SRINAGAR, JULY 14: Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Talat Parvez Rohella, today chaired a meeting to review progress on accreditation of government degree colleges of Kashmir division by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
The meeting was attended by Director Finance, Director Planning, Director Colleges, Nodal Principal Kashmir besides Principals of the colleges which are due for NAAC accreditation.
Commissioner Secretary assessed the colleges for the basic accreditation parameters set by NAAC like Curricular Aspects, Teaching-Learning and Evaluation, Research, Innovations and Extension, Infrastructure and Learning Resources, Student Support and Progression, Governance, Leadership and Management besides Institutional Values and Best Practices. He suggested slew of measures for all the parameters which can enhance the grading prospects of the colleges. He sought inputs from the Principals about the progress made in respect of all these parameters and asked them to prioritise the areas as per the accreditation requirements and identify those which need intervention of higher education department.
In order to facilitate the colleges in preparing for NAAC accreditation, Commissioner Secretary directed Nodal Principal Kashmir, to conduct a workshop involving subject experts for the Coordinators of Internal Quality Assurance Cells (IQAC) of different colleges.
Regarding constraints highlighted by the Principals, Commissioner Secretary assured support to address dearth of staff, infrastructure and equipment and asked them to project their requirements with Director Colleges as per the relevance and feasibility.
Meanwhile, Director Colleges, Professor Yaseen Ahmad Shah, informed that around 50 colleges have been accredited by NAAC and the higher education department is keen to help remaining colleges for securing the accreditation with impressive grade.
Prof. Ashai also shared her inputs on the ways to improve performance of colleges on different assessment parameters.
Talat reviews preparedness for NAAC accreditation of Degree Colleges
EJAC holds protest, seeks regularization of daily wagers
Srinagar July 14: Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) Tuesday held a protest in front of Civil Secretariat Srinagar demanding regularization of daily wagers and all types of temporary workers employed in various departments of Jammu & Kashmir.
The protest was held under the leadership of EJAC President Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam. The protestors were holding placards and banners in support of daily wagers and were demanding for their regularization. “The protestors had limited their number to 5, due to the present situation of Covid 19 and also adhered to the precautions of the health department by maintaining social distance and wearing masks,” a spokesperson of EJAC told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
In the protest program, the plight of the daily wagers and all type of temporary workers who have been working tirelessly in various departments of J&K for more than 25 years on a meager salary with which they are not even able to make their two ends meet was also highlighted.
“The daily wagers are the frontline warriors in every calamity that has befallen over the people of J&K and are working on the same parameters and capabilities as that of regular employees and to regularize them is not only the obligation of the government but also the genuine right of the daily wagers,” the protestors said.
It was also put forth that the regularization of daily wagers is not a new agenda of the association but it has been there since decades.
“The previous governments have time and again made agreements with the EJAC leadership regarding the regularization of daily wagers but till now no positive outcome arose in this regard. Also the daily wagers and all type of temporary workers have been continuously given cold shoulder by the government which has forced the EJAC to come out on streets and protest for their rights,” they said.
“Furthermore, the government has issued order for the recruitment of various Class IV posts which is a welcome step but it would be necessary to take the predicament of daily wagers and all type of temporary workers into consideration and initiate steps to regularize them first. It will be irony that in this new recruitment both the father and son will have to apply for the same post in case of daily wagers and all type of temporary workers,” Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam said.
The protestors also stressed upon that EJAC will continue to struggle and fight for the genuine rights and demands of daily wagers and other types of casual labourers.
The leaders who attended the protest other than the President were Tariq Ahmad Sofi (Chief Spokesman), Farooq Ahmad Khan (Vice-President), Athar Muzaffar Reshi(Secretary), Bashir Ahmad Thokar (Press Secretary), Mir Nazir, Nisar Ahmad Mir, Farooq Ahmad Malik, Shabir Ahmad Khanday, Ab. Rashid Shaksaz, Mohd. Ramazan Sheikh, Muzaffar Hameed Bhat, Ishfaq Ahmad Shah, Suhaib Munshi and others.(KINS)
GI Agri Tag, Support To Farmers
Geographical Indications is typical for agriculture products across India. As part of the intellectual property rights that comes under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the geographical indication or GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Recently Lieutenant Governor called for branding of local agricultural produce and allied sector. The call is welcome as assured marketing of any product as GI is one of the ways to encourage agricultural activities, boost production and ensure resultant increase in individual farm income.
