Srinagar, September 12
Maternity care in the Valley once again come under scanner with the death of a newborn due to alleged negligence on part of the doctors at Lal Ded Hospital, the lone maternity care hospital in the Valley, today.

The mother is in critical state. The doctors have been accused of failing to operate upon her when she went into labour.

Mehbooba Akhter (20) hailing from Kakapora, Pulwama, was admitted to the hospital yesterday morning and developed acute pain in the afternoon.

The doctors on duty recommended normal delivery for Mehbooba, saying there was no need to panic.

Hours later, when Mehbooba’s condition deteriorated, her family members asked the doctors to operate upon the patient or else they would be forced to shift her to a private hospital.

The doctors later operated upon the patient but her child died immediately after the delivery.

After Mehbooba failed to show signs of recovery, the doctors removed her uterus, which resulted in major blood loss.

“We had collected six pints of blood for her and given it to the doctors, but it was too late then. The doctors assured us that there would be no problem and delayed surgery due to which my niece is on deathbed today,” said Mehbooba’s uncle.

Dr Mushtaq Ahmad, Medical Superintendent, LD Hospital, said a committee headed by Head of Department Dr Shahnaz Taing, had been set up to investigate the matter.

“We have already attached the registrar concerned. If there is any negligence on part of any doctor, the same will not be spared,” he asserted.

Srinagar, September 12
A 50-year-old woman has been injured in a bear attack at a village in Baramulla district of north Kashmir. Beebi Jan, a resident of Balhama village, was injured when a bear attacked her, a police spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the injured woman was shifted to the Sub-District Hospital, Baramulla, from where she was transferred to the Bone and Joint Hospital in Srinagar, where she is being treated. Wild animal attacks have been reported on a regular basis in the region. Experts blame it on the shrinking forest space for wild animals and growing intrusion of humans into the animal habitat.

Residents often venture into woods to collect firewood and sometimes trespass into the space of wild animals, leading to violent confrontation. Most attacks have led to fatalities or severe injuries.

The Himalayan black bear and leopards, found across this mountainous region, are involved in most of these incidents.

In a recent attack, a wild porcupine injured three persons at a market in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

Srinagar, September 12
A storeroom of the Government Silk Factory in the city was damaged in a fire today. Officials in the Fire and Emergency Services said the blaze broke out around noon in a wooden structure being used as a storeroom at the Government Silk Factory in the Solina area.

They said around 10 fire tenders from different parts of the city, including from the headquarters, were pressed into service to control the blaze. Property worth Rs 10 lakh was destroyed in the fire, the official said.

He said the police was ascertaining the exact cause of the fire. The storeroom housed timber, silk weaving looms and some discarded property of the Jammu and Kashmir Industries Department, the official said.

The silk industry of Kashmir, once famous for its refined quality, is being revived by the state government. The Government Silk Factory is being modernised at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore to enhance the production of silk fabrics.

Srinagar, September 12
As many as 14 persons sustained injuries in seven road accidents in the Valley bringing the number of injured persons to a staggering 76 in the past six days. A taxi skidded off the road in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, resulting in injuries to five passengers.

The police said the vehicle was travelling from Chrar-e-Sharief to Chadoora when it skidded off the road near Nagam. The injured were shifted to the Sub-District Hospital, Chadoora.

In Budgam district, a passenger bus skidded off the road leaving three persons injured. In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, a man sustained injuries after being hit by a taxi. He was later shifted to a hospital, police said.

In a similar incident, a person was hit by a car near Manzgam village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the police said.

In Kulgam district, a truck on way from Jammu to Srinagar overturned near the Jawahar tunnel, resulting in injuries to the driver and the conductor. Both were shifted to a hospital, the police said.

A vehicle on way from Jammu to Srinagar collided with a truck at Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, said the police.

Srinagar, September 12
A young doctor died when part of a glacier collapsed on him at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. Four others were injured in the incident.

Zubair Ahmad Chowdary, a resident of Poonch district in the Jammu region, who was interning as a doctor at a Srinagar hospital, died when he was buried under the snow of Thajiwas glacier, a police official said.

