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Kupwara, Feb 8 : Five members of a non-local family, putting up at Kralpora in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, died due to suspected suffocation on intervening Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Reports reaching GNS said that family of one Majid Ansari, resident of Bijnore Uttar Pradesh, which was putting up at a rented accommodation at Kralpora was found unconscious. As people sought help from a local doctor, all the members were declared dead.

Among the deceased include Majid Ansari (35) son of Ahmad Hussain, his wife Sohana Khatoon (30), their children Faizan Ansari (4), Abu Zar (3) and a few days old infant.

BMO Kralpora confirming the deaths of family members said that it may be a possible case of suffocation. He was however quick to add that the actual details will come to fore once the bodies reach health facility. “We have sent two ambulances to ferry the bodies here, once we know the actual details, we will share accordingly”, he said. (GNS)

Police on Thrusday identified slain militant as Babar Bhai of JeM, who as per police was active since 2018 in Shopian- Kulgam belt.

Kashmir Police Zone on its official Twitter handle wrote, “Killed JeM militant identified as Babar bhai of Pakistan, active since 2018 in the areas of Shopian-Kulgam. One AK rifle, one pistol and two grenades recovered,”.

Yesterday in intial exchange of fire, JeM militant, cop Rohit Chib were killed and three armymen and two civilians were also injured.

A joint team of Police, army and CRPF had on Wednesday evening launched cordon and search operation in the area.

As the joint team of Police approached towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces triggering off a gunfight.(GNS)

Amid rises in covid-19 cases with 687 of them confirmed in last 24 hours and 2226 in last four days, government on Sunday barred in-person teaching in colleges, schools, Polytechnics, ITIs, Coaching Centres for Civil Services, Engineering or NEET etc. They have been asked to adopt online medium of teaching, according to an order by State Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary.

The educational institutions have been 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.”

Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force in all Districts from 9 pm to 6 am with complete restriction on non-essential movement, reads the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

The maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor or outdoor gatherings have been “strictly” restricted to 25.

“Banquet Halls in all the Districts of J&K are 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 have been permitted to function at 25% of the authorised capacity with due precautions such as CAB and adherence to SOP.

“All Deputy Commissioners shall 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 have been asked to 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 order said.

“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 and Medical Block mapping of cases, it said. “Effective micro-containment zones shall be constituted wherever number of Covid-19 Positive cases reaches 3 or above.

“Enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) is critical in determining the need for additional restrictions. The District Magistrates of J&K shall strictly ensure that there is full compliance to CAB and defaulters are firmly dealt with under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code.”

All the Government Department(s)/Office(s) shall minimise conducting in-person meetings/ interactions etc, it said. “All Administrative Secretaries/ Head of the Department(s)/ Institution shall ensure optimal use of virtual mode for conducting official meetings etc.”

Market Associations to ensure that guidelines related to social distancing and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) are strictly followed in the markets. “Gathering at shops should not be allowed. Furthermore, no shops will cater to customers without mask.” (GNS)