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Swine Flu
Swine Flu
Shopian Case |
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Shopian Case
Jammu students boycott classes
Tailor killed for objecting to liquor sale to father
A policeman chases government employees during a protest in Srinagar on Wednesday. Tribune photo
Docs’ strike affects OPD services
Three cops among 7 hurt in clashes
BJP flays lathicharge on govt staff
2 cops suspended for Pak national’s escape
Andolan samiti to hold parallel I-Day functions
Security up on border
One killed, 10 injured in grenade attack
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14 more blood samples airlifted to NICD
Azad rushes team to Srinagar Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service
Jammu, August 12 The 14 samples also included that of a one-year-old child, who reported at the Government SMGS Hospital here today. Talking to The Tribune, Dr Ramesh Gupta, Medical Superintendent, Government Medical College (GMC), said the blood samples of 13 persons, who reported at the hospital today with suspected swine flu, were sent to the NICD. Asked about the 22-year-old girl of Nanak Nagar, who had tested positive for H1N1 virus, Dr Gupta said her condition was improving rapidly. “She is being treated at her home and has been quarantined so as to contain the virus from spreading,” he said. The girl pursuing her business studies in Pune had returned recently on vacation. The Deputy Medical Superintendent of the SMGS Hospital also confirmed that one blood sample of a one-year-old baby boy was sent to the NICD today. State epidemiologist Dr RS Charak said the reports of four persons, whose blood samples were sent to the NICD on Monday, were expected this evening. Meanwhile, one more case of suspected swine flu has surfaced in a private hospital on the outskirts of the city. Sources said, a 35-year-old man from Uttarvehni in Samba district was hospitalised on August 7 with the symptoms of swine flu. He had been kept in an isolation ward and his blood samples were sent to the GMC today, they said. The condition of the person suspected to have contracted the H1N1 virus continue to deteriorate, they added. Meanwhile, Azad has rushed a team of officials to Srinagar to take stock of the situation. The sources said Dr Rajinder Singh Chib, Principal, GMC, Dr Jasbir Singh, Director Health Jammu, and Dr RS Charak, state epidemiologist, would attend a high level meeting with the visiting team in Srinagar tomorrow.
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Schools told to take preventive steps
Tribune News Service
Jammu, August 12 A local girl, who has been pursuing studies in Pune and had returned home recently on vacation, tested positive for swine flu, making people worried, particularly parents. Parents feared children might have visited abroad or states affected by the virus during summer vacation and serious precautionary steps instead of simple orders were not sufficient to prevent the disease. Talking to The Tribune, Zahida Khan, Director School Education, said the spread of swine flu was fairly mild in the state. She said, “Thousands of students are studying in schools and it is not possible for us to provide them with masks and medicines. It is the responsibility of the government.” She further said, “All government and private schools have been instructed to follow the orders of the Central government.” Similar views were expressed by ND Wani, Director Colleges. Abdul Gani Malik, Minister for Higher Education, said all educational institutions had been ordered that if any student or staff member showing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, a running nose and difficulty in breathing should be allowed to stay at home for a period of seven to 10 days. However, students or staff members should not be insisted on to furnish medical certificates. The schools had been directed not to take students on visits to any states reporting H1N1 cases. Meanwhile, the school principals have started educating students about the virus from today. “Students are taught to maintain hygiene and wash their hands regularly,” said JK Sudan, principal, Government Ranbir Higher Secondary School. Sunita Jamwal, supervisor head of Maharaja Hari Singh Agricultural School, Nagbani, said teachers were guiding the students about preventive steps.
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HC says it may form special probe team
Kumar Rakesh Tribune News Service
Srinagar, August 12 “It is a case of the people of the state and we would pursue it, whether others do it or not,” said the Chief Justice, who is heading a division bench to supervise the Shopian investigation, referring to the fabricated vaginal slides sent to the lab. The court fixed August 18 as the next date of hearing and asked the Kashmir bar, which had filed a public interest litigation petition, president Mian Abdul Qayoom and Advocate-General Ishaq Qadri to suggest it ways to reach the culprits. But it was clear that the Division Bench, which has Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir besides the Chief justice, was at a loss as to how to move ahead in a case which has only become more mysterious due to lack of solid evidence from day one and now the tampering of forensic evidence. Shaqil Ahanagar, husband of Neelofar Jan and brother of Asiya Jan, the two rape and murder victims, pleaded in open court for justice, blaming the police and CRPF for the incident. He told the Bench that SIT could solve the case in 24 hours if it wanted to, as many in Shopian know who the culprits are but they are not being questioned. The Bench asked him if he knew any name. Shaqil named a few persons, who, he said, were in the know of things. The Bench directed Qadri to take names from him and produce them before it, if required. Mian Qayoom said the tampering of samples by authorities was a scar on the police and judiciary and the hope of the people had been belied after they put their trust in the high court. To which, Chief Justice Ghosh replied that “we will not allow anybody to snatch the truth”. The family members of four arrested cops were also present in the court and brother-in-law of suspended SP Javed Iqbal told the court that they were unable to get a local lawyer to plead their case. “We are also sufferers. An enquiry be held to know as to who tampered with the samples,” he said. The CFSL report had said the vaginal samples, supposed to be of two victims, did not match with the DNA profiles developed from their blood, meaning the samples were not drawn from these women.
