New Delhi: India is “very serious about issues of sovereignty” and the country is  prepared for “all contingencies” to ensure that it is maintained, Union minister Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha (LS) today in what was seen as a strong warning to China amid repeated transgressions at the Line of Actual Control.

Detailing a key meeting in Moscow between him and his Chinese counterpart, Mr Singh said he made it clear that India wants to resolve this issue in a peaceful manner and “want the Chinese side to work with us”. But “there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Singh told parliament as it resumed after more than five months.

A similar stance was taken by foreign minister S Jaishakar when he met his counterpart in Moscow, Singh said.

“We do remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the current situation. At the same time, the House can be assured that we remain prepared to deal with all contingencies,” he said.

In his statement, Singh had said the border issue with China remains unresolved as China, historically, “does not recognise the current boundary”.

There is no commonly delineated Line of Actual Control in the border areas and no common perception of the entire LAC. The difference in perception has led to the face-off at the Line of Actual Control, he said.

But while this situation was being addressed by the ground commanders, the Chinese side made several attempts to transgress the LAC in other parts of the Western Sector in mid-May.

“This included Kongka La, Gogra and North Bank of Pangong Lake. These attempts were detected early and consequently responded to appropriately by our armed forces,” Singh said.

The face-off with China had escalated and on June 15, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the line of duty — a first in more than four decades. Even after that, there have been repeated attempts by the Chinese troops to recapture the heights occupied by the Indian soldiers.

The rapidly snowballing issue and the repeated Congress attacks on the matter made it a prime subject for a government statement as parliament resumed for monsoon session yesterday.

However, the government’s refusal to a discussion after the minister’s statement, in view of the “sensitivity” of the matter, led to a Congress walkout.

The party, which had repeatedly demanded that the government explain the “real situation” in Ladakh, today carried placards that read, “We want a discussion on China and PM must answer”.

As the Speaker refused to allow the party’s leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Chowdhury to speak, the Congress members staged a walkout to register their protest.

Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, who is currently abroad, tweeted, “It is clear from the statement of the Defense Minister that Modi ji misled the country on Chinese encroachment. Our country has always been, and will remain, with the Indian Army. But Modi -ji, when will you stand against China? When will we take back the land of our country from China? Do not be afraid to name China”.

Death toll mounts to 916, cases rise to 56654

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, Sep 15:  As many as 19 more people died of COVID-19 in past 24 hours, while 1329 more persons tested positive for the deadly virus across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
Death toll in J&K due to COVID-19 has mounted to 916, while the number of cases has risen to 56654.
Official sources told GNS that 14 casualties were reported in Jammu, while five people died in Kashmir.

The deaths from the Valley, they said, include a 60-year-old woman from Kangan Ganderbal , a 70-year-old woman from Bohri Kadal Srinagar, a 52-year-old woman from Tangdar Kupwara, a 65-year-old from HMT Srinagar and a 55-year-old from Hawal Srinagar.

Two among the 14 persons from Jammu division died in Srinagar hospitals and includes a 68-year-old from Banihal who succumbed at CD hospital, a day after he was admitted in one of the exclusive facilities for the management of COVID-19 patients. The another victim, a 45-year-old man from Batawote Ramban died at SKIMS Soura where he was admitted on August 8 as a case of Diagnosis a case of “CA Oesophagus with Metastasis  with Severe Covid Pneumonia with encephalopathy with sepsis with shock.”

The fatalities from Jammu division includes an 82-year-old man and a 52-year-old man from  Nanak Nagar besides 5 other victims from winter capital of J&K as well as two persons each from Udhampur and Doda and one from Kathua. With these deaths, the death count has reached 916 in J&K.

J&K reports 1329 new cases

Meanwhile, 1329 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in past 24 hours, officials said.

They said 741 cases were reported in Jammu and 588 in Kashmir—taking the total case count to 56654. This is for the thirteenth day in a row that J&K had reported cases in excess of 1000.

