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Bihar BJP lawmaker dies of COVID

Sunil Kumar Singh

New Delhi (NVI): Bihar BJP MLC Sunil Kumar Singh, died of coronavirus late yesterday night, becoming the first legislator from the state to die of virus.

Singh, was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on July 13 after his sample test report was found positive for COVID-19.

He was on ventilator over the last five days after he complained for breathlessness. The MLC was also suffering from diabetes and hypertension.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, Bihar Legislative Council Acting Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh and a host of other leaders expressed grief over the death of the MLC.

Other minister’s from Bihar— Vinod Kumar Singh, Jibesh Kumar Mishra, Congress MLA Anand Shankar Singh and JD(U) MLC Khalid Anwar have also tested positive for coronavirus.

So far, Bihar, has reported 217 deaths due to COVID-19 and 28,952 positive cases. As many as 18,515 people have also recovered from the disease.

-RJV

Rajnath Singh inaugurates Air Force Commanders’ Conference

New Delhi (NVI): Amid the ongoing border stand-off with China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today addressed the inaugural session of the Air Force Commanders’ Conference at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan) in New Delhi.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Indian Air Force in the Next Decade”. While addressing the Commanders, Rajnath said that IAF’s contribution during the nation’s response to Covid-19 is highly praiseworthy.

The Defence Minister tweeted: “Addressed the inaugural session of the Air Force Commander’s Conference today. IAF’s role in some of the most challenging circumstances is well regarded by the nation. Their contribution during the nation’s response to COVID-19 pandemic has been highly praiseworthy.”

The Defence Minister also appreciated the proactive response by the IAF in bolstering its operational capabilities over the past few months. He stated that the professional manner in which IAF conducted the air strikes in Balakot as well as rapid deployment of IAF assets at forward locations in response to the prevailing situation in Eastern Ladakh has sent a strong message to the adversaries.

He said that the nation’s resolve to defend its sovereignty stands firm on the faith its people have in the capability of its Armed Forces. He alluded to the ongoing efforts for de-escalation on LAC and urged the IAF to stand ready to handle any eventuality.

He lauded the progress made towards enhancing synergy and integration within the three services since the appointment of CDS and creation of DMA.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, is chairing the Air Force Commanders’ Conference. Defence Secretary and Secretary Defence Production were also present on the occasion.

During the three day conference, commanders will review the current operational scenario and deployments before deliberating on building the IAF capabilities in the next decade to tackle all emerging threats, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Ladakh situation is expected to be the focus of this year’s conference as all three defence services have been kept on high alert in the wake of border row with China.

Also, as the first batch of five Rafale Fighter jets is likely to arrive in India by this month’s end, the IAF commanders will deliberate on whether to deploy the aircraft in Ladakh amid tensions with China.

The Ministry of Defence, in a statement on Monday, said that post arrival (of Rafale jets), efforts will focus on operationalisation of the aircraft “at the earliest”.

-ARK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): India registered a jump of 37,724 new cases in the last 24 hours, rising the total number of cases to 11,92,915, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Meanwhile, the death toll has climbed to 28,732 with 648 new fatalities being recorded since yesterday

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases increased to 3,27,031, followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,80,643 cases and Delhi with 1,25,096 cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 212

Andhra Pradesh- 58,668

Arunachal Pradesh- 858

Assam- 25,382

Bihar- 28,952

Chandigarh- 751

Chhattisgarh- 5,729

Dadar Nagar Haveli & Diu – 705

Delhi- 1,25,096

Gujarat- 50,379

Goa- 4,027

Haryana– 27,462

Himachal Pradesh- 1,664

Jammu and Kashmir- 15,258

Jharkhand- 6,159

Karnataka- 71,069

Kerala- 13,994

Ladakh- 1,198

Madhya Pradesh- 24,095

Maharashtra- 3,27,031

Manipur- 2,015

Meghalaya- 490

Mizoram- 317

Nagaland- 1,030

Odisha- 18,757

Puducherry- 2,179

Punjab- 10,889

Rajasthan- 31,373

Sikkim- 330

Tamil Nadu- 1,80,643

Telangana- 47,705

Tripura- 3,331

Uttarakhand- 4,849

Uttar Pradesh- 53,288

West Bengal – 47,030

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 758

Arunachal Pradesh- 3

Assam- 58

Bihar- 217

Chandigarh- 12

Chhattisgarh- 29

Delhi- 3,690

Goa- 26

Gujarat- 2,196

Haryana- 364

Himachal Pradesh- 11

Jammu and Kashmir- 263

Jharkhand- 55

Karnataka- 1,464

Kerala- 44

Ladakh- 2

Madhya Pradesh- 756

Maharashtra- 12,276

Meghalaya- 4

Odisha- 103

Puducherry- 30

Punjab- 263

Rajasthan- 577

Tamil Nadu- 2,626

Telangana- 429

Tripura- 8

Uttar Pradesh- 1,229

Uttarakhand- 55

West Bengal- 1,182

However, a total of 7,53,050 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 4,11,133.

-RJV

PM congratulates nuclear scientists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated nuclear scientists on achieving the criticality of Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3.

