‘If China transgressed LAC 10 times, we have done it 50 times’

Madurai: Union Minister of state for Road Transport and Highways and former Army Chief General (Retd) V.K.Singh on Sunday claimed that India has transgressed more times than China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Talking to newsmen here, Singh said China has transgressed many times over the years with its own perception of the LAC. Similarly, none of you come to know how many times we have transgressed, as per our perception. The Indian government does not announce it, while the Chinese media does not cover it, he said.

“Let me assure you, if China has transgressed 10 times, we must have done it atleast 50 times,” he said.

The Minister said China has been attempting to expand its area by taking advantage of its perception of the LAC over a period of time. The Chinese troops would make camp, stay, strengthen it and after negotiations between the two countries, they go back partially.

But, the present Indian government has ensured that this does not happen, he added.

Singh said “The situation along LAC is under control. They (China) do understand that, if something goes wrong, India is in a position to hit back,” he added.

India had warned China with equal measures, when they had transgressed in Eastern Ladakh last year. We have been firmly telling China to retract to the place it had been at in the past. China is not allowed into areas which it though was part of its perception of the border, the former Army Chief said.

“Today, China is under pressure, since we are sitting at places along the border, where it does not like. China has realized that it was not easy anymore for them to hit back at India, as we have hit them economically by banning their apps and boycotting their goods.

“All these Indian measures affect them,” Singh said.

Srinagar: The weather turned pleasant as bright sunshine greeted people in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley, where the mercury during the night dipped several degrees and settled below normal due to open skies.

World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, was the only place in the valley where the mercury improved and settled above normal.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours in Kashmir valley. “Rain and snow is predicted at isolated places on Monday in the valley,” he said, adding the weather will again turn dry from Tuesday onwards, which could result in further dip in the night temperature though day temperature is expected to improve.

After witnessing a dip of 3 degree in the night temperature in Srinagar, people woke up to a sunny Sunday morning. Against 0.6 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature in the city dipped and settled at minus 3.6 degree, which is 3 degree below normal. However, weather remained pleasant throughout the day due to sunshine in the city, where people were seen basking in the sun in parks and open fields. “The skies will be partly cloudy to generally cloudy during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where the maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 8 degree and minus 1 degree, respectively,” he added.

Gulmarg, where the ski slopes are covered under several feet of snow, also witnessed pleasant weather as bright sunshine greeted tourists, including adventure lovers. The mercury at Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, improved 4 degree from Saturday and settled at minus 6.5 degree, slightly above normal. “Tourists, particularly adventure lovers, are out on ski slopes, enjoying different snow related activities on a sunny Sunday,” a hotelier from Gulmarg told UNI over the phone.

The night temperature at world famous tourist resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, dipped about a degree from Saturday and settled at 7.5 degree, which is about a degree below normal. The weather at the health resort also turned pleasant during the day due to sunshine.

The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag dipped and settled at minus 6.3 degree, minus 3.7 degree and minus 5.4 degree, respectively.

Srinagar: Former J&K chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the results to elections for the posts of District Development Council (DDC) chairpersons in Kashmir, including Srinagar, were not really a surprise.
Without naming anyone, Omar said these people have been buying and selling elected representatives since 1984. “Shopian DDC election, even Srinagar for that matter, aren’t really a surprise. These people have been buying & selling elected representatives since 1984. Practice makes perfect!,” Omar wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.

Omar was reacting to Altaf Bukhari led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) winning two out of three chairpersons’ posts for which DDC elections were held in the first phase. JKAP won the chairpersons posts in Srinagar and Shopian after managing to win over Independents to its side while CPI (M), which is a part of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), got Kulgam.

Indian made grenades to replace vintage grenades

Gulmarg: The Indian Army Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the solar industry as part of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and placed an order of 1 million multi-mode hand grenade at Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Signing the MoU in Gulmarg, GoC Dagger Division, Virender Vats and representing officer from solar industry India, Ramit Arora, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) unfurled the replica of Kashmir’s heights flag to be installed in Gulmarg and showcased an Indian made multi-mode hand grenade set to replace the old one.

While presenting a replica of the Indian flag, Amit Arora of the solar industry said that the highest iconic flag of 100 feet is being put up in Kashmir which will be the first of it’s kind at Gulmarg.

