Precious Kashmir News
JAMMU, JULY 27: In a significant decision with regard to management of COVID-19 patients and in line with the earlier decision of reserving four tertiary hospitals in Srinagar as referral centres, the three tertiary hospitals in Jammu city shall now also be only referral hospitals for COVID-19 admissions. This was decided in a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, to review COVID-19 mitigation measures in Jammu and Kashmir, here today.

Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education, Secretary, Disaster Management, Reconstruction, Relief and Rehabilitation, Director, National Health Mission, Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, Director Health Services, Jammu, and other senior officers of Health and Administration participated in the meeting.

With an aim to maintain availability of beds in tertiary hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir for acute COVID-19 cases who require specialized treatment or intensive care, it was decided in the meeting, on the lines of the decision declaring SKIMS, Srinagar, SKIMS, Medical College, Bemina, Chest Diseases Hospital and SMHS Hospital as referral only hospitals for COVID-19 patients, to institute a similar mechanism in Jammu city and declare GMC, Jammu, CD Hospital and ASCOMS, Sidhra as referral only hospitals for COVID-19 patients. These hospitals shall now admit only such COVID-19 patients who have been referred to by other hospitals of Jammu Division. Meanwhile, Gandhi Nagar Hospital and COVID Care Centre, Baghwati Nagar, shall now be primary centres for admission of COVID-19 patients in Jammu city.

Chief Secretary said that it has been felt that the present practice of hospitalization of COVID-19 patients needs to be regulated so as to avoid unnecessary strain on the health care system. He further said, that the hospital beds of tertiary hospitals are required to be kept available for more severe cases who may need intensive monitoring in a hospital setting.

Keeping in view better management of COVID-19 patients, the protocol with regard to management of COVID-19 patients will be revised and all asymptomatic patients with no co-morbidity and not vulnerable otherwise will be allowed to remain under home quarantine, if they have a separate room facility at home and have downloaded the AAROGYA Setu application on their phones, the Chief Secretary said. He further said that all such patients will be provided with a pulse oximeter to monitor their oxygen saturation levels and in event of drop in oxygen saturation below 90% they shall immediately report to hospitals. A poster shall also be put up outside their home displaying therein the quarantine status. Reach out teams constituted by the Health Department shall monitor health status of these patients, Chief Secretary maintained.

Chief Secretary expressed that in order to achieve better compliance amongst the contacts of COVID-19 patients, it has been decided that the present practice of administrative quarantine of COVID positive contacts, shall be dispensed and the contacts shall be permitted home quarantine provided they are asymptomatic. However, all contacts shall be sampled and the defined protocol shall be followed in case of contacts who report positive, he observed.

Chief Secretary said that keeping in consideration low positivity rate amongst the rail and air travellers (0.9%), Home quarantine would be permitted after sampling for such rail travellers who have a valid contactable phone number and have AAROGYA Setu application downloaded on their phones. In the event of any rail traveller turning positive, the standard protocol with regard to management of COVID-19 patients will be followed, he added.

Chief Secretary further said that Panchayati Raj Institutions can play an important role in controlling spread of COVID-19. He said that a massive campaign for surveillance involving Panchayati Raj Institutions will be initiated to help in identify suspect COVID-19 cases in rural areas. The PRIs shall be supplied pulse Oximeter and contactless thermometer for the purpose and they shall be imparted training for undertaking this activity, he added.

Nasir Azam

Srinagar, July 27: Jammu & Kashmir Government has withdrawn a 49-year- old directive under which acquisition/requisition of land by Army and paramilitary forces required No objection Certificate (NoC) from its Home Department.

The government had come up with a circular in 1971 under which acquisition of land by Army, CRPF, BSF and other similar security forces required NoC from the Home Department.

But due to repeal of Jammu & Kashmir Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Act -1968 on October 31, 2019, the Revenue Department withdrew the circular which mandated the Home department’s  clearance. for  requisition/acquisition of land by forces.

