Precious Kashmir

Rapid Failures: Rely On RT-PCR

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20/11/2020

Rapid antigen tests that administration has been markedly using to detect novel coronavirus have proved unreliable. The complete reliance on it may make efforts towards normal life difficult, especially as what has been happening in the neighborhood. The return to lockdown, even though on a limited scale, is being viewed as an option by some governments including New Delhi. Governments around the world have been looking for an accurate test for COVID-19 infection. The diagnostic RT-PCR test to confirm the presence of the virus, using a nasal swab in a laboratory setting, remains the most reliable. However, what transpires on the ground is that rapid test is used more than the RT-PCR.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the use of Standard Q COVID-19 Ag detection assay (antigen detection test) as a point of care diagnostic assay for testing under certain settings in combination with RT-PCR test.

Those who test negative for COVID-19 by rapid antigen test are to be definitely tested sequentially by RT-PCR to rule out infection, whereas a positive test should be considered as a true positive and does not need reconfirmation by RT-PCR test, the ICMR advisory provides without any doubt. In this scenario, the over-reliance on rapid test detection is not something to be followed as a sole test.

There is also a need to proactively identify the critical cases and provide prompt medical intervention to check the morality trend.

The perimeter control, active house to house surveillance, contact tracing, and timely testing has to be ensured without any delay. All close contacts of new cases are to be traced with 72 hours of detection.

Unless there is an effective drug or vaccine available, the government and its allied agencies have to keep a check on the spread of infection through travelers, primary and secondary contacts.

Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education, has rightly emphasized upon the Chief Medical Officers for effective focused sampling and contact tracing in all the districts so that the chain of transmission is contained. He also asked Director SKIMS and the Principals of Government Medical Colleges to run RT-PCR testing facilities on full capacity. He also stressed upon concerned to test the samples from catchment areas.

There is a need to follow the instructions in the letter and spirit. It is also important for people not to turn complacent and follow social distancing and hand hygiene dutifully.

Srinagar-Jammu highway 4-laning a distant dream

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Afaq Bhat

20/11/2020

Srinagar-Jammu highway 4-laning a distant dream

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 19: The onset of winter in Kashmir has once again brought the 270-km Srinagar-Jammu National Highway into limelight. It is in the news once again for getting blocked due to landslides and inclement weather conditions.
An expert while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The condition of the Srinagar-Jammu highway has deteriorated since the day its expansion work commenced. The executing agencies are running short of ideas about how to handle this vital road link which connects Kashmir with the rest of the country.”
He said, “Every year people are told that the work on the highway has been expedited and the trouble spots are being taken care of but it seems these claims are confined to papers only.”
The expert said that earlier there were only a few spots on the Srinagar-Jammu highway that were vulnerable. “Now, the entire highway has become risky,” he added.
“The agencies that have been assigned the job of turning Srinagar-Jammu highway into four lane road seem to be clueless about how to stop landslides and shooting stones. These agencies have carried out the digging work haphazardly and now the mountains and hills are collapsing. They are finding it hard to come up with a solution to keep the highway open throughout the year,” the expert added.
An observer said, “Everyone is aware of the fact that Kashmir is dependent on this highway for the supply of essential commodities and once this road gets blocked most of the things disappear from the markets and prices skyrocket.”
He said, “Ever year the story gets repeated and there seems to be no solution. It appears that four laning of Srinagar-Jammu highway will still take many years. Till then people will have to bear.”
The observer said, “The most important task which the executing agencies need to concentrate on is to come up with a plan to rectify the fault lines along the highway. Till these fault lines are not taken care of, the Srinagar-Jammu highway will continue to torment the commuters.”
An official said, “The inclement weather during winter has been a part and parcel of Kashmir. The administration is aware of the fact that the highway gets blocked off and on during the winter months. We have stocked enough essentials to ensure that people don’t face any problem if the highway is closed.”
He said, “The highway expansion work is on and when it turns into four lane it will drastically reduce the distance between Jammu and Srinagar. We are hopeful that all the fault lines along the highway will be taken care of and in coming years the highway blockade will become a history.”

