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J&K: Border residents appeal for Ramzan respite from Pak shelling

Smoke billowing from a house under fire due to intense shelling by Pakistan in Chowkibal area of Kupwara on April 12. (Photo via arrangement)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Bearing the brunt of repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan since March this year, residents living near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir have appealed for a Ramzan truce, to respect the sanctity of the fasting month and to adhere to the 2003 agreement.

The LoC in Kashmir has seen a spike in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the last few weeks, particularly after a major infiltration bid was foiled by the Indian Army in Kupwara’s Keran sector earlier this month.

Pakistan has been trying to facilitate infiltration bids even as the whole world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nishada Parveen, Block Development Council Chairman of Teethwal in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara said that whenever there is a ceasefire violation, people living close to LoC are subjected to immense problems.

“Since March this year, we have witnessed cross-LoC shelling and have borne the brunt. Our movement has got restricted and we have literally been caged in our homes,” she said.

Nishada also complained that no community bunkers have been constructed in the area so far for the safety of people.

Shahid Ahmad, a Sarnpach from Nambla area of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district also said that no community bunker has been constructed in the area to provide safety to the residents during shelling.

“Even in the time of Covid-19 pandemic, there is no respite for the people living close to LoC in north Kashmir. Whenever there is exchange of fire, we fear for our lives and our livestock,” he said.

Abdur Rasheed Kataria, a resident of Timuna-Vilgam in Chowkibal in Kupwara district, where heavy shelling by Pakistan recently claimed the lives of three civilians including a child, has appealed for peace. “Let us fast in peace. Let there be no exchange of fire or shells this month at least and let peace prevail for the rest of the year,” he said.

Fact check: No plan to reduce retirement age of Central Govt employees to 50

New Delhi (NVI): A report by a web news portal that Centre is likely to reduce the retirement age of Central government employees to 50 has been quashed by Press Information Bureau (PIB) which has clarified that the Centre is neither planning nor discussing any such move.

“Claim: A web news portal claims Centre is likely to reduce retirement age of Central Government employees to 50 In #Coronavirus Crisis

“#PIBFactCheck: The claim made within the report is false. Centre is neither planning nor discussing any such move.” PIB tweeted through its Fact Check handle that is constantly debunking misleading or wrong information on internet/social media amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In another case, the PIB Fact Check Unit has tweeted that Centre is not giving Rs 1000 to anybody under the so called Corona Sahayata Yojana scheme.

The tweet was in response to a widely circulating message on WhatsApp that claimed that Government had launched a scheme-WCHO- under which people were being given Rs 1000 each. The message requires people to click on a link and provide their information, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement.

The tweet clarified that the claim and the link both were fraudulent and warned people against clicking on it.

Around 200 fewer Covid-19 cases in Delhi than last week: Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that there were 622 new coronavirus cases in Delhi this week, as compared to 850 last week, raising hopes among Delhiites that the situation is getting better.

While addressing a briefing, the Delhi Chief Minister said that there were fewer deaths this week and many people went home after a complete recovery.

Giving numbers, he said that in the seventh week (last week), 850 cases, 21 deaths, and 260 recoveries were reported, while in the eighth week (this week), 622 cases, 9 deaths, and 580 recoveries were reported.

He added that initially there were speculations that there would be a further spike but the situation is under control so far. “We want that not a single life is lost,” he said.

He said that comparatively, in many other countries in the world, it has been seen that cases have doubled in 3-4 days or a week and then there has been an exponential rise.

Kejriwal further said that Delhi will implement relaxations on lockdown as per the Centre’s guidelines. He said that essential services will continue to be given to people but markets and shopping complexes at malls will not open. “Only shops that are in residential areas will be allowed to function. No shops will open in the hotspots,” he said.

“The Delhi government will not allow any further relaxation in lockdown till May 3, except those permitted by Union Home Ministry,” Kejriwal added.

India’s fight against Covid-19 is people-driven: PM

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address today said that India’s fight against coronavirus is people-driven and every Indian is a soldier in this war against Covid-19.

In the 64th edition of his monthly radio address, PM Modi said: “Today’s Mann Ki Baat takes place when we are in the midst of a ‘Yuddh'”.

PM lauded the people for rising on the occasion and helping each other. “Be it food for poor, ration, following lockdown, arranging hospitals, manufacture of medical equipment, the nation is moving ahead together in the same direction, with a single aim,” he said in his address on the 33rd day of the nationwide lockdown.

He also commended the states for playing an active role in preventing the virus from spreading. However, the PM also warned the people against any negligence and said that any loose end left may cost dearly.

In his address, the PM said that masks have now become an important part of our lives. “It doesn’t mean that a person wearing a mask is unwell. Masks will become a new symbol of a civilised society. If you want to protect yourself and others from the disease, the use of a mask is important,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said that he feels proud when world leaders thank him and the country for providing medicines. India has provided anti-malarial drug Hydrochloroquine to many countries that are badly affected by the pandemic.

PM Modi also exhorted people to stop spitting in public places, saying that this will increase the basic hygiene and strength in the fight against Covid-19.

US records 2,494 more Covid deaths in 24 hrs, total 53,928 fatalities so far

Covid cases

New Delhi (NVI): At 53,928 deaths, the US has one-fourth of the world’s total Covid-19 fatalities so far, as per the latest data by John Hopkins University. The global death toll has surpassed 2,00,000.

