Whoever, violates order will be treated as accused: Dr Shahid
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 29: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary on Wednesday said that wearing face masks from May 1st is mandatory for residents of Srinagar and whosoever will violate the order will be booked under Disaster Management Act.

Talking to a local news agency KNS Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary said, “We have passed an order today in which it has been made mandatory in Srinagar to wear face masks from May 1st to keep CIVID-19 virus away. Those who will disobey the orders will be treated as accused under Disaster Management Act.”

He said the district authorities have procured 15 lakh face masks from several self-help groups which will be distributed among each and every family.

“So far 8 lakh have been received and further 7 lakh will be received in coming days. These will be distributed among people of Srinagar,” he said, adding that “each family in Srinagar will be given 5 masks.”
He appealed people to make mask wearing successful and follow each and every guidelines of administration in letter and spirit.
However, he maintained that the cooperation during current situation from people of the district was praiseworthy.

The DC said that they are regularly monitoring situation in “Red Zone” areas where entry and exit points have been completely sealed and whenever any violation comes into our notice, we are not shying away from taking action.

“Today administration took legal action in Parimpora Fruit Mandi where people breached social distancing and violated lockdown orders. Last night we also took a strong notice of congregational prayers being offered in the district,” the  DC said.

He said there is a need to maintain balance in maintaining restrictions and ensuring emergency services to function. He added a 15000 policemen have been deployed on the ground to execute lockdown orders. (KNS)

United News of India
New Delhi, Apr 29: The threat of COVID-19 is on a rise at the Asia’s biggest Vegetable and Fruit Market , as a total of eleven traders associated with this market have been tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the North District’s official the work of tracing those who have come in contact with these eleven traders has already begun.

However, those found COVID positive are not associated directly to this wholesale market , but, those who had come in contact are being traced as a precautionary measure.

According to the wholesale market sources, after the reports came in about these cases, the process of sealing some of the shops was underway, while those who had come in contact with these traders are being traced and quarantined accordingly.

Being the biggest fruits and vegetable market in Asia, thousands of traders visit here for business on a daily basis , and in the meanwhile some days ago there were incidents of lock down violation also reported form here.

Washington: US President Donald Trump doubled down on China for failing to tame the coronavirus at its very origin, saying it has led to 184 countries “going through hell”, as several American lawmakers demanded steps to reduce dependence on Beijing for manufacturing and minerals.

Trump has been publicly blaming China for the global spread of the “invisible enemy” and launched an investigation against it. He has also indicated that the US may be looking at “a lot more money” in damages from China than the USD 140 billion being sought by Germany from Beijing for the pandemic.

Leaders of the US, the UK and Germany believe that the deaths and the destruction of the global economy could have been avoided, had China shared the information about the virus in its early phases.

“It’s in 184 countries, as you hear me say often. It’s hard to believe. It’s inconceivable,” Trump told reporters at White House Tuesday.

On Monday U.S. President Donald Trump blamed China again for the spread of the coronavirus and said his administration is doing “serious investigations” into what happened there.

“It should have been stopped at the source, which was China. It should have been stopped very much at the source, but it wasn’t. And now we have 184 countries going through hell.”

The virus, which originated in China’s Wuhan city in mid-November, has killed more than two lakh people and infected over three million globally. The largest number of them are in the US: nearly 59,000 deaths and over one million infections.

Asks NGOs VOs to come forward for helping needy  

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 29:  The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir today said that administration is ready to meet any exigency which arises due to current COVID-19 pandemic.
While addressing a press conference at DIPR Auditorium, he said that SKIMS Soura is the AIIMS of the Valley and is tackling the novel challenges of the   Novel Corona virus. He said that the Institution is playing main role in fighting the pandemic and has treated 150 COVID-19 patients and is conducting 700 to 800 Civid-19 tests daily. The Health Services department is working hard to meet the requirement of N-95 masks and personal protection kits.”
“In Srinagar district pregnant women have to reach JLNM Rainawari for COVID-19 sampling. If result comes negative, then she will be admitted at LD hospital and if the test is positive then such patient has to stay at JLNM hospital for treatment and doctors will take all precautionary measures on case to case basis.

In other districts, same procedure will follow for positive cases to be admitted in COVID-19 hospitals and negative cases at non-Covid health institutions. For Red Zones, birth plan of all pregnant women had already been made by concerned ASHA workers in the valley. Samples will be taken from pregnant women for COVID-19 testing on priority and on case to case basis besides concerned ASHA workers will watch the ladies closely,” he added.

Pole assured the journalists that the COVID-19 has not spread in community and the authorities are working dedicatedly on contact tracing, sampling and treatment round the clock.

