Srinagar, Dec 1: Gunmen fired at a youth in Buchpora, Soura area on Srinagar outskirts leaving him critically injured on Tuesday evening.
Police officials told KNO that unidentified gunmen fired at a youth identified as Nadeem Khan aged 24, a resident of Bilal Colony, Soura on Srinagar outskirts. “He was immediately shifted to SKIMS Soura, in a critical condition,” a police official said.
He said the area has been cordoned off and a massive search operation launched to nab the attackers.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, Dr Farooq Jan said that the youth has critical head injury and is being treated. “Nothing can be said at this juncture,” he said.
Youth shot at, injured in Sgr outskirts
PDP leader Mansoor expresses dissent against party leadership
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 1: Former MLA Shangus and PDP Senior leader Peerzada Mansoor Tuesday expressed resentment against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership for giving his constituency seat to National Conference (NC) in the ongoing elections of District Development Council (DDC) polls.
On being asked about his absence from the electoral field, ex-MLA Shangus Peerzada Mansoor Soharwardy said, “My party has not been given mandate in Shangus constituency. It is strange that Shangus has been an anti NC bastion even at the time of NC’s dominance across the state”.
Former MLA said it is an irony that constituency which later on became a PDP bastion has been gifted away during the keenly watched DDC elections.
Without blaming Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) for PDP favouring NC in distribution of seats, Mansoor said, “Why should I blame the PAGD. My own party’s leadership is part of the PAGD leadership. What surprises me is that we bargained for and even got seats where our presence is bare minimal”.
He said as a PDP leader, “I would say that it is the PDP leadership which has been very selective and has betrayed the trust of the voters of Shangus constituency”.
“It is not political analysis that has taken place in deciding which seats to fight from but the personal analysis based on likes and dislikes. Party leadership should not bargain seats on the basis of who they like and who they don’t like. It is all about personal preferences”, he added. (KNS).
Face mask, face shield will not stop leakage of smaller droplets: Study
Bhubaneswar, Dec 1: Protective measures like face mask and face shield will not completely stop the leakage of smaller droplets, but can effectively reduce the leak, according to a study conducted by the IIT, Bhubaneswar.
The study conducted by Dr. Venugopal Arumuru, Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical Science (SMS), and his team on the efficacy of various non- standard and standard face masks under the act of sneezing recommends using the elbow or hand to prevent droplets leakage even after wearing a mask during coughing and sneezing.
The study confirmed that without protectives measures like a face mask, the smaller droplets expelled during a sneeze can travel up to 25ft in 22seconds in a stagnant environment.
The study confirms and also recommends a social distancing of 6ft from all orientations to prevent transmission of the virus.
IIT sources said in present COVID-19 scenario, the present study will improve the understanding of smaller droplets/particles’ dynamics in turbulent flows, which causes transmission of the virus.
These visualization results will bring awareness to wear a mask and maintain social distancing for the general public.
Prof. R. V. Rajakumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, congratulated the team for conducting such focused studies on present societal relevance.
Prof. Raja Kumar said “the faculty and students groups of the Institute have worked tirelessly during the COVID‐19 pandemic by coming up with technology development and research studies of high societal relevance.
He said.the spread of COVID‐19 infection is mainly through droplets ejected during coughing, sneezing, and talking.
The present study shows how smaller droplets can leak through various protectives measures. The importance of social distancing is clearly evident from this study.
These results will not only spread awareness but will motivate researchers to bring innovation to face mask design.
The researchers at IIT Bhubaneswar will continue to focus on COVID‐19 related research and development to help the mankind in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.”
Prof. Sujit Roy, Dean R & D, IIT Bhubaneswar says, “The finding by the IIT Bhubaneswar team is expected to create new awareness on COVID‐19, which will further help in preventing its transmission via community spread.”
Dr. Mihir Kumar Pandit, Head of School of Mechanical Sciences, IIT Bhubaneswar says, “The present study has come out very nicely in visually highlighting the escape of droplets from various non‐standard masks, which is widely used. Hence, the results will bring awareness to the common public.”
Dr. Venugopal Arumuru, says, “Our flow visualization study shows how smaller particles escape from the various face mask and how far they travel during sneezing.
The importance of social distancing is visually evident from this study, which will educate the general public on the importance of the face mask and social distancing to prevent transmission of COVID‐ 19.
Our proposed simple experimental setup can be used to test new face mask designs. The sneeze is simulated at the exit of the nose of a standard mannequin, using air and tracer particles,” added Dr.Venugopal.
Illegal Appointment Case:ACB produces charge sheet against ex- DSWO Kupwara, others
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 12: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Tuesday produced chargesheet in the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Baramulla against ex DSWO Kupwara and four others.
