Srinagar, July 22: Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday ordered transfers and postings  of six officers.

As per an order, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse (IAS), Sub Divisional Magistrate, has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner in the office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

Syed Naseer Ahmad, KAS, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Pattan, holding additional charge of Sub-Registrar, Pattan, has been transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Pahalgam. “He shall also hold the charge of Sub-Registrar, Pahalgam, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.”

Abhishake Abrol, Deputy Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, has been transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Jammu (South).

Syed Faheem Ahmad Bihaqi, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Pahalgam, holding additional charge of Sub-Registrar, Pahalgam, has been transferred and posted  as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Pattan. He shall also hold the charge of Sub Divisional Magistrate Pattan in addition to his own duties till further orders.

Owais Mushtaq, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kokernag, holding additional charge of Sub Registrar, Kokernag, has been transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Srinagar (East).

Mohammad Jahangir Khanday, KAS, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bijbehara, shall hold the charge of the posts of Sub Divisional Magistrate, Kokernag and Sub-Registrar, Kokernag, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

1. Sundeep Singh Bali, KAS, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Srinagar (East), has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner (Nazool), Srinagar, relieving Mohammad Rouf Rehman, KAS, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Srinagar of the additional charge of the post. (GNS)

Washington, Jul 22: The United States has asked China to close down its consulate in Houston within three days to ‘protect American intellectual property and America’s private information”, local media reported on Wednesday.

The US State Department said that international agreements required diplomats to respect the laws and regulations of the host nation and not interfere in its internal affairs.

“The United States will not tolerate the PRC’s violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC’s unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior,” State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters.

Responding to US’ decision, China threatened to react with ‘firm counter-measures” if the Trump administration did not “revoke this erroneous decision.’

In Beijing Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing that China planned to “react with firm countermeasures” if the Trump administration did not “revoke this erroneous decision.’

Sources said in Washington that China had increased spying and influence operations during the past few years including interference in domestic politics, stolen intellectual property and harassment of business leaders.

China however, denied and said infiltration and interference was never in the ‘genes and tradition of its foreign policy.”

The last time the Trump administration ordered a foreign consulate on American territory to close down was in August 2017, when it ordered Russia to close its consulate in San Francisco and two diplomatic annexes, in New York and Washington.

Propelling bilateral tensions further between Beijing and Washington, the Chinese government mouthpiece Global Times, in a report citing experts opinion said that China could take countermeasures such as shutting down the US Consulate General in Hong Kong.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 22: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday issued Warrant of Precedence vis-à-vis Union Territory of J&K

A government order stated:  “In supersession of Government Order No. 23-JK(H&P) of 2019 dated 17.12.2019 it is hereby ordered that the Warrant of Precedence/Order of Precedence forming  annexure to this order shall be observed at all ceremonial functions of the Union Territory of Jammu of Kashmir.”

1 President,  2  Vice President,  3 Prime Minister,  4 Governors of States within their respective States, 5  Former Presidents. 5 A- Deputy Prime Minister, 6  Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha.
7 Cabinet Ministers of the Union. Chief Ministers of States within their respective States. Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission. Former Prime Ministers. Leaders of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.  7A-Holders of Bharat Ratna decoration.  8 Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries accredited to India. Chief Ministers of State outside their respective States. Governors of States outside their respective States.
9 Judges of Supreme Court. 9A- Chairperson, Union Public Service Commission. Chief Election Commissioner Comptroller and Auditor General of India.  10  Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha. Deputy Chief Minister of States. Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha. Members of the Planning Commission. Ministers of the State of the Union (and any other Minister in the Ministry of Defence for Defence matters .
11  Attorney General of India. Cabinet Secretary. Lieutenant Governors within the respective Union Territories.  12 Chiefs of Staff holding the rank of Full General or equivalent rank. 13 Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary accredited to India.
14  Chairmen and Speakers of State Legislatures within their respective States. Chief Justices of High Courts within their respective jurisdictions. 15  Cabinet Ministers in States within their respective States. Chief Ministers of Union Territories and Chief Executive Councilor, Delhi within their respective Union Territories. Deputy Ministers of the Union.  16  Officiating Chiefs of Staff holding the rank of Lieutenant General or equivalent rank.
17. Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal, Chairman, Minorities Commission Chairperson National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairperson National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Chief Justices of High Courts outside their respective jurisdictions Judges of High Courts within their respective jurisdictions.

