Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: A doctor and Female Multi Purpose Health Worker (FMPHW) were arrested for their negligence in performing their duties, which resulted into death of unborn child, due to administering of abortion medicines at JK Medicity here. However, demanding strict action against the accused, family members and relatives of the victim held protests at various places.
As per sources, an eight month pregnant lady namely Stuti Sharma, wife of Rakesh Sharma, resident of Dongi Brahmana, district Rajouri was being monitored by Gynecologist.
The doctor had advised lady to administer fluid (glucose) as she was very weak. Doctor advised her to either go to Medical College or JK Medicity, Narwal Bye Pass”, sources said.
The couple went to JK Medicity where they were being attended by Dr Amarjeet Singh, sources said, adding that Dr Singh administered glucose along with some medicines, which caused abortion.
When the husband enquired what kind of medicines were given, Dr Singh said that the medicines were for abortion, sources added.
Sources said that there were two cases of pregnancy and the woman, who had to be aborted was left unchecked by the doctors instead the victim was given the dose and she was aborted, adding that infant died in the womb due to negligence of the doctor concerned.
On getting information, police team from Channi Himmat Police Station rushed to the spot and took the custody of the foetus. All the relevant records were seized and statement of the victim was also recorded. After completing legal-medical formalities, the woman and foetus were handed over to family members, they said.
Dr Amarjeet Singh, son of Gurbaksh Singh, a resident of Shankar Nagar, Malik Market Jammu and FMPHW namely Romana who were responsible for the abortion have been arrested, sources added.
A case under FIR number 66/2014 under Sections 304-A and 313 of RPC has been registered against them and investigation started.
Police team headed by SHO Channi Himmat Police Station Inspector Aejaz Wani made the arrest under the supervision of SDPO East Mohammad Rafiq, SP South Rahul Malik and SSP Jammu Uttam Chand.
Meanwhile, the family members and relatives of the woman held protest outside mortuary of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and JK Medicity. They raised slogans against the JK Medicity administration and demanded strict punishment to those, who were involved in this incident.
On the assurance of the senior police officials, the protestors dispersed.
Doc, FMPHW arrested for administering wrong medicine
Holy mace taken to Shankaracharya temple; over 4000 pay obeisance at cave shrine
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: ‘Chhari Mubarak’ the Silver mace of Lord Shiva was taken to historic Shankaracharya temple amidst chanting of vedic hymns this morning on the occasion of ‘Shravan-Amavasya’ (Haryali-Amavasya) as per age-old traditions.
Chanting Bum Bum Bhole and Har Har Mahadev, the Chhari left Dashnami Akhara near here at 0615 hrs. Puja was performed at the temple amidst chanting of Vedic hymns in which a sizable number of sadhus and pilgrims participated.
Chhari- Mubarak returned to its abode Dashnami Akhara later. The Silver mace will be taken to ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple, where devotees pay obeisance to the Goddess tomorrow.
‘The True Trust’, founded in year 2004 by Mahant Deependra Giri, has made all the necessary arrangements like yester years for Sadhus and needy from the general public coming from across the country to join Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra including their food, accommodation and transportation.
Meanwhile, 4,974 pilgrims performed darshan of Icy Lingam at holy cave of Swami Amarnath on day 29 of yatra today.
With this the total number of pilgrims paying obeisance at the holy cave since the 44 day -long yatra started on June 28 has touched 3,36,903.
According to an official spokesman 1467 pilgrims left from Nunwan Base camp (Pahalgam) via traditional Chandanwari track to holy cave early this morning while 2347 pilgrims left from shortest Baltal track early this morning. Out of them 915 pilgrims left by chopper, he added.
The spokesman said, the pilgrims having night halt at Sheshnag and Panchtarni also left for holy cave early this morning under tight security.
He said the weather enroute to holy cave was pleasant as it was a sunny day today and yatra proceeded smoothly.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 628 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for holy cave early this morning under tight security in a cavalcade of 18 vehicles. They included 391 male, 179 female, 11 children and 47 Sadhus. All the pilgrims have reached their respective destinations in Kashmir Valley when last reports came in where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Ensure uninterrupted power, drinking water supply: Bhalla
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports Raman Bhalla has asked the PDD, PHE, and ERA officers to reach out to people and ensure regular supply of safe drinking water and uninterrupted power supply in scorching heat, adding that the concerned department should gear up their men and machinery to redress public grievances.
This was stated by the Minister while interacting with officers of PDD, PHE and ERA after examining the problems of the inhabitants of Deeli in Sainik Colony and Channi Himmat particularly related to irregular power and drinking water supply, here today.
Mr. Bhalla assured the people of Deeli and Channi Himmat areas that their development related issues would be redressed in a phased manner, adding that focus of the Government is to develop all the periphery basties on modern lines by providing all basic amenities like safe drinking water, power, better roads, bye-lanes, drains, besides educational and healthcare infrastructure.
