ADDC flags-off trainees from DC office

Ganderbal, JAN 11:  The District Sheep Husbandry Department Ganderbal in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ganderbal has organised a three days capacity-building training program for the sheep/goat breeders of District Ganderbal in a phased manner commencing from today.

The group of trainees was flagged-off from the Mini Secretariat, Ganderbal by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Ganderbal, Muzafar Ahmad Pir in presence of District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Ganderbal.

In the first phase, out of the four phases, forty breeders from different areas of the district were flagged-off who shall be provided training for three days at KVK Ganderbal on the topic, Scientific Sheep and Goat Rearing and its role in a subsidiary occupational generation.

Urges people to adhere to Covid-19 SOPs

Kulgam, Jan 11: As Covid-19 positive cases are showing an upward trend, the District Administration Kulgam has intensified mass awareness campaigns, vaccination and testing across the district.

Vehicles mounted with audio systems and banners throughout the day were seen sensitizing people in markets, hospital, villages and towns for adherence to COVID-19 SOPs and to adopt Covid Appropriate Behaviour.

In this regard, the Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat today inspected several locations and markets in Kulgam Town and took stock of implementation of various COVID-19 related advisories and guidelines which also includes use of face masks, social distancing, etc.

Dr Bilal visited the main market Kulgam, Qazigund Adda market, hospital area and other market places in town.

He impressed upon service providers to follow all the guidelines and precautions in view of the pandemic.

The DC was accompanied by ACD, Tehsildar, DY-SP headquarter and other officers.

Bandipora, Jan11: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the Covid-19 scenario and various mitigation measures in the district.

The meeting discussed threadbare the covid containment measures and stress was laid on the strict implementation of covid protocol, extensive sampling and mass vaccination.

It was given out that the district is fully prepared to deal with any kind of surge in the covid cases and people were appealed not to panic. Officers informed that as on date there are 59 active positive cases in the district out of which only one is in hospital isolation.

Meeting was informed that all given SOPs are followed regarding covid positive cases, contact tracing and isolation of the patient.  They said every patient is attended thrice a week from the control room and vitals are recorded.

The DC also reviewed the vaccination drive for children of 15-17 years age-group. It was given out that 26639 children of the given age group are to be vaccinated of which 15 percent of the target stands achieved in one week.

Dr Owais urged the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Education Officer to coordinate and devise a joint plan to ensure the target is achieved within the set timeframe.

He also stressed on extensive testing and urged the officers to ensure all SOPs are followed in letter and spirit with regard to covid mitigation efforts including Home Isolation protocols, Covid Appropriate Behavior, Contact tracing and other related issues.

The DC also directed concerned officers to enhance the existing daily sampling numbers and set a revised target of 3100 tests per day including 700 RTPCR and 2400 RAT.

Dr Owais said the pandemic is not over yet and hence the need is to remain cautious till the pandemic is over.

He asked all the concerned to remain alert and vigilant in order to tackle the new Covid-19 variant ‘Omicron’ and asked people to follow all Covid-19 SoPs as public health is the priority of the administration.

He directed the officers for strengthening surveillance, enhanced testing, monitoring of hot spots, and prompt dispatch of samples for genome sequencing and other actions.

The meeting was attended by SDM Sumbal, SDM Gurez, Tehsildar Bandipora, Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Chief Education Officer Bandipora, Nodal Officer Mehraj Wani, Nodal Officer Bilal Hassan, Medical Superintendent District Hospital Bandipora, DIO Bandipora and other senior officers of the district.

Baramulla, Jan11: In order to discuss various Rent Assessment Cases in Baramulla district, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Bhupinder Kumar today convened a meeting of Rent Assessment Committee (RAC) with the officers of concerned departments in his office Chamber, here.

While having a detailed discussion of Rent Assessment Cases, a total number of 46 cases came under discussion of the committee out of which 40 cases were settled on spot after a detailed deliberation.

After settlement of cases, the DC directed the officers to expedite the process of remaining cases so that the pending rent Assessment cases can be settled in a time bound manner.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Mohd Rafiq Lone, Chief Education Officer, G.M. Lone and Chief Animal Husbandry Officer besides officers from Police and Line Departments.

Budgam, Jan 11: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza today chaired a meeting to review the progress of development in Surasyar and Pakherpora, being developed as aspirational blocks in the district.

At the outset, the DC called for speedy improvement and completion of development works carried out in both blocks. He instructed concerned to conduct fresh survey of implementation of modalities and submit department wise reports of progress of works.

It was revealed in the meeting that work on panchayat playfields is completed on time and activities of youth clubs and sports activities are conducted regularly in these blocks.