“Besides this, the solar industry under the Atmanirbhar Bharat is making ammunition for the Indian Army, and the first to come out is a hand grenade, which is also the first of its kind,” he said.

He said that the multi-mode hand grenade will replace the vintage hand grenade. Arora said that the Army so far have used the vintage grenades (Grenade-36) of the first world war and now under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, the solar industry will produce the exclusive grenades.

“The first consignment order placed by the Indian Army is of 1 million multi-mode hand grenades, the production of which will commence from this month only,” he said.

Arora said that the Army approached them and wanted to make a symbolic and iconic flag that will be the first of its kind in many ways.

“This a very noble endeavour as this will be dedicated to the people of Kashmir and the people of India.”

Notably, the Indian army is organising the first 2021 winter festival in Gulmarg and on the occasion, GoC Dagger Division, Bollywood celebrities, police officers, and other officials were present. (KNO)

Gulmarg: The Bollywood celebrities who attended a two-day winter festival at Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district said that the film crews will make a major comeback to the valley, stating that the people of the valley are filled with love and warmth.

The two-day winter festival was organised by the Indian Army that witnessed Skiing, Snowmobile, ATV race and snow cycling, besides cultural performances by renowned artists of Kashmir.

Addressing reporters on the side-lines of the festival, GoC Dagger Division, Virender Vats, said that the event was organized to provide a platform to local artists to showcase their talent and to provide a fillip to the tourism industry in Kashmir and lend support to the people who rely on this industry.

He said that this two-day event included adventure sports, music, and the promotion of Kashmiri handicrafts.

“We are happy that friends from the film industry including Arbaaz Khan, Vidya Balan, and Siddharth Roy Kapoor graced the occasion and provided an encouragement to the local youth since these personalities are achievers in their chosen field. The enthusiastic participation witnessed will go a long way in sending a message that Kashmir will emerge from the COVID-19 and is ready to welcome the tourists once again and Indian Army is happy to support the endeavour,” he said.

Meanwhile, Arbaaz Khan while talking with the reporters thanked the Indian Army and said that it was an honour to be among the brave hearts in Kashmir.

Terming himself unfortunate, he said that it was his first visit to Kashmir as he has not been to this place before. “I feel very unfortunate to have not visited the most beautiful place. Kashmir is truly amazing,” he said.

To a question about the comeback of Bollywood to Kashmir, Khan said that the films are shot based on the subject and if there is anything for this location it will be done definitely.

“Few of the Bollywood movies/ albums were shot here recently and with a great atmosphere here more people will come. Everything here is very safe and secure because of the Indian Army,” he said.

Talking to reporters, actress Vidya Balan refreshed her memories and said that her parents had come for a honeymoon in Kashmir. “I have travelled almost all the parts of the world but never got to see and witness such an amazing place like Kashmir,” she said.

Meanwhile, Siddharth Roy Kapoor said that the hospitality of the Army and Kashmir has been incredible and Bollywood will be definitely coming to Kashmir very often to shoot.

“We intend to come here very often and bring the film crews here. We will bring Kashmir back to film industry the way it was in the 1960s.”

He added that Kashmir has tremendous talent and a delegation from Bollywood recently visited the valley. “I’m very confident that the film crews will make a big come back to Kashmir,” he said

Meanwhile, an Army spokesperson in a statement said that the event was organized after two years and aptly announced the re-opening of Kashmir to the world.

The spokesman said that the Indian Army has always maintained a great connection with the local people and this is yet another instance of the Army supporting the aspirations of Awaam for a future of hope, prosperity & peace in the valley. (KNO)

New Delhi: There have been no deaths from the coronavirus infection reported in 17 states and Union Territories during the past 24 hours in the country, Health Ministry data said on Sunday.

The number of daily deaths in the last two consecutive days–Saturday and Sunday–has been lowest in months and that of active cases of Covid-19 at 148,766 showed a consistent downward slide, as per the data. Presently, the fatality rate stood at 1.43 per cent.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura are among the States and UTs recorded no Covid deaths in the past day.

Meanwhile, 78 more people succumbed to the deadly virus in the past 24 hours from rest of the country, pushing the Covid fatalities to 1,54,996 so far.

