LIVE
Mon, 06 December 2021
13 intl pax in T'gana test negative for Omicron
Timeline Refresh
@PIBMumbai/Twitter
23:47 Chhatrapati Shivaji's thinking was futuristic: President Kovind
Describing Chhatrapati Shivaji's thinking futuristic, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said the 17th Century king had taken many decisions of far-reaching effect with the help of his council of ministers and also complimented the founder of the Maratha empire for building the country's first modern Navy.
The President began his four-day tour of Maharashtra by visiting the historic Raigad fort by ropeway. After paying tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji, President Kovind said his visit to this hill fort was like a sacred pilgrimage for him and all countrymen.
The Raigad fort, located 166 km away from Mumbai, was made the capital of the Maratha kingdom when Shivaji was coronated as king in 1674.
The President said that under the able leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the glory of the entire region increased and patriotic feelings re-emerged.
He noted that the character of Shivaji has been described very effectively in the 19th century Sanskrit work 'Shivraj-Vijayah'.
This book, he said, could be translated into various Indian languages so that people, especially the younger generation, can get acquainted with the great personality and unique work of Shivaji Maharaj.
"Chhatrapati Shivaji's thinking was futuristic. He took many decisions of far-reaching effect with the help of his council of ministers known as 'Ashta-Pradhan'," the President said.
"Chhatrapati Shivaji built the first modern navy of India," a statement quoting the President said.
The President reached the hill-fort by ropeway in view of opposition by some groups to the landing of his helicopter on the historic fort. He also visited the Jagdishwar temple and the samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
"For me and all Indians, this fort of Raigad is a sacred pilgrimage site," he said.
Kovind became only the second president to visit the Raigad fort. In 1985, the then President Giani Zail Singh had visited Raigad.
Earlier in the day, President Kovind arrived at Pune Airport where he was welcomed by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Minister of State for Protocol Aditi Tatkare and Mayor Murlidhar Mohol.
During his visit to Maharashtra from December 6 to 9, the President will visit the Air Force Station in Lohegaon in Pune on Tuesday, witness a flying display and interact with air warriors. He will present the President's Standard to the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron in Mumbai on Wednesday, the Rashtrapati Bhavan had said on Sunday.
Representational pic
22:47 13 intl pax in T'gana test negative for Omicron
All 13 passengers who were diagnosed with COVID-19 here after arriving from "at risk" foreign countries have tested negative for the new SARS-CoV-2 variant, Omicron, the state government said on Monday.
The 13 passengers arrived here since last week and were found to be positive for COVID-19 in the RT-PCR tests conducted at the international airport.
Their samples were sent for genome sequencing and it revealed that they were negative for Omicron, a state government bulletin said.
The government has strengthened the testing mechanism at the Hyderabad international airport, among other measures, in the wake of 'Omicron' threat.
RT-PCR tests are being conducted on passengers arriving from the 11 countries which have been declared "at risk" by the Centre, it said.
Meanwhile, Telangana on Monday logged 195 COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 6,77,138, while the toll rose to 4,000 with one more fatality.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 78, followed by Karimnagar and Medchal Malkajgiri districts (14 each), the bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 PM on Monday.
It said 171 people recovered, taking the cumulative number till date to 6,69,328.
The number of active cases nos stands at 3,810, the bulletin said.
It said 37,108 samples were tested, and the total number of samples tested till date was 2,88,01,263.
The samples tested per million population was 7,73,811.
The Case Fatality Rate in Telangana was 0.59 per cent and the recovery rate, 98.84 per cent.
22:39 Katrina, Vicky and family land in Jaipur ahead of wedding in Sawai Madhopur
Bollywood actors Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal arrived here on Monday night for their wedding to be solemnized at a hotel in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district.
Both of them and eight others arrived at the Jaipur airport in a chartered flight. Earlier in the day, some of the family members including one sister of Kaif and other guests arrived in different scheduled flights.
They left for the wedding destination by road, Jaipur airport sources said.
The wedding functions will begin from Tuesday in a fort, which has been converted into a luxury hotel in Sawai Madhopur.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in and around the hotel. The wedding functions will be held from December 7 to 10, Sawai Madhopur district administration officials said.
The wedding will reportedly be held at Six Senses Fort Barwara in Chauth Ka Barwara town of Sawai Madhopur.
