Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, June 25: Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday reported 127 fresh covid-19 infections and included ten CRPF personnel, an army soldier, a doctor and two policemen. The fresh cases which include 20 travelers, take the covid-19 tally in J&K to 6549.
Giving the district-wise break-up  of the cases, sources said that 35 were reported from Kulgam followed by Srinagar (33),  Baramulla (15), Shopian (12), Kupwara (9), Ganderbal (6), Jammu (4), three each in Bandipora and Rajouri, Samba (2) besides one each from Doda and Reasi.
Sources said that among the cases, at least 69 were confirmed at SKIMS Soura, 28 at CD and 19 at SKIMS Bemina.
Dr. G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Measures at SKIMS told GNS that out of 1472 samples processed at the viral diagnostic lab today, 69 returned positive for the virus.
Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, told GNS that 16 each are from Shopian and Kulgam, 10 each from Srinagar and CRPF Battalions, five from Ganderbal, four from Bandipora, three each from Baramulla and Anantnag besides one each from Ramban and Rajouri.
He said that Shopian cases are from Kachdoora (f-33), Lawahind (40-male), Chitarwachi (f-42, m-45), Kngnoo (m-70), DC office (25-m), Herman (m-34, m-55), Kharwara (29-m), Khajapora (m-38, m-67), Awneera (m-34), Kulgam Shopian (m-32, m-21), Hangul Buch (m-65) and Sangram Check(m-58).
Kulgam cases are from Hampathri (m-32), Watigam (f-30), Dharam (m-38), Khull  (m-32), Frisal f-28), NS Pora (f-25), Kulgam(f-30), Y Pora (f-25, f-43, m-29), Kachohalam (f-32), Chancer (m-6), K-Haller (m-6), 10 from CRPF (18th battalion, 167 batallion, 08 batallion) and HP Bagh (f-26 and male-28). The Ganderbal cases include four from Theru (f-65, f-40, f-12, f-11) and 53-year-old male from Ajis Bandipora.
The cases taken and confirmed from SKIMS are from Sopore, Nowpora Srinagar (including a 48-year-old doctor), Nawabazar, Qazigund, Tangmarg, Sundarbani and Baramulla while cases which were received from CMO Srinagar are from Harwan; those from CMO Bandipora are from Papchan and Onagam and Annatnag cases are from Qoimoh and Sadoora.
Dr Riyaz Untoo, Principal SKIMS Bemina, told GNS that out of 516 samples processed at the hospital’s lab, 19 tested positive for COVID-19, 16 from Srinagar and three from Budgam.
The Srinagar cases include males (37, 45) from Zewan, female (21) and male (33) from Soura, male (59) from Batmaloo, male (34) Police complex Zewan, six including a female (40) and males (8, 12, 16, 70, 76)  from Nishat Syed Colony, female (9) from Safakadal, male (23)  from Nowshera, female (40) from  Zoonimar and male (37) from  Rainawari while Budgam cases include  female (26) from Lalgam, males (34 and 60) from Chadoora. Out of the cases confirmed at CD hospital lab includes a 23-year-old soldier from BB Cant Srinagar and a policeman-45-year-old—from DPL Baramulla.
Meanwhile, officials said that 149 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals—39 from Jammu Division and 110 from Kashmir Division. As per officials, there are 2492 active positive cases—470 in Jammu and 2022 in Kashmir  while 3967 have recovered while 91 others have died.

New Delhi, June 25: India on Thursday recorded highest-ever single-day surge of 16,922 COVID-19 cases pushing country’s total tally to 4,73,105 whereas the death toll climbed to 14,894 with 418 new fatalities, according to the Union health ministry.

With this, India has registered over 14,000 cases for the sixth day in a row.

According to the ministry data updated at 8am, active cases stand at 1,86,514 while 2,71,696 people have recovered and one patient has migrated. “Thus, around 57.43 per cent patients have recovered so far,” an official said.

The number of confirmed cases included foreigners. Of the 418 new deaths, 208 were in Maharashtra, 64 in Delhi, 33 in Tamil Nadu, 25 in Gujarat, 14 in Karnataka, 11 in West Bengal, 10 each in Rajasthan and Haryana, nine in Madhya Pradesh, eight each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, five each in Andhra Pradesh,

Telangana and Uttarakh and Bihar, Goa and Jammu and Kashmir have reported one COVID-19 fatality each.

