Precious Kashmir

Land encroachment in Patnitop

Front

04/08/2020

CBI books 8 public servants, guest house owners

Srinagar, Aug 4: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against eight public servants including then CEOs of Patnitop Development Authority on the allegations of large scale illegal construction/encroachment of land in at Patnitop in Udhampur district.

In a statement a CBI spokesman said that proprietors of hotels, resorts and guest houses have also been booked on the allegations of large scale illegal construction/encroachment in Patnitop.

“A preliminary enquiry was earlier conducted on the directions of Hon’ble High Court of J&K. It was alleged that the public servants having dominion/jurisdiction over land in Patnitop, in conspiracy with the owners and proprietors of the hotels, guest houses and resorts had allowed illegal construction and illegal use of the said land in violation of law, leading to loss to the Government.”

He said that it was further alleged that many hotels and guest houses were constructed without any permission and were not registered with PDA. “It was also alleged that officials did not take any action despite being aware of such encroachment. In some cases, no compounding fee was allegedly deposited by the hotels.”

The spokesman said that searches were conducted on Tuesday at eleven locations including Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua districts, at the offices and residential premises of said public servants including then CEOs of PDA, transport department and sales tax department, which led to recovery of incriminating documents, huge investment in fixed deposits and immovable properties. “Further investigation is going on in the case,” he said. KNO)

Admin lifts curfew from Srinagar

Front

Precious Kashmir

04/08/2020

Situation remains peaceful

Srinagar, Aug 4: The District Magistrate (DM) Srinagar on Tuesday ordered lifting of curfew, which was ordered late last night for 48 hours in the district.

The curfew was lifted after the situation remained incident-free today.

“Existing restrictions on public activities and movement put in place since 1 August in view of the COVID-19 situation in the district – where a sharp spike in affected cases has been witnessed in the last one month or so – will remain in force though,” DM said.

In an order issued Tuesday, the DM has stated that after assessing the situation which remained incident-free, it has been decided to lift the curfew.

The order, however, stated that restrictions ordered earlier under Section 144 of CrPC and the disaster management act in view of the prevailing situation due to COVID-19 disease will remain enforced across the district as directed through an order issued on 31 July.

It stated that there shall be restrictions on public movement including transport and that commercial and other establishments shall remain closed.

Meanwhile, the DM has said that avoiding public gatherings are an important part of the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and urged the general public to ensure strict compliance with all preventive guidelines and protocols the government has issued in regard to it.

He has directed for strict adherence to restrictions as ordered. (KNO)

We are facing generational catastrophe due to COVID-19: UN Chief

National

Precious Kashmir

04/08/2020

Geneva, Aug 4: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is severely impacting education worldwide which could undermine decades of progress.

In a video message, he said the pandemic could lead enormous wastage of talent. “Now we are facing a generational catastrophe that could waste untold human potensial, undermine decades of progress and exasperate entrenched in equalities.”

Guterres pointed out that the education scenario was already precarious even prior to the pandemic.

“Already we were facing a learning crisis before the pandemic more than 250 million school age children were out of school and only a quarter of secondary school children in developing countries were leaving school with basic skills,” he said,

He reminded that the secondary effects of the pandemic on child nutrition, child marriage and gender equality, among others, are deeply concerning.

He cautioned that the world today finds itself at the cross roads.

“We are at a defining moment for the world’s children and young people , the decisions that governments and parties take now will have lasting impact on hundreads of millions of young people, and on the development prospects of countries for decades to come.This is the backdrop of the policy brief I am launching today, together with a new campaign with education partners and United Nations agencies called ‘save our future,” Guterres.

DGP sanctions over Rs. 1.10 cr welfare loan, relief for policemen

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

04/08/2020

Srinagar, Aug 4: Director General (DG) of Jammu and Kashmir police Dilbagh Singh on Tuesday sanctioned Rs 1.10 crore in favour of police personnel as welfare loan and relief, a police spokesman said this evening.

He said an amount of Rupees 1, 10, 25,000 has been sanctioned in favour of 111 police personnel. The amount has been sanctioned out of the Central Police Welfare Fund.

Rs one lac each has been sanctioned in favour of 89 personnel to meet the expenses of their self marriage or marriage of their children. Similarly Rs 21 lac welfare loan and a relief of 1.25 lac has been sanctioned in favour of 17 police personnel for self treatment or treatment of their dependents.

Under these orders Rs one lac each has been sanctioned in favour of two wards of police personnel, pursuing higher education. Rs 50 thousand each has been sanctioned in favour of two personnel for the circumcision ceremony of their sons and Rs 50 thousand has been sanctioned in favour of a police personnel for performing Akhand Path.

