetation, it’s going to just erode the mountains and everything eventually will go into the Dal Lake and other rivers. With the result, all these water bodies will become shallow and will be filled with sediments eroded from the mountains. And because of that even if there is a normal rainfall, there will be a scare of flooding,” he said.
Talat said Kashmir’s river system has narrowed because houses and structures have come up in flood plains and on the way of the rivers.
“When the nature gets disturbed by this sort of encroachment, then events like flooding wash off everything. So when you are staying in the Himalayas, you have to be careful in constructing houses,” he said.
He said it is important for States and UTs along the Himalayan region to minimise production of Carbon Dioxide and other gases which lead to rise in temperatures, melting of glaciers and increase in ocean levels. “In that case, there could be flooding all the time,” he said.
“Whatever we do, we have to make sure there’s enough vegetation on land to pull Carbon Dioxide and release Oxygen. If we leave the Earth system alone, it is going to be fine. But with our own activities, we are disturbing the ecosystem and this disturbance needs to be plugged,” he said.
Prof Talat later took several questions from the participants.
Earlier, Course Coordinator and Coordinator UGC-HRDC Dr Geer Mohammad Ishaq, in his welcome address, highlighted Prof Talat’s vast achievements and contributions in academic and research arenas.
He said the two-week refresher course has been going on uninterrupted despite the disruptions caused by the recent snowfall.
“14 lead lectures have been delivered so far, while 20 participants have made their presentation,” he said, thanking the Vice-Chancellor for delivering the special lecture.

Srinagar, Jan 9: The border towns of Keran, Karnah, Machil and Tanghdar, besides dozens of other far-flung and remote villages — including those near the Line of Control (LoC) — remained cutoff for the sixth successive day on Saturday due accumulation of several feet of snow.
Seven patients were on Friday airlifted from border town of Tanghdar to district headquarters in Kupwara, where they were admitted to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, traffic to the border town of Gurez and dozens of other far-flung villages remained suspended for the seventh successive day from rest of the valley due to slippery road conditions and accumulation of snow.
“Traffic remained suspended to dozens of far-flung and remote villages, including Kernah, Keran, Machil and Tanghdar, due to accumulation of several feet of snow,” an official of Police Control Room (PCR), Kupwara, told UNI.
He said Sadhna top is under about 5 feet of snowfall while Phirkiyan pass and Z-gali received about 2 to 3 feet of snowfall earlier this week. “Snow clearance operation has been hampered on Saturday due to fresh very light snowfall since early this morning,” he said.
“Traffic will be resumed to these areas only after clearance of the road and getting a green signal from officials deployed on the ground,” he added.
An official of Police Control Room (PCR) from Bandipora told UNI that Gurez remained closed for traffic for the 7th successive day on Saturday. “Razdan pass, connecting Gurez, Neeru and dozens of other areas near LoC with district headquarters Bandipora, received over 2.5 feet of fresh snowfall this week,” he said.
He said the snow clearance operation in Gurez was halted after fresh 3 to 4 inches of snow was received at Razdan pass and adjoining areas.

Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 9: Terming the year 2020 as the “Year of Grit and Victories” for Indian Railways, the Union Ministry of Railways in its annual review report said the much-awaited Udhampur-Baramulla railway line would be completed by December 2022.
In the annual review report, the Union Railway Ministry said that the plan (NRP) 2030 has been developed with a view to develop infrastructure by 2030 to cater to the traffic requirements up to 2050.
“Based on the NRP, a vision 2024 document has been prepared to develop infrastructure by 2024 to enhance the modal share of Railways in freight transportation to more than 40 per cent and to cater to the traffic requirements up to 2030,” the report said.
” Vision 2024 document lists all priority projects with target dates of completion and allocation of resources. Multi tracking of 14,000 km route, electrification of entire Railway network, upgrading the speed potential of important routes to 130 KMPH and 160 KMPH (present speed potential 110 KMPH), completion of important coal connectivity and port connectivity projects have been planned as part of vision 2024,” it said.
The report said Udhampur-Baramulla rail project will be completed by December 2022 besides that all northern state capitals except Shillong to be connected by March 2023.
“Accidents progressively reduced from 107 in 2015-16 to 55 in 2019-20, ( up to December 2020) and 893 railway stations are now provided with improved illumination levels similar to Airport Standards,” report further adds—(KNO)