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Srinagar, Dec 26 : Unlike two years of Covid pandemic, hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed resumption of all services.

The pandemic changed lives of people across the globe with lockdowns enforced by the government affecting all. But this year saw the resumption of life.

Many patients, who had to wait for treatment after the services were suspended in the hospitals in face of huge influx, returned to hospitals for treatment.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Hundred percent vaccination and 100 percent saturation under the AB PM-JAY SEHAT scheme were achieved this year in most of the district while registration process is going on to connect the whole population with this scheme and hundreds of critical procedures were conducted free of cost through Ayushmaan Bharat Scheme.

One hundred and forty ongoing/new health projects have been undertaken under PMDP; 102 projects have been completed, while 38 are near completion. Out of targeted 2029 Sub Centres, 1,470 have been operationalized as Health and Wellness Centres.

The work on two All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one each at Vijaypur (Samba), Jammu and Awantipora (Pulwama), Kashmir @2000 crore each is under progress.

Seven New Medical Colleges (Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Handwara and Udhampur) have been sanctioned by the Government of India. Five Medical colleges have been made functional on makeshift arrangements basis. Two Medical Colleges shall be made functional in the financial year 2024-25. Classes are operational for 1st batch of MBBS students in respect of five new medical colleges. This has increased the MBBS intake capacity from 500 to 1100 seats in the UT of J&K.

Fifteen B.Sc. Nursing Colleges have been sanctioned by the Government of India, to improve the Nursing education and availability of Trained Nursing Staff.

Two State Cancer Institutes are under construction in the UT, one at SKIMS Soura, Srinagar and the other at GMC Jammu which are expected to be completed soon.

Several new facilities like 500 bedded Children hospital Bemina were made operational this year and some procedures were carried out for the first time in J&K hospitals—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 26 : Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination received snowfall on Monday evening while the night temperature continued to plummet across Kashmir, intensifying the chill further in the Valley.

Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that Pahalgam received heavy snowfall today evening and was going on when the report was last filed.

However, the other areas of Kashmir continued to witness dry spell while the sub-zero temperature continued at most parts of the Valley.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.5 degree Celsius while Qazigund in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.2 degree Celsius.

Pahalgam and Kokernag in Southern districts of Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5.7 degree Celsius and minus 2.5 degree Celsius respectively.

Gulmarg, a famous ski –resort also recorded a low of minus 5.6 degree Celsius while minus 3.5 degree Celsius was recorded in Kupwara.

Pertinently, the weatherman has predicted two-day wet-spell from December 29 in Kashmir, saying that there is a possibility of light to moderate rain, snow in between December 29 and 30—(KNO)

Budgam, Dec 24: Police have arrested a man for committing unnatural sexual offense upon a minor boy in Chadoora area of Budgam district.

According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), police received a written complaint from parents of minor boy that their son was kidnapped by one Mohammad Sidiq Sheikh (60) of Gogjipathri, Chadoora, a few days back and had been taken to Jammu where he committed unnatural sexual offence upon him.

“In this connection, Case FIR number 205/2022 under relevant sections of law was registered at Police Station Chadoora, and the investigation was taken up.”

It reads during the course of the investigation, after the medical examination, the victim was shifted to Child Protection Unit Budgam.

“Today morning, the accused was arrested from Railway Station Budgam and has been booked under POCSO Act besides other sections of law. Further investigation into the matter is going on,” it reads—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 25: As Christmas is being celebrated across the world today, a group of Muslims visited a Catholic Church in Srinagar city on Sunday to celebrate the festival with their Christian brethren to give a message of communal harmony and brotherhood.

As per details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), they distributed sweets, exchanged greetings with the Christian brethren and also wore Santa hats to share joy and celebrate the festival.

Talking to reporters here, Maulana Abdullah, who was leading the groups, said they came to the Church to celebrate the festival with their Christian brethren and to spread the message of communal harmony, brotherhood and peace.