The distinctive identity could be aroma, taste, colour and medicinal value. Recognizing it should be beneficial for the farmers. Not only will it help in having a lucrative domestic market, it will generate a global demand. Hitherto, a peep into government’s efforts would show that the endeavor has not been at par, notwithstanding the fact that the agriculture sector contributes to 30 percent to the GDP of Jammu and Kashmir. It is important to note that two-thirds of the J&K’s population is either directly or indirectly dependent on the agriculture sector. Any fair examination of the government efforts in drawing the younger generations towards the farming sector would pale into insignificance. There is a need to have data assimilation to know precisely as to how many people in fact have left doing agriculture activities for varied reasons, particularly insignificant returns despite the toil and toll it takes.
In the contemporary era of innovations and technology, conventional methods have the little scope and therefore, all such suitable measures should be taken which will make the agriculture profitable and draw young generation towards it. The government’s active intervention is must especially towards sections considered medium and marginal. Subsidies granted to agriculturists are needed but are not only required efforts to achieve the results as that sector remains vulnerable to a host of risks, higher input costs, demand vagaries and even weather vagaries etc.
The families are getting fragmented and per capita holdings are getting plummeted to uneconomical levels which remain a potent threat to increase farm produce. The conversion of agriculture land also remains amongst the bigger threats. Government supports becomes a must in these situations especially in ensuring timely fertilizers, seeds, periodic help and expert advice.
The administration especially its departments have to do a lot including proper monitoring and timely remedial measures for the benefit of the farmers.
COVID-19: 7 more die, J&K toll mounts to 195
Srinagar, July 14: Seven persons, including a CRPF personnel , five patients from Kashmir and one from Jammu, died due to COVID-19, taking the death toll due to the infection in the Union Territory of J&K to 195, official sources said on Tuesday.
With these deaths, 159 people have lost their lives due to infection in 40 days, and 179 people in 54 day in J&K, where the COVID-19 positive cases have surpassed 10,800-mark.
Official sources said a 60-year-old man, a resident of Tangmarg in Baramulla, was admitted to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Monday for bilateral Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). “The patient, who tested positive for COVID-19, died on Tuesday,” they said.
They said a 35-year-old jawan of 66th battalion of CRPF died at SHMS hospital on Monday. “The test result of the patient, who was suffering from pneumonia and high fever, came positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday,” they said.
This is the second death of a CRPF jawan due to COVID-19 in less than 24 hours and third so far in the valley. The CRPF jawan was cremated in Srinagar on Tuesday, they said.
They said that a 65-year-old woman, a resident of Shopian, was admitted to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Bemina, on July 10 for pneumonia. “The patient, who was tested positive for COVID-19, died at the hospital on Tuesday,” they said.
They said that an Agriculture department employee, a resident of Talab Tillo in Jammu, was admitted to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. “The patient, who was suffering from bilateral Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and was on ventilator, died on Tuesday morning,” they said.
Another patient, a 60-year-old man, a resident of Nadihal in Baramulla, was admitted to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) last week for bilateral Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), besides hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes. “The patient, who had tested positive for COVID-19, died at the hospital in the wee hours on Tuesday,” they added.
They said test result of two women in their 60s from Kulgam and Anantnag came positive for COVID-19, four days after their death at Government Medical College, Anantnag.
Four people, including a CRPF jawan, a 65-year-old man from Srinagar, a 55-year-old woman from Pulwama and a 46-year-old man from Sopore died due to COVID-19 on Monday. Meanwhile the test result of three persons — a 78-year-old man from Budgam, a 55-year-old man from Pulwama and a 70-year-old man from Kupwara – who had died during the last couple of days came out to be positive for COVID-19.
Ten districts of Jammu have reported 18 fatalities while 177 people have lost their lived due to COVID-19 in ten districts of Kashmir.
With these fatalities, the death toll due to COVID-19 has risen 37 in Baramulla, which stands at number two. Srinagar is the worst affected district in J&K in terms of causalities with 46 deaths due to COVID-19. Ganderbal district recorded fourth death due to COVID-19 on July 12.