Besides talk shows are being conducted to ease the mental stress, regarding physical fitness and  home remedies to boost immunity and other health advisories for people because 95% population are staying at their homes, he added.

He said that agriculture activities have already started In rural areas across the valley. Daily 30 to 40 trucks transport apples from cold stores to the outside mandis and till date 12000 metric tonnes have been imported. MGNREGA, PHE, I&FC, Power sector works have also started as per Advisory.

For stranded persons of Valley, Pole said that government is working on this issue and proper action will be taken after the issuance of central guidelines.

On the occasion, Director SKIMS informed that institution has conducted 730 COVID-19 tests today, out of which six came positive. Till today 8131 tests have been conducted in which 7072 tested negative and 320 positive, which speaks the volume of tests being conducted in SKIMS. The Institute is the first in the whole J&K UT to start COVID-19 testing.

Principal, GMC, Prof Samia Rashid, informed that 5500 patients were treated in LD, OPD with adequate number of tests while 1000 patients per day visited SMHS, OPD for treatment. CD hospital is dedicated for COVID-19 cases with 120 bed capacity and high end ventilators. Regular 70 to 80 patients visited the super specialty hospital for chemo therapy and other treatments.

Director Health Services, Dr Sameer Mattoo also informed the media regarding preparedness and arrangements in place for the COVID-19 patients.

OSD NHM Owais Ahmad, VC SDA & OSD Vikas Kundal, Nodal Officer Dr Waseem Qureshi, Joint Director Information, Haaris Ahmad Handoo and other concerned officials were present in the Press Conference.
Asks NGOs VOs to come forward for helping needy

Meanwhile, in view of current situation of COVID-19 pandemic, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today made fervent appeal to the NGOs and voluntary organizations active in Kashmir division to come forward to help the needy by augmenting the measures taken by the government in this regard.

He also framed Divisional Level Cell (DLC), headed by a senior KAS officer, for uniformity, better coordination between the NGOs, voluntary organizations and the administration both at the district as well as the divisional level for efficient delivery of relief work in current situation of pandemic unleashed by the COVID-19. Daily monitoring of activities are also being undertaken at the divisional level.

According to latest data provided by Kashmir Division NGO Coordination Cell, at present 97 NGOs are working in Kashmir division in active collaboration with divisional administration.

These NGOs and Voluntary Organizations in collaboration with administrative authorities have distributed more than 7300 food kits to the needy families, 14400 masks and 1670 PPE kits across the valley. Besides, some NGOs have carried out extensive fumigation in various areas and a number of logistic items needed to combat the COVID 19 have also been donated, which is helping the government machinery in managing the deadly disease, besides carrying out awareness programmes.

Some of the NGOs actively working in collaboration with divisional and district administration are Syed us Sadat Foundation, Anantnag, Chinar International Foundation, Srinagar, Babul  Uloom  Educational Society, Srinagar, Rehmat-lil-Aalameen Society, Shopian, Spring Buds Educational Trust, Budgam, Ramzana Educational Charitable Society Pulwama, Human Aid Society, Baramulla and  Hope Disability Centre, Ganderbal, have made significant contributions.

Syed us Saadat Foundation, Anantnag has transferred Rs. 16,50,000 to 670 needy families as on 20 April, 2020 besides, undertaking installation of additional tap points in district hospital for hand wash purposes and repair of water filtration plant in the district hospital.

Rehmat lil Aalameen Society, Shopian has been providing meals at quarantine centers since day one and has provided ration kits to more than 350 families besides providing one ambulance, 18 oxygen concentrators, one CTG machine and six wheel chairs.

Spring Buds Educational Trust, Budgam has distributed more than 1300 food kits among needy families.

Chinar International Foundation, Srinagar has distributed more than 650 food kits to needy families, besides providing personal hygiene items.

Babul Uloom Educational Society has provided more than 200 complete food kits to needy families in the Srinagar vicinity.

HopeDisability Centre, Ganderbal has provided 450 food kits to needy families in addition to masks, PPE kits and sanitizers.

Human Aid Society, Baramulla has been generating public awareness from 24 March, 2020 besides providing food kits to 80 needy families and 2000 masks.

Ramazan Educational Charitable Society, Pulwama has provided 1000 surgical masks and more than 300 food kits to needy families besides, distributing masks and sanitizers.

The NGO’s and Voluntary Organizations have been requested to contact the Kashmir Division NGO Coordination Cell on mobile number 9419024133 and 7006414736, in case they face any difficulties in carrying out their operations.

Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar, Apr 29: The Government of India Wednesday ordered to all the States and Union Territories to facilitate inter-state movement of stranded people including migrant labourers, students and other workers. However, it claimed that all the persons will be medically screened at source and destination who would later be kept under home quarantine as per the guidelines.

