The Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) airstrip being used in the ongoing dispute in eastern Ladakh near the China border was reactivated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) without taking written permission of the government, says former Vice Chief Air Marshal (Retd) Pranab Kumar Barbora.

DBO is the world's one of the highest advanced landing grounds at an altitude of over 16,800 feet and its strip can be used for landing aircraft like the AN-32 and the C-130J Super Hercules.

"Since there was nothing in writing (about reactivating the airstrip), the government was informed through proper channel only after the landing was done and I returned from there," Barbora told ANI when asked about the reactivation of the airfield by the IAF without seeking permission from the government.

On how did the government react when they came to know that the airfield has been reactivated without their knowledge, Barbora said: "The government asked why did you do it? We said it is the Air Force's responsibility to maintain troops' logistics:"

He said that when the airstrip was reactivated by India, the Chinese wanted to hold discussions about it through a flag meeting but despite India agreeing to it, the Chinese never came to discuss it.

He said the then defence minister had also asked him what he would tell the Chinese if they raise questions about it during his visit to China where he was taking the earthquake relief supplies.

Barbora said the Chinese never raised the issue with the defence minister during that visit.

Elaborating on the reasons for not taking permission from the defence ministry, he said that after 1962 when it was opened, 'there were no more operations after 1965. So, practically three years we operate and when we had to close it down because we did not have an aircraft'.

Barbora said that in the older times after 1965, the proposal to reactivate the airfield had been rejected.

"So, 43 years had gone by, and there was no clearance to re-operate from there because of so many reasons and every time there was no no no ...," he said.

Barbora said that he had studied the project and 'I requested the field officer who was doing the para-dropping, etc., and flying transport through helicopters, to review everything'.   --  Ambuj Pandey/ANI

An inquiry has been initiated against staff of a private hospital in Rajasthan's Churu district after receiving screenshots of a purported WhatsApp chat in which they allegedly discussed about not attending to Muslim patients affected by COVID-19, police said on Sunday.

Screenshots of the chat between the hospital staff had gone viral following which an investigation has been initiated, they said.

Dr Sunil Choudhary, who runs the Srichand Baradiya Rog Nidan Kendra in Sardarshahar and whose staff purportedly wrote the messages, apologised through a Facebook post, saying the hospital staff did not have any intention to hurt any religious groups.

"We have received a complaint following which we are taking action to register FIR in the matter," Churu Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam said.

Sardarshahar police station SHO Mahendra Dutt Sharma said the police control room had received a complaint regarding screenshots of the chat being circulated on social media.

"We are inquiring into the matter. An FIR will be registered against the names mentioned in the WhatsApp chat," Sharma said.  -- PTI

Police have registered an first information report in connection with social media criticism of a recent high court verdict upholding the detention of Kashmir Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom under the Public Safety Act, a police official said on Sunday.

Information was received from reliable sources that certain comments were posted on social media in respect of a recent judgment by the division Bench of high court of J-K, dismissing the habeas corpus petition, the official said.

He said it prima facie appears that the social media comments were made with an intention to disrepute the high court, cause disharmony in the general public and shake their faith in the institution of judiciary.

The comments are also aimed to push the miscreants to cause public disorder in the society, he said.

"An FIR has been lodged under the relevant sections of law and further investigation has been initiated in the case," the official said.

On May 28, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Vinod Chatterjee Koul dismissed Qayoom's petition seeking his release, and suggested he appeal before the competent authority for his release if he undertakes to shun secessionist ideology.   -- PTI

Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally rose to 85,975 on Sunday after 3,007 news cases, a health official said.

With 91 more deaths, the state toll is now 3060, the official said.

Maharashtra has surpassed China's COVID-19 tally of 83,036 confirmed cases, the official said.

COVID tally in Maharashtra is as follows: Positive cases 85,975, recoveries 39,314, deaths 3,060, active cases 43,591, people tested 5,51,647.   -- PTI

A 37-year-old Central Reserve Police Force jawan suffering from cancer has succumbed to COVID-19, taking the total number of deaths due to the disease in the country's largest paramilitary force to three, officials said on Sunday.