The number of deaths stands at 22 in Kulgam while 15 people each have lost their lives to the disease in Anantnag and Budgam. Shopian with 17 deaths is at number four. Eleven people have lost their lives in Kupwara, seven in Pulwama and three in Bandipora.
As many as 48 patients — including 10 persons from Baramulla, 12 from Srinagar, six from Kulgam, three from Anantnag, Kupwara and Budgam, Jammu region, two each from Shopian and Ganderbal, one patient each from Pulwama, Bandipora and a BSF jawan — died due to COVID-19 last week.
As many as 41 people — including nine from Srinagar, 10 from Baramulla, five each from Anantnag, three from Kulgam, Budgam and Shopian, two each from Kupwara and Bandipora, one each from Jammu and Ganderbal — died due to COVID-19 between June 29 and July 5.
COVID-19: J&K crosses 11000 mark
346 fresh cases, 290 in Kashmir, 56 in Jammu
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, July 14: Forty-four from central Jail Annatnag and at least 23 from paramilitary forces were among 346 new novel coronavirus cases in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, taking the overall tally of covid-19 patients to 11173 in J&K.
Among the fresh cases, 56 were reported from Jammu and 290 from Kashmir Valley.
Giving district-wise breakup of the cases, officials said that Srinagar reported 127 of them, Anantnag 58, Pulwama 39, Bandipora 16, 14 each in Budgam and Doda, eleven each in Baramulla, Shopian and Jammu, ten each in Kathua and Rajouri, Kulgam 7, Kishtwar 5 Ganderbal 4, three each in Kupwara and Reasi besides one each in Ramban, Samba and Poonch.
Dr. G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Measures at SKIMS Soura told GNS that out of 2424 samples which were processed at the viral diagnostic laboratory of the hospital today, 117 returned positive for the virus.
Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura told GNS 34 are from Srinagar, 18 from Anantnag, 16 from Pulwama, 10 from Budgam, nine from Baramulla, eight each from SSB/CRPF and Kulgam, seven from Bandipora, two each from Kupwara and Ganderbal besides one each from Shopian, Kargil and Banihal.
The cases from Anantnag Include male (61) from Nanil, female (30) from Bijbehara, male (26) from Dangerpora Siligam, male (50) and female (40) from Chittergull, female (29) from Fatehpora Larkipora, male (28) from Batgund Verinag, female (28) and male (25) from Anchidora, female (23) from Nasu, male (50) from Sallar, female (22) from Ashajipora, female (22) from Arther, male (04) from Sirgufwara, female (24) from Dahnambal, male (65) Dailgam, male (60) from Nathpora, female (28) from Pheljam.
The cases from Bandipora include male (30) from Sumbal, female (36) from Shahgund, male (20) from Safapora, female (35) from Ganastan, female (40) from Ayithmulla, male (54) from Dawar, male (5 months) from Qazipora.
The Budgam Cases include male (08) from Chaira Magam, female (42) from Kanihama, male (30) from Gondipora, male (26) from Bkpora, male (52) and female (26) from Ompora, female (50) from Chadoora, female (30) from Tilsara Cheri Shareef, two males (46, 43) from 43 Bn DPL Budgam.
The cases from Baramulla include male (65) from Baramulla, male (25) from Khandar, male (65) from Rangpora, two females (60, 64) and male (50) from Sopore, male (46) from Khawja Bagh, female (NA) from Thandipora, male (60) from Tangmarg.
The Kulgam Cases Include female (34) from Salyaloo, female (42) from Chowgam, male (35) Checki Wangund, male (59) from Y.K. Pora, male (35) from Brinal, male (32) from Lammar, male (26) from H C Gam, male (30) from Yaripora.
The Srinagar cases include male (25) from Bohrikadal, female (55) from Khanyar, three males (35, 22, 75) from Soura, male (70) from Zakura, male (50) from Rajbagh, male (57) from Sanat Nagar, two males (48, 35) from SKIMS, male (56) from Bemina, male (NA) from Nowshera, male (34) from Fateh Kadal, male (35) from Mallabagh, female (37) from Lal Bazar, female (80) from Alamgiri Bazar, female (70) from Illahi Bagh, female (51) from Dalgate, female (60) from Noorbagh, female (55) and male (65) from Rangpora, female (40) from Aali Kadal, female (06 months) from Awantabhawan, male (70) from Hyderpora, male (52) from Lal Bazar, female (70) from Rainawari, three males (60, 62, 36) from Srinagar, female (60) from Botakadal, male (86) from Batamaloo, female (50) from Rafiabad, female (45) from Shaheedgunj, male (35) from Naseem Bagh.
