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Inter-state movement relaxations for only those distressed, stranded, not all: MHA

MHA

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a clarification regarding the relaxation in inter-state movement of some people during the lockdown, saying that it is applicable to only distressed migrant workers, stranded pilgrims, students and tourists who had moved from their native places just before the lockdown and could not return.

“It is clarified that the MHA orders are meant to facilitate movement of such stranded persons, who had moved from their native places/workplaces, just before the lockdown period but could not return to their workplaces/native places on account of restrictions placed on movement of persons and vehicles as part of lockdown measures,” the MHA order which was issued yesterday by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla read.

The facilitation envisaged in the aforesaid orders is meant for such distressed persons, but does not extend to those categories of persons, who are otherwise residing normally at places, other than the native places for purposes of work etc., and who wish to visit their native places in normal course, the communication to Chief Secretaries on States read.

Several people including migrants labourers, students, pilgrims and tourists are stranded in the country since the lockdown kicked-in from March 25.

The MHA on Friday issued an order allowing Railways to operate trains to ferry migrant labourers to their native places on the consent on two states and following the social distancing norms, i.e., keeping distance between passengers in such trains.

The nationwide lockdown has entered its third phase from today as it was extended by two more weeks on Friday till May 17. the initial 21-day lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 night and was further extended by 19 days on April 14 (Till May 3).

Sardar Patel National Unity Award: Last date of nominations extended till Jun 30

New Delhi (NVI): The last date of invitation of nominations for Sardar Patel National Unity Award has been extended till June 30, the Ministry of Home Affairs said today.

The Centre has instituted the award as the highest civilian award in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, for contribution in promoting unity and integrity of India.

The award seeks to recognise the notable and inspiring contribution made by individuals or institutions or organizations in this field and reinforces the value of strong and united India.

Earlier, the government had extended the last date for sending the nominations for the award to April 30.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): As the nation enters the third phase of the countrywide lockdwon, amid rapid spike in COVID-19 cases, with total confirmed cases at 42,533 and 1,373 deaths so far, according to the Union Health Ministry.

After the first confirmed coronavirus case in India, which was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30, the virus has tightened its grip across the nation.

Total positive cases in different states/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 1,583

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 43

Bihar- 503

Chandigarh- 94

Chhattisgarh- 57

Delhi- 4,549

Gujarat- 5,428

Haryana – 442

Himachal Pradesh- 40

Jammu and Kashmir- 701

Jharkhand- 115

Karnataka- 614

Kerala- 500

Ladakh- 41

Madhya Pradesh- 2,846

Maharashtra- 12,974

Meghalaya- 12

Mizoram- 1

Odisha- 162

Puducherry- 8

Punjab- 1,102

Rajasthan- 2,886

Tamil Nadu- 3,023

Telengana- 1,082

Tripura- 16

Uttarakhand- 60

Uttar Pradesh- 2,645

West Bengal – 963

State/UT wise total death toll in the country:

Andhra Pradesh- 33

Assam- 1

Bihar- 2

Delhi- 64

Gujarat- 290

Haryana- 5

Himachal Pradesh- 1

Jammu and Kashmir- 8

Jharkhand- 3

Karnataka- 25

Kerala- 4

Madhya Pradesh- 156

Maharashtra- 548

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 1

Punjab- 21

Rajasthan- 71

Tamil Nadu- 30

Telangana- 29

Uttar Pradesh- 43

West Bengal- 35

A total of 11,707 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 29,453 active cases currently.

Coronavirus cases surge past 3.5 million globally

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases have exceeded to more than 3.5 million positive cases with more than 2,47,000 fatalities reported, according to John Hopkins University tally.

Meanwhile, Spain’s death toll rose by 164 to 25,264, the health ministry said, the lowest one-day increase since March 18.

In the US, more than 1.1 million cases and at least 67,000 Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded.

In Brazil, there were 4,588 new cases and 275 deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing total confirmed cases in the country over 1,00,000.

In addition to this, Australia, Malaysia and India are among countries in Asia that will begin to ease parts of their lockdown on Monday.