Kishtwar only district in UT where 100 per cent patients are travelers

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, June 25:  Even as the number of positive cases across Jammu and Kashmir crossed 6000-mark, only 33 per cent cases among the patients are travelers who were evacuated by the government from different States or countries, officials said.

Earlier, the percentage of travelers who were among the positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir was 45 per cent while it has witnessed a decline now and has reached to 33 per cent only.

As per data available, out of 6422 positive cases (till Thursday), the number of travelers who were tested positive is 2125, which is 33.08 per cent of the total positive cases.

In Kashmir, only 936 positive cases are travelers, which is 18.72 per cent of the total 4998 cases in the division.

Furthermore, in Jammu division, out of 1424 positive cases, 1189 are travelers, which constitute 83.50 per cent of total cases detected in the division.

Official figures available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, only 37 cases out of 632 are travelers, which is just 5.94 per cent while as out of 711 cases, 220 are travelers in Kulgam district, which is 31.92 per cent of total cases in the district.

In Srinagar out of 752 cases, 249 are travelers, which constitute 33.11 per cent of the total cases detected in the district so far while as 191 cases out of 482 are travelers in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, which is 39.62 per cent of the total cases.

In north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Bandipora, the 10 per cent and 11.42 per cent cases respectively are travelers, the data reveals, adding that 3.4 per cent patients in Shopian, 14.98 per cent in Budgam, 18.42 per cent in Ganderbal and 11.36 per cent cases in Pulwama districts are travelers.

Similarly, in Jammu district, the number of travelers among the positive cases is 74.52 per cent while 92.01 per cent cases in Ramban are travelers, 93.59 per cent cases in Kuthua district are travelers.

The data further revealed that 62.67 per cent cases in Udhampur, 92.42 per cent cases in Samba, 90.67 per cent cases in Poonch, 93.40 per cent cases in Rajouri, 86.11 per cent cases in Reasi are travelers.

According to the data, Kishtwar is the only district in Jammu and Kashmir where 100 per cent COVID cases are travelers. 25 people have so far been tested positive in Kishtwar district, it said, adding that all the cases are travelers. In Doda district, 84.50 per cent cases are travelers.

Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir government has evacuated 1 lakh 70 thousand residents of the Union Territory so far from different states, Union Territories and other countries. KNO

New Delhi, Jun 25: India on Thursday expressed apprehension that the temporary suspension ordered on entry of certain categories of non-immigrant visa holders till December-end by the U.S. would affect the movement of Indian skilled professionals who avail of these visa programmes to work lawfully in the U.S.

“We are assessing the impact of the order on Indian nationals and industry in consultation with stakeholders,’ Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a virtual media briefing.

“We have seen the Proclamation issued by President Trump on June 22 temporarily suspending entry of certain categories of non-immigrant visa-holders and their family members till December 31, 2020,’ he said.

The spokesperson said that people-to-people linkages and trade and economic cooperation, especially in technology and innovation sectors, are an important dimension of the U.S.-India partnership.

“High-skilled Indian professionals bring important skill sets, bridge technological gaps and impart a competitive edge to the US economy. They have also been a critical component of the workforce that is at the forefront of providing Covid-19 related assistance in key sectors, including health, information technology and financial services,’ the MEA spokesperson said.

He said the US has always welcomed talent and we hope our professionals will continue to be welcomed in USA in the future.