They said the jawan, a constable of the 141st battalion, died at a hospital in  New Delhi on Friday.

The jawan was under treatment for oropharyngeal cancer since April and was later found infected with the novel coronavirus that claimed his life, the officials said.

This is the third death due to COVID-19 in CRPF, which has about 3.25 lakh personnel, and 11th among the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), or the paramilitary forces.

The Central Industrial Security Force has reported four deaths, the Border Security Force two and the Sashastra Seema Bal and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police one each.

The CAPFs, according to the latest data, had over 1,550 coronavirus cases, out of which more than 1,100 have recovered.

These forces, with a combined strength of about 10 lakh, are deployed in a variety of roles in internal security and border guarding domains under the Union Home Ministry.   -- PTI

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad on Sunday arrested an alleged arms supplier to Khalistani terrorists, a senior officer said.

Additional Director General of the ATS, Dhruva Kant Thakur, said, "The UP ATS has arrested Javed, an arms supplier to Khalistani terrorists, from Hapur. Javed is a resident of the Kithore area of Meerut. His interrogation is on and the Punjab Police has been informed about the arrest."

Thakur said Javed has also supplied illegal arms to criminals in Amritsar.

He was arrested following an input from the state special cell, Amritsar, the ADG said.

ATS officials said a number of pro-Khalistan terrorists have been caught in western UP and the Punjab Police was searching Javed for quite some time.

In May, in a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh ATS and the Special Operation Group of the Punjab Police, Tirath Singh, a suspected terrorist owing allegiance to the Khalistan movement was arrested from Thapar Nagar in Meerut.

He was handed over to the Punjab Police after interrogation.   -- PTI

Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has won the 2020 Richard Dawkins Award for critical thinking, holding religious dogma up to scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values.

Akhtar has become the first Indian to be given the honour, which recognises distinguished individual from the field of science, scholarship, education, or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism and upholding scientific truth.

Akhtar's wife, veteran actor Shabana Azmi said the award's relevance becomes more prominent especially in the current times when secularism is under attack.

"I am thrilled. I know what a hero Richard Dawkins has been for Javed. The award gains all the more significance because in today's time when secularism is being attacked by religious fundamentalists of all hues, this award comes as a validation of Javed's long service to rational thinking," Azmi told PTI.

The award is named after world-renowned English evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins.

Actor-comedian Ricky Gervais received the honour last year.

Bollywood celebrities Anil Kapoor ans Dia Mirza took to Twitter to congratulate the 75-year-old writer for the recognition.

'Knowing that Richard Dawkins has been your hero since you read The Selfish Gene, the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award must be extra special for you @Javedakhtarjadu Saab! It's a truly incredible honour! Congratulations!' Kapoor tweeted.

Dia said Akhtar's win is a proud moment for rhe country.

'Javed Akhtar Saab has won the the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. He is the only Indian to have won this award! @Javedakhtarjadu Congratulations! You make us proud,' Dia wrote.   -- PTI

Army has foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Naugam sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.

On the night of June 3, a patrol team of the Indian Army along the LoC spotted a group of Pakistani terrorists trying to infiltrate into Indian territory, an army spokesperson said.

He said on being challenged, the infiltrators retrieved back under the cover of darkness and inclement weather.

"In a hurry, the infiltrators left behind their rucksacks with winter clothing, batteries and other equipment to be used for their attempted crossing of the fence," he said.

The spokesperson said repeated attempts of infiltration in north Kashmir continue to be foiled by the alert and watchful Army units based on sound intelligence, thus blunting the nefarious designs of Pakistan to foment trouble in the Valley.   -- PTI

As many as 11 officials of Ministry of Labour and Employment have tested COVID-19 positive, according to a source.