Seat sharing: NC, PDP get lion’s share in first three phases of DDC polls

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Gul Owais

20/11/2020

Seat sharing: NC, PDP get lion’s share in first three phases of DDC polls

Parties to field 55 candidates from 70 seats finalized in Kashmir so far

Gul Owais

Srinagar: The National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), major constituents of the recently formed People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) have got lion’s share in seats sharing arrangement for the forthcoming District Development Council (DDC) polls, slated to be held in eight-phases from November 28.

The alliance, comprising of eight parties including NC, PDP, Peoples Conference, JK Peoples Movement (JKPM), CPI (M), ANC, Congress and other small parties had decided to contest the DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir unitedly and subsequently held series of meetings to finalize the seat-sharing.

The candidates of the alliance will be contesting upcoming DDC polls on their respective party symbols.

The alliance has so far finalized and announced seat–sharing for the three phases in which twin parties including NC and PDP have got major shares.

As per the three lists, the two parties have got 55 DDC constituencies out of 70 finalized so far. The lists state that NC is fielding candidates from 35 constituencies while PDP is fielding 20 candidates in the first three phases.

In the overall seats identified so far by the PAGD, the five parties, part of the alliance including Peoples Conference (PC), CPI (M), Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM), Awami National Conference (ANC) and one other have got a chance to field only 15 candidates out of 70 identified for first three phases.

If sources are to be believed, the parties part of the alliance had raised questions over the major seat sharing by the NC in the first phase of the polls following which the alliance held a meeting at Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence on last Sunday and resolved the issues.

They said that after the meeting, PDP was given a good number for the second phase of the polls and other parties too put forth their candidates for the polls.

The major share by the political parties has even forced the party members to file their nomination papers as the independent candidates are now in a fray and contesting as rivals against PAGD candidates in many DDC constituencies, sources said.

Sources said that the other parties who have been given fewer shares so far are disappointed and are raising the issue from time to time with the alliance leadership.

4 JeM militants killed, 2 cops injured in Nagrota encounter

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Abid Bashir

20/11/2020

4 JeM militants killed, 2 cops injured in Nagrota encounter

‘Truck driver escapes; they were planning big strike’
‘11 AK-47 riffles, 29 grenades, 3 pistols recovered from killed militants’
‘2 cops injured, it was a newly infiltrated group’
Abid Bashir

Jammu, Nov 19: Inspector General of Police Jammu range Mukesh Singh Thursday said that a newly infiltrated group of four militants from the Jaish-e-Muhammad were killed at Ban Toll Plaza near Nagrota on Srinagar-Jammu highway after a truck in which they were travelling was intercepted at a checkpoint. He said that the truck driver managed to flee from the spot while security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition that include 11 AK 47 riffles and 29 grenades.
Addressing a press conference, IGP Jammu Mukesh Singh said that ever since the announcement for the District Development Council (DDC), police had been receiving inputs about a possible infiltration bid in Jammu. “We had kept our all teams deployed at naka points. There were intelligence inputs that militants may sneak in along with large quantity of arms and ammunition,” the IGP Jammu said.
He said at around 5 am, a truck was stopped and when it was searched, the driver stepped out and fled. “During the search of the vehicle, the hiding militants opened a heavy volume of fire that was retaliated. The encounter lasted for three hours. Two policemen sustained injuries and both are stable,” he said.
The IGP Jammu said that four unidentified militants were killed in the gunfight. “All the slain were carrying large quantity of arms and ammunition with them. This is for the first in the past few years that such a large quantity of weapons were recovered from the slain—11 AK riffles, 29 grenades (apart from those lobbed at forces), three pistols, pouches, mobile phones and other incriminating material,” the IGP Jammu said, adding that the slain militants were affiliated with the Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit.
Asked about the motive of militants, the IGP said that given the quantity of weapons recovered from the slain, it seems that the group had infiltrated recently and were “planning something very big.” “But their plan stands foiled,” he said, adding that the operation was carried out jointly by police, CRPF and the army. (KNO)

