Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Aijaz Asad on Tuesday ruled out any relaxation in the curfew in the city even though there was a decline in the daily Covid-19 cases. The official said that the Covid-19 situation in the district was in a decisive phase during which they can’t take any chances. “The Covid cases are coming down daily. The caseload is reducing but now we need to remain more alert. It can turn much better or even worsen. We still have 6,000 active cases in Srinagar. So there is no option…
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Kashmir
Soaring prices of essential items take a toll on people across Kashmir Valley
At a time when the pandemic is giving a hard time to the people, soaring prices of essential items in the summer capital have multiplied their woes by burning a hole in their pockets. Even though the authorities claim that they are keeping a strict vigil to prevent profiteering by the traders, the people allege little is being done on the ground as they are forced to purchase commodities at exorbitant prices. “It seems there is no administration in Srinagar. We are being forced to purchase commodities at whatever prices…
Read MoreStrict restrictions continue on 20th day in Kashmir, 157 Arrested, 869 fined for lockdown violations
The authorities continue strict Corona restrictions in Kashmir to curtail the spread of COVID-19. Police have registered several FIRs for violation and seized vehicles. “The restrictions were tightened on Tuesday in view of yesterday’s increased traffic as traffic jams were witnessed at several places in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir,” a senior police officer told Kashmir Post. “We are making fervent appeal to people to stay indoors and cooperate.” On Tuesday, streets wore a deserted look as shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads…
Read MoreWas it a EID Shopping or an open invitation to disaster
Are we waiting for Eid, an occasion of joy, or we are preparing for a huge mourning that is to befall us if we don’t take heed. For the last couple of days a disturbing trend is being seen. People are moving out in good numbers and doing shopping for the Eid day. One wonders how people leave the enormity of this crisis behind and become a part of crowd in the markets. This is plainly suicidal. Not just suicidal, but amounts to mass murder. Those who go out and…
Read MoreShowcasing GOI’s normalcy canvas, now Kashmir is paying for hosting tourists
Voluntary agencies in Srinagar have stepped in to help cope with the sudden surge of Covid cases in the Valley. The abrupt rise is attributed to the administration’s decision to keep tourist spots open without enforcing any Covid protocol. ‘The Government was keen to project a picture of normalcy and people, tired and impoverished, also threw caution to the wind,’ explained a health worker. But while there is evidence to suggest that government agencies fell short, NGOs stepped up to fill the breach. Mohammad Adnan, who was frantically looking for…
Read MoreAs COVID lockdown continues across Kashmir, 43 arrested, 12 FIRs lodged for violating norms
For the 10th consecutive day on Saturday, strict Corona curfew restrictions remained imposed across Kashmir to contain unabated rise in COVID-19 related cases and deaths. On Friday, J&K hit another grim milestone with a record single-day spike of 5443 COVID-19 infections and 50 deaths. The Jammu and Kashmir administration earlier this week extended the ongoing ‘corona curfew’ for the third successive time since April 29 in four districts, including Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam and Jammu till May 10. Barring Shopian, the lockdown was extended by the respective Deputy Commissioners of other…
Read MoreVolkan Bozkir, UN General Assembly president says Kashmir Status should not be changed, acknowledges Shimla Agreement of 1972
General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir has said that the status of Jammu and Kashmir should not be changed while acknowledging the 1972 Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan making it a bilateral issue. “I call on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said at a news conference here on Tuesday. “I support dialogue and diplomacy, and I encourage both Pakistan and India, neighbours, to resolve this dispute through peaceful means,” he said. While answering a reporter’s question about Kashmir,…
Read MoreDistrict Srinagar declared as Covid-19 Red Zone
Srinagar and three other districts are under curfew till Thursday and government officials say it could be extended further if the cases continue to rise, especially in the Red Zone. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared Srinagar district a Red Zone after the summer capital recorded 1,126 fresh Covid-19 cases on Sunday. All other 19 districts have been declared as orange zones.Srinagar and Jammu districts reported 1,126 and 486 fresh Covid-19 cases respectively on Sunday, taking the tally of active cases in the two districts to 9,554 and 6,478.…
Read More170 Localities across Kashmir Valley declared micro-containment zones
In order to prevent the COVID-19 cases from spreading, over 170 localities and areas Micro Containment Zones and Containment Zones have been declared across Kashmir. According to the data collected by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) a total of 173 areas have been notified as the Micro Containment and Containments zones in the ten districts of Kashmir region. Most of the Micro Containment Zones and Containment Zones are in Srinagar with officials informing that 13 areas in the summer capital have been notified as Containment Zones while 47 have…
Read MoreDespite huge surge in COVID19 cases GoI to allow Amarnath Pilgrimage in Kashmir
Critics have said the annual Amarnath pilgrimage could lead to a devastating wave of the coronavirus in Kashmir, which has underequipped health care facilities. The local government in India-administered Kashmir is contemplating setting up makeshift shelters and facilities for 600,000 Hindu pilgrims for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, which it intends to host this summer despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.The pilgrims will visit the Amarnath cave shrine, perched 3,880-meters (12,730 feet) above sea level in the Himalayas.The government will set up two base camps — one called Baltal and another called…
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