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Govt move bid to cover up brutality: PDP
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, August 12 She alleged that the CBI was being used as a tool to cover up atrocities on people and the decision was yet another eyewash to bury the truth in the Shopian incident. Earlier Mehbooba told the Assembly that the government had systematically tried to hush up the case. The cover up attempt had begun with the statement of the Chief Minister himself that it was a case of drowning and neither rape nor murder was involved. Mehbooba said the administration had taken a cue from the Chief Minister and tried every thing to prove him correct. The refusal to register an FIR for 10 days was the first indication of the government’s pre-meditated plan to conceal truth about the crime, she said. CPM member MY Tarigami said in the Assembly that it appeared that the fabricated slides were presented for DNA test. This raises questions about how could the investigation now proceed, given that there were no genuine samples from the bodies for the DNA test.
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Central University Tribune News Service
Jammu, August 12 The protesters burnt an effigy of Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and raised slogans against the state government. In Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, the girl students boycotted classes and held a protest. In GGM Science and Commerce College, students demonstration was led by Pratap Singh Jamwal. In MAM College, Thakur Virander Singh, who was leading the protest demonstration of the students in the college, was arrested by the state police in the morning and was released in the evening. UDHAMPUR: Demanding setting up of the central university in Jammu division, students today took out a procession in Kishtwar. A large number of students participated in the procession. “Our only concern is that the proposed central university would be set up in Jammu division. We demand that a campus of the proposed varsity be established at Kistwar,” Ashish Sharma said.
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Tailor killed for objecting to liquor sale to father
Rajouri, August 12 Police sources said the police was investigating the involvement of constable Kishore Kumar, a PSO with senior BJP leader Kuldeep Raj Gupta, and his uncle Bhola Ram in the alleged murder of Mushtaq Ahmed (18), son of Muhammad Hussain of Dungri Brahamana, here this morning. Mushtaq worked as a tailor at Shahpur. The sources added that Mushtaq used to object to Kishore and Bhola Ram selling liquor to his father and even had a fight wit them over the issue last night. “Kishore Kumar and Bhola Ram were allegedly selling liquor illegally to the villagers, including Mushtaq’s father, for the past some months. Mushtaq always objected to the duo selling liquor to his father. Even last night Mushtaq went to Kishore’s house to warn him not to sell liquor to his father, resulting in a heated exchange of words between them,” shopkeeper friends of Mushtaq reportedly told the police. “Kishore Kumar called up Mushtaq at 8.30 am today and asked him to come out to resolve the matter. When Mushtaq came out, the accused who were hiding behind bushes attacked him and forcibly made him consume Nuvan, a poisonous substance. They fled thinking Mushtaq had died, but he was still alive. Friends of Mushtaq reportedly told the police that Naseem Akhtar, a teacher at Middle School, Darah, Samba, who was on her way to the school, saw Mushtaq lying on the road and later informed them. They added that Mushtaq narrated the whole incident to them. They shifted Mushtaq to the District Hospital, Rajouri, where the doctors declared him brought dead. The locals latter blocked the Rajouri-Peer Badeswar road at Shahpur for four hours. They were demanding the arrest of the accused. Meanwhile, the police has registered a case under Section 174, RPC.
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Govt staff lathicharged
Srinagar, August 12 Not satisfied with the assurances and response from the government, the Joint Consultative Committee of the employees has called for a two-day strike on August 19 and 20 to impress upon the government to fulfil their demands. In view of the strike call given by the small sections of the employees, the District Magistrate, Srinagar, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo imposed restrictions Under Section 144 CrPc on the assembly of five or more than five persons in territorial jurisdiction of Srinagar district today. However, this order shall not be applicable to funerals, cremations and university and board examinations, the official spokesman said here last evening. The police, while trying to control the agitating employees, resorted to cane charge near the Civil Secretariat, Shaheed Gunj and Clock Tower. A government communiqué today sated that several commitments made by the government to the employees were fulfilled. These included the implementation with effect from January this year and the drawal from July, and ranged from HRA to regularisation of contractual employees and hike in daily wagers’ wages. It said the government was committed to implement the understanding arrived at between the employees and the government. The agitational path can have serious ramifications on the people-oriented developmental, welfare and other programmes, it stated. |
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Docs’ strike affects OPD services
Srinagar, August 12 They have been on strike for the past three days, demanding wages under the sixth pay commission recommendations. The SKIMS authorities closed down the OPD today. The protesting doctors alleged that it was due to the lackadaisical attitude of the government that surgeries had been suspended, the OPD had been closed and work in emergency services had been affected. “The OPD is closed. Where shall we go? We’ve come all the way from Shopian for the medical assistance,” Jana Begum said. Abdul Qayoom said the government should have made some alternatives so that poor patients like us did not suffer.” He said everybody could not afford going to private clinics or nursing homes. A senior official said: “We’ve managed a few senior doctors to look after emergencies, but their number is not sufficient enough to meet the demand. We realise the sufferings of patients, but don’t have any alternative at our disposal.” Meanwhile, some doctors had been reportedly attacked by attendants during the strike.