LG, Advisor Bhatnagar visit injured policemen

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Precious Kashmir

20/11/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today visited Government Medical College Jammu here to enquire about the wellbeing of JKP men injured in an encounter at Nagrota on Thursday.
The LG met the injured personnel undergoing treatment at the hospital and assured the men of the best possible health facility for their treatment besides lauding their exemplary courage and bravery.
The Lt Governor hailed the valour and quick reaction of the security forces in foiling the design of the militants. “I salute the exemplary courage and bravery displayed by our forces. The nation is proud of your professionalism and commitment to protect its sovereignty and integrity”, added the Lt Governor.
In a message to the public of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor said that the government and the security forces are working day and night to lay the foundation of its progressive and peaceful future and said that no outside forces can derail us from our mission.

The Lt Governor was accompanied by Advisor, RR Bhatnagar; Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Financial Commissioner Health, Atal Dulloo; IGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh, and Principal GMC Jammu, Dr. Shashi Sudhan Sharma among other senior officers.

Advisor Bhatnagar meets injured JKP personnel
Meanwhile, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, today visited Government Medical College Jammu here and met the JKP personnel who suffered injuries in an encounter.
During his visit, Advisor Bhatnagar asked the medical officers about the condition of both the jawans and he was informed that both of them are stable.
The Advisor directed the medical superintendent to ensure that the injured brave jawans be given the best possible medical care and directed them for constant monitoring of the Jawans.
He complimented the injured personnel for their bravery and assured that all assistance will be provided to them.

Slain militants wanted to disrupt DDC polls: IGP Kashmir

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Precious Kashmir

20/11/2020

Slain militants wanted to disrupt DDC polls: IGP Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 19: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar on Thursday said militants killed in Nagrota Jammu highway encounter, wanted to disrupt District Development Council (DDC) election in Kashmir, where collective security are being provided to contesting candidates.

Meanwhile, he said 250 to 300 militants are waiting in launch pads at Line of Control (LoC) to sneak into this side before the infiltration routes are closed due to heavy snowfall.

All four militants who were killed in Nagrota encounter by police on Jammu-Srinagar highway wanted to disrupt the DDC polls in Kashmir, Kumar said on the sideline of a function in Nishat area on the bank of Dal Lake on Thursday.

About the allegation by opposition candidates that they are not being provided security cover for campaigning, the IGP said security will be provided to all DDC contesting candidate from Friday onwards to campaign in their favour. They can go and campaign, he said adding there is no need to panic.

However, he said, security cannot be provided to all the DDC contesting candidate individually. We are ensuing their safety and providing them collective security, the IGP said adding we are providing them double escort to contesting candidates during their campaigning in the field. They have been kept in security areas.

Kumar said Pakistani is making attempts to push militants into this side to disrupt the DDC polls. However, he said, security forces are on high alert to foil every such attempt. He said about 250 to 300 militants are waiting to cross over to this side before the infiltration routes are closed due to snowfall. However, he said, troops guarding the LoC have foiled such attempts in the past and will thwart infiltration attempt in future.

About last night’s grenade attack at Kakpora in Pulwama in which 12 persons were injured, the IGP said the militants involved in the attack have been identified and will be arrested soon.

Militants crossing LoC won’t survive: Army Chief

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Precious Kashmir

20/11/2020

Militants crossing LoC won’t survive: Army Chief

New Delhi, Nov 19: After the killing of four militants in Nagrota on Thursday, Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said that the message was very clear for Pakistan and its militants that whosoever crosses the Line of Control to infiltrate into India would be dealt with in the same manner and would not be able to go back.
The Army Chief heaped praise for the troops who carried out the operation against militants hiding in a truck laden with apples. He said that there was a great deal of synergy between the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary troops deployed there.

“This was a very successful operation by the security forces. It shows the high degree of synergy between all the security forces operating on the ground,” General Naravane told a wire agency.
“The message is very clear for the adversary and militants that whosoever tries to infiltrate towards our side would be dealt in the same manner and they would not be able to go back,” he added.

