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J&K: Militants abduct cop, intercepted and killed

Kashmir
Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Terrorists tonight abducted a policeman in Kashmir but they were intercepted by security forces soon after, leading to a gunfight in which two militants were killed and the abductee was rescued.

Police constable Sartaj Ahmed Itoo of Yaripora in Kulgam district of South Kashmir was abducted by the militants.

The militants abducted the policeman at Shirpora village following which an immediate cordon was launched by a joint team of Police and Army, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range, Vijay Kumar (IPS) said.

“Soon, militants were chased at Kharpora, leading to a brief gunfight in which both of them were killed while a policeman was injured, ” he said.

“The joint team successfully rescued the abducted cop,” the IGP added.

Police sources said after the tip-off that the militants along with the abducted cop were traveling in a vehicle, a check post was set up in Arwani area of Bijbehara in Anantnag district.

On sighting the suspect vehicle, the security forces signalled the driver to stop it. But the militants inside the vehicle opened fire and tried to flee.

This triggered a brief shootout in which two militants were killed.

In the exchange of fire, a policeman also sustained injury and was removed to nearby medical facility for treatment.

Sources in the police said that the two slain militants had recently joined militancy and were affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit.

20 more test positive in J&K, Covid tally mounts to 454

Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Twenty more persons have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Kashmir today, pushing the total tally of cases in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory to 454.

J&K government officials told NVI that all fresh Covid positive cases were confirmed at Viral Diagnostic Lab of SKIMS hospital, Soura. “Of them, nine are from Bandipora, five from Shopian, four from Kupwara and two from Baramulla district,” they said.

The officials said that among total 454 cases, 57 are from Jammu division and 397 from Kashmir division. Apart from that, total number of active cases in Kashmir is 301 and 39 in Jammu division.

They said that 109 persons have recovered in Jammu and Kashmir so far. Among them, 92 are from Kashmir division while 17 persons have recovered in Jammu division. “Four persons in Kashmir division and one person in Jammu division have died due to Covid-19,” said officials.

Dr GH Yatoo, Nodal officer for Covid- 19 at SKIMS Soura, said that out of 395 samples tested today, 20 were tested positive while 375 were tested negative.

Among 20 positive cases, nine are from Bandipora, five from Shopian, four from Kupwara and two from Tangmarg and all positive cases have contact history, he said, adding that one more patient was discharged from SKIMS after recovery.

As per officials figures, 79 positive cases, including one death and 27 recoveries are from Srinagar, 108 positive cases including 22 recoveries and one death are from Bandipora, 52 including two deaths and 12 recoveries are from Baramulla, 45 including six recoveries from Kupwara, 60 including 11 recoveries are from Shopian, 14 including two recoveries are from Ganderbal, 14 including nine recoveries are from Budgam, 6 are from Kulgam, 16 from Anantnag and three cases (all recovered) are from Pulwama in Kashmir division.

In Jammu division, 26 including five recoveries are from Jammu district, 20 including one death and eight recoveries are from Udhampur, 4 from Samba and 4 from Rajouri including three recoveries, one from Kishtiwar who has also recovered and one from Ramban.

As per the daily information bulletin, 65,722 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while as 6,162 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Apart from that, 340 persons are in hospital isolation while 260 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 46,985 persons have completed surveillance period and 11,979 persons are under home surveillance. Besides that, results of 11,764 samples are available.

Out of the 11,764, the number of samples that tested negative stand at 11,310 while as 454 have been tested positive. Among them, 340 are active and 109 persons have recovered. J&K has reported five deaths so far.

Oil refineries in Pakistan suffer huge losses, seek bailout package

New Delhi (NVI): With the global oil industry bearing the adverse impact of Covid-19, the oil refineries in Pakistan have suffered huge losses and are left with no option but to shut down their operations, according to a The News report.

Pakistan’s refineries have apprised the government of their situation while seeking a bailout package if it wants to keep the industry afloat, the Pak daily reported.

Crude oil prices plunged below zero dollars a barrel for the first time in history earlier this week, owing to low demand across the world amid the pandemic situation.

Oil markets crashed in the US, where the prices of oil went into negative zone due to lack of demand, even as there was a recovery later.

The spread of the novel coronavirus recently and a price war between Gulf nations and Russia on crude has also sent oil prices into the negative zone. As a result, refineries in Pakistan have to bear the brunt of the severe price fluctuations, in recent months, resulting in huge losses, The News reported.

Three out of five refineries have already braved over Rs 16 billion in losses in the last nine months, according to the newspaper.

The two other refineries are also running huge losses and that they plan to make it public in the coming days, reports The News.

According to the newspaper, the Managing Directors of the five refineries including National Refinery Limited (NRL), Attock Refinery Limited (ARL), Pak-Arab Refinery (PARCO), Attock Refinery Limited (ARL), and BYCO told the government in a meeting yesterday that they were close to shutting down.

However, the Pakistan government has asked the refineries to come up with proposals for the bailout package.

