Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 19: Jammu and Kashmir Government today posted Ankita Kar, IRAS, as Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organization, relieving Manoj Kumar Dwivedi of the additional charge of the post.

As per a government order she shall also hold the charge of Managing Director, J&K IT Infrastructure Company and MD/CEO, Jammu/Srinagar Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, relieving Simrandeep Singh and  Vikas Kundal respectively of the additional charge of the posts.

Raouf Dar
Srinagar, Aug 19: A senior BJP leader Wednesday said over 1600 Panchayat representatives in Kashmir were under threat and would be provided security within two days.
Panchayat representatives, including panchs, sarpanchs, councilors and BDCs are living under fear after various attacks by suspected militants.
Over 40 panchs, sarpanchs, and workers of various political parties especially those affiliated with the BJP have resigned in the last two weeks.
Senior BJP leader Sofi Yusuf said they held a meeting with Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary and DGP about the security to Panchayat representatives.
“Over 1600 panchs, sarpanchs, BDCs are under threat. They will be provided proper security within two days,” Yusuf told news agency KINS.
“They will be provided accommodation at district headquarters. Whenever they have to go to the field, policemen along with vehicles will escort them,” he added.
J&K BJP General Secretary Ashok Koul has also written a letter to party’s national president J P Nadda and sought safe accommodation for the party leaders in every district of Kashmir.
“No BJP leader should venture out without security clearance. Top brass in the police should work out a plan with concerned DCs to ensure the security and safety of BJP leaders,” BJP said in a recent statement.
There have been over six attacks on BJP leaders and Panchayat members in the last six weeks. Five BJP leaders have also been killed since July 8 in Kashmir.
On July 8, Waseem Bari, a BJP leader along with his father and brother who too were associated with the party were killed outside their home in north Kashmir Bandipora district.
On August 8, a BJP leader Abdul Hamid Najar in central Kashmir’s Budgam district was attacked while he was on morning walk. Later he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
Similarly, on August 5, suspected militants shot dead BJP Sarpanch Sajad Ahmad Khanday in Qazigund area of south Kashmir. While a BJP Sarpanch Arif Ahmad was shot at, leaving him critically injured.
These attacks have created a fear among political workers, panchs, sarpanchs, and councilors in the Valley. Many have fled their homes.
A sarpanch from south Kashmir said security and accommodations were issues for Panchayat members and councilors.
“Ninety nine percent have no security. We have already told the government to provide security to those who are working on the ground,” he said.
The sarpanchs recently told the Lieutenant Governor they were feeling insecure in view of recent attacks.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Farooq Ahmad Khan recently said the security agencies and administration was working to stop killings of panchs and sarpanchs in Kashmir.
“Some people don’t want Panchayat representatives to work for the welfare of people. The attackers will be punished,” he said. (KINS)

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Aug 19: The  Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been submitted to the government for installation of a high oxygen plant in every district of Kashmir.

An official said authorities have identified major hospitals where the oxygen plants will be installed.

The Divisional Commissioner has  directed officers to arrange and maintain the availability of high flow oxygen supply to dedicated COVID Hospitals in each district for a minimum of 100 beds.

A government document reveals that authorities are installing a high flow oxygen manifold gas plant system.  As per the document, the Divisional Commissioner has been told that DPRs have been submitted and the process is on fast-track basis.

Amid rise in COVID-19 cases, Kashmir is short of required isolation beds with oxygen for treatment of coronavirus patents.

As administration confronts with shortage of beds and staff in hospitals amid COVID-19, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has directed district administrations to refer only those patients to Srinagar who require tertiary care.

There has been a sudden rise in the coronavirus cases for the last few weeks and hospitals are not able to accommodate all these patients in Srinagar.

Administration has put concerned authorities on alert that there may be need for more hospitals for COVID-19 patients.

At the same time, administration has directed all district administrations to avoid unnecessary referrals to Srinagar hospitals.

A government advisory says that the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 meter from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.

The advisory says early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put the life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.

Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water.”(KINS)

New Delhi, Aug 19:  The Government has issued guidelines to provide digital education to school students of the country in view of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ gave this information in a tweet on Wednesday saying guidelines have been prepared by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). These guidelines have been issued for three types of students in the country.

According to Pokhriyal, there will be some students who do not have any access to online education. There will be other students with limited access to online education while some students will have adequate facility of online education.

In the guidelines, it has been arranged that students who do not have online education system should be provided education at home. For this, education will be provided through TVs in the community centre of the neighbourhood with social distance taken care of.

These NCERT guidelines also mention the digital education platform provided by the Education Ministry from where students can take online education.