The staff are being tested for COVID-19 after two employees found positive last week, which led to closure of Shram Shakti Bhawan that houses the ministry for two days on June 4 and 5 for sanitisation.

"A joint secretary, a steno, a principal private secretary, a private secretary, six multi task assistants and a driver have been tested COVID-19 positive in the Ministry of Labour and Employment," the source said.

The source also informed that the Labour Secretary Heeralal Samariya and an additional secretary have been found COVID-19 negative in initial testing. Shram Shakti Bhawan is expected to open on Monday after following standard operating procedures.

The government on last Wednesday ordered sealing of Shram Shakti Bhawan for two days.

Subsequently, the building, which also houses power and Jal Shakti ministries, was sealed on Wednesday evening for thorough sanitisation of the ministry's office and common areas.

All employees working in the building were asked to work from home on Thursday and Friday.

The closure of building for two days was part of standard operating procedure for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the SOP, if two or more than two employees are found COVID-19 positive then the entire building housing the ministry or department is sealed for sanitisation.  -- PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah continues to address virtual rally:

"There was a time when anybody used to enter our borders, beheaded our soldiers and Delhi's Durbar remained unaffected.

"Uri and Pulwama happened during our time, it was the Modi and the BJP government, we did surgical strikes and airstrike," Shah said.

"India's defence policy has gained global acceptance. The whole world agrees that after USA and Israel if there is any other country that is able to protect its borders, it is India," Shah said.

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Shah addresses 'Bihar Jansamvad Rally' through video conferencing:

Shah began by condoling loss of lives in the COVID-19 pandemic and praying for the recovery of those who are fighting the virus.

"I want to salute the crores of corona warriors who are fighting against the virus by risking their lives. Health workers, police personnel and others, I want to acknowledge their contribution," Shah said in the virtual rally.

He mocked the Rashtriya Janata Dal for beating utensils while staging a protest against his virtual rally.

"Some people welcomed our today's virtual rally by clanging 'thalis'. I am glad they finally heard PM Modi's appeal to show gratitude towards those fighting COVID19," he said.

He also said that his virtual rally has nothing to do with upcoming Bihar elections.

"This virtual rally is not an election/political rally but it is a rally to bring the people of the country together in our fight against #COVID19 pandemic," Shah said, slamming the opposition criticism.

  -- ANI

The Union culture ministry on Sunday approved opening of it's over 3,000 Archeological Survey of India monuments from June 8, Minister Prahlad Patel said.

He said all coronavirus-related protocols issued by the Union health ministry will be followed by the monument authorities.

The 3,691 centrally-protected monuments and archaeological sites maintained by the ASI were shut from March 17 in view of the COVID-19 crisis.

Sources said that e-tickets and wearing masks might be made the norm at such sites for visitors.  -- PTI

Nepal has reportedly sought foreign secretary-level talks with India via video conferencing.

However, it seems unlikely that India will agree at this stage when the Himalayan nation is all set to pass the Second Constitution Amendment Bill next week, which will give it a legal backing to the updated map that claims parts of the Indian territory.

Nepal watchers in New Delhi believe India has always offered talks but this depends on reasonableness- if Nepal unilaterally prejudges the situation then it is willfully complicating the prospects of any settlements through talks.

Nepal has fast-tracked the process of bringing the constitution amendment.

It is learned that K P Sharma Oli's government has secured the support of opposition Nepali Congress and is likely to pass the amendment with the desired two-third majority on June 9.

Even if Madhesi parties oppose the move, numbers are stacked in favour of the amendment.

Tension has been mounting between India and Nepal after New Delhi inaugurated a road linking Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh on May 8 after which Nepal handed over a diplomatic note to India objecting to the move.

Diplomatic ties between the two nations frayed further after the issuance of a new updated map by Nepal on May 20.

The controversial updated map includes Indian areas of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in its territory.

New Delhi has said that the updated map is 'not based on historical facts and evidence'.