18  Cabinet Ministers in States outside their respective States. Chairmen and Speakers of State Legislatures outside their respective States. Chairman, Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission. Deputy Chairmen and Deputy Speakers of State Legislatures within their respective States. Ministers of State in States within their respective States. Ministers of Union Territories and Executive Councilors, Delhi within their respective Union/ outside Territories. Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories and Chairman of Delhi Metropolitan Council within their respective Union Territories/ outside.

19  Chief Commissioners of union Territories not having Councils of Ministers, within their respective Union Territories. Deputy Ministers in States within their respective States. Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories and Deputy Chairman of Delhi Metropolitan Council Delhi within their respective Union Territories.  19A- Mayors within their respective Territorial jurisdictions.

20  Deputy Chairmen and Deputy Speakers of State Legislatures, outside their respective States Ministers of State in States outside their respective States Puisne Judges of High Courts outside their respective jurisdictions.  21. Members of Parliament.  22. Deputy Ministers in State outside their respective States.  23. Army Commanders/ Vice-Chief of the Army Staff or equivalent in other services. Chief Secretaries to State Governments/ Union Territories within their respective States/UTs. Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities. Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Member Legislative Assembly of the Union Territories within their respective Union Territories Members, Minorities Commission. Members, National Commission for Scheduled Castes Members, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Officers of the rank of full General or equivalent rank Secretaries to the Government of India (including Officers holding this office ex-officio) Secretary, Minorities Commission Secretary, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes commission Secretary to the President Secretary to the Prime Minister Secretary, Rajya Sabha/ Lok Sabha Solicitor General Vice-Chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal.  24. Officers of the rank of Lieutenant General or equivalent rank.  25. Additional Secretaries to the Government of India. Additional Solicitors General Advocate Generals of States Chairman, Public Service Commission.
Chairman, Tariff Commission Charged Affairs and Acting High Commissioners a pied and ad. Interim Chief Ministers of the Union Territories and Chief Executive Councilor, Delhi outside their respective Union Territories. Chief Secretaries of State Governments/Union Territories (outside their respective jurisdictions) Deputy Comptrollers and Auditor General Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in the Union Territories and Deputy Chairman, Delhi Metropolitan Council, outside their respective Union Territories. Director, Central Bureau of Investigation Director General Border Security Force Director General Central Reserve Police Force Director, Intelligence Bureau Financial Commissioner to the Government. Director General of Police within respective State/ Union Territories Lieutenant Governors outside their respective Union Territories Members, Central Administrative Tribunal Members, Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission Members, Union Public Service Commission Ministers of Union Territories and Executive Councilors, Delhi, outside their respective Union Territories. Principal Staff Officers of the Armed Forces of the rank of Major General or equivalent rank. Speakers of legislative Assemblies in Union Territories and Chairman of Delhi, Metropolitan Council, outside their respective Union Territories
25-A Principal Secretaries to the Government. Additional Director General of Police.
26  All Administrative Secretaries. Divisional Commissioners/ IGPS. Joint Secretaries to the Government of India and Officers of equivalent rank Officers of the rank of Major-General or equivalent rank.
27  Vice Chancellors of Universities within the state/UT. 28  District Magistrates. Major Head of Departments. District & Session Judges. Chairperson Block Development Council/President of Municipal Councils and Municipalities. Officers of the rank of Brigadiers and equivalent.

“The order in this table of Precedence is meant purely for State and Ceremonial occasions. Persons in the Table of Precedence will take rank in order of the number of the articles. The entries in the same article are arranged alphabetically. Those included in the same article will take precedence inter se according to date of entry into that article,” the order stated.

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, July 21: Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday reported eleven more deaths attributed to covid-19, taking the fatality count due to the virus to 266.

Official sources told GNS that five deaths occurred at SKIMS, four at SMHS hospital while one each was reported from SKIMS Bemina and CD hospital.

