10thyear of publication SRINAGAR OBSERVER Nitishwar Kumar visits Pahalgam takes stock Sopore School closed for 7-days after Sanjeev Verma visits Purmandal, inspects works four tests positive for Covid-19 of Amarnath Yatra preparations Commissioner Secretary Forests, Ecology and Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Nitishwar A local school in North Kashmir's Sopore town of Baramulla Environment, Sanjeev Verma today visited Purmandal Kumar, accompanied by Divisional Commissioner district was closed for seven days after four of its staff area of district in connection with development of a Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today visited Pahalgam and members tested positive for Covid-19, officials said. | Page 03 Biodiversity Park and promotion of water conservation took stock of the arrangements being put in place for activities around the forests of famous temple area for smooth conduct of Amarnath Ji Yatra | Page 05 improving the overall aesthetics and water | Page 07 SUNDAY, 04 APRIL 2021 20, Shaban 1442 Hijri Published from Srinagar RNI No:JKENG/2012/43267 Vol:10 Issue No: 80 Pages:8 Rs.5.00 epaper: www.srinagarobserver.com COVID-19 Ex-Dy Dir Info Peace returned to Kashmir Two more die in J&K, 501 test positive dies due to virus Srinagar: Former Deputy Direc- SO NEWS DESK Farooq Abdullah hospitalized tor Information PR Kashmir, Mir after many decades: LG Gowhar Ahmad, died on Saturday Jammu: The government AGENCIES due to COVID-19 at Chest Disease on Saturday informed that hospital in Srinagar. Sinha, Guv Kerala Arif 501 new positive cases of Srinagar: Incumbent Member of Parliament from Sri- He was the officer of the 1972 Khan inaugurate 2-day novel Corona virus nagar constituency and National Conference (NC) batch. He was a very diligent and (COVID-19),108 President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who was tested honest officer and great writer, an Tulip Festival from Jammu di- positive for COVID-19 a few days back, was on official said. vision and 393 Saturday shifted to SK Institute of Medical Mir Gowhar has also served as JEHANGEER SOFI/ SHEIKH DANISH from Kashmir See Farooq on pg 2... Director Foos Supplies and Direc- division, have tor Handicrafts. Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s been reported Meanwhile, the employees Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today, thus tak- deaths have COVID-19 patients have re- of the Information Department Saturday said that the adminis- ing the total num- been reported covered and been discharged condoled the demise of Gowhar tration led by him is committed to ber of positive cases from Jammu Divi- from various hospitals in- and prayed for eternal peace to the take Kashmir tourism to its new in Jammu and Kashmir sion. cluding 31 from Jammu departed soul. They also prayed heights amid Covid-19 challenges to 132439. Also 02 COVID-19 Moreover, 140 more See Covid on pg 2... See Ex-Dy Dir on pg 2... as peace has returned to the Valley after many decades. He, however, stressed on following Covid-SoPs in spirit while exploring the garden and rest of Kashmir's beauty. J&K Govt clueless on COVID-19 resurgence: NC MPs “Covid cases are rising in the country and in J&K UT as well. SO NEWS DESK come up with a well thought out strategy Government here is committed to to cope up with the prevailing crises, the deal with the challenges. Steps are Kashmir is India’s crown: Kerala Governor Srinagar: National Conference (NC) on situation would not have become as dire being taken to contain the spread Srinagar: Stating that there is no place more beautiful than Kashmir Saturday expressed concern over the in- as it is turning with each passing day. We of the virus. At the same time, the in the world, Kerala Governor Muhammad Arif Khan Saturday said crease in cases of COVID-19 infections in see how in a well-organized manner var- UT government is committed to that its beyond doubt that the idea of “continuous tradition and age Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the gov- ious state governments across the coun- take the Kashmir tourist to its new old ethos” prevailing in India has come all the way from Kashmir a ernment is caught in a quandary on the try had made ample arrangements in the heights amid Covid challenges,” LG place also known as Resh Vear—the land of Reshis and Sufis. issue. form of creating makeshift hospitals, extra Sinha said addressing the audience “It is beyond doubt that Kashmir is the most beautiful place in the Expressing concern over the spike testing facilities to cope up with the viral on the eve of Tulip festival at the fa- world. People of Kashmir are beautiful, their thoughts are beautiful in the COVID-19 infections, Party MPs sprawl. Unfortunately big shots in the ad- mous Tulip garden in Srinagar. He and their vision is beautiful. This is the people’s legacy which they Muhammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain ministration in J&K have been living in said that peace has returned to the have inherited from the great Reshis as Valley is the land of Sufi Masoodi said the administration is wait- the increased number of infections in past a denial mode up until now. Regrettably Valley after so many decades and Reshis who have given Kashmiri people a rich culture, tradition and ing for the snowballing of the prevailing few weeks. the administration also failed to scale up “we must cash in on it.” See Kashmir on pg 2... situation into grave crises, saying the ad- “The administration has thrown cau- the existing infrastructure in hospitals by Notably, Manoj Sinha and ministration has turned its back on the ex- tion to winds, and is completely clueless on augmenting existing bed strength and See Peacer on pg 2... igencies that have propped up in wake of the issues. Had the ruling regime in J&K See J&K Govt on pgh 2... Sopore grenade attack Bottlenecks creating power Sgr-Jmu highway Two LeT OGWs held: Police remains closed for SO NEWS DESK Regarding the incident, a case under FIR crisis in winter being eliminated: LG 2nd straight day number 349/2020 was registered in Police Sopore: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Station Sopore and further investigation set e-inaugurates 17 Power AGENCIES Saturday claimed to have solved a grenade into the motion, police said. Projects worth Rs 118.91 Cr throwing case and arrested “During the course of inves- Srinagar: Traffic on the 270-km-long two militant associates of tigation, two suspects namely SO NEWS DESK Srinagar-Jammu national highway, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Muhammad Asif Najar, son of the only all-weather road connecting this regard. Mushtaq Ahmad Najar of Noor Baramulla: In a major push Kashmir valley with the rest of the In a statement, police Bagh Sopore and Sahil Rashid to strengthen the power infra- country, remained suspended for the spokesman said that on 12- Bhat, son of Abdul Rashid Bhat structure in the UT, Lieutenant second consecutive day on Saturday. 12-2020 at 18:05 hours, un- of Green Town Sopore were Governor, Manoj Sinha Saturday Srinagar-Jammu national highway known militants lobbed a apprehended and during ques- e-inaugurated 17 Power Projects Govt sensitive towards issues of farmers: LG was closed on Friday for weekly hand grenade towards a po- tioning they confessed that worth Rs. 118.91 Crore at Delina, maintenance and repair work. lice post at a bus stand which they are working for LeT outfit Baramulla. Baramulla: Right Marketing, Packaging, and Branding of Horticul- However, a traffic police official missed the intended target and exploded as Over Ground Workers and had thrown Speaking on the occasion, the ture produce at different forums is being done for getting appropriate said that the traffic on the highway outside the gate of the Police Post, resulting the grenade on Police Post Bus Stand on Lt Governor observed that the dividends for farmers and other stakeholders associated with the could not be restored on Saturday in the injuries to three civilians. See Sopore on pg 2... See Bottleneck on pg 2... See Govt on pg 2... See Sgr-Jmu on pg 2... Clashes near J&K braces up for ZEPO calls teacher ‘militant’, Kakapora gunfight site wet spell from today enters Masjid without removing shoes Ten miscreants arrested in AGENCIES Pampore: Police SDM Surankote seeks moving shoes. 1,” reads the explanation letter. Srinagar: As the weatherman The ZEPO, Kamlesh Kumari, has “A deliberate and malicious act , in- AGENCIES has forecast a wet spell next explanation, CEO Poonch been asked by the SDM, Saleem Ahmad tended to outrage religious feelings of week, the night temperature fell orders inquiry (KAS), to submit her explanation within any class by insulting its religious be- Awantipora: Jammu and Kashmir below sub-zero level at several two days. liefs is not expected from a government police on Saturday claimed to have parts in Kashmir Valley with M S NAZKI The SDM has also forwarded the cop- officer/ public servant,” the letter reads, arrested 10 persons who are alleged- Gulmarg recording a low of mi- ies of the explanation letter issued on adding, “You are seen uttering, using ly involved in creating law and order nus 3.5°C, officials said on Sat- Poonch: Sub-District Magistrate Suran- April 2 for information to Deputy Com- words, etc., with deliberate intent to disturbances near Kakapora encoun- urday. kote Poonch has sought an explanation missioner Poonch, SSP Poonch, Director wound the feelings of a particular per- ter site yesterday. A meteorological department from a Zonal Education Planning Officer School Education Jammu besides CEO son.” “Police Station Pampore have ar- official said that the mercury (ZEPO) after “viral video” on social me- Poonch and ZEO Surankote.