He also addressed the 700 MWe KAPP-3 reactor as a shining example of ‘Make in India.’

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Congratulations to our nuclear scientists for achieving criticality of Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3. This indigenously designed 700 MWe KAPP-3 reactor is a shining example of ‘Make in India’. And a trailblazer for many such future achievements.”

The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station is a nuclear power station in Gujarat which is developed and operated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).

The Atomic Power Plant-3 is a 700 MW pressurised water reactor, the construction of which started on November 22, 2010.

Earlier, the Atomic Power station consisted of two 220 MW pressurised water reactor with heavy water as moderator (PHWR).

-RJV

Terrorist hideout busted in J&K’s Rajouri; arms, ammo recovered

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Security Forces today busted an old militant hideout in Thanamandi area of Rajouri district while recovering a Pika gun among other arms and ammunition from the spot.

The forces had launched a joint operation in the dense woods in Manyal area and the recovery was made during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) from a militant hideout.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rajouri, Chandan Kohli said that information was received by police regarding an old militant hideout in Manyal area of Thanamandi after which teams of Rajouri police, Special Operation Group and 38 Rashtriya Rifles launched a Cordon and Search Operation late last night.

“The entire area was kept under cordon and in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, searches were launched during which a militant hideout established under a portion of dense bush cover was busted,” the SSP said.

The forces recovered 1 Pika rifle, 1 Chinese pistol, 1 local pistol, 1 AK magazine, 2 pistol magazines, 168 Pika rounds, 47 AK rounds, 4 pistol rounds, 2 UBGL grenades, 1 binocular, 8 ammunition belts, 1 antenna and 1 tape recorder.

“The area is still under searches and SDPO Thanamandi Sajjad Khan along with SHO Fareed Ahmed and officers of Army’s Rashtriya Rifles are monitoring the operation further,” the SSP said.

-RJV/ARK

Global coronavirus cases surpass 14.9 million

Global Covid-19 cases cross 62 mn mark
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases globally has increased to over 14.9 million, with more than 6,15,000 deaths.

At least 8.4 million patients have recovered worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University statistics.

In the US, the total number of cases stand around 3.89 million while more than 141,969 people have lost their lives due to the deadly virus.

In addition to this, US President Donald Trump urges people to wear masks because they have an impact. He would gladly use one, he added.

Brazil, the second most affected country from COVID-19 after the US has surpassed 2.15 million mark. The country’s death toll stands at 81,487.

In Mexico, the coronavirus death toll surpassed 40,000 mark, which has the fourth-highest Covid-19 death toll in the world, while the total coronavirus cases in the country stands at 356,255.

Meawhile, Qatar is relaxing its coronavirus travel restrictions from the beginning of next month, from August 1, citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to travel overseas and return.

China has reported 14 new cases of coronavirus, five of them imported and the rest in the far western region of Xinjiang. In total the country has 83,707 Covid-19 cases and the death toll stands at 4,655.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it will bring together scientists from several fields to fight growing misinformation about COVID-19 that is endangering lives.

-RJV

India’s Covid tally over 11.9 lakh, deaths nearing 29,000 mark

New Delhi (NVI): India saw a rise of 37,724 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number to 11,92,915, Union Health Ministry said.

The death toll in the country stood at 28,732 with 648 new fatalities being reported in the past 24 hours.

With this, India now has the seventh highest Covid-19 toll in the world, having gone past Spain’s count.

As many as 7,53,050 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 3,27,031 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,80,643 and Delhi with 1,25,096 positive cases.

The other worst affected states are Gujarat (50,379) Uttar Pradesh (53,288) West Bengal (47,030) and Rajasthan (31,373).

In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 12,276 fatalities, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 3,690 while another 1,06,118 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

According to ICMR, the total number of samples tested up to 21 July is 1,47,24, 546 including 3,43,243 samples tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa yesterday confirmed that there will be no extension of lockdown in the state. However, lockdown rules will continue to be enforced in containment zones.

Apart from this, in view of the ongoing COVID-19 scenario, all passengers arriving by international flights at the Delhi Airport will have to undergo 7 days of quarantine at their own cost, followed by one-week of home quarantine.

-RJV

J&K Covid tally crosses 15,000 mark as 608 more test positive

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The total number of Covid-19 positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir today reached 15,000 mark as 608 more persons including 134 non-local labourers and 13 pregnant women tested positive for the virus.

Officials said that the new 608 cases include 134 non-local labourers and 13 pregnant women.

With 608 new cases, the tally of positive cases in J&K has reached 15,258 including 12,125 from Kashmir and 3133 from Jammu. Among 608 new cases, 502 belong to Kashmir division while 106 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached to 12,125 including 6619 recoveries and 243 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 3133 including 1836 recoveries and 20 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 6540 including 5263 from Kashmir and 1277 from Jammu.

With 181 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 8455 which is 55.41 percent of the total cases which was over 63 percent a few days before.