Giving district wise breakup of the cases, the officials told GNS that Srinagar recorded 148 cases, Budgam 127, Baramulla 20, Pulwama 70, Anantnag 57, Kupwara 43, Bandipora 38, Kulgam 15, Ganderbal 59, Shopian 11, Jammu 254, Udhampur 51, Rajouri 105, Kathua 62, Samba 31, Poonch 38, Ramban 26, Doda 114, Reasi 15 and Kishtwar 45.

A number of cases were confirmed at CD and SKIMS laboratories and include 26 from BB Cantt, 16 from BSF, five from CRPF besides 10 minors.

The CD cases include twenty six males (25, 36, 32, 35, 25, 46, 29, 28, 28, 38, 35, 39, 36, 34, 32, 39, 34, 23, 35, 31, 43, 40, 30, 39, 34, 28) from BB Cantt Srg, male (70) from Batmaloo, two females (40, 05) from Fatehkadal Srg, male (34) from Shalimar, female (25) from Elahibagh Srg, male (26) from Beeru, male (70) from Sanat Nagar Srg, male (39) from Srinagar, male (NA) from Sopore, male (47) from Balhama, male (48) from Srinagar, female (NA) and male (NA) from Pattan, female (55) from Srinagar, female (NA) from Srinagar, male (70) from Budgam, male (75) from Tangdar, male (50) from Tral Pulwama, male (40) from HMT Srg, male (27) from Zaina Kadal Srg, male (42) from Buchpora Srg, three males (33, 55, 49) and four females (56, 52, 65, 62) from NA, NA (46) from Gopalpora, female (36) from Soura, female (25) from Rawalpora Srg, female (NA) from Batmaloo, male (50) from NA, female (39) from Budgam, female (60) from Srinagar, female (32) from Baghi Mehtab, female (30) from Bemina Srg, female (NA) from Hostel LD Srg, female (37) from Chanapora Srg, male (53) from Jawahar Nagar Srg, male (51) and female (42) from Chattabal Srg, female (32) from Lal Bazar Srg, male (21) from Chattabal Srg, male (34) from Baramulla, male (32) from Alamgiri Bazar Srg, male (35) from Noorbagh Srg, male (40) from Karan Nagar Srg, female (52) from S K Bala, female (70) from Nowpora Srg, male (35) from Rajouri Kadal Srg, male (35) from Chattabal Srg, male (56) from Lal Bazar Srg, male (64) from Bemina Srg, female (39) from Gulab Bagh Srg, male (59) from Bemina Srg, two males (62, NA) and two females (58, 25) from Srinagar, female (43) from Nawakadal Srg, female (35) and male (45) from Batmaloo Srg, female (20) from Pampore, female (32) from Nowpora, two males (29, 23) from Soura, female (25) from Bemina, male (58) from Pulwama, male (45) from Noorbagh, male (53) from Pattan, male (56) from Uri, male (52) from Pampore, female (68) from Shamasabad, female (35) from Handwara, female (35) from Kursoo Rajbagh, male (NA) from Ajas Bandipora, male (58) from Bemina Srg, female (NA) from Shahgund Bandipora, female (68) from Chattergam, female (60) from Safa Kadal Srg, female (26) from Zakura Srg, male (75) from Budgam, male (71) from Kupwara, male (65) from Budgam, female (55) from Batmaloo Srg, male (80) from Kupwara, male (75) from Srinagar, male (50) from Budgam, male (50) from Pinglish Tral, female (NA) from Kargil, male (NA) from Srinagar, female (NA) from Pattan, female (70) from Srinagar, male (55) from Tral, male (85) from Khaniyar, male (58) from Sumbal, female (55) from Qamarwari Srg, female (40) from Basant Bagh Srg, male (NA) from Ahmadnagar Srg, female (55) from Baghat Srg, female (60) from Safakadal Srg, male (65) from Haft Chinar Srg, two females (60, 46) and male (40) from Bemina Srg, male (45) from Abadpora Budgam, female (NA) from Beerwah Budgam, female (60) from Sopore, female (75) from Budgam, female (NA) from Khrew Pampore, female (33) and male (37) from Nishat Srg, male (NA) from Druroo Tangmarg, male (NA) from Gulab Daji Karhama, male (NA) and female (NA) from Hardaboora Kunzer, male (53) from Tral, female (35) from Awantipora, male (65) from Wanpora, female (35) from Kanjoo, male (28) from Parigam, male (54) from Achan, female (50) from Chandgam, female (48) from Ratnipora, male (60) from Gulshan Nagar Nowgam, four males (14, 70, 27, 40) and three females (25, 10, 48) from Noorpora, male (13) from Dadsara, female (35) from Jawbara Awantipora, female (80) and male (40) from Rathsuna, female (07) from Mandoora, male (28) from Pakharpora, female (53) from Budgam, male (65) from Srinagar, male (80) from Ishbar Nishat, male (65) from Magam Budgam, male (NA) from Ganderbal, male (NA) from Budgam, male (54) from Batmaloo, male (NA) from Tangmarg, male (47) from Bakura, two males (24, 30) from RR Panzgam Red Zone, female (50) and male (65) from Gangoo, male (40) from Srinagar, male (45) from Rajbagh Srg, male (52) from Pinglan Pulwama.

