Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 30: Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) was celebrated with religious fervour across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday amid COVID-19 pandemic with largest day-long religious gatherings held at the revered shrine of Hazratbal where the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was displayed for the devotees after every prayer of the day.
An official said that hundreds of people arrived at Hazratbal shrine to have the glimpse of holy relic. Biggest gathering took place at the Friday congregational prayers after which holy relic was displayed to the people including women, children and elderly. Emotional scenes were also witnessed as people prayed for health and peace in the valley with moist eyes.
The official said that special arrangements were put in place for the devotees to celebrate the day and special attention was paid to COVID-19 protocols to ensure social distancing and other SOPs at various shrines including Hazratbal and other revered shrines across Jammu and Kashmir.
The day marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and observed annually on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awal-the third month of the Islamic calendar.
The official said that religious processions, special prayer meetings, and Seerat Conferences were organized across Jammu and Kashmir to celebrate the day. He said that thousands of devotees thronged the Dargah Hazratbal shrine where all COVID-19 SOPs were put in place for the safety of devotees. (KNO)
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) celebrated across J&K
Omar led PAGD delegation reaches Drass
Drass, Oct 30: Omar Abdullah led ‘Peoples Alliance for Gupkar declaration’ delegation on Friday visited Kargil and held meetings with local leadership there.
According to KNS, People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration leaders Omar Abdullah , Muzaffer Shah, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Nasir Aslam Wani, and Waheed-ur-Rehman Para arrived in Drass on Friday early morning to meet local leaders.
“Warmly received by the people of Drass, who in one voice endorsed the agenda of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration,” tweeted Omar Abdullah.
Duirng his speech, Omar Abdullah assured the people of Drass that PAGD will fight for restoration of pre-August 5 position of J&K till end.
” We have come here to assure you about the fight we have started to take it to conclusion and take you along in this fight. People of Ladakh are on in our mind and heart no matter you live across the Zojila, ” he said.
He added that the division of the J&K was done without caring about the opinion of people.
” See earlier division of all states, people were taken on board but here a unilateral decision was taken. We have been bitterly fighting against each other but this time fight is for different thing. This is not about votes. We have to present a united front,” he told a large gathering of people and leaders.
“We have come here to see ground situation and talk with leaders and people here on the directions of Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti,” he added. (KNS)
Centre orders action against officers for evasive RTI reply about Aarogya Setu App
New Delhi, Oct 30: The Ministry of Electronics and IT has taken a serious view on lapses made in providing information about Aarogya Setu app, and issued directions to initiate suitable action against concerned officers, government sources said.
The ministry is committed to furnish all the information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to the applicant, and comply with the directions of Central Information Commission (CIC), the sources said.
Central Information Commission or CIC had pulled up National Informatics Centre (NIC) for providing an “evasive reply” on Aarogya Setu app, and had issued show cause notice on the issue.
Following this, the IT Ministry, in a statement on Wednesday evening, clarified that the NIC in collaboration with volunteers from industry and academia developed the Aarogya Setu app in the “most transparent manner”, and there should be no doubt about the app and its role in helping contain COVID-19 pandemic in India.
Meanwhile, sources said the ministry has taken the lapses made in providing information on Aarogya Setu app very seriously, and has issued directions to initiate suitable action against the officers responsible for the same.
The ministry has also directed NIC and National E-Governance Division (NeGD) to take suitable action against the officers dealing with the RTI query in their organisations, the sources added.
President empowers LG Ladakh to exercise powers, functions of state government under CPA
Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Oct 30: The President of India has empowered Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh to discharge powers and functions exercised by exercised by the State Government under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019.
“In pursuance of clause (1) of article 239 of the Constitution, the President hereby directs that the powers and functions of the State Government under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019) shall, subject to the control of the President and until further orders, be exercised by the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh within that Union Territory,” reads the notification issued by Union Home Ministry.
Under section 239 of the Constitution of India, the President of India is empowered to delegate powers to administrators of UTs.
