State

H5N8 detected in Bandipora

Jahangeer Ganaie

(Asian News Hub) – A day after cases of avian influenza (H5N8) popularly known as bird flu were reported among Crows in Anantnag and Shopian districts of South Kashmir, cases of avian influenza have now been reported among domestic geese in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

An official told the news agency-KNO, that samples of few geese were taken a few days ago from Saderkoot Payeen village in Hajin block of Bandipora, which have been reported positive now.

Meanwhile, district magistrate Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad has declared one kilometre from the epicentre as infected zone while as 10 kilometres from the epicentre have been declared as surveillance zones.

“Animal/Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department, J&K, Jammu, vide Government Notfication dated 22d February, 2021, issued under endorsement No.ASH/Plan/29/2020 dated 22-02-2021, has notified the outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N8) in domestic geese in Khar Mohalla, Saderkoot Payeen, District Bandipora, The outbreak has necessitated the initiation of certain control and containment measures including the declaration of villages and habitations as “Infected” and “Surveillance zones,” reads an order issued by DM Bandipora.

The order states that habitation within 01 km radius from the epicentre viz Khar Mohalla, Hajam Mohallaand Gojjerpatti of village Saderkoot Payeen are declared as Infected Zones and villages within 10 kms radius from the epicentre viz Saderkoot Bala, Ajas, Check
Sadunara, Garoora and Nadihal are declared as Surveillance Zones.

It states that tehsildar Ajas and Duty Office, PP Ajas, shall ensure complete ban on the
inward and outward movement of all types of poultry birds/poultry products from the
infected zone.

“They shall also ensure closure of all such Markets/shops dealing with sale of poultry/poultry products in the infected zone. Chief Medical Officer, Bandipora, shall formulate one designated RRT for examining of staff of Animal Husbandry Department involved with operations in the Infected Zone and shall ensure adequate availability of Oseltamivir (TamiFlu Drug) and Range Officer, Wildlife/Wetlands, Bandipora, shall take all possible steps to ensure that wild and stray birds do not have access to the poultry, poultry sheds and water supplies in the Infected Zone,” the order further states.

State

Pregnant woman killed, 2 injured as srinagar-bound ambulance meets with an accident in Ramban

(Asian News Hub) – An expecting woman got killed and two other persons received injuries after an ambulance they were on board met with an accident in Batote in Ramban district on Saturday afternoon.

Reports said that the ambulance driver purportedly lost control over the vehicle, enroute to SKIMS Srinagar from Doda. The vehicle rolled down a deep gorge, resulting in on spot death of a pregnant woman besides injuries to two other persons – said to attendants of the (now deceased) woman.

The identification of deceased woman or injured duo could not be immediately known.

GNS

National

BSF, Pak Rangers resolve to maintain peace on border in first meeting after Ceasefire

Meeting held on Islamabad’s request, lodged strong protest over Drone activities: BSF

(Asian News Hub) – Border guards of India and Pakistan on Saturday resolved to remain committed to each other to maintain peace and harmony at International Border in Jammu.

Border Security Forces (BSF) said that Sector Command level meeting, first after New Delhi and Islamabad decided on steadfast holding of ceasefire, was held on request of Pakistan Rangers on International Border in Suchetgarh area of the Jammu.

The BSF delegation was led by Surjit Singh, DIG, Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers delegation was led by Brig Murad Hussain, sector commander Pakistan Rangers, Sialkot Sector , S P S Sandhu (DIG), a spokesman of the BSF, said in a statement cited by GNS.

“It was the first Sector Commander level meeting between two border guarding Forces, after declaration of cease fire agreement by DGMOs.”

“During meeting, Commanders of both the border guarding Forces, discussed various issues with main emphasis by BSF delegation on Pak Drone activities, (militant) activities by Pakistan from across the border, digging of tunnels by Pakistan and other issues related to Border management,” the spokesman said, adding, “A very strong protest was lodged by BSF delegates regarding drone activities by Pakistan authorities in Jammu area.”

The spokesman said both the forces “decided to re-energize instant communication between field Commanders, whenever required, to resolve the ops matters.”

“ Meeting was held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere and both side agreed for expeditious implementation of the decisions taken in the earlier DG level talks and committed to each other to maintain peace and harmony at International Border,” he added.

GNS

State

Arms licence racket; Searches carried out at 40 location in J-K, Delhi: CBI

(Asian News Hub) – The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday said that it conducted raids at around 40 locations including official and residential premises of certain IAS and KAS officers in a case related to Arms license racket in Jammu and Kashmir.

CBI today conducted searches at around 40 locations including Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Anantnag, Baramulla, Delhi (at the official and residential premises of certain then public servants, including IAS, KAS officers, then DM, then ADM etc), around 20 gun houses, dealers in an on-going investigation of a case related to Arms licence racket.

CBI had registered two cases on the request of Jammu and Kashmir government and further notification from Government of India, and took over the investigation of FIR No. 18 of 2018 dated 17.05.2018 earlier registered at Police Station Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (VOK) and FIR No. 11 of 2018 dated 17.05.2018 of Police Station Vigilance Organisation Jammu (VOJ) on the allegations of bulk issuance of arms licenses in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir during the period 2012 to 2016.

CBI also collected documents pertaining to the issuance of said armed licences allegedly spread over 22 districts of J&K.

During investigation and scrutiny of documents, the role of certain gun dealers was found in connivance with the public servants i.e. the then DM and ADM of concerned District had allegedly issued such illegal arms licenses to the ineligible persons.

It was also alleged that the persons who got these licenses were not residents of the places from where the said arms licenses were issued.

Further investigation is going on.

Statement