“In view of the extension of The  Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act-2013 to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the circular No. Rev(LB)71/13-A dated 27.08.1971 which prescribed obtaining of No Objection Certificate from the Home department for acquisition/ requisition of land in favour of Army, BSF/CRPF and similar organization is withdrawn,” reads the circular issued by Principal Secretary Revenue department , Pawan Kotwal.
Before re-organisation of Jammu and Kashmir, central forces were acquiring land in the state under section 21 of the Jammu and Kashmir Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Act, 1968.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act-2013 became applicable to J&K Union Territory from October 31, 2019- the day when UT came into existence.

The Act is applicable to acquisition of land for strategic purposes relating to naval, military, air force, and armed forces of the Union, including central paramilitary forces or any work vital to national security or defence of India or State police.

On March 18, 2020, the Union Home Ministry notified modifications in the law to empower administration of J&K Union Territory to carry out land acquisition proceedings on lines of Puducherry.

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, July 27: Authorities in the School Education Department on Monday said that some teachers in government-run-schools are organizing the community classes only for their publicity.

The government also said that the community classes were voluntarily started by the teachers with genuine concern for the poor kids lacking access to the internet.

According to KNO, Commissioner Secretary to the government for School Education Department Asgar Samoon said, “Few teachers organize community classes just for publicity.”

Samoon on his Twitter handle also said that this practice should be avoided and there should be no compromise on quality of online education.

He also directed the Directors of School Education of Jammu and Kashmir and Chief Education Officers (CEO) to monitor the situation.

“Community classes voluntary initiative by teachers with genuine concern for poor kids lacking access to internet but few teachers organise “community classes” just for publicity”; should be avoided; also no compromise on quality of online classes; DSEK, DSEJ, and CEOs to monitor,” Samoon tweeted.

Meanwhile, the government teachers have said that the community classes were more effective in terms of compensating the academic losses suffered by the students during this COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the teachers said, “In absence of high-speed internet and non-availability of electronic gadgets among many of the students in government-run-schools, the community schooling is more effective as compared to online education.”

Pertinently, in the previous month, the School Education Department started eight classes on a daily basis via different platforms that includes telecasting and broadcasting of the lectures.

Srinagar, July 27:  Omar Abdullah’s demand to seek restoration of J&K’s  statehood evoked mixed response from the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP’s General Secretary (organization), Ashok Koul said that they are happy and even distributed sweets in the office today as Omar Abdullah has finally accepted the integration of J&K with India by the way of abrogating Article 370 last year.

“Dr. Farooq Abdullah has also accepted it and we thank him for this,” he said, adding that restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is also their (BJP) demand. “But, let militancy be wiped out first and the situation be brought under control, the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be restored,” Koul added.

Former parliamentarian and senior Congress leader, Tariq Hameed Karra in a tweet said that timeline has already been fixed for initiating the process for restoration of statehood as well as the restoration of high speed mobile data services in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, he said that raising the demand at this time is actually a rat race for taking the credit.

“A highly connected friend of mine told me that “The sudden outbursts and parotting by some political leaders from J&K for restoration of Statehood is a precursor to the already taken decision by chosen few in GOI for which the timeline fixed is 15th of August 2020 for initiating the process for restoration of Statehood and 5th August for restoring 4G. It is actually a rat race for taking the credit,” Karra tweeted.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice president, G N Monga said that  Congress has taken a lead by raising this demand, saying that the party’s senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has also met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently and has demanded restoration of Statehood to J&K.

Apni Party’s senior leader, Ghulam Hassan Mir said that the stand of the recently floated party is very clear. “We have said that the decision taken by the Government of India on August 5 last year was against the wishes of the majority of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision was literally a political Tsunami,” he said.

He added that the demand for restoration of Statehood is good and the Apni party has already raised this demand, but at the same time, the jobs and lands of people in J&K should be protected somehow by the government to address the concerns of the people.

“If we talk about the restoration of Article 370 as well, it also can be achieved by two different means. One of the ways is the Supreme Court (SC). If SC restores Article 370, we will welcome it. And the other way is that if the consensus between the national parties in the parliament is done to restore it then it will be possible,” he said, adding that the local parties can only raise their demands but it is not with them to achieve it on their own. “The local parties here earlier claimed to protect Article 370 and other things, but couldn’t deliver this on the ground as it is not under their domain,” he said. (KNO)

Srinagar, July 27:  National Investigation Agency Monday filed a chargesheet against six accused involved in the Jaish-e-Muhammad’s infiltration bid in Nagrota area of Jammu.