Covid-19: India reaches out to nationals stuck in Nigeria

Officials at the Indian Embassy in Nigeria (Source: Twitter @india_nigeria)

New Delhi (NVI): Amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the Indian Embassy in Nigeria has reached out to Indians stuck in the African country and assured them of every possible support.

In this regard, the mission officials interacted with Indian community organizations, Samajams and businesses in Nigeria yesterday, through a video conference in which more than 200 people participated, the embassy said in a tweet.


The officials addressed the concerns of Indian citizens in the country and reassured them of the mission’s constant support.

Earlier today, External Affairs Ministers S Jaishankar also had a conversation with his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama. The two leaders had a discussion on coronavirus cooperation between the two countries. Jaishankar also reiterated India’s commitment to providing medicines.

In a tweet, the EAM said: “Good conversation with FM @GeoffreyOnyeama of #Nigeria. Discussed our #coronavirus cooperation; India is committed to provide key medicines. Thanked him for the welfare of the Indian community. Exchanged views on the Commonwealth.”

The External Affairs Ministry has been receiving several requests regarding Indians stuck in the west Africa nation amid the coronavirus outbreak, from their relatives or family members in India.

India is currently under an extended lockdown till May 3 in the wake of deadly coronavirus outbreak and all domestic and international air travel has been suspended till further orders.

J&K HC rejects bail application of former Finance Minister’s son

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu & Kashmir High Court today dismissed the bail application of former Finance Minister Abdur Rahim Rather’s son in a multi-crore bank fraud case.

A single bench of the High Court headed by Justice Puneet Gupta dismissed the bail application moved by Hilal Rather, son of former Finance Minister Abdur Rahim Rather, on medical grounds.

“The application being without merit is dismissed. The merits of the case have not been argued by the counsels as the application for bail was mainly confined on medical grounds,” reads the High Court order.

The court observed that bail cannot be granted on the mere asking of the accused, nor can the accused claim bail as a matter of right. “Each case has to be decided on its own merits,” the court observed.

It also observed that the case of the accused is not covered by the directions of the Supreme Court for decongesting jails in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

“The other contention of the learned counsel for the accused is that the case of the accused is covered by the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court issued in view of the spread of COVID-19 and the lockdown which is in force. The learned counsel for the respondent has argued that the case of the accused is not covered by the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and in any case the charges in which the accused has been booked carry the punishment for more than seven years,” reveals the court order.

The Court observed that the apprehension raised by counsel for the accused that he may contact infection or even can infect other inmates of the jail due to the prevailing conditions is not borne out from the record. “The court finds no material on record which substantiates the argument of the counsel for the accused. The apprehension of the accused is misplaced as of now. The Jail authorities must be otherwise taking all the measures to keep the jail in hygienic conditions keeping in view the onslaught of COVID-19. The bail cannot be granted on mere assumption that the conditions in the Jail are unhygienic and that the accused will suffer for that reason,” the order read.

Bangladesh reports 4 more COVID-19 deaths, 503 fresh cases

Bangladesh lockdown

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of deaths from coronavirus continues to rise in Bangladesh as 4 more people have died in the last 24 hours, taking the total casualties in the country to 131, according to United News of Bangladesh.

Besides, a whopping 503 new cases of coronavirus infection were reported during this period, raising the number of such cases in the country to 4,689.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has set up a five-member COVID-19 related media cell in Bangladesh.

The cell is meant for monitoring and taking steps to release information, hold press briefing and carry out mass awareness campaign and correct misinformation related to coronavirus issues.

In addition to this, many suspected coronavirus carriers are either showing less interest in undergoing tests or hiding information in fear of isolation and social stigma, health experts said warning that this tendency may jeopardise the government’s efforts to contain the pandemic.

Afghanistan Covid-19 cases reach 1,330, death toll at 43

New Delhi (NVI): 95 more COVID-19 cases have been reported in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, bringing the tally to 1,330, according to Afghan media reports. The country’s death toll due to the virus stands at 43, according to reports.

The Afghan Health Ministry has said that the new coronavirus cases were reported in 12 provinces, including 53 in Kandahar, 11 in Kabul and 3 in Herat province, according to TOLO news.

Apart from this, 10 cases were reported in Takhar, 5 in Panjshir, 5 in Nangarhar, 2 in Farah, 1 in Laghman, 1 in Daikundi and 1 positive case in Parwan.

The Afghan media has reported that five patients have recovered in the last 24 hours in Herat and four in Kandahar, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 188.

One fresh death was reported from Kandahar, bringing the total fatalities in the country to 43, amid concerns over a serious shortage of testing supplies and treatment equipment at health centers.

Meanwhile, according to the Afghan ministry, 7,425 samples have been tested – including 339 samples tested on April 23, reports TOLO news.

COVID-19: 253 health workers infected in Pakistan so far

New Delhi (NVI): At least 253 healthcare providers and medical workers have been infected with coronavirus in Pakistan so far, according to Dawn news.

Based on the report, shared by the National Emergency Operation Centre, 124 doctors, 39 nurses and 90 health workers have been infected in the country.

92 of these healthcare providers are in isolation, 125 are admitted in hospitals while 33 have recovered and have been discharged.

