Srinagar, Dec 1: A 50-year-old man allegedly died by suicide in the summer capital, Srinagar on Tuesday.
Official sources said that a man, identified as Bashir Ahmad, was found hanging from the ceiling of a room at his residence in Shalimar in city outskirts this morning. He was immediately rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.
The cause of the suicide was not immediately known, A case has been registered and investigation initiated to ascertain the circumstances which forced him to end his life. “After completing all the legal and medical formalities, the body was handed over to his relatives for last rites.
Man hangs self in Srinagar
Dulloo inaugurates blood donation camp, flags off cycle rally
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 1: In connection with observance of World AIDS Day, Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo, Tuesday flagged off cycle rally from GMC Jammu here to create awareness among the masses.
The cycle rally was organised by J&K AIDS Control Society in collaboration with Jammu Hill Cyclists, Rotary Club Jammu and Jammu Cyclist. The rally passed through Bakshi Nagar, K C, Jewel Chowk, Bikram Chowk, Gandhi Nagar and Satwari and culminated back at the GMC Jammu.
Later, Dulloo inaugurated voluntary blood donation camp at Blood Bank of GMC, organised by Sant Nirankari Mandal Pouni Chak, Jammu in which a large number of followers of Nirankari and other volunteers participated, who donated the blood during the camp.
Speaking on the occasion, Financial Commissioner said that the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility” which is perfectly apt as the present health crisis has reminded us about the importance of global approach to tackle the current pandemic situation effectively.
Financial Commissioner also distributed medals and certificates among the Presidents of the participating organizations.
Among others Principal, GMC, Shashi Sudan Sharma, Project Director, JK AIDS Control Society, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Rather, HoDs and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.
New guidelines
The government has issued new guidelines in consonance with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to check further spread of novel coronavirus during the winter months, starting with December.
The guidelines essentially aim at keeping the gradual reviving of the economic activity unaffected while taking containment measures. Viewed in the broader spectrum, the onus appears to have been shifted to the citizen to avoid getting infected.
At the same time, people seem to be hardly concerned about safety measures, notwithstanding the fact that the virus cases continue to be in higher numbers especially when RAT remains the preference over RT-PCR for testing. This is a time to reiterate proven safety norms, considering that Jammu and Kashmir has about 4908 active cases, most of them confirmed through RAT, out of a total of 110678 cases recorded thus far. Amid encouraging results from vaccine trials and the likelihood of early emergency use authorization, there is weakened voluntary caution, and it seems that people are yielding to pandemic fatigue. However the government especially Health authorities must reinforce the message that low-cost interventions such as masks, good ventilation and distancing norms cannot be abandoned and could prove perilous.
As the lockdown rigour eased, last four months saw many cases cropping up. It reached over one lakh and ten thousand while deaths crossed the grim milestone of 1700 mark. Until the vaccine is available, the prime task before health administrators should remain focussed to convince the average citizen that there is much to be gained through inexpensive lifestyle modification. Surveys have showed that universal masking, with 95% compliance, is projected to reduce deaths dramatically. Also, the entire economy stands to benefit from such painless interventions, while sparing doctors and frontline health workers of deadly risk. The government has rightly prioritised targeted containment and started focus to “ensure hassle-free and time-bound” delivery of Covid-vaccines across the J&K.
Three companies are frontrunners in developing Covid-19 vaccines in India- which are currently in the third phase of clinical trials, suggesting that it will be shortly available for usage. The government needs to focus on developing respective databases to prioritize various vulnerable groups of people.
While the administration, rightly so, has started preparations to place human resource requirements for organizing dedicated COVID-vaccination drives, it should also standardise testing protocols across the districts, and not dilute the message of safe behavior till the vaccine was finally available.
Keeping Schools Shut
Should schools be kept closed or opened now? There is perhaps no area of life and public policy that more clearly illustrates the double-edged nature of decision-making during the pandemic than education.
