New Delhi, Sep 14: A Chinese virologist has said the Corona virus is man-made in a Wuhan laboratory in China and she has proof of that.
The virologist, Dr Li-Meng Yan, who has allegedly fled China, is the second scientist to claim that the corona virus is man-made and created in a Wuhan laboratory. She said she has proof that the SARS-Cov-2 virus is in fact man-made in a Wuhan lab. She did not disclose further.
French Nobel prize winning scientist Luc Montagnier had also claimed in April that the corona virus is man-made and created in a Wuhan laboratory.
Dr Li-Meng Yan, who was working at the Hong Kong School of Public Health when she made the claims, said in a television interview that China knew about the spread of the corona virus before publicly acknowledging it.
She said that while working at Hong Kong’s School of Public Health, her supervisor asked her to investigate a new ‘’SARS-like virus’’ in Wuhan. She reported that the number of cases appeared to be increasing but was told to “keep silent and be careful.”
She also said she has proof that the virus came from a virology lab in the city of Wuhan and not from the animal food market. “The genome sequence is like a human fingerprint,” she said and added that she would use the evidence to tell people that the virus is from the laboratory in China.

Dr Li-Meng said Chinese authorities had begun to discredit her even before she fled the country. “They deleted all my information and told people to spread rumours about me,” she said.
The Chinese National Health Commission and the University of Hong Kong however, refuted her charges.
In December 2019 a Chinese doctor Li Wenliang had warned against a virus that looked like Sars. He was, told by police to “stop making false comments” and was accused of “spreading rumours”. Dr Li later died after contracting the virus while treating patients in Wuhan.

New Delhi, Sep 14: India recorded 92,071 new COVID-19 cases and 1,136 more deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry update on Monday.

With the new additions, the case tally of the second-worst hit country zoomed to 48,46,428 while the death toll surged to 79,722.

The number of cured/discharged cases clocked since Sunday stood at 77,512, the government data update said.

As per the official data, the total number of recovered has reached 37,80,108 in numbers and 78.00 in percentage.

The fatality rate stands at 1.64 per cent.

The active case load on the country presently stands at 9,87,598, amounting to 20.36 per cent of the total cases registered.

Maharashtra remains the worst affected state in the country, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as many as 9,78,500 samples were tested in the past 24 hours, taking the total cumulative samples tested since the beginning of the pandemic till Sunday to 5,72,39,428.

Globally, United States continues to remain the most-infected, followed by India and Brazil.

Instructs officers to maximize testing across all districts
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 14: Taking cognizance of the various media reports regarding problems being faced by COVID patients admitted in various facilities, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today held two back to back video conferences with all Deputy Commissioners and Doctors handling the COVID management at the forefront and reviewed the measures being taken for the overall containment of Covid in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education; Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary Information Department, Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; HoDs ; Doctors and Medical experts participated in the deliberations.
The Lt Governor was briefed by Prof. A. G. Ahangar, Director SKIMS; Dr. Nasib Chand Digra, Principal, Govt. Medical College Jammu and Dr. Samia Rashid, Principal, Govt. Medical College Srinagar about the updated status of patient management, facilities being provided, and the status of requisite medical equipment, medicines, and oxygen supply.
Deliberations were also held on various important aspects, including increasing the testing capacity, awareness on COVID-19 SOPs by involving religious leaders, better roster management to ensure availability of experienced doctors round the clock etc, which are imperative for effective management of Covid patients.
The Deputy Commissioners along with the Chief Medical Officers briefed the Lt Governor about the measures being taken to ensure adherence of Covid SOPs and perimeter control in areas having a high density of positive cases. The Lt Governor directed the DCs to ensure that the available resources are efficiently utilized within their respective districts. He also asked them to ensure that they deal with the public as well as the frontline workers in a cordial and sympathetic manner. ‘Seek active support of religious leaders and prominent persons to create awareness about Covid SOPs’, he maintained.
While appreciating the efforts of Doctors, Civil & Police personnel, paramedics, and all frontline workers, the Lt Governor exhorted upon all concerned to make concerted efforts and leave no stone unturned in their fight against Covid. ‘You are our National Assets’, he remarked.
The Lt Governor observed that People have a lot of expectations from all frontline workers, especially Doctors and the situation demands that everyone rises to the occasion to serve in the best possible way. He also assured tertiary hospitals/ medical colleges of full government support to address their concerns in the fight against Covid.
‘There should be no compromise with hygiene inside hospital premises and preemptive measures be taken to ensure the supply of requisite facilities to the patients’, remarked the Lt Governor. With aggressive testing and early care, the mortality rate can be reduced, he concluded.

Nasir Azam

Srinagar, Sep 14: The Jammu & Kashmir government has ordered a high-level probe into irregularities committed in implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(PMAY) in Kashmir Valley.

