New Delhi, June 28: India has given a befitting response to China on Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, praising the army which fought Chinese troops at the Galwan Valley earlier this month. He also spoke of the call for boycott of Chinese goods by the traders and the civil society, juxtaposing it against the government’s “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” campaign. “We will buy local and be vocal for local and this will help India become stronger,” he said.

“Those who eyed Indian territory in Ladakh have received a befitting response,” the Prime Minister said in his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat.

“If India knows how to maintain friendship, it can also confront someone and give an adequate response. Our brave soldiers made it clear that they will not allow anyone to taint the honour of Mother India,” he added, referring to the clash with Chinese troops in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the line of duty.

The Army believes that the Chinese suffered 45 casualties during the late-night skirmish on June 15. Chinese military leaders are believed to have conveyed to their Indian counterparts the loss of a Chinese Colonel in the fighting here as well.

PM Modi has been under constant Congress attack over the face-off with China that has been happening at the Line of Actual Control — the de facto border with China — since April.

Congress’s Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly accused him of surrendering Indian territory to the Chinese — an allegation that came up after the Prime Minister, at an all-party meeting earlier this month, said China has not captured any Indian territory or crossed the border.

“Neither is anyone inside our territory nor is any of our post captured… While we have given a free hand to our armed forces, diplomatically too we have made our stand clear to China. India wants peace and friendship but protecting its sovereignty is supreme,” the Prime Minister had said.

The Prime Minister’s Office said it was an attempt to give a “mischievous interpretation” to PM Modi’s comments.

“As regards transgression of LAC (Line of Actual Control), it was clearly stated that the violence in Galwan on 15 June arose because Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions,” the government said in a statement.

The foreign ministry has since said China has been making repeated incursions into Indian territory this year in “complete disregard of all mutually agreed norms”.

“Since early May, the Chinese side has been amassing a large contingent of troops and armaments along the LAC (Line of Control),” said the ministry in its hardest statement earlier this week.

High resolution satellite images from the Galwan river valley — obtained after India and China agreed to start the process of disengagement  in Ladakh — appear to show the presence of Chinese structures on both sides of the Line of Actual Control.

Through a series of satellite images — taken between May 22 and June 26 — NDTV pieced together Chinese construction activity on the river-bend of the Galwan as it crosses the Line of Actual Control and flows into territory held by India in Ladakh. The location is near Patrol Point 14, where the violence of June 15 took place.

New Delhi, June 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to the citizens to be ‘vocal for local’ , and said that if people do this, then they would be playing a role in strengthening the country.

In his monthly programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, PM Modi said,”Rajni ji has written to me from Assam. She says, after watching what happened in eastern Ladakh, she has taken a vow…and the vow is that she will buy only ‘local’….and for the sake of ‘local’, she will also be vocal. I am receiving messages on these lines from every corner of the country. Many have expressed through their letters that they have adopted this very path. Similarly, Mohan Ramamurthy from Madurai, writes that he wishes India to be self-reliant in the defence sector.”

“ Friends, before independence, in the realm of the defence sector, our country was ahead of many countries in the world. There used to be a multitude of ordnance factories. Many countries that lagged behind us then, are ahead of us now. After independence, we should have made efforts in the defence sector, taking advantage of our prior experience, we did not. But today, in the fields of defence and technology, India is relentlessly endeavouring to advance on those fronts. India is taking strides towards self-reliance,” the PM said.

“No mission can be successfully achieved without people’s participation. And that is why, on the path towards a self-reliant India, as a citizen, our collective resolve, commitment and support is necessary; rather imperative. When you buy ‘local’, become vocal for local you play a role in strengthening the country. This, too, in its own way, is service to one’s country. Whatever be your profession; wherever, there is ample scope in the realm of service to the country,” he said.

“Keeping in mind the requirement of the country, whatever you do, comes under this very spirit of service. And this very spirit on your part lends strength to the country, one way or the other. We should also remember that the stronger our country is, the possibilities of peace in the world will proportionately be bolstered,” PM Modi said.

“It is said, VIDYA VIVADAYA DHANAM MADAAY, SHAKTIH PARESHAAN PARIPEEDNAYAKHALASYA SADHOH VIPAREETAM ETAT, GYAANAYDAANAYCH RAKSHANAY. Which means, a person who is wicked by nature, uses education to foster conflict, wealth for conceit and strength to trouble others. Whereas, a gentleman uses education for knowledge, wealth for helping and strength for protecting. India has always used her might, echoing the same sentiment. India’s solemn resolve is to safeguard her honour and sovereignty,” he said.

“India’s aim is – a self-reliant India. India’s tradition is -trust and friendship. India’s spirit is brotherhood. We shall keep moving ahead abiding by these principles,” PM Modi added.

