Sunday, May 3, 2026
Home Blog Page 1378

J&K Apni Party delegation meets Amit Shah

New Delhi (NVI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah today chaired a meeting with members of the newly-floated J&K Apni Party here and discussed issued like concerns on demographic changes in the erstwhile state, delimitation exercise and grant of state domicile there.

A delegation-led by Apni Party president, Altaf Bukhari met the Home Minister at his North Block office. The meeting was also attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and other senior Home Ministry officials.

The Apni-Party delegation in a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah.

Yesterday, a 24-member delegation of the newly formed Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, led by its leader Altaf Bukhari, called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence here as the PM engaged with them on various issues like concerns on demographic changes, the delimitation exercise, and grant of state domicile, officials said.

PM Modi met the Apni Party delegation yesterday.

“Referring to his statement in Parliament, the Prime Minister underlined that the government will work with all sections of the population to realize the hopes of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir at an early opportunity,” an official statement said.

During an interactive session with the delegation, the Prime Minister also called for ‘Janbhagidari’ (people’s participation) in transforming Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized on the importance of an administration that gives voice to the people.

Modi also noted that democracy in the region could be strengthened through a fast-moving process of political integration.

J&K: Four militants killed in south Kashmir gunfight

Representational Image

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Four militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district today, while one was arrested in Baramulla, police said.

A joint team of Army’s 19 RR SOG Anantnag cordoned off the area at Dar Mohalla Watergam area of Anantnag district.

As the forces intensified searches, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

“In an encounter with Police, security forces at Watrigam Anantnag four militants were killed. More details being collected,” the police said.

The identification of militants is being done.

Meanwhile, a militant was arrested during a cordon and search operation in Baramulla district.

The militant was identified as Danish Kakroo, resident of Chesti Colony in Baramulla, a police official said.

In another development, the police apprehended two persons from Alstop Mirbazar in district Kulgam of South Kashmir.

One of them has been identified as Parveez Ahmad Mantoo, resident of Khudwani Kulgam, while the identity of the other one is being ascertained, the official said.

He said police recovered a pistol, three grenades and some cash from them.

Third batch of 234 Indians evacuated from corona-hit Iran

Jaisalmer (NVI): The third batch of 234 Indians stranded in coronavirus-hit Iran was brought back today. Those evacuated include 131 students and 103 pilgrims. All have been taken to a quarantine facility of the Indian Army in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer.

“234 Indians stranded in #Iran have arrived in India; including 131 students and 103 pilgrims. Thank you Ambassador @dhamugaddam and @India_in_Iran team for your efforts. Thank Iranian authorities,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a tweet.

Col Sombit Ghosh, PRO Defence Rajasthan, said, “236 Indian nationals being evacuated from Iran on 15 Mar 2020, are being quarantined at the Indian Army Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer.”

He added that as a precautionary measure, these evacuated persons are to be kept under quarantine for a period of fourteen days.

The Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer is an initiative of the Indian Army to support the nation’s fight against COVID-19.

“The operationalization of these facilities demonstrates Indian Army’s commitment to the nation to handle multiple challenges. The Wellness Centre at Jaisalmer is fully equipped and functional facility to help Indian citizens undertake the mandatory quarantine period under the supervision of skilled medical authorities,” the PRO said in a statement.

Before this, the second batch of 44 Indians was brought back from Iran via a special Air India flight on Friday.

The first batch of Indians from the virus-hit country was evacuated on Tuesday.

Apart from this, 218 people including 211 students from Milan landed in Delhi today, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs V Muraleedharan said.

Yesterday, an Air India flight was sent to Milan in Italy to evacuate stranded Indian students.

Iran is one of the worst coronavirus-hit countries where even some of the top government officials have been affected by the virus.

Highest-ever rainfall recorded in Delhi in March

New Delhi (NVI): The national capital has broken record for highest-ever rainfall recorded in the month of March. The Safdarjung Meteorological station has received 101.9 mm of rain, according to SkymetWeather.

This comes after the Delhi witnessed a chilly winter season in years. The earlier record of highest rainfall was 97.4 mm in 2015. Meanwhile, there are still 16 days left and another spell of rains maybe around March 22.

Yesterday, temperatures dipped in the national capital and parts of NCR after rain and hailstorm hit the area, with reports of traffic jam from several parts.

Delhi received 37 mm rainfall which is the second-highest to March 2, 2015, when the capital had witnessed 56.8 mm rains, highest ever on a day in March, according to IMD.

In Delhi, the maximum temperature today was recorded at 25 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 15 degrees Celsius.

According to IMD, the maximum and minimum temperature is now expected to increase over the next few days.

Another fresh western disturbance is expected after March 19, which could also bring rainfall over the region.