Reports of Kaif, 38, and Kaushal, 33, dating have been doing the rounds for over a year, but the two actors never went public with their relationship.
Sawai Madhopur district collector Rajendra Kishan had said on Friday that a meeting of the district administration officials was organised to discuss the law-and-order arrangements for four days during the celebrity wedding.
Keeping in view the coronavirus pandemic situation, Kishan also said directions have been given that all guests should have got both the doses of vaccination.
"As far as we have been informed, there will be 120 guests for four days from December 7 to 10. RT PCR test is compulsory for those who have not taken vaccine doses," he had said.
Representational image
22:25 BJP parliamentary party to meet in Ambedkar centre
The BJP will hold its parliamentary party meeting at Ambedkar International Centre on Tuesday instead of the Parliament House Complex, official sources said.
The venue has been shifted due to repair works going on in the auditorium, where all party MPs meet, but the choice of the new place is also significant as the centre is dedicated to Dalit stalwart B R Ambedkar, whose death anniversary fell on Monday.
The BJP parliamentary party meets generally on every Tuesday when Parliament's session is underway. It, however, did not meet last week.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi usually addresses the MPs who are also briefed by senior party leaders on key issues.
Representational pic
21:58 Omicron: 5 merchant navy ship crew isolated in Goa
Five people, including two Russian nationals, who arrived in Goa on board a merchant navy ship were isolated after they tested positive for COVID-19 and their samples have been sent for genome sequencing to detect the presence of the Omicron variant, an official said on Monday.
State Epidemiologist Utkarsh Betodkar said the five are being treated as Omicron suspects and the genome sequencing reports are expected to arrive from Pune in neighbouring Maharashtra on Wednesday or Thursday.
"The ship had arrived in Goa on November 18 after leaving Cape Town in South Africa on October 31, and the two Russians had boarded it en route. The testing of crew first revealed one COVID-19 case and then five," he said.
The five have been isolated at the community health centre in Cansaulim as per Central government guidelines for such cases, he added.
21:20 No chance of lockdown: Delhi health minister
The Delhi government is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation arisen out of the Omicron variant, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Monday, even as he ruled out the possibility of a lockdown in the national capital.
Interacting with reporters, he said, the city government has already put in place a "graded response action plan", and it will be implemented accordingly, as and when the cases and positivity rate rise.
The Omicron variant is spreading out of a few countries, and "we are putting focus on testing, tracing and isolation of passengers" coming from foreign countries, especially the countries affected by the new variant.
He said the Delhi government authorities are "testing all people coming from the countries affected by the Omicron variant", and cautioned that this variant is far more transmissible than the Delta variant, adding the situation is being "closely monitored".
So far, a total of 27 people have been sent to LNJP Hospital, out of which 17 were found Covid-positive, and only one person has been confirmed to have been inflected with Omicron variant, and investigation is on to trace others, if any. All these patients have been admitted at the hospital, and many of them are asymptomatic, he told reporters.
The rest 10 people, who tested negative are those who came into close contact of people found Covid positive.
The genome sequencing of samples taken from 12 patients has been done, out of which only one was found positive with Omicron variant, and results of samples of rest five infected patients are expected in 2-3 days, he added.
Asked if there is a possibility of a lockdown, he said, the city government has already put in place a "graded response action plan", and it will be implemented accordingly, as and when the cases and positivity rate rise.
"There is no possibility of lockdown at the moment," he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Delhi health department.
In the last five months, positivity rate has hovered much below 0.50 per cent and daily cases have stood in the range of 30-60 or so, he told reporters.
According to the graded response system, when the positivity rate will reach to 0.50 per cent, that is, out of 1,000 people tested, five are positive, then the first level of this system will be implemented, the Delhi health minister said.
The second level will be implemented when we will reach to a positivity rate of 1 per cent, and the third level will be implemented at a positivity rate of 2 per cent, and the last stage or the 'red level' will be initiated when the positivity rate reaches 5 per cent, he added.
"Last time, the 'red level' response was implemented when we had reached a positivity rate of about 14-15 per cent. However, at present the cases of coronavirus in Delhi are much below 0.5 per cent, so no lockdown will be imposed right now," he said.
But, our efforts should be such that "we don't reach that stage of 0.5 per cent".
He asked people to wear masks