Tuesday, September 8, 2026
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No restrictions on movement of people and goods, Centre writes to states

Ajay Bhalla

New Delhi (NVI): Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla today wrote to the state and union territory governments that there should be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods, during the ongoing Unlock process.

His letter mentions that any such restriction would amount to a violation of guidelines issued earlier by the Ministry of Home Affairs during the Unlock phases.

In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, Ajay Bhalla said, “It has, however, been reported that local level restrictions on movement are being imposed by various districts and states.”

“Such restrictions are creating problems in inter-state movement of goods and services and are impacting the supply chain, resulting in disruption of economic activities and employment, besides affecting supply of goods and services,” he added.

Meanwhile, referring to paragraph 5 of the Unlock 3 guidelines, Bhalla said the guidelines clearly state that there shall be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods.

The guidelines also stated that no separate permission, or e-permit will be required for movement of persons and goods for cross land border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries, he said in the letter.

He also requested all states and UTs to lift the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure that MHA guidelines issued are strictly followed

Moreover, the cross-border movement of people and goods had been stopped during the first two months of the nationwide lockdown. They were resumed, gradually, first in May as part of Lockdown 5 guidelines, with the Centre allowing movement within and between states.

Last month, while announcing “Unlock 3” guidelines, the Centre repeated this point, saying that there was no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods and that no separate permission, approval, e-permit will be required for such movement.

There have been three Unlock phases till date, with the current one set to end on August 31.

-RJV

Former Jharkhand CM COVID positive

Former Jharkhand CM, Shibu Soren

New Delhi (NVI): Former chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder, Shibu Soren, along with his wife, Rupi Soren, have tested positive for coronavirus.

The information regarding the senior leader and his wife’s testing positive was shared by son and incumbent Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren through Twitter.

Hemant stated that the results of his parents had come in last night, on Friday, following which they are under home isolation and are recovering from the disease.

In July, Hemant and wife Kalpana Soren had got themselves tested for the infection after one of the ministers in his Cabinet and another JMM lawmaker, whom he had been in contact with tested positive.

Their results had, however, come out negative.

Earlier, 17 staff members and security deployed at Shibu Soren’s residence had tested positive for coronavirus.

-CHK

J&K: Teenager from Pulwama pens first poetry book aimed at ‘healing wounds’

Mir Areiba

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A teenage girl from Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has penned her first poetry book — a collection of 32 poems aimed at healing the wounds of people of Kashmir.

Mir Areiba, 18, studies in class 12 at Muslim Educational Institute (MEI), Pampore. Her poetry book has hit the stands with a unique title of Nimble Kingdom. The book comprises 32 poems.

She said that she tried to publish her book earlier but Covid-19 and other issues became a hurdle. “Though it has only been a few weeks since my book hit the stands, the response is tremendous,” she said, adding that the main aim of her poetry is to heal the wounds of people of Kashmir who have suffered since past three decades.

“I have been hooked on writing since I was in class 6. I used to write on different topics, nature and people,” she said while speaking to NVI. “I kept on writing without knowing whether I had accuracy or proper grammar.”

With the passage of time and with the support of her parents, Areiba started writing poems in 2015. “I have penned around 50 poems till date. Of them, 32 are part of my maiden poetry book Nimble Kingdom,” she added.

The book, according to Areiba, comprises many themes and revolves around different aspects of life like kindness, love, hate, struggles, destiny, emotions, pain and other things.

“I was always been encouraged by my parents, relatives and friends. My teachers have been a great support as well,” she said amid a smile on her face.

Areiba is working on her second book which is a novel based on life. “I am hopeful of getting the novel published soon,” she said.

In her message to the younger lot of Kashmir, especially girls, Areiba said that youth are full of talent in the Valley and they should set their goals and struggle hard to achieve the same. “There should be no giving up. Instead, youth must strive hard to achieve their targets.”

-CHK

IMD issues red alert for parts of central, western India

(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): Red warning has been issued for ‘extremely heavy’ rainfall for parts of central and western India by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), over the weekend and Monday, as the monsoon is likely to be active in these regions.

The Met department said, red warning has been issued for eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh on Saturday; Saurashtra, Kutch, Gujarat, eastern and western Rajasthan on Sunday and Saurashtra and Kutch for Monday.

The red category warning implies that disaster management authorities should take action to prevent any rain or flooding disaster, said IMD.

Moreover, the Central Water Commission (CWC) in its flood situation report, has warned that there is a high risk of flash floods in parts of eastern Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, eastern Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh today.

The Met department also said, a well-marked low pressure area lies over central parts of Madhya Pradesh and neighbourhood, and it is very likely to move westwards across West Madhya Pradesh during the next 2-3 days.

Furthermore, the monsoon trough remains active, and is currently south of its normal position (Ganganagar to Bay of Bengal).

According to the IMD’s bulletin, an east-west shear zone (a zone of change in wind direction and velocity) is running across central India.

