New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in India saw the biggest single-day spike of 20,903 in the past 24 hours, raising the total number to 6,25,544, Union Health Ministry said.
The death toll due to the virus rose to 18,213, with 379 new fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours.
As many as 3,79,891 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged so far.
Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 1,86,626 coronavirus cases in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 98,392 and Delhi with 92,175 positive cases.
The other worst affected states are Gujarat (33,913) Uttar Pradesh (24,825), West Bengal (19,819) and Rajasthan (18,662).
In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 8,178 fatalities, ministry said.
The death toll in the national capital surged to 2,864 while another 63,007 patients have recovered in Delhi so far, healthy ministry data shows.
Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said, up to July 2, 92,97,749 samples have been tested for COVID-19, of which 2,41,576 were tested yesterday.
Apart from that, after Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, another COVID-19 vaccine indigenously developed by Ahmedabad-based Cadila Healthcare Ltd has got the approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on for human trials.
New Delhi (NVI): Eight cops in Uttar Pradesh, including a Deputy Superintendent and three sub-inspectors, were killed after a group of assailants opened fire on a police team trying to arrest a criminal in Kanpur at around 1.30am on Friday.
During the encounter, at least 3 criminals were also killed. According to the media reports, police went to arrest the wanted gangster Vikas Dubey, who has 60 cases registered against him, and managed to escape from the site.
Besides, 7 police personnel were also left injured with one being critical in the operation.
Teams from three police stations had gone to Bithoor’s Dikru village in Chaubepur police station area and raid was carried out at around 1am on July 3. A raid was planned at his village after he was accused in a fresh attempt to murder case.
As the police team was about to reach the hideout of the dreaded criminial, a hail of bullets was showered on them from a building rooftop.
On getting information, additional DG, IG (Kanpur) and the senior SP rushed to the spot, where a forensic team has started investigations.
Srinagar (NVI): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and an unidentified terrorist were killed in a nocturnal encounter that raged between forces and militants in Malbagh area of Srinagar outskirts, late on Thursday night, police said today.
A gunfight raged between terrorists and security forces at 10:30 pm at Malbagh, Srinagar. In the initial encounter, two CRPF men sustained injuries, of which once succumbed on the way to the hospital.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar said that a CRPF man, who had sustained injuries in the initial exchange of firing, got killed. “A terrorist was also killed in the encounter,” he said adding that the identity of the slain militant is being ascertained.
Taking over to the official twitter handle of police, Vijay Kumar wrote:”#Killer of JKP & CRPF personnel at #Bijbehara #Anantnag and one 6 years old boy, #terrorist Zahid Daas killed in yesterday’s #encounter at #Srinagar. Big success for JKP & CRPF: IGP Kashmir @JmuKmrPolice”
Inspector General of CRPF Srinagar sector, Pramod Kumar Pandey said that a CRPF man was killed in the initial exchange of fire. “Search operation is on in the area,” he added.
Srinagar (NVI): A terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Malbagh area of Srinagar, J&K police said.
A CRPF jawan and a policeman have also been injured in the gunbattle, they said.
“#MalbaghEncounterUpdate: So far one #unidentified #terrorist killed. Operation going on. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir zone police tweeted.
Unidentified militants have taken shelter in a school building in the area, according to security officials.
The encounter broke out at the Malbagh area on the outskirts of Srinagar late today, security officials said.
“Encounter has started at #Malbagh area of #Srinagar. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir zone police tweeted earlier.
Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed 10 deaths due to Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, as 154 more people including 15 BSF men and a one-year-old infant tested positive for the virus, taking the total number of cases in the Union Territory to 7,849.
The UT health officials said that of the 10 deaths, one was reported in the Jammu region and nine in Kashmir. All the deceased had underlying medical conditions especially Community Acquired Pneumonia Disease (CoPD), hypertension and diabetes. “All the 10 deceased were male and in the age group of 60 to 75 years, who died in the past 24 hours in J&K,” they said, adding that they were laid to rest with proper Covid-19 guidelines in their respective areas.
The officials further said that among the new cases that were reported today, 65 were tested positive at SKIMS, 27 at JVC Bemina and rest at other hospitals. Among 154 new cases, 134 belong to Kashmir division while 20 are from Jammu, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 6,199 including 3,770 recoveries and 102 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 1,650 including 1,204 recoveries and 15 deaths.
The officials said that total number of active cases in J&K is 2,760 including 2,328 from Kashmir and 432 from Jammu.