Srinagar, June 25: Almost four months after calling back its men including gazetted officers posted at the Srinagar Airport, the Jammu and Kashmir police have transferred 271 posts of various ranks from the Anti Hijacking Unit and one post of Superintendent of Police from Special Security Group (SSG) to strengthen its set up in south Kashmir.
In this regard, the Home department has accorded sanction to the establishment of the Office of Additional SP (Highway) with headquarters at Qazigund in Kulgam district. Also, the Office of SDPO at Pampore, Police District Awantipora, has been ordered to be established along with up-gradation of Police Post Behibagh to Police Station Behibagh in Kulgam besides regularization of various Police Units in District Anantnag including Police Post D.KPora, Police Post Sangam. Apart from it, the Home department has also ordered the creation of various Police Units including Police Posts at Hiller, Daksum, Hatipora, Nillow and Toll Plaza Chursoo.
The jurisdiction of the Police Units has also been delineated in the order, a copy of which lies with GNS. For example, the jurisdiction of Office of the ASP (Highway) shall include SDPO Qazigund, police stations of Qazigund, Qaimoh, Jawahar Tunnel and police post Mirbazaar.
Similarly, Police Station Behibagh will have jurisdiction in area of Behibagh, Hanjan, Chake Hanjan, Zeban, Palnoo, Hanger, Matipora, Kheejogipora, Shuganpora, Turigam, Parigam, Kutibrari, Sehpora Rampathri, Noonmai, Sampora, , Durpora, Kadder, Akipora and Daderkote.
It was in the last week of February when the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took over the security of Jammu and Srinagar airports from the J&K Police. The move followed the arrest of suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh in January this year. (GNS)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, June 25: Directing Anantnag administration to expedite the process to augment the judicial infrastructure for the convenience of litigants, lawyers, staff and general public, J&K High Court Judge, Justice Ali Mohammad Magray, on Thursday impressed upon judicial officers to work with enthusiasm and compassion.

Justice Magray said this while conducting inspection of district courts of Anantnag and took stock of various under-construction projects of the courts there.

Justice Magray directed district administration to expedite the process to augment the judicial infrastructure for the convenience of litigants, lawyers, staff and general public.

He also interacted with Principal District and Sessions Judge Anantnag, Parvaiz Hussain Kachroo and other judicial officers.

Justice Magray impressed upon all the judicial officers to work with enthusiasm, compassion and devotion to reach out to the litigants in the delivery of justice. He asked for strict adherence to SOPs of COVID- 19, disposal of maximum number of matters pending before various courts with special emphasis on disposal of old cases.

He highlighted that judicial service is a divine service and worship and everyone must make every effort to deliver this divine service to those who deserve protection at the hands of judiciary.

A meeting was also held with district administration and police officers of the district. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, K.K. Sidha; Senior Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Choudhry and Executive Engineer R&B Anantnag, Mohammed Ayoub apart from Judicial officers of the district.

The meeting discussed the execution of various projects of judicial buildings particularly construction of district court complex Anantnag at Sarnal.

Construction of Munsiff court complex as well as residential quarters of the judicial officers at Dooru, besides construction of vulnerable witness assistance room in all the courts, construction of Munsiff court complexes at Pahalgam and Shangus along with residential quarters for the judicial officers, construction of lock-ups and MALKHANA in all the courts of the district, repairs and renovation of residential quarters of Sub-Judge Bijbehara and overall repairs and renovation of all the existing buildings of all the courts of district Anantnag were also discussed.

Necessary instructions were given to the concerned for speedy completion of these projects.

During the course of inspection, Justice Magray visited offices of the respective courts to take stock of the existing condition where he also interacted with the staff of the courts and listened to the difficulties of the staff.

Justice Magray also inspected working of District Mobile Magistrate Traffic and impressed upon District Mobile Magistrate Traffic (Munsiff) Anantnag to conduct regular traffic checking to ensure that no violation of traffic laws takes place and drivers be informed about the consequences of their rash and negligent driving.

Members of the Bar Association Anantnag also met Justice Magrey and highlighted their problems.

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, June 24: A 48-year-old COVID-19 positive woman died at a hospital here on Wednesday, taking the number of the people dying due to the infection in J&K to 88, even as 186 more people tested positive for virus taking the toll of affected people across the Union Territory to 6422.

“The deceased woman, resident of Baghat Barzulla Srinagar, was a known case of CML (chronic myelogenous leukemia ) with bone marrow transplant with Fungal pneumonia,” Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS  told GNS.

“The woman died in Infectious Disease Block of the hospital at around 5.10 a.m. The cause of death was arrhythmia with cardiopulmonary arrest,” he added.

Hitherto, 88 people have succumbed to the virus in J&K—ten from Jammu and 78 from the Valley.

Srinagar district with 21 deaths has the highest fatalities followed by Baramulla 13, Kulgam (11), Shopian (10), Jammu (7), six each in Budgam and Anantnag, Kupwara (5), Pulwama (four) while one death each has been reported from Bandipora, Doda, Udhampur and Rajouri.