The fatalities include 96-year-old man from Pattan Baramulla, 70-year-old woman from Lalbazar Srinagar, 50-year-old from Mirbazar Kulgam, elderly from Parraypora Srinagar, 54-years-old man from Fateh kadal Srinagar, 64-years-old woman from Dangerpora Sopore , 55-year-old woman from Budgam,

65-year-old from Sangrama, 85-year-old from Sopore, 74-year-old man from Rawalpora, 43-year-old man from Parigam and 85-year-old man from Papcha area of Bandipora

Regarding The nonagenarian, they said he that died two days after he was admitted to CD hospital, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of the covid-19 patients in the Kashmir Valley.

The elderly was suffering from multiple ailments including hypertension, Type-2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Dementia, etc, they told GNS.

“He was admitted as a severe Covid19. At 6 a.m. today, the man suffered cardiac arrest and was declared dead at 6:10 a.m,” they added.

Regarding the death at SKIMS Bemina, they said, 74-year-old from Rawalpora was suffering from “B/l covid pneumonia and severe ards.”

“At 2:30 pm today, his condition worsened and was intubated at 3:15 pm. At about 3:30 pm patient developed cardio respiratory arrest. CPR was given according to latest ACLS guidelines but patient could not be revived and was declared dead at 4 pm,” they said.

Regarding 85-year-old male Sopore, they said, he was suffering from bilateral pneumonia and was admitted to SMHS hospital on July 18.

As regards, 65-year-old man from Sangrama Baramulla, a senior doctor at SMHS hospital told GNS that he was suffering from encephalopathy and bilateral pneumonia. “He was admitted on July 17 and died 1800 hours,” the doctor added. Regarding the Budgam patients, the senior doctor said that the patient was suffering from bilateral pneumonia.

With these deaths, 246 people in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu have died so far due to the COVID-19.

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, July 21: Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday reported 608 new COVID -19 infections including 51 CRPF, six BSF and 9 army personnel, taking the overall tally of cases to 15158 in J&K. Among them also include 134 sample reports received at toll post and pertains to mainly migrant labourers, sources said.

Officials said that while 106 tested positive from Jammu and 502 are from Kashmir valley. Also 181 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals, 36 from Jammu Division and 145 from Kashmir.

Giving the district-wise details, official sources told GNS that Srinagar reported 213, Baramulla 28,

Kulgam  39, Shopian 3, Anantnag 26, Kupwara 47, Pulwama 43, Budgam 83, Bandipora 14, Ganderbal 6,  Jammu  15, Kathua 13, Rajouri 37, Udhampur 3, Ramban      11, Samba 10, Doda 7, Poonch 2 and Reasi 8.

A number of cases were confirmed at SKIMS and CD diagnostic laboratories, officials said.