“Save as otherwise provided by Parliament by law, every Union territory shall be administered by the President acting, to such extent as he thinks fit, through an administrator to be appointed by him with such designation as he may specify,” reads the provision of the Constitution.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 protects interests of consumers and provides for establishment of authorities for timely and effective administration and settlement of their disputes.
It states that every state government shall, by notification, establish State Consumer Protection Council headed by minister-in-charge of Consumer Affairs.
The law also provides for establishment of district consumer protection council in every district—(KNO)
CBI chief for strengthening synergy among law enforcement agencies to combat corruption
New Delhi, Oct 30: CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla has underlined the need to strengthen synergy among law enforcement agencies within India to combat corruption, according to an official statement.
He was speaking at the culmination of a three-day virtual national conference on vigilance and anti-corruption on Thursday, it said.
Shukla called for “sustained deterring action against corruption through speedy investigation and expeditious prosecution of cases”.
In his valedictory address, Central Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari stressed the need to recognise public servants serving with integrity and importance of honest leadership at the top of any organisation.
During the conference, participants of various central investigative agencies and states’ anti-corruption units held discussions on issues relating to tackling corruption, the statement said.
Various aspects of investigation including utilisation of various international networks for law enforcement cooperation, training and capacity building, technological interventions government e-market place (GEM), new trends in organised crime and modus operandi, money trail in criminal investigations and enabling seamless coordination among law enforcement agencies were discussed, it said.
Advances in forensic science, digital analysis and deductive process have added new dimensions for collection of evidence in criminal investigations were also discussed.
Jammu Police arrest two criminals for impersonating as cops
Jammu, Oct 30: Police on Friday arrested two criminals for allegedly impersonating as policemen from Ranbir Singh Pura area here on the city outskirts.
Police here said that major success was achieved with the arrest of two notorious criminals.
Babar Choudhary of Chak Mohammad Yar, R S Pura and Sourabh Sudan of Indira Nagar Miran Sahib were apprehended after a hot chase by the police during the midnight, police here said.
They said that one revolver, seven live cartridges, one sword, one Knife have been recovered from their possession. The accused persons impersonated as Policemen and demanded money from the truck drivers, thereby threatening the victims of dire consequences and pointing revolver and sword at them, he said.
The spokesperson said that after getting a call from the truck drivers, a police party rushed to the spot but accused persons by that time, fled away taking the advantage of darkness.
Subsequently, a case was registered and investigation started.
After getting the technical and human intelligence activated Baber was apprehended from the cupboard of a house while Saurabh was apprehended from the hideout on a roof top by the police teams from R S Pura.
Pertinent to mention that Baber Chowdhary was evading arrest in PSA since 2019.
He was on radar of all Police stations of Jammu district.
Baber and Saurabh have more then 15 FIRs of attempt to murder, Narcotics, theft and other cases in their names.
With their arrest, Police have thwarted their criminal upcoming plans.
In Bandipora’s Aragam block oldest stream now a dumping site
Sajid Raina
Bandipora, Oct 30: A huge bulk of biomedical waste, including medicines, syringes and saline bottles among others, have been dumped in a oldest stream in Aragam-Chatibandi village of Bandipora district, locals complained on Friday.
The residents of the area said this is a regular are irked with this practice and have demanded action.
“The medical waste and garbage are being dumped in this stream near main bridge, which is a health hazard. We have complained about it to officials but no action has been taken till now,” said Javid Ahmad a local resident.
He said the solid, medical waste, garbage are dumped by the local shopkeepers on the banks of this stream which is a beautiful flowing along Chattibandi -Wullar lake, inviting a major environmental catastrophe.
He also said that people residing along it have been dumping waste material in the stream due to which it has been turned into a dumping site.
Few years ago, the water of it was crystal clear and was used for drinking purpose. However, today it is highly contaminated and not suitable even for washing clothes and feeding animals.
“It has become difficult for us to even pass by this area as the garbage and medical waste dumped near this important place produce such bad smell. We have to keep our mouths covered in order to pass by these areas,” another resident said.
