Srinagar, Nov 26: The government on Thursday extended ban on high speed 3G and 4G internet services till December 11 in all but two districts of J&K, citing apprehensions regarding disruptions to “extensive campaigning by the contesting candidates” in ensuing local body polls.
“With the announcement of elections to the District Development Council constituencies and by-elections to fill the vacancies in the Panchayati Raj Institutions/Urban Local Bodies, intense political activity is being witnessed across J&K, with extensive campaigning by the contesting candidates. At the same time, there have been continued attempts from across the border to disrupt the elections process by vitiating the security environment,” reads an order issued by the Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra.
“The law enforcement agencies have well founded apprehensions of enhanced efforts by Pakistan for causing public disaffection, recruitment in the (militant) ranks as well as infiltration attempts, which heavily depend upon high speed internet,” reads the order.
“There has also been a surge in (militant) activities, specific instances being that at Ban Toll Plaza, Nagrota, Jammu and Parimpora, Srinagar,” the order said, adding, “upon consideration of the available inputs, and taking note of misuse of social media applications in carrying out (militant) activities as also in adversely impacting public order, it is apparent that there is need for continuation of the speed restrictions on mobile internet services.”
Accordingly the Home department ordered continuation on the ban on high speed internet in all but two districts—Ganderbal and Udhampur—till December 11.
“The IsGP, Kashmir/Jammu shall communicate these directions to the service providers forthwith and ensure their implementation in letter and spirit,” the order added.

London, Nov 26: AstraZeneca and Oxford University has acknowledged a manufacturing error that is raising questions about preliminary results of their experimental COVID-19 vaccine.
A statement describing the error came days after the company and the university described the shots as highly effective and made no mention of why some study participants didn’t receive as much vaccine in the first of two shots as expected.
In a surprise, the group of volunteers that got a lower dose seemed to be much better protected than the volunteers who got two full doses. In the low-dose group, AstraZeneca said, the vaccine appeared to be 90% effective. In the group that got two full doses, the vaccine appeared to be 62% effective. Combined, the drugmakers said the vaccine appeared to be 70% effective. But the way in which the results were arrived at and reported by the companies has led to pointed questions from experts.
The partial results announced Monday are from large ongoing studies in the UK and Brazil designed to determine the optimal dose of vaccine, as well as examine safety and effectiveness. Multiple combinations and doses were tried in the volunteers. They were compared to others who were given a meningitis vaccine or a saline shot.
Before they begin their research, scientists spell out all the steps they are taking, and how they will analyze the results. Any deviation from that protocol can put the results in question.
In a statement, Oxford University said some of the vials used in the trial didnt have the right concentration of vaccine so some volunteers got a half dose. The university said that it discussed the problem with regulators, and agreed to complete the late stage trial with two groups. The manufacturing problem has been corrected, according to the statement.
Experts say the relatively small number of people in the low dose group makes it difficult to know if the effectiveness seen in the group is real or a statistical quirk. Some 2,741 people received a half dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose, AstraZeneca said. A total of 8,895 people received two full doses.
Another factor: none of the people in the low-dose group were over 55 years old. Younger people tend to mount a stronger immune response than older people, so it could be that the youth of the participants in the low-dose group is why it looked more effective, not the size of the dose.
Another point of confusion comes from a decision to pool results from two groups of participants who received different dosing levels to reach an average 70% effectiveness, said David Salisbury, and associate fellow of the global health program at the Chatham House think tank.
Oxford researchers say they aren’t certain and they are working to uncover the reason.
Sarah Gilbert, one of the Oxford scientists leading the research, said the answer is probably related to providing exactly the right amount of vaccine to trigger the best immune response.
Its the Goldilocks amount that you want, I think, not too little and not too much. Too much could give you a poor quality response as well, she said. So you want just the right amount and its a bit hit and miss when youre trying to go quickly to get that perfect first time.
Details of the trial results will be published in medical journals and provided to U.K. regulators so they can decide whether to authorize distribution of the vaccine. Those reports will include a detailed breakdown that includes demographic and other information about who got sick in each group, and give a more complete picture of how effective the vaccine is.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 26: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Thursday released two Special covers on the themes- Kangri and Kehwa of the Postal Department here at the Raj Bhavan for promoting the cultural facets of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lt Governor congratulated all the officers of the Postal Department from J&K UT for coming out with these two special postal covers on the significant occasion of the Constitution Day.
Jammu and Kashmir is the land of a number of cultural icons which render a unique beauty to the rich heritage of India. I urge all Philately enthusiasts to also have these covers in their collection, he observed.
“I strongly believe that the cultural traditions can be shared through such initiative and these special covers on Jammu and Kashmir will be embedded in people’s hearts and mind”, maintained the Lt Governor.
It was informed that Philately is one of the important sources of knowledge and is part of the services of the Department of Posts. J&K Postal Circle has also been active in the field of Philately and has been promoting the famous tourist attraction sites, flora, and fauna, heritage, art & culture, famous educational institutes, flowers, etc of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ashok Kumar Poddar, Additional Director General, Postal Services informed the Lt Governor that this year, the Department of Post, J&K Postal Circle is working on the release of a few more special covers to promote the culture and heritage of J&K and as a step towards this, the following two covers are being released.
Shailendra Dashora, Chief Postmaster General, J&K Circle, other senior officers of J&K Postal Circle were present on the occasion.

