Calls for tackling drug addiction at societal level

Srinagar, Jun 27: Jammu and Kashmir National conference president and member of parliament Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed deep concern over the increasing drug abuse in Kashmir, saying that the need of the hour called for evolving a well thought out strategy on multiple fronts to deal with the menace.

In his message on the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, party president said, “It is alarming to hear about the scathing increase in the cases of drug abuse in Kashmir. The state government should rise up to the occasion before the trend morphs into a dire epidemic.”

He further added, “The need of the hour calls for effective policing against narcotic smuggling, besides having more drug de-addiction centers in the state. The challenge has to be confronted at multiple levels, and of them all basic awareness at school, college and university level is a must. The parents and civil society also must put in their efforts to curb the menace. The menace has to be tackled at societal level.” (KNS) 

Asks BJP’s state unit to work for an end to militancy, drug addiction

Srinagar, Jun 27: The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah Thursday stressed upon the party workers here to work for the welfare of youth and ensure the militancy and drug addiction is eradicated.

Shah, who was on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir this afternoon chaired a meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers of the State wherein various issues vis-à-vis Kashmir and youth were discussed at SKICC here.

Sources told that leaders of State BJP unit raised various issues before Amit Shah and sought his intervention to put an end to the miseries of people.

They informed that State BJP leaders were asked to work for the benefits of youth and ensure the schemes launched for the welfare of people will be benefitted by the people.

Sources further stated that Shah also asked workers to work for the youth to ensure the militancy in the State comes to an end. He also directed the participants to work hard to put an end to the drug addiction in the Valley.

Furthermore, sources said that on the occasion, BJP leaders demanded development of Press Colony in Srinagar and also accommodation for the senior journalists here.

Pertinently, Amit Shah was on two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. During his first visit to the state of Jammu & Kashmir, the Union Home Minister held a number of meetings with officials to assess the security scenario in the state, reviewed preparations for Amarnath Yatra and provide good governance in the state.

He also interacted with a representative group of Sarpanches from the state to gain an insight into the current state of functioning of Panchayats in the state. During the visit, the Union Home Minister also visited the home of the slain Inspector of J&K Police, Arshad Khan.

The meetings in Srinagar were attended by the Governor, Union Home Secretary, all four Advisors, the Chief Secretary and Senior officials of the State and Central Governments, of Security Agencies and the Armed Forces. (KNS) 

Srinagar, Jun 27 : The Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh concluded his two day visit to the Valley today. Accompanied by the Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, he attended the UHQ meeting at SKICC.

Later in the day, he visited units and formations in the hinterland in South Kashmir, where he was briefed by the commanders on ground about the recent counter terrorist operations.

The Army Commander complimented the troops for their exemplary service to maintain peace and tranquility in the Valley.

He also lauded the exceptional synergy amongst all the forces and appreciated the actions taken by the units and formations in ensuring safety and wellbeing of the people of Kashmir. (KNS) 

Calls for strict enforcement of road safety rules

SRINAGAR, June 27: Former finance minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has expressed deep shock and grief over the loss of precious lives in a tragic road accident that took place near Peer Ki Gali along Mughal road in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday

“I am deeply pained at the loss of lives of eleven students including nine girls. My heart goes out for the bereaved families. I am also pained for the seven others who sustained injuries in this fatal accident. I pray for their speedy recovery,” Bukhari said, in a condolence message issued here.

Expressing serious concern over the recurring road accidents in the State, Bukhari urged the governor led administration to take immediate measures to prevent such frequent heart wrenching mishaps in the region. The former minister said that despite the set standard rules and instructions for vehicle drivers about how to drive safely in such hilly regions, it has been found that the vehicle drivers are unfortunately not following the standard rules for road safeties.

While demanding immediate release of ex gratia relief to the bereaved families, Bukhari expressed solidarity with them. The former finance minister prayed for the eternal peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery for those who sustained injuries in this tragic road accident.

Srinagar, June 27 : Eleven students, nine of them girls, were killed and seven others were injured after an excursion (vehicle) Tempo Traveller they were on board skidded off the road near Peer Ki Gali along Mughal road in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday.
Reports said that a vehicle—Tempo traveler— overturned and fell into gorge, leading to death of 11 students including 9 girls and injuries to seven others. The students were from a private computer centre at Surankote.
Soon after the mishap, locals and police launched a rescue operation and evacuated all those onboard the vehicle to District Hospital Shopian.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Shopian Mohammad Saleem Malik confirmed death of 11 persons and injuries to seven others who he said have been shifted to SMHS hospital.
Condition of two among the injured is said to be critical, ADC said. (GNS)

Srinagar, June 27: Four persons were killed and six others were injured after a vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road near Peer Ki Gali along Mughal road in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thrusday.

Reports said that a vehicle (Tempo traveller) over turned and felt into George. Soon after the mishap, locals and police launched a rescue operation during which four persons found dead whileas six others were evacuated to District Hospital Shopian in serious conditions.

Deputy Commissioner Shopian Ovais Ahmad also confirmed the incident and said tha injured have been hospitalized so far.(GNS)

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, June 27: Six persons were injured after a vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road near Peer Ki Gali along Mughal road in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thrusday.

Reports reaching GNS said that a vehicle (Tempo traveller) over turned and felt into George. Soon after the mishap, locals and police launched a rescue operation during which six injured persons were shifted to District Hospital Shopian.

Deputy Commissioner Shopian Ovais Ahmad also confirmed the incident and said that six injured have been hospitalized so far.(GNS)

SKIMS authority today issued a statement in which they said that this is in response to news item which appeared in social media where it has been alleged that SKIMS doctors preferred watching cricket match over attending to critical patients.

SKIMS refutes the allegation. Two children had come to Paediatric Emergency SKIMS as a case of ingestion of caustic soda. The patients had been referred from SKIMS Medical College, Bemina. The children were seen by doctors on duty (Peadiatrics). Further, advise for consultation from Gastroenterology was sought. Doctors on duty in Gastroenterology advised to admit the patients under Paediatrics and observe. No active intervention was needed. While the formalities were being made for admission the attendants got angry and started altercation with the doctors on duty in Paediatrics, asking why no active intervention was being done.

It is important to mention here that endoscopy in such a setting is contraindicated as it can lead to serious complications.

Furthermore, the question of doctors watching cricket match does not arise when doctors were present on duty and no TV exists in these areas.