Sajid Raina
Gurez, Sept 11: Despite the official claims about rural electrification in Kashmir, electricity still remains a distant dream for twin Tulail villages in Gurez in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
The residents living in Refugee-1and Refugee-2 villages of Tulail valley in the border area of Gurez are reeling under darkness in absence of electricity since the last seven decades.
As per official records there are around 40 families living in these villages of which 30 are below poverty line (BPL).
Most of the people here work as labourers and grazers, while some have low-ranking government jobs and they are spending sleepless nights in absence of electricity.
Locals who are mostly from the backward community said they have been facing multiple problems in absence of electricity since the last several decades while officials don’t even bother to visit the village to redress their genuine demand.
“We have raised our children in darkness. Their next generation will also be forced to grow up in darkness,” they said.
The locals stated that they have made numerous representations to the authorities for electrifying the villages but to no avail.
“Since the time I was born I have not seen electricity in my village. Everyone comes here for their own purposes. They are not willing to do anything for the development of this village,” said a 62-year-old Khalil Khan.
He said that they have now lost the hope of getting the village electrified as they have been running from pillar to post from the last more than seven decades. “This is very unfortunate that in today’s world the village is suffering for want of electricity.”
“Our village is far and we cannot even protest to make the concerned authorities hear us. Who will listen to us from these hilly mountains?” another resident Ahsan Ahmad said. “If not electricity, at least provide us with free solar panels as the government has been doing in other unelectrified villages,” he said.
The the villagers urged the Lt. Governor administration to look into the matter and help resolve the problem being faced by them.
Notably, the entire Gurez valley gets power supply through government installed diesel generators since decades as there is no provision of electricity in the area.
When contacted, sub divisional magistrate, Gurez Mudasir Ahmad said that the issue has come into his notice and he would try to redress it at an earliest and both the villages will be electrified as soon as possible. (KNO)
Twin Tulail villages in Gurez without electricity
Burglars’ loot cash from mosque, shrine in G’bal
Precious Kashmir News
Ganderbal, Sep11: Unidentified miscreants broke open the treasuries of shrine of Ziyarat-e-Shiekh Jamal Sahib at Sehipora and a Jamia Masjid at Wayil Mominabad and looted the cash.
Sources said some miscreants looted cash from the donation boxes after breaking open the lock of the mosque and shrine late Thursday night.
The matter came to light few villagers learned about the loot and called up police.
On being informed, police reached the spot and started an investigation into the matter.
Locals said that there was unaccounted cash into the mosque and shrine’s treasuries and all the cash has been looted.
They alleged that this is the sixth such loot in the district and police have not arrested any accused so far. (KNT)
GoI Monitoring
In last eight days, Jammu and Kashmir reported over a thousand novel coronavirus cases daily. On September 2, the covid-19 tally stood at 38874 and it reached 49134 on September 10, recording an increase of 10260 cases during the time. En route, the J&K recorded the highest ever single-day tally of 1617 cases on Wednesday last. The Srinagar and Jammu, the twin capitals of the J&K, continue to top the tally with the former having 10980 covid-19 cases while the latter’s number stands at 7282 as on September 10.
In the case of Jammu, the surge has been on account of the aggressive testing started recently while Srinagar continues to witness higher numbers of infected people for quite some time now.
The numbers sound threatening but should not overawe the administration in going back from the approach that is centered on testing and already helped countries like Italy, China and Spain among others to bend the curve. However, the government should be alive to the fact that even though the testing done each day has been growing, most of them are rapid antigen having only about 50-60% sensitivity. Unfortunately, with no repeat testing of negative cases being validated with a RT-PCR, many of the infected are not being diagnosed.
The focus must remain on diagnosing the most probable cases even as many of those infected have mild or no symptoms. There is also the possibility of an over-reliance on antigen testing to cope with the growing demand for testing but it could prove counterproductive and as such a balance in this regards is a must.