New Delhi urged Kathmandu to refrain from such an 'unjustified cartographic assertion' and respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India had earlier said it attaches great importance to deep-rooted historical, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal.

New Delhi also said that it is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect in an environment of trust and confidence.

This is a continuous process and it requires constructive and positive efforts.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also expressed hope that Nepali leadership creates a positive environment for talks on a matter related to the border.

India and Nepal share a 1,800km (1,118-mile) open border.   -- ANI

At least 33 Maharashtra Police personnel, including an officer, have so far died of COVID-19, a police official said on Sunday.

As many as 2,562 police personnel have till now tested positive for the deadly disease in the state, he said.

"Out of these, 33 personnel, including 18 of the Mumbai Police force, died of the infection," he said.

As of now, the number of active cases in the state police force is 1,497, including 196 officers.

During the lockdown, 260 policemen were assaulted for which 841 people were arrested, the official said, adding that nearly 86 security personnel were injured in the attacks.

Besides, 45 health professionals were also attacked during the lockdown, he said.

Police registered 1,23,424 offences under Indian Penal Code Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), he said.

Also, 1,330 offences were registered for illegal transportation during the lockdown for which 23,866 people were arrested and over 80,000 vehicles seized.

The police collected fine worth Rs 6.62 crore for various offences, the official said.

Personnel at the police control rooms handled over one lakh calls of queries and complaints related to COVID-19 during the lockdown, he added.  -- PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the people of Odisha and West Bengal through virtual rallies on June 8 and June 9 respectively.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold virtual rallies tomorrow in Gujarat and Maharashtra respectively.

Notably, Shah is also scheduled to hold a similar virtual rally for Bihar today at 4 pm.

The party has chosen Bihar BJP's Facebook and YouTube pages for live streaming to reach out to the people residing in the 243 assembly segments of the state.  -- ANI

The Maharashtra government is yet to take a decision on opening religious places for devotees in the state as part of lockdown relaxations, an official said on Sunday.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last week said 'Unlock-1' will be initiated from June 8 under which the nationwide lockdown, enforced on March 25, will be relaxed to a great extent, including opening of shopping malls, restaurants and religious places, even as strict restrictions will be in place till June 30 in the country.

The MHA also asked the Union health ministry to issue standard operating procedures for these sectors after consulting other ministries, departments and other stakeholders to ensure social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.

However, the Maharashtra government, while last week extending the lockdown period till June 30, decided to keep religious places closed for some more period, and no fresh decision has been taken on it.

"A decision is yet to be taken on opening temples, mosques, churches and other religious establishments for people. There has been no decision so far on allowing people to gather at such places," Maharashtra's law and judiciary department secretary Rajendra Bhagwat told PTI.

Authorities of some prominent temples in Maharashtra also said they have not received any official communication on allowing shrines to be opened for devotees.

When contacted, Adesh Bandekar, chairman of the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust in Mumbai told PTI, "We have not received any communication from the state regarding opening of the temple. A meeting of the temple board is scheduled in the coming week."

"The trust will announce its decision once the state government issues fresh directives. We are currently creating facilities for maintaining social distancing once devotees are allowed to visit the temple," he said.

Bandekar said as of now, priests are following their routine and performing rituals at the temple, which is one of the most popular shrines in Mumbai and attracts hundreds of visitors on normal days.

Authorities of the Pune-based Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust and Vitthal Rukmini Temple Samiti in Pandharpur (in Solapur district) also said they have not received any communication for opening the religious places for public.

The Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh temple in Pune is quite popular among people and attracts over a million devotees every year.

The Vitthal Rukmini temple in Pandharpur attracts over two crore devotees in a year. During the Hindu month of Ashaadh, lakhs of 'warkaris' and other pilgrims from across the state walk to the temple.   -- PTI

The West Bengal government has said it will henceforth allow family members of a person who died due to COVID-19 to see the body and pay their respects.

