MECCA. 27 July 2020, TON: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday the arrival of pilgrims to the new King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah from the country’s five cities for the annual Hajj. The cities included Madina, Riyadh, Abha, Tabuk and Jazan. Priority was given to non-Saudis who do not have any pre-existing health conditions and have not previously performed the Hajj pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, the Hajis have started visiting Kaaba and offering their prayers and other Ibadat. The people attending the Hajj were satisfied with the arrangements and tanked the Kingdom for making arrangements and looking after them.

According to the Hajj and Umrah Ministry due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Kingdom has decided to limit the current Hajj season to domestic pilgrims. Saudi Minister Dr. Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Banten commented in a statement, “This selection was not a human selection, but it was Allah’s selection to choose this person to be one of the limited number of people to perform Hajj.”

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has implemented strict precautionary measures at the hotel to maintain the safety of the pilgrims including providing a separate room and hand sanitizers for each person. Those who live close enough to Mecca are not required to stay in the hotel.

MECCA, 21 July 2020, TON: The moon-sighting committees of Saudi Arabia was constituted to determine the 1^st or beginning of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. The committees gave a unanimous decision that Wednesday, 22 July   will mark the first of Zul Hijjah and the 10th day of Zul Hijjah will be 31 July 2020. Hence, 31 July will be celebrated as first day of Eid Al Adha.

As per the details, the committees confirmed that the crescent of Zul Hijjah was not visible on Monday, 20 July  and will be clearly visible after the sunset of on Tuesday 21 July, which means that Wednesday, 22 July will be the first of Zul Hijjah that marks the start of this year’s Hajj. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has organized the Hajj with usual high level of arrangements but has limited to only 10,000 pilgrims from within the Kingdom due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

JAMMU, 21 July 2020. TON: Government of Jammu and Kashmir has announced transfer of services of Sajad Hussain Mufti, presently attached with Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu to Ladakh government, until further orders or till allocation by the Centre.

As per the details officers working in the office of the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) were asked by New Delhi to appoint new Range Officers (ROs) and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) and those already posted there to be posted to other locations. When Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu refused to honour certain requests, his services have been discontinued and transferred elsewhere.

Other details revealed that there were serious issues of large land transfer of the land belong to the Forest Department. In the recent past, there were issues of the transfer of land including land encroachment. The government also accorded sanction to the constitution of the Committee headed by the Chief Conservator of Forests for delineation of forest land based on the complaint that forest land has been encroached in Sunjwan,Bathindi,Raika and Sidhra areas in district Jammu. In another case transfer of State land measuring 796 kanals and 9 marlas within 200 meters periphery of Dal Lake was reported.
The transfers of land measuring 125.5 kanals at Khonmoh, Panthachowk and 60 Kanals at Sempora Srinagar in favour of Industries and Commerce Department for establishment of Industrial Estate and construction of Degree College at Allochibagh Srinagar have raised serious concerns. In another issue, thousands of acres of forest land in the lower Shivalik range here, Jammu and Kashmir government has set up a demarcation committee for retrieving 14,345 hectares of forest land had been encroached upon with 9,463.39 hectares in Jammu and 4877.62 hectares in Kashmir.

WASHINGTON, 20 July 2020, TON: The Trump administration has warned that he wants fair and transparent upcoming White House election and the acceptance of the results would depend on transparency. He said, faked results are being aired just like these were done in 2016. He said, “First of all, I’m not losing because those are fake polls. He added, “They were fake in 2016 and now they’re even more fake.”

President Trump has rightly contended that a series of polls that show his popularity eroding and Biden holding an advantage are faulty. The fact cannot be denied that major media house intentionally did not air views of Republican voters and were underrepresented in such surveys.

As per the Trump followers and the many American taxpayers, beside Trump own dynamic leadership qualities, he is surrounded by experienced and effective leaders to guide his decisions.  They were of the opinion that Trump is likely to win the elections this time too.