The CD cases include male (32) from ACB HQ Peerbagh, male (40) and female (38) from SR Gunj, female (39) from Balgarden Srg, female (48) from Dawaran Uri, three males (41, 22, 38) and two females (36, 56) from Shrai Tangmarg, female (25) and male (50) from Waniloo Tangmarg, male (60) from Tamlihal, female (35) from Achgoza, female (55) from Keegam, male (7M) from Aargicheck Abhama, male (60) from HMT Srg, male (64) from Rangrath Srg, male (31) from Newa Pulwama, three females (23, 65, 25) and male (75) from Khadermoh Pulwama, female (35) from Ratnipora Pulwama, female (27) from Midoora, two males (62, 23) and two females (50, 10) from Noorpora, female (41) from Tral e Payeen, female (29) from Tral e Bala, female (33) from Hari, male (49) from Nowdal, male (23) from Buchoo, male (34) from Gagat Srg, male (22) from Hagerpora, female (53) from Chichilora, female (28) from Pallhalan, three females (36, 07, 30) and two males (35, 25) from Sogam Lolab, female (22) from Batnard Lolab, female (31) from Kuligam Lolab, two females (28, 27) from Lassipora Lolab, two females (45, 19) from Sunard Darpora, female (22) from Doban Khurham Lolab, two females (30, 25) from Chandigam Lolab, male (37) from Lapora Lolab, two males (51, 28) and two females (34, 27) from Trehgam, seven females (22, 33, 10, 65, 30, 18 Months, 24) and three males (33, 70, 25) from Suliman Karnah, female (20) from Budwan Karnah, two females (40, 38) and male (40) from Bhakayan Tangdar Karnah, NA (04) from Suliman Karnah, male (29) from Shathpalla Karnah, three males (25, 36, 25) from BB Cantt Srg,  male (50) from Kharamabad Handwara, male (48) from Banglobagh Baramulla, female (70) from Sopore, male (23) from Pallhalan Pattan, two males (18, 21) from Dudwan, male (40) from Nagri Kupwara, four males (39, 26, 35, 30) from 162 Bsf Bn Kupwara, male (27) from At-Zangli Dist Kupwara, male (40) from Batergam, male (53) from Tarathpora, two males (30, 25) from DPL Baramulla, female (32) from Kanispora Baramulla, male (50) from Noorbagh Baramulla, two males (65, 35) from Iqbal Colony Baramulla, male (17) from Pattan Baramulla, male (28) from Ushkara Baramulla, male (50) from Kantbagh Baramulla, male (28) from Tilagam Pattan Baramulla, male (24) from Khawajabagh Baramulla, female (70) from Peerbagh Srg, female (34) from Sopore Baramulla, male (60) from Hawal, female (54) from Kathi Darwaza, female (40) from Baha u Din Sahab Srg, male (28) from Saidakadal, male (54) from Papchan Bandipora, female (40) from Soura, female (49) from Ishbar, male (49) from Habak, male (43) from Lal Chowk, male (20) from HMT, male (48) from Lal Bazar, male (96) from NA, female (70) from Pulwama, two females (43, NA) from Chanapora Srg, male (35) from Rainawari, male (19) from Mirgund Pattan, male (32) from HMT Srg, male (NA) from Lasjan, male (NA) from PHQ Srg, male (NA) from Kulgam, two males (62, 62) from Chanapora Srg, male (34) from Ganderpora Srg, female (18) from Bengal/Khanyar, male (30) from Eidgah Srg, two males (NA, 30) from Pulwama, female (73) and male (51) from Saderbal Srg, male (35) from Rajbagh, male (49) and female (47) from Pampore, two males (58, 50) from HMT, male (64) from H. No 6 Imran Lane Natipora, male (28) from Palpora Sonwar, male (32) from Budgam, male (28) from Rainawari, female (50) from Natipora, four males (52, 68, 45, 35) and female (44) from Buchpora, male (54) from Munawarabad Srg, male (22) from Chattabal Srg, male (63) from Batapora Zakura, male (30) from Khankah Srg, male (35) from Chanapora, male (65) from Umarabad Srg, male (35) from Maloora Srg, female (28) from Indra Nagar Srg, male (80) from Zoonimar Srg, male (60) from Allochi Bagh Srg, three male (60, 13, 04) from Qamarwari, female (55) from Bemina, NA (60) from Handwara, female (60) from Budgam, female (50) from Solina Srg, male (NA) from Pattan Baramulla, female (NA) from Chattabal Srg, female (37) from Srinagar, two females (NA, 55) and male (NA) from Batamaloo Srg, male (67) from Hyderpora Srg, male (80) and female (80) from Baramulla, male (28) from Peerbagh, male (38) from NA, male (45) from Singpora Baramulla, male (58) from Sonwar Srg, female (60) from Fateh Kadal Srg, male (NA) from Handwara, male (60) from Bonyar Baramulla, female (70) from Eidgah Srg, male (65) from Khanyar Srg, male (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (NA) from Sopore Baramulla, male (NA) from Parraypora, female (45) from Bemina, male (80) from Barbarshah, male (65) from Dalipora Pulwama, male (60) from NA, female (27) from Safakadal, male (45) from Palpora Srg, male (65) from Rajouri Kadal, male (65) from Nowhatta, male (77) from Batamaloo, male (27) from Chattabal, male (65) from Khadermoh Pulwama, male (57) from Wuyan Pampore, male (50) from PHC Awantipora, female (60) from NA.

