Jammu & Kashmir

Authorities on Monday reduced weekly lockdown duration to 57-hours while as education institutions including coaching centres shall continue to be closed for in-person teaching.

“There shall also be complete restriction on non-essential movement in the entire J&K from every Friday 9.00 PM to Monday 6.00AM,” reads the order issued by here by State Executive Committee headed by Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta. Earlier the lockdown would start from 2p.m. on Friday and now it will be from 9.00 p.m.

Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force in all districts from 9 pm to 6 am with complete restriction on non-essential movement.

As regards the education institutions, the SEC ordered that all Colleges, Schools, Polytechnics, ITIs, Coaching Centres for Civil Services and Engineering or NEET etc. shall continue to adopt online medium of teaching. “There shall be no in-person teaching,” reads the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

“Educational institutions shall be permitted to direct attendance of vaccinated staff for administrative purposes only. The Head of the institution must ensure that guidelines related to social distancing and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) are strictly followed”.

The State Executive Committee also reiterated that all the offices shall regulate the attendance of its employees in such a manner so as to ensure that appropriate Social Distancing Norms are maintained.

“Pregnant Women Employees will be exempted from Physical attendance. They shall be allowed to work from home.”
All employees with disabilities shall also be given option to work from home, it said.

“A maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor/ outdoor gathering shall be strictly restricted to 25,” the order reads.

Banquet Halls in all the Districts of J&K have been permitted to allow gathering up to 25 vaccinated persons (with verifiable RT-PCR or RAT not older than 72 hours) or 25% of the authorised capacity (whichever is less), preferably in open spaces
“Cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, restaurants, clubs, gymnasiums and swimming pools are permitted to function at 25% of the authorised capacity with due precautions such as CAB and adherence to SOP.”

All Deputy Commissioners have been asked to intensify testing and ensure full utilisation of available RT-PCR and RAT capacities. “There shall be no drop in testing levels.”

Chief Medical Officers of all districts, the order reads, shall submit a daily report regarding the utilisation of available RT-PCR capacities to the District Magistrates concerned. Besides, District Magistrates shall also go for capacity expansion of the RT-PCR testing as per the requirement

“The Deputy Commissioners shall also focus on the positivity rates of the Medical-Blocks under their jurisdictions. Intensified measures related to Covid management and restriction of activities shall be
undertaken in these Blocks.”

There shall be renewed focus on Panchayat level/Medical Block mapping of cases and effective micro-containment zones shall be constituted wherever number of Covid-19 Positive cases reaches 3 or above, the order reads further.

“The DCs shall keep active track of the positivity rates in their respective jurisdictions. Strict perimeter control (Micro-Containment Zone) shall be implemented for localities where Covid-19 Positive Cases number reaches 3 and above. This shall be done to ensure no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services.” (GNS)

Jammu and Kashmir reported 4615 new covid-19 cases while seven persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.

They said 1401 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 3214 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 432875.

Regarding the fatalities, the officials told GNS that four among them were reported from Jammu division and three from Kashmir valley. So far 4659 people have died due to the virus—2275 in Jammu and 2384 in Kashmir Valley.

Giving district wise details, he said, Srinagar reported 889 cases, Baramulla 479, Budgam 663, Pulwama 69, Kupwara 613, Anantnag 244, Bandipora 21, Ganderbal 46, Kulgam 159, Shopian 31, Jammu 826, Udhampur 151, Rajouri 45, Doda 133, Kathua 40, Samba 46, Kishtwar 59, Poonch 35, Ramban 48 and Reasi 18.