186 test positive in J&K

Meanwhile, at least 11 policemen, three CRPF and a BSF personnel were among 186 new coronavirus cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, taking the number of the covid-19 patients to 6422 in J&K.

Sources said that 37 cases were reported from Baramulla followed by Shopian (35), Srinagar (29), Kupwara (22), Pulwama (19), eight each in Anantnag and Rajouri, Jammu (7), Samba (4), three each in Ganderbal and Udhampur,   two each in Bandipora, Kathua, Poonch while one each were reported from  Budgam, Doda and Reasi.  Also, 176 patients recovered and were discharged from various hospitals, leaving the number of active positive cases at 2516—496 in Jammu and 2020 in Valley. So far 88 people have died while 3818 have recovered—918 in Jammu and 2900 in Kashmir.

Sources said that among the cases, at least 75 were confirmed at SKIMS Soura, 64 at CD and 19 at SKIMS Bemina.

Dr. G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Measures at SKIMS told GNS that out of 2665 samples processed at the viral diagnostic lab today, 75 returned positive for the virus.

Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, told GNS that 42 are from Shopian, 16 from Pulwama, eight from Anantnag, three each from Srinagar and CRPF Battalions (HMT), two from Bandipora and one from Ganderbal.

The CRPF cases include males (49, 51, 52) from 44 battalion CRPF HMT while Bandipora cases include male (38) from Onagam and female(40) Pazalpora  beside Ganderbal case is male (51) from Bamloora, a kargil returnee.

The Pulwama cases include females (28, 40) from Kachipora, male (90) from Draklaran, male(65) from Tral, female (55) Tahab, male (20) from Batmurran, male (29) from Chaidipora  and female (75) from Barthipora,  besides two men (28, 43) from DPL Pulwama and four men from DPL Awantipora.

The Shopian cases include male (37) from Chandpora, male (21) from Keller, male ( 42) from Chowan, male (45) from Zainapora, female (24) from Chitragam, males (12, 15, 22) from Reshipora, male (20) from Nowpora,  male (26) from Mohanpora, four from DPL Shopian (21, 23, 38, 39), female (30) Shamsipora, male (15) from Arahama, male (38) from Nowgam, female (25) Narapora, male (35) from Kralechek, male (32) from from Hermain, male (29) from Darapora, males(28, 30) from Alamgunj, three males ( 55,32, 30) and eight females (26, 55, 60, 20, 18,15, 42, 35,) from Kiloora, female (25) from Khojapora besides female (39) from Cheerammarg. The cases taken and confirmed from SKIMS include female (29) from Nowgam Srinagar, female (35) from Harwan, and male (40) from Sanatnagar Srinagar.  The cases from Anantnag include male (23) from Shangus, male (43) from Ranipora, (female (26) from Badasgam, male (33) from HDFC, male (45) from Charward, male (35) from Adlash, female (45) from Verinag and male (21) from Mirmidan

Dr Riyaz Untoo, Principal SKIMS Bemina, said that out of 580 samples processed at the hospital’s lab, 19 tested positive for COVID-19, all from Srinagar. They include male (12) from Mufti Bagh Harwan, male (73) from Harwan, five from Safakadal’s Zadi Masjid—four males (50, 25, 65,30) and female (38) besides male (30) from Safakadal, two females Saidaporaiddgah (22, 26), male (48) from Panthachowk, male  (32) from Habakadal,  male (64) from Bagi Mehtab, male (31) from Nowshera, female (30) from Daulatabad, female (37) and male (23) from  Batmaloo besides male (65) and female (60) from Lasjan.

The CD cases include a BSF soldier from 102 battalion Trehgam and male (31) DPL Ganderbal.

Pulwama, June 24: Authorities have sealed Rohmu village ins South Kashmir’s Pulwama district asking people to keep the market and other business units shut for at least ten days.

Over 23 Coronavirus cases have emerged in Rohmu village. An elderly person has already died due to Covid-19 infection in the said village.

Sources told KNT that a team led by Tehsildar Rajpora Raqib Ahmed visited the village and seized three shops and 2 band saw mills for violating lockdown norms.

On the directions of district administration, even banks and Khadmat Centres have also been shut in the village. Tehsildar Raqib Ahmed said that strict action will be initiated against the violators.