New Delhi, June 28: Rahul Gandhi’s “Surender Modi” hashtag – which was the top trend on Twitter last Sunday — is just playing into the hands of China and Pakistan and the Congress leader should stop playing “ochhi rajniti” (shallow minded politics), Union Home Minister Amit Shah told news agency on Sunday.
The government, he added, was ready for a debate in parliament on the issue. “Yes we are fully capable of handling anti-India propaganda but it does pain when a former President of such a big political party does “ochi rajiniti (shallow minded politics) at a time of problems,” Shah said.
“It is a matter of self-introspection for him and Congress that his hashtag is being taken forward by Pakistan and China… You say what China and Pakistan like. And at this time of crisis,” added Mr Shah, referring to the months-long face-off at the Line of Actual Control –the de facto border between the two nations.
Since June 15, when 20 soldiers were killed in action at Ladakh’s Galwan Valley during a clash with Chinese troops, Mr Gandhi has been accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of surrendering Indian territory to the Chinese.
Last Sunday, Gandhi, who had kept up the attack on the BJP with one or more tweet a day since June 15, tweeted, “”Narendra Modi Is actually Surender Modi”.
Shah said the government was ready for a debate in parliament on the Ladakh issue in its entirety. ‘No one is shying away from a discussion. Parliament is about to convene. Let’s have a discussion. Let us discuss from ’62 till now. But at a time our jawans are fighting it out at the border and the government has taken a tough stand, we should not be giving out statement that favour China and Pakistan,” he added.
Gandhi’s “Surender” dig was a response to the Prime Minister’s comment at an all-party meet that China has not captured any Indian territory or crossed the border.
“Neither is anyone inside our territory nor is any of our post captured… While we have given a free hand to our armed forces, diplomatically too we have made our stand clear to China. India wants peace and friendship but protecting its sovereignty is supreme,” the Prime Minister had said.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the opposition’s attack on the issue was an attempt to give a “mischievous interpretation” to PM Modi’s comments.

“As regards transgression of LAC (Line of Actual Control), it was clearly stated that the violence in Galwan on 15 June arose because Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions,” the government said in a statement.

Today, in his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said, “Those who eyed Indian territory in Ladakh have received a befitting response. If India knows how to maintain friendship, it can also confront someone and give an adequate response”.

Srinagar, Jun 28: Fifty eight people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in 23 days in J&K, where the COVID-19 positive cases surpassed 7000-mark on Sunday.
Srinagar is the worst affected district in terms of causalities with 22 deaths due to SARS-CoV-2. Baramulla stands at number two with 15 deaths, following by Kulgam. Shopian with 10 deaths is at number four. Seven people have lost their lives due to the infection in Budgam, five in Kupwara, four in Pulwama and one in Bandipora.
Ten districts of Jammu have reported 11 fatalities while 83 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in ten districts of Kashmir.
Two women, including a 70-year-old woman from Sopore and 45-year-old woman from Anantnag, died due to the virus in Kashmir valley on Saturday. A 48-year-old woman from Srinagar died due to COVID-19 in the valley on Wednesday. Four persons — including a 58-year-old woman from Srinagar, 85-year-old man from Kulgam 58-year-old man from Anantnag and a 65-year-old man from Pulwama – died due to COVID-19 on Monday and Tuesday. Seven persons — 40-year-old woman from Srinagar, 80-year-old woman from Kulgam, another woman from Pulwama, 65-year-old man from Budgam, a 51-year-old patient from Kupwara and a Jammu resident — died due to COVID-19 on June 20 and June 21.
Three persons, including 75-year-old man from Srinagar and 57-year-old man from Jammu, died due to COVID-19 on Thursday. A 48-year-old woman from Srinagar died due to COVID-19 in the valley on Wednesday. Four persons — including a 58-year-old woman from Srinagar, 85-year-old man from Kulgam 58-year-old man from Anantnag and a 65-year-old man from Pulwama – died due to the same disease on Monday and Tuesday. Seven persons — 40-year-old woman from Srinagar, 80-year-old woman from Kulgam, another woman from Pulwama, 65-year-old man from Budgam, a 51-year-old patient from Kupwara and a Jammu resident — died due to COVID-19 on June 20 and June 21.

Four people –including a 15-day-old infant, a 79-year-old man from Srinagar and 80-year-old man from Baramulla, 80-year-old man from Shopian — died due to the disease on June 19. Eight people — including six from Kashmir and two from Jammu — died due to COVID-19 on June 17 and June 18. Four people from Kashmir valley died due to COVID-19 on June 15 and June 16. Earlier on June 14, two persons, including an 85-year-old man from Kashmir and a 69-year-old man from Jammu, died due to COVID-19.