A spokesman of ACB said ACB produced chargesheet in FIR No. 37/2014 u/s 5(1) (d) r/w 5(2) J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt. 2006 & Sections 120-B,201, RPC of P/S VOK (Now ACB)against Gh. Mohi-ud-din the then (DSWO) Kupwara; Nazir Ahmad Mir Orderly posted in ICDS Langate (beneficiary); Mohammad Afzal Beigh (DSWO) Kupwara; Mohammad Ramzan the then Sr. Asstt. in DSWO Kupwara and Abdul Majid Ganai the then Statistical Assistant in CDPO, Rajwar.
“The instant case was registered in Police Station VOK (now Anti Corruption Bureau) on the basis of a verification conducted into the allegations regarding the illegal appointment of Nazir Ahmad Mir as Orderly in Social Welfare Department Kupwara by the then District Social Welfare Officer Gh. Mohi-ud-din. The verification conducted revealed that the said Officer in the capacity of District Social Welfare Officer Kupwara in connivance with accused beneficiary Nazir Ahmad Mir issued series of orders which paved way for the illegal appointee to claim his appointment,” he said.
The orders issued by the officer from time to time in favour of his close relative Nazir Ahmad (appointee) include order No. DSWOK/Estt/97/1858-61 dated 04-12-1997 as Orderly for a period of one month and continued the services of said beneficiary for a period of one more month. Likewise, extended the services of said beneficiary for two months and later on the accused officer issued order No. DSWOK/Estt/98/2803-06 dated 02-04-1998 where-under the services of the beneficiary as Orderly were continued till further orders and paid wages which he may earn. Subsequently the illegal beneficiary was allowed to join his services and his service book was prepared and pay dues were drawn/paid.
“The power of direct appointment to class IV being direct recruitment post vests with District Level Selection committee constituted by the Govt. Hence, the abuse of official position was established. The series of engagement orders as Orderly were in utter violation of the rules/ regulations governing the appointments. By acting in such a manner, the accused officer by abuse of his official position conferred undue pecuniary advantage upon the above mentioned beneficiary with corresponding loss to the state exchequer and the case was registered and investigation was set into motion,” the spokesman said.
He said Investigation of the case was concluded as proved against the aforementioned accused public servant for launching prosecution, the chargesheet was produced in the Anti Corruption Court Baramulla after obtaining sanction from the Government.
The next date of hearing has been fixed on February 6, 2021.
Nagrota gunfight: Truck driver still untraceable
Precious Kashmir News
Nagrota, Dec 1: Eleven days after Joint Forces neutralized four Jaish-e-Muhammad militants in an operation at Ban toll plaza on Jammu-Srinagar Highway near Nagrota in Jammu district, the truck driver who was ferrying those militants is still at large.
Pertinently, on 20 November last month, there was a gunfight between Joint Forces and the militants near Ban Toll Plaza after a truck was intercepted by Forces. All the four militants boarding the truck were killed in the pre-dawn gunfight; however, the truck driver managed to escape from the spot and is still absconding.
Two policemen of the counter insurgent Special Operations Group (SOG) Kuldeep Raj of Akhnoor in Jammu district and Muhammad Ishaq Malik of Neel Qasim Banihal in Ramban district were also injured in this gunfight.
SSP Jammu Sridhar Patil declined to comment on the issue.
When contacted, Patil said: “There is nothing important to share anything about the subject.”
A police official, however, on condition of anonymity said that truck driver may have managed to escape from the spot during the encounter.
He said most probably the driver either disappeared in the forest or may have been picked up by another vehicle.
He said police have intensified searches but the driver has not been arrested as yet. The official added that the identity of the driver is being ascertained and efforts are on to trace him.
Divulging information about the Ban Plaza encounter, IGP Jammu had informed media that in the three hour long operation, all the four militants were killed while 11 AK-47 rifles, three pistols, 29 live grenades, six UBGL grenades, mobile phones, compass, pithy bags and other ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. (KNT)
In absence of 4G internet, KU students demand restart of regular classes
Bhat Imran
Srinagar, Dec 01 (KNO): In the backdrop of low speed internet, the Postgraduate students of University of Kashmir (KU) on Tuesday appealed the administration to recommence with regular offline classes saying that they could not learn anything through online lectures in previous semester.
The students said they feel they have wasted the previous semester wherein they couldn’t follow the online lectures in view of low speed internet.
One of the students said, “In my previous semester, I hardly attended 30 percent of the online classes even the lectures I attended online via 2G internet services, I couldn’t understand anything as the video lectures were buffering.”
He said that the students also suffered huge academic losses in 2019 as well following the abrogation of Article-370.
“Last year also we barely had started to commence with a fresh semester, curfew was imposed and all educational institutes were closed following the abrogation of Article-370. In this academic semester, we had a lot of academic loss that was not even compensated in any way,” another student said.
Officials at KU said that no new guidelines were issued by the authorities to reopen the establishment.