Another area of concern came to the fore during a high-level meeting when the centre was alerted to some of the reasons for the failure to check the pandemic. It was revealed that a large number of grass-root health workers like ASHA activists and volunteers do not know what they are expected to do in containment zones. District medical officers reportedly evinced very little knowledge of the special measures required to shield and treat vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with comorbidities. The government needs to address the issue. Also, the Centre must continue to its monitoring and tackling emergencies which require concerted ground-level action involving the government of India and J&K administration. Also, people need not be complacent and a failure to adherence to the social distancing measures and hand washing etiquettes can prove disastrous, especially for the vulnerable lot.
People fight COVID-19 fear as cases, deaths increase
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Sep 10: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded more than 1000 COVID-19 positive cases for the past six days and the tally of infected persons in the Union Territory is nearing 50,000 mark. Besides more and more people turning positive, the death toll is also increasing and is about to touch 850. The virus seems to be having a free run.
During the past few days Jammu too has recorded a rapid increase in the cases and it has pressed panic button in the region. People of Jammu are of the opinion that the Rapid Action Tests (RATs) being conducted by the administration have brought to fore the real picture and the worst fear of the experts that the virus has spread within the community has come true.
A medico while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Now, the COVID-19 has become a part of our lives. Everyone seems to be aware of the fact that anyone can get infected and cured also. Fear is there but people have realized that they are helpless. The best possible way through which they can keep the virus away is by taking precautions. They have to wear masks, use sanitizers and maintain social distancing.”
The medico said, “Despite virus having a free run people seem to be least bothered. They can’t take COVID-19 so lightly. People should realize that the COVID-19 is not a common flu. It’s a viral infection which can kill a person. The vaccine only can help the people in J&K as by now it has been established beyond doubt that the virus has spread within the community.”
Recently, president of Doctors of Association of Kashmir Dr Nisar had said that Flu vaccine is crucial in COVID-19 times. “Getting a flu shot in times of COVID-19 crisis is more important than ever,” said Dr Nisar in a statement. “We would be facing a double whammy of flu and Covid this fall and winter. This could be one of the most complicated public health times with the two coming together,” he had warned.
“You can catch the flu and COVID-19 at the same time and that increases your risk of ending up in ICU or on a ventilator,” he added.
An expert said, “The warning which has been issued can make things difficult for the people in coming months. We have to keep our fingers crossed and wait for winters arrive. Let’s hope that by then vaccine arrives.”
Ladakh Standoff:India-China foreign ministers meet in Moscow
New Delhi, Sep 10: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a two-hour meeting this evening with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in an attempt to defuse tension after a spike in hostilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border between the two nations. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet in Moscow. Earlier, they met at a Russia-India-China lunch.
The Jaishankar-Wang talks are taking place against the backdrop of a fresh stand-off at the southern bank of Pangong Tso on Monday, when Chinese soldiers armed with spears and rifles tried to approach Indian forward posts, allegedly to try and force a physical fight on the lines of the June 14 clash at Galwan Valley, in which 20 Indian soldiers died for the country. In the confrontation, shots were fired for the first time along the LAC in 45 years.
India said Chinese soldiers, forced to retreat, fired shots in the air. China claimed that Indian soldiers had fired warning shots after “crossing the LAC”, which India firmly denied.
Jaishankar last week described the situation in eastern Ladakh as “very serious” and said it calls for “very, very deep conversation” between the two sides at a political level.
Yesterday, top government sources said the standoff “can take any trajectory,” indicating that the possibility of a conflict — either localised or across the region — cannot be ruled out. But the sources said there was room for dialogue and engagement at diplomatic and military levels.
While expressing concern at the ground situation in South Pangong, where the Chinese have made several attempts to drive out Indian soldiers who secured key heights, officials said they believed that a war-like situation has not emerged as yet.
Despite the ground situation, there is hope that ”both sides are trying to stop the actual shooting from happening”.
There have been multiple rounds of talks at diplomatic and military levels which have resulted in partial Chinese withdrawal in the Galwan and North Pangong region, nowhere close to India’s expectations after the Chinese moved into areas stretching from the Depsang Plains, Galwan, Hot Springs, Gogra, North and South Pangong in May this year.
