Nadeem Khawaja Uri

Baramulla Apr 20: A six year old tested positive for COVID-19 in frontier town of Uri in north Kashmir on Monday, local news agency KNS reported.

Quoting Block Medical Officer Uri Dr Ramzan the KNS said, minor had come in close contact with his uncle who last week was diagnosed positive. He said teams have been deputed to the area to track down the contacts who may have come close to the victim.

Pertinently, the number of positive patients in Uri has risen to 10 in Uri for this deadly virus. (KNS)

Testing capacity increased, 747 samples taken in single day: DHSK

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 20: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, convened a meeting here today to review the overall health scenario of Kashmir division in order to contain the spread of pandemic COVID-19.

The meeting was attended by Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Dr. Samir Mattoo, Deputy Director, Bashir Ahmad Chalkoo and other officials of the department.

The Advisor took a detailed review of the activities launched by the health department in Kashmir valley regarding prevention and control of  corona virus besides taking stock of all the medical supplies and equipment available.

Speaking during the meeting, the Advisor said that all precautions need to be followed to prevent spread of the infection besides the frontline workers should be provided with PPE kits as well as other equipment as they are more prone to infections.

The Advisor also said that testing capacity should be increased besides the rapid testing should be held aggressively so that the virus can be contained at the earliest.

Director Health Services informed the meeting all the COVID-19 nominated hospitals of Kashmir are functioning normally besides the Sub-District Hospitals, Public Health Centers and other peripheral dispensaries are functioning smoothly on daily basis.

The meeting was also informed that the field sampling has been increased in the valley and on Sunday around 747 samples was sent to different laboratories for testing.

Director Health Services also informed the meeting that additional staff has been trained for conducting rapid tests besides 375 laboratory technicians of various hospitals have been trained for COVID-19 testing.

Advisor Bhatnagar directed the officials that while the normal patient care should be pursued with all seriousness all possible help should be provided to the patients of the pandemic.

The Advisor also directed the officials to ensure that adequate quantity of PPE kits, medical supplies and other equipment should be made available in all the hospitals to deal with the situation.

Advisor Bhatnagar also appreciated the efforts of health department while dealing with the emergency situation arising due to COVID-19.

KINS

Srinagar, Apr 20: Administration has directed officials to follow proper SOP to contain COVID-19 and asked them to ensure 100 percent distribution of masks in Red Zone areas.

As per the official documents accessed by news agency KINS, government has directed officials to follow SOP and proper guidelines for the containment policy of COVID-19 in Red Zone areas of Kashmir valley.

“Director Rural Development Department shall ensure 100 percent distribution of masks through the PRIs, VLWs etc to every household of Red Zone in collaboration with the concerned district administrators and teams constituted for the purpose preferable on the same day, the house to house survey as conducted by the teams,” the document reads.

Director Rural Development Department has been directed to ensure immediate cleanliness sanitization drive of the notified Red Zones subsequent cleanliness drives after every week.

It says, “Director Urban Local Bodies shall conduct the rigorous fumigation cleanliness drive in all the Red Zone areas coming under his purview. Besides they shall conduct the fumigation of all the rural red zones areas for which Director RDD shall provide him all logistics and necessary support.”

Government has decided that all entry and exit to the zone would be with red zone passes and proper fumigation of vehicles, safety of personnel and safety tunnels.

“The entire Red Zone will be under surveillance and the people will be contacted periodically for rechecking for symptoms. There would be a 100% survey and screening of all persons in the red zone. The surveillance procedure has already been issued and will be reissued with improvements,” the documents read.

“All common/public places within the red zone will be fumigated twice a day.  All ambulances on duty / supply vehicles entering / leaving the red zone shall be fumigated. Extra cleanliness drives all around shall be carried. Departments like PDD and PHE will ensure regular electricity and water supply respectively to the red zone. They will activate help lines to address any complaints on priority- or common control room as above can be used. Banking arrangements such a mobile ATM or any other facilitation will be ensured,” the document says.

“In-case of any Emergency, whether medical or otherwise, permission for movement will be provided by concerned SDM / Tehsildar. A medical team shall be placed in the adjoining buffer zone to cater to any medical emergency that might arise,” it reads.(KINS)

United News of India
Chandigarh, Apr 20: With the help of Punjab Government and Police, 1,200 Kashmiri migrants who were stuck in Pathankot for the past 20 days, returned to Jammu and Kashmir on Monday after successfully completing their quarantine period.

Earlier, when the J&K administration refused to allow entry to the migrants, who had reached Pathankot from various states, on account of the lockdown, the Punjab Government established nine shelter homes (quarantine facilities) for them, DGP Dinkar Gupta said.

The migrants were provided 24X7 support, with proper board and lodging, as well as food. Medical teams were deployed round-the-clock for regular health checkups and for providing them with regular supply of medicines, he said.