In a detailed press release sent to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), NIA said that it filed a charge-sheet in JeM’s Nagrota Infiltration- transportation module case against six accused persons.

“The six accused include Sameer Ahmed Dar s/o Abdul Rashid Dar r/o Kesrigram, Kakapora, Pulwama, Asif Ahmed Malik, s/o Bashir Ahmed Malik r/o Qazigund, Kakapora, Pulwama, Sartaj Ahmed Mantoo s/o Firdous Ahmed Mantoo r/o Kesrigram, Kakapora Pulwama, Suhaib  Manzoor Ahmed Wani r/o Karimabad Pulwama, Zahoor Ahmed Khan s/o Ghulam Hassan Khan r/o Bangund, Wanpora, Pulwama and Suheel Javid alias Suhail Lone s/o Javid Maqbool Lone r/o Wagar, Khan Sahib, Budgam,” the NIA statement said. “The cases have been lodged under section 120B, 121,121A, 122 and 307 IPC, Sections 16,18,19,20,38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Sections 7, 25, 27 of the Arms Act, Sections 3,4,5 of Explosive Substances Act and Section 6(1A) of the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act before the NIA Special Court, Jammu.”

The statement further said that the case arose out of FIR No. 0045/2020 registered at PS Nagrota, District Jammu on January 1, 2020 wherein a truck carrying three freshly infiltrated Pakistani militants was stopped for checking by the naka duty staff at Ban Toll Plaza, Nagrota, Jammu on Pathankot-Sringar Highway at 5:00 AM.

“While the driver Sameer Ahmad Dar and his two associates viz. Asif Ahmad Malik and Sartaj Mantoo escaped taking advantage of pre-dawn darkness, the heavily-armed Pakistani militants hiding inside the cargo cabin of the truck started firing at the police party grievously injuring one security personnel.  In the ensuing search operation launched by the security forces in Ban forest area, the three Pakistani militants  got killed while the driver and his two associates were arrested,” the statement said. “NIA took up the investigation of the case on February 10, and arrested three more associates of this Infiltration-Transportation module. Searches were conducted at several places in Kashmir valley and incriminating material including documents and digital devices were seized.”

“Investigation revealed that apart from their unsuccessful attempt in January, 2020, this module had received a group of three Pakistani militants in December, 2019 after they infiltrated into India from the International Border in Samba sector and ferried them to South Kashmir,” the statement said as per KNO.

The statement further said that the module was in touch with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad handlers and launch-pad commanders who used to send the location of freshly infiltrated militants and also share the code-words for receiving them to driver Sameer Ahmad Dar on secure messaging apps.

The NIA said that the other three arrested accused viz. Suhaib Manzoor, Zahoor Ahmad Khan and Suhail Javed alias Suhail Lone were the Over-Ground Workers (OGW’s) of JeM and provided safe shelter, logistics and communication back-up for the infiltration and transit of the Pakistani militants.  “These OGW’s also purchased ‘pherans’ for the infiltrated militants to make them look like Kashmiris and to help them hide their weapons,” the statement said. “The arms and ammunition consisting of 2 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-56, 2 AK-74’s 1 M4 Carbine, 2 Glock pistols, 3 Chinese pistols, 35 grenades, 12 kg high-grade explosive, 3 Satellite phones, 6 wireless devices, 6 remote controls, 9 detonators and batteries brought by the Pakistani militants have been seized. So also the trucks and car used for their movement.” The NIA said that further Investigation in the case is on.

Srinagar, July 27:  Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed Lakes and waterways Development Authority to submit within two weeks action taken by it before Committee of Experts (‘CoE’)  regarding measures among others to stop sewage and polluted water flowing into the Dal lake, the flagship of Kashmir’s tourism.

A division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sanjay Dhar also directed the LAWDA to submit report regarding measures taken on pollution from House Boats,  boundary demarcation of the lake, protection of catchment areas, relocation and rehabilitation of encroachments and title-holders from the Lake , floating gardens to be removed, de-weeding and disposal of weeds, management of solid waste, dredging of the waterbody, court’s direction regarding video graph and photograph besides petitions received for renovation, repair and reconstruction.

