LG condemns killings, says guilty shall be dealt with sternly
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 29: Three BJP workers were shot dead by militants at Y K pora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday evening.
A police spokesman said militants fired upon three BJP workers identified as Fida Hussain Yatoo son of Ghulam Ahmad Yatoo R/o Y.K.Pora (BJP District Youth General secretary), Umer Rashid Beigh son of Abdul Rasheed Beigh resident of Sophat Devsar (BJP worker) and Umer Ramzan Hajam son of Mohammad Ramzan resident of Y.K.Pora (BJP worker) at Eidgah Y K Pora, Qazigund in Kulgam district.
He said the trio sustained multiple bullet injuries in the militant attack and were shifted to nearby hospital, where they were declared as brought dead.
Immediately after the militant attack, police, CRPF and army men rushed to the area and launched search operation to track down the militants responsible for the attack. The combing and search operation was going on when reports last poured in.
“Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this militancy incident,” the police spokesman said.
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the killings of political workers.
Expressing his anguish over the killings, he said the perpetrators of violence are the enemies of humanity and such cowardly acts cannot be justified.
Law shall take its course and the guilty shall be dealt with sternly, he said.
The Lt Governor assured all the possible help from the government to the bereaved families.
He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
BJP’s Kashmir Media In-charge Manzoor Bhat condemned the killings of party workers in Kulgam and stated that killings innocents will land Kashmir nowhere.
He offered his condolences to the family in this time of grief.
Bhat termed attack on its men as that as cowardly act by the militants and said such acts will not bring down the morale of the BJP leadership on ground.
“It is the failure of administration that they have not provided enough security cover to our members. Even majority of the members are without living security,” he said.
Bhat demanded security cover to the party workers in every district.
Militants kill 3 BJP workers in Kulgam
Coronavirus Pandemic:Covid-19 claims 11 more lives, 551 test positive in JK
Total cases rise to 93,764, death toll surges to 1,466
Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Oct 29: Jammu and Kashmir Thursday recorded 11 Covid-19 related deaths taking the death toll to 1,466 in the Union Territory while 551 positive cases were reported pushing the J&K tally to 93,764.
Of the total 93,764 cases, 56,355 are from Kashmir and 37,409 from Jammu division.
Officials said among 551 new cases, 354 belong to Kashmir division while as 197 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 56,355 including 50,500 recoveries and 975 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 37,409 including 34,870 recoveries and 491 deaths.
The officials said that total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 6,928 including 4,880 from Kashmir division and 2,048 from Jammu division.
With 588 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 85,370 which is 91.04 percent of the total cases.
“Cases tested positive in J&K include 127 from Srinagar, 22 from Budgam, 85 from Baramulla, 19 from Pulwama, 44 from Kupwara, 10 from Anantnag, 11 from Bandipora, 21 from Ganderbal, 13 from Kulgam and 02 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 197 from Jammu division include 109 from Jammu, 03 from Rajouri, 21 from Udhampur, 12 from Doda, 15 from Kuthua, 08 from Poonch, 07 from Samba,06 from Kishtiwar, 08 from Ramban and 08 from Reasi,” officials disclosed.
Notably, in the last 24 hours, eleven persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died which include seven from Kashmir division and four from Jammu division.
As per media bulletin, patients who have died include four from Srinagar, two from Budgam and from Baramulla in Kashmir division while as four deaths from Jammu division include one each from Jammu district and Rajouri and two from Udhampur.
As per officials figures, 19,104 positive cases including 352 deaths and 17,131 recoveries are from Srinagar, 5,948 including 94 deaths and 5,562 recoveries are from Budgam, 5,880 including 4,241 recoveries and 144 deaths are from Baramulla, 4,628 including 4,351 recoveries and 80 deaths are from Pulwama, 4,394 including 72 deaths and 3,905 recoveries are from Kupwara, 4,212 including 3,895 recoveries and 74 deaths are from Anantnag, 4,017 cases including 3,745 and 46 deaths are from Bandipora, 3,505 including 3,266 recoveries and 32 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,479 including 2,339 recoveries and 46 deaths are from Kulgam and 2,188 including 2,065 recoveries and 35 deaths are from Shopian.
