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Lockdown 2: MHA issues fresh guidelines for additional activities

Ceasefire Agreement

New Delhi (NVI): On the third day of the nationwide lockdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an order to include new activities in the guidelines that will be allowed amid lockdown in different parts of the country.

As per the guidelines, the government has permitted certain activities to resume services after April 20, which includes the non-banking finance corporations and micro-finance institutions and cooperative credit societies from the financial sector.

This will be applicable for financial institutions in all states and union territories (UTs).

MHA also permitted activities which include, collection, harvesting and processing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP)/Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) by Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers in forest areas.

Similarly, bamboo, coconut, arecanut cocoa, spices plantation and their harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing, to be carried out during the lockdown.

Construction activities in rural areas, includes, water supply and sanitation, laying/erection of power transmission lines and laying of telecom optical fiber and cable have also been exempted from the lockdown.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, the ministry had announced a series of exemptions given on different services during lockdown 2.0.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3, to curb the spread of coronavirus across the country.

J&K: 2 militants killed in encounter in Shopian district

Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Dairoo village in South Kashmir’s Shopian district today, police said.

A police officer told NVI that the encounter broke out after security forces launched a massive search operation in village Dairoo, Keegam in Shopian district early this morning.

“When the joint team of security forces zeroed on a house where militants were believed to be hiding, the militants opened heavy fire triggering a fierce gun-battle,” he said.

After heavy exchange of fire, one militant was killed, while the second one continued to fire intermittently. “At 9am, final assault was launched in which the second militant was also killed,” he said.

Kashmir Zone police confirmed on its Twitter handle that two militants have been killed. “Shopian encounter update: two unidentified militants killed. Further details awaited,” they said.

In the operation, joint teams of police, Army and the CRPF participated. A police source said that the operation was over and the bodies of two slain militants have been recovered. “It seems both are locals associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen. Final confirmation is still awaited as we are verifying their details,” he said.

He said that cordon continues to remain on in the area and search at the encounter spot is on. “We have recovered two weapons from the slain militants,” the police source said.

Meanwhile, police have urged people of Dario not to go closer to the encounter site till the spot is properly sanitised.

Coronavirus cases top 2.1 million globally

Coronavirus cases
(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of infections from the novel coronavirus has now reached 21,52,000, with nearly 1,45,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

Nearly 5,44,000 infected people have recovered from the deadly virus around the world so far.

In addition to this, US President Donald Trump has announced “a phased approach” to ease restrictions of movement on Americans, even as the coronavirus death toll in the country continues to rise nearing 35,000, and with cases soaring to 6,67,000.

Meanwhile, nearly 5.2 million more Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the four-week total to 22 million – the worst stretch of US job losses on record, US government reported.

The UK government has also said a lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus will remain in place for at least three more weeks.

The Canada government has also increased its lockdown, according to media reports.

The global health emergency could also lead to deep economic recession that could result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children worldwide, according to the United Nations.

Coronavirus cases in India rise to 13,387; Death toll 437

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has gone up to 13,387 while the death toll has risen to 437, Union Health Ministry confirmed today.

In the last 24 hours, 1,007 fresh COVID-19 infections and 23 deaths were reported in the country.

According to the Health Ministry data, the confirmed cases of COVID-19 include 13,311 Indians and 76 foreign nationals.

Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of cases at 3,205, followed by Delhi at 1,640 and Tamil Nadu at 1,267.

Meanwhile, the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have also registered more than 1,000 positive cases.

The central government has identified 170 districts as hotspots, where the lockdown would be enforced more stringently.

At least 1,748 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.

L’Oreal joins India’s Covid-19 fight

New Delhi (NVI): L’Oreal India today announced its initiatives to support the country in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, including donation of hand sanitiser, PPE equipment and providing food and essentials to migrants and their families.

This commitment is made in addition to L’Oréal’s global Solidarity Program which includes a donation to non-profit organisations.

The French cosmetics giant said that it will donate 60,000 litres of hand sanitizer to public health authorities, police & NGOs in the country. Besides, it will donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to Primary Health Centres.

Apart from that, the personal care brand will be donating ‘Care Packages’ to healthcare workers on the frontline and matching employee contribution to PM CARES Fund.