Due to these favourable conditions, widespread to very heavy rain is likely over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan during the next 2-3 days, IMD said.

“Extremely heavy rain is likely over eastern Rajasthan and Gujarat during August 22 and 23 and in western Madhya Pradesh and north Madhya Maharashtra on August 22 and Saurashtra and Kutch from August 22 to 23,” it added.

Therefore, under the influence of likely formation of a low-pressure area over northwest Bay of Bengal, rainfall activity is likely to increase over east and adjoining central India from August 23.

Apart from this, heavy to very heavy rain is likely over Odisha from August 23 to 25, over Gangetic West Bengal on August 24 and 25 and over Jharkhand on August 25.

-RJV

Activist held by Pakistan forces as he brings down country’s flag in PoK

Activist Tanveer Ahmed removing flag in Dadyal.

New Delhi (NVI): Tanveer Ahmed, activist and journalist, was arrested yesterday and reportedly tortured by Pakistan’s forces and agencies after he removed the country’s flag from Dadyal, a popular public place in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Tanveer Ahmed was on a hunger strike for a few days demanding the removal of Pakistani flags in Dadyal. When the local administration failed to do so, he went on to remove the flags himself, according to media reports.

In the video, Tanveer Ahmed can be seen climbing on a wall and removing the Pakistani flag hoisted at the square.

Furthermore, many videos have surfaced on social media platform where Ahmed can be seen being manhandled and held by Pakistan forces.

Prof Sajjad Raja, Chairman of National Equalist Party, shared a video on twitter and wrote, “Tanveer Ahmed, a human rights defender, J&K nationalist & journalist has been manhandled & arrested in Dadyal for removing Pakistani flag. J&K isn’t a part of Pakistan & removing Paki flag isn’t a crime. His arrest is illegal & unconstitutional. We demand his immediate release.”

In addition to this, Qaisar Ahmed, a blogger working with Progressive Students’ Collective, tweeted, “A journalist from PoK Tanveer Ahmed @sahaafi was arrested today after he took down the flag of Pakistan from Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Chowk,Dadyal. This is how much free is“Azaad Kashmir”where you are only Azad if you are pro Pakistan. If you want Independence,this is what u face.”

-CHK

 

India conducts over 1 million Covid-19 tests in a day

New Delhi (NVI): India has crossed the milestone of one million COVID-19 tests, with 10,23,836 tests conducted in a single day, the Union Health Ministry said.

“India has conducted 1 million tests in the past 24 hours. With 10,23,836 tests done yesterday, India has achieved its resolve to test 10 lakh samples daily,” the Ministry said in a statement.

It added that, early identification through testing, prompt and effective treatment through supervised home isolation and quality medical care, and innovative graded policy measures have resulted in almost 100 percent increase in recovered cases in the last 21 days.

The ministry also informed, there has been a 100 per cent increase in recovered cases in the last 21 days, while 10,94,374 patients had recovered on August 1, the number of recoveries till August 21 stood at 21,58,946 in the country.

Meanwhile, the number of daily tests has been increasing in a steep climb, the ministry said, adding that, the average daily tests during the past three weeks also strongly depict the progress made in enhancement of COVID-19 tests across the country.

“Although higher number of tests will initially lead to a rise in the positivity rate, it will eventually lower when combined with other measures such as prompt isolation, efficient tracking, and timely effective and clinical management,” the ministry said.

India currently has network of 1,511 labs comprising 983 labs in the government sector and 528 private labs.

So far, the recovery rate in the country stands at 74.28 percent, while the case fatality rate (CFR) is on a continuous positive slide and currently stands at 1.89 percent, the ministry noted.

-RJV

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has reached 29,75,701, after 69,878 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, biggest single-day rise, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Meanwhile, the death toll stands at 55,794 after 945 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

In the worst-hit Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases climbed to 6,57,450, followed by Tamil Nadu with 3,67,430 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 3,34,940 cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 2,747