In Jammu division, 17,349 including 16,246 recoveries and 254 deaths are from Jammu district, 3,185 including 3,068 recoveries and 47 deaths are from Rajouri, 2,670 including 2,528 recoveries and 32 deaths are from Udhampur, 2,640 including 2,462 recoveries and 45 deaths are from Doda, 2,425 including 2,338 recoveries and 31 deaths are from Kuthua, 2,239 including 1,975 recoveries and 22 deaths are from Poonch, 2,162 including 1,879 recoveries and 25 deaths are from Samba, 1,890 including 1,724 recoveries and 14 deaths are from Kishtwar, 1,583 including 1,503 recoveries and 13 deaths are from Ramban and 1,266 including 1,147 recoveries and 08 deaths are from Reasi.
Cases again rise in India, tally crosses 80 lakh-mark
New Delhi, Oct 29: India, after witnessing a drop in new COVID cases for a couple of days, once again reported a single-day spike of nearly 50,000 infections, surpassing the overall tally beyond 8 million-mark.
The country recorded 49,881 fresh cases, pushing the caseload to 80,40,203, the government data update read on Thursday morning.
In the same duration, 56,480 people were cured across the country, taking the total recoveries to 73,15,989 till date.
On a positive note, the world’s second-most populous country has reported fewer than 60,000 cases and 1,000 deaths for 11 straight days.
Fatalities due to the pandemic have now mounted to 1,20,527 till date across the nation after 517 more lives were claimed by the highly contagious virus since Wednesday. However, active cases have come down further by 7,116 since past one day and the number now stands at 6,03,687. In percentage, the active cases now stand at 7.51 per cent, discharged cases now at 90.99 per cent and the fatalities at 1.50 per cent of the total case count of the country so far.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there were 10,75,760 samples tested for COVID on Wednesday, whereas till date the total number of COVID tests conducted now stand at 10,65,63,440.
India — the second-worst COVID-hit nation in terms of cases — had crossed 1 million-mark on July 17, 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5, 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28 and 70 lakh just 18 days ago on October 11.
Of the freshly reported deaths, Maharashtra accounted for 91 of the day’s fatalities followed by 60 from West Bengal, 55 each from Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, 40 from Delhi, 35 from Tamil Nadu, 27 from Kerala, 20 from Punjab and 18 each from Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11. Till date, more than 44.79 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, with over 1.17 million fatalities. Exactly 13 days later, India announced a stringent 21-day nationwide lockdown from March 25, however, as the cases kept rising, the lockdown was extended till May 30 after which the restrictions were gradually lifted in order to revive the battered economy.
Even as the globe is battling the pandemic with full vigour, all hopes are pinned on a potential vaccine, hope for which has risen post Serum Institute of India chief Adar Poonawala’s claim that a vaccine could be ready as early as December and the first batch of 100 million doses could be available by the second or third quarter of 2021.
Experts warn of spike in Covid-19 cases in winters
Faizan Wani
Srinagar, Oct 29: The health experts have warned of surge in Covid-19 cases in winters in Jammu and Kashmir and advised the people to follow the Covid protocol and SOPs in letter and spirit.
A leading pulmonologist at Valley’s lone tertiary care hospital SKIMS Soura said although the disease has nothing to do with climate but situation may turn ugly during winters in case people stop wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing.
He said the people of Kashmir are prone to winter health issues like flu and cold during winters and the same may cause them to fall prey to Covid-19 if they continue to violate the protocol.
“There is every possibility that there would be a spike in positive cases of Corona-Virus during winters in Jammu and Kashmir as winter related health issues also spikes in cold weather conditions,” he said, adding that the people need to take serious precautionary measures to save themselves from falling prey to novel Corona-Virus.
He also said the government other than turning a blind eye towards the carelessness approach adopted by the people should ensure everyone follows the protocol in letter and spirit.
“I see a sharp spike in positive cases; people need to take this disease seriously before the situation turns alarming. Wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing is the only measure to stay away from this deadly disease which so far has claimed millions of lives world over,” he added. (KNO)
Tourists start returning to Kashmir
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Oct 29: After suffering huge losses since abrogation of Article 370 by centre in August last year, a ray of hope has arisen among tourism players in Kashmir as tourists have started returning to the Valley.
Mohammad Ali, a resident of Mumbai, came along with his wife and two children to Kashmir last week.
“We have been here for last one week and roamed around Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Mughal Gardens, Pari Mahal, Dal Lake. We did not face any problem here. We are again planning to visit either in December or January to see snow,” Ali said.