South Korea conducts elections amid Covid-19 outbreak

South Korean President Moon Jae-in

New Delhi (NVI): At a time when the whole world has been brought to a standstill by coronavirus, South Korea went ahead and held general elections.

The development takes place even as the countries around the world are facing lockdown with restrictions on public gatherings.

The constant surge in coronavirus cases and deaths across the world has kept people indoors, with many placed under quarantine and isolation.

South Korea has now become the only country to conduct national elections since the pandemic began in China’s Wuhan in December last year.

The country went to polls yesterday, with millions of people wearings masks and standing at least one metre apart, while strictly following the social distancing norms, according to reports.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s party has won the elections with a landslide victory, as the results came-in today.

MHA says video conference app Zoom not safe, issues advisory

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs today said that video conferencing app Zoom is not safe as it is vulnerable to cyberattacks while asking government officials not to use the platform for official purposes in an advisory.

The ministry’s advisory bears significance as many companies are asking their employees to work from home amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cyber Coordination Centre (CyCord), under MHA, issued the advisory, along with details of protective measures to be taken by individuals.

“The broad objective of this advisory is to prevent any unauthorized entry into a Zoom Conference Room and prevent the unauthorized participant to carry out malicious attacks on the terminals of other users in the conference,” the MHA said in a statement.

Earlier, India’s nodal cybersecurity agency – Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-in) had also cautioned that the video conferencing app Zoom is not safe and vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Twin sisters among 14 new Covid cases in Kashmir, J&K tally at 314

J&K Govt bans private practice by all SKIMS medical professionals
SKIMS, Srinagar (File)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Fourteen more people were tested positive for novel coronavirus in Kashmir today, including twin sisters. With fresh cases showing a spurt, the total number of positive Covid-19 cases has jumped to 314 in J&K Union Territory.

“14 new cases- all from Kashmir Division. Total cases now 314. Jammu Division-54 and Kashmir Division-260,” Rohit Kansal, government spokesman tweeted.

With 38 recoveries and four deaths reported in J&K Union Territory so far, the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 272.

Officials told NVI that the fresh 14 cases include twin sisters who have a history of contact with positive cases.

Dr G H Yatoo, Nodal officer for Covid-19 at SKIMS hospital in Soura, Srinagar said that 11 persons were tested positive at SKIMS today and among them, 10 are from Bandipora and one Ganderbal district.

As per officials figures, 78 positive cases including one death and 12 recoveries are from Srinagar, 66 including eleven recoveries and one death are from Bandipora, 42 including one death are from Baramulla, 12 including three recoveries from Budgam, three from Pulwama including one recovery, 14 from Shopian including two recoveries, 25 from Kupwara, 13 from Ganderbal, 4 from Kulgam and two from Anantnag in Kashmir division.

As per the daily information bulletin, 58,076 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 7,463 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 272 persons are in hospital isolation. It said that 265 persons are under hospital quarantine.

The bulletin said that 20,706 persons have completed surveillance period and 29,366 persons are under home surveillance. “Out of 5,680 the number of samples tested negative stands at 5366 while as 314 have been tested positive, among them 272 are active and 38 persons have recovered and 4 have died,” the bulletin said.

Army Chief General MM Naravane reviews security situation in Kashmir

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Army Chief General MM Naravane today arrived in Kashmir to review the security situation in the Valley amid escalation in ceasefire violations on the Line of Control.

General Naravane exhorted the troops to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges at all times.

Defence spokesperson in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia told NVI that the Army chief reached Kashmir today on a two-day visit and reviewed the prevailing security situation. He arrived in the valley amid COVID-19 pandemic which has affected Kashmir also.

“He was accompanied by the northern army commander, Lt Gen YK Joshi and Srinagar based 15 Corps Commander, Lt Gen BS Raju,” Colonel Kalia said. He said that General Naravane visited the formations and units in the hinterland today.

“While interacting with jawans, the army chief highlighted that it was the dawn of a new era of development, peace and prosperity in Kashmir and applauded them for their high level of morale and motivation,” the defence spokesperson said.

He said that the Army chief further reinforced the need to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively at all times. “General Naravane extolled the close coordination among all government agencies towards maintaining vigil and peace in the valley and reaching out to the people wholeheartedly to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic together,” he said.