Relatives of coronavirus fatalities in the state were not allowed to see the deceased thus far.

"The dead body should be kept at a suitable place for 30 minutes during which the family members shall be allowed to pay their last respects," a state government notification said on Saturday.

"In case of death of a patient, the hospital shall inform the family members within one hour of death. A body cover with transparent face area shall be used," it added.

However, the last rites will be performed by civic authorities.

Family members will be provided masks and gloves by hospitals concerned for seeing the body, the notification said.

The change in the practice is effective immediately, a senior official of the health department said.

The Calcutta high court had on Friday directed the state government to file a report on allegations that bodies of patients who succumbed to COVID-19 were not cremated or buried in a respectful manner.   -- PTI

Liquor in Delhi will be cheaper from June 10 as the Aam Aadmi Party government on Sunday decided to withdraw '70 per cent Special Corona Fee' on their sale in the national capital, an official said.

The government, however, increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all categories of liquor from 20 per cent to 25 per cent, the official said.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The 'Special Corona Fee' was imposed last month on the Maximum Retail Price of liquor bottle as the government looked to earn additional revenue, hit badly due to the coronavirus lockdown.  -- PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses the people:

Government, private hospitals in Delhi will only treat patients from the national capital, Kejriwal said, adding, "Over 90 per cent people want Delhi hospitals to treat patients from national capital during coronavirus pandemic."

By the end of the month of June, Delhi would need 15,000 beds, Kejriwal said.

If people from other cities come to Delhi for specific surgeries, they will be treated at private hospitals, he said.

Kejriwal said that Delhi's borders with UP and Haryana to be opened from Monday.

He also said that the Delhi government will be opening malls, restaurants and religious places in accordance with Centre's guidelines.

As a precautionary measure, the elderly people should have minimum interaction with their family members and others, especially children, as senior citizens are most vulnerable to COVID-19. Try and remain in a single room of your house, the CM said.  -- PTI

Setting an example, Inspector General of Police (Kanpur range) Mohit Agarwal got himself challaned for not wearing a mask in public.

Agarwal asked the Station House Officer of Barra police station, Ranjeet Singh, to fine him for stepping out without wearing a mask.

The SHO made the challan and handed over a copy to the IG who paid Rs 100 as fine on the spot.

Agarwal later told PTI that he had gone to Barra on Friday for inspection and had stepped out of his vehicle without a mask.

"I had discussion with the subordinates, including circle officers, and later realised my mistake that I was not wearing a mask," the IG added.

"I immediately took out my mask from my official vehicle and put it on," he said.

"But I felt it was ethical to get myself challaned and fined to set an example for police and public," he said.

The state government had said that a fine of Rs 100 would be levied on those not wearing face covers in public.

This was part of its measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the IG said.

The top brass of the state had also announced that they would strictly enforce the use of face masks by people.

It was also announced that any person disobeying the direction would be deemed to have committed an offence.  -- PTI

People should beat them with slippers, said Congress leader Hardik Patel said while commenting on media reports about some party MLAs joining the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.

"In last one month, BJP was indulged in horse-trading. They spent Rs 140 crore to Rs 150 crore. Had they spent this money to buy ventilators we could have saved some lives.

"I believe that those people (MLAs) who cheated common people due to their greed of money went there (in BJP). People should beat them up with slippers," Patel told ANI on Saturday.

"Why are they resigning ahead of elections? The Election Commission is also silent despite knowing everything. BJP is trying to secure a majority in Rajya Sabha. We will win two Rajya Sabha seats for sure," he said.

Ahead of Rajya Sabha elections which are scheduled to be held on June 19, three Congress MLAs have resigned from the legislature over the last few days.

Following the development, Congress has shifted its MLAs to different resorts in the state and Rajasthan. -- ANI

A tiger having the tendency to stray into residential areas has been brought to Bhopal's Van Vihar National Park where it has been kept in a quarantine facility, an official said on Sunday.