An order available with KNO issued by the Ministry Of Home Affairs (MHA), stated that the transportation of asymptomatic people stranded in parts of country will be allowed and all the persons will have to be examined by local medical authority.

As per official figures over  twenty five  thousand people including, labourers, students, pilgrims and others from union territory of Jammu and Kashmir who made despite appeals to government in recent days  are stranded in parts of India due to lockdown issued in wake of the pandemic coronavirus throughout the nation to contain the spread of deadly virus.

Pertinently, due to lockdown migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons are stranded at different places. They would be allowed as per the MHA advisory.

According to the order issued by MHA it has asked all the states and union territories to designate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving and sending such stranded persons. The nodal officer shall also register the stranded with their state/UTs.

The order says in case a group of stranded person wish to move between one state/UT to other state/UT, the sending and receiving states may consult each other and mutually agree to movement by road. The moving persons would be screened and found asymptomatic would be allowed to move. (KNO)

United News of India

Dhaka, Apr 29: Leading by example, a Muslim ward councilor of Narayanganj City Corporation near Dhaka, arranged the funeral of a Hindu businessman, who reportedly died of COVID-19.

The incident proved that communal harmony still prevails in the country, which is being led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sources said the deceased’s wife and two daughters tried to rush him to a hospital sensing his worsening health condition, but he succumbed to the deadly disease on the staircase of their house in Narayanganj

city corporation area on April 27.

On learning about it, Maksudul Alam Khondoker( Khorshed), councilor of No. 13 ward, along with his volunteers, rushed to the spot where he found the Hindu family in a helpless condition.

As the deceased’s friends, who reside in the same building, and relatives refused to lend a helping hand, the deceased’s wife then fervently requested the councilor to take necessary steps in this regard.

The body was taken to central crematory centre of Narayanganj City Corporation where the funeral ceremony was held with the assistance of a Hindu priest.

The councilor did not stop here but went ahead and lit the funeral pyre also.

So far, Khondoker has arranged funeral of six Hindu s who died of corona in Narayanganj, an adjacent district near the capital, since the outbreak of the pandemic in March.

In a reaction, the ward councilor said he feels proud of serving human being irrespective of caste and creed during the pandemic.

Local people said the councilor’s service created a rare example of humanity by rising over parochialism, which has vitiated the communal harmony in the South Asia.

2 centers of invention, innovation to come up in Baramulla, Jammu polytechnic colleges  

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, Apr 29: The Government of Jammu & Kashmir and Tata Technologies Ltd today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up two Centres for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIITs) in Jammu and Kashmir; one each at Government Polytechnic Colleges at Jammu and Baramulla.

The MOU was signed through video conferencing in the presence of Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu, by Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Government, Technical Education Department on behalf of Government of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Anand Bhade, President Tata Technologies Ltd.

Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor was also present on the occasion, besides Sushil Kumar of Tata Technologies attended through video conferencing.

The Lt Governor termed it as a historic opportunity to convert these two Polytechnic Colleges at Baramulla and Jammu as premier skill development institutions with an aim of 100% placement after training in various courses. He further directed that the project be completed in time so that first batch starts training in the institute by July end. He said that a fine example of industry-academia partnership, it would serve as a model, to be replicated elsewhere. “The industry linkage aspect of the outcome-based project will offer immense employment potential to the trained technocrats coming out of these centres of excellence”, he maintained.

The Lt Governor also emphasized the need to utilize this opportunity to build the capacity of faculty members and staff of Polytechnic Colleges, as Tata Technologies will train the students at CIIIT for 03 years through ‘Train the Trainers program’. The capacity building will also help converting other Polytechnic Colleges into premier skilled development institutions in next few years, he added.

The centers shall be established at a cost of approximately Rs. 360.00 crores, out of which Rs 300 crores will be contributed by Tata Technologies.

Partnership between the Tata Technologies and each individual Government Polytechnic College (both Jammu and Baramulla) will enable efficient, effective, integrated and sustainable service delivery in the implementation of the CIIIT. The Project is aimed at bringing qualitative improvements in the field of technical education and to create a learning environment for training manpower to cater to the industry requirements in J&K and outside. The centers are expected to create a ready pool of skilled manpower like engineers, technicians etc. which besides augmenting the industrial growth shall help in generating avenues of self employment. The centers shall also provide workshop facilities to the nearby Colleges and MSME’s.

The centers, the first of their kind to be set up in the Union Territory, shall also help in improving the academic and training curriculum in the already established technical institutes in J&K, by studying the courses in light of the requirements of the job markets, within and outside J&K, besides helping innovators to develop new products and promoting technology start-ups. Initially, 18 major courses and several short-term courses will be introduced with intake capacity of roughly 1825 students in each of the CIIITs.

