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World Elephant Day 2020: History and significance

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): There has been a decline in the Asian elephant population by at least 50 per cent over the last three generations. In order to raise awareness about the declining population of the wild elephants and make efforts to protect them, every year World Elephant Day is observed on August 12.

World Elephant Day is marked to spread awareness about the issues that elephants face in the wild and to find out the ways to protect them.

It also promotes preservation and protection of the world’s wild captive elephants. There are two elephant species — African elephants, which are listed as Vulnerable, and Asian elephants, which are listed as Endangered, in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The Day came into existence in 2012, when two Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark along with the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation marked to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants.

Meanwhile, poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and mistreatment in captivity are some of the threats faced by both African and Asian elephants.

Globally, wild Asian elephants are found in 13 countries. The current population estimates indicate that there are about 50,000-60,000 Asian elephants in the world and an estimated 4,00,000 African elephants.

More than 60 per cent of the global population of Asian elephants is in India, not just because of strong wildlife laws, but because Indian revere, are more tolerant and affectionate towards animals.

With India reporting a huge number of cases of human-elephant conflict every year, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched National Portal on Human-Elephant conflict called “SURAKHSYA” on the eve of World Elephant Day.

The portal aims to collect real-time information and will also manage conflicts on a real-time basis. It will also help to set data collection protocols, data visualization tools and data transmission pipelines.

World is committed to the cause of saving elephants and other animals and is working towards robust, practical and cost effective solutions to end the human animal conflict.

-RJV

Lashkar terrorist held in J&K’s Bandipora, arms and ammunition recovered

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today arrested an active Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist in a joint operation at Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

In a statement, a police spokesman said that based on a reliable information about the plan of attack by terrorists and through ground investigation, a joint team of police from Handwara in Kupwara and from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district along with Army personnel arrested an active Lashkar terrorist from Hajin in Bandipora district.

The police identified the arrested terrorist as Aquib Ahmed Rather alias Jana, son of Ghulam Muhamamd Rather, a resident of Sahipora, Handwara. “Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of the arrested terrorist,” the statement said.

Police further added that a case has been filed under section 7/25 of Indian Arms Act in Kralgund police station, Handwara.

-CHK

J&K: CRPF officer critical after shooting himself in Srinagar

Service rifle
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer was critically injured this morning after he shot himself with his service rifle in Shergari area of Srinagar, officials said.

They said a CRPF inspector identified as M Damodar from 141 battalion, who was posted at Shergadi area of Srinagar fired at himself with his service riffle. “He was found in a pool of blood by his colleagues who rushed him to the hospital where his condition is stated as critical,” the official said.

CRPF spokesman in Srinagar, Pankaj Singh said that CRPF inspector M Damodar shot at himself and was injured. “He is being treated. Investigations have been ordered to find out what prompted him to take extreme step,” Singh told NVI.

Pertinently, since the outbreak of COVID-19, there is a spurt in the suicidal tendencies among the CRPF men posted in Kashmir due to many reasons, and one of the major reasons that forces them to shoot themselves is that they haven’t been able to avail leave since over five months now.

According to CRPF officials, preliminary inquiry into the previous incident has found that “highest level of depression caused by the deadly pandemic is forcing the troopers to take extreme step.”

Today’s incident comes just after a fortnight of previous incident that took place on July 26 when a CRPF man posted in Srinagar shot himself dead.

A senior CRPF official said that there were many reasons why CRPF men were taking extreme steps and one of them is mental stress caused by the COVID-19 which has not allowed them to avail leave to meet their families. “COVID-19 has caused a huge level of depression among CRPF ranks as they are following social distancing norms within their units strictly.

Secondly, they are not able to avail leave and meet their family members since March this year due to the pandemic,” he said, wishing not to be named. “So there is an increased level of pressure which has led to the depression among CRPF men deployed in the Valley.”

Earlier, on July 19, a CRPF personnel committed suicide by shooting himself dead with his service riffle at his unit in Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar.

He was posted with the 29 battalion F-Coy at Pathan Chowk area of Srinagar and was identified as Biswajit Dutta. He had died on the spot. An inquiry was ordered to find out the reason that led him to take this extreme step.

Pantha Chowk incident had come just three days after a CRPF man posted at a hotel in Dalgate area of Srinagar accidentally shot himself with his service riffle. He was critically injured and is battling for life at Army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar.

On July 6, two Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) men were killed in a fratricidal incident in a court complex in Kulgam district of south Kashmir. The duo had resorted to an argument before shooting themselves dead with their services riffles.

Earlier on May 12, two CRPF personnel committed suicide by shooting themselves with their service rifles in two separate incidents at south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

On the same day, a CRPF Assistant Sub-Inspector, Bengali Babu, committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle at his 49th battalion camp in Srinagar. Furthermore, on March 21, a CRPF man posted outside Civil Secretariat Srinagar, had committed suicide by shooting himself with his service riffle.

