REGIONAL

Epilepsy, a disorder characterized by repeated fits due to sudden excessive electrical activity in the brain, may produce jerks in the limbs, unresponsiveness, and spells of unawareness. It is commonly observed in young people and in elderly individuals, particularly after the age of 65. Noted Neurologist, Dr Sushil Razdan, spoke exclusively with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) about the prevalence of epilepsy. He said that a significant number of epilepsy patients fall within the age range of the young and those over 65, with patients distributed evenly between urban and rural areas. According to Dr Razdan, the primary causes of epilepsy include inadequate obstetric care during birth, head injuries and various infections, particularly the Taenia solium infection. In youn...

At least half a dozen residential houses, a guest house and a food point were gutted in a major fire that broke put in Bhaderwah town of Doda district, officials said on Thursday. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the fire broke out in Chinote locality of Bhaderwah town in the wee hours today. He said that soon after the incident fire tenders rushed to the spot, however, half a dozen residential houses, a guest house, a food point were reduced to ashes by the time they reached. SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom told KNO that police have started investigation into the matter, but as per preliminary probe short circuit seems to be the reason behind the fire—(KNO)

A young boy and his eight-year-old sister were apprehended to have drowned after being swept away in the Tawi river in Jammu city, as per official statement on Tuesday. In response to the incident, the police and a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have initiated a rescue mission to locate Ismael (6) and his sister Nadiya. The event unfolded as the siblings were tending to cattle along the riverbanks on Monday night. They slipped into the river while engaged in play near the Harki Podi area, prompting an urgent response from authorities.

The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has voiced its strong discontent with the worsening power supply situation in Kashmir, asserting that it is causing significant inconvenience and disruption. Prolonged hours of load shedding are not only hampering economic activities but are also negatively impacting the lives of common people across the region. In a press statement released today, Aijaz Shahdhar, President of KTA, expressed concern over the ongoing power crisis. "Despite the assurances made by the power department that an additional 500 MW of electricity supply would be purchased from the northern grid, Kashmir continues to grapple with unscheduled power cuts that are creating chaos in the daily lives of its residents." One of the most pressing issues raised by Shahdhar is the apparent...

In the Amshipora encounter which was alleged to be fake, the Armed Forces Tribunal has suspended the sentence awarded to convicted officer Captain Bhoopendra Singh and granted him bail, ANI reported. The Amshipora encounter took place on July 18, 2020, in the Shopian area of Jammu Kashmir in which three 'terrorists' were killed by a Rashtriya Rifles unit but later they were claimed to be labourers from Rajouri. The Army disciplinary proceedings had found the officer Captain Bhoopendera Singh guilty and he was awarded life imprisonment. The officer had approached the Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal in New Delhi through his lawyer S S Pandey against the conviction claiming "illegality in proceedings" and other discrepancies in the disciplinary proceedings against him. "...

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while addressing a ‘Pran Pratishtha Ceremony’ of Bhagwan Dhanvantari at Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Akhnoor on the occasion of 8th National Ayurveda Day announced an increase in the number of seats in Ayurvedic Medical College Akhnoor from 60 to 100, media reports said. LG Sinha asserted that the administration will provide full support to the Ayurvedic College authorities for the upgradation of the Ayurvedic Medical seats and assured all necessary support from the administration to augment the facilities at the Government Ayurvedic Medical College and hospital and asked the College administration to start the PG Courses. Sinha said the integration of Yoga, Ayurveda, and other Indian Systems of Medicine into the mainstream of the...

Clubbing of government schools in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district has left more than 50 school buildings vacant and dilapidated, now serving as hotspots for anti-social activities in various villages. An official, wishing to be anonymous, told the news agency KNO that after the government initiative to merge 2,546 schools in the Kashmir zone to address an imbalanced student-teacher ratio, the neglected school structures have become breeding grounds for illegal activities. Locals also expressed concern, saying these abandoned school buildings are now being exploited by anti-social elements. They said these dilapidated school buildings should be transformed into libraries or allocated to other departments for community benefit. “Government must hand over these abandoned buildings...

A trooper soldier allegedly shot himself dead with his service rifle in the border town of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday. Reliable sources told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that an army trooper (name withheld) while moving from his home to Uri shot himself with his service rifle. The soldier was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. They said that the incident took place in the Mohura area of Uri. Meanwhile, police took cognizance of this incident. (KS)

The health sector in Jammu Kashmir is facing threats from new communicable diseases as well as the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, according to officials. The rising drug abuse among the young population is also leading to multiple health issues. A Vision Document 2047 from the Health Department, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), highlights the threat of new communicable diseases/variants such as EBOLA, Bird flu, Swine Flu, Zika, and Coronavirus, which are emerging at an unprecedented rate. It also mentions the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases like anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Officials said 25 percent of people have stomach cancer followed by colorectal (16%) and lung cancer (13.2%) which are more common amo...