With 118 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 4,974 which is 63.37 percent of the total cases.
Cases tested positive in J&K include 51 from Srinagar, 15 from Kulgam, 19 from Baramulla, 1 from Shopian, 17 from Anantnag, 10 from Pulwama, 12 from Budgam, 2 from Bandipora and 07 from Ganderbal in Kashmir while 20 from Jammu division include 4 each from Jammu and Udhampur, 5 from Samba, 6 from Doda and 1 from Ramban.
As per the daily information bulletin, 2,88,136 persons in J&K are under observation while 40,953 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 2,760 persons are in hospital isolation while 33 persons are under hospital quarantine.
According to the bulletin, 1,98,514 persons have completed surveillance period and 45,761 persons are under home surveillance.
So far, results of 3,77,961 samples are available out of which 3,70,112 stand negative while 7,849 have been tested positive. Among the positive cases, 2,760 are active and 4,974 have recovered while 117 have died.
New Delhi (NVI): India today said that it will continue to welcome foreign investments in India, including in the area of internet technologies, but this will have to be in accordance with the rules and regulatory framework established by the Government.
While addressing a virtual press conference here, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that all software and internet applications companies are have been welcomed in the country, under an investor-friendly regime, but they have to abide by rules and regulations issued by the relevant Ministries and Departments, including those pertaining to data security and privacy of individual data.
Srivastava, while replying to questions on the banning of Chinese mobile applications said that the concerned ministry (Ministry of Information and Technology) would have an appropriate explanation, but indirectly implied that the move is not going to have any negative effects as the “world’s largest software and internet applications companies are present in India.”
“India has one of the most open regimes in the world for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In the last few years, Government has taken a host of measures for creating of a more investor-friendly regime. Similarly in the area of digital technology and internet, India has adopted a very open regime. India is today one of the world’s largest markets for digital and internet technologies with more than 680 million subscribers,” he said.
To recall, the Indian Government on Monday banned 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, WeChat, Shareit, while citing the “emergent nature of threats” from mobile applications. The Ministry of Information and Technology on Monday said that it has banned the apps based on the information that they were engaged in activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence, security and public order” in India.
India and China are currently locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in Eastern Ladakh, especially after the June 15 violent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.
New Delhi (NVI): Two days after third military-level talks between India and China to de-escalate the tense situation on Line of Actual Control (LAC), the MEA today said that it expects Beijing to sincerely follow up and ensure the expeditious restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas as per bilateral agreements and protocols.
The MEA statement came after Corps Commander level talks held on June 30 at Chushul border point. “The two sides will continue their meetings both at the military and diplomatic level including under the framework of WMCC, in the future to resolve the issues to mutual satisfaction,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said today.
“The Senior Commanders Meeting held on 30th June at Chushul was the third senior military commander level engagement to discuss issues related to disengagement at the faceoff sites along the LAC and de-escalation from the border areas,” Srivastava said during a virtual media briefing here.
During the June 30 military-level talks, both sides have emphasised the need for an expeditious, phased and step wise de-escalation as a priority. This is in keeping with the Agreement between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during their conversation on 17th June that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner, and that both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of 6 June sincerely.
The MEA spokesperson said that the discussions in the latest meeting of the Senior Commanders reflected the commitment of both sides to reduce the tensions along the LAC.
Srivastava also recalled the previous military and diplomatic level efforts between the two sides to normalise situation on LAC, especially in the wake of Galwan Valley clash.
“As you are aware, India and China have been having discussions through established diplomatic and military channels to address the situation along the LAC in India-China border areas. The Senior Commanders of two sides had met on 6th June, 22nd June and on 30th June. Diplomatic engagements are also continuing in parallel and last week on 24th June a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was also held,” he said.
India and China are currently locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in Eastern Ladakh, especially after the June 15 violent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.
On a question over India banning Chinese mobile apps, the MEA spokesperson said that the concerned ministry (Ministry of Information and Technology) would have an appropriate explanation, but indirectly implied that the move is not going to have any negative effects as the “world’s largest software and internet applications companies are present in India.”
“India has one of the most open regimes in the world for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In the last few years, Government has taken a host of measures for creating of a more investor-friendly regime. Similarly in the area of digital technology and internet, India has adopted a very open regime. India is today one of the world’s largest markets for digital and internet technologies with more than 680 million subscribers,” he said.
At the same time, the MEA spokesman commented that while operating in India, such companies will have to abide by the rules and regulations issued by the relevant Ministries and Departments, including those pertaining to data security and privacy of individual data.