The official said the 21-year-old doctor, who was picnicking at Sonamarg, died on the spot.

An attempt to rescue the buried doctor could not succeed due to the large amount of snow, the official said.

Four others, including a local boy, were injured in the incident. The injured have been shifted to a hospital where they are recovering.

The Thajiwas glacier at the famous Sonamarg resort is a major tourist attraction, drawing hundreds of visitors every day.

Srinagar, September 12
A teenage girl committed suicide by consuming poison in Budgam district of central Kashmir, the police said. The 17-year-old girl, a resident of Gurwait village of Budgam, committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at her home, a police spokesperson said.

He said the girl was shifted to the Sub-District Hospital, Khan Sahib, from where she was referred to the SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.

The girl died on her way to the Srinagar hospital, the spokesperson said.

The police has registered a case and is investigation the circumstances leading to her death.

There has been a sharp increase in suicide cases in the Valley over the past few years.

In a five-day period in August, eight suicide cases were reported in the Valley, involving an 11-year-old girl, two 15-year-old girls, a 50-year-old woman and two girls in their early twenties.

Experts have warned of growing stress levels among residents in the Valley. A large chunk of the population in the Valley is believed to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Srinagar, September 12
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said road communication in far-flung areas and linking these with main highways had been one of the most important sectors along with other basic facilities for the government.

He was addressing a public meeting and interacting with sarpanches and panches at Machil in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, where he also presided over a Cabinet meeting today.

Referring to the development of Machil, Omar Abdullah said the bad pockets development fund had been raised to Rs 52 lakh this year from Rs 26 lakh last year for the execution of special projects in Machil.

He said he had directed the Border Roads Organisation to complete the ongoing road projects in the area at the earliest.

Various ministers accompanying the Chief Minister also addressed the public meeting.

The Chief Minister inaugurated a span steel-deck bridge on the Machil-Poshwari road. It has been constructed at a cost of Rs 72 lakh.

The bridge will not only offer a better link to the local population but also boost economic activity in the area.

Omar Abdullah also inaugurated an administrative block at Machil for offices. To provide adequate official accommodation to government functionaries working in Machil, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of staff quarters for government employees at Machil and a rest house at Dudi, 3 km from Machil.

He also inspected a labour room at the PHC, Dudi. Appraising development works in Machil and other parts of Kupwara district at a meeting of district officers, the Chief Minister asked them to ensure hassle-free public service to the people in remote areas, especially during winter when maximum areas got cut-off due to heavy snow.

The Chief Minister told the officers that the people in remote pockets required more attention as the government was the only means for them to get the necessary relief, particularly in the hour of need.

He said the availability and distribution of essential commodities and domestic fuel should receive adequate attention.

“The district administration should monitor the distribution regularly to ensure that people receive the supplies without any difficulty,” he said, stressing the need for raising buffers of essential commodities for winter.

Omar Abdullah also underlined the need for upgrading basic amenities and improving healthcare service in the area. He underscored the need for dovetailing efforts and funds available under various schemes to ensure a comprehensive development of the area. 

Srinagar, September 12
Kashmir University’s Directorate of Lifelong Learning (DLL) in collaboration with the Islamic Relief and Research Trust (IRRT) and J&K Bank distributed royal wedding gifts among 14 special brides at Gandhi Bhawan today.

Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmed, registrar Dr Syed Fayaz Ahmad, DLL director Dr GH Mir, IRRT founder AR Hanjora, deans and heads of university faculties, civil society members and representatives of various NGOs attended the function.

The Vice-Chancellor and other dignitaries distributed gifts among the special brides, drawn from far-flung areas of the state, who were mostly orphans. The kit contained 30 items, useful for them at the time of marriage.

Prof Talat Ahmed stressed the need for such social initiatives to help the destitute, orphans and deserving persons live a dignified and honourable life.

He said the university was engaged in identifying underprivileged areas in order to uplift people in respect of skill development and upgrading their socio-economic conditions.

He appreciated the efforts of the DLL and the IRRT in organising the function and prayed for prosperous and successful future of the special brides present at the function.