The Government will provide the built-up, ready-to-use space for setting up of the CIIITs and the Tata Technologies will provide and arrange industrial hardware, commercial technology tools, equipment and machinery for running the technology solutions in the centers. Tata Technologies shall also look after the maintenance of the machinery and tools, besides offering all possible assistance for placement of the trained candidates.

Elaborating further, Principal Secretary to Government Technical Education Department, Navin K Choudhary explained that this is a serious attempt by the Department to reorient its focus on promoting skill development to make our youth employable rather than merely acquiring degrees and diplomas. He further informed that in coming days, a series of reforms in the department will be carried out to completely revamp its focus and functioning.

Residential house gutted, area being sanitized

Jahangeer Ganaie

Shopian, Apr 29: Three militants were killed while as three security forces personnel were injured in an encounter at Melhoora village of Zainapora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, police said on Wednesday.

Witnesses told KNO that a residential house where militants were hiding was completely damaged in the gunfight while as another one suffered partial damage.

The Mehloora gunfight started on Tuesday evening. Three bodies of militants have been recovered. A woman  also sustained injuries.
Pertinently, four militants of AGH were killed in an encounter with the forces in the same  village last week.

A police spokesman in a statement said that based on a credible input about the presence of militants in Melhoora area of Shopian, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by Shopian Police, 55RR and 178Bn CRPF in the area. “During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the spokesman said. “In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed.”

He said that the identification of killed militants is being ascertained. The medico legal formalities of the killed militants are being done, the police spokesman added.

“In the encounter, three security force personnel also sustained injuries and were evacuated to hospital for medical treatment,” the spokesman said.
He said that incriminating material including arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site of encounter. Police have registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter.

Meanwhile, security forces are sanitizing the area and have appealed the people not to go closer to the encounter spot till the site is properly sanitized. (KNO)

EX-SPO shot at, injured in Handwara

 Srinagar, Apr 29: Three SSB personnel and a policeman were injured on Wednesday evening in a grenade attack in Nowhatta here.

Officials told a news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that suspected militants hurled a grenade towards police personnel at Nowhatta this evening, resulting in injuries to three SSB men and a cop. “The attack took place near the main gate of historic Jamia Masjid,” the officials adde.

The injured cop has been identified as constable Abdul Majed while the three SSB men were identified as Sub-Inspector Anurag Roa, head constable Sananta Kumar and constable Dugesh.

Officials said that all the injured have sustained in their legs and are undergoing treatment at Police Control Room (PCR) hospital.

Ex-SPO at, injured in Handwara

Meanwhile, gunmen shot at and injured a former Special Police Officer (SPO) at Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday.

After seeing her son in a pool of blood, the mother of the wounded SPO fell unconscious and she too was referred to hospital for treatment.

The officials told KNO that gunmen barged into the house of Habibullah Biegh and fired at his son Ali Muhammad Beigh leaving him critically injured.

They said the injured was immediately rushed to nearby medical facility for treatment with the help of locals and police, where his condition is stated to be critical.

Meanwhile, police and other security forces have launched a massive manhunt to nab the attackers. (KNO)

Srinagar, Apr 29: The government has informed the High Court that 223 persons were released from different prisons of Jammu & Kashmir from April 1 to 22.

According to report submitted by DG Prisons V.K. Singh, 223 prisoners have been released from jails of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Mr V. K. Singh has informed this court that between 1st April 2020 to 22nd April 2020, the High Powered Committee has released a total of 92 under trial prisoners; 11 persons who had been arrested under Sections 107, 109, 151 CrPC; 24 prisoners have been released on parole and 96 more prisoners have been released,” the order states.

The Court has been informed that 15 prisoners are lodged in District Jail, Karnal and 2 in District Jail, Jhajjar. “Additionally, the report received from Director General of Prisons, Haryana regarding prisoners from Jammu and Kashmir who are lodged in Haryana has been placed before us. We are informed that 15 prisoners are lodged in District Jail, Karnal and 2 in District Jail, Jhajjar. Mr. Singh has informed that all detenues of Jammu and Kashmir lodged in Haryana are being screened by medical team twice a day; that the health status of all these detenues is thus monitored daily and they have been found normal till 21st April 2020,” it further states.
The Court was informed that there are prisoners of J&K in six jails in UP .

After perusing the reports by jail authorities, the Court observed that “it would appear that the jail authorities are conscious of the responsibility regarding the health and safety of the residents of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh who are lodged in prisons in other parts of India”.

“The DG Prisons shall continue to monitor their well -being and ensure that the health and safety is not compromised in any manner,” the court directed.KNO