J&K Police Headquarters continues with its endeavour to focus on the welfare of its personnel and their families. The Police personnel who are in need of financial assistance for self treatment or treatment of dependents, self-marriage or marriage of their dependents/ higher education of their children or some religious obligations, are helped out under different schemes that have been introduced under the umbrella of Central Police Welfare Fund.

Farooq convenes meeting of parties to chalk out strategy on Article 370

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

04/08/2020

Irfan A Mir

Srinagar, August 4: National Conference President and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has invited leadership of many mainstream political parties for a crucial meeting at his residence here on August 5.

Many leaders said they have received invitation from Farooq Abdullah for a crucial get together at his residence tomorrow to deliberate over the prevailing political mess in J&K since August 5, 2019.

They said during the meet the future strategy about how to retrieve special status of J&K is on agenda.

A senior political leader said on August 5, there will be “crucial meeting” at Farooq Abdullah’s residence at Gupkar. “It will start at 11:00 am”.

He said many political parties including National Conference (NC), Peoples Conference (PC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress, Awami National Conference (ANC), CPI (M), PDF and J&K Peoples Movement headed by former bureaucrat turned politician Dr Shah Faesal are expected to attend the meet.

“Besides Farooq, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MPs Justice (retd.) Hasnain Masoodi and Mohammad Akbar Lone, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Sajad Lone Muzaffar Shah, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami and Dr Shah Faesal are likely to attend to meet”, he told KNS.

However authorities have deployed police and other paramilitary forces personnel in strength in and around the residences of political leaders ahead of first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 & 35(A).

ANC senior vice-president Muzaffar Shah while talking to KNS confirmed the restrictions around his residence. “My gate has been shut by forces and police van has been deputed outside. I have been informed about two-days of house detention by cops”, he said.

When asked how scheduled meeting is possible amid restrictions by authorities he said, “Gupkar Declaration is alive and we will never compromise on it. We will fight democratically against decisions taken on August 5, 2019”.

The authorities have decided to impose strict curfew across Srinagar and restrictions in other parts of Valley to foil any protests against scrapping of J&K’s special status. (KNS)

Art 370 revocation internationalised Kashmir, now it is widely accepted as political issue: Omar

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

04/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, August 5: National Conference Vice President and Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in an interview with Kashmir News Service (KNS) said Article 370 revocation has internationalized Kashmir issue and now it is being widely accepted as a political issue.

Q. People and Hurriyat leaders say that they have always read the intention of Government of India (GoI) clearly regarding Kashmir and Article 370 and always criticized mainstream politicians for supporting GoI in J&K and would warn them of its untrusting nature. What is your take on this?

A: People are always right. The way Delhi treated mainstream politicians here after the abrogation of Article 370 has endorsed the people. They were calling us puppets. It proved them right. I still remember when we were jailed, people celebrated it. Whatever was happening with people earlier was done with mainstream politicians also. So people were jubilant after seeing our humiliation. A decision taken by an individual is not final; this is a base of democracy. The will of the people ultimately prevails. People are power. If anything we knew the intentions of New Delhi, then we would have done what people accuse us of. None of us knew what they are going to do on August 5. We were just apprehensive. But none of us was ready to accept that they will deceive us at this level.

Q: Abrogation of Article 370 was on agenda of BJP. Why mainstream parties miscalculated it?

A: It was in Agenda of BJP from last thirty years. I again repeat people are always right. An individual can misconstrue not people. In democracy their opinion guides future strategy.

Q: Many leaders including former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti are still in detention. Are you hopeful of their release soon?

A: If we expect Govt will release people on its own, then it is a wrong assessment. In my case, the Government had weak defence in Supreme Court. That became the reason for my freedom. Same happened with Ali Muhammad Sagar and others. The government could not defend their detention in the High Court. Others leaders won’t be released by the Government. They have to knock the doors of Judiciary.

Q: There has been a lot of criticism against Media policy unveiled by the Government recently.

A: This is ironic; those who are in the target range are silent. Politicians raised the hue cry against the policy particularly my NC colleagues. Those who accuse me of being silent on Article 370 on twitter and want me to come out on roads are silent on the media policy. Why don’t they come out on roads? Media persons of outside took a jibe at me here saying that when those who have been targeted are silent; why are you guys racking it up? Has their ink dried? These are the same people who would check social networking sites through VPN after the abrogation of Article 370 and did not write a single word. They preferred to remain silent.

Q: Various projects in J&K are pending and people say bureaucrats are not responsive to their demands and grievances.

A: Show me one state where projects are not pending. This is an ongoing process. New projects come up. Old projects are completed. Yes if Bureaucrats are not cooperative, Government needs to fix them. Who has stopped the Government? I have never seen this kind of worst scenario whether of electricity or water supply.