The tiger, named 'Saran', was first caged in December 2018 in Madhya Pradeshs Betul district after it strayed into a residential area from neighbouring Maharashtra.

It had killed two persons in Maharashtra's Amravati district in October 2018, an official from the Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal said.

Later, the feline wandered into territories of Madhya Pradesh and was rescued from a residential area of Sarani town in Betul, bordering Maharashtra, on December 11, 2018.

It was, however, given an opportunity to live in a natural habitat and released in the forest of Madhya Pradesh's Satpura Tiger Reserve, the official said.

"But, the striped animal continued to show the tendency of straying into residential areas," he said.

On February 10, 2019, it was again rescued from a residential area of Sarani and kept in an enclosure in the state's Kanha Tiger Reserve, the official said.

"After the failed attempt to rehabilitate the tiger in its natural habitat, the tiger was brought from the Kanha Tiger Reserve to the Van Vihar National Park on Saturday and is currently kept in a quarantine facility," he said.

With this, the number of tigers in the Van Vihar National Park has now gone up to 14, he added.   -- PTI

In a precautionary measure ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, after three of its legislators resigned from the Gujarat assembly, the Congress has shifted its 15 MLAs from central Gujarat to a resort near Anand.

Congress leader Bharat Singh Solanki has been entrusted with the responsibility of moving these MLAs. As the Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled to be held on June 19, three Congress MLAs have resigned from the legislature in the last few days. Following the development, party MLAs have been shifted to Aries Riverside Resort.

Solanki held talks with the MLAs staying at the hotel.

Earlier, some Gujarat Congress MLAs had on Saturday reached Wildwinds Resort at Abu Road in Rajasthan. 

India and China will continue the talks to resolve the weeks-long row along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, officials said.

A critical meeting was held on Saturday between Indian and Chinese military officials, led by lieutenant generals from both armies. The meeting took place in a cordial and positive atmosphere in the Chushul-Moldo region.

During the talks, India and China noted that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and agreed that an early resolution would contribute to the further development of the relationship.

Accordingly, the two sides will continue the military and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation and to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas, according to officials aware of the development.

Both sides agreed to peacefully resolve the situation in the border areas in accordance with various bilateral agreements, the people cited above said.

In recent weeks, India and China have maintained communication through established diplomatic and military channels to address the situation in areas along the border.

The talks on Saturday, however, ended up inconclusively. The meeting was held between general officer commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps, Lt Gen Harinder Singh met and his Chinese counterpart Major General Liu Lin, who is the commander of South Xinjiang Military Region of the People's Liberation Army.

Brazil's government has stopped publishing a running total of coronavirus deaths and infections in an extraordinary move that critics call an attempt to hide the true toll of the disease in Latin America's largest nation.

  

The move came after months of criticism from experts saying Brazil's statistics are woefully deficient, and in some cases manipulated, so it may never be possible to gain a real understanding of the depth of the pandemic in the country.

Brazil's last official numbers showed it had recorded over 34,000 deaths related to the coronavirus, the third-highest number in the world, just ahead of Italy. It reported nearly 615,000 infections, putting it at the second-highest, behind the United States. Brazil, with about 210 million people, is the globe's seventh most populous nation.

On Friday, the federal health ministry took down a website that had showed daily, weekly and monthly figures on infections and deaths in Brazilian states. On Saturday, the site returned but the total numbers of infections for states and the nation were no longer there. The site now shows only the numbers for the previous 24 hours.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tweeted Saturday that disease totals are not representative of the country's current situation.

India has become the fifth worst coronavirus-hit country in the world as it surpassed Spain, reporting a grand total of 2,46,628 cases of which 9,971 cases were reported in a single day on Saturday. 

The European country, a COVID-19 epicentre weeks ago, has 2,40,978 cases. Now, only the US, Brazil, Russia and the UK have more cases than India.

On Sunday, the health ministry data said India 9,971 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours in the biggest one-day spike so far. The country recorded 287 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking its toll to 6,929.

