‘Will fight on own party symbols’
Jammu, Nov 9: Chairman of Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration and President National Conference, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday revealed that parties under the banner of PAGD shall contest polls on their own symbols but there will be only one candidate of alliance in each segment.
“Polls have been announced in a hurry and we do not have a common symbol. Candidates will contest polls on symbols of their parties,” he told reporters. Only one joint candidate will be fielded from each constituency and the candidate will be having the symbol of the party of his association.”
The NC president accused BJP of using different tactics to pressurize media houses to run a campaign in their favour.
He also welcomed the election of new president in America and hoped that new US President will rectify all the wrong acts of Donald Trump.
Dr Farooq also hit hard at BJP leaders for calling him anti—national, “He as well as PAGD is anti-BJP but not anti-India. Those calling me anti -Indian should remember that it was Dr Farooq who represented India in Geneva as well as in UN and then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee appreciated this,” he added.
One PAGD candidate in each segment: Farooq
25 militants infiltrated into J&K this year: ADG BSF
Srinagar, Nov 9: Asserting that less number of militants managed to infiltrate into this side from other Kashmir as compared to last year due to heightened vigil along the Line of Control (LoC), a senior BSF officer on Monday said that only 24 to 25 militants infiltrated into J&K in 2020.
Additional Director General (ADG), BSF, Surendra Panwar said that about 250 to 300 militants are waiting on launch pads in other Kashmir to infiltrate into this side before the routs are closed due to heavy snowfall. However, he said that the anti-infiltration grid is on high alert to foil any infiltration attempt.
“Less number of militants managed to infiltrate into this side of LoC as compared to last year due to heightened vigil. According to our inputs, only 24 to 25 militants managed to infiltrate into this side this year as compared to 135 to 140 last year,” Panwar told reporters on the sideline of wreath-laying ceremony of Constable Sudip Sarkar at BSF headquarters here.
The BSF constable, an Army officer and two other soldiers were killed during an encounter which ensued after soldiers foiled an infiltration bid in Machil sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday. Three militants were also killed in the operation.
The ADG said that according to intelligence inputs about 250 to 300 militants are waiting on the launch pads across the Line of Control.
Answering a question whether the Machil operation was a BAT action by Pakistan Army or an infiltration attempt, he said it was an infiltration attempt.
Panwar said that the operation in Machil sector was going on to sanitize the area. “The operation will continue till the area is sanitized to make sure that no militant is present there,” he added.
Giving details of the operation, the ADG said that a BSF party was patrolling forward areas near the LoC at around 0100 hrs on Sunday. “The patrolling party, which included constable Supid Sarkar, noticed three shadows. The soldiers challenged the infiltrators, who opened fire,” he said.
He said the jawans retaliated ensuing in an encounter. “A militant was at a distance of about 10 feet from constable Sarkar, who was the point man of the patrolling party,” he said, adding the constable was injured in the militant attack.
The ADG said before laying down his life, Sarkar fired back and killed one militant. “As it was dark, the other two militants managed to escape,” he said, adding that the Army and other posts of BSF were informed immediately.
He said the joint search operation was launched in the morning following which two militants were killed in the gunfight. “Three Army soldiers, including an officer, were also killed in the encounter,” he said.
CASO resumes in Machil woods
Srinagar, Nov 9: Troops resumed Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector woods in the frontier district of Kupwara, where so far four soldiers, including an officer, and three militants were killed in the exchange of fire which ensued in the wee hours of Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chinar Corps paid rich tributes to –Captain Ashutosh Kumar, Hav Parveen Kumar and RFN Pyada Maheshwar—all from 18 Madras, who were killed during an encounter with militants in Machil sector, where a Border Security Force (BSF) constable also died on Sunday.
Defence sources said with the first light this morning troops resumed massive search operation in the dense woods in Machil sector. Troops from all sides have joined the operation but so far no contact has been established with the militants, they said adding only three militants were spotted when they entered this side in the wee hours on Sunday, taking the advantage of darkness.
They said despite difficult terrain coupled with below normal temperature, troops are searching the woods to make sure there is no more militant.
Symptoms persist in Covid patients post recovery: DAK
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 9: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Monday said patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection persist with symptoms weeks to months after recovery and they continue to experience symptoms even after beating the infection.
DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement here Monday evening said many recovered COVID-19 patients come back to us with a wide array of lingering symptoms like fatigue, body aches, tiredness, lethargy, headache, shortness of breath, cough, chills or sweats.
“Some patients complain of memory loss, difficulty in concentration and sleep disturbances,” DAK President said adding “Simple physical activities like getting out of bed, grooming, preparing simple meals and showering are exhausting for some.”
