Positive cases near 6 lakh mark

New Delhi, July 1: Confirmed cases of the novel COVID-19 in India crossed 6 lakh mark on Wednesday after new cases of infection were reported in Delhi, Maharashtra and other states. As per the official bulletin released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released on July 1, India’s tally of confirmed cases stands at 5.85 lakh.

Maharashtra, the state with the most number of cases reported yet another massive spike with 5537 new cases. There are a total of 79,075 active cases in Maharashtra while 93,154 patients recovered and 8053 have succumbed to the infection. Mumbai accounts for 29,715 of the active cases reported from across Maharashtra.

India’s national capital, Delhi recorded 2442 new cases on Wednesday. With 61 more coronavirus-related deaths, Delhi’s toll now stands at 2803. Delhi now has 27,007 active cases while 59,992 COVID patients have recovered from the infection in the national capital so far.

According to data, nearly 4 lakh cases were reported in India in June, making it the worst month for India yet. India is now the fourth worst-affected country after the US, Brazil and Russia in terms of confirmed cases of infection.

On Wednesday, the country witnessed its highest single-day spike in coronavirus-related deaths with 507 patients succumbing to the infection within 24 hours.

The Government of India also removed impediments in Covid-19 testing on Wednesday and urged states to ramp up testing. “Pointing out that in some States/ UTs, the capacity utilization of the testing labs, particularly the ones in private sector, is grossly sub-optimal, States/UTs have been strongly advised to take all possible steps to ensure full capacity utilization of all COVID-19 testing laboratories in the State/UT,” a statement by the MoHFW said.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also took to Twitter and said, “As a result of the coordinated steps taken by @MoHFW_INDIA along with States/UTs for containment & management of #COVID-19, the recovery rate further increased to 59.43%.”

‘Family members of slain man have given a wrong statement under militant pressure; they were not present at incident site’

Srinagar, July 1: Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar today said that Lashkar-e-Toiba militants who were hiding in a mosque carried out the attack at a CRPF naka party at model town Sopore that led to the death of a CRPF man and a civilian while minor boy was rescued. He said there was no retaliation from the security forces’ side and it was later found that militants had left behind one full magazine and another one from which 30 bullets were used in the premises of a local  mosque.

The IGP while addressing a press conference at Police Control Room (PCR) here, said that this morning when CRPF men were de-boarding from the vehicle to be part of joint Naka party at model town Sopore, two militants hiding in the mosque, fired indiscriminately at the CRPF men in which one CRPF man died and three others were injured. “A civilian also was hit by bullets and died later,” Kumar said.

He said the attack was carried out by two Lashkar-e-Toiba militnats that include a foreign militant Usmban Bhai and a local militant Adil. “They fired 30 bullets as evident from the magazine recovered from the mosque premises. Another magazine was also recovered which was full,” the IGP said. He said policemen rescued a three-year-old boy who was accompanying his grandfather.

“We have observed that wherever the civilian movement is more, militants are carrying out attacks to trigger law and order issues and to trigger disturbances,” he said. The IGP Kashmir said that he deliberately didn’t close the internet services in Sopore just to see how people would behave.

“The video message circulated on social media by the son and daughter of the slain man is totally baseless. They have leveled allegations under militant threat,” the IGP said. “I want to ask them whether they were present at the site of the incident. Did they see themselves who fired? They circulated video messages blaming forces of killing their father from Srinagar, which is totally baseless.”

He said if there is any eye-witness, let them come forward, “we will accordingly act.”  He said there was no retaliation at all from the security forces side. “The search in the area is on to nab the attackers. We have not called out the search operation,” the IGP said.

Asked how the pictures of the boy being “rescued by the police went viral” when there was no public movement at the time of the incident, he said police rescued the boy who was near the body of his grandfather. “Going to the operation area with mobiles is wrong.”

“I will ensure police teams going for the operation don’t carry mobiles along as that may pose threat to their lives. In 2018, many security forces personnel got killed while using their mobiles during duty hours, in standoff attacks,” the IGP said.

Heart wrenching pictures go viral; kill those who murdered my father, says slain man’s daughter

Nasir Azam

Srinagar, July 1: Bashir Ahmed Khan, 65, took his grandson along early this morning for a long ride from Srinagar to Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, where he was supposed to oversee the progress of a construction work at one of his projects. Khan, being a contractor, was heading towards the construction site in Sopore but little did he knew that he will not return home alive.

His grandson had a miraculous escape. The little boy identified as Ayaad, 3, was seen sitting on the chest of his grandfather in one of the pictures that went viral on social media, which shook entire Kashmir and made every eye moist. He was perhaps trying to wake up his dead grandfather unmindful of the reality that “his dadu was no more.”