The Pulwama cases include male (32) from Pulwama, male (62) from Noorpora, four males (52, 25, 45, 50) from Rajpora, male (22) from Dangerpora, male (32) from Naira, two males (39, 42) from Police Station Sidco, five males (20, 24, 50, 50, 32) from Sidco, female (48) from Awantipora. The Kupwara cases include female (52) from Kupwara, male (29) from 105 Bn Trehgam. The Ganderbal cases include female (35) from Dab, male (NA) from Anderwan. The Shopian cases include female (45) from Haff Shirmal. The Kargil cases include male (07) from Kargil. The Banihal cases include female (59) from Wagoora.
The cases from CRPF include seven males (30, 32, 32, 27, 55, 29, 28) from SSB SICC Srinagar, male (53) from CRPF 178 Bn Shopian.
Dr Riyaz Untoo, Principal SKIMS Bemina said that out of 540 samples processed at the hospital’s lab, 48 tested positive for COVID-19, all from Srinagar.
The cases include F-50yrs-Buchpora, F-51yrs-Alamgari Bazar, F-20yrs-Alamgari Bazar, F-18, F-65 and F-4yrs, F-50yrs and M-38yrs from Lalbazar, M-18yrs and M-32yrs from Zadibal, M-37yrs, M-23yrs, M-58 and M-31yrs from High Court, F-46yrs and F-38yrs from KathiDarwaza, M-50yrs-Charie Shareef, M.32yrs-183 BN CRPF, M-39yrs-18 BN CRPF, M-42yrs-18 BN CRPF, M-21yrs-Doda, M-43yrs-Chadoora, M-29yrs-Budgam, M-24yrs-Soibugh, M-34yrs, M-34yrs, M-31yrs, M-40yrs, M-38yrs, M-34yrs, M-48yrs, M-27yrs from Batamaloo, F-38yrs-Gulab Bagh, M-27yrs-Shalima, .M-55yrs-Basant Bagh, F-26yrs-Wanbal, M-35yrs-Hazratbal, F-25yrs, F-44yrs, F-60yrs, M-46yrs-Tankipora, F-42yrs from Tankipora and F-13yrs-Wazepora, F-65yrs, F-35yrs, M-71yrs, M-20yrs and F-45yrs-Shahkadal.
The CD cases include four males(63, 49, 48, 53) from CRPF / Imamsahib, male (49) and female (45) from Hillow, female (29) from Dk Pora, two males (39, 29) from Sonerwani, male (60) and female (55) from Brar, two females (35, 17) from Ashtangoo, male (24) from Krangsoo, Six males (75, 44, 24, 24, 62, 23) and two females (NA, 57) from NA, male (20) from Arwani, male (26) from Baramulla, male (42) from Anantnag, male (45) from Pirbagh Srg, male (80) from Nowhatta Srg, female (26) from Newa, two females (65, 55) and male (57) from Wuyan Pampore, male (13) from Chandigam Kupwara, male (30) from Sethar Kakapora, four males (60, 55, 65, 10) and female (36) from Khadermoh Pulwama, three females (20, 21, 62) from Wanpora Pulwama, female (26) from Uthoora Pulwama, male (45) from Nowgam Srg, male (50) from PHC Awantipora, two males (53, 19) from Bathen Khrew, male (29) from Adoora, Sixteen males (21, 22, 22, 29, 25, NA, 26, 19, 28, 28, 70, 25, 46, 24, 26, 51) from Kulgam, two males (21, 22) from Qasaigam, male (51) from Dist Jail, four males (29, 23, 37, 24) from Yaripora, two males (22, 21) from Shopian, male (25) from Khatir, male (NA) from VC Lodge Hazratbal, female (40) and male (29) from Budgam, four males (30, 45, 21, 24) from Bijbehara, male (24) from Arwani, male (27) from Lalipora, male (19) from Harman, two males (24, 30) from Safakadal, male (42) from Mahur, male (35) from Kheribal, female (65) from Kokernag, male (50) from Lalbazar Srg, female (NA) from Hajin Bandipora, female (30) from Anantnag, male (60) from Barzulla, male (33) from Natipora, female (NA) from Pulwama, male (35) from Zaina Kadal, female (30) from Balgarden Srg, female (60) from Rajbagh Srg, male (42) from Wanganpora Srg, male (39) from Alamgiri Bazar Srg, female (52) from Kargil, female (52) from Wazir Bagh Srg, male (62) from Hawal Srg, male (40) from Qamarwari Srg, female (35) from Karfali Mohalla Srg, female (50) from Safakadal Srg, two females (45, 32) from Budshah Nagar Srg, female (33) from Zainakadal Srg, male (52) from Lal Bazar Srg, female (45) from Kangan, male (27) from Harwan Srg, male (59) from Galwanpora Srg, male (70) from Kupwara, male (40) from Hyderpora Srg, male (45) from Humhama Budgam, male (37) from Zainakadal Srg, male (26) from Khanyar, two males (23, 08) and two females (50, 11) from Bemina Srg, male (51) from Sanat Nagar Srg, male (NA) from 53 Bn CRPF Baramulla, male (53) from Zaldagar Srg, male (45) from Pampore Pulwama, male (75) from Nowhatta Srg, male (82) from Nishat Srg, male (55) from Tangmarg Baramulla, male (30) from Chadoora Budgam, male (27) from Boys Hostel GMC Bemina, male (39) from Khrew and three male (60, 85, 50) from NA.