The Anantnag cases include male (80) from Sarnal Bla, male (32) from Anchidora, male (70) from Mominabad, male (43) from S K Colony, female (32) from Anantnag.

The Bandipora cases include two males (29, 34) from Bsf Mader Bandipora, male (52) from Papchan, two males (42, 35) from Chitty Bandi, male (17) from Nadihal, female (14) and two males (27, 27) from Shokbaba Sumlar, male (22) from Ajas, male (50) from Putushai, two females (17, 35) from Ashtangoo, male (28) from Naninara, female (20) from Sumbal, female (57) from Bandipora.

The BB Cantt cases include three males (22, 22, 23) from BB Cantt Srg.

The Budgam Cases Include female (37) from Nangerpora, male (40) and two females (38, 08) from Ghat Narbal, female (61) from Yarigund, female (61) from Peth Kanihama, two males (34, 65) and female (28) from Chadoora, female (30) from Pattan, two females (45, 12) and male (45) from Aribagh BK Pora, male (55) from Namtehal Chadura, male (58) from Jummu Bhande, male (44) from Munawar Abad Srg Budgam, female (60) from Gopalpora Chadoora, male (46) and three females (42, 31, 30) from Dadaompora Chadoora, two females (55, 30) from Kralpora Chadoora, male (62) and female (29) from Parnewa, male (30) from Bihar Budgam, male (45) from Drigam, male (46) from Rathson, female (30) from Chewadara, four males (03, 04, 34, 38) and three females (07, 32, 30) from Bonhama, male (24) from 2 Rr Camp Aripanthan Budgam, male (45) from Batapora, female (55) from Baghi Mehtab, female (24) from Lolipora Nagam, male (53) and two females (19, 18) from Badipora Nagam, male (37) from Dumail Sozeith, male (38) from Narbal, female (65) from Ohangam Beerwa, female (13) from Batapora, female (29) from Darmbug Chadoora, female (36) and male (65) from Kralpora Chadoora, male (30) from Bachroo Chadoora, male (40) from Daharmunna Soibugh, two males (70, 15) and three females (30, 17, 13) from Soibugh, male (30) from Parnewa, female (45) from Nijloo Beerwah, female (30) from Hanji Lawpora, male (57) from Kangripora, male (12) from Humhama, male (44) from Budgam.

The Ganderbal cases include three males (30, 33, 40) from Watlar Ganderbal, female (25) from Pandach, male (55) from Ganderbal.

The CRPF cases Include thirteen males (28, 54, 50, 47, 38, 36, 40, 47, 40, 38, 41, 34, 28) from C/184 Bn Crpf Amar singh Club Srg, male (40) from 75 Bn Crpf Indra Nagar Srg, male (30) from D/66 Bn Crpf Dignibal Ganderbal, male (30) from 79 Bn Crpf Sonwar Srg, male (31) from C/93 Bn Crpf Sonwar Srg, six males (40, 48, 55, 28, 38, 34) from 54 Bn Crpf Nishat Srg, male (42) from 75 Bn Crpf Nishat near Jamal Carpet Srg, three males (32, 33, 47) from 117 Bn Crpf Wazirbagh Srg.

The Srinagar cases include male (40) from Hawal, female (38) from Zainakot, male (60) from Lal Bazar, male (55) from Parimpora, male (60) from Zoonimar, two males (30, 51) from SKIMS, male (36) from Peerbagh, male (40) from Buchpora, male (45) from Harwan, male (32) from Soura, female (55) and male (60) from Hawal, male (80) and female (75) from Saidakadal, male (34) from SKIMS, male (68) from Zakura, male (53) and female (50) from Soura, male (58) from Elahibagh, male (54) from Fateh Kadal, male (42) from Srinagar, six  females (35, 06, 12, 01, 34, 62) and four males (30, 33, 29, 65) from Chanapora, female (27) from Naseembagh, female (82) from Sheeshbagh, male (55) from Natipora, male (NA) from Srinagar. The Baramulla cases include female (51) from Baramulla, male (23) from Kunzer. The Pulwama cases include male (55) from Tral, male (70) from Pulwama while the Shopian cases include male (55) and female (65) from Shopian.