Tour operator of Kashmir, Rouf Tramboo, said tourists have started coming to the valley.
“It is a very positive sign that tourists are coming to the valley. There has been a good response from tourists, who have shown willingness to visit Kashmir,” he said.
On Tuesday, Tramboo also see-off a group of tourists from Kolkatta, West Bengal for trekking to Kolahai in the valley.
“It was a pleasure to see off a group of trekkers from West Bengal,” he said.
Tourism sector has been badly hit since August 5 last year due to restrictions imposed by the government after Delhi abrogated Article 370 and then COVID-19 lockdown.
As per figures of tourism department, 43000 tourists visited Kashmir between August and December last year. While in 2020, only 19,000 tourists visited Kashmir till September this year.
Bashir Ahmad, a hotelier said tourists are visiting Kashmir for the last few weeks and mostly visit Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Mughal Gardens and Dal Lake.
“Tourists have also started bookings for winter months when Kashmir receives snowfall,” he said.
Director Tourism, Kashmir, Nisar Wani said there has been a positive response from tourists in the last few weeks.
“We are receiving positive feedback from different states and many people want to visit the valley especially during winters,” he added. (KINS)
NIA conducts raids at 7 locations in Kashmir
Srinagar, Oct 29: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths continued raids for the second day on Thursday at seven locations in the Kashmir valley and two in New Delhi in connection with a case related to Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and trusts allegedly diverting funds meant for charitable activities to “secessionist and separatist activities” in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NIA conducted raids at ten places in the Kashmir valley and Bangalore on Wednesday during which several incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized.
A NIA spokesman said in a statement this evening that in continuation of yesterday’s search operations, NIA conducted searches at seven locations in Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag and Kulgam in the Kashmir valley and two locations in Delhi in connection with the case pertaining to certain NGOs and Trust raising funds in the name of charitable activities and then using those funds for carrying out secessionists and separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said this case as registered by NIA on 8/10/2020 under section 1208 12 A IPC and section 17,18, 22 A, 22C, 38, 39 and 40 UA(P)A, 1967 as per the directions of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on receipt of credible information that certain NGOs and Trusts are collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations and business contributions in the name of various welfare activities such as public health, education. Further these funds are sent to J&K through various channels such as hawala and cash couriers and are used to carry out and sustain secessionists and terrorist activities in J&K.
He said the premises which were searched, included J&K Yateem Foundatin at Srinagar and Kulgam, the Salvation Movement at Srinagar run by Zafar Akbar Bhat, Human Welfare Foundation at Delhi and Anantnag.
Jammu and Kashmir Voice of Victims at Baramulla run by Abdul Qadeer, Falah e Aam trust at Budgam run by G M Bhat and Charity Alliance at Delhi bun by Zafar ul Islam.
He said several incriminating documents and electronic devices have been seized during the searches and further investigation in the case continued.
India was prepared to obliterate Pak’s forward brigades: Ex-IAF chief
New Delhi, Oct 29: Former IAF chief BS Dhanoa has said that Pakistan had no option but to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in February 2019 when his MiG-21 was downed in a dogfight in Kashmir.
Speaking to news agency ANI, he said that Pakistan was well aware of India’s capability and that Indian armed forces were prepared to wipe out Pakistan’s forward brigades.
“There are two parts to it. The main pressure on Pakistan was diplomatic and political. But there was also a military posture, the way he (Pakistan MP Ayaz Sadiq) is saying that ‘his legs (General Bajwa) were shaking and all’, it is because the military posture was very offensive of all the three services, Army, Navy, Air Force,” Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa (retired) said.
“And God forbid had they hit our installations on February 27, we were also in a position to wipe out their forward brigades. They know our capability. Basically, if this thing is there in their mind that we are likely to strike, they first look at how their own military is doing. The American President Theodore Roosevelt used to say, ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’. So the big stick was the military,” he added.
Wing Commander Abhinandan’s MiG-21 was shot down by Pakistani Air force jets on February 27 and he was captured by the Pakistani forces. The Imran Khan government on March 1 released the IAF pilot.
Former IAF chief’s remark comes after PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq in a speech in the National Assembly said that Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s legs were shaking while Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told a meeting that India was about to attack their country in February 2019. According to Ayaz, Qureshi pointed out that if Islamabad did not release Abhinandan, New Delhi will attack Pakistan “that night by 9 pm.