“While we will continue to welcome foreign investments in India, including in the area of internet technologies, but this will have to be in accordance with the rules and regulatory framework established by the Government,” he added.
Notably, the Indian Government has banned 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, WeChat, Shareit, while citing the “emergent nature of threats” from mobile applications. The Ministry of Information and Technology on Monday said that it has banned the apps based on the information that they were engaged in activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence, security and public order” in India.
Srinagar (NVI): A 22-year-old footballer from Sopore in Baramulla district of north Kashmir is missing since June 24 and his family members have appealed to the J&K police to help in tracing him.
On June 24, Amir Siraj left his maternal uncle’s home in a Sopore village, as usual, to play a football match in a nearby playfield. However, he had a change of mood and decided not to play, taking his mates by surprise, as he was known as a star footballer in Sopore for his great maneuvering skills and scoring goals.
As the game began and all his friends were in the field, he disappeared within minutes and is missing since then.
His family members are in a deep shock since then and have been continuously appealing their son to return home for the sake of his parents.
“On June 24, Amir left his maternal uncle’s home at Adipora, Sopore. He took his phone along. Since then, there is no trace of him. When contacted, his phone is coming as switched off,” said Amir’s uncle Nazir Ahmed.
He said they searched for him in the neighborhood, but all in vain. “The next day, we called our relatives and friends, but nobody had any clue of his whereabouts,” he said.
“For the sake of God, please don’t leave us like this and return home as soon as possible, we cannot live without you,” appealed Nazir Ahmad amid tears and sobs.
“If he is with any militant outfit, we request them to please send him back to his home. He is very innocent. We don’t have any support except him,” Ahmed said, adding that they have also registered a missing report at the Police Station, Sopore.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore, Javaid Iqbal said that they are investigating the matter. “We can’t jump the gun and can’t draw any conclusion whether he has joined militancy. Let’s wait for some time,” he said.
New Delhi (NVI): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to intimate it about any custodial or encounter deaths as per the laid guidelines in the regard.
As per the NHRC guidelines to all states, a custodial death has to be brought to the Commission’s attention in 24 hours and an encounter death in 48 hours.
NHRC Secretary General, Jaideep Govind has sent a letter to the Chief Secretary of Union Territory of J&K and Commissioner Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh on June 30, requesting them to pass suitable instructions to the concerned for compliance of all instructions issued by the Commission to send all requisite reports.
These include post-mortem, videography and magisterial enquiry report etc. in all custodial deaths and encounter deaths, NHRC said in a statement.
The NHRC Secretary General has said that the erstwhile State of J&K was not under statutory obligation to follow the mandate of the Commission by sending intimations, in such cases of deaths in custody or encounter, in view of protection given in respect of subjects mentioned in List II of VII Schedule of the Constitution (State subjects) in the PHR Act.
However, after Amendment of PHR Act in the year 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370, there is no prohibition of exercising jurisdiction by the Commission like in all other States and UTs.
“Therefore, it is incumbent upon the UT of J&K to follow the NHRC guidelines issued by the NHRC, India in case of custodial and encounter deaths, happened within the territory of UT of J&K,” the Commission said.
Taipei/New Delhi (NVI): Apprehending invasion by China, Taiwan is making military preparations to counter the threat and has held a large-scale anti-landing drill simulating its response in this regard.
The Taiwanese military held the exercise in central Taichung City on Thursday, in a live-fire rehearsal ahead of the annual Han Kuang military exercises, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA).
The drill featuring the nation’s armed forces using major weapon systems to respond to a simulation of a Chinese invasion by sea was staged at Jianan Beach at the mouth of Dajia River in central Taiwan.
The exercise involved participation of F-16 fighter jets as well as Taiwan’s Indigenous Defence Fighters (IDFs), Knox-class frigates and the Thunderbolt-2000 artillery multiple launch rocket systems to deter the invading force.
AH-1W Cobra, AH-64E Apache and OH-58D helicopters also took part along with M60A3 tanks, CM-34 Clouded Leopard eight-wheeled armoured vehicles and a number of self-propelled Howitzer artillery, the CNA said quoting the Defence Ministry.
Thursday’s exercises were staged as a rehearsal for the official drill which will take place at the same location on July 16, as part of the five-day live-fire Han Kuang exercises, Taiwan’s most important annual war games.
The exercise this time assumes added significance as Taiwan is apprehending an invasion by China in the near future.