The businesses also face huge difficulties but are surmountable for varied reasons including if the government provides sufficient compensation. However, the issue for schools is that there is simply no way to make up to children for almost two years of lost learning, and time away from teachers and peers.
Those who call for opening schools cannot be put at fault as also those who want schools to remain shut for now given the harm that would be caused by sending children to crowded classrooms.
One thing that is clear: Everyone wants young people to be educated and those extremely concerned by the prospect of educational inequalities widening as a result of the pandemic is not out of place.
One cannot also doubt those vouching for reopening will prevent another washout year for students after last year’s curbs but the government post effective abrogation of Article 370.
As per the new COVID19 directions and guidelines, all the schools, colleges and higher education institutions including anganwadi centers would continue to remain closed till December 31 except training institutions run by the central and J&K government.
The existing regulations allow research scholars and students who have to take up practical work in science and technical streams to continue even as colleges remain understandably cautious and want to adopt a staggered approach to reopening.
From October onwards, there have been many activities allowed in the various public sphere outside containment zones, with shops and restaurants open, and buses plying on a normal course. These activities have to a large extent restored the sinews of the economy even as they come with the risk of exposing more people to the coronavirus. The winter, at the expense of repetition, could prove perilous. The citizens cannot be lax about safe behavior including universal use of face coverings, personal hygiene and distancing norms. Breach of it could pose an unprecedented risk since children who are believed to be less affected by the infection could bring the virus home to vulnerable individuals, a phenomenon experienced after reopening schools in some countries across the globe. A need remains to minimize negative impacts during present pre-vaccine phase by resolute adherence to safety protocols, and additional vigilance on the part of health authorities in all spheres. Also, online learning should be made more proactive.
Differences within PAGD can lead to bigger crisis in future
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 30: Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD)—an amalgam of Kashmir based parties—is aiming high and is hopeful of winning the maximum number of seats in the ongoing District Development Council elections. However, the cracks that have appeared within the conglomerate can jeopardize the forward march of the alliance.
According to the political observers the PAGD constituents seem “unhappy” over the distribution of seats and are accusing the bigger parties, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of calling the shots. “The PAGD has an upper hand in the Valley but the independent candidates, who were a part of the NC, PDP and other parties contesting these polls can turn the tide against the alliance,” an observer told Precious Kashmir.
He said, “During the past few days PDP president and PAGD vice-president Mehbooba Mufti has been doing all the talking while, National Conference leaders, including Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah have turned silent. They didn’t even come out for campaigning.”
The observer while referring to a recent press conference of the senior PDP leader, Ghulam Nabi Hanjura, said, “The PDP leader minced no words to claim that the NC has not acted fairly vis-à-vis seat distribution for the DDC polls.”
He said that Hanjura’s assertions have driven home a point that “all is not well” within the PAGD and this could lead to a “bigger crisis” in the near future. “We can’t predict who will win these DDC elections but one thing looks sure that if the alliance partners are unable to sort out their differences the PAGD could cripple before the next elections are held,” the observer claimed.
It’s in place to mention here that the voices within the PAGD are becoming shriller to contest the next elections individually.
An analyst said, “If the PAGD leaders are unable to keep their flock together during the ongoing DDC polls they will find it very hard to put up a real fight in any democratic exercise which will be held in the near future.”
He said, “Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will also be held after the delimitation exercise is completed. At that point of time Jammu and Kashmir will have equal number of assembly seats and if the Valley based parties fail to put up a collective fight they will find it hard to make a comeback. If these parties remain united they can emerge as a force to reckon with. These political formations need to sort out their differences forthwith otherwise they will lose the battle even before it begins.”
2nd phase of DDC polls today
321 candidates in fray for 41 constituencies
Srinagar, Nov 30: As many as 321 candidates are in fray for 43 constituencies, including 25 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu, during the second phase of District Development Council (DDC) polls in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, State Election Commissioner K K Sharma on Monday said.
He said that all arrangements, including security, have been finalized for smooth conduct of DDC elections and panchayat bypolls.