He said weeks to months after recovery, many patients come back to us saying they still do not feel well enough to return to work. Patient report that it has become harder for them to get back to regular activity like exercising.
Dr Nisar said the persistence of symptoms is seen in all age groups, but they are particularly reported by elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. “While these lasting symptoms are more seen in severe cases, many people with mild illness also complain of these symptoms,” he added.
“Similar trend has been noticed at other places where doctors are witnessing recovered patients coming back with lingering symptoms months after the acute phase of illness”, he said, adding more worrying pattern which we are seeing in some recovered patients is scarring of lungs after they recover.
“Such complication can cause fibrosis leading to permanent damage to lungs”, Dr Nisar said adding the imaging tests taken months after recovery from COVID-19 have shown lasting damage to the heart muscle even in people who had only mild disease.
“COVID-19 virus is behaving differently from other viruses. Normally in a viral infection you bounce back within 10 days. But Covid-19 has long-lasting effects,” said Dr Nisar
“There is an urgent need to set up post-COVID clinics at Kashmir hospitals to address the issue of persisting symptoms which is now called as post-COVID syndrome,” he added.
India registers 45,903 fresh cases, Tally at 85,53,657; death toll mounts to 1,26,611
New Delhi, Nov 9: India has clocked a fresh spike of 45,903 new COVID cases in the past 24 hours , pushing the country’s total case count so far to 85,53,657, the Union Health Ministry update said here on Monday morning.
Fatality count due to the pandemic till date has now surged to 1,26,611 , after 490 more lives were claimed by the virus during the same time.
Active case count of the country has further reduced by 2,992 on Monday and the country currently has 5,09,673 patients battling the deadly virus.
Talking of recoveries , there were 48,405 patients cured/discharged since Sunday ,taking the total number of COVID survivors so far to 79,17,373 across the nation.
In percentage , the active cases are now 5.96 per cent, discharged at 92.56 per cent and deaths 1.48 per cent of the total case count of the country.
According to the Indian Council for Medical Research , there were 8,35,401 COVID tests conducted on Sunday, and till date, the total number of tests done so far now stand at 11,85,72,192.
COVID-19 vaccine 90% effective: Pfizer
New Delhi, Nov 9: A vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 infections in ongoing phase 3 trials, the companies announced Monday.
Protection in patients was achieved seven days after the second of two doses, and 28 days after the first, according to preliminary findings.
“The first set of results from our phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19,” Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.
“We are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis. “We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most,” Bourla added.
Across much of the globe, Covid-19 infections rates are soaring to record highs, with hospital intensive care units filling up and death tolls mounting as well. Based on supply projections, the companies said they expect to supply up to 50 million vaccine doses globally in 2020, and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
JK set to implement ULPIN
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Nov 9: Administration is all set to implement the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), where people can get information about ownership details of land in Jammu and Kashmir.
An official said the move is aimed at making land acquisition easier for public projects besides ending dubious land ownership.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir office has written a letter to Director Land Records Kashmir seeking suggestions and inputs for implementation of ULPIN in J&K.
“The ULPIN shall provide flow of hibernation on any parcel of land or property to provide integrated land services to the citizens as well as stakeholders,” it reads.
The official said ULPIN will have ownership details of the plot besides its size and longitudinal and latitudinal details.
“The unique number ULPIN would subsequently be linked to the Aadhaar and revenue court system,” the official said.
Sources said the department of land resources, under the ministry of rural development, had roll-out the pilot project in various states in September last year and following the successful completion of the pilot projects.
They said this would facilitate real estate transactions, help resolve property taxation issues and improve disaster planning and response efforts.
“Henceforth, all issues related to collection of taxes and ownership of the plot can be traced using one single number,” they said.
Land disputes, validity of titles and records and rightful ownership account for two-thirds of the cases pending in the country’s courts and it takes over 20 years on average to resolve them, impacting sectors and projects, shows some estimates. (KINS)
J&K Govt unveils draft model building byelaws
Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Nov 9: The administration of Jammu & Kashmir has unveiled the draft Model Building Byelaws and Building Code-2020 for the areas falling under jurisdiction of urban local bodies in the Union Territory.
The draft “Jammu & Kashmir Building Byelaws and Building Code-2020” have been prepared by the Housing & Urban Development Department with assistance from experts/professionals from the relevant fields after taking into account the National Building Code-2016 and Model Building Byelaws-2016.