Meanwhile an official when contacted said they will visit the spot and check from where the waste is dumped in this stream and take action accordingly
The official also appealed the people of said area not to throw waste material in the stream as it will have hazardous results—(KNO)
KU VC inaugurates special social service camp
Underlines message of peace, compassion on Milad-un-Nabi (SAW)
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 30: Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad Friday inaugurated a special social service camp on the revered occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
The day-long camp was organised by the Department of Students Welfare (DSW)—in line with its annual practice—in and around the University Campus to serve refreshment to the devotees visiting the Hazratbal shrine.
In his remarks, Prof Talat said Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) is a sacred occasion which teaches us to be compassionate, helpful and kind-hearted in accordance with the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The revered occasion should reinforce the message of peace, harmony and brotherhood for the prosperity of people all around, he said.
The V-C also distributed food packets amongst the devotees.
Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir said academic institutions must nurture the culture of organising social service camps on special occasions like Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) to further renew the resolve to uphold the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) for the welfare and betterment of the society. He assured the administration’s full support to such endeavours.
Dean Students Welfare Prof Raies A Qadri said organising such camps holds out the larger message of the university’s sense of belonging to the society, as well as reinvigorating the spirit of social service amongst the student volunteers.
The special camp, among others, was attended by Chief Proctor Prof Shawkat Ahmad Shah, Cultural Officer DSW Shahid Ali Khan, and volunteers and officials from the DSW.
BOSE employee’s body recovered from Jhelum in Chattabal
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 30: The body of a 48-year-old J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) employee was on Friday morning recovered from river Jhelum in Chattabal area of Srinagar.
Officials said Bagiyas Chattabal police has recovered the body of Tahir Ahmad Masoodi, 48, son of Noor Muhammad Masoodi of Narwara Eidgah from river Jhelum at Veer Chattabal.
Officials said the Masoodi was employee of JK BOSE and was posted at Sub office Charar-e-Sharief, adding that the legal medico-formalities were conducted while a case in this regard has been registered—(KNO)
Seroprevalence Survey
Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar conducted a study in District Srinagar to estimate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among the general population on October 17 and 18. Plainly put, seroprevalence is the level of a pathogen in a population as measured in blood serum.
A total of 2361 blood samples were analyzed for the presence of the antibodies against the virus using “Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA)”, a high sensitivity and specificity for identification of IgG antibodies against the pestilence. The test provides information about past infection due to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
Nine hundred fifty-nine (959) samples were positive for the IgG against virus giving a seroprevalence of 40.6%.
The seroprevalence was significantly higher among females (459/1026=44.7%) as compared to males (500/1335=37.5%), it concluded.
As expected those with a history of Influenza-like illness (ILI)-symptoms in the previous three months, and those had come in contact with a known COVID-19 patient had higher seroprevalence as compared to their counterparts with no such history.
Also on expected lines, those living in the dense agglomerations such as at Khumaini Chowk, Bemina West and Eidgah were infected in large numbers as compared to other surveyed places.
A dominant theme driving government bodies is aimed to check for levels of ‘herd immunity’, or if around 60-80% of the population have encountered the infection.
The argument behind herd immunity is that this degree of exposure will protect those who are not immune to the disease.
For example, if 80% of a population is immune to a virus, four out of every five people who encounter someone with the disease won’t get sick and won’t spread the disease any further. IgG antibodies against the virus usually develop two weeks after the infection and should be perceived as diagnostic of COVID-19, the experts say. However, in the absence of knowledge about how long antibodies last and the extent to which they protect from fresh infections, reliance on herd immunity should not be pursued as part of the policy to be complacent. There is a need to be guarded until an affordable vaccine is available against it. The survey has underlined that the seroprevalence may further increase in the near future as “more and more individuals become infected and develop antibodies against the virus.” In other words, more people are likely to be exposed to the pathogen, and as such large population continues to be vulnerable and needs to take protective measures.