The DC also reviewed the progress in the activities conducted for plantation, Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav celebration, sanitation and cleanliness and improvement in school enrollment ratio.

He stressed on holding panchayat meetings for awareness and review of developmental activities. The meeting also discussed implementation of old age pension, PMAY and MGNREGA Man days work creation.

The DC directed CEO Budgam to submit a fresh report on schools functioning from private buildings, facility of toilets, separate girl toilets in schools and other facilities.

He stressed on adoption of modern agriculture practices and instructed concerned people to ensure better facilities are provided to the residents in these blocks.

The meeting, among others, was attended by ADDC Budgam, JD Planning, ACD, CEO, CMO, CAO, BMOs, and other concerned officers.

Srinagar, Jan 5 :Kashmir University has postponed all exams scheduled on Wednesday in view of inclement weather conditions, officials said.

“It is notified for the information of all the concerned that due to inclement weather conditions, all UG/PG/Professional/B.Ed examinations of Kashmir University scheduled on 5-01-2022 (Wednesday) are hereby postponed, ” a notification of the university said.
“Fresh dates for the postponed papers will be issued separately,“ Controller of Examinations Prof Irshad A Nawchoo said.

Srinagar is experiencing intermittent rain and snow since early morning disrupting normal life.

Srinagar, Jan 5 : Security forces on Wednesday shot dead three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, including a Pakistani, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

The gunfight raged at Chandgam village during a cordon and a search operation (CASO) launched by joint forces.

“As the CASO was underway, the hidden terrorists fired at the search party. This was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter in which three terrorists of JeM were killed,” a police officer said.

Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said the killing of three JeM terrorists as “a big success.”

“Three terrorists of JeM, including one Pakistani national killed. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition, including two M-4 carbine and one AK series rifle recovered. A big success for us,” IGP Kashmir said.

This is the second gunfight in south Kashmir this week. Two terrorists were killed in an encounter in Kulgam district on Monday.

Srinagar, Jan 5 : Two deluxe houseboats were gutted in a devastating fire in the Dal Lake causing extensive damage to property worth lakhs, officials said here on Wednesday.

Fire broke out in a houseboat which soon engulfed another one in the Golden Lake area near Ghat No 9 of the Dal Lake, Fire and Emergency Services said.

The men and machinery of the Fire and Emergency Services, along with boats of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) doused the fire before it could engulf other houseboats in the row.

The two houseboats “Apollo Palace” and “Badyari Palace” were completely damaged, sources said, and added that the estimate of the damage is being ascertained.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, the Fire and Emergency Services said.

Major achievement of year 2021 was peaceful burial of Syed Ali Geelani; 168 militants active at present in Kashmir, ratio of locals, foreigners almost equal; 128 boys joined militancy this year, 73 were killed, 16 arrested, only 39 active; Over 150 pistols recovered from modules, slain militants; only 4 top commanders active: IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar

Srinagar, Dec 31 : Jammu and Kashmir police Friday said that while peaceful burial of senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani was a “major achievement” in year 2021, the biggest challenge for year 2022 will be dealing with the Hybrid militants—the militants who aren’t categorized in police stations.

Addressing a year-end press conference at PCR here, Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said that burial of senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani was the major achievement of the year as it remained peaceful. “There was no law and order incident and burial remained peaceful. So I count this as the major achievements for police for the year 2021,” the IGP said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). He said that for the year 2022, Hybrid militancy will remain as the biggest challenge for the police. “After examining various CCTV footages, it was observed that young boys aged 17 years carry out attacks on police men and security forces. These boys aren’t categorized anywhere neither do we have their photographs in police stations,” the IGP said.

He said some political leaders questioned the term Hybrid militants but the fact remains that “police coined the term in January 2021.” The IGP Kashmir said that second major challenge will be to prevent policemen from becoming soft targets. “Militants attacked unarmed policemen. A few were killed while coming out of masjids, some while going to markets and some while sleeping,” he said, adding that police will work to prevent such attacks in 2022.

He said that at present 168 militants are active in Kashmir at present and the number of locals and foreign militants is almost equal. “We have made list of 25 Hybrid militants who aren’t categorized,” the IGP said. He said 171 militants were killed in year 2021 and almost equal number of pistols were recovered. “Five US-made M-4 carbine guns were also recovered from slain JeM militants,” the IGP said, adding that almost all top commanders were killed and only four are active in Valley now.

He said that 34 civilians were killed this year against 37 last year. “This year there was no collateral damage during encounters. Not a single civilian was killed in law and order incidents,” he said. He said curbing narco-trade will also be the top priority for the police besides prevent crime against women. The IGP wished media fraternity a happy and prosperous year 2022.