Some of the cases were confirmed at GMC Anantnag and include female (29) from Imamsahib, male (60) from Wuyan, male (50) from Arwani, male (38) from Kaprin, male (50) from Pulwama, two males (37, 40) from Dachipora, male (33) from Rawalpora, female (40) from Nayon, male (46) from Pahnoo, female (50) from Trenz, male (42) from Dewpora, female (35) from Batapora, male (40) from Khujpora, female (25) from Zainapora, male (52) from Nagbal, female (30) from Wachi, female (60) from Handew, female (50) from Aglar, female (32) from Nadigam, male (50) from Hillow, male (52) from Chitragam, female (50) from Zeban, female (40) from Kashwa, female (30) from Check Sangran, male (50) and female (18) from Tulren, female (68) from Berigam, male (35) from Kraloo, male (26) from Nussu, male (43) from Dailgam, male (45) from Sransoo, male (40) from Hallan, female (34) from Chowgam, male (60) from Nowgund, male (55) from Pahalgam, female (35) from Nigeenpora, female (21) from Pratapora, female (40) from Oril Kund, female (30) from Dalwacth, female (13) and male (10) from Manzmoh, female (13) from Churat, female (40) from Y K Pora, female (27) from Ghulabagh, male (30) from Malikabad, female (25) from Lammer, female (27) from Watihal, male (28) from Kuchipora, male (45) from Khahgund, male (18) from Sadiwara, male (18) from Verinag, male (40) from L Monda, male (65) from Khudwani, female (9) from Bonigam, female (24) from Danow Bogund, female (15) from Shopiyaan Qaimoh, male (56) from Yaripora, male (32) from Buchroo, female (27) from D H Pora, female (25) and male (27) from Qaimoh, two males (28, 30) from Wanpoh, male (45) from Narwani Shopian, female (18) from Frisal Yaripora, male (35) from Matibugh Kulgam, male (44) from Khanabal, male (30) from Chowgam, male (50) from Pachigam, female (30) from Churat, female (30) from Panzath, female (50) and male (30) from YKPora Ang, female (30) from Badragund Ang, male (45) from Sopat Kulgam, female (25) from Banihal, male (30) from Qazigund, male (22) and female (35) from Kund Kulgam, male (20) from Akingam, female (50) from Damhall, two males (25, 60) and female (25) from H Tooru, female (52) from Achabal, male (28) from Hardpora, male (55) from K Kalan Bij, male (30) from Hiller, male (65) from Mattan, male (60) from Hapatnard, male (40) from Shamsipora, male (46) from Kheribal, male (50) from Nambal, male (30) from Hutmurrah, male (60) from Paibugh, female (31) from Chattisgarh, two males (27, 31) from Surat, female (22) from Koot Verinag, female (25) from Kapran Verinag, male (50) from Larkipora, male (26) from Verinag, male (30) from Thajiwara, two males (16, 13) from Dooru Shahabad, male (33) from Manzmoo Qazigund, male (24) from Thamn Koot, male (63) from Zadipora, male (23) from Batengoo, male (45) from S K Colony, male (56) from Sarnal, two males (8, 13) and three females (90, 38, 60) from Janglat Mandi, male (40) from K P Road, female (28) from Moominabad, female (47) and male (53) from 99RCC, female (55) from Kokernag, male (35) from Pampore, male (39) from Moominabad, male (19) from Nanil, male (70) from Lisser, female (70) from Banihal, female (23) from Monghall, male (28) from Bijbehara, female (31) from S K Colony, male (40) from Ganderbal, male (48) from Surat, female (33) from Bangalore, male (29) from Nagpur, male (29) from Srinagar, female (49) from Wukha Shangus, female (48) from Dardpora Shangus, male (18) from Pahloo Shangus, female (22) and male (40) from Uttersoo, male (40) from Shangus, female (32) from Khull Shangus, male (24) from Kawarigam, two males (26, 32) from Brah Shangus, female (18) from Bijbhera, female (60) from Bangward DH Pora and male (8) from Dudkuchn DH Pora.

Besides, they said, 6557 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—1585 from Jammu Division and 4972 from Kashmir. So far 387946 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 40270—10468 in Jammu and 29802 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 17144 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Handwara Police continuing its war against the menace of drugs today arrested a drug peddler at Ganapora crossing in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kralgund and recovered contraband sunstance from his possession.

Acting on a specific information regarding movement of drugs peddlers in the area, a police party of Police Station Kralgund led by SHO PS Kralgund Inspector Javid Ahmad laid a naka at Ganapora Crossing and during checking suspicious movement of a person was noticed who on seeing the naka party tried to flee from the spot but was apprehended by the naka party.

On prelimnary questioning he disclosed his identity as Mushtaq Ahmad Malik S/o Ab Aziz
R/o Drangsoo Qalamabad. During his personal search the police party recovered *5850* (Five thousand Eight hundred and Fifty) banned tablets of *Zelopam 0.5- MD & Tripal 100* from his possession.
Accordingly case FIR No. 5/2022 U/s 8/22 NDPS Act stands registered against the accused person in Police Station Kralgund and investigation set into motion.

General public of area hailed the act of Handwara Police. People in general are appealed to share all information about the drug peddlers and other anti social elememts so that action under law can be initiated against them.

One person was killed and three others were injured when a tempo vehicle they were travelling in was hit by a shooting stone near Cafeteria Mohr area in Ramban district at Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Sunday, an official said.

“Today at about 2 pm one tempo traveller bearing registration number (JK21A—1503) travelling from Srinagar to Jammu reached near Cafeteria Morh Mehar when suddenly shooting stones from top of mountain hit the tempo traveller in which four persons got injured,” an official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

The injured were shifted to nearby hospital in which one, namely Yashvardan son of Sanjay Singh Age from Jabalpur Madhya Pradesh (MP) died in DH Ramban, while others are being treated, officials said.

Injured have been identified as Vivek Thakur son of Mukesh Singh Thakur, Jasbirdan Thakur son of Anjesh Thakur and Sanjay Thakur son of Mohan Singh Thakur. All are from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh—(KNO)

Aasif Malik, Kupwara: Martyrs’ Day was today observed across Kupwara district in the memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for India’s freedom.