On June 12, border district of Rajouri recorded the first COVID-19 fatality with 65-year-old man dying due to the infection at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu. A 62-year-old woman, a resident of Kulgam, died due to COVID-19 in a hospital in this summer capital on June 11.

Five people–including two 70-year-old men, 52-year-old auto-driver and 31-year-old man — died due to COVID-19 on June 9 in Kashmir. On June 8, Kashmir valley recorded five deaths, including that of a CRPF jawan, due to COVID-19. The deceased included the 40-year-old CRPF jawan from Uttar Pradesh, 55-year-old man from Pampore, 65-year-old man from Handwara, 35-year-old man from Srinagar and 70-year-old man from Baramulla.

A non-local tailor, a resident of Kolkata, was tested positive for COVID-19 on June 7, hours after he died in a local hospital in Srinagar. Three people, including three persons from Kashmir and 62-year-old woman from Jammu, died due to COVID-19 on June 6.

A 65-year-old woman from Srinagar, who died at a hospital in this summer capital on Thursday evening, tested positive for COVID-19 on June 5. A 60-year-old man from Srinagar died due to COVID-19 at a hospital in this summer capital on June 4. An 86-year-old man from north Kashmir district of Baramulla tested positive for COVID-19, five days after he passed away in a health centre in the valley on June 3. Five persons, including four from Kashmir and one from Jammu, died due to COVID-19 in the UT on June 1.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, June 28: One hundred and twenty seven (127) more people tested positive for COVID-19 across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 7093, officials said.
They said that among the new cases 25 are from Jammu division and 102 are from Kashmir division. Moreover, 91 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 31 from Jammu division and 60 from Kashmir division.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 7093 positive cases, 2683 are Active Positive, 4316 have recovered and 94 have died; 11 in Jammu division and 83 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 351865 test results available, 344772 samples have been tested as negative till June 28, 2020.

Additionally, till date 276057 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 40065 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 34 in Hospital Quarantine, 2683 in hospital isolation and 46873 under home surveillance. Besides, 186308 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 289 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 38 Active Positive, 250 recovered and 01 death; Srinagar has 874 positive cases (including 31 cases reported today) with 590 Active Positive, 262 recovered (including 12 cases recovered today), 22 deaths; Anantnag district has 635 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today), with 166 Active Positive, 463 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today),  06 deaths; Baramulla has 806 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 416 Active Positive, 375 recovered, 15 deaths; Shopian has 732 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 190 Active Positive, 532 recovered and 10 deaths; Kupwara has 534 positive cases (including 16 cases reported today) with 149 Active Positive, 380 recovered and 05 deaths; Budgam has 393 positive cases (including 22 cases reported today) with 177 Active Positive and 209 recovered cases (including 23 cases recovered today) and 07 deaths; Ganderbal has 90 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 28 active positive cases and 62 recoveries; Kulgam has 766 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today), with 252 Active Positive and 501 recoveries and 13 deaths and Pulwama reported 440 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 235 active positive cases and 201 recovered (including 19 cases recovered today) and 04 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 333 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 59 active positive cases and 267 recoveries (including 08 cases recovered today) and 07 deaths; Udhampur has 269 positive cases  (including 10 cases reported today) with 99 active positive cases, 169 recovered (including 09 cases recovered today) and 01 death; Samba has 136 positive cases with 52 Active Positive and 84 recoveries (including 08 cases recovered today; Rajouri has 104 positive cases with 50 active positive cases and 53 recovered and 01 death; Kathua has 214 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 62 Active positive and 152 recovered; Kishtwar has 27 positive cases with 07 active positive cases and 20 recovered; Ramban has 216 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 62 active positive and 154 recoveries; Reasi has 40 positive cases with 14 active positive and 26 recovered; Poonch has 121 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 21 active positive and 99 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today) and 01 death while Doda has 74 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 16 active positive cases and 57 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today) and 01 death.

According to the bulletin, of the total 7093 positive cases in J&K 2239 have been reported as travelers while 4854 as others.

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

The bulletin has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metre from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.

The bulletin again explained that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.

Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap and water.”

In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free number 102.

People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.

People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

410 fresh deaths, toll at 16095

New Delhi, Jun 28: With nearly 20,000 fresh infections reported in the past 24 hours, India now has over 5.28 lakh COVID cases, Union Health Ministry said on Sunday. As many as 410 deaths were reported, taking the number of casualties to 16,095.
Meanwhile, the active infections stand at 2,03,051 with 3,09,713 patients having recovered.
The difference between recoveries and active cases now stands at 1.06 lakh. The recovery rate is at 58.56 per cent amongst COVID-19 patients.
The last one lakh cases have been added in less than a week. Globally, nearly 10 million cases have been reported with 4.98 deaths. Amid the surge, several states have reimposed full or partial lockdown.
According to the ICMR, the number of cumulative tests done so far in the country till Saturday stand at 82,27,802.