The latest incident took place three days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe met on the sidelines of another SCO meet in Moscow last Friday. Rajnath Singh reportedly told Wei that attempts by Chinese troops to unilaterally alter status quo along the LAC was in violation of bilateral agreements and Beijing should work with New Delhi for complete disengagement from all friction areas including Pangong Tso.
‘Indian Army occupies heights overlooking Chinese Army positions at Pangong Tso’
New Delhi, Sept 10: Indian Army has occupied heights overlooking the Chinese Army positions at Finger 4 along Pangong lake.
The operations to occupy the heights were carried out along with the pre-emptive actions to occupy heights near the Southern bank of Pangong Tso around August-end, sources said on Thursday.
“Indian Army has occupied heights overlooking the Chinese Army positions at Finger 4 along the Pangong Tso. These operations were carried out along with the pre-emptive actions to occupy heights near the Southern bank of Pangong Tso around August-end,” a source told ANI.
Sources said the Chinese Army had occupied the heights near the Finger 4 but the Indian Army has now occupied the heights which overlook the Chinese positions at heights including the Green top.
The Chinese have been sitting at Finger 4 from around April-May timeframe but have refused to disengage from there and other friction points in eastern Ladakh sector.
In another development, armies of India and China held interactions at Brigade Commander-level and Commanding Officer-level in eastern Ladakh on Thursday which are aimed at keeping the communication lines open between the two sides.
“Armies of India and China today held interactions at Brigade Commander-level and Commanding Officer-level in Eastern Ladakh. Interactions are aimed at keeping the communication lines open between the two sides,” Indian Army sources said.
India recently outflanked China by taking control of strategic height near Pangong lake’s southern bank. It thwarted an attempt by the Chinese army to transgress into Indian areas near the southern bank of Pangong Tso near Chushul in Ladakh.
Induction of Rafale jets into IAF will send strong message to China: Rajnath
Pathankote, Sept 10: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday used a ceremony marking induction of five Rafale jets into the Indian Air Force to send a strong message to China over its belligerence in eastern Ladakh, saying national security is a major priority for India and it is determined to protect its territory
Singh said induction of Rafale jets into the IAF is crucial considering the kind of atmosphere being created along India’s border
“It is a strong message for the entire world, especially those eyeing India’s sovereignty,” he said in an address at a ceremony here marking formal induction of the Rafale fleet
Singh’s stern message to the neighbouring country came hours ahead of an expected meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the margins of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave in Moscow
The much anticipated talks are taking place against the backdrop of a massive spike in tension in eastern Ladakh triggered by fresh face-offs between the two armies along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
The defence minister said India’s responsibility is not limited to its territorial boundary and that it is committed to peace and security in Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean, the two regions where China has been increasing its military assertiveness
“This kind of induction is very important for the kind of atmosphere that has been created on our borders in recent times,” the defence minister said in a clear reference to the escalating tensions in eastern Ladakh
The defence minister also complimented the IAF for its “swift action” near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during a “recent unfortunate incident”.
He, however, did not elaborate on it
“The speed at which IAF deployed assets on forward bases creates confidence,” he said
“While prevailing situation on our border caught our attention, we should not ignore threat of terrorism,” he added
Speaking on the occasion, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said induction of Rafale jets could not have happened at a more opportune time considering the security scenario
The Indian Army on Tuesday said Chinese troops attempted to close in on an Indian position near the southern bank of Pangong lake on the evening of September 7 and fired shots in the air
The Army said this in a statement after the PLA late on Monday night alleged that Indian troops crossed the LAC and “outrageously fired” warning shots near the Pangong lake
A meeting between Defence Minister Singh and his Chinese counterpart Gen. Wei Fenghe on the margins of another SCO meet in Moscow last Friday apparently did not yield any tangible outcome.