“There are a total 280 constituencies in UT of J&K (14 in each district), of which voting will be conducted in 43 constituencies, including 25 from Kashmir Division and 18 from Jammu Division, from 0700 hrs to 14 hrs in phase II. A total of 321 candidates, including 196 from Kashmir division and 125 from Jammu division, are in fray for DDC elections during Phase II,” Sharma told reporters.
Similarly, he said that the Sarpanch elections will be conducted in 83 constituencies and total 223 candidates, including 72 females, are contesting in phase II.
The SEC said simultaneously Panchs by-polls is going to be held in 331 constituencies for which a total 709 candidates, including 157 females, are in fray.
He further said that 58 sarpanchs, including 29 females, and 804 panchs, including 256 females, have been elected unopposed.
Giving further details, he said that there are more than 57 lakh voters in J&K who eligible to cast their votes in the DDC polls. Of these, he said more than 7.95 lakh voters, including 406845 from Kashmir and 388273 from Jammu, shall use their right to vote in phase II.
“Kashmir division has 1,94,821 female voters whereas Jammu division has 183553 female electors,” he said, adding 2142 polling stations, including 837 in Jammu division and 1305 in Kashmir division, have been set up to conduct the Phase II of the elections.
Answering a question, he said that authorities can’t provide about 8 lakh facemasks to voters and urged to people to come to the polling stations with their faces covered. “Administration can’t provide about 8 lakh masks to eligible voters on Tuesday. But, it is mandatory for people to wear masks when they go out of their residences as per the guidelines issued to curtail COVID-19. So I urge people to strictly follow the guidelines, especially wearing face masks and maintaining social distance, during the polling process,” he added.
However, he said that sanitizers, thermal scanners and face masks shall be provided to the voters, in case they forget to carry their own face masks/ sanitizers.
The SEC said that special polling booths have also been set up for Kashmiri Migrants at Jammu and Udhampur so that they can also participate in the election process.
Mehbooba never stopped from campaigning: SEC Sharma
Srinagar, Nov 30: Jammu and Kashmir State Election Commissioner K K Sharma on Monday said that former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was never stopped for campaigning during the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) elections in the Union Territory.
“Mehbooba Mufti is former chief minister of J&K so whenever she moves out she needs protection. For all the former chief ministers there is SSG which secures them in J&K. There is a protocol in view of which the movement of former chief ministers is done. The protocol has to be followed by all security agencies, including police,” Mr Sharma told reporters during a press conference here on Monday.
The SEC said that Mehbooba’s Friday’s visit was not related to campaigning. “It was a condolence visit and the destination was 40 to 50 km away from her residence. At that time, during the assessment, it was found (by security agencies) that her visit to the area was not conducive… so she was advised not to visit the area,” he said.
“Otherwise she is free as a leader of her party to campaign for the candidates,” he added.
Mehbooba had on Friday said that she has been yet again ‘illegally’ detained and not allowed to meet the family of Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra in south Kashmir district of Pulwama. “Iltija was also placed under house arrest as she wanted to visit Parra’s family,” she added.
Parra, a PDP youth leader, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday for allegedly supporting militants.
A security force vehicle was parked in front of the main gate of the Gupkar residence of Mehbooba, who was released in October this year after remaining under detention for 14 months since August 5, 2019, when centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35 A. Later in the day, Ms Mehbooba was prevented from addressing a press conference at her Gupkar residence in Srinagar.
Taking to micro blogging site twitter, PDP president had said, “Press has been barred from entering my residence in Srinagar. This despite no written orders explaining my arbitrary detention. Kashmir is an open air prison where no one has the right to express their opinion.”
People tasting real autonomy, self-rule in J&K: Jitendera Singh
Srinagar, Nov 30: Senior BJP leader and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendera Singh on Monday said that people of J&K are for the first time witnessing the grassroots democracy flourishing in the form of Panchayati Raj System and common masses are tasting the real self-rule and autonomy after a gap of 73 years.