SRINAGAR, 20 July 2020, TON: When Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that electricity distribution companies in Union Territories (UTs) will be privatized, no one had an idea that disputed State of Jammu and Kashmir would be hit too. Kashmiri leadership including Syed Ali Geelani and other top leadership of All Parties Hurryiat Conference (APHC) strongly protested Indian interference in the ibnternal affairs of Jammu and Kashmir. They warned that if the decision is not taken back Kashmiris would come to the streets against Indianhanding over of the projects to private companies of India, US, Israel and Iran.

The Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Act 2003 provided state must have a State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) but after the 5 August 2019 announcement of amalgamation of Jammu and Kashmir State as Indian Union Territory, the Indian leadership is up to privatize the power sector. This privatization of power distribution companies (Discoms) in the Union Territories is being carried out under the Aatam Nirbhar Bharat. Article 85 of the Jammu and Kashmir Re-Organisation Act, 2019 provides that the Centre may establish Advisory Committees for apportionment of assets, rights, and liabilities of the companies and corporations s relating to the continuance of arrangements in regard to generation and supply of electric power and supply of water.

The J&K Power Development Department (JKPDD) handles transmission and distribution of electric power in the state, power generation is looked after by J&K State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC), commercial aspects of power purchase are handled by J&K State Power Trading Company (JKSPTC) while J&K State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDCL) is a power generating utility having 21 hydro projects across J&K. Their territorial jurisdiction comprises of entire Jammu and Kashmir State.
The government is currently spending about Rs 21 crore per day on power purchases from power corporations to meet the power demand in Jammu and Kashmir. NHPC gives 12% free power
as royalty to Jammu and Kashmir since the hydro resources of the state are utilized for power generation. In addition, Jammu and Kashmir has a share of 25% in 600 MW Ranjit Sagar Dam project and the power is supplied at the generation cost.  

The estimated hydropower potential of Jammu and Kashmir is 20,000 Megawatts (MW), of which about 16475 MW have been identified out of which only 3263 MW has been exploited. This comprises of 1211.96 MW in the state sector, 2009 MW in the central sector and 42.5 MW in the private sector. Similarly, 168 MW Shahpur Kandi project on Ravi is another joint sector hydro project with Punjab where Jammu and Kashmir has 25% share.

SRINAGAR, 17 July 2020, TON: In district jail Anantnag, where there are 192 prisoners as on15 July 96 have been declared COVID 19 positive. Zahoor Bhat, brother of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front founder Maqbool Bhat was declared positive for COVID 19.

The Kupwara Court in a judgment found improper treatment being give to COVID 19 patients in several quarantine centres and ordered constitution of Special Investigation team (SIT) to probe alleged negligence by the authorities. SIT is bound by the Court to submit the report within seven days.

A court in Kupwara on Thursday took cognizance of “improper treatment” given to COVID19 patients in several quarantine centres in the district and ordered constitution of Special Investigation team (SIT) to probe alleged negligence by the authorities.

The court of sub-judge Kupwara Javeed Alam, after hearing the case, directed SSP Kupwara to constitute the SIT for investigating the matter without any delay and submit the report within seven days.

The Court has further ordered District Development Commissioner Kupwara being head of the District Disaster Management to ensure that the COVID19 patients are given proper treatment and proper food and medicines as prescribed under guidelines.

It has been generally noted that Kashmiris, who are opposing Indian government for their illegal occupation of disputed Jammu and Kashmir State and extrajudicial killings of Kashmiris in fake encounters by Indian security forces, are victim of COVID-19 and are quarantined at various hospitals and centers in Jammu and Kashmir State. As per  Dr Mehraj Ahmed Sofi, Medical Officer at Ganderbal the rate of recovery of the COVID19 patients was less tha 50%.