Raouf Dar

Anantnag June 28: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said that his party  won’t accept “illegal and unconstitutional” things done in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We won’t accept everything done in Jammu and Kashmir which is illegal and unconstitutional. Do you think I am going to accept what is unconstitutional,” Farooq told reporters at Qaimoh Kulgam.

He was replying to questions from media persons about the happenings taking place in Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370 last year like framing of new domicile rules in the Union Territory.

“Without unity you have nothing. The time we are facing is a trial from Allah. Ask Allah don’t put us in so much of trial. But we should not be afraid of trials. Allah might have kept something better for us,” he said.

Referring to his detention post August 5, 2019, Dr Farooq said, “All prisoners are the same and there is no difference. They are all equal. I don’t differentiate between you and others. We are all one. Maintain unity for a purpose and not unity just for the sake of election. Unity should be of purpose,” he added.

He expressed concern over the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and asked India and China to show restraint and engage in military de-escalation through dialogue. (KINS)

‘Close aides of Mehbooba responsible for PDP’s debacle’
MUMTAZ BHAT

Baramulla, June 28: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party senior leader and ex-MLA, Javid Hassan Beigh on Sunday blamed mainstream political parties for J&K losing its special status and statehood.

While talking to Precious Kashmir, Beigh said, “Mainstream political parties didn’t show any realistic approach this led to the scrapping of Article 370.”
He said, “Both Hurriyat and mainstream leaders could have played a significant role in saving the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. But they failed due to which both New Delhi and JK residents have lost faith on them.”
The former MLA alleged that “all political parties misguided the youth.” “My sincere appeal to youth is to shun violence and choose life over death,” he added.

Asked why did he leave the PDP, Beigh  said, “We didn’t leave the party but me and others were expelled from the party. Close aides of Mehbooba Mufti misled her and they are responsible for PDP’s debacle.”

He said, “JKAP will adopt realistic approach so that Centre may regain faith on JK’s politicians as New Delhi doesn’t trust Kashmiri politicians anymore.”

He said that JKAP will fight for the restoration of J&K’s statehood and they are eagerly waiting for elections.

Srinagar, June 28: The weather turned pleasant on Sunday much to the delight of the people in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley as the day temperature dipped due to light to heavy rains.

The relief to the people in the valley comes just a day after Srinagar city recorded the hottest day of the season so far at 32.9 degree.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that rain and thundershowers would occur at isolated to scattered places in Kashmir valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region.

Issuing weather advisory, he said isolated thundershowers, lightening with gusty winds (30-40 km per hour) would occur in the valley during the next 12 hours.

After witnessing a hot and humid day, weather turned cloudy in the evening followed by brief heavy rain much to the delight of the people in Srinagar. People in the city have been suffering due to soaring heat during the last couple of days. “Skies would be partly cloudy to light rain during the next 24 hours in Srinagar,” he said.

Heavy rain also lashed world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, much to the delight of the local tourists. Locals, though in less numbers, have started to visit tourist destinations from last over one week following relaxation in lockdown, which was implemented to curtail spread of COVID-19.

Weather also turned pleasant in world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, due to light to moderate rain in the evening.

Other parts of the valley, including Sopore, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ganderbal also recovered light to moderate rain.

Srinagar, June 28: Asserting that government orders about stocking LPG cylinders and vacating school buildings for security forces are creating panic in Kashmir, former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said, “unfortunately after all the lies last year even if the government explains these orders hardly any of us will take the assurances at face value.”
Meanwhile, people in the valley are anxious after two government orders, on stocking up of LPG cylinders for two months in Kashmir and on vacating of school buildings for the security forces in Ganderbal, surfaced in the wake of India-China face-off.
“Government orders are creating panic in Kashmir & unfortunately after all the lies & false assurances last year even if/when the government explains these orders hardly any of us will take the assurances at face value. That said they still need to explain these orders,” Omar, who is the Vice President of National Conference (NC) wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
An Advisor to Lt Governor G C Murmu has passed directions in a meeting on June 23, ‘to ensure sufficient stocks of the LPG in the Valley as the supply gets affected due to closure of the national highway on account of landslips’.
According to an order passed by the Director of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers, the oil companies should make adequate stocks of LPG that can last up to two months at bottling plants as well as godowns.
This is probably for the first time that the administration has decided to stock up LPG cylinders at the peak of summer.
Meanwhile, in a separate order, the Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal, has requested 16 educational institutes in the district, including middle and higher secondary schools, to be vacated. “In view of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2020, these educational centres be made available for accommodation of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies,” the order reads.