The directions by the court followed perusal of a report submitted by Tufail Mattoo, Vice Chairman, LAWDA, recording minutes of meeting by the Committee of Experts regarding their recent visit to the Dal Lake.

“It is heartening to note that the installation of 150 boundary pillars on the Dal Lake based on the Survey of India Map stands completed,” the court observed.

In addition, the court was informed that the Committee of Experts has held a detailed digital meeting on 20 June in which the Vice Chairman, LAWDA and his team, the Director Tourism and S. K. Jha, Retd. Vice-Admiral. The Committee had noted that no action had taken place in last three months and, therefore, reviewed time lines.

“We have carefully perused the report of the COE and the minutes. Almost four months have passed since the visit of the Committee. It is, therefore, essential to have the latest report with regard to the issues pointed out,” the court observed. The Committee of Experts had also noted several other issues pertaining to tourism, managing Houseboats, Refurbishment Work for STPs and State Pollution Control Board.

Meanwhile, the court also directed Home Secretary of the Government of Jammu and

Kashmir to forthwith look into the matter regarding police assistance needed to LAWDA and ensure that the needful was done in this regard.

“Very pertinent observations have been made by the Committee of Experts with regard to the need to strengthen LAWDA’s administration and capacity. It has been pointed out that two Deputy SPs were assigned to the LAWDA,” the court observed. Also Tufail Matoo submitted that since the recoding of the visit of the CoE, the one Dy. SP who had joined LAWDA, had been taken away and presently there is no police official to assist the work of LAWDA. (GNS)

Srinagar, July 27 : Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed Lakes and waterways Development Authority to submit within two weeks action taken by it before Committee of Experts (‘CoE’)  regarding measures among others to stop sewage and polluted water flowing into the Dal lake, the flagship of Kashmir’s tourism.

A division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sanjay Dhar also directed the LAWDA to submit report regarding measures taken on pollution from House Boats,  boundary demarcation of the lake, protection of catchment areas, relocation and rehabilitation of encroachments and title-holders from the Lake , floating gardens to be removed, de-weeding and disposal of weeds, management of solid waste, dredging of the waterbody, court’s direction regarding video graph and photograph besides petitions received for renovation, repair and reconstruction.

The directions by the court followed perusal of a report submitted by Tufail Mattoo, Vice Chairman, LAWDA, recording minutes of meeting by the Committee of Experts regarding their recent visit to the Dal Lake.

“It is heartening to note that the installation of 150 boundary pillars on the Dal Lake based on the Survey of India Map stands completed,” the court observed.

In addition, the court was informed that the Committee of Experts has held a detailed digital meeting on 20 June in which the Vice Chairman, LAWDA and his team, the Director Tourism and S. K. Jha, Retd. Vice-Admiral. The Committee had noted that no action had taken place in last three months and, therefore, reviewed time lines.  

“We have carefully perused the report of the COE and the minutes. Almost four months have passed since the visit of the Committee. It is, therefore, essential to have the latest report with regard to the issues pointed out,” the court observed as per Global News Service.

The Committee of Experts had also noted several other issues pertaining to tourism, managing Houseboats, Refurbishment Work for STPs and State Pollution Control Board.

Meanwhile, the court also directed Home Secretary of the Government of Jammu and

Kashmir to forthwith look into the matter regarding police assistance needed to LAWDA and ensure that the needful was done in this regard.

“Very pertinent observations have been made by the Committee of Experts with regard to the need to strengthen LAWDA’s administration and capacity. It has been pointed out that two Deputy SPs were assigned to the LAWDA,” the court observed. Also Tufail Matoo submitted that since the recoding of the visit of the CoE, the one Dy. SP who had joined LAWDA, had been taken away and presently there is no police official to assist the work of LAWDA. (GNS)

Srinagar, July 27: The markets in Srinagar will open for Eid purchase for three days, however with proper guidelines and regulations Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole said.

Talking to news agency KINS, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said that markets for Eid purchase will be opened with regulations for three days starts from Tuesday in Srinagar. He said details have been finalized by Concerned District Magistrates.