“This is small community here and they feel isolated on such festive occasions, so took this opportunity and came here to celebrate this festival with them with the aim that they don’t isolated and also give a message of communal harmony and brotherhood,” he said.

He said some vested interests have been spreading fake narratives across the globe that minorities were not safe here, which is not true.

“We came here today to bust that narrative and wanted to show the world that we are one and we belong to one god as well, regardless of our religions,” he added.

Meanwhile, talking to KNO, Father Brito said Christmas is a message of love, joy and happiness.

“Our Muslim brothers have always stood by us on these occasions and Christmas is an occasion which gives us an opportunity to share that joy, happiness and brotherhood with each other,” he said—(KNO)

Budgam, December 25: Budgam Police have arrested three vehicle lifters and recovered stolen vehicle from Parimpora area of District Srinagar.

Yesterday (24 Dec) Police Post Soibugh received a written complaint from one Javaid Ahmad Shiekh Son in law of Ghulam Nabi Shiekh R/O Churpora to the effect that during intervening night of 22/23-11-2022 his vehicle Tavera bearing Reg. No JK01P/2371 which he had parked along road side at Churpora Aarath has been stolen by some unknown thief/ thieves, police officials said in a press statement issued.

In this connection, Case FIR number 410/2022 under relevant section of law was registered at Police Station Budgam and investigation taken up.

During the course of investigation, after strenuous efforts in the instant case and working on various leads, the stolen vehicle was recovered from Parimpora barthana area of district Srinagar within 24 hours and one accused person involved in vehicle theft case was arrested who was identified as Lateef Pathan son of Ali Pathan resident of Mujipathri Khansahib During sustained questioning, the accused disclosed names of 02 of his accomplices who also were involved in commission of crime.

Accordingly, police team of Police Post Soibugh arrested the duo thieves from court road Batmaloo Srinagar.They have been identified as Parvaiz Ahmed Sheikh son of Ab Ahad Sheikh resident of Kechama Baramulla and Altaf Ahmed Sheikh son of Ab Wahab Sheikh resident of Gantamullah Baramulla. Investigation of the case is going on and more recoveries are expected.

Srinagar, Dec 25: The mercury plummeted across Kashmir Valley with most places including Srinagar recording this season’s coldest night on Sunday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.8°C against the previous night 5.4°C. Today’s minimum temperature was the coldest recorded so far during this season and 3.8°C below normal for the summer capital, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of minus 5.0°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 3.0°C below normal as well as the season’s coldest for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 7.0°C against 6.4°C on the previous night. Apart from being below normal by 2.0°C, it was the coldest night this season in the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2.2°C against minus 3.9°C on the previous night, he said. It was 0.1°C below normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.6°C against minus 6.4°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 0.2°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 6.0°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night, the official said. While being 3.4°C below normal, it was the coldest temperature recorded so far this winter in the north Kashmir area, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 4.1°C against 4.2°C on the previous night. It was 4.1°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.3°C ( below normal by 1.2°C), Batote 0.6°C (2.1°C below normal), Katra 5.8°C (1.1°C below normal) and Bhadarwah minus 1.0°C (0.5°C below normal).

In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 14.5°C and 12.4°C respectively, the official said.

Kashmir is under Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 is in its infancy, it does not mean an end to the winter. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.

“Mainly dry weather is expected till 25th December. From December 26-30th, generally cloudy weather is expected with intermittent light snow at isolated to scattered places on higher reaches of North, Northwestern and central Kashmir during 29 (Night) -30th,” he said, adding, “Slight improvement in minimum temperature and respite from cold and dry weather is expected from 26th to 31st December.” (GNS)

JaMMU, Dec 24: Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh-IPS greeted the people and all ranks of Police personnel on Christmas, hoping that the auspicious occasion would herald peace and prosperity in the UT of J&K.

In a message, the ADGP said that Jesus Christ whose birthday is celebrated as Christmas around the world, was an apostle of peace who preached love, brotherhood and affection and cared for poor, downtrodden and needy people.