The Minister said people should watch the quality of development works launched by the Government across the state so that the pace and quality of works is ensured and benefits accrued to them.
Mr. Bhalla said fulfilling of people’s aspirations and developmental needs is top agenda of the Government. He assured the people that all their genuine demands and development needs would be fulfilled in a phased manner. He stressed upon the concerned engineers and officers to redouble their efforts and accelerate pace of all ongoing works in their respective jurisdictions. He directed them to ensure use of quality material in execution of the works, adding that the objective of the Government is to build concrete basic infrastructure across the State.
The Minister said that Government has taken some bold and historical steps to revive overall developmental profile of the State. He said sectors like PHE, health, R&B, education, tourism, power among other sectors have received focus attention of the Government, adding it was the only pro-people policy that the masses at present were being benefited by quality education, healthcare facilities at their doorsteps.
Responding to the demand of people of Deeli village for modernisation of revered pond near temple, the Minister directed the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to prepare estimates for construction of pond embankments including walkway and landscaping of the area. He called upon the people of the Deeli village not to put waste in the pond and also in outside areas, adding that such practices not only disturb the beauty of the area but also provided unhygienic environment to the visiting devotees at the temple.
3 heroin smugglers acquitted
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: Principal Sessions Judge Jammu Rakesh Sagar Jain has acquitted Ranjit Kumar, Rakesh Kumar and Akhtar Rasool from whom 10 kilograms of heroin was recovered as the prosecution witnesses contradicted each other on material points which made their testimony unreliable.
After hearing Public Prosecutor Shabir Choudhary for the State whereas Advocate Prince Khanna for the accused persons, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “the testimonies of the witnesses examined by the prosecution reveal a number of contradictions and non-observance of the mandatory provisions of the NDPS Act during the investigation”.
“The contention of counsel for the accused is that the mandatory provisions of the NDPS Act have not been followed by the IO which keeping in view the stringent punishment prescribed in the NDPS Act, were to be observed by the IO”, the court said, adding “in such a situation the benefit of doubt is to be given to the accused as it is a settled principle of law that prosecution is under an obligation of proving the guilt of accused beyond reasonable doubts by cogent and clear evidence”.
“In the present case, the prosecution witnesses contradict each other on material points which make their testimony unreliable and there is non-observance of the provisions of the NDPS Act by the investigating agency”, the court said. With these observations, court acquitted the accused namely Ranjit Kumar, Rakesh Kumar and Rasool Akhtar.
Expert Group meets to draft guidelines for maternal health
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 26: A 3-day Expert Group meeting for drafting Technical & Operational guidelines for various maternal health interventions like Calcium supplementation, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, De-worming and Hypothyroidism in pregnancy commenced here today.
The meeting is a joint initiative of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW), National Rural Health Mission, J&K, UNICEF and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow.
Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission, J&K, Dr Yashpal Sharma while welcoming the participants in the meeting thanked the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for providing guidelines on various health interventions from time to time, thereby enabling the administrators & field officers for better implementation of this ambitious human welfare programme.
He also thanked the organizers for choosing the State as venue for the meeting, adding that it will immensely help the officers and field agencies of the States’ Health Department to get first hand information about the latest trends in medical sciences.
Deputy Commissioner, Maternal Health, MoH&FW, Dr. Himanshu Bhushan speaking on the occasion said that the majority of deaths due to pregnancy related complications could be prevented by providing basic maternal and newborn care and high-quality family planning services. He said, in order to address these challenges, the MoH&FW in partnership with various development partners & organizations is formulating guidelines for ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths. He impressed upon the implementing agencies to follow the guidelines in letter & spirit for reducing maternal & new born child deaths.
Dr Sudha Balakrishnan, UNICEF & Dr Vinita Das Prof. & HoD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, KGMU assured complete support for improved RMNCH+A outcomes as part of National Strategy.
The presentation on draft guidelines on various Maternal Health interventions like Calcium supplementation, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, De-worming and Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is being made by national experts in medical sciences & comments are being sought from other experts for incorporating the same for finalization of the guidelines.
The meeting-cum-workshop is being attended by national experts in maternal & child health, Consultants from Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Programme Managers from State Health Society, NRHM, J&K and officers from UNICEF & Public Health Foundation of India. Others who were present on the occasion included Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, Divisional Nodal Officer NRHM, Kashmir & Dr Harjeet Rai, Divisional Nodal Officer, NRHM, Jammu.
Azad, Soz assure overall development of Ladakh
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, July 26: Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and PCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz addressed convention of Congress party workers here.
While speaking, both the leaders urged the workers not to be complacent and work hard for total success of the Congress party candidates in the ensuing elections to the J&K Legislative Assembly 2014.