What added to the grief of the family members of more than the death of Khan was a video showing little boy in a police vehicle, saying in a broken Kashmiri, “be gache gare (I want to go home)”. Policemen provided him a bunch of chocolates and rolls of biscuits to ensure he doesn’t cry much and comes out of the shock.

Another picture that went viral shows a security forces man asking the little boy come towards him. Perhaps that was during the live action when exchange of fire was on. J&K police uploaded a picture on its official twitter account showing a policeman holding the little Ayaad in his lap. The tweet reads: “JKP #rescued a three year old boy from getting hit by bullets during #militant  #attack in #Sopore.”

At the HMT, Srinagar residence of slain Khan, a pall of gloom descended on the family and entire locality. “My father has been killed and those who killed him should be killed as well. Didn’t they see a little kid along with my father,” cried slain man’s daughter, in a deep shock and grief. Slain Khan’s son alleged that “his father was dragged out of his vehicle and fired at.”

Talking to KNO, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore Javaid Iqbal said that the slain main first saved his grandson and in between he was hit by bullets. “There were many other vehicles stuck at the spot due to the attack. They left their vehicles behind and ran for cover. Unfortunately, one of the civilians was hit by bullets and died,” the SSP said.

CRPF in a brief statement said that when deployment of their men was being made at model town Sopore for patrolling duties, militants hiding in the attic of a nearby mosque fired indiscriminately on troops, resulting in the injuries to the four CRPF men of which Head Constable Dipchand Verma got killed and other three Bhoya Rajesh, Deepak Patil and Nilesh Chawde sustained injuries. “One civilian died on the spot in militant act,” the statement read—(KNO)

Srinagar, July 1: National Conference, PDP and JKAP on Wednesday condemned the killing of a civilian hailing from HMT Srinagar at demanded a probe into it.

In a statement National Conference expressed grief over the civilian killing and injuries in a “gunfight” in Sopore. The party sought a time pound judicial probe into the circumstances which led to the “barbaric” incident.

“Targeting civilians, minors is condemnable, such barbaric incidents cannot be tolerated. The heart wrenching site of a dead man with the kid atop his chest has shaken every sane person. Incidents like these agitate one’s souls and conscience,” NC’s Provincial Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said.

“Such incidents can never be acceptable in any civilized society. It is therefore imperative upon the government to establish the verity behind the unfortunate incident. The veracity of the different versions will only come to forth following a time bound judicial probe into the matter.”

“My heart goes out to families of the killed civilian and the CRPF trooper who lost his life in the incident,” the NC Spokesman said, adding that the attack was a clear indication of the deteriorating security scenario in J&K and puts a big question mark over the claims of the government.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also demanded time-bound inquiry into the “gruesome” episode.

According to the party spokesman, the videos and the pictures of the shootout and its aftermath have gone viral on social media with a 3-year-old kid becoming the unfortunate face of this mayhem.

He said that the family of the civilian killed in the shootout has given a statement which goes contrary to the official statement issued by the security agencies. “This needs to be probed at a high level and time-bound inquiry and impartial probe into the matter is what we demand from the government at present,” said the PDP spokesman.

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) also demanded an impartial probe into the killing of Bashir Ahmad Khan, a resident of Mustafa Colony HMT Srinagar who lost his life “near an encounter site” in Sopore.

In a statement a spokesman of the party said that the family version of the deceased and the circumstantial evidence, prima facie, suggest that Khan was killed in “cold blood”. “The government should order an impartial investigation into the circumstances that led to the killing of a civilian who was on the way to Sopore in connection with his personal work,” the spokesman added.

He said only a time bound and transparent probe into the incident can reveal the veracity of claims made by the family of the deceased. “The security forces should exercise maximum restraint in such situations and ensure that no collateral damage takes place during such incidents,” the JKAP spokesman observed.

Srinagar, July 1: Former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said “using 3-year old’s pain the way it’s being done” was not expected of the police.

“Everything becomes a propaganda tool in the bloody violence in Kashmir. A three year old toddler has to have his misery broadcast to the whole world to drive home the “we good they bad” message. We would have got the point without his misery being filmed & shared so please don’t,” Omar tweeted.

“We would have expected no less from the men in uniform than to rescue the young boy & for that they have our gratitude but we would expect better than for them to film & use a three year old’s pain the way it’s being done today,” he said in another tweet.

M S Nazki

Rajouri, July 1: Army on Wednesday claimed to have foiled an infiltration attempt by killing a militant in Keri area of Bhimber Gali Sector in Rajouri district.

“Based on specific intelligence inputs  from J&K Police, a joint operation was launched close to Line of Control in Keri area of Bhimber Gali Sector in District Rajouri,” an army spokesman said in a statement.