Jahangeer Ganaie
Anantnag, Nov 26: There has been a dull poll campaigning by the candidates in fray for the first phase of District Development Council (DDC) commencing on November 28, across South Kashmir with political leaders expecting at least 25 percent voter turnout at least.
The south Kashmir districts didn’t witness any major public convention or rally by political parties to lure voters.
“Given the prevailing atmosphere in South Kashmir, the campaign has remained confined to closed door meetings only,” a political leader, who is contesting DDC polls, said.
He said actually elections are conducted in a hurry and people were yet to come out of the shock of scrapping of special status of J&K.
Raja Waheed, a PDP leader, who is contesting DDC election from Shopian on PAGD ticket said: “We have been conducting door to door campaign, however, no big gathering has been managed yet as environment isn’t safe for big rallies,” he said.
He said that voter turnout will depend on first phase and if people will come out in phase one, other people will follow suit and at present as the condition is voter turnout must remain around 25 per cent. “If that happens, it would be enough for us,” he said.
District President BJP for Pulwama Sajad Raina, who is also contesting elections from Pulwama-1 said that PDP, NC can’t campaign as they have done nothing for the welfare of the people when they were in power. “Arrangements are very well here and every candidate is allowed to move freely for campaigning. I think voter turnout will remain around 10 to 15 percent,” he said.
Showkat Gayoor, Apni Party leader, who is also contesting elections said that “we are not allowed to campaign freely and our campaign has remained mostly confined to phone calls and messages.”
He said that it would be enough if the voter turnout will even touch 15 to 20 percent in DDC polls given the situation in South Kashmir.
National Conference leader Mukhtar Ahmad Bhand, who is son of former Minister Muhammad Khalil Bhand, also contesting elections said that people must come forward to stop BJP as “our everything is being snatched by them.”
He said that by giving mandate to PAGD candidates, can stop BJP from snatching “our more resources and can get back our own identity which was snatched on August 05 last year.”
He said: “I think voter turnout will remain around 10 percent given the situation in the area and campaigning has remained confined to indoors so far.”
Javaid Ahmad, a leader of Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement, said: “They is disparity in arrangements as well settled politicians are freely allowed to me. However, new people are being kept confined to their rooms.”
The voting for first phase of DDC election is scheduled to be held on November 28—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 26:  Fast unto death by leaders of Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS) in Srinagar has entered sixth day on Thursday, alleging that Union Territory (UT) administration has cheated them and refused to implement the directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and courts.

A spokesman of the KPSS said president of the Samiti, Sanjay K Tickoo and Youth Activists Sandeep Koul and Bhupender Singh Jamwal are on fast unto death at Shri Sidhi Vinayak Ganesh Mandir, Ganpatyar, Habba Kadal in the old city Srinagar for the past six days.

This is the second time KPSS leaders started fast unto death alleging there was no other alternative left after government failed to implement the promises made when first fast was called off, he said.

He said centre has issued directions from time to time to UT government to address our issues. But, he said, some bureaucrats and politicians are playing a pivotal role in sabotaging the initiatives in favour of Kashmiri pundits who did not suffer and stayed in Kashmir when majority members of the community migrated from here in early 90s.

KPSS strongly believe that they are facing hatred and isolation from the present local governance because they stayed back in Kashmir Valley despite armed insurgency and political turmoil in early 90s.

Though, day-in and out, tall claims are made on every platform that present governance stand for “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” but we are facing step-motherly treatment from the local ruling politicians and bureaucrats, he said.

He said the demands included extension of PM’s Job Package and apportionment of 500 posts, one job per family for 808 Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandit Families, Providing of Accommodation to all deserving Non-Migrant families under PM’s Relief and Rehabilitation Package, providing of necessary financial assistance to the 808 families, Extension of benefits of Migrant Welfare Fund to them, Constitution of Nodal Agency between UT Government including Relief Department headed by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir with one member from KPSS Core Committee, Protection, Preservation and Restoration of Temples and other religious institutions belonging to the religious minority in Kashmir Valley.