Andhra Pradesh- 3,34,940

Arunachal Pradesh- 3,126

Assam- 87,908

Bihar- 1,17,413

Chandigarh- 2,631

Chhattisgarh- 19,510

Dadra Nagar Haveli & Diu – 2,082

Delhi- 1,58,604

Gujarat- 84,311

Goa- 13,484

Haryana– 52,129

Himachal Pradesh- 4,728

Jammu and Kashmir- 31,371

Jharkhand- 28,196

Karnataka- 2,64,546

Kerala- 54,182

Ladakh- 2,133

Madhya Pradesh- 50,640

Maharashtra- 6,57,450

Manipur- 5,049

Meghalaya- 1,718

Mizoram- 903

Nagaland- 3,619

Odisha- 72,718

Puducherry- 9,594

Punjab- 39,327

Rajasthan- 67,954

Sikkim- 1,336

Tamil Nadu- 3,67,430

Telangana- 1,01,865

Tripura- 8,371

Uttarakhand- 14,083

Uttar Pradesh- 1,77,239

West Bengal – 1,32,364

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 32

Andhra Pradesh- 3,092

Arunachal Pradesh- 5

Assam- 227

Bihar- 498

Chandigarh- 33

Chhattisgarh- 180

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 4,270

Goa- 135

Gujarat- 2,867

Haryana- 585

Himachal Pradesh- 25

Jammu and Kashmir- 593

Jharkhand- 297

Karnataka- 4,522

Kerala- 203

Ladakh- 19

Madhya Pradesh- 1,185

Maharashtra- 21,698

Manipur- 20

Meghalaya- 6

Nagaland- 8

Odisha- 390

Puducherry- 143

Punjab- 991

Rajasthan- 933

Sikkim- 3

Tamil Nadu- 6,340

Telangana- 744

Tripura- 70

Uttar Pradesh- 2,797

Uttarakhand- 192

West Bengal- 2,698

However, a total of 22,22,577 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 6,97,330.

-CHK

 

Terrorist killed in encounter in J&K’s Baramulla, operation underway

J&K Encounter
Security forces in Kashmir (File Pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An unidentified terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter =in Check-e-Saloosa village of Kreeri area in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, officials said today.

They said that acting on a specific input, joint teams of Army, police and CRPF launched a cordon in Check-e-Saloosa area at around 11 am. “When joint teams zeroed in on a suspected spot where terrorists were hiding, they came under heavy volume of fire leading to a gunbattle,” they said.

Kashmir zone police tweeted, “Encounter has started at Check-i-Saloosa area of Kreeri Baramulla. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.”

A police official said that heavy exchange of firing was on. Sources said two more terrorists are believed to be trapped in the village.

Pertinently, today’s encounter comes three days after a deadly encounter at Kreeri area of Baramulla where two top Lashkar-e-Toiba commanders Sajad alias Haider from Sopore, Baramulla, Usman from Pakistan were among three terrorists and six security forces personnel including three soldiers were killed. Police had termed the killing of Sajad a big success for the forces in J&K.

(Further details awaited)

-RJV

Atlantic Ocean has 10 times more plastic than previously thought: Study

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Atlantic Ocean contains between 12-21 million tonnes of microplastics, more than 10 times higher plastic in the ocean than previously estimated, according to a new study.

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) study, is the first to measure concentration of invisible microplastics across the entire Atlantic — from the United Kingdom to the Falklands.

The study, published in Nature Communications, only measured the three most common types of plastic waste in the upper levels of the ocean. About 17 million tonnes of all plastic waste has entered the Atlantic Ocean over the past 65 years.

Therefore, the measured pollution from three plastic types commonly used for packaging polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene — at 12 locations across a 10,000 kilometre stretch of the Atlantic Ocean.

Meanwhile, the researchers, from the UK’s National Oceanography Centre, identified up to 7,000 particles per cubic metre of sea water. They collected samples between September and November, 2016 and filtered large volumes of sea water at around 200 metres deep.

The researchers detected plastic contaminants using state-of-the-art spectroscopic imaging technique.

Moreover, the term microplastics is used to describe small plastic pieces typically smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter. Plastic is the most ubiquitous type of marine debris found in oceans and other water bodies. These debris can be of any size and shape, but those which are less than 5 mm in length (or about the size of a sesame seed) are called microplastics.

Richard Lampitt, professor from National Oceanography Centre and co-author, said, “If assumed that the concentration of microplastics measured at around 200 metres deep is representative of that in the water mass to the seafloor below with an average depth of about 3,000 metres.”

“Then the Atlantic Ocean might hold about 200 million tonnes of plastic litter in this limited polymer type and size category. This is much more than is thought to have been supplied,” he added.

At present, as much as 80 per cent of all the litter in oceans is plastic.

However, the study estimated that, more than 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year. By 2050, the number of plastic entities would be equal to the number of fish in the sea.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases surge past 22.8 million globally

Coronavirus cases surge past 85 million mark worldwide
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): More than 22.8 million people around the world have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus and more than 7,97,000 have died.

At least 14.6 million patients have been cured and recovered worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In the US, nearly 5.62 million have been infected with the novel coronavirus while more than 1,75,000 people have lost their lives to the deadly contagion.

Brazil, the second most affected country from COVID-19 after the US, recorded 30,355 cases within 24-hours and surpassed 3.53 million mark. The country’s death toll stands at 1,13,358.

Moreover, the number deaths in Mexico, has risen by 504 to 59,610 in the past 24 hours and the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases had increased by 5,928 to 5,49,734 within the same period of time.

South Africa also reported 3,398 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours and surpassed 6,00,000 mark. The country’s death toll stands at 12,483 – make up around 47 per cent of the continent’s deaths.

In European nations, particularly in Germany, France, Spain and Italy, all saw infection levels rise to rates not seen in months, sparking fears over a second wave on the continent.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, the world should be able to rein in the coronavirus pandemic in less than two years, as South Korea reported the most daily infections since early March and expanded social distancing measures across the country.

-RJV

 

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