Srinagar, June 16: National Conference on Tuesday expelled four corporators from the party after they supported BJP-backed no- confidence motion against Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Mayor Junaid Azam Mattu.

“NC had announced and directed its corporators to abstain from participating in No Confidence Motion in SMC. The four corporators out of 11 who voted in this vote of no confidence are hereby expelled from the party. They are GN Sofi, Neelofar, Danish Bhat and Majid,” the party tweeted.

The move comes after party faced criticism for “allying” with BJP during the  no- confidence motion against Mattu—(KNO)

‘Didn’t expect such behavior from Imran, who calls himself gentleman’  

Srinagar, June 16: Before and after ‘No Confidence Motion’ former Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran gave vent to his what one can call ‘anger or frustration’ through his series of tweets. He called the outgoing Mayor and others by names that didn’t go down well with majority of the netizens and even employees of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
“I was not expecting such language from this man (Sheikh Imran) who calls himself gentleman. Rivalry is part of human life but to use degraded language that too on social media accessed by everyone is not a good thing,” a senior official from Srinagar Municipal Corporation told KNT adding that he has no personal animosity or grudge either with Junaid Matuu or Sheikh Imran.
When Junaid Matuu accepted defeat and failed to prove his majority, Sheikh Imran sarcastically tweeted: “Anarkali disco chali.” He addressed the outgoing Mayor as ‘Anarkali.

In a late night series of tweets, Sheikh Imran claimed that a grey Santro car (JK01S-6483) was following him in which according to him ‘drugged’ brother of #tumulchor Corporator and close air (aide) of Anarkali Mayor was driving along with 3 gonads (goons) with an intention to hurt him. “I have lodged the complaint with the Burzulla police station.”

“Police should probe as we need to know on whose instructions were they doing it?  Probe & action should be done as they tried to stop me at the flyover but my driver managed to escape finally rushed & stopped at the Naka.”

He further tweeted that the the Santro was also escorted by black Scorpio of Waseem Mir who is another broker of Anarkali Mayor.  “They should be arrested & put behind bars. These goons were also boasting that they are being backed by Anarkali cabbage mayor they should be arrested & investigated,” Sheikh Imran gave vent to his anger through these tweets when one of his supporters claimed that Mayor is desperate to ‘bribe’ the Corporators and is busy in a bargain with a person in a hotel.
He claimed that Mayor is along with Irfan Naqib distributing money among Corporators to win their support.
“Why is Irfana (Irfan Naqib) at hotel le meridian with Anarkali & corporators. Daal kaali hai (something is fishy) aur paisa bhi (Money too involved) Kya Majra hai (what is the matter),  looting Srinagar together,” Sheikh Imran claimed.
He also targeted two senior officers of Srinagar Municipal Corporation Sofi Akbar and Mehraj Buja claiming they are accompanying the Mayor.  “What are your doing Akbara (Akbar Sofi) & Buja (Ward Officer Lal Chowk) with Anarkali (Mayor) at this time…”
Both these SMC officers told KNT that they were sleeping and were not with the outgoing Mayor. “I swear, I don’t know anything about the matter. I was at my home during late hours,” Mehraj Buja said.
Similar reaction came from SMC officer Sofi Akbar who said that Sheikh Imran seems to be ill informed.
Pertinently, 41 Coporators including former Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran supported the ‘No Confidence Motion’ today against Juanid Azam Matuu. The supporters of Matuu had alleged that Sheikh Imran had kept the Corporators at his private hotel. (KNT)

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, June 16: Former Deputy Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation Sheikh Imran on Tuesday stirred a controversy after pictures of him with his supporters violating Covid-19 guidelines went viral on social media.

The photographs and videos showed Imran and his supporters gathered outside Banquet hall Srinagar where a special session was held to decide the No Confidence Motion against Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu.

Soon after coming out from the session hall, Imran along with other councilors and supporters were seen violating social distancing norms. In videos and photos, they can be clearly seen putting arms at each other’s shoulders.

Most of them had put masks on their chin but without covering their nose and mouth.

While talking to media persons, they again violated social COVID19 guidelines.

The move came under severe criticism by netizens, with social media users asking: “Will authorities book them under relevant sections of law,” a netizen Kursheed Ahmad posted on FB. (KINS.)

Bhat Imran

Srinagar, June 16: Amid Coronavirus crisis, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has yet again extended the last date for submission of various online application entrance forms till June-30.

Earlier, the last date for submission of online forms was June-15.

According to the NTA order, a copy of which is in possession with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the extension was made in view of the hardships faced by the various aspirants.

“In view of many requests and representations received from students and the hardships faced by them due to COVID-19 epidemic, the NTA has further extended the last dates of submission of online application forms for various examinations to be conducted by the Agency,” NTA Director General Vineet Joshi said in an order.