Pertinently, Srinagar district alone has 3298 positive cases which is more than the total number of positive cases in Jammu where total cases are 3133.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 213 from Srinagar, 28 from Baramulla,39 from Kulgam, 03 from Shopian, 26 from Anantnag, 47 from Kupwara, 43 from Pulwama, 83 from Budgam, 14 from Bandipora and 06 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 106 from Jammu division include 15 from Jammu, 13 from Kathua, 37 from Rajouri, 03 from Udhampur, 11 from Ramban, 10 from Samba, 07 from Doda, 02 from Poonch and 08 from Reasi.

As per the daily information bulletin, 3,36,315 persons in the UT are under observation while 38,016 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 6540 persons are in hospital isolation while 11 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 248,706 persons have completed the surveillance period and 42,779 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 5,28,946 samples are available out of which 5,13,688 stand negative while 15,258 have been tested positive. Among positive, 6540 are active and 8455 persons have recovered while 263 have died.

-ARK

NDRF deploys 122 teams across country to tackle possible flood situation

Flood rescue ops in Turkijan Pathshala village in Barpeta district, Assam. (Pic credit: NDRF)

New Delhi (NVI): The National Disaster Response Force has deployed a total of 122 self-contained teams comprising of trained responders including doctors, divers, paramedics, engineers to tackle the possible flood situation caused by heavy rains during the monsoon season.

These teams, which are on the alert to deal with any eventuality, will be equipped with adequate boats and other flood rescue and life-saving equipment.

The NDRF, in a statement, said that it has pre-positioned its rescue & relief teams in the vulnerable States and also alerted its battalions across the country in the wake of monsoon and heavy rains.

The Force has pre-positioned its 85 teams in 74 locations of 20 vulnerable States to meet any eventuality. 1 team each has been deployed in Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Rajasthan, Sikkim & Tripura. 2 teams each in Arunachal, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir, 3 teams each in Kerala, Punjab and Uttarakhand, 4 teams in Karnataka, 6 teams each in Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal, 7 teams in Maharashtra, 9 teams in Gujarat, 12 teams in Assam and 19 teams in Bihar.

In addition, 37 teams are permanently stationed in 26 locations of 23 States at Regional Response Centers (RRCs) of NDRF. These RRCs are located in vulnerable locations across the country for a prompt response to any disasters.

Besides, additional teams are also kept on alert at NDRF battalions located in Guwahati (Assam), Kolkata (West Bengal), Mundali (Odisha), Arakkonam (Tamil Nadu), Pune (Maharashtra), Vadodara (Gujarat), Bhatinda (Punjab), Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), Patna (Bihar), Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh).

The Force is in constant touch with the State Governments to chalk out the combat strategies in case of any eventuality during the monsoon season.

NDRF control room in New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with other agencies/stakeholders.

-ARK

J&K: Work on 140 community bunkers in full swing at border villages

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): After a long wait, people living in shelling prone border villages, close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the three northern districts of Kashmir– Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora– have heaved a sigh of relief, as the construction of 140 underground community bunkers is in full swing.

Of the 140 bunkers, 50 will be constructed in Rampur sector (Uri/Boniyar) in Baramulla district, 30 in Gurez in Bandipora district and 60 in Karnah sector in Tangdhar area of Kupwara district.

A community bunker in construction (Photo via arrangement)

Officials said that all these bunkers are being constructed in the border villages that are close to the Line of Control in a bid to prevent the loss of life during the intensive mortar shelling by Pakistan, which of late gained pace resulting in damage to life and property.

People living close to the LoC in Kashmir had been demanding community bunkers in their villages as Pakistan continues to violate ceasefire.

The community bunkers were sanctioned in early 1990’s by the then government after which a few were constructed and then the process was left mid-way. Since then, there had been a huge demand from the people living close to the LoC in three northern districts of Kashmir as many of them had decided to migrate, given the frequent exchange of firing between the India and Pakistan armies.

Officials said that the construction for underground community bunkers has already started which will comprise of two rooms and a washroom to ensure the safety of masses during cross LoC shelling.

They said that the construction will be completed this year. A top official in the Gurez area of Bandipora district said that the construction of 30 underground community bunkers is underway and at least 15 have been completed, and are ready to use while the remaining are being constructed on a fast track basis.

In Kupwara district, the officials said that the construction of around 120 bunkers was sanctioned but the absence of proper ground space has forced the administration to club the individual bunkers into underground community bunkers.

“The construction of 60 full-fledged underground community bunkers is underway in the villages close to LoC,” an official said.

A top official said that on a similar pattern, the construction of community bunkers is also underway at Keran sector. Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uri, Riyaz Ahmad said that the construction of community bunkers is underway and 50 will be completed in the first phase while the cost of a single bunker is Rs 10 lakh.

He said by the end of September, they should be able to complete the construction of 50 community bunkers.

“We have also proposed the construction of 175 individual bunkers but haven’t floated the tender yet due to some technical issues,” he said.

It may be recalled that border shelling has killed hundreds of people in Kashmir and Jammu region since 1990, and left scores handicapped. Besides, houses and livestock worth billions of rupees have also been damaged due to the shelling by Pakistan in J&K in the past 30 years.

-ARK

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