“The draft—Jammu & Kashmir Model Building Byelaws and Building-2020” are notified for inviting suggestions/ objections from all stakeholders- citizens, developers, builders, government departments, housing cooperatives and other agencies- to enable incorporation of useful suggestions to make the new Bye-laws / Building Code comprehensive, progressive and relevant to the state practice,” reads the notice of H&UDD. The suggestions/ objections can be sent to the department till November 29.
The Building Byelaws of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Jammu Municipal Corporation and other urban local bodies were last time notified in 2011. An official told KNO that the new building byelaws will simplify the procedure for building permits and streamline the entire process.
“Since 2011, large scale developments have taken place in the fields of sustainability, energy conservation building code, rain harvesting, green buildings etc. Besides, the byelaws of 2011 of did not provide an elaborate mechanism for the building permit process,” he said.
He said these building bye-laws will apply to the building activity in the Union Territory for all urban local bodies and urban development authorities after they are notified by the government. (KNO)
COVID-19: 6 Sgr residents among 9 more die
Fatalities mount to 1545, case tally nears 1 lakh mark
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Nov 9: Jammu and Kashmir reported nine more COVID-19 deaths in last 24 hours, while 460 fresh cases were reported across the Union Territory, officials said on Monday.
The fatality count due to COVID-19 in J&K has mounted to 1545, while 99352 people have tested positive for the virus in the UT till date.
Among those who succumbed to the virus today include nine from Kashmir and one from Jammu district—a 55-year-old man from Arnia area of the winter capital of J&K.
Regarding the deaths from Valley, six belonged to Srinagar and one each to Baramulla and Kupwara.
Among others the deaths include a 95-year-old woman from Jawahar Nagar, a 70-year-old man from Bota Kadal, an 85-year-old woman from Lalbazar, a 70-year-old man from Syedpora Srinagar, a 61-year-old man from Goggibagh and a 55-year-old man from Natipora.
With these deaths, the fatality count has reached 1545 in J&K—1025 in Valley and 520 in the Jammu region.
Srinagar district with 381 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (270), Baramulla (149), Budgam (94), Pulwama (83), Kupwara (75), Anantnag (76), Rajouri (48), Kulgam (48), Bandipora(47), Doda (48), Shopian (35), Ganderbal (35), Udhampur (32), Kathua (33), Samba (25), Poonch (23), Ramban (18), Kishtwar(15), and Reasi (8).
J&K reports 460 fresh cases, tally nears 1 lakh mark
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir reported 460 new COVID-19 cases including 34 travelers, a CRPF man and two minors in last 24 hours, taking the total count inch closer to the grim milestone of one lakh cases.
Among the cases, 153 were reported from Jammu Division and 307 from Kashmir, taking the overall count to 99352.
Giving district-wise details, officials said that Srinagar reported 161 cases, Baramulla 33, Budgam 18, Pulwama 5, Kupwara 18, Anantnag 17, Bandipora 13, Ganderbal 31, Kulgam 7, Shopian 4, Jammu 99, Rajouri 3, Udhampur 19, Doda 10, Kathua 7, Poonch 1, Samba 2, Kishtwar 10 and Ramban 2.
A number of these cases were confirmed at SKIMS Soura’s diagnostic laboratories, they said.
The cases include male (49) and female (20) from Sugen, male (58) from Wani Mohalla Mochoowa, male (44) from Wanabal Nowgam, male (80) from Friends Colony Kanipora, female (27) from Chichilora, female (60) from Budgam, male (57) from Kangan, female (30) from Saloora, male (50) from Nunar, male (50) from Kangan, male (62) from Gund, female (40) from Arhama, male (25) from Kangan Ganderbal, male (18) from Lolab Kupwara, male (30) and female (28) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (25) from Rawalpora, female (50) from HMT, male (65) from Lal Bazar, male (25) from Peerbagh, male (55) from SKIMS, female (70) from Lal Bazar, female (37) from Nowshera, female (38) and male (02) from Lal Bazar, female (57) from Nowshera, female (21) from Khanyar, female (38) and male (66) from Lal Bazar, male (62) from Srinagar, two females (36, 03) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (45) from Khanyar, female (NA) from Noorbagh, female (NA) from Batpora, male (NA) from Bhagat Srinagar and male (32) from 79 Bn CRPF Sonwar Srinagar.
Moreover, they said, 564 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 179 from Jammu Division and 385 from Kashmir. (GNS)
Army officer found dead
Jammu, Nov 9: An Army Officer of Major-rank was found dead under mysterious circumstances in army camp on Monday in Jammu’s Rajouri district.
Police sources said that the officer was from Rashtriya Rifles and was posted in Thannamandi area.
A police official said that the officer was found dead in mysterious conditions this morning after which senior army officers and police officers reached to the spot.
“An investigation is underway,” said police.