India’s tally tops 42,000; death toll mounts to 1,373

New Delhi (NVI): As lockdown 3.0 begins from today, the total number of coronavirus cases in India increased to 42,533 with 1,373 deaths from the pandemic, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The ministry also said that 2,553 fresh cases and 72 deaths have been reported in last 24 hours.

With 12,974 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains worst-affected state, followed by Gujarat with 5,428 cases and Delhi with 4,549 cases.

The other states with high number of cases are Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Centre extended the lockdown till May 17 and classified the entire country in red, orange and green zones based on the number of COVID-19 cases from that area.

So far, as many as 11,707 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged.

Delhi to implement Centre’s guidelines on lockdown 3.0 from tomorrow

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi will follow MHA guidelines issued on the third phase of lockdown from May 4 onwards, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today, while asserting that the National Capital was ready to “lift the lockdown” if allowed by the Centre.

The Delhi Chief Minister, while addressing a virtual press conference also highlighted certain activities that will be allowed as well as restrictions that are in place.


He said that it was time to permit all kinds of economic activities in the capital’s not-containment zones, instead of an entire shutdown. He said that the lockdown is having consequences on the economy as revenue is drying up.

Kejriwal said that from tomorrow, Delhi government offices engaged in essential services will function with full strength while private offices can operate with up to 33 per cent strength.

He said that self-employed people like electricians, plumbers and household help can begin work but barbers and salons will continue to remain closed. Markets and malls, excepts shops providing essential services will also remain closed. There will be no movement of people for non-essential work from 7pm to 7am, unless a medical emergency or situation, he said.

Public transport will not ply on roads in red zones. Private four-wheelers can have two people apart from driver but only one person will be allowed on two wheelers, he said.

Kejriwal further said that while religious places will remain shut, 50 people will be allowd in a wedding and 20 people in case of a death. He reiterated that social distancing and other safety norms will not be compromised at any cost.

The Delhi CM said that lockdown was necessary but time has come to re-open Delhi as economy was suffering due to the extended lockdown. He said that a large number of people will be forced to leave Delhi if they do not find work or get their salaries.

Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in J&K’s Poonch, Rajouri

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

Jammu (NVI): In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops tonight resorted to firing with small arms and mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and Rajouri districts, defence officials said.

Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation in Balakote sector in Poonch at around 9 pm, they said.

“At about 2100 hours Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms & shelling with Mortars along LoC in Balakote Sector, District Poonch(J&K),” they said.

Later, Pakistan also targeted Manjakote sector in Rajouri district, they said, adding that the Indian Army is retaliating befittingly.

The latest ceasefire violation by Pakistan comes close on the heels of fierce Handwara encounter in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, in which four Army personnel including two officers lost their lives. A J&K policeman, who was part of SOG (Special Operations Group) also lost his life in the overnight gunbattle. Two militants were eliminated in the gunfight that ended this morning.

WATCH | Illuminated warships in Kochi to salute Corona warriors

Southern Naval Command illuminated warships in Kochi (Kerala) this evening, as a thanksgiving gesture to healthcare professionals and all those at the forefront of the Covid-19 battle. Earlier in the day, the Indian Air Force and Indian Army conducted flypasts and band performances respectively to pay tribute to corona warriors in the country. Army and Navy choppers also showered flower petals at hospitals across the nation treating coronavirus patients.

Braveheart J&K cop who took terrorists head-on

Srinagar (NVI): In his career spanning over two decades, Sageer Pathan Qazi had earned three out of turn promotions as he rose from a Constable to a Sub-inspector, due to his passion for challenges and unflinching determination to take on terrorists in the Valley.

Born in 1978 in Trad Karnah of Kupwara district, Qazi joined as a Constable in Armed Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police in 1999, at the age of 21.

He volunteered for working in Police SOG (Special Operations Group), an elite Counter-Terrorist Force in 2006, and continued with his outstanding performance till yesterday, when he lost his life in an anti-terrorist operation at Chanjmulla in Handwara, while trying to save the lives of civilians taken hostage by two terrorists.