As they finally got the nod from the J&K administration to enter the state, the migrants were overwhelmed at the support provided by the Punjab government. They also acknowledged the support provided by Radha Soami Dera Beas and other organisations involved in helping them during this critical time.

“The Punjab Police has been a warm host for 20 days in these dark days,” said a resident of Ramban district, Jammu & Kashmir.

A large group of Kashmiri migrants from Delhi were earlier facilitated by the Punjab Police to cross the inter-state borders and reach J&K.

• Centre calls for stricter lockdown enforcement
• Amit Shah speaks to Maharashtra CM over lynching of 2 sadhus
  United News of India
  New Delhi, Apr 20: India’s total number of Coronavirus cases reached to 17,656 on Monday, while the government asserted that the country ‘s doubling rate of COVID-19 has now slowed down from 3.4 days to 7.5 days.

With 24 fresh Covid deaths reported since last evening, the toll rose to a total of 559 across the country, the government data said.

‘It is according to the data of past seven days the country’s doubling rate has improved to 7.5 days, said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary MoHFW while briefing the media here on Monday. Meanwhile, as per Union Health Ministry’s latest update, with more than 1553 cases of COVID 19 in the past 24 hrs, the death toll has gone up to 559, including the 52 deaths reported in the past 24 hrs.

Active COVID cases in the country, at present stand at 14,175 after 880 fresh active cases were added since evening last.

There is an improvement in the number of cured and discharged cases with the figure for now resting at 2546.

While observing that certain States and Union Territories (UTs) allowing activities which are not permitted under consolidated guidelines for Lockdown 2.0, the Centre has reiterated that they must act for strict compliance without any dilution.

In a letter written to the Chief Secretaries of States and Administrators of UTs, the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that some States and UTs were issuing orders allowing activities which have not been permitted as per the guidelines issued by the Home Ministry under the Disaster Management Act 2005.

The Centre has directed the Kerala government to ensure strict compliance of lockdown norms after the state government decided to relax restrictive measures by allowing opening of restaurants, barber shops, works shops and other activities.

Rajya Sabha Secretariat on Monday resumed functioning after 27 days since lockdown came into force on March 25.

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said he has asked the officials to transact core business that cannot be deferred by deploying manpower accordingly in conformity with the spirit of norms of lockdown.

Cases in the worst COVID hit-state in the country- Maharashtra have again spiked and crossed the 4000 mark today with the number now at 4203 with the number of casualties now 223, followed by the National Capital where the number crossed 2000 mark with 2003 cases and 45 deaths.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray over the Palghar lynching incident and sought report from the State, a senior Home Ministry officials said here.

Two Sadhus of the Juna Akhara were allegedly killed by a mob in Palghar district of Maharashtra on April 16.

Reacting to the incident, the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that action has been taken and the culprits have been arrested.

Seeks their cooperation to fight COVID-19
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 20: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today interacted with religious leaders, Imams and Khateebs of prominent Mosques to seek their support and cooperation in fighting COVID-19 pandemic in the Valley during the holy month of Ramadan which is commencing later this week.

Advisor Baseer Khan stressed that in the wake coronavirus outbreak, it is the responsibility of every section of the society to adhere to the advisory of the Health Department to pray at home during the holy month of Ramadhan.

He asked the religious leaders to use their influence in the society and spread awareness about observing the social distancing norms to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, CEO Wakaf Board, Secretary WAKAF Board, Joint Director Information Kashmir and various prominent religious leaders attended the meeting.

The Advisor said that the Government alone cannot fight the emerging situation unless public cooperates with the Administration in its efforts to prevent and contain this pandemic. He said that religious leaders have a crucial role to play in order to bring about a positive behavioural change with regard to the significance of maintaining social and physical distancing during this crisis.

The religious leaders assured their full support to the Administration in the efforts to combat COVID-19 and unanimously resolved not to hold social and religious gatherings till the advisories are in place. They said that religious places have been closed to avoid any mass gathering.

Religious leaders during the interaction also highlighted issues demanding regular supply of electricity during the holy month of Ramadhan, home delivery of essential commodities in vulnerable areas and reaching out to the people who are in need of essential supplies.

The Advisor assured them that there will be no power curtailments during Sehri and Iftaar hours in the holy month of Ramadhan and assured the participants that the Government would leave no stone unturned to reach out to the last person, and sought public cooperation for better results in the fight against the deadly virus. He said that he had set up helpline desk in his office to redress all issues, grievances, complaints and other matters related to Covid19 management.

He asked all concerned to ensure there is no public gathering at any religious place and directed taking strict action against people who are found violating the norms to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. He asked Wakaf Board that they may also carry out inspections to report any violation to the Divisional administration.

Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole also asked the religious leaders to spread awareness in the community and said that the concerned departments would share advisory with the general public on important matters of public health. He conveyed that information and health bulletins about improving and maintaining immunity during the holy month would be shared with the people to fight this disease.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 20: In view of ensuing holy month of Ramzaan, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir , Pandurang K Pole today chaired a high level meeting to review  arrangements put in place by the district administrations across the Kashmir Division.

In view of current COVID-19 Pandemic, threadbare discussion was held in the meeting regarding proper sanitation, fumigation, distribution of essential commodities, uninterrupted electricity & water and other arrangements.

The Divisional Commissioner asked the SMC and ULB authorities to ensure better sanitation and fumigation  of all public place including lanes and by-lanes  besides installing and repairing street lights in the city and other important places.

SMC authorities informed that the Corporation will start mechanical de-silting of drains by pressing ten machines into service, soon.

To avoid the overloading on transformers, Pole directed D Cs to frame inspection teams in their respective districts stem the incidence of pilferage.

PHE will ensure uninterrupted water supply during  the holy month  and will keep additional water tankers in ready mode.

DC Ganderbal was asked to ensure that Malshai Bagh canal restoration work is completed in a time bound manner.

The Director FCS&CA informed the meeting that department had already distributed ration and is presently distributing free ration to BPL category consumers under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna.

Div Com directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure smooth and timely distribution of essential commodities in the valley and to monitor the distribution process by seeking details from the concerned Tehsildhars and Patwaris.

It was decided that from the next month, the department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs will publicize the ration distribution schedule through media for the information of the consumers.

The District Control rooms will also addressed grievances regarding Ramzan arrangements, the meeting was informed.

Div Com also issued necessary directions to other concerned departments so that people do not face any inconvenience in present COVID-19 situation.

The Divisional Commissioner stressed concerned departments to work with dedication, synergy and close coordination so that people do not face any inconvenience during the holy month of Ramzaan.

The meeting was attended by MD, KPDCL, Aijaz Ahmad, Chief Engineers Power & PHE, Additional Commissioner SMC, Directors of Urban Local Bodies, Deputy Director Health, Joint Director Fire & Emergency Services, Officer of the J&K Muslim Wakf Board besides senior officers of various departments while all the Deputy Commissioners of the Valley participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

Compliments DSEJ for initiatives undertaken

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, Apr 20: The Advisor to Lt Governor, K.K. Sharma today said that the students are being provided the necessary interventions and mechanism is in place so that their academic session and education does not suffer.

The Advisor was reviewing the initiatives being undertaken by the Directorate of School Education, Jammu (DSEJ) with regard to making available the academic content to the students through online, digital and other media.

Director School Education Jammu (DSEJ), Anuradha Gupta and other senior officers participated through Video conferencing.

While complimenting the Directorate of Education for coming up to the expectations of the general public in the testing times, the Advisor said they have through their initiatives provided the much needed interventions to the students so that their academic session does not suffer. He said that the UT of Jammu and Kashmir has been among first in the country to come up with the solutions in the education sector in view of the global pandemic.

The Director school education informed the  meeting  that immediately after the closure of schools due to Covid 19 spread, the DSEJ set up online and offline platforms to cater to the specific needs of students especially in view of the fact that many students  in Govt  schools  belong to the most deprived sections of society. The initiatives include DSEJ’s Home Classes which started on 27th March by creating a window on www.schedujammu.nic.in, providing high quality, curriculum based interactive e-content in all subjects, covering in the first phase, the classes from 6th to 12th as per academic calendar already devised by DSEJ.

Similarly, links to all Key digital resources provided by MHRD  are also  being provided on the website for the convenience of students: -DIKSHA: https://diksha.gov.in or https://seshaqun.gov.in/shaqun, e-PATHSHALA: http://epathshala.nic.in or http://epathshala.gov.in., National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER):http://nroer.gov.in/welcome, SWAYAM:  www.swavam.gov.in, SWAYAM PRABHA:  www.swavamprabha.gov.in, Vikas Pedia: http://vikaspedia.in/education, NCERT: http://ncert.nic.in/textbook/textbook.htm  MHRD: https://mhrd.gov.in/e-contents

It was also given out that circulation of content on official website, Telegram channels, Whats app groups, and other Social media platforms, collaboration with Radio Mirchi and Take one channel for broadcast/ telecast of lectures on complimentary basis is also being done. Strategies are being evolved in consultation with the district administration to provide printed notes/handouts to the students not having smart phones and cable network available. Text Books are being distributed in 66 educational zones of Jammu in summer zone. Text Books in winter zone have already been distributed.

