Kashmir Fast

Sakeena Itoo conducts whirlwind tour of South Kashmir, assesses post-snowfall scenario
Assesses snow clearance operations, availability of essential commodities, restoration of essential services
Inspects functioning of district Hospitals, GMC Anantnag
PULWAMA/SHOPIAN/KULGAM/ANANTNAG, JANUARY 06:
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today undertook a comprehensive tour of South Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian to gather first hand account of impact of recent snowfall in these districts.
She chaired meetings at each district headquarter and took stock of snow clearance operations, availability of essential commodities, restoration of essential services like water supply and power supply and other public welfare measures.
At Pulwama, Sakeena Itoo inspected district hospital and took stock of medical facilities available for patients. She interacted with on duty doctors and paramedical staff at these hospitals.
The Minister also chaired a meeting at district headquarters Pulwama and took stock of post snowfall scenario in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, senior officers of district administration and other concerned district and sectoral officers were also present in the meeting.
Later, Sakeena Itoo visited Shopian and chaired a meeting to review snow clearance operations and provision of essential service delivery in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar apprised the Minister of snow clearance plans in place and prompt response of the administration in snow clearance and restoration of power and road connectivity post yesterdays snowfall.
During her visit, the Minister also inspected District Control Room to review its functioning and the grievance redressal mechanism in place for winter mitigation measures.
She also inspected the District Hospital Shopian and reviewed the healthcare facilities. She emphasized on the augmenting heating arrangements in healthcare institutions across the district.
MLA Zainapora, Showkat Hussain Ganie; MLA Rajpora, Gh.Mohi-ud-din Mir and other senior officers also accompanied the Minister during the visit.
Afterwards, the Minister visited district Kulgam and took stock of post-snowfall scenario in the district.
She chaired a meeting with the administration of district and reviewed snow clearance operations, availability of essential services and other public welfare measures in the district.
MLA Devsar, Peerzada Feroz Ahmad; Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, district and sectoral officers were present in the meeting.
Addressing the officers during the meeting, the Minister stressed upon the officers for timely clearance of snow in several remote areas which are blocked due to recent snowfall. She asked them to prioritise roads leading to hospitals and other essential service institutions.
The Minister also called for timely restoration of drinking water supply in affected areas. She directed the concerned officers for regular deployment of drinking water tankers in affected areas till restoration.
During the visit, the Minister also inspected district hospital Kulgam and took stock of medical care facilities. She inspected different sections of the hospital and also interacted with on duty doctors, staff patients and their attendants.
She stressed on the district administration for augmenting heating arrangements in view of the harsh cold.
Later, Sakeena Itoo visited district Anantnag and took stock of post snowfall scenario. She also visited GMC and Associated Hospital Anantnag and took stock of medical care facilities at the facility.
Chairing a meet at district headquarters Anantnag, the Minister called upon the officers of district administration for timely restoration of all essential services.
While reviewing the snow clearance operations in the district, the Minister delved upon the officers for timely restoration of connectivity in all remote areas. She asked them to prioritise roads leading to hospitals, CHCs and PHCs. She also asked to provide alternative sources of drinking water in affected areas till pipelines are restored.
During the meeting, the Minister said that the government is working round the clock to address the immediate challenges brought about by the heavy snowfall. “Our priority is to ensure that basic services are restored swiftly and that no one is left behind”, Sakeena said. She highlighted that the district administrations have been directed to continue their efforts and provide relief in the most effective and timely manner.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, senior officers of district administration and other concerned district and sectoral officers were also present in the meeting.
Pertinently, the tour was held in the backdrop of Chief Minister’s direction of moving around the districts to review the situation on the ground.

Ganderbal Police Extend Support to Poeple Amid Fresh Snowfall

Ganderbal, Jan 6, CNS: In response to the ongoing harsh weather conditions, Ganderbal Police have stepped up efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the public, particularly tourists and passengers stranded in snow-affected areas.

Dedicated teams have been deployed across the district, including key tourist destinations and regions vulnerable to heavy snowfall. The police teams are actively assisting stranded individuals, including tourists, passengers, and vehicles stuck in snow, with a special focus on critical locations such as Sonamarg, Gund, and Kangan.

Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution and adhere to safety protocols while traveling in these challenging weather conditions. The police have assured round-the-clock support to provide assistance and ensure no one is left in distress.

For emergencies, the District Police Ganderbal has asked public to reach them out on their helpline number can be reached via the following helpline numbers (9906668731, 9419371774, 9541786731) or dial 112.
J&K Police have also advised residents and travelers to remain alert and stay updated on weather forecasts to avoid unnecessary risks. The district police remain committed to ensuring the safety of all during these adverse conditions. (CNS

SSP Anantnag Holds Meeting with Officers Ahead of Upcoming Elections

September 16: In preparation for the upcoming elections on 18 September 2024, SSP Anantnag, Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy-IPS, chaired a crucial meeting with Zonal Officers (ZOs), Sector Officers (SOs), and other concerned officers.

The SSP provided detailed briefings on the necessary "Do's and Don'ts" to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process. Key areas of focus included maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety, and upholding the integrity of the democratic process.