Meanwhile, 128 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 28 from Jammu Division and 100 from Valley.
Human clinical trials for COVID vaccine begin in India
New Delhi, July 14 : Human clinical trials for a vaccine for COVID-19 has been initiated in the country with approximately 1,000 volunteers participating in the exercise for each of the two indigenously developed vaccine candidates, the ICMR said on Tuesday.
Since India is one of the largest vaccine producers in the world, it is the country’s “moral responsibility” to fast-track vaccine development process to break the chain of coronavirus transmission, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said referring to the two vaccine candidates developed indigenously.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has permitted two vaccines — one developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and another one by Zydas Cadila Healthcare Limited to go in for the first and second phase of human clinical trials.
There are two Indian vaccine candidates that have undergone successful toxicity studies in rats, mice and rabbits and these data was submitted to the DCGI, following which both got clearance to start an early phase human trials earlier this month, Dr Bhargava said at a press briefing.
“Two indigenous Indian candidate vaccines have got clearance to start early phase human trials this month. They have got their sites ready and are doing the clinical study on approximately 1,000 human volunteers each at different sites. They are trying to do early clinical testing for these two indigenous vaccine candidates,” Dr Bhargava said.
“… it is a moral duty to develop them as fast as possible because more than half a million people have succumbed to the disease across the world. So, fast-tracking these vaccine becomes very important,” he said.
A recent letter by Dr Bhargava envisaging the launch of a COVID-19 vaccine by August 15 had created quite a flutter with many experts stating such a timeline may not be realistic.
Dr Bhargava stated that India is considered as the “pharmacy of the world”, saying 60 per cent of the drugs utilised in the US are of Indian-origin.
“The important fact that is not known is that 60 per cent of the vaccines supplied in the world whether it be Africa, Europe or Southeast Asia or any where are of Indian-origin,” he said.
India is perceived and is an important player in the supply of vaccines for the world, Dr Bhargava noted.
“Any vaccine candidate that is produced or developed in any part of the world will ultimately have to be scaled up by India or by China because these two are major producers of vaccines in the world and that every developed nation or everyone trying to develop a vaccine are aware of it and therefore they are in communication with India for the vaccine distribution ultimately if is developed,” he said.
“From India’s perspective, we have two vaccine candidates. We are trying all out efforts to fast-track it and it is the moral duty that there should not be a delay not even by a day for regulatory clearances for these vaccines so that we can break the transmission of the virus as soon as possible,” Dr Bhargava said.
India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 9 lakh-mark
28,498 cases recorded in one day; death toll mounts to 23,727
New Delhi, July 14: The number of fresh coronavirus cases in India rose 28,498 on Tuesday, pushing its overall tally to 9,06,752, even as the recovery rate further improved, according to Health Ministry’s latest data.
The death toll climbed to 23,727 with 553 people succumbing to the infection in past 24 hours.