Committed to foil all bids on LoC, IB: DG BSF

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Abid Bashir

20/11/2020

Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Nov 19: Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Rakesh Ashtana Thursday said that present period is suitable for the infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) but BSF and all other security agencies are ready to fill all the bids and to tackle any situation that may emerge.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a sports event in Srinagar, DG BSF said that the situation on the LoC and IB is well under control but inputs continue to flow and infiltration may see a rise. “Present period is suitable for infiltration. But the BSF and other security agencies are ready and alert to foil all the possible bids on the LoC and the IB,” the DG BSF said, adding that reports of possible infiltration bids keep on coming, “but we are ready to tackle any situation that may emerge.” “We are committed to protect the sanctity of LoC and IB,” he said.
About the present situation on the LoC, he said: “There is a situation and we are facing it bravely.” (KNO)

Militants give slip to forces in Pulwama

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Jahangeer Ganaie

20/11/2020

Jahangeer Ganaie

Pulwama, Nov 19: Two top commanders of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit managed to give a slip to forces after a brief exchange of fire in Parigam village of Kakapora belt in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials said Thursday.

A senior police official told KNO that on the basis of a specific input of two top commanders of Jaish, Cordon and Search Operation was launched in Parigam village, the hiding militants fired at the forces which was retaliated. ‘However, the militants managed to break the cordon and flee,” the official said, wishing not to be named.

He said that one among the militants who escaped is close associate of Aadil Dar, suicide bomber of Lethpora attack who had joined JeM, the day Aadil joined and the second one was top IED expert of Pakistan “Lambu Bhai “, one of the most wanted commanders of the outfit.

He said that search operation was launched by joint team of Police, army’s 50 RR and CRPF on specific information about the presence of militants in the area. “After searching the area, the operation was later called off,” the official said.

He added that cordon and search operation was also launched in Karimabad village of Pulwama district on Thursday afternoon, which also ended peacefully.

Meanwhile, soon after the initial exchange of firing between militants and forces, internet services were snapped in Pulwama police district. (KNO)

PAGD formed by people who believe in destructive politics: Naqvi

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United News Of India

20/11/2020

Kupwara, Nov 19: Alleging that Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has been formed by people who believe in dynastic and destructive politics, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday said that it will turn out to be their ‘death declaration’.
Naqvi, who is on two-day visit to Kashmir valley to campaign for BJP candidates contesting DDC elections, accused previous governments of indulging in corruption, saying that ‘the funds which used to come for the development of J&K were diverted by politicians for their own benefits’.

The Union Minister said the Modi-led government in the centre will ensure development with dignity for the people of J&K.
“PAGD has been formed by people who believe in dynastic and destructive politics. But, it will turn out to be their death declaration as the people of J&K want to be the part of development. Do they (PAGD) want to again put J&K on the path of destruction,” Naqvi said while addressing a gathering in this border district.
Upping the ante at Congress for being a part of PAGD, he said, “Congress is confused as sometimes it say that it is a part of the alliance and sometimes it say it has no association with it. But, Congress has been caught in its own web.”
Hitting out at the PAGD, Naqvi said these parties were opposed to local body elections as they don’t believe in independent and grass root politics. “These politicians have not allowed politics at grass root to develop as they believe in ‘khandani garoor, bandini saroor’,” he said.
He said the alliance decided to contest DDC polls only after realizing that Article 370 is 370 meter below the ground and can never be brought back. “They PAGD initially said that they will not contest any elections till the time Article 370 was restored in J&K. But after realizing that Article 370 can never be brought back, they announced to contest elections,” he said.
The Union Minister said that these politicians never wanted Article 370 to go as so many laws, which were passed by Parliament for the benefit of the people, were not implemented in J&K. “As these laws were not implemented in J&K, it deprived people of various rights including reservation for SC/ST in political sphere. After abrogation of Article 370 so many central laws have been extended to J&K and has benefited people in Kashmir and Jammu,” he added.
“These politicians have benefited over these years from the funds which were meant for the development of the people. They are upset as now they will not be able to benefit from these funds as the power has been handed over to the people in the form of their local level representatives. Through panchayat, DDC and Urban Local body elections, people will have a say in the development process of their respective areas,” he added.

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