“(Militants) were seen crossing the Line of Control and the alert troops of Indian Army foiled the infiltration bid resulting in killing of one (militant),” the spokesman said, adding, “One AK-47 with two magazines (was) recovered. The search operation is in progress.” (GNS)

Jammu, July 1: Commissioner Secretary to Government, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi Wednesday assumed the charge as Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department (GAD) at Civil Secretariat, here.

In his maiden interaction with the officers of the GAD, Mr Dwivedi reviewed the urgent and priority issues and called for working with zeal and dedication.

He appreciated contribution of Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone as Secretary, GAD and appreciated the hard work put in by all the officers of the Department.

He assured that the Department shall further improve its working under dynamic leadership of Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dwivedi also holds the charge of Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Department and Director General, IMPARD, J&K.

Srinagar, July 1: Countering all kinds of fake messages and photos being sent by one or two fake Twitter handle accounts created with his name, Principal Secretary Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Cooperative Departments, Navin K. Choudhary, today informed that for the last several years he has not been using any Social Media Platform like Twitter, Face Book, LinkedIn etc.

Principal Secretary further informed that this matter has already been brought to the notice of J&K Police Cyber Cell for taking appropriate action besides Twitter.com has also been intimated about this serious matter.(KINS)

Srinagar, July 1:   The Government today clarified that the existing system of payment of Stamp duty shall continue to be a mode of payment of stamp duty in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir after issuance of The Jammu & Kashmir Stamps (Payment of Duty by Means of e-Stamping) Rules, 2020, till further orders.

“Doubts have been expressed about continuation of physical stamp vending mode of payment of stamp duty in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir after issuance of Notification SO 201 dated 24th June, 2020, regarding, The Jammu & Kashmir Stamps (Payment of Duty by Means of e-Stamping) Rules, 2020.

In this connection it is clarified that the existing system of payment of stamp duty shall continue to be a mode of payment of stamp duty in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir till further order” the Government clarified.(KINS)

Washington, July 1: Disgruntled retired and serving Chinese Army cadres, who are hurt by the treatment meted out by the government, can launch an “armed” anti-regime action against Xi Jinping’s government, said Jianli Yang, a Chinese dissident and son of a former Communist Party leader.

In an opinion piece in The Washington Post, Jianli Yang, the founder and president of Citizen Power Initiatives for China, writes that Beijing fears that the admitting that it had lost troops, that too more in number than its opponent, could lead to major domestic unrest that can even put the regime of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at stake.

“The PLA has long been a key pillar of the CCP’s power. If the sentiments of the serving PLA cadres are hurt and they get together with the millions of disgruntled veterans (which may be facilitated by those within the PLA who are already unhappy with Xi — and there are thousands of them, such as those who were hurt by Xi’s move to separate PLA from commercial activities), they could form a formidable force capable of challenging Xi’s leadership,” he writes.

“Significantly, the CCP leadership cannot afford to undermine the veterans’ potential to launch a collective and armed anti-regime action. Hence, the continuing incidence of veterans’ protests, despite significant coercive pressure and bureaucratic measures, is a source of intense anxiety for Xi Jinping and the CCP leadership,” he adds.

Jianli cited the recent example of the recent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Galwan Valley, during which both sides suffered casualties.

When asked to confirm the number of casualties China had suffered in the recent clash in the Galwan Valley, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian did not acknowledge that there were casualties on the Chinese side, saying “I have no information to offer.”

Yet again, when the question was posed the next day (June 23), Zhao avoided giving any details from the Chinese side, but was quick to retort that Indian media reports claiming that at least 40 Chinese soldiers were killed was “false information”.

“Even a week after the incident, China has refused to publicly admit that there had been casualties on its side, while India paid the last homage to its martyrs with full state honours,” Jianli states.

Jianli is of the view that at the root of this fear is the simmering resentment running in the hearts and minds of 57 million veterans of China’s PLA.

He explains that veterans are holding frequent mass protests across China hoping to shame the government into recognising its obligation towards those who battled along the country’s borders in the past.

“If this is the treatment meted out by the CCP regime to the martyrs of today, imagine the plight of PLA veterans, many of whom had participated in the bloody 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War or the Korean War. They have been holding frequent mass protests across China for years now, hoping to shame the government into recognising its obligation toward those who battled along the country’s borders in the past,” he says.

Jianli says the country which has the world’s largest army, does not have a central agency to administer pensions and other benefits to its veterans. Resultantly, veterans are forced to depend on local governments for pensions, medical care and other basic benefits.

“However, due to wide disparity in the financial standings of the local governments, there is no standard or uniformity in what the veterans receive. After having given their youth and shed blood for the country, the veterans find themselves left by the CCP to the mercy of often corrupt local officials, making them feel like donkeys slaughtered after they are too old to work a grindstone,” he adds.