Key directives from the SSP included:

- Upholding impartiality and neutrality
- Maintaining high vigilance
- Preventing any form of electoral malpractice
- Ensuring effective communication
- Coordinating seamlessly with other agencies

The purpose of the meeting was to ensure that all officers are fully prepared to fulfill their responsibilities with professionalism and diligence during the elections.

Police is committed to ensuring safe, secure, free, fair, and peaceful elections.

This election is between BJP and Gandhi-Abdullah alliance: Amit Shah

Kishtwar — Ahead of the crucial Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir which are being held after a gap of 10 years Union Home Minister Amit Shah drew the battle lines and said that this election is between the BJP and the alliance between Congress and the National Conference.

Speaking at an election rally in Kishtwar on Sunday Amit Shah said, "The upcoming elections are between two forces. On one hand, you have the BJP which walks on the ideals of Pandit Prem Nath Dogra and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. It's clear to us that J&K was and will always be an integral part of India. When we fought against the idea of '2 Vidhaan and 2 Pradhan' for the country, the Congress Party, under the leadership of Nehru, opposed our campaign. Farooq Ji used to say that even if Modi Ji becomes Prime Minister 10 times, he cannot remove Article 370. Mehbooba ji used to say that if Article 370 is removed, there will be bloodshed. But our Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Article 370 and established one flag, one leader and one constitution in the country."

He further asserted that till the time BJP is there no one would be able to remove Article 370.

"This election is between those who have abrogated Article 370 and those who brought Article 370. I wish to ask the Gurjars and Pahadis in the last 70 years what has Article 370 given to you? Due to Article 370 the Gurjars, Pahadis, Dalits or women of Jammu and Kashmir did not get the benefits of reservation. PM Modi gave reservation to Paharis, OBCs and Dalits without touching the reservation of the Gurjars. For 70 years they ruled Jammu and Kashmir but why panchayat polls were not held? PM Modi within 10 years conducted Gram panchayat, block panchayat and district panchayat polls," the Union Home Minister said.

PM Modi has strengthened the democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Amit Shah said, "Modi Ji strengthened democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. I want to ask Farooq Abdullah that your three generations ruled, but did the people of Jammu and Kashmir ever get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh? Modi ji provided free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh to everyone, from the valley to the plains and the second Rs 5 lakh would be given the senior citizens above the age of 70 years. Abdullah's family ruled Jammu and Kashmir for three generations. Did anyone get 5 kg rice free during their rule? PM Modi has given rice to every house."

The Home Minister questioned the Abdullah family and asked them if they had done anything to bring water to every house like the BJP government had done under the scheme "Har Ghar me Nal se Jal".

"If the BJP government is formed then we are committed for the development of Jammu region, Rajouri and Poonch. They (Abdullah-Gandhi) say that if they come to power then all those who are in jail on charges of terrorism will be freed. Once the Abdullah, Gandhi and M***is are defeated we will completely eradicate terrorism from the valley. Congress put Sheikh Abdullah in jail for anti-national activities, if Rahul Gandhi has the courage he should keep the white paper in front of the country which was given to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly then. The same Congress which blamed Abdullah family for terrorism and kept Omar Abdullah's father in jail are now forming alliance to win polls," Amit Shah said.

Congress and the National Conference have formed an alliance for the assembly polls. Assembly polls will be held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases on September 18, September 25 and November 1. Votes will be counted on October 8. — (ANI)

Taliban suspends polio vaccination in Afghanistan: UN

United Nations, Sep 16: The United Nations (UN) announced on Monday that the Taliban has suspended all polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan.

UN agencies said that they were notified about the suspension just days before the scheduled September immunisation campaign, though no official reason was provided.

Representatives from the Taliban-led government did not comment on the situation immediately.

Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries in the world where the spread of the paralysing and potentially fatal disease has not been eradicated.

Despite the polio eradication programme’s continuous efforts in Afghanistan, the last phase of the campaign to achieve polio-free status has faced significant challenges.

Over the past three years, the number of polio cases have risen in the country, with the virus spreading to provinces that had remained free of the disease for an extended period.

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and various non-governmental organisations, has been working through the Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) to explore innovative methods to ensure every child is reached with vaccines.

The focus was also on building trust and demand for vaccination campaigns among the population.

So far, 16 Afghan provinces have been affected, with a total of 56 cases of Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) reported.

The southern region of Afghanistan remains the most severely impacted, accounting for 66 per cent of the country’s total polio cases in 2020.

Despite the ongoing challenges, the polio programme has ensured 100% adequacy of vaccine supplies for all polio-related activities, including immunisation campaigns, case responses, and the deployment of Permanent and Temporary Teams (PTT).

The successful introduction of vaccines such as mOPV2, mOPV1, and tOPV for case response campaigns has been made possible through capacity building in vaccine management and accountability.

Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the polio programme managed to conduct three National Immunisation Days, two Sub-National Immunisation Days, and three Case Response Campaigns across Afghanistan.

However, the current suspension by the Taliban adds uncertainty to future vaccination efforts, raising concerns about the ongoing fight to eliminate polio in the country.–(IANS)