The Srinagar cases include three females (45, 47, 48) and male (14) from Narkara Zone Laloo, female (68) from Nowgam, male (40) from Baghi Mehtab, male (37) from Padshahibagh, female (35) from Rawalpora, two females (38, 06) from Barzulla, male (34) from Rainawari, male (40) and female (37) from Lasjan, male (55) from Soura, male (42) from Rainawari, male (60) from Lal Bazar, male (32) from Rajbagh, male (38) from Iqbal Colony, female (62) from Buchpora, male (31) from Rajbagh, female (28) from HMT, female (25) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (80) from Nalanal Nowshera, female (28) from Natipora, male (24) from Dagapora Anchar, female (28) from Rawalpora, female (28) from Buchpora, two females (52, 45) from Lal Bazar, male (45) from Habakadal, two females (40, 65) from Buchpora, male (75) from Batapora, female (55) from Srinagar, female (04) from Kanipora, female (01) from Lal Bazar, female (48) from Batpora, male (05) from Bemina, male (55) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (30) from Khanyar, male (50) from Baghi Mehtab, two males (65, 29) and female (50) from Sheributt, two males (45, 40) from Lal Bazar, male (26) from Bemina, male (03) from Zakura, male (50) from Skims, female (48) from Hawal, male (53) from Lal Bazar, male (01) and female (30) from Zakura, male (45) from Skims, male (42) from Shalimar, two females (26, 28) from Hawal, female (48) from Lal Bazar, male (16) from Elahibagh, female (40) from Kanimazar, female (29) from Buchpora, male (80) from Hawal, female (50) from Bolachipora, male (NA) from Zaidbal, male (30) from Lal Bazar, two males (65, 70) from Eidgah, male (58) from Buchpora, male (60) from Dalgate, female (75) from Chanapora, female (60) from Jawahar Nagar Srinagar.

The Bandipora cases include female (23) from Tulail Bandipora. The Baramulla cases include male (68) from Hanjwara, male (50) from Pattan, female (17) from Atoora Baramulla.  The Ganderbal cases include female (35) from Tulmula, female (24) from Gundrehman, female (32) from Serich, male (70) from Pandach, male (40) from Gadoora Ganderbal, male (70) from Lar Ganderbal.  The Pulwama cases include male (75) from Tral Pulwama.

The Budgam cases include male (39) from Main Budgam, male (35) from Zabbar Mohalla, female (76) from Hakinpora, male (18) from Wahadatpora, male (75) from Mahawara, male (53) from Borwah Chadoora, female (44) from Daharmunna Soibugh, male (30) from Soibugh, male (24) and female (24) from Khushipora, female (13) from Soibugh, male (27) from Kalshipora, female (21) from Chamboora, female (25) from Freswar, male (29) from Dragger, male (47) from Arigam, female (28) from Iskenderpora, two females (34, 25) from Chewadara, two males (36, 30) and female (26) from Iskanderpora, male (35) and three females (20, 32, 04) from Ahmadpora, female (33) from Yagipora Magam, female (45) from Wata Magam, three males (40, 11, 03) and female (12) from Sahpora Magam, five males (19, 15, 22, 62, 19) and female (35) from Nagam, five females (56, 30, 68, 60, 25) from Charisharief, male (40) from Rakhshalina Malik Mohalla, male (44) from Chattergam, male (40) from Rawalpora Bye Pass, male (55) from Chattergam Budgam, male (60) from Dreygam, female (16) from Charisharief Budgam.