Centre has no love for people of JK: Mehbooba
Srinagar, Oct 29: Alleging that the central government has no love for the people but only wanted resources and land of Jammu and Kashmir , Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said we will not allow this to happen.
“Everyday new directions were being passed by the Centre to pressurise people of J&K” she alleged and said “If they have that much of force why they do not throw out the Chinese who have occupied the Indian land in Ladakh”.
The centre felt helpless in front of China and did not even dare to name that country, the former Chief Minister Mehbooba told reporters Thursday afternoon after her party leaders and supporters were arrested during demonstration in Srinagar against the new land law today.
Mehbooba said she will not allow anyone to loot the land and resources in J&K.
Under the new law anyone from any part of the country can purchase land in the Jammu and Kashmir without having domicile or state subject certificate.
“ We are not Twitter politicians”, she said adding we will not stay silent and will make every efforts that nobody takes away our land and resources. We will not let it happen, she declared and said today they used force to stop us but next time this will not happen.
She said the Centre was misleading people and trying sell the abrogation of Article 370 in other parts of the country, where poor people are asking jobs and food. What a poor people will do by purchasing land in J&K, she questioned and alleged new land law was introduced only to benefit big and corporate houses.
She said people from our party in Jammu protested against the law on Wednesday and today we came out to protest here but the leaders were stopped and arrested. However, she reiterated her appeal for united fight against the alleged communal intentions of the centre. She warned that if we do not stand against it united, Centre will plunder everything that we have.
She said when the people of Ladakh protested they were taken to Delhi by air and asked about their issues. Now they too are against it, she claimed.
She said Parliament have no right to abrogate Special status of the Jammu and Kashmir. Only local legislators have the authority to do it, she claimed.
She alleged that Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a jail, where neither the journalist nor the civil society, or even the politician, can raise their voice against what’s happening.
Fight not for power: Omar
Srinagar, Oct 29: Former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah Thursday wondered whether the Centre wanted political parties to leave mainstream politics altogether.
“What do you want from us? Do you want us to leave mainstream politics here?” Abdullah asked while reacting to the government’s action of stopping Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) workers from carrying out a protest against the recent changes in land laws in the state.
The former chief minister said the fight of political workers in Kashmir was now for identity. “These special laws and status were given to Jammu & Kashmir at the time of Maharaja Hari Singh,” Omar said, while pointed out that leaders in Nagaland have refused similar laws.
“We have been forced to unite and fight for the rights. We are not counting seats anymore. This fight is not about power or chief ministership. It is fight for our identity. It would be shameful if we go after power. People will never forgive us if we do something like that. I wish this coming together of parties happened earlier. There are so many states where people from other parts of the country cannot buy land. If we are talking against this law, we are being called ‘anti-nationals’,” Omar said.
About the repealing of land law, Omar said that “nobody can buy land in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and many other States of the country, but here in Jammu and Kashmir, the rich section has been given open land to throw people of J&K out. Amid this situation, they are expecting silence from us, which is not possible. We will fight and are not ready to lose it. I don’t know how long this fight will continue, but will fight it tooth and nail.”
“We are being tagged as anti-national for fighting for our rights. I must recall the role played by Maqbool Sherwani, who under this (NC) flag played a pivotal role in 1947,” he said.
Mehbooba trying to create unrest, arrest her: BJP
Srinagar, Oct 29: Alleging that former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was trying to create an atmosphere for another unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded her arrest.
In a statement issued here, BJP media incharge Manzoor Bhat alleged that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president’s anti-national and pro-Pakistan statement can disturb peaceful atmosphere. “We are seeing, the situation has remained peaceful over the past 1 and half year and her pro-Pakistan and anti-national statements can disturb the atmosphere here,” he said.
Bhat alleged that Mehbooba is not happy as peace has returned to Kashmir after three decades of bloodshed and strikes. “She has a lust for power and for that she can go to any extent,” he said, adding that she wants again the poor children should die on roads and streets.
He said if the government will ask her tomorrow to take control, she will again forget everything, including pro-Pakistan and anti-national statements. “Nor will she think of the people of Kashmir,” Bhat said.
Bhat appealed to the higher-ups in the central government either to detain her or put her behind the bars.
He appealed to the Union Home Minister to take Mehboob’s statements seriously. “Mehbooba should shun cheap politics and accept the reality… she should not mislead people in the name of restoring Article 370 and other things,” he said.