“The village has already witnessed 23 Covid-19 cases and if we don’t take precautionary measures, the pandemic will spread. We have shut Rohmu village for at least 10 days and people have been directed to stay indoors,” he said.

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, June 24: At a time when all the family members were put under administrative quarantine, burglars, taking advantage of the situation, looted valuables from a residential house in Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Sources said that unidentified burglars barged into the house of one Zahoor Ahmad from Khanqah Bagh Pampore and decamped with all the valuable items.

Zahoor Ahmad while talking to KNO over phone that his family was put under administrative quarantine after his brother, a chemist by profession was tested positive for Covid-19.

He said that they pleaded to the authorities to allow them to be in home quarantine but they refused. “When they refused to put us under home quarantine we requested them to take care of our property.”

“Next day one of our relatives visited the house and he found all the valuable items including cash and gold ornaments missing,” he said, adding that it was the failure of the administration which led to this incident.

He said that with rising cases, more families are being put under quarantine, but authorities must either allow contacts to be in home quarantine or take care of their properties.

When contacted, station house officer, police station Pampore, Manzoor Ahmad said that the family or their relatives have not lodged any written complaint so far regarding the incident.

“Once they will file a written complaint, we will initiate investigation,” he said.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, June 24: Jammu and Kashmir Government today issued guidelines for de-notification of Red/Containment Zones.

Chief Secretary, B.V.R.Subrahmanyam, in exercise of powers conferred upon him, in capacity as Chairperson of State Executive Committee, under Section 24 of the Disaster management Act, 2005, issued the guidelines to be followed for de-notifying an existing “Red/Containment Zone” by the Deputy Commissioner concerned.

Pertinently, the State Executive Committee vide its Order No. 38-JK (DMRRR) of 2020 dated 14.04.2020, had notified a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)to be followed in the “Red/Containment Zones” by the concerned authorities of the Government.

The guidelines provides that all districts need to follow a uniform approach for de-notification of  Containment Zones/Red Zones in order to ensure effective control of the COVID-19 infection both in these zones and in the neighborhood.

The guidelines have set criteria to be fulfilled for de-notification of containment zones/ red zones.

It requires, Intensive Testing: Prior to de-notification, sampling and testing using RTPCR testing should be undertaken and completed for the particular groups between the 14th to 21st day from the date of notification of the Zone, the guidelines stated.

The testing needs to be done of “All vulnerable persons  including those with co morbidities, pregnant women, those above 50 years of age, those with ILI/ SARI symptoms. Swasthya Nidhi will be used for identification of vulnerable persons.

There would be ‘Active Surveillance’ with at least three door to door visits for ILI (Influenza like Illness) and SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness) cases in the notified Red zone, ideally once every week. Swasthya Nidhi will be used for surveillance, while “All service providers residing in and health care workers attending to people in the Containment Zone/Red Zone and at least 50% of the remaining residents of the Red Zone are to be tested.

The guidelines also underline the Role of Epidemiological investigation.

“Epidemiological investigation by RRT teams should confirm the source of infection or identify the index cases in the notified Red Zone area and this should rule out any other hidden transmission in the said zone as well as probability of any missing case/ Contacts.

There should be no confirmed COVID positive case in the Containment Zone/ Red Zone, other than that of a traveler, who is in quarantine from his date of arrival in the zone, for 21 days after the notification of the Containment Zone/ Red Zone.

The guidelines also provide for Partial De-notification. On fulfillment of the above two criteria, the Containment Zone/Red Zone can be partially de-notified on the 22nd day.

There shall be follow up Random Sampling; Random samples of 10% of the residents shall again be done from the 25th to 30th day.

Full De-notification would be done ‘If there are no more confirmed COVID positive cases.  This would mean that the Zone has had no positive case for 30 days.

The guidelines also provided for ‘Re-notification of Containment Zones/ Red Zones’.  If a positive case is again reported from the Containment Zone/ Red Zone during the random sampling phase or earlier, It shall again be re-notified once again as a Containment Zone/ Red Zone and the SOP for these zones will be implemented again in toto.

The partial de-notification and full de-notification can be done only after there is a clear gap of 21 days and 30 days respectively from the last positive case detected in the Zone.