Meanwhile, the genocide of Kashmiris is in full swing through COVID cum military operations against the Kashmiris. This Friday, Indian security forces claimed that three militants killed in the gunfight with the security forces in Nagnad Chimmer area of Kulgam district. This month and last month saw atleast 2/3 Kashmiris either killed in a fake encounter or found missing. The death toll due to COVID-19 is in addition to this.

SRINAGAR, 15 July 2020, TON: Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu accorded sanction to the transfer of over 13,665 Kanals of State land for establishment of industrial estates at the ten locations in districts including Kulgam, Kupwara, Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora, , Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Srinagar and Udhampur. According to reliable sources, it has already been decided to allot Industrial plots to Indian national and foreign investors.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has planned to bring foreign investment in Jammu and Kashmir through the acquisition entire territory of disputed State of Jammu and Kashmir into Indian Unions. New Delhi has already given go to organize ‘Global Investors Summit’ in Jammu and Kashmir. In the past India never wanted to take risk in investing in the disputed State due to non availability of Union owned land in Jammu and Kashmir for setting up of industries. 

In another development, Lieutenant Governor Murmu accorded sanction to transfer of land measuring 88 Kanals, 09 Marla situated in village Edipora Bomai, Tehsil Zainageer, District Baramulla to Higher Education Department for establishment of Government Degree College, Bomai.  Similarly, pice of land has also transferred to higher education department for establishment of a College at Chadoora in Budgam district.

In the near past, Lieutenant Governor Murmu has accorded sanction to the transfer of 40 kanal of land in Shopian district for the establishment of colonies for non-Kashmiri employees and workers. It was also reported that the Indian Army and the security forces has also been allocated lands for the extension of their camps and residential areas.

SRINAGAR, 14 July 2020, TON: The Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Para Military Forces were all deployed aound the graveyards and the mosques, not to allow the Kashmiris to visit their love one on 13^th July. For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, a centuries-old tradition of Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir, they couldn’t visit the graves of the men who laid their lives on 13 July 1931 fighting against the tyrant Maharaja Rule.

The Indian authorities did not allow anyone to visit Martyrs Graveyard or ‘Mazaar-e-Shohada’ and instead the Indian Army personnel deputed on the gates of the graveyards guided them to use facebook and Twitter to pay tributes to those died.

The day commensurate the martyrdom of 22 Kashmiri Muslims, who were killed on this day in 1931 by soldiers of the British installed Hindu ruler outside the Central Jail in Srinagar. Ever since, the day is observed as public holiday but since last year New Delhi after amalgamating the disputed Jammu and Kashmir State into the Indian Union discontinued the day from the list of holidays. Against the century old tradition, hurting the sentiments of the Kashmiri Muslims, Indian authorities bowed down before objections by Hindus of India, who consider the Hindu ruler Hari Singh link between Hindu India and Jammu and Kashmir State.

Meanwhile, over 60 Kashmiris were detained by Indian security forces on charges of trying to force their way into the graveyard to pay homage to the Kashmiri martyrs. 13 of the detainees were still in detention of Indian security forces when last reports came in.   

BARAMULLA, 13 July 2020, TON: In an intelligence-based operation in Sopore’s Reban village of Baramulla district, Army troops, personnel of 22 Rashtriya Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force and Police carried out joint operation against the stone pleters, identified through CCTV cameras during protests.

As per the details, presence of three youth in a house at Gulshanabad area of Reban village was confirmed through a Special Police Officer (SPO). The joint team carried out siege of the hose and knocked the door. As soon as the door was opened, the troops rushed in and opended indiscriminate firing, killing all the three Kashmiri youth.

Later, Police officials gave statement that in the Sopore operation they killed Police Usman belonging to Lashkar-e-Tayyiaba (LeT), who was involved in attack at Model Town Sopore in which a CRPF personnel was also killed.

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar in a statement said, “In the encounter, 3 militants affiliated with LeT were killed including two of them identified as Abu Rafia alias Usman and Saifullah both resident of Pakistan. Abu Rafia alias Usman was active in Kashmir since 2016. They were involved in many incidents including the recent Sopore incident on 1^st July 2020 in which one CRPF Jawan and a civilian was killed.”