He said that the only issue with Pakistan is the resolution that was passed in Parliament in 1994 that states that other part of Kashmir is under the illegal control of the neighbouring country and needs to be retrieved. “It was for the first time that grassroots democracy was seeing light of the day in J&K after a gap of 73 years. For the past over 50 years, regional parties have been beating the drums of autonomy and self-rule,” he said in a press conference here on Monday.
Lashing out at the local politicians, he said they wanted autonomy and self-rule for themselves by winning elections with just 10 per cent voting while the people of Kashmir feel cheated by hollow slogans. “The DDC election, the phase two of which is going to be held tomorrow, is basically a pledge of Prime Minister Narendera Modi towards people of J&K to realize the real meaning of democracy at the grassroots level. I would say that this is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of democracy in Kashmir,” he said.
Dr Singh said that the ensuing election is also a chance for the people of J&K to introspect.
He said that in the first phase of polling where over 50 per cent voting was recorded, the percentage is much higher than the previous Lok Sabha elections. “In Lok Sabha elections, people had got disillusioned and their aspirations were also disillusioned. Politicians managed to win by just 10 per cent polling and entered in Parliament,” Dr Singh said.
The senior BJP leader said if local politicians who have been beating the drums over revocation of Article 370 were so outraged, they should have simply resigned from Parliament. “Why they didn’t do it and go back to the people with the same issue. Instead, they decided to sit in the Parliament and enjoy perks,” he said.
“Three National Conference MPs and two from the PDP were present in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha when the announcement of scraping of Article 370 and 35 A was made,” he said, adding that ‘all remained silent and didn’t raise voice then’.
Weatherman predicts ‘very harsh winter’ this year
‘Fresh wet spell to begin from December 04 to December 08’
Owais Gul
Srinagar, Nov 30: As the night temperature settled at minus 1.6 degree Celsius in Srinagar today, the weatherman on Monday predicted ‘very harsh winter’ this year in the Valley, stating that as per the forecast, they are expecting below normal temperature this winter.
The weatherman has also predicted fresh wet spell here in the Valley from December 04, saying that the higher reaches would receive light to moderate snowfall from Friday.
Talking to KNO, Director Meteorological department (MeT), Sonum Lotus said that the department has predicted colder winter this year in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that there is possibility that the temperature would settle below normal this season.
He added that the temperature as compared to previous years would go down by two-three notches.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director MeT, Mukhtar Ahmad said that there is possibility of snowfall and rainfall from December 04, adding that the snowfall would occur at most of the places from December 04-05 and on December 06, there is possibility of improvement in the weather conditions but would remain cloudy.
He said that from December 07-08, there is again possibility of light to moderate snowfall and rains in the Valley.
Ahmad also stated that the night temperature in Srinagar was recorded minus 1.6 degree Celsius, adding that it would go further down and would settle probably around minus 2.5 degree Celsius in the coming days.
Pertinently, the Valley witnessed three-day wet spell from last Monday till Wednesday evening following which there was improvement in the weather conditions, but the minimum temperature witnessed dip from Thursday onwards.
Most of the vital roads including Srinagar-Jammu highway, Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal road remained closed after the fresh snowfall last week.
Country giving befitting reply to expansionist forces: PM Modi
Varanasi, Nov 30: Without taking any names, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at China, saying that the country is giving a befitting reply to the expansionist forces.
He also hit out at the Congress, by stating ‘For us, heritage means our culture, our faith, our values but for others, it means their own idols and family photos.’
Attending the Dev Deepawali festival at Rajghat on the banks of river Ganga, PM Modi, who even lit a diya on the occasion, paid tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.
‘I pay my tributes to all those, who have laid their lives for the nation. The nation is giving a befitting reply to the expansionist forces, those trying to infiltrate into India or those trying to break India from India,’ he said further.
The Prime Minister also raised the issue of ‘Vocal for Local’ and appealed to the people to use local products during festivals and for gifting purpose.