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Three cops among 7 hurt in clashes
Srinagar, August 12 The two CRPF personnel were taken into custody and an inquiry ordered into the incident. Protesters blocked traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for nearly three hours, officials said. The trouble started this afternoon when the CRPF personnel on duty at Vassu village allegedly made some offensive comments against the girl. When her brother Arif Ahmad Bhat objected, the CRPF personnel allegedly assaulted him and the girl. Locals took to the streets immediately and raised slogans demanding the arrest of the accused. The police fired teargas shells and used batons to chase away the stone-throwing mob. The ensuing clashes left seven persons, including three policemen, injured. The condition of a policeman, who suffered a head injury, was stated to be critical and he was shifted to the Soura Medical institute here. CRPF personnel Paramjeet Singh and Kanveera Ram were arrested and a case was registered against them. “Nobody is above law.... We have already taken the protesters into confidence and assured them that appropriate action would be taken against the erring personnel, but some of them turned violent prompting the police to act,” Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Bashir Ahmad Khan said. Meanwhile, A PDP leader escaped unhurt in a firing by policemen after he allegedly did not halt his vehicle ignoring their signal in Bandipora district, prompting the authorities to arrest the four “errant” policemen. A case was registered against them. The policemen were arrested in connection with last night’s incident involving PDP leader Yasir Reshi at Sonawari, 35 km from here, Bandipora SP Sheikh Junaid told PTI on phone. Sheikh said the arrested policemen claimed that one of them opened fire at the vehicle of Reshi after he ignored their command to stop it for checking. However, Reshi claimed he stopped immediately but the policemen still opened fire.
— PTI
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BJP flays lathicharge on govt staff
Jammu, August 12 He said the employees did not commit any crime by making such demand and the use of force to suppress their voice was not a healthy trend in the democracy. Khajuria said the present NC-Congress coalition in the state was no different from its predecessor PDP-Congress coalition, which misled the people on hollow promises of giving job to at least one member in each family. “The state government has no concern for the unemployed youth or those in government service. The educated unemployed youth are agitating for jobs, whereas those engaged under daily wage, contractual or ad-hoc basis are sitting on dharna for months together for their regularisation. Instead of taking effective steps to resolve the genuine demands of the employees, this government has canes in its kitty for them,” he said. He said resorting to lathi-charge was no solution to mute the genuine demand of the employees and, the government should not test their patience.
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2 cops suspended for Pak national’s escape
Jammu, August 12 The Jammu SSP said two head constables - Raj Singh and Somnath - had been suspended while an ex-serviceman Uttam Singh, who had been employed as Special Police Officer (SPO), was dismissed from the
services. A departmental inquiry has also been ordered against Rakesh Akram, SHO, Khour. Mohammed Zahid, Pak national, who was arrested for illegally crossing into the state in April 2006, had escaped from Khour police station on August 10. Zahid belonged to the Nadi area in Punjab of
Pakistan. |
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Andolan samiti to hold parallel I-Day functions
Jammu, August 12 CUAS convener Paviter Singh said: “We are not militants and want to celebrate Independence Day.” However, unfortunately this government has not come clean on the entire issue so we would boycott the government-organised functions and organise parallel functions on our own, he said. The CUAS has been demanding written assurance from the government to set up the institution in Samba. |
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Security up on border
Jammu, August 12 “Our deployment is adequate and we are maintaining round-the-clock vigil at the LoC,” an Army spokesperson said. He said appropriate measures had been instituted. Thermal imagers and battlefield surveillance radars are also being used along the three-tier barbed wire fencing along the border. |
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One killed, 10 injured in grenade attack
Srinagar, August 12 The police said the militants lobbed a grenade towards Hotel Plaza in Sopore where the 179 Battalion of the CRPF was stationed. As many as 10 civilians were injured and Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh (60) succumbed to his injuries in the sub-district hospital. In another incident, militants also lobbed a grenade on a CRPF bunker of the 161 Battalion at Noorbagh in downtown Srinagar. However, no one was hurt as the grenade failed to explode. The grenade was later destroyed by the Bomb Disposal Squad on the spot. |
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