Srinagar, Aug 19: Taking cognizance of the stand taken by Union Territory (UT) administration in the High Court (HC) that no leader was under house detention, National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday ‘invited its senior party leaders for meetings in batches of four.
A NC spokesperson said that ‘NC has taken cognizance of the stand taken by J&K administration in HC in the Habeas Corpus matters filed by Dr Farooq and Vice President Omar Abdullah of the party for securing the liberty of various NC leaders who have been under illegal detention’.
“On a perusal of the reply, the party has noticed that the government has unequivocally submitted before HC that no leader is under detention and they are free to move subject to necessary security arrangement,” he said.
He said now relying fully on the stand of the government before the HC that all members are free to move, Dr Abdullah has invited senior party leaders — including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Abdul Rahim Rather, Mohammad Shafi Uri and Nasir Aslam Wani — for a meeting at the residence on Thursday at 5 pm.
“The party is mindful of the present pandemic and accordingly the meeting with various leaders that have been under detention will be done in batches of four members per meeting. Needless to add all SOPs shall be strictly followed by all concerned,” he said.
“The party is hopeful that the liberty of the members under detention is now absolute and the meeting is held successfully on the appointed day,” he added.
Taking to micro-blogging site twitter, Omar Abdullah said, “The @JKNC_President has taken cognizance of the reply submitted by the J&K administration in the High Court. Since no leader is under detention as claimed by the government, Dr Abdullah has invited his colleagues for a meeting in batches of 4 keeping in mind COVID precautions.”
NC last month moved to the HC, seeking early release of 16 party members, who were allegedly kept under house arrest ‘illegally’ after their release from detention.

Testing process will start within one or two days: CMO G’bal
Precoius Kashmir News
Ganderbal, Aug 19: Though Rapid-Antigen-tests are mandatory for all people entering Kashmir either by air, rail or road, but no such tests are being conducted for the people entering Kashmir by road from Ladakh region.
Sources told news agency KNT that only thermal screening of people entering Kashmir from Ladakh region is done while no Covid-19 Rapid-Antigen-tests are being conducted at Sonmarg- the picturesque spot also known as gateway to Ladakh.
According to the revised guidelines issued by the State Executive Committee (SEC) on quarantine procedures and protocols in the erstwhile State, “All people arriving in Jammu and Kashmir either by air, rail or road, will mandatorily have to be tested for Covid-19″
“Though quarantine facility has been established at Youth Hostel in Sonmarg, but no Rapid-Antigen-tests are being conducted. People including labourers enter the Valley from Ladakh in large numbers on a daily basis, but are allowed to go without undergoing any Covid test,” said a respectable shopkeeper at Sonamarg.
Covid-19 has already claimed over 500 lives in Valley.
Chief Medical Officer Ganderbal, Dr Mehrajuddin Sofi said the tests are not being conducted as they lack man-power.
“Such tests will be conducted soon and the process may start within one or two days. Medical Staff posted at Sonmarg have been directed to start test procedures for travelers entering from Ladkah to Kashmir and the process will start soon,” he said. (KNT)

Srinagar, Aug 19: Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested an active Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant alongwith a pistol in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.
A police official said that following specific information, a joint team of police, 13 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 8th battalion of CRPF arrested a militant, identified as Subzar Ahmad Rather alias Aatish Bhai, from Check Chandrageer area in Hajin in Bandipora.
“Arms and ammunition, including one pistol, one Pistol Magazine and four Pistol rounds were recovered from his possession,” he said, adding Rather had recently joined LeT. “The militant was tasked to carry out subversive activities in and around Hajin area,” he said.
“A case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Hajin and further investigation has been initiated,” he added.

Precious Kashmir News 

Srinagar, Aug 19: Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday said that Anti-Corruption Bureau’s right to investigate has not been affected by the repeal of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

“The right which has accrued to the Anti-Corruption Bureau to investigate the crime which took place prior to coming into force of the Central Act and which was covered by the said Act remained unaffected by the reason of clause (c) of section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, and the application of Clause 13 & 14 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2019, the repealment shall not affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment,” a bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey while disposing a plea for anticipatory bail.

“The power of the Special Judges in the Union Territory of J&K and Union Territory of Ladakh vested with the special powers in terms of the notifications published in the official gazette issued by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir from time to time under Repealed Act, is also saved in terms of application of Clause 14 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2019,” the court said.

 “Therefore, all the Special Courts shall continue to exercise its powers as was being done prior to commencement of J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019,” it said.

The court passed the directions after hearing Advocate General D. C. Raina and senior advocate R A Jan.

The top law officer of the J&K while making reference to the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act and the Clause 13 and 14 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2019, besides Section 6 of the General Clauses Act submitted that the action taken qua application of repealed laws in the J&K and Ladakh is saved.

The Advocate General submitted that there is absolutely no ambiguity vis-à-vis the powers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau for registration of the case in question under Repealed Act.  

The senior counsel had sought the bail inter alia on the grounds that the very premise on which the FIR has been registered (against his client Liaq Pervaz– FIR no. 03/2020 of Police Station Anti-Corruption Bureau Kashmir) is factually unfounded and legally misconceived as same has been done in “most mechanical and perfunctory manner under the repealed P.C. Act.” However he later conceded the frankly legal position. (GNS)