They stressed the fact that from Jawahar Lal Nehru to Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and present leadership Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, each one of them had contributed greatly to the overall development of Ladakh region.
They reminded the people of Ladakh that it is the Congress party which had achieved the present day spectacular development for the people of Ladakh, in every sphere of life.
Azad and Soz further told the gathering that they would also do which needs to be done for development of Ladakh. They told them that it is the UPA Government at the Centre that had provided adequate funds for Z-Morh Tunnel and Zojila Tunnel and it is the Congress party that commits itself to get a Tunnel constructed at Khardungla to connect Nobra Valley with Leh.
Among others, who spoke were Rigzin Jora, P Namgial, T Samphel, Rigzin Gialson, Dorjee, President Mahila Congress Leh, Mohammad Shafi, general secretary PCC and Youth Congress President.
Around 40 block presidents, Sarpanchs, Panchs and Mahila leaders also spoke on the occasion and assured Ghulam Nabi Azad and Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz that Congress Party in Ladakh region would certainly come upto their expectations.
DC Kathua nominated for National Award
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Com-missioner Kathua has been nominated for National Award for best performance in conduct of Lok Sabha elections held in April 2014 and carrying out series of measures for electoral participation and welfare of voters as well as polling personnel.
The nomination has been made for extraordinary work done as Deputy Commissioner (District Election Officer) during conduct of elections in District Reasi which registered 81 % turnout up from 43% in 2009 through 8 months long SVEEP campaign launched by district administration which also recorded 16% increase in enrolment of voters.
Previously, Reasi was rated as best performer among all 22 districts for conduct of election and shortlisted as nominee from J&K State. Based on State nomination former DC Reasi presented the achievements before the Commission during regional presentations.
Dr Shahid made a detailed presentation at North Zone Symposium held at Chandigarh in the presence of Election Commissioners Dr Syed Nasim Zaidi, H S Brahma, Deputy EC Vinod Zutshi , Director General Akshay Raout, CEOs and senior officers from 12 States apart from 30 selected participants including DEOs and ROs.
On the occasion, a book titled “Celebrating India’s Vibrant Democracy – Success Story from Reasi District of J&K” written by DC Dr Shahid was also released by the Election Commissioners. Ten CDs on various SVEEP campaigns designed by Reasi Administration were also released during the symposium.
GOC-in-C reviews security situation
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 26: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, Lieutenant General DS Hooda carried out review of security situation in Kashmir Valley.
Army Commander was on his way to Udhampur after attending ‘Vijay Diwas’ function at Kargil.
On his arrival, Army Commander was received by Lieutenant General Subrata Saha, Chinar Corps Commander. After being briefed on the current operational situation along the Line of Control and internal security prevailing in the hinterland, Army Commander visited forward post in Lolab, Kupwara. The Commanders updated the Army Commander on the conduct of recent operations
Army Commander’s visit and interaction with troops located in far flung and difficult areas brought cheers to the soldiers and raised their morale.
It may be mentioned that off late the militants are making desperate attempts to infiltrate into Kashmir.
Curfew in Tulmulla
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 26: Curfew was imposed today at Tulmulla in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district following long violent clashes that erupted after a Government official was caught in an objectionable position with a girl by people at ZEO’s office yesterday.
Police said that last evening during the Shab-e-Qadar prayers, the Molvi of Mohshar Pora Tulmulla incited public using the loudspeaker of the Masjid goading them and inciting them against police as to why police saved the life of the youth.
“The use of the loudspeaker encouraged and incited people to indulge in more severe stone pelting. The intense stone pelting on police continued till late night. Further reinforcement was got from Srinagar and the situation came under control. Around dozen police men and equal number of protesters were injured in this stone pelting. Four people have been arrested,” the spokesman said.
People spotted a teacher with a girl in an objectionable position at ZEO’s office at Tulmulla yesterday.
“Some people entered into the office and pounced on him and thrashed him mercilessly while the female managed to flee from the spot with the help of some respectable citizens. Agitated mob set his motor cycle (JK01L-2490) on fire. The timely intervention of police saved the accused from the wrath of the violent mob”, the police spokesman had said.
The spokesman said the mob tried to set the office building on fire as well, however, police foiled their attempt and they were dispersed. Police registered a case (FIR vide number 36/2014) against the employee.
Vehicle plunges into gorge, driver injured
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 26: A driver received injuries, when the Tata Mobile he was driving rolled down into a gorge in Barn Su near Kud.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK02AU-5564 was on its way to Ramban from Jammu, when the driver lost control over the steering and the vehicle plunged into gorge in Barn Su near Kud, causing injuries to driver.
On getting information, police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to sub-district hospital (SDH) Chenani, where his condition was stated to be out of danger, when reports last came in.
The injured has been identified as Lal Chand (50), son of Moru Ram of district Kathua.
A case has been registered at Kud Police Station and investigation started.