The Kupwara cases include five males (29, 30, 19, 23, 21) from At- Spg Kup, male (30) from At- Trehgam Kupwara, male (75) from Tarathpora Kupwara.

The Ramban cases include female (55) from Sangaldan Ramban, male (45) from Batoot Ramban.

The BSF cases include fourteen males (42, 30, 38, 37, 30, 44, 29, 52, 52, 30, 36, 46, 54, 34) and two females (29, 26) from Ch Bsf Humhama Srinagar.

The CRPF cases include three males (39, 27, 28) from 44 Bn Crpf Zainakote Srg, male (34) from 49 Bn Crpf Karan Nagar Srg, male (28) from 117 Bn Crpf Alochibagh Srinagar.

Moreover,  681 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 214 from Jammu Division and 467 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 15: : Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today chaired a sensitization meeting with religious leaders from across Jammu & Kashmir at, SKICC here today.

Highlighting the role of religious leaders under greater Jan Bhagidari, community participation, the Lt Governor called upon them to make efforts for assisting sensitization, surveillance and driving behavioural change among the people to prevent the spread of the virus.

Expressing gratitude towards all religious leaders for participating in scores at the venue and through video conferencing from across J&K, the Lt Governor underscored the importance of their indispensable role to spread awareness about Covid SOPs and precautionary measures to be taken.

In his address, the Lt Governor laid stress on the detailed the four pillars of effective Covid management namely; Testing, Health System Preparedness, Surveillance/Containment and Individual Behaviour, as highlighted by Dr. V K Paul, Member NITI Aayog. He explained how each of these pillars helps in the decisive battle against the virus.

The Lt Governor also urged the leaders to promote ways to strengthen immunity like regular exercise, healthy diet, and use of Ayurvedic/Unani medicines.

The religious leaders unanimously assured the Lt Governor and the UT administration that they would extend full cooperation to them in the fight against the ongoing pandemic. They acknowledged their ever-important role in the mission against Covid and also prayed for normalcy at the earliest.

It was assured by the Lt Governor that all suggestions put forward by the religious leaders would be considered for putting up a united front against Covid-19. He also urged them to spread awareness about the J&K Health Scheme under which all families, even the ones which were earlier not eligible under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), will be entitled to get health insurance of Rs 5 lakh every year.

In his special address, resource person, and member NITI Aayog, Prof Dr. Vinod K Paul also gave a detailed presentation describing ways to contain the spread of the virus. Stress was laid on wearing of masks and regular sanitization of hands with soap or hand sanitizer liquids.

The meeting was also attended by Advisors to Lt Governor, RR Bhatnagar and Baseer Khan; Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo; Director NHM, Bhupinder Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary and other senior officers.

Informative presentation and a video message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also showcased at the occasion. The assembly was exhaustively informed about the transmission ways of the dreaded coronavirus. Statistics were also presented to the gathering to validate how effective social distancing and other measures are in preventing the spread of the virus.

Srinagar, Sep 15: Thirty-two persons from a single village in Boniyar tehsil of Uri tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after attending the last rites of an elderly woman.
Doctors in Boniyar said that the locals violated the COVID-19 protocol during the burial of the woman. “We have the inputs that many people have attended the last rites of a woman following which we decided to carry out the rapid antigen testing and 32 people from Kholan village tested positive,” Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Boniyar told news agency GNS.
He said a total of 110 antigen rapid tests were conducted on Tuesday. “Among them, 75 samples were taken from the Kholan village alone while 35 others are from different villages of Boniyar,” Masoodi said. He said among the 32 cases, 21 are females, 11 males and six children.