He was part of a joint team led by Commanding Officer of 21 RR, Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, including Major Anuj Sood and two soldiers of the same unit, all of whom lost their lives in the fierce overnight gunbattle.

A true Pathan, Qazi was honoured with various medals which include Sher-e-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry in 2009,  Police Medal for Gallantry by President of India in 2011, DGP J&K Commendation Medal and GOC-in-C, Northern Command Commendation Disc.

Yesterday, when inputs were received about the presence of terrorists in village Chanjmulla in Handwara, he led the SOG team under the command of District SP Handwara along with CO 21 RR and launched the operation. He was part of the original team which went in to evacuate the civilian inmates in a house who were taken hostage by the hiding terrorists, J&K police said in a statement today.


The team could safely rescue the inmates but came under heavy fire from the terrorists, during the evacuation process and suffered casualties.

The entire Jammu and Kashmir Police today paid tribute to the braveheart and other members of the operation led by Colonel Ashutosh in the Handwara operation. Qazi is survived by three daughters, a son and aged parents.

8 minors among 35 new Covid cases in J&K, tally reaches 701

Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed yet another surge in Covid cases as 35 more people were tested positive for the coronavirus, taking the overall tally in the Union Territory to 701.

However, the government said more people testing positive was the outcome of the increase in the UT’s testing capacity as the administration was conducting 2,500 plus tests a day.

J&K government spokesperson, Rohit Kansal in a tweet said that the government has increased the testing capacity and over 2,500 people tested in a day, breaking the 2,000 tests a day barrier.

“Finally J&K breaks the 2000 tests a day barrier. Over 2500 tests conducted in a day. New positives 35; Recoveries 33. Total Cases now 701 (Kashmir 640, Jammu 61),” Kansal tweeted.

He said that the positive cases have crossed 700-mark as 35 more people tested positive today, taking the tally of positive cases to 701. Kansal said that 640 cases out of 701 belong to Kashmir division and 61 are from Jammu region.

Officials said that out of 35 fresh cases, 34 are from Kashmir division and one from Jammu division. They said that out of 34 positive cases in Kashmir, 24 were tested positive at SKIMS Lab, 10 were tested positive at CD hospital Lab and one in Jammu GMC laboratory.

Among the new 34 new cases from Kashmir division, 11 are from Kupwara, 10 from Anantnag, 5 from Budgam, 4 from Shopian, 3 from Baramulla and one from Pulwama district.

Officials at the SKIMS Soura hospital in Srinagar said that that out of 24 cases tested positive at SKIMS today, 6 are between the age group of 3 and 14 while officials from GMC Srinagar said out of ten new positive patients, two are in the age group of 3 and 14. “In total, there were eight minors in the total 35 cases tested positive today,” the officials said.

As per officials figures, 128 positive cases including one death and 55 recoveries are from Bandipora, 109 positive cases including one death and a recovery from Anantnag, 106 including two deaths and 70 recoveries from Srinagar, 91 including 34 recoveries and 3 deaths from Baramulla, 81 including 19 recoveries from Shopian, 66 including 23 recoveries from Kupwara, 26 including 12 recoveries from Budgam, 14 with all 14 recoveries are from Ganderbal, 11 including 03 recoveries from Kulgam and 08 including 03 recoveries from Pulwama.

In Jammu division, all 26 patients have recovered in Jammu district, 20 including one death and 19 recoveries are from Udhampur, 7 with four recoveries are from Samba and 4 including three recoveries are from Rajouri, one from Kishtwar who has also recovered and one active case each from Ramban, Kuthua and Reasi.

As per the daily bulletin, 75,838 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 10,751 persons have been kept under home quarantine, besides 406 persons in hospital isolation and 183 persons under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 57,386 persons have completed surveillance period and 7,104 persons are under home surveillance.

Apart from that, results of 26,038 samples are available out of which 25,337 samples have tested negative. 701 have been tested positive and among them 406 are active, 287 persons have recovered and 8 persons have died.

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