The main function was held at D.C.Office Kupwara which was presided over by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Kupwara, Altaf Ahmad Khan. Besides, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Jowhar Ali; Tehsildar Kupwara, officers and officials of Civil administration and Police department attended the event.

On the occasion, a 2 minute silence was observed by the participants preceded by a 1 minute sound of siren and the termination of silence was followed by a 1 minute sound of siren. The function was held with strict adherence to the guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Covid-19.

Talking to media persons, the ADDC said that Matryrs’ will be always remembered for their selfless sacrifice towards the freedom of the country. He said that it is because of their great sacrifices that people are now enjoying rights in a free democratic country.

Martyrs’ Day was also observed at sub divisional level, tehsil and block level of Kupwara district where concerned officers and employees participated in the event.

As ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day long harshest period of winter, ends, the minimum temperature recorded a drop at most places in Kashmir Valley on Sunday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar, the summer capital of the J&K recorded a low of minus 2.3°C against last night’s minus 1.0°C on the previous night.

While the ‘Chillai Kalan’, which started from December 21, ends, it is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 7.4°C against minus 7.5°C on the previous night, he said.

The temperature is 0.1°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.2C against minus 3.1°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.8°C against minus 3.3°C on the previous night, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 7.0°C against minus 2.8°C on the last night, he said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.4°C against 1.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu recorded a low of 6.6°C against previous night’s 6.9°C. The temperature was 2.1°C below normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.6°C, Katra had a minimum of 7.6°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of minus 0.6°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 11.7°C against last night’s minus 14.6°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 17.6°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 21.7°C against last night’s minus 14.4°C, official said. Weatherman has forecast cloudy weather in J&K. (GNS)

Top commander and a Pakistani among Five militants affliated with outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-i-Toiba were killed in twin overnight gunfights in Pulwama and Budgam districts on Sunday.

In a tweet by official Police handle, the Kashmir Zone Police while Quoting Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar wrote, ” 05 militants of Pakistan sponsored militant outfits LeT & JeM killed in dual encounters in last 12 hours. JeM commander militant Zahid Wani & a Pakistani militant among the killed. Big success for us,”.

Talking to GNS Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that besides top commander Zahid Wani, a Pakistani militant identifying him as Kafeel @Chotu was killed in Pulwama Gunfight. Both were affiliated with JeM.

Kafeel was active since 2020 in Pulwama-Shopian Belt, the top police officer added.

On Saturday evening two encounters started back to back in Naira area of Pulwama and Charar-i-Shareef area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district between militants and security forces.

Three militants of JeM including top commander Zahid Wani were killed in Naira area of Pulwama while as two LeT militants were killed in Charar-i-Shareef area of Budgam, an official added.(GNS)

ssociated Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir (CCIK) has urged the Commercial Tax Department to announce amnesty to all the tax disputes of the traders under VAT regime.

In a statement, CCIK President Tariq Rashid Ghani said all disputes of pre GST, i.e. VAT and CST in terms of non filling of returns under the VAT regime and demandes raised under CST may be put under amnesty so that revised returns are submitted.
Ghani also demanded withdrawal of taxes, penalties, interest levied by the State Tax Department.

CCIK said when the GST came into force C Forms became redolent and the material sold by dealers outside the State did not get the C Forms from their respective counterparts.
“Though our dealers had declared their sales under VAT returns and CST rates too. Hence this requirement of c forms should also be waived off. ”

CCIK also demanded another chance to the dealers who had availed the amnesty previously.
“The dealers couldn’t fulfill all the formalities due to covid situation. Government should also give them another chance in the form of new amnesty.”

President Chamber of Commerce Industry Kashmir (CCIK) Tariq Rashid Ghani Friday visited SMHS hospital to see arrangements for the patients in view of the resurgence of Covid19. Ghani visited various wards and also interacted with the patients.

The CCIK President thanked the Hospital administration including Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar Professor Dr Samia Rashid, Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Medical Superintendent, SMHS Hospital, Srinagar Dr. Kanwaljeet Singh and other staff member for keeping the hospital neat and clean besides ensuring proper medical facilities for the patients.
CCIK said administration has already taken public health preparedness to the next level to tackle the Omicron spread.

CCIK assured its full support to the GMC Principal, Dir Health in arresting the spread of the various by following proper health guidelines. The CCIK will also visit SKIMS, Soura and JLNM Hospital at Rainawari to extend its support to the health administration.

Piping ceremony of recently promoted SI Sajad Ahmad was held at District Police Headquarters Sopore.

The promoted officer was decorated with his new rank by Superintendent of Police Sopore Sudhanshu Verma-IPS alongwith SDPO Sopore Furqan Qadir-JKPS.

On the occasion, SP Sopore congratulated the promoted officer and his family also highlighted the responsibilities of every officer/official and made it clear that each elevation comes with more responsibility and one must dedicate his time and energy to contribute in well being of society and the nation at large. SP Sopore advised to remain committed towards the duties and expressed his hope that will continue their work with same dedication and devotion towards their legitimate duties.