Later in the day, the army chief visited 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, where he appreciated the excellent work and vital critical care being provided by the doctors and support staff.

“He commended them for being the lifeline of the Valley. He was then briefed by the GoC 15 Corps in Srinagar on the overall situation pertaining to the Line of Control and the hinterland,” Colonel Kalia said.

The army chief also met members of the civil society later in the evening today, the defence spokesperson said.

Tensions along the border have escalated after the recent infiltration bid by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district, which was foiled by the Indian Army. Five militants were killed in the operation as the Army lost its five soldiers from elite Special Forces.

In another incident on Sunday, three civilians including a woman and a minor boy were killed in heavy mortar shelling by Pakistan at Chowkibal area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

UNICEF India reaches out to faith leaders amid COVID-19 pandemic

New Delhi (NVI): As public health emergencies like COVID-19 pandemic lead to fear and anxiety among populations, that give rise to stress, violence and stigma, UNICEF India has urged faith leaders to emphasize solidarity and help people in neutralising the negative effects of the crisis.

The need of the hour is solidarity, kindness, cooperation and support towards each other, UNICEF said in a statement.

Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, Representative, UNICEF India has said that in times of humanitarian crisis, faith can be a powerful sustaining force. Faith leaders play a critical role in influencing values, attitudes, behaviours and actions that affect the development and wellbeing of the world’s children, she said.

“The need of the hour is solidarity and compassion. Let us only look at facts and not misinformation. Let us be supportive of each other and observe social distancing. We are reaching out to leaders across faiths for their support to ensure that the most vulnerable women and children are supported, and their rights protected at this crucial time”, she added.

Faith traditions can play a critical role in containing the spread of the disease and helping people cope with its fallout, UNICEF said. By focusing on spiritual calmness and inner serenity, faith leaders have an important role in urging followers to take the necessary precautions to protect oneself, society and community in accordance with government directives, it said.

UNICEF has urges faith-based welfare organizations to:

  1. To honour national health authorities’ guidance on gatherings, physical distancing and other matters of public health
  2. Focus on hygiene and sanitation in keeping with religious teachings that emphasize cleanliness as an element of holiness.
  3. To counter all forms of stigma and discrimination with active promotion of attitudes and behaviours to uphold the principles of love that are central to all religions and the dignity and rights of all people.
  4. Provide spiritual and emotional care and support to everyone and specially to those experiencing disruption and distress during the pandemic.
  5. Stand together in hope and solidarity for the survival, protection and development of our children, families and communities.

Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President, Parmarth Niketan said: “It’s heartening to note that faith leaders are lending their voice to spread the message of togetherness and unity in times of crisis.   All health workers, media professionals are all working tirelessly to support humanity. So help them to help you. Stay at home. We are getting to know that violence in the home is increasing a lot in this time.”

“Instead of turning to violence, let us support each other in the home and share the work in the household with love, especially in spending time with and looking after our children who can also get scared and anxious during this time. It is time to spread love and kindness and work together. This is the time to be peaceful and meditate. People are also getting swayed by misinformation and I urge them to only follow government instructions and guidelines,” said Swami Chidanand, also the founder of Ganga Action Parivar and Co-founder, Global Interfaith Wash Alliance.

Maulana Mahmood Madani, Secretary-General, Jamiat Ulema E Hind said, “At this time when humanity is under threat, we want to stand behind in full support of all our health workers. It is a shame that we are assaulting health workers. This is not the spirit of our country. To protect yourself and to protect your community is each one of our duty.”

“It is sin, haram if any of us do not follow the rules and do not practice social distancing or observe lockdown. It should not be that because of our selfishness or carelessness we risk our lives or lives of others. Let us be loving in our homes and in our communities,” he added.

Father Paul, Executive Director, Caritas India said, “Stay at home. Keep Social Distancing. Social Distancing is the best medicine to address this pandemic. Comply with all advisories given by Government authorities. And go with the principle that do no harm to anyone.”

“We are all one family. We are inspired and motivated by our faith. But, faith without action has no meaning. We see god in the lives of those people who are sick and ailing with corona and with people on the street who are suffering. Service to humanity is service to god – ManavaSeva hi Madhava Seva.” he added.

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