A local witnessed residing in Gulshanabad said that since Sunday morning whole area was sealed and no one was allowed to come out of their house. Later, there was intense firing and movement of vehicles was noticed, Media reports later reveled killing of three militants. The witness added that Indian Army and the security forces have made a rotine to kill all those who even carryout peaceful protest against Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

 ‘2020’ remarks the circling return of epidemics after every 100 years. As every nation is involved in the epidemic economically, socially and culturally, so the pandemic seems like another World War. The crisis is alarming us the evolution of the traditional security issues. The COVID-19 attack has made the world nations shocked. Every nation is responding to the crisis differently according to their culture. So the national and international governance should take strategies on the basis of the nations’ culture and adaptation ability. The post-pandemic reconstruction cost depends on how innovative the taken strategies are during the pandemic. New Zealand reported zero cases on the 8th June,2020. Prime Minister Jasinda Ardern has been showing praiseworthy leadership by adopting decisions and implementing policies which are made on the New Zealanders culture. She announced a very effective four level alert system (prepare, reduce, resist and eliminate) and maintained a collaborative network. The concept of lockdown and quarantine referred to as ‘the Bubble’ to ensure peoples’ staying safe at home. This bubble concept is truly commendable as it is easier to understand and implement by the general population of the country. Surprisingly, the New Zealand government did not indicate the word lockdown and quarantine in the emergency crisis management initiatives as they can be hard nuts for their peoples. Jordan developed a well-formulated national preparedness and response strategy with maintaining a high level of awareness and determination among the citizens. As a result of an effective and intelligent leadership, the upper-middle status holding country announced a country curfew on 20th March evaluating the culture of the citizens. The country maintained a strict international travel ban and travel regulations during the early overseas transmission. These proved a very strong and appropriate measure in combating the war. Strong unity between federal and provincial authorities and impressive solidarity across the entire country made Canada’s COVID-19 responses successful. Canada, a middle power country, followed the travel ban recommendations of WHO appropriately and implemented large scale social programs such as the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The laudable leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his daily briefings spread divine influence on the Canadian people to fight against the coronavirus. Japan is an ideal model in this war situation. The country holds the largest number of old people in the world but the death rate is too low. Their behavioural culture made it possible. The Japan government’s request to stay at home turned the picture of the country into a lockdowned area. The health researchers of the country informed about the ‘historical immunity’ the Japanese possess which battled strongly against the coronavirus within their body. Surprisingly, the government took no measure to ensure social distancing and health security regulations in this crisis moment. The Japan Prime Minister Shinjo Abe proudly announced that Japanese culture of obedience made the ‘Japan Model’ in this war. New Zealand and Canada took lessons from the 2003 SARS outbreak. They used their health sector preparedness and response initiatives of 2003 to mitigate the damages of 2020. While Japan adopted necessary COVID-19 health regulations after the 1919 Flu pandemic and developed contact tracing systems after the 1950 TV pandemic. By contrast, the Trump Administration largely broke down the epidemic monitoring and command groups within the US National Security and Department of Homeland Security in 2018, set up by the Obama Administration after the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. Many countries in the world are dealing with such respiratory diseases for the first time and facing strategic gaps. Bangladesh faces such a health emergency crisis earlier and this global pandemic impacted largely the health, economic, political and social security sectors. In this emergency crisis the government took many initiatives to ensure the containment of COVID-19 but there are lackings in their implementation process. Adoption of the western concepts like lockdown and quarantine firstly failed the general less literate people to make understanding about social distancing and health regulations. The connectivity gap between the Prime Minister and the country people and the collaboration gap between public and private authorities are the main reasons for the strategic mistakes there. Experts recommended the decision makers and strategists to adopt strategies and policies on the basis of Bangladeshi culture and peoples’ response to the crisis.