The entrance test application forms include Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Ph.D. and OPENMAT (MBA) Entrance Examination-2020, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) AIEEA 2020, Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE)-2020, University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) June 2020, Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination (CSIR- UGC NET) June 2020 and All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET)-2020.

“Submission of online application forms shall be accepted up to 05.00 PM and submission of fee up to 11.50 PM. The requisite fee can be paid through credit or debit card, net banking, UPI and PAYTM,” NTA said.

“The detailed schedule mentioning revised dates of downloading of admit cards and of examination will be displayed separately on respective examination websites,” Joshi also said. He said that the NTA would keep students updated about the latest developments and would inform them about changes with ample time.

NTA advised the candidates and their parents to visit the respective examination websites for latest updates—(KNO)

Rescue operation launched to retrieve bodies

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, June 16: The mother-daughter duo on Tuesday drowned in River Jhelum in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Locals told KNO that Saleema Banoo, wife of Ghulam Hassan Dar and her Nighat daughter drowned in river Jhelum at Marhama village, adding that the rescue operation was launched to retrieve bodies soon after the incident took place.

An official said that Saleema was washing clothes and her 12-year-old daughter was taking bath in river Jhelum, adding that the 12-year-old girl drowned while taking bath.

They said the mother tried to rescue her daughter but she drowned too, adding that locals tried to save them but couldn’t find them.

He further added that SDRF team has reached to the spot and efforts are on to trace the duo.

179 more people test positive, tally reaches 5220; 2604 recover

Nadeem Nadu/Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, June 15: Kashmir reported three more COVID-19 deaths on Monday, taking the fatality count due to the virus in J&K to 62.

The latest victims include an 18-year-old youth from Handwara, the youngest person to die of the virus in J&K so far, besides two elderly persons—an 80-year-old resident of Shopian and a 70-year-old man from Budgam district whose swab sample returned positive for the covid-19 posthumously. While two deaths took place at SMHS hospital, another was reported from CD hospital.
“The (septuagenarian) patient with sepsis and bilateral pneumonia was admitted on June 14 and died on the same day. His swab sample returned positive for the covid-19 today,” Dr Nazir Choudhary, Medical Superintendent SMHS hospital, told GNS.
Earlier, an 18-year-old covid-19 patient from Handwara area in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district died at the hospital. The teenager was admitted to the hospital as a “medico-legal case” with a serious head injury and died at 3 a.m., Dr Choudhary said.

“He was admitted on June 12 as a medico-legal case. His swab sample (for the novel coronavirus) was taken next day. He had serious head injuries besides bilateral pneumonia,” Dr Choudhary said, adding, “later his sample returned positive for the virus.”

A lawyer told the news agency that a medico-legal case involves injury or illness that is under investigation by law enforcement agencies to establish and fix the criminal responsibility according to the law.

The teenager is the youngest to die of the COVID-19. Till his death, the youngest victim was a 27-year-old resident from Lolab area of the north Kashmir district who succumbed to the pathogen 13 days ago at the same hospital.

Late on Monday, an 80-year-old man from Sedav Shopian with underlying diseases died at CD Hospital, two days after he was admitted there.

“He was diabetic besides had pneumonia and COPD. He died today,” Dr Salim  Tak, medical superintendent CD hospital told GNS.

So far, 63 people have succumbed to the virus in J&K—Seven from Jammu and 55 from Kashmir.  Srinagar district with 15 deaths has the highest fatalities followed by Baramulla 11, Kulgam eight, Anantnag and Shopian six each, five in Kupwara, four in Jammu, three in Budgam, two in Pulwama while one death each has been reported from Bandipora, Doda, Udhampur and Rajouri

JK reports 179 new positive cases, 2604 recovered so far

Meanwhile, the Government informed that 179 fresh cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19), 28 from Jammu division and 151 from Kashmir division, were reported on Monday, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 5220.

Moreover, 215 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 17 from Jammu Division and 198 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 5220 positive cases, 2554 are Active Positive, 2604 have recovered and 62 have died; 07 in Jammu division and 55 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 271416 test results available, 266196 samples have been tested as negative till June 15, 2020.