In past 24 hours, 17,989 patients were declared cured, taking the number of recoveries to 5,71,459. The recovery rate currently stands at 63.02 per cent while the number of recoveries exceed active cases by 2.59 lakh.
There are 3,11,565 active cases of the coronavirus infection currently in the country.
This is the fifth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases in the country have increased by more than 26,000.
The health ministry said that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 1.2 crore samples had been tested for COVID-19 till July 13, including 2.86 lakh samples tested on Monday.
COVID-19: J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina tests positive
Ram Madhav, Dr Jitendera Singh, Avinash Khanna, Altaf Thakur, 20 others go in self quarantine
Abid Bashir
Srinagar, July 14: Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir chief Ravinder Raina tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, triggering panic among the party leaders and workers, forcing the top leaders that include Ram Madhav, Dr Jitendera Singh and Avinash Rai Khanna to go into self-quarantine.
Raina has been camping in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district for the past five days in the wake of the killing of BJP’s young leader Waseem Bari, his father and brother on July 8. On Sunday, Raina accompanied BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, MoS in PMO Dr Jitendera Singh, BJP’s national vice president and J&K affairs in-charge Avinash Rai Khanna to Bari’s Muslimabad residence in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Raina took to Twitter and wrote: “Hello friends, I was in Kashmir/Bandipora for five days after the killing of BJP leader Waseem Bari, Omar Sultan and his father by the militants. Today I had mild fever. When tested, the report came as Covid-19 positive. No other symptoms.”
Raina’s tweet triggered fear in the entire BJP unit of Kashmir with people voluntarily going for Covid-19 mapping. “I will also go for Covid test as I was with him these days in Bandipora and also in Srinagar,” said BJP spokesman for J&K Altaf Thakur. “For a time being, I have gone into self-quarantine.”
Sources in the BJP said that hundreds of party workers, middle-rung leaders, district presidents, zonal heads met Raina over the past five days in Srinagar and Bandipora district. “There is total chaos all around in BJP’s Kashmir unit,” he said.
A senior party leader and BJP top brass including Ram Madhav, Dr Jitendera Singh and Avinash Rai Khanna have also decided to go for Covid testing as they spent almost an hour with Raina in Bandipora. Khanna while speaking to KNO over phone said as a precaution he and all those who were present at a condolence meeting at slain BJP leader Waseem Bari. “We have gone into a self-quarantine,” Khanna said.
Meanwhile, the party’s Kashmir unit has appealed to all the workers who came in contact with the BJP chief, to go for Covid testing. A statement issued by the party’s media in-charge Manzoor Bhat said that all the workers who met BJP chief at Bandipora and Srinagar must come forward and conduct Covid tests.
A party source said that many leaders and workers met Raina without any protection, especially face masks and there is every possibility that they may have contracted the virus. “The party chief may become a super spreader for the virus within the BJP’s Kashmir chapter,” he said—(KNO)
COVID-19: 44 inmates test positive at Anantnag Jail
Raouf Dar
Srinagar July 14: As many as 44 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at Anantnag district jail so far, officials said.
Officials told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that 44 inmates have been tested for coronavirus at Anantnag district jail for last few days.
“Four were tested positive till Sunday. Today reports of more inmates came. Among them 39 have been found positive,” the official added.
These have been detected days after one jail inmate, booked under PSA in Anantnag prison was tested positive. Following which he was shifted to GMC Anantnag.
He happens to be younger brother of JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat.
After which the authorities collected samples of inmates for the COVID-19 testing.
Kuldeep Krishan Sidha District Development Commissioner Anantnag confirmed to KINS that 44 inmates have been tested positive so far. “We have collected samples of all inmates and are taking all precautionary measures. So far 44 have been tested positive,” he added.
DIG Prisons, Mohammad Sultan Lone earlier told KINS that the screening was being held as a measure of precaution.
Bhat’s brother was shifted to Anantnag jail in March this year from sub-jail Kupwara.
Family members of prisoners are worried over their safety. “Jails are overcrowded here. We have been asking the government to release them on humanitarian ground till the COVID threat is over. If inmates have been tested positive then others might also have been infected,” a relative of one of the prisoners lodged in Anantnag jail, said.
Human rights activists have also urged the government to release prisoners on humanitarian grounds. They said epidemic could put the prisoners’ lives at stake.