New Delhi, July 21: The total number of Covid-19 cases in India touched 11,55,191 on Tuesday, while the total recorded deaths has touched 28,084, according to official data released on Tuesday. With 37,148 new infections detected during the last 24 hours, the number of active infections went up to 4,02,529 while 7,24,578 people recovered.

While the recovery rate has stagnated at 63 per cent for a week now, new cases are on the rise every day. With a total of 3,18,695 cases, Maharashtra continues to have the maximum number of Covid-19 cases in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,75,687 and Delhi with 1,23,747. The reported case fatality ratio is 2.6 per cent.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, NITI Aayog Member VK Paul said the government plans to increase the number of tests to 5-5.5 lakh per day in the days to come and the medium-term target is to take it to 10 lakh tests a day.

Paul also said the government is willing to extend all help to vaccine manufacturers irrespective of whether they are Indian firms and otherwise, as expediting the testing and manufacturing of vaccines would help Indians as well as people elsewhere. Rajesh Bhushan, Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, also present at the briefing, said the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has already come up with a directive that would accelerate the developme and testing of Covid-19 related diagnostic tools, drugs and vaccines. (Agencies)

Srinagar, July 21: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today said that all incoming migrant laborers shall undergo Covid-19 testing in respective districts from July 23, Thursday.

Div Com said this while chairing a weekly Covid-19 review meeting to take stock of the situation and arrangements put in place for effective containment of deadly virus.

He said that the laborers will be tested in the respective districts of work and in this regard, Pole directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of Kashmir to constitute three member teams and train them for smooth conduct of antigen testing of all laborers.

The Div Com instructed the DCs to identify centrally located places and structures like schools, bus stands and vacant buildings to conduct these tests and added that antigen testing shall help in quick identification of the positive cases and their separation from others to control spread of the disease.

He said that the positive laborers shall be immediately sent into quarantine, while as negative shall be allowed for work at brick kilns.

The Div Com directed concerned to put in place all required facilities, necessary infrastructure and keep PPE kits available for the staff to be deployed at these testing centers.

Stressing on coordinated efforts by the concerned, the Div Com called for decongestion of 4 tertiary care hospitals in Srinagar and reverse referral of patients to districts for effective containment of Covid-19 infection.

The concerned DCs and health officers were instructed to raise the current bed capacity in their districts to avoid referrals and besides were directed to check bed availability before patient referral to Srinagar.

He emphasized on the smooth functioning of newly adopted designated structures for Covid-19 positive patient care including Hajj House Bemina, PHC Chanpora.

The Div Com laid emphasis on the adherence of all SOPs and guidelines across all districts in letter and spirit and besides directed DCs to rope in religious leaders for IEC activities and awareness generation on importance of use of face mask and maintaining of social distancing protocol among people to keep Covid at bay.

He stressed on daily updating of discharged patients from all districts and proper functioning of dedicated Covid-19 ambulances in all districts.

Various issues including maintenance of plasma bank, availability of medicines, selection of nurses, and maintenance of patient directory were also discussed threadbare in the meeting.

Among others, the meeting was attended by DC Srinagar, MD, NHM, VC SDA, Director Health Services, OSD, H&ME, ACD, CMO Srinagar and senior health officers.

Director Skims Soura, DCs and SSPs of all districts, Principal SKIMS JVC Bemina also attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Jahangir Lolabi

Kupwara, Jul 21: Two conmen were on Tuesday afternoon apprehended by police after making an abortive burglary attempt in a Grameen bank branch here in Natnussa area of this north Kashmir district.

Reports reaching GNS said that two persons identified as Ashiq Ahmad son of Mohammad Ahsan Wani and Javid Ahmad son of Abdul Rahim Wani, residents of Kulangam area of handwara, brandishing (toy) guns entered a Grameen Bank branch at Natnussa this afternoon.

However, the alert officials, as per the reports, caught hold of the duo and snatched the toy guns from them.

A police official confirming the incident said that the duo has been taken into custody and necessary action as warranted by law will be initiated against them.

“We have lodged an FIR number 172/2020 under section 393 against the duo and further investigations in this regard have been taken up, “ the official added.