Q: Many political analysts believe that abrogation of Article 370 triggered increased Chinese activity on LAC. Do you agree with the opinion?

A: I agree. Many political experts and intellectuals are of the same opinion. This is for the second time only Chinese have entered here and don’t want to leave. It has brought the two nuclear power nations at the brink of war. It has internationalised Kashmir issue more and is now accepted widely as a political issue.

Q : On the floor of the house of J&K Assembly, you once said J&K has acceded to India not merged with it. Another day in a political rally in Anantnag in which then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi was present. you said Kashmir is a political issue and needs a political solution. Do you still believe what u said on the two occasions?

A: I still believe the same.

Army organizes ‘Bangas Awam’ mela

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

04/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Aug 4: Army conducted a mega event ‘Bangus Awam Mela’ at Lokut Bangus valley from August 3 to 4.

“The Veterinary and Medical Camp was organised with an aim to provide basic health care facilities alongwith free medicines to the locals who are residing in the remote region of Bangus valley and do not have an access to the basic medical facility. This camp provide to be a great success as it met aspirations of locals and provided much needed medical relief to them,” an army spokesman said.

The camp was a combined effort of the 3 Army doctors and 8 Civil Medical Authorities, in which Medical Officers of Pohrupet Army Garrison in conjunction with the Medical Staff of the District Hospital, Handwara provided medical assistance to the people.

A total of 678 patients which include 328 male, 271 female and 80 children were given treatment/ advice by the doctors. A veterinary camp was organised to provide medical aid to 135 Live Stocks and give valuable medical advice.

Eid Amid Covid-19

Edit

Precious Kashmir

01/08/2020

Jammu and Kashmir like any other part of the globe continues to be in the grip of adverse conditions thrown by novel coronavirus pandemic.

The number of virus cases has seen a surge recently. In little over a fortnight, a whopping 10000 people have been infected while 211 people become victims of the pestilence. On July 11, the case count was 10156 while overall toll was 171. As of July 31, the number of covid-19 cases stands at 20359 and deaths at 382.

There are two ways to look at these disturbing numbers. On one side, it is alarming as it shows that the disease has truly made its way in. The other way of looking at it would be that the people are finding it hard to relinquish the inherent nature of socializing even at times fraught with dangers. Amid this situation, comes what is regarded as one of the few festivals of immense importance in Muslim calendar: Eid-ul-Azha commemorating the sacrifice offered by the Prophet Abraham and is regarded as a true gift to the believers by Almighty Allah.

However this will be a different festival. For most people, it will be within the confines of their home and deprived of the usual pleasure of seeing many friends and loved ones on account of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

It is important for one and all to understand that the faith thrives in adversity. As has been pointed out rightly, Islam itself has been founded on the idea that the best way to live is modestly, if not in austerity, as exemplified by the life of the Prophet.

There is no sin greater than an extravagant display of wealth and power, and just like any revolutionary faith, Islam is eternally concerned with the plight of the poor and the downtrodden.

So, celebrating the Eid modestly this year not only makes religious sense but can also help in the fight against COVID-19. People need to religiously follow the social distancing and other norms. Wearing face masks has been made mandatory. This occasion also warrants an improved pledge to serve and support the community better and come together as a people fighting the worst odds one could imagine. For the frontline workers and many others who would be working round the clock even during Eid holiday, there is a need to express deepest gratitude and respect.

COVID-19: KAS officer among 16 fresh casualties, J&K toll 382

Front

Nadeem Nadu

01/08/2020

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, July 31: Senior KAS Officer Tassaduq Jeelani was among sixteen more people who died due to COVID-19 in past 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the toll to 382.

A senior doctor at SKIMS Bemina told GNS that 57-year-old officer, Special Secretary Social Welfare Department and former Director Information, was among three persons who succumbed to virus at SKIMS Bemina, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of the covid-19 patients in Kashmir. The other deaths at the hospital include a 75-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman from Pulwama district.

“Tasaduq Jeelani could not come out of post COVID complications and passed away in ICU on Ventilator,” a senior government functionary told GNS.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar took to twitter to share the shocking demise of the officer.

“I find it difficult to share, our colleague Tasaduq Jeelani has lost battle against Covid. He had responded well, tested negative too but couldn’t overcome post Covid complications. May his soul rest in peace,” the deputy commissioner Shahid Choudhary tweeted.

Meanwhile, regarding two other deaths, a senior doctor said that the woman was referred from Sub District Hospital Pampore on July 29, a day after she tested positive for the virus. “She was a case of ARDS with Diabetic ketoacidosis with Sepsis,” the doctor said, adding, “She was put on ventilator and had cardiopulmonary arrest. She was declared dead at around 10.45 p.m.”