“As of now, we have not received any order or any new guidelines to reopen the university. We are just following the government directions,” the official said—(KNO)
Govt withdraws order on 30% hike in passenger fare
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 1: The government on Tuesday revoked its order regarding a 30 per cent hike on the authorized fare, which was imposed in wake of seating capacity of Stage Carriage passenger vehicles due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
An order vide number, issued by Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Hirdesh Kumar, reads: “Sanction is hereby accorded to the withdrawal of 30% fare hike on authorized fare in view of restrictions imposed on seating capacity of Stage Carriage Passenger Vehicles due to COVID-19 Pandemic.”
“Consequent upon which, only the authorized fare (charged prior to the issuance of Government order) shall be charged from the passengers by the operators of Stage Carriage Passenger Vehicles in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.”
The order further reads that any violation of this the order shall strictly be dealt with under the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989—(KNO)
Dry Hokersar wetland put migratory birds at risk
Naveed Ul Haq
Budgam, Dec 01: The huge chunk of Hokersar wetland turning dry has put the migratory birds at great risk.
Hokersar attracts millions of migratory birds every year including Tufted Ducks, Gadwalls, Mallards and other species who fly here from Siberia and other parts.
Shabir Ahmad Gani a villager from Budgam District, said that the dredging in the upper parts of Hokersar by Flood and Irrigation Control Department, was the main reason for huge chunks of wetland turning dry.
Another local Tawseef Khan said that it for the first time that such vast area has dried up.
“Hokersar is shrinking, residents from the side of Srinagar –Baramulla national highway, throw garbage in it, posing a serious threat to aquatic life of the wetland,” he said.
Meanwhile, Range officer, Sohail Ahmad told KNO that the water level has been reduced due to the dredging done by flood and irrigation control department.
“Water catchment area of the wetland is receiving less water due to silt,” he said.
Ahmad said that the concerned employees have blocked all the exit points of water from Gund Hassi Bhat, Sozait ,Daharmuna and others areas that would help in the accumulation of water in the entire wetland.
“People have also encroached land illegal. Action will be taken against all the encroacher’s,” he said.
BJP MP dies of Covid-19
Ahmedabad, Dec 1: BJP MP from Gujarat Abhay Bharadwaj died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at a Chennai hospital, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said.
Bharadwaj (66) was a prominent lawyer and was elected to Rajya Sabha in June this year. He had tested coronavirus positive in August, after attending party meetings and a roadshow in Rajkot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the MP’s demise.
Farmers’ protests: Unions turns down Govt’s proposal to form committee
New Delhi, Dec 1: The Farmers’ Unions on Tuesday turned down the Union government’s proposal to form a committee to address agricultural problems and expressed a resolve to continue the agitation against new farm laws.
Talks between the Centre and 35 representatives of the farmers’ unions, who are protesting on the Delhi borders against the new farm laws, was held at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.
The meeting between the Government and the representatives of the farmers’ unions commenced this afternoon at 1500 hrs.
After the meeting that lasted for about three-and-a-half hours, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said there was a good dialogue between the government and farmers’ unions and the talks will continue on Thursday.
He said the Government had suggested to form a committee to solve the problems of the ryots, but a consensus could not be reached on this.
The meeting was attended by Union Commerce and Industry, Railways, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal; Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash and 35 farmer leaders.
Representatives of the farmers said that if the government wants peace, then it should solve their problems, adding that they will continue their agitation.
Meanwhile, the farmers’ representatives of Maharashtra and many other states came to the national capital, to express their solidarity with the agitation.
Concerned over the ongoing protests by farmers against the new farm laws, the Centre had invited representatives of farmers’ unions to hold talks on Monday.
Tomar late last night invited the farmers’ unions to hold talks at Vigyan Bhawan, here at 1500 hrs.
In view of the cold weather and COVID-19, the talks are being held early, so that the members of the farmers’ unions do not have problem. Earlier, this meeting was scheduled on December 3.
Tomar said the government wants to solve the problem by talking to the peasants.
He said there have been two rounds of talks with farmers before also, on October 14 and November 13.
Tens of thousands of ryots remained perched at the National Capital’s border on Monday, the fourth consecutive day, as no breakthrough was achieved with the Centre over their demand of repealing the new farm laws.
The Tikri and Singhu border points of Delhi are totally blocked by the ryots, who have come mainly from Punjab and also from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The farmers’ organisation again made it clear that their demands — repealing the new laws, assuring Minimum Support Price (MSP), reading down electricity ordinance and fine on burning stubble — are “non-negotiable”.
Delhi borders with Haryana, including Singhu and Tikri, will continue to remain closed for traffic movement, amid the ongoing farmer protests.
The Delhi Traffic Police had advised the motorists on Tuesday morning to avoid these border points and take alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.
Police has also informed regarding the border points with Haryana, which will remain open for traffic movement, wherein two of them are only permitted for the movement of two-wheelers, including Badusarai and Jhatikara.