BSF ready to face new challenge: DG Asthana
Srinagar, Sept 10: Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Rakesh Asthana said the force is ready to face any new challenges and shoulder additional responsibility in the coming day due to the ongoing dispute on the Indo-China border.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of BSF said here Thursday evening that Asthana completed his maiden four-day visit to Kashmir frontier from September 7 during which he went to forward areas of all BSF Sectors.
He was briefed by Inspector General Kashmir Frontier BSF, Dr Rajesh Mishra, about the current situation on Line of Control (LoC) and hinterland. DG took stock of the operational and administrative challenges being faced by Units.
While interacting with the troops through Sainik Sammelan, Asthana applauded the grit of field Units in tackling the enemy on LoC, as well as in the hinterland, in the face of adverse conditions and exhorted them to continue working with zeal and enthusiasm.
While sharing his impression about his new organization BSF, he said the general public has great respect for this “First Line of Defense” due to its famed discipline and professional approach. This largest Border Guarding Force in the world not only doing its primary job of guarding International Border with devotion but also equally engaged in Inter Security Duties and Anti-Naxal Operations.
The Head of versatile Force emphasized on more use of technology for effective domination of the borders. In the rapidly changing technology, BSF has to keep pace with the latest and integrate/upgrade present surveillance systems accordingly.
The DG BSF was very appreciative of woman constabulary who are performing duties shoulder to shoulder with their male counterpart in such a new territory of border duties for them, in India. He informed that building up of womanly needed infrastructure at their places of duty is on the top priority, at present.
Mr Asthana also acknowledged the consequences of living separately from home for long in BSF as it emanates multiple problems like grabbing of property by anti-social elements in one’s absence, etc. He called upon all jawan to approach their senior officer to get assistance in sorting out any issue of such kind.
DG BSF also took stock of the COVID-19 management in the Composite Hospital BSF, Srinagar where he appreciated the exemplary work done by the doctors and the support staff in taking care of all CAPF cases, within the limited resources.
The president of BSF Wives Welfare Association (BWWA) Smt Anu Asthana also accompanied DG BSF. On her maiden visit to Kashmir Frontier BSF, she was very appreciative of the efforts of the Association in discharging their obligations under the constrained circumstances of Kashmir valley. She keenly observed the progress of training being given to jawans’ wards & families in the sphere of computers, prep manta, painting and other faculty.
She presided over the meeting with jawans’ families in Srinagar and Baramulla and attended their points of concern. She also applauded the efforts of BWWA members in supplying essentials commodities during the lockdown period to BSF families.
COVID-19: 1592 cases, 13 more die in J&K
Death toll at 848, cases near 50,000 mark
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Sep 10: Jammu and Kashmir reported thirteen more COVID-19 deaths in past 24 hours, while 1592 more people tested positive for the virus on Thursday. The death toll in J&K has mounted to 848, while total number of cases in the Union Territory 49134.
Officials said that among the fatalities that eight were from Jammu division and five from Kashmir.
Regarding Jammu, they said, two deaths each were reported from Jammu, Rajouri and Samba besides one each from Doda and Reasi.
Among others, the deaths from Jammu, they said a 62-year-old man from Pathal Reasi died two days being admitted to GMC with “inferior wall myocardial infarction. “He died at 5 a.m.,” a doctor at the hospital told GNS.
A 38-year-old man from Bari Brahmana area of Samba died at 5:10 a.m. today, two days after he was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Bilateral Community Acquired Pneumonia, the doctor said.
An 80-year-old man from Ustad Mohalla Jammu died at GMC, three days after he was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with hypertension, CKD and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
They said a 57-year-old man from Bahu Forte Jammu died at ASCOMS Hospital(Batra) last night and had been diagnosed with hypothyroid and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
A 62-year-old woman from Ghazipur, RS Pura, who were co-morbid and COVID positive died in the GMC Jammu while a 70-year-old man from Bandrai Ganara in Kalakote tehsil of Rajouri district, who had injury after fall in the house, died in the GMC Rajouri and later test positive for the virus.