Documents in possession of news agency – Kashmir News Observer(KNO) reveal that the Housing & Urban Development has ordered an independent enquiry into irregularities committed in implementation of the scheme after an officer, who was tasked to probe the matter, recommended a full-fledged inquiry into the matter.

In his report , Arvind Kotwal, Managing Director, Housing Board has recommended a full-fledged enquiry by a committee of officer to be headed by a Valley-based officer who can look into the gamut of irregularities committed during implementation of PMAY- Urban.

Based on the recommendations of Kotwal, the government has constituted a panel headed by Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir to look into the matter. Its other members are Joint Commissioner (administration) Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Financial Advisor , Lakes and Waterways Development Authority and executive engineer of the concerned Urban Local Bodies.

The committee, according to an order issued by Housing & Urban Development Department, has been mandated to verify whether eligible beneficiaries were sponsored/ sanctioned for availing housing units under beneficiary-led Individual House Construction of PMAY-U in respect of all the districts of Kashmir as per the verification list submitted by Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir, Srinagar Municipal Corporation submitted through the concerned deputy general managers/ uploaded on portal.

The panel has also been directed to report irregulaties, if any committed vis-à-vis identification of beneficiaries, geo-tagging, uploading the data on PMAY-U portal as per the guidelines during the implementation  of the scheme.

According to the order issued by H&UDD, Kotwal, in his report, has remained focus on Srinagar while as CID report has alleged that such a state of affairs prevails in the entire Valley.

As already reported Kotwal was tasked to inquire into the matter on the basis of a report submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to J&K administration.

New Delhi, Sep 14: Seventeen members of the Lok Sabha and eight from the Rajya Sabha tested positive for COVID-19 in the mandatory tests carried out before the monsoon session of Parliament started this morning, sources said. Among the infected Lok Sabha MPs, the BJP has a maximum number — 12. The YSR Congress has two MPs, the Shiv Sena, DMK and RLP one each.

Sources said altogether, 56 people tested positive during the RT-PCR Tests conducted in the parliament building complex by September 12. The figure includes officials, media persons and MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

One of the infected MPs, Meenakshi Lekhi tweeted: “After the routine Parliament test for COVID & genome test it’s confirmed that I have tested positive for the virus. I am currently in good health & spirits. I request everyone who has been recently in contact with me to get tested. Together We will fight & defeat Corona.”

The BJP’s Sukanta Majumdar was the first to tweet his positive status yesterday. “Requesting all those who have come in close contact with me in the last few days to monitor their health and get tested in case of any symptoms,” his tweet read.

Around 200 of the 785 MPs are above the age of 65 years and are among the population vulnerable to coronavirus.

Earlier, at least seven Union ministers and around 25 MPs and MLAs had contracted the disease. Among them was Union home minister Amit Shah, who underwent a thorough medical check-up before the parliament session started.

An MP and several MLAS have died from the highly infectious disease.

The parliament session is being held amid huge safety measures that include staggered seating of the MPs in chambers of both Houses to maintain physical distancing. A mobile app has been introduced to register their attendance and seats in the house have been separated with poly-carbon sheets.

Ahead of the session, all members were requested to get themselves tested for COVID-19.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla told NDTV that a large number of MPs attended the first day’s session. “It shows how strong the roots of democracy are. The coming of MPs even in extraordinary circumstances is a big thing,” added the Speaker, who had sent special COVID kits to all MPs.

The kits, provided by prepared by defence research organisation DRDO, disposable masks, N-95 masks, sanitisers, face shields, gloves, herbal sanitation wipes and tea bags to enhance immunity. Each kit also contains a Covid safety manual for the MPs.

New Delhi, Sep13:Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to address parliament on the India-China border row tomorrow, sources have told NDTV. The government has been under consistent attack from the Congress, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi, over the stand-off with China at the Line of Actual Control — the de facto border between the two countries.

The matter was raised yesterday at the parliament’s Business Advisory Committee meeting, meant to discuss and slot agenda for business for the coming session.

Asked whether a statement will be made on the India-China stand-off, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had said keeping in mind the “sensitivities of the situation, and the strategic points”, the government will take a decision. The leaders, he had said, would be briefed at a meeting on Tuesday.

NC parliamentarians seek discussion on J&K
Precious Kashmir News
New Delhi, Sep 14: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday expressed grave concern over the shortage of oxygen in Jammu hospitals, saying the situation is reportedly quite worrisome particularly in the wake of alarming spike in COVID 19 cases during the past one week.

Responding to the Union Health Minister during Zero Hour in e Parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session, Dr Farooq said, “As per media reports, the situation in Jammu Hospitals is worrisome. Reportedly hospitals managing COVID-19 cases are facing acute shortage of oxygen thereby putting the lives of critical corona virus patients at risk. It is distressing to know that nothing substantial is being done to alleviate the problem.”