The rise in suicide cases among CRPF men has, however been directly linked with the prevailing pandemic as it is evident by the suicide notes left by a couple of CRPF men who took extreme step. A suicide note of one of the CRPF men who shot himself dead read: “I am afraid, I may be Corona positive…. Better to die.”

A senior CRPF official said that every incident is followed by an internal inquiry but one of the main reasons why “boys are taking extreme step” is that they are not able to go on leave and meet their families. “Back home, their families are worried too, which increases mental pressure for the boys on duty in Kashmir, which is a challenging place. Even though regular counseling sessions are being given to the CRPF men in the morning and evening, still the level of pressure on their minds remains due to coronavirus outbreak,” he said.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases surpass 20.2 million worldwide; death toll tops 7.40 lakh

New Delhi (NVI): Worldwide coronavirus cases have surpassed 20.2 million while more than 12.4 million people have recovered. More than 7,41,000 people have died from the deadly disease, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

In the US, the total number of coronavirus cases has crossed 5.1 million while the death toll is nearing 1,65,000 in the country.

In Brazil, the number of infections has reached 3.05 million while the number of fatalities have climbed past 1 lakh.

Mexico reported a near-record 926 newly confirmed COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, bringing the country’s accumulated total to 53,929. The Health Department reported 6,686 new coronavirus infections, bringing the country’s total confirmed cases so far to 492,522.

Australia’s second-most populous state of Victoria reported its deadliest day of the coronavirus pandemic with 21 fatalities in the last 24 hours and 410 new cases.

New Zealand officials are investigating the possibility that its first COVID-19 cases in more than three months were imported by freight.

Argentina’s death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 5,000 on Tuesday amid a surge in cases that have pushed the South American nation up in the global charts despite months of lockdown.

Colombia topped 400,000 confirmed coronavirus cases on Tuesday, as deaths climb toward 13,500 and intensive care units in the capital Bogota remain near capacity.

China’s newly confirmed community transmitted cases of coronavirus fell into the single digits while Hong Kong saw another 33 cases of infection.

-CHK

India’s COVID tally tops 23 lakh; death toll at 46,091

India’s COVID tally tops 10.34 million with 16,505 new cases
(File/ Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): The number of coronavirus cases in India reached 23,29,638 after 60,963 fresh cases were reported in the last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said.

The country’s death toll stands at 46,091 with 834 fresh fatalities being reported during this period.

So far, 16,39,599 patients have recovered all over the country. With this, the recovery rate rises to 70.4 per cent in India.

In worst-hit Maharashtra the coronavirus tally reaches 5,35,601, followed by Tamil Nadu (3,08,649), Andhra Pradesh (2,44,549) and Delhi (1,47,391).

The other worst affected states are Karnataka (1,88,611), Uttar Pradesh (1,37,763), West Bengal (1,01,390) and Gujarat (73,163).

In terms of fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 18,306 deaths, ministry said.

The death toll in Delhi surged to 4,139 while another 1,32,384 patients in the national capital have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the total number of 2,60,15,297 samples tested up to August 11, for COVID-19. Of these, 7,33,449 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, coronavirus patients are taking longer to recover, experts believe the focus now needs to be on the road to recovery. Therefore, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has decided to start a post-coronavirus recovery clinic to monitor such cases.

-RJV

J&K: Army soldier, terrorist killed in Pulwama encounter

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An unidentified terrorist and a soldier were killed in an encounter at Kamriazipora village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district while another soldier was wounded, officials said today.

They said that an encounter started at Kamriazipora village at 3 am after security forces cordoned off the village on the basis of specific inputs about presence of terrorists. “When the security forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists opened fire, triggering encounter. The terrorists came out and there was heavy exchange of fire between the two sides in an orchard,” officials said.

Two soldiers sustained injuries in the exchange of firing while a terrorist was killed as well, officials said, adding that one of the injured soldiers succumbed at army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that one terrorist was killed and an AK-47 with grenades, pouches and other war like stores was recovered. “A soldier also laid down his life in the line of duty. Search operation is in progress,” he said.

Today’s encounter came after almost a week in South Kashmir. This year so far, 147 terrorists have been killed in a series of anti-militancy operations that include top commanders of Hizbul Muajhideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit. Hizb has borne the maximum brunt as the outfit has lost 60 militants alone including its chief operational commander Reyaz Naikoo. Official figures suggest that since June 1, 55 terrorists were killed in various counter insurgency operations across South Kashmir alone.

-RJV

DAC approves deals worth Rs 8,722 cr; IAF to get 106 basic trainer aircraft

The MoD will purchase 160 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) from HAL (Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): The Defence Acquisition Council today approved procurement proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crore, including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft for the Indian Air Force, in a big boost to the Armed Forces.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the acquisition proposals passed by the DAC will “strengthen the armed forces by relying on indigenous capability to take forward the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative”. The DAC meeting was held here under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL to address the basic training requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the MoD said in a statement.

Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in IAF, it said.

To improve the fire power of Indian Navy, the DAC approved procurement of an upgraded version of Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) which is fitted as the main gun onboard Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) warships from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles and Fast Attack Crafts and increase the maximum engagement range.

In view of the availability of requisite capability for indigenous development of the ammunition, both in terms of ‘Manufacturing’ and ‘Technology’, the DAC approved procurement of 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) ammunition for Indian Army as a ‘Design and Development Case’. The ammunition being procured will have a 70 per cent indigenous content.

The DAC also gave approvals that are likely to speed up the procurement of AK 203 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle upgrades.

On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had announced import embargo on 101 items beyond given timeline, in a big boost to indigenous defence production, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

-ARK

Fact check: No decision taken by Govt on reopening schools on Sept 1

New Delhi (NVI): A Hindi newspaper has claimed that the Government is going to reopen schools from September 1 to November 14 in a phased manner.

The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has investigated the news and found it to be fake and misleading. It said that no such decision has been taken by the Government in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Notably, the country is going through Unlock 3.0, under which the Centre has allowed some activities like gyms and yoga institutes but no decision has been taken regarding the reopening of schools or colleges. Similarly, cinema halls and public parks will remain closed for the time being.

-ARK

DNA tests to identify 3 terrorists killed in Shopian encounter: J&K Police

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

Srinagar (NVI): A day after the Army said that it has launched a probe into the July 18 Shopian encounter, the Jammu and Kashmir Police today said that it will carry out fresh DNA tests on the mortal remains of three terrorists killed in the Ashmipora gunbattle to identify them.

The police statement comes after some unverified social media posts claimed that “July 18 encounter at Shopian district of South Kashmir was stage-managed.”

The families of three missing youths from Rajouri district of Jammu have claimed that the three persons identified as slain militants in pictures gone viral on social media were actually their wards, who were working in Kashmir as labourers and had gone missing.

The Army yesterday issued a statement saying that it had taken cognizance of some social media reports, claiming the encounter as fake and “will investigate the matter.”

This evening, a police spokesman in a statement said that taking cognizance of the claim by the families of three missing youths from Rajouri and media reports, Shopian Police will match the DNA of the slain trio with the persons claiming to be their family members. “Besides identification, Police will also investigate all other aspects as per the law in due course of time,” the spokesman said.

He said that district Police Rajouri has been approached by some families yesterday claiming that their wards had gone to Shopian for labour work and contacted on phone on 17th July, last time. “As per families, when their wards didn’t contact them after 17th July, they lodged a missing report at Peeru police post on August 10,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the social media posts have claimed that the militants killed in an operation at Shopian on July 18 were the kin of three families from Rajouri, the police statement said. The police also said that with reference to its earlier press note regarding the July 18 operation, Police had provided sufficient time for identification of bodies at PCR Kashmir, Srinagar.

“However, the bodies could not be identified and they were buried in the presence of the Magistrate after conducting post-mortem and lifting of DNA samples,” the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Police said that the Army has also taken notice of the claims by family and social media regarding the said operation and initiated investigations.

NVI was first to report that families of three missing persons from Rajouri district have demanded DNA cross-examination with the trio killed on July 18 at Shopian encounter. The families of three youths have already demanded an independent probe requesting the newly appointed J&K LG Manoj Sinha to take look into the case.

-ARK

India working on 3 types of Covid vaccines: Health Ministry

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New Delhi (NVI): India is working on three types of Covid-19 vaccines at different levels currently, the Ministry of Health said today while giving details of each one of them.

Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while addressing a media briefing here said the first vaccine is being developed by Oxford University in the UK. It is to be manufactured by Serum Institute of India under contract with a foreign company, he said.

The phase 1 trials of this vaccine have been completed in the UK, phase 2 trials are being done in the UK and South Africa and phase three trials are being done in Brazil, he said. “For third phase trials in India, the Drug Controller General of India has given permission to Serum Institute of India,” the secretary said.

The second vaccine is being developed by Bharat Biotech International, headquartered in Hyderabad, in collaboration with ICMR. Phase 1 and 2 trials are going on for this vaccine.

The third vaccine is being developed by Zydus Cadila, also an Indian company based in Ahmedabad. Phase 1 and 2 trials are going on for this vaccine also.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin today announced that Russia has become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against COVID-19.

Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said that Russia has successfully registered coronavirus vaccine after the approval of Russia’s Health Ministry.

Russia has named the vaccine as ‘Sputnik V’ in reference to the world’s first satellite Sputnik.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India has reached 22,68,675 with 45,257 deaths. 15,83,489 patients have been cured so far.

-ARK

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