Regarding the 70-year-old, the doctor said that he was admitted on July 22 and died at 5 p.m. Friday.

Sources said that five deaths were reported at SMHS since overnight—a 70-year-old woman from Sonwar Srinagar, a 65-year-old man from Peerbagh Srinagar, a 50-year-old CRPF trooper from West Bengal, a 70-year-old man from Habakadal and a middle-aged person from Drugmulla Kupwara.

At least five deaths took place at SKIMS Soura and include a 82-year-old from Lal Bazar, a 75-year-old man from Panzinara, a 62-year-old man from Qamarwari, a 57-year-old woman from Rainawari and a 75-year-old woman from Zukara Srinagar who was admitted today and died at 7:30 p.m. tonight due to cardiopulmonary arrest. A doctor at SKIMS said that the woman was in medical emergency as a case of “bilateral Pneumonia with type-1 renal failure.”

Earlier, a 52-year-old police sub-inspector died at CD hospital and according to a doctor there, he was having underlying ailments and died early morning. Two deaths were reported from Jammu and include the 56-year-old man from Shastri Nagar who according to a senior doctor at Government Medical College Jammu was brought dead to the hospital. “The man had high fever for last 8 days and respiratory distress since Thursday night. He collapsed at home. His covid-19 sample returned positive later,” the doctor added. So far 354 deaths have been reported in Kashmir and 28 in Jammu division.

COVID-19: 490 fresh cases, J&K crosses 20,000 mark

Front

Jahangeer Ganaie

01/08/2020

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, July 31: Jammu and Kashmir on Friday crossed 20,000 mark as 490 fresh cases of COVID-19 pandemic including 64 travelers were tested positive for the deadly virus, taking the total number of positive cases in the UT to 20,359.

With 490 new cases, the tally of positive cases in J&K has reached to 20,359 including 15,915 from Kashmir and 4,444 from Jammu division.

Officials told KNO that among 490 new cases, 347 belong to Kashmir division while as 143 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division has reached to 15,915 including 9,714 recoveries while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 4,444 including 2,503 recoveries and 28 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 7765 including 5852 from Kashmir division and 1913 from Jammu division.

With 375 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 12217 which is 60.007 percent of the total cases which was over 63 percent few days before.

Pertinently, Srinagar district alone has 4,786 positive cases which is more than the total number of positive cases in Jammu division where total cases are 4,444.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 128 from Srinagar, 24 from Baramulla, 11 from Kulgam, 08 from Shopian, 21 from Anantnag, 09 from Kupwara, 85 from Pulwama, 29 from Budgam, 22 from Bandipora and 10 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 143 from Jammu division include 43 from Jammu, 11 from Kuthua, 24 from Rajouri, 24 from Udhampur, 01 from Ramban, 18 from Samba, 01 from Poonch, 01 from Kishtwar and 20 from Reasi,” officials disclosed.

As per officials figures, 4,786 positive cases including 120 deaths and 1,955 recoveries are from Srinagar, 1,901 including 68 deaths and 1,319 recoveries are from Baramulla, 1,504 including 1,200 recoveries and 28 deaths are from Kulgam, 1,430 including 23 deaths and 1,198 recoveries are from Shopian, 1,299 including 24 deaths and 1,019 recoveries are from Anantnag, 1,094 including 837 recoveries and 20 deaths are from Kupwara, 1,480 including 734 recoveries and 20 deaths are from Pulwama, 1,277 including 717 recoveries and 27 deaths are from Budgam, 733 including 464 recoveries and 13 deaths are from Bandipora and 411 including 271 recoveries and 06 deaths are from Ganderbal.

In Jammu division, 1070 including 574 recoveries and 19 deaths are from Jammu district, 522 including 343 recoveries and 01 death are from Kathua, 670 including 250 recoveries and 02 deaths are from Rajouri, 460 including 335 recoveries and 01 death are from Udhampur, 535 including 355 recoveries and one death are from Ramban, 425 including 252 recoveries and 01 death are from Samba, 269 including 139 recoveries and 02 deaths are from Doda, 210 including 142 recoveries and 01 death are from Poonch, 137 including 55 recoveries are from Kishtwar and 146 including 58 recoveries are from Reasi.

As per the daily information bulletin, 368,806 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 46,478 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 7,765 persons are in hospital isolation while 06 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 273,448 persons have completed surveillance period and 40,732 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 637,515 samples are available.

Out of 637,515 the number of samples tested negative stands at 617,156 while as 20,359 have been tested positive, among them 7,765 are active and 12,217 persons have recovered.

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