Regarding deaths from Kashmir Valley, sources said include a 50-year-old from Uri Baramulla who died at a hospital here at 1:40 a.m. “She was diagnosed with HTN, HYPOTHYROID with Severe COVID Pneumonia and died due to cardiopulmonary arrest,” they said. One of the victims from Budgam was a resident of Charar-e-Shareef while those from Srinagar include a 65-year-old woman from Batmaloo who was admitted to the SMHS hospital on September 6 as a case of bilateral CAP and a 45-year-old from Fakir Gujri Harwan who also died at SMHS hospital. The other victim was a 66-year-old man from Humhama Budgam who died at SMHS hospital this evening.
With these deaths, officials said, 848 people have succumbed to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir so far. Among them, they said, 717 were from the Valley while 131 others were from Jammu division.
Srinagar district with 246 deaths tops the list followed by Baramulla (109), Budgam (69), Pulwama (60), Anantnag (53), Kupwara (56), Jammu (75), Kulgam (40), Shopian (29), Bandipora (26), Ganderbal (25), Rajouri (14), Kathua (11), Doda (9), Samba (7), Poonch (6), Udhampur (4), Reasi (3), Kishtwar (1), and Ramban (1).
J&K reports 1592 fresh cases, total 49134
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Sep 10: As many as 1592 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 49134, officials said on Thursday. This is for the eighth day in running that the J&K reported cases in excess of one thousand.
With 112 travelers among them, 770 cases were reported from Jammu Division and 822 from Kashmir Valley, officials told GNS.
Giving breakup of the cases, they said, Srinagar reported 218, Baramulla 75, Pulwama 68, Budgam 190,
Anantnag 49, Bandipora 56, Kupwara 85, Kulgam 15, Shopian 2, Ganderbal 64, Jammu 421, Rajouri 48,
Kathua 47, Udhampur 28, Samba 35, Ramban 8, Doda 31, Poonch 78, Reasi 28 and Kishtwar 46.
Among others, a number of cases were confirmed at CD and SKIMS diagnostic labouratories, they said.
The CD cases include male (35) from Saidpora, male (NA) from Washhalan, male (54) (NA), male (34) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (27) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (36) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (37) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (36) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (37) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (36) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (37) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (33) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (45) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (37) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (28) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (37) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (27) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (42) (NA) from BB Cantt Sgr, male (48) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (43) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (43) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (40) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (44) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (44) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (44) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (39) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (25) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (26) (NA)from BB CANTT Sgr, male (35) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (34) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (22) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (25) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (46) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (28) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (32) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (26) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, male (28) (NA) from BB CANTT Sgr, female (35) (NA) from Nadihal Baramulla, female (30) from Manduna, male (45) from Uthmulla, male (33) from Rajouri, female (23) from Uthmulla, male (31) from Udipora Barsoo, male (18) from Amlar, female (30) from Shahabad, female (18) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (64) from Chandhara, male (50) from Kadalabal Pampore, male (55) from Gudoora Pulwama, male (41) from Pingleena, female (48) from Pingleena, male (60) (NA) from Tral, male (85) (NA) from Khaniyar, female (60) (NA) from Anantnag, male (58) (NA) from Shilwat, female (29) from Doodhwangan, male (37) from Chittergull, female (19) from Shangus, female (50) from Uttersoo, male (37) from Chittergull, male (42) from Shangus, female (35) from Rakh Brah, male (48) from Laripora Tourism, female (45) from Mattan Tourism, male (45) from Kokernag, female (27) (NA) from Gojhibagh Sgr.
Among others, the cases confirmed at SKIMS include male (33) from Ccc Rtc 4 Humhama Budgam, male (47) from Ccc Rtc 4 Humhama Budgam, female (27) from Handwara Khunbal, female (28) from Handwara Herpora besides male (26) from youth deployment center Eidgah Baramulla, Male (36) from Waterwani Budgam, Male (45) from Kowoora Narbal Budgam
Moreover, they said, 344 COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 71 from Jammu Division and 273 from Kashmir Valley.