As many as 12,059 fresh cases of infections were reported during this period, due to which the total cases reached to 1,08,26,363.

Jammu: The government on Sunday informed that 59 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19), 13 from Jammu division and 46 from Kashmir division, have been reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 124909.

Moreover, 60 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 12 from Jammu Division and 48 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 124909 positive cases, 630 are Active Positive, 122335 have recovered and 1944 have died; 722 in Jammu division and 1222 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 4688992 test results available, 4564083 samples have been tested as negative till 07thFebruary, 2021.

Till date 1171733 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 34069 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 630 in isolation and 108676 in home surveillance. Besides, 1026414 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 26357 positive cases (including 22 cases reported today) with 211 Active Positive, 25688 recovered (including 28 cases recovered today), 458 deaths; Baramulla has 8130 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today)with 26 Active Positive, 7930 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today), 174 deaths; Budgam reported 7794 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today)with 33 active positive cases, 7643 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today), 118 deaths; Pulwama has 5756 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today)with 49 Active Positive, 5619 recovered (including 03 cases recovered today)and 88 deaths; Kupwara has 5666 positive cases with 17 Active Positive, 5553 recoveries (including 02 cases recovered today), 96 deaths;  Anantnag district has 4936 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today)with 56 Active Positive, 4794 recovered (including 03 cases recovered today), 86 deaths;  Bandipora has 4698 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today)with19 Active Positive and 4618 recoveries, 61 deaths; Ganderbal has 4644 positive caseswith 58Active Positive, 4539 recoveries and47 deaths; Kulgam has 2702 positive caseswith 22 Active Positive, 2626 recoveriesand 54 deaths while as Shopian has 2576 positive cases (including 01case reported today)with26 active positive cases, 2510 recoveries and 40 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 25022 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 41 active positive cases, 24610 recoveries (including 10 cases recovered today), 371 deaths; Udhampur has 4219 positive cases(including 05 cases reported today) 19active positive cases, 4143 recoveries and 57 deaths; Rajouri has 3869 positive caseswith 01 active positive, 3813 recoveriesand 55 deaths; Doda has 3433 positive caseswith05 Active positive, 3364 recoveredand 64 deaths; Kathua has 3256 positive caseswith 03 active positive cases, 3200 recoveredand 53 deaths; Kishtwar has 2732 positive caseswith 01 Active Positive, 2709 recoveries;22 deaths; Samba has 2832 positive caseswith 11 active positive cases, 2781 recoveriesand 40 deaths; Poonch has 2507 positive caseswith 21 active positive, 2462recoveries (including 01 cases recovered today )and 24 deaths; Ramban has 2135 positive caseswith04 active positive, 2110 recoveries and 21 deaths while Reasi has 1645 positive with 07 active positive cases, 1623 recoveries and 15 deaths.

According to the bulletin, among the total 124909 positive cases in J&K, 11794 have been reported as travelers while 113115 as others.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

Srinagar: A sero survey conducted in various hospitals of the Kashmir has found that around 27 per cent of the healthcare workers have antibodies against COVID-19.

“A sero prevalence study was conducted by Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar among healthcare providers of the Kashmir Division in January to detect SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies,” said Muhammad Salim Khan, head of community medicine at GMC.

He said a total of 2,013 samples were collected from all GMC, Srinagar-associated hospitals, district hospitals and police hospitals here by the Department of Community Medicine.

“The blood samples were tested in Abbott Architect i1000SR immunoassay analyser by the Department of Biochemistry and 555 blood samples showed IgG antibodies with an overall sero positivity of 27.3 per cent,” Khan said.

He said the study shows that healthcare providers should definitely go for COVID-19 vaccination as the majority among them were still susceptible to the infection.

“There is some reluctance among healthcare providers, but no severe or serious adverse events following immunization (AEFI) has been reported among thousands of healthcare workers who received the vaccines in Jammu and Kashmir in the last few weeks,” Khan said.

He said while the Centre has asked to go for mopping up round with the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine from February 13, it is imperative that all healthcare workers shall receive the first jab before that.

“The vaccine not only protects the recipient but shall facilitate to achieve the herd immunity against COVID-19,” Khan said.