Dr GH Mir said all schemes launched by the DLL were aimed at uplifting the status of people and community development. He said the DLL had provided training to 300 boys and girls in various trades for setting their business units.

He said the department was planning to start 34 new courses for the youth in the Valley, with evening class facilities.

Srinagar, September 12
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik today welcomed the warmth in Indo-Pak ties following the recent meeting of External Affairs Minister SM Krishna with Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar.

“Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers held parleys and signed many agreements. We are witnessing new affection in the relations of the two countries. Kashmiris welcome and support these good gestures,” said Malik while addressing a rally at Seer, Sopore, in north Kashmir.

However, he urged India and Pakistan to take steps to resolve Kashmir issue on priority basis. “The people of conscience in India, Pakistan and rest of the world feel surprised and agonised that the core issue of Kashmir has been pushed to the back-burner without any progress,” he said.

He said the people had a right to question from India, Pakistan and the international community over the progress made in resolving the Kashmir issue.

Srinagar, September 12
Constitution is the most fundamental law of the nation and when followed in letter and spirit, makes the nation economically, socially, politically and democratically stronger. This was stated by J-K Assembly Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being held at Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Lone, accompanied by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar and J&K Legislative Council secretary Mohammad Ashraf Mir, are in the conference as observers from Jammu and Kashmir.

Lone and Sagar spoke on the topic, “The politics of constitution making- the role of the Parliament in relation to the people.”

“It is the constitution that guides a nation in its journey for achieving the goals of progress, prosperity and welfare of the people through its Parliamentarians by electoral processes,” he said.

Ali Mohammad Sagar said, “The constitution is very important document which shapes the governance of a country.”

The conference was inaugurated on Tuesday by Sri Lanka President Mahindra Rajapaksa and is being attended by delegates and observers from all the Commonwealth countries.

The conference is being organised by Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. 

Srinagar, September 12
Minister for Industries and Commerce SS Slathia has said the list of existing tradable items could be broadened for cross-LoC trade to boost the economy of both sides of J&K.

Only 21 items are currently allowed for trade whereas the traders have been demanding the introduction of a negative list of trading items to boost the trade across LoC.

Slathia said this during a visit to the Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC), Salamabad, Uri and Kaman Post at the LoC yesterday.

“The minister emphasised the need for enhancing trade across the LoC. He was of the view that the list of existing tradable items could be broadened to boost the economy of both sides, which in turn would help strengthen the relations between the two countries,” a government spokesperson said in a statement.

During his visit, Slathia also interacted with LoC traders who apprised him of various aspects of trade and difficulties faced by them.

“They (traders) put forth various suggestions and sought the provision of ATM facility, round-the-clock medical facility, vehicle for custodian and lifting of ban on export items like coconut and import items like ajwain and garlic,” the statement added.

The minister appreciated the quality of work and promptness exhibited by the State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) in adhering to the timeline for implementation of the project.

On different development activities, the minister was informed by officials that the TFC at Salamabad had been established with the financial assistance of Rs 8.75 crore from the Centre.

“The infrastructure created so far includes import and export cargo examination halls, two rummages, weigh bridge, malkhana/ fumigation centre, administrative block and a rest room for drivers from across the LoC,” said the spokesperson.

During the current financial year, the export through LOC trade was calculated at Rs 172 crore, whereas imports through the TFC, Salamabad, stood at Rs 252 crore.

Srinagar, September 12
Over 200 kindergarten teachers and principals from leading schools in Srinagar and nearby districts attended a workshop on ‘Development of Child and various kindergarten philosophies’, conducted by Ashlar Education Consultants Private Limited at Media house auditorium, EMMRC, University of Kashmir. Director Ashlar Education Consultants Mausam Arora welcomed all the participants and shared the vision of his company.

The workshop primarily focused on the age compression happening in today’s kids, the child developmental norms and various philosophies in kindergarten education and was conducted by Director Blackstone Books Anil Bhardwaj, an expert in kindergarten education.aKashmir Private Schools Association chairman MY Manzar appreciated the efforts of Ashlar Educations for the kindergarten teachers in the Valley.