The Director School education informed the Advisor that Parents / students are being provided uninterrupted access to Home assignment window created on DSEJ official website. To supplement online classes which are not interactive, DSEJ Home assignments have been started which comprise Network of WhatsApp groups at school level and to guide and monitor them, WhatsApp groups of JD/ CEOs/ ZEOs have been formed. Interactive classes are being held as per designated time schedule for each class and subject, for those students who don’t have smart phones, teachers are calling students regularly and guiding them in their studies besides giving them assignments to be done by them.

Besides, Weekly roaster of home assignments covering all classes is made available on website as well as whats app groups. Fun based activities as assignments being given on different subjects in four age groups; preprimary, classes 1st to 5th, classes 6th to 8th and classes 9th to 12th. The focus is on health, physical and mental fitness and basic arithmetic and language skills. Also encouraging children to know about local history, culture, language etc through parents during free time, it was given out.

Director school education also said that DSEJ Online Series of contests are being held on above mentioned activities. For those who don’t have access to internet, teachers are being asked to tell students on phone to prepare themselves for such simple contests which would be held after schools reopen. This is being done to engage children from all kinds of backgrounds and Online detailed feedback Report with suggestions being collected, she added.

It was also given out that DSEJ  is among the first directorates in the country to have started providing counselling to overcome anxiety, stress through already established Counselling helpline *Aao Baat karein* (6006800068)

Trained counsellors and clinical psychologists are available to provide service to parents and students. Queries related to stress, anxiety, academics, e-resources results & various other related issues emerged due to COVID-19 are also being handled by the experts. Continuous capacity development of tele-counsellors from institutes of National importance like NIMHANS Bangalore, Fortis Healthcare is also ensured.

The Advisor was also informed that DSEJ has come up with a novel idea of Academic Mentoring for students who are not able to access e content or online classes or if they are able to do so, they have doubts regarding some concepts. The tele-counselling Helpline Aao Baat Karein 6006800068 will connect such students to subject experts who can clear their doubts and also guide them further.

Besides the above initiatives, the Directorate also issued formal orders for mass promotion of all students from class 1st to 9th, with the approval of the administrative department. The mass promotion order of 11th class students was also issued by JK BOSE. The directorate is also supervising and coordinating the distribution of two months’ dry ration to eligible students at their households as per instructions of the Govt in the light of Supreme Court directions. Despite severe constraints, 92% of the students out of total 486257 children have been covered till date.

It is pertinent to mention that NCERT has now come up with Alternative Academic Calendar in view of closure of schools. It is encouraging to find that the Calendar is based on similar strategy and methodology already put in practice by DSEJ.

IGP Kashmir appeals scribes to check facts

Srinagar, Apr 20: Police on Monday said that that its Cyber Police Station Kashmir, Srinagar has registered FIRs against two journalists in the Valley.
In a statement here a police spokesman said, “ Police’s cyber cell received information through reliable sources that one Facebook user namely Masrat Zehra is frequently uploading anti-national posts with the criminal intention. The post by the users can provoke the public to disturb the law and order and to glorify the anti-national activities etc. In this regard FIR No. 10/2020 under the relevant provision of law was registered at Cyber Police Station. The Cyber Police Station called the Facebook user Masrat Zehra to Police Station for questioning and not to Air Cargo Complex.”

“On 19/04/2020 an information was received regarding a fake news item being published in the “The Hindu” newspaper by the journalist namely Peerzada Ashiq, regarding an encounter at Shopian and subsequent developments. The details quoted in the news item were factually incorrect and could cause fear or alarm in the minds of public. The news published without seeking confirmation from the district authorities. In this regard Case FIR No. 81/2020 was registered in P/S Anantnag and the individual was called at P/S Anantnag for questioning. The police is under duty and lawfully empowered under Cr.PC to call for questioning. The investigation in both the cases is in progress,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar urged the members of journalist/ media fraternity to not to publish fake/ fabricated news/ stories, which have bearing on security of the nation and which has the potential of causing social instability and can lead to law and order problem. He further appealed that any such information be clarified / confirmed before publication. (KNS)

United News of India
Jammu, Apr 20: A Military special train with approximately 700 Army personnel on board which started from Bangaluru arrived here at Jammu Railway station on Monday morning.

In the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic all necessary arrangements at the Jammu Railway Station with respect to reception, segregation, disinfection and transportation till place of duty were thoroughly organised by the Tiger Division, Defence Spokesperson said here.

He said that in the prevailing security scenario along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K, it has been a necessity to boost the strength of security personnel required for enhancing operational readiness of units deployed in operational areas in North India.

In a significant move, Military Special train was planned for movement of the Army personnel, who have completed their professional courses at Army Training establishments, to reach their units deployed in operational areas.

The Army ensured that all personnel had undergone the mandated quarantine period as also social distancing was adhered to throughout the journey, even during the training and screening at Jammu Railway station.

On arrival at the station, all the personnel were screened and thereafter ensuring all necessary guidelines, transported to their respective units deployed in J&K.