Additionally, till date 237765 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 40769 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 32 in Hospital Quarantine, 2554 in hospital isolation and 49103 under home surveillance. Besides, 145245 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 242 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 47 Active Positive, 194 recovered (including 20 cases recovered today), 01 death; Srinagar has 539 positive cases (including 15 cases reported today) with 367 Active Positive, 158 recovered, 14 deaths; Anantnag district has 569 positive cases (including 79 cases reported today), with 179 Active Positive, 385 recovered (including 09 cases recovered today),  05 deaths; Baramulla has 521 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 287 Active Positive, 223 recovered (including 57 cases recovered today), 11 deaths; Shopian has 557 positive cases (including 19 cases reported today) with 248 Active Positive, 304 recovered (including 10 cases recovered today) and 05 deaths; Kupwara has 407 positive cases (including 10 cases reported today) with 114 Active Positive, 288 recovered (including 01 case recovered today) and 05 deaths; Budgam has 245 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today), with 129 Active Positive and 112 recovered cases and 04 deaths; Ganderbal has 63 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 09 active positive cases and 54 recoveries (including 14 cases recovered today); Kulgam has 634 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today), with 228 Active Positive and  398 recoveries (including 60 cases recovered today) and 08 deaths and Pulwama reported 252 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 190 active positive cases and 60 recovered (including 27 cases recovered today) and 02 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 279 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 136 active positive cases and 139 recoveries (including 02 cases recovered today) and 04 deaths; Udhampur has 165 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 125 active positive cases, 39 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 105 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 75 Active Positive and 30 recoveries (including 01 case recovered today); Rajouri has 66 positive cases with 53 active positive cases and 12 recovered and 01 death; Kathua has 160 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 84 Active positive and 76 recovered (including 05 cases recovered today); Kishtwar has 23 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 16 active positive cases and 07 recovered (including 03 cases recovered today); Ramban has 199 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 142 active positive and 57 recoveries (including 02 cases recovered today); Reasi has 27 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 16 active positive and 11 recovered, Poonch has 104 positive cases with 71 active positive and 33 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today) while Doda has 63 positive cases with 38 active positive cases and 24 recoveries (including 01 case recovered today) and 01 death.

According to the bulletin, of the total 5220 positive cases in J&K 1806 have been reported as travelers while 3414 as others.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

The bulletin has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metre from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.

The bulletin again explained that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.

Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap and water.”

In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free number 102.

People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.

People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

Srinagar, June 15: The Chief Animal Husbandry Officer (CAHO), who was designated as Nodal Officer (NO) of a COVID care center in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, has been suspended for dereliction of duties, an official spokesperson said on Monday evening.

He said the district administration suspended Pulwama CAHO M Hussain Wani for dereliction of duties and mismanagement of a COVID care centre, situated in the district headquarters.

Mr Wani, designated as Nodal Officer of the facility, who was previously also issued warnings for laxity on his part, was found absent from the district Headquarters on Sunday, during an informed visit of the District Magistrate.

‘Can’t rely on one day figure, adequate preparations made, ready to tackle any situation, appeals people to follow SOPs in letter & spirit’

Owais Gul

Srinagar, June 15: The number of positive cases for deadly Coronavirus may possibly go up after the re-opening of markets across the Srinagar district, divisional administration said on Monday.

Talking to KNO Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole said that the positive cases of COVID would possibly witness a surge after the people have come out to resume their business activities. “Definitely, when movement started increasing, the cases would witness increase. There is a need to be ready to tackle the situation,” he said.
He added that the administration has already geared up to tackle any such situation if it arises after the re-opening of markets. “The number of COVID cases on each passing day fluctuated so far. We cannot say anything in one day’s cases only. Although the situation is so far under control. We have made adequate preparations and are ready to tackle the situation that would likely arise after the re-opening of markets,” he said.
Pole further appealed people , especially traders to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in letter and spirit. “The people must follow the advisories and other SOPs in letter and spirit,” he said.

The markets across Srinagar district re-opened last Saturday after the district administration announced unlocking of a three-month-long lockdown in wake of the Coronavirus outbreak in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has so far recorded 62 deaths due to COVID-19 including 55 from Kashmir and seven in  Jammu division while over 5000 people have so far tested positive across J&K and over 2000 among them have been cured and discharged from different hospitals in the UT.

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, June 15: Once declared COVID free, there has now been a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the Union Territory Ladakh.

In May, the Ladakh was declared COVID free after all the infected people recovered from this deadly disease.

However, the coronavirus scare has again started haunting people of Ladakh as over 550 people have been infected by this deadly disease so far.

“In the last three days, over 410 positive cases have been recorded in Ladakh,” an official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

Ladakh has a population of over three lakhs. Among 550 cases reported so far, over 425 have been reported in Kargil district while rest in Leh district.

The first person who was declared as positive was a 68-year-old-man from Chuchot village, around 20 km from Leh. He had returned from Iran on February 26 and showed symptoms of coronavirus. He was taken to the hospital on February 28 and a few days after he was reported tested positive. On March 11, his 28-year-old son was also tested positive.

Meanwhile, health experts have advised people that the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metre from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.

They said early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put the life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice,” a government advisory reads.

Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water.”(KINS)