Mukesh Singh-IPS has prayed for peace and prosperity of all the people of UT of J&K

Team JK Revolution on sunday expressed condolences over the demise of Inam ul Haq, S/O Ab Hamid Dar on Sunday 25-12-2022 of Ogmuna, Kunzer, at Present Bemina Srinagar.

A statement of JK Revolution issued here quoted Editor, JK Revolution in a condolence message as saying that deceased were a noble person known for his pious and hospitable nature.

Team JK Revolution prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and forbearance to the bereaved family.

“We pray that Almighty Allah grants peace to the deceased and courage to the bereaved family to bear this huge loss,” the Editor JK Revolution said.

Jinaza will be held at Ogmuna, Tangmarg Today 11:00 AM.

Srinagar, Dec 24 : In a bid to start renovation of Sindh Extension Canal, the water supply would remain affected in Srinagar areas for two days from December 27 (Tuesday) afternoon.

Executive Engineer Master Plan, Division Srinagar in a public notice, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that some mandatory renovation of headworks of Sindh Extension Canal has to be done on December 27, 2022.

The water supply in this regard would remain affected for two days from December 27, 2022 (Tuesday) from 12:00 PM to December 28 (Wednesday) 09:00 PM.

The areas that would remain affected include Malshahi Bagh, Zakura, Gulab Bagh, Alesteng, Shuhama, Hadoora, Chaterhama, Khulmula, Basarbugh, Habak, Naseem Bagh, Pandach, Buchpora, Soura, Anchar, Bolajpora, Zonimar, Nowshehra, Baghe-Ali Mardan Khan, Zadibal, Hawal, Alamgari Bazar, Rajouri Kadal, Nalamar Nawa Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Nowhatta, Lal Bazar, Hazratbal, Sadribal, Nigeen, Saida Kadal, Karan Nagar, Chattabal, Kawdara, Eidgah, Maharaj Gunj, Zaina Kadal, Noorbagh, Saidapora, Bemina, Firdousabad, Qamarwari, Zainakote, Noorabad, Umarabad and adjacent areas.

In case of any urgency, he officials have advised to call on 2477207 & 2452047, the notice reads—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Dec 23 : A panch in Sopore has allegedly occupied a part of an old hospital building in Bomai village with the health department saying the concerned Tehsildar has been apprised about the issue.

The old Primary Health Centre Bomai has been allotted to the horticulture department after the new hospital building became operational.

Locals told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a panch of Ward 3 in Bomai village namely Fayaz Ahmed Bhat son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat has allegedly occupied an old hospital building (PHC) months ago but they had alerted the concerned authorities including DC Baramulla and Tehsildar Bomai several times to no avail.

“The panch has occupied the land which belongs to the Auqaf committee and was donated for the hospital purpose some 70 years ago”, said a village head.

He said that the panch was asked to vacate the land by the concerned Tehsildar but it could not yield anything.

Fayaz, who resides adjacent to the PHC building took advantage of COVID-19 pandemic and grabbed the land by illegally dismantling one side of the fence, said Numberdar of Bomai.

Block Medical Officer, Sopore Dr Zulfiqar Sofi told KNO that the matter was already brought into the notice of the Tehsildar for necessary and immediate action. But no response was received yet from the official.

Similarly, Chief Horticulture Officer, Baramulla (Sopore) acknowledged that the accused panch has illegally occupied two rooms and encroached the lawn situated alongside the said building.

He said they have apprised the concerned office for the necessary action.

He said the entire thing took place on September 4 (Sunday) this year in the absence of field staff.

Meanwhile, Tehsildar Dangerpora, Mohammed Asif who is looking for Bomai zone said that he along with the team visited the spot several times.

He said that as per the rules the matter was taken up but the accused moved to the civil court and the matter is now there.

He also will follow the court decision—(KNO)