The US has recorded 2,494 more coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the Baltimore-based university. This is a jump from Friday when the US recorded the lowest number of virus deaths — 1,258 — in nearly three weeks. The country is the hardest hit by the global pandemic.

US President Donald Trump has signed a 484 billion US dollar coronavirus relief bill.

With nearly one in six workers out of a job, Georgia, Oklahoma and several other states have taken tentative steps at reopening businesses, according to media reports.

Covid-19 deaths in India rise to 824, total 26,496 cases

Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): 824 people have died of coronavirus in the country so far while total confirmed cases stand at 26,496, according to data released Union Health Ministry this morning.

There are 19,868 active cases in the country and 5,803 have been cured or discharged.

1,990 fresh Covid-19 infections have reported in the past 24 hours, the biggest single-day jump.

Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-affected state, with 7,628 cases and 323 deaths.

Gujarat has also shown a surge in the number of cases with 3,071 total confirmed cases and 133 deaths so far.

Meanwhile, the Central government yesterday relaxed some lockdown curbs. It allowed shops and markets in rural areas and stand-alone shops in urban areas to open, but with 50 per cent workforce. However, malls or any shops in malls, and sale of non-essential items through e-commerce platforms continue to remain shut.

Over 2,00,000 people gave died of the global pandemic, with more than 50,000 dead in the US alone.

COVID-19: Sri Lanka extends curfew in four districts till May 4

New Delhi (NVI): Sri Lanka today extended the nationwide curfew in 4 high risk districts, including Colombo, till May 4 to curb the spread of coronavirus contagion in the country, a day after the island nation recorded the highest number of infections in a single day.

The 4 out of the 25 administration districts that come under high risk category are Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam.

The extension was announced by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office today.

Sri Lanka reported 15 new casesin the last 24 hours, raising the total number coronavirus cases to 435 in the country, according to the Health Promotion Bureau report.

7 patients have died and 109 patients including the Chinese tourist, who was the first COVID-19 case detected in the country in January and discharged last month, have fully recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Sri Lanka has been under a 24-hour curfew since March 20 to combat the deadly viral infection.

Int’l, domestic flights suspended till May 15 in Nepal

New Delhi (NVI): The Nepal government has decided to extend the ongoing suspension of domestic and international flights until May 15 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A high-level committee for the coronavirus control led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokharel made the decision this afternoon, the local media reported.

The suspension announced earlier is in effect till April 30.

According to Nepali official, the meeting concluded that the suspension should not end on April 30 as decided earlier to avoid the risk.

The nationwide lockdown in Nepal, which was extended for the third time on April 14, will end on April 27.

The total number of confirmed cases in Nepal have gone up to 48, the Health and Pollution ministry said.

So far, 10 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.

Coronavirus cases surpass 12,500 in Pakistan; 256 dead so far

COVID-19: Pakistan imposes mini-lockdown in Islamabad

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has reached 12,507 with 256 deaths so far.

Nearly half of the total confirmed cases are from Punjab province alone, at 5,326, according to Geo News.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, the Sindh province has reported 4,232 cases while Balochistan has 656 cases so far. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has 1,708 cases, Islamabad 214, Gilgit Baltistan 307 and 55 in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The total number of recovered cases so far stands at 2,589 in the country.

(Read more for additional information on coronavirus and related topics)

Meanwhile, the government has announced the arrival of the second installment of medical emergency relief items sent by China to aid Pakistan in its fight against the virus, according to media reports.

The items include PCR testing kits, surgical masks, protective suits, N95 masks and ventilators.

Pakistan has been under lockdown for over a month now to curb the spread of coronavirus.

J&K: 42 more test positive, highest ever since COVID-19 outbreak

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today reported 42 positive cases, the highest number of cases ever since the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, which has pushed the total tally in the Union Territory to 496 cases.

The government, however, said that more positive cases were the result of robust testing as the target of 1,000 tests per million was achieved and more than 1,000 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal said in a tweet that finally J&K has 1,000 test barrier but more tests have led to more positive cases. He confirmed that 42 cases tested positive for Covid-19, all from Kashmir.

Officials told NVI that in the Jammu region there are 57 cases and 437 in Kashmir. Pertinently, earlier in the day, a 72-year-old Covid positive patient succumbed in a Srinagar hospital, the sixth death in J&K so far.

Earlier 5 people including a woman had died due to coronavirus infection in the UT.

An official said that 14 cases were confirmed at Viral Diagnostic Lab at SKIMS and 28 others at Chest Disease Hospital Dalgate, Srinagar.

Among the fresh 42 cases, 23 are from Anantnag, 5 from Srinagar, 7 from Bandipora, 3 each from Baramulla and Shopian while 1 is from Kupwara district.

With 42 fresh cases, the total number of cases has reached 496 in Jammu and Kashmir including 109 recoveries and 6 deaths.

G H Yatoo, Nodal officer for Covid-19 at SKIMS, said that out of the 431 samples tested, 14 were tested positive at SKIMS while as many as 417 were tested negative.

He further added that all the 14 positive people have come in contact with already positive patients.

Saleem Ahmad Khan, Nodal officer for covid-19 at GMC Srinagar, said that 459 samples were tested at CD hospital Lab in the last 24 hours, of which 28 were tested positive. Pertinently, officials said that in the last 4 days, 115 people have been tested positive in J&K.

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