In addition to this, the total number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has reached 11,513 with 242 deaths so far.

Nearly half of the total confirmed cases are from Punjab province alone, at 4,851, according to Geo News.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, the Sindh province has reported 3,945 cases while Balochistan has 607 cases so far. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has 1,541 cases, Islamabad 214, Gilgit Baltistan 300 and 55 in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Another 20 people recovered from the deadly virus in Punjab province, taking the provincial tally to 925. The total number of recovered cases stands at 2,589 in the country.

Pakistan has been under lockdown for over a month now to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Senior citizens worst affected due to COVID-19 lockdown: Survey

New Delhi (NVI): The current lock down situation due to the global Covid-19 pandemic has drastically affected the lives of the elderly, according to a latest survey.

70 per cent of the senior citizen population is either already facing health complications or fearing to develop some due to the current lockdown restrictions, according to the survey conducted by Agewell Foundation, an NGO, working for the welfare and empowerment of older people in the country since 1999.

The survey was conducted on around 5,000 people from across the country in order to assess the impact of the prevailing situation on their lives.

According to the survey, approximately 55 per cent elderly respondents asserted that current lock down situation is affecting their health condition adversely.

75 per cent of such elderly patients said that they missed the healing touch of their doctor, as they could not visit them personally. 43 per cent of the patients were undergoing regular pathological check-ups, and they have to avoid these check-ups all of a sudden.

However, 25 per cent elderly said that the lockdown has not affected their current health condition so far and approximately 5 per cent elderly said that their health condition is improving due to clean environment resulting from lockdown rules.

According to elderly, access to regular medicines/physiotherapy was most critical health challenge being faced by them, as 44 per cent respondents termed this as most critical health challenge before them.

Anxiety, sleeplessness, lack of appetite and lack of physical activity was termed most critical health challenge, according to 34 per cent respondents.

During the survey, more than a half (approx. 54 per cent) elderly admitted that their social life has been disturbed due to Coronavirus lockdown. Among these elderly, 71 per cent claimed that they are fearful of meeting anyone or to interact with anyone nowadays.

While interacting with older persons, the survey volunteers observed that majority of older persons look depressed due to this new phenomenon. They expressed sense of apprehension, resentment, anxiety and even anger while talking over phone.

In another finding, during the lock down period, 52% elderly respondents claimed that their interpersonal relationship with family members particularly their own children has further deteriorated due to hardly any communication, conflict of personal ego, interests and attitude.

Interestingly, 59 per cent of elderly, staying with their other family members claimed that they still feel psychological loneliness/isolation even amid their family members. Primary reasons for this situation were – neglect by younger family members, unsympathetic relationship, discriminatory behavior against elderly, rising frustration levels, etc.

Himanshu Rath, Founder Chairman of Agewell Foundation says, “Due to the current Covid-19 lockdown, most of the older persons are struggling and facing a peculiar situation in their life. Elderly are finding themselves at the receiving end, those who are living alone have practical problems and those who are living with families, have psychological issues.

“Under current tension of Coronavirus, elderly are getting depressed due to lack of assured medical & financial support, social interaction and lack of independence/self-respect/ dignity.”  Rath further added, ” Government should extend a helping hand to old people by announcing certain packages, exclusively for Old People.”

The survey also made a few recommendations for the government:

-Launch a Helpline for Older Persons
-Announce benefits for older persons like guaranteed subsidy/loans.
-Announce GST waiver for businesses focused on senior citizens – food, accommodation, care and medical needs.
-Provide subsidy or loans and support for Assisted Living or senior care Homes.
-Set up care facilities or homes specifically for elderly COVID-19 patients.
-Release the 2nd tranche of Rs. 6000 assistance under Kisan Samman Nidhi.
-Raise awareness among the illiterate urban and rural elderly and undertake special efforts to explain & demonstrate safety measures against Covid19.
-Set up special PDS distribution points for the elderly.
-Create awareness about the senior care sector and frame policies for faster development of the senior care industry.
-Create a uniform set of guidelines that can be implemented across the sector that will leverage home healthcare workers for monitoring of elderly.
-Provide essential healthcare services like medical insurance in a safe and secure environment for elderly.

Plasma therapy results on Covid-19 patients encouraging: Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that initial trials of plasma therapy conducted on four COVID-19 patients in Lok Nayak Hospital have shown satisfactory results so far.

While addressing a media briefing, Kejriwal said the government will conduct more trials of plasma therapy in the next few days.

“We are happy with the positive results in the four patients. Blood and plasma is ready for 2-3 other patients that we have at LNJP hospital, we may give them the plasma therapy today,” he said.

Kejriwal also appealed to all people who have recovered from COVID-19 to come forward and donate plasma for serious patients.

The trials are being conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, which will be processing the blood to derive plasma and store it.

Plasma therapy is an experimental procedure to treat COVID-19 infection. In this method, plasma from a COVID-19 patient who has fully recovered is transfused into a coronavirus patient with critical condition.

So far, Delhi has 2,376 COVID-19 positive cases, including 50 deaths.

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