Dr Farooq also raised the issue of dysfunctional 60 ventilators that are meant to provide life support to critically ill patients and called for immediate necessary measures to strengthen the healthcare support system to meet the challenge of pandemic.

NC MPs seek discussion on J&K in Parliament

Meanwhile, National Conference Members of Parliament on Monday sought discussion on the situation of Jammu and Kashmir in the Parliament during the current session citing the unprecedented situation in the region in wake of the unilateral, unconstitutional and undemocratic rescinding of Articles 370 and 35A.

The Party’s Members of Parliament Dr Farooq Abdullah, Muhammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi alluding to the unprecedented situation in Jammu and Kashmir have sought a discussion in the Parliament on Jammu and Kashmir.
They said last year GOIs 5th August decision of shearing the erstwhile state of J&K of its constitutional position and its division and downgrading into two union territories has resulted in an unprecedented situation in the entire region.
They asserted that the measures taken by GOI, besides giving a lie to the sovereign commitments of the country to the people of J&K have pushed the entire region into a precarious situation.

The MPs maintained that post 5th of August 2019; there has been a surge in the incidents of violence and skirmishes along LoC and LAC almost on daily basis.
They said there has been no reduction in violence related incidents inside J&K as well and the situation is nowhere near to what was promised while abrogating the state’s constitutional. So far the situation in the entire region has brought to front our valid apprehensions; the promised development, creation of jobs is still not perceptible on ground, they added. On the contrary, the industries, handicrafts, tourism, and other vital sectors of the entire region are reeling under huge losses, the MPs said.

The gags and curbs on internet continue to hamper student’s access to digital world, they maintained. The MPs also said the measures undertaken on 5th of august last year have failed to bring promised dividends and that the situation is converse to what was promised by the ruling dispensation in the parliament. Hundreds are languishing in jails far away from their homes, they said adding that the much touted peace was nowhere in sight.

“The matter is of urgent nature and calls for immediate discussion,” the MPs demanded.

IED defused on Srinagar-Baramulla highway

Srinagar, Sep 14: About 12-hour-long Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) launched by security forces after some firing shots were heard on Sunday night ended on Monday morning after no militant was found in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, official sources said on Monday .

They said troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint CASO on Sunday night at Prigam, Pulwama after some firing shots were heard in the area.
Additional security forces were rushed to the area to further seal all exit points. They said search operation continued throughout the night but no contact was established with the militants.
Security forces called off the CASO this morning after no militant was found, they said adding no one was arrested.

IED defused on Srinagar-Baramulla highway

Alert troops of Road Opening Party(ROP) on Monday averted a major tragedy when they detected and defused a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by militants to target security force convoy on Srinagar-Baramulla highway, official sources said.
They said the ROP during a routine patrolling noticed a suspicious object on the roadside at Pattan this morning. Traffic was stopped from both sides, they said.

Later Bomb disposal Squad (BDS) was summoned and the IED was defused without causing any damage, they said adding had it not been detected and defused it would have caused much damage to life and property as the highway remained busy throughout the day.

Sonic boom cause panic

Panic gripped Pulwama town and adjoining areas in south Kashmir on Monday morning due to loud explosive noise, official sources said.

They said people in the Pulwama town and adjoining areas rushed out of their houses in panic this morning after a loud explosion.

However, sources said the loud explosive noise was caused by Sonic boom from an aircraft.

They said a loud explosive noise is caused by the shock wave from an aircraft or other object travelling faster than the speed of sound.

Military court stays action against officers
New Delhi, Sept 14: In a significant development, a military court Monday stayed further action in the ongoing disciplinary action against two officers allegedly involved in the Srinagar chopper fratricide case on the next day of Balakot airstrikes last year.
Six Indian Air Force were killed in the case including two pilots and four other crew members over Budgam while they were returning to the Srinagar airbase around the same time when the Pakistani fighters were moving around Indian territory.
Both the offices (Group Captain SR Chowdhary and Wing Commander Shyam Naithani) had challenged the court of inquiry (CoI) as well as its finding on the ground of violation of particular air force rules as well as the composition of the Court of Inquiry being contrary to Air Force order,” the counsel of the two officers Ankur Chhibber said.
“The court after hearing the parties was pleased to direct that prima facie there are violations in the CoI and therefore has directed that no action be taken based on the said CoI and its findings till the next date which is September 30,” he said.
The Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal headed by Chairman Rajendra Menon said that “we are of the considered view that the applicant has, prima facile, been able to demonstrate non-compliance with non statutory provisions in the conduct of court of inquiry.”
While Gp Captain Chaudhary was the Chief Operations Officer of the Srinagar airbase when the incident took place and the wing commander was the Senior Air Traffic Control officer (SATCO).
A missile from the SPYDER air Defence Missile systems was fired at the Mi-17v5 chopper and brought it down immediately. (Agencies)