PM talks about restoring J&K’s statehood

New Delhi (NVI): The Government will work with all sections of Jammu and Kashmir to realize the hopes of its statehood at an early opportunity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today as he met a delegation from a newly-floated J&K Apni Party here.

The 24-member delegation from Apni Party was led by its chief Altaf Bukhari.

J&K was converted into a Union Territory from a state in August last year when its special status, granted under Article 370 of Indian Constitution, was abolished.

There have been demands for restoration of statehood.

During the interactive session, the Prime Minister called for ‘janbhagidari’ (people’s participation) in transforming Jammu & Kashmir and emphasized on the importance of an administration that gives voice to the people, an official statement said.

Modi also noted that the democracy in the region could be strengthened through a fast moving process of political integration.

Speaking on youth empowerment, the Prime Minister said that youth should act as catalytic agents for the development of Jammu & Kashmir.

He highlighted the importance of skill development and creating new employment opportunities for the youth to bring in an overall transformation of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the government is committed to economic development of the region through extensive focus on infrastructure development and creating new investment opportunities in sectors like tourism.

He assured full support by the government to resolve all the issues being faced by Jammu & Kashmir.

Prime Minister engaged with the delegation on various issues like concerns on demographic changes, delimitation exercise and grant of state domicile.

Bukhari stated that August 5, 2019, when the decision to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35-A was taken, was a watershed moment in the history of Jammu & Kashmir, the statement said.

The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for his unstinted support and untiring efforts towards the development of Jammu & Kashmir.

They also appreciated the efforts of the government, security agencies and the people of Jammu and Kashmir towards maintaining peace and security in the region.

Aviation Min meets top CEOs

Hyderabad (NVI):  Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today interacted with captains of aviation industry at the Global CEO meet here and heard suggestions to further strengthen India’s civil aviation sector.

He met the CEOs during the ongoing Wings India 2020 Summit, India’s annual civil aviation show.

“Interacted with captains of the aviation industry at the Global CEO Meet during the ongoing #WingsIndia2020 Summit.

We had a free flow of ideas & suggestions to further strengthen India’s civil aviation sector in coming years,” Puri tweeted later.

He also visited the aviation exhibition and watched the Air show.

COVID-19: 2 test positive, 164 people complete surveillance period in J&K

Jammu (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir government today said 164 people have completed their 28-day surveillance period in the Union Territory and only two cases have tested positive for coronavirus.

It said 1,878 travellers and people in contact with suspected cases of coronavirus have been put under surveillance while 1,567 people are placed under home quarantine while 24 are in hospital quarantine.

A medical bulletin issued by the government said 89 samples have been sent for testing, of which 78 tested as negative and only two cases have tested positive, whereas reports of 9 cases are awaited.

The public in general has been requested to lend its support to the government to strengthen surveillance mechanism by making self-declaration about their foreign travel history to the health authorities.

The government urged that all social, religious and political should be avoided.

People of the valley are requested to rely only on the information released by the government and there is no need to panic.

The media bulletin further advised public to maintain social distancing, avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport. “If anyone has fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical care at the earliest,” the bulletin reads.

CDS visits Navy Command

Mumbai (NVI): Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat today paid his maiden visit to the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy here.

Gen Rawat held discussions with Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar.

He was briefed on the Navy’s activities, including the ongoing Maritime Operations, deployments and assets of the Command, the Navy spokesman said.

Gen Rawat took over as the country’s first CDS on December 31 last year after retiring as Army Chief.

Indians being brought home from Milan

Sanjeeva Kumar

New Delhi (NVI): An Air India flight is being sent to Milan in Italy today to evacuate stranded Indian students, the government announced, while a fresh batch of Indians were set to land here from Iran.

“A Mahan Air flight bringing back Indian passengers from Iran will land in Mumbai today midnight. A special Air India flight is being sent to Milan in Italy to bring back Indian students,” Special Secretary, Union Health Ministry Sanjeeva Kumar said.

The total number of positive cases of coronavirus in country now stands at 84, including two deaths. However, 10 people have fully recovered and been discharged.

BCCI suspends all domestic cricket

Photo Credit: BCCI

New Delhi (NVI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended all domestic tournaments until further notice in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

All matches of the Paytm Irani Cup, Senior Women’s One-Day Knockout, Vizzy Trophy, Senior Women’s One-Day Challenger, Women’s Under 19 One-Day knockout, Women’s Under 19 T20 League, Super League and knockout, Women’s Under 19 T20  Challenger Trophy, Women’s Under 23 knockout, Women’s Under 23 One-Day Challenger have been put on hold till further notice, the Indian cricket board said in a statement.

This comes right after Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 was postponed till April 15 and two ODIs between India and South Africa, which were to be held in Lucknow and Kolkata, were rescheduled.

1...1,3771,3781,379...1,597Page 1,378 of 1,597

MUST READ