Though the count of recoveries has risen, India still has more than 1 lakh active cases across the country. The cases have been rising sharply, by 8,000 or more, for several days now.

A Delhi medical body has slammed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for "issuing warning" to hospitals amid rising cases of Covid-19 in the national capital, officials said.

The Delhi Medical Association, in a statement, also condemned the FIR filed against the authorities of the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a leading private facility that has been charged with "violating rules for registering coronavirus tests".

"Delhi Medical Association strongly condemns the way Delhi CM is warning the doctors and threatening the hospitals about COVID-19 patients admissions and tests," the DMA said.

"Doctors who are serving the people of Delhi tirelessly from last two months in this pandemic crisis risking their lives feel insulted by the way they are being treated," it said.

Kejriwal on Saturday warned of strong action against some private hospitals allegedly refusing admission to Covid-19 patients and involving in "black-marketing" of beds, and said his government is going to issue an order stating that hospitals cannot deny treatment to such people.

The decision comes in the wake of several complaints that people showing symptoms of coronavirus infection are not allowed to get admitted in various facilities. Several people had taken to social media to complain that they have been unable to get their relatives tested at Delhi hospitals or get them admitted. Kejriwal said his government has taken note of the matter and decided to deploy medical professionals at each private hospital to keep a tab on available beds.

The Delhi government will depute medical professionals at all hospitals who will update availability of beds for coronavirus patients at an official app and ensure admission of such patients, he said.

An encounter has started in Reban area of Shopian on Sunday, police and security forces are carrying out the operation.

Taking to Twitter, the Kashmir Zone Police informed about the development. 

More details in this matter are awaited. 

No gas leakage was found at given locations, however leakage smell was felt in Andheri, said chief fire officer PS Rahangdale of Mumbai Fire Brigade after complaints of the suspected gas leak was received by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation from residents on Saturday (midnight).

"No gas leakage was found at given locations. Further calls were received from Powai and leakage smell was felt in Andheri. Total 17 fire engines were deputed for the search of gas leakage & it was announced to not panic. Hazmat vehicles were ready for emergency," Rahangdale said. 

"Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mahanagar Gas Ltd, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers and Police were informed," he added.

Rahangade further said that the investigation is underway by senior officers.

Earlier, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said that the situation is under control adding that 17 fire appliances are on field equipped with public announcement system and ready for a response if required, after receiving complaints of suspected gas leak from residents of various parts of Mumbai.

"Situation is under control. All necessary resources have been mobilised. Origin of the smell is being investigated. 17 fire appliances are on field equipped with public announcement system and ready for response if required. #BMCUpdates," BMC tweeted.

Earlier BMC urged people not to panic or create panic.

"We've received a couple of complaints of suspected gas leak, from residents in Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli & Powai...Please don't panic or create panic. 13 fire appliances to monitor situation have been activated as precaution," BMC tweeted.

BMC said the origin of the smell is not traced yet.

India's top four metropolitian clusters -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai -- account for nearly half of the nationwide COVID-19 tally, which saw a a record surge of almost 10,000 on Saturday. These four have a similar share in the death toll, which is fast approaching the 7,000-mark.

After including three other major urban clusters hit by the COVID-19 pandemic -- Ahmedabad, Indore and Pune -- the seven of them together account for 60 per cent of overall confirmed cases and more than 80 per cent of the deaths across India, as per the latest data disclosed by various states and union territories.

While Mumbai is the worst-hit city in the country, Delhi and Chennai have also been hit hard. Other major urban clusters affected by the deadly virus outbreak include Ahmebdabad in Gujarat, Pune in Maharashtra and Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Kolkata has relatively lower numbers, but cases have been rising there in the recent past.

Together, these seven major urban clusters have reported close to 1.4 lakh confirmed cases and at least 5,665 deaths -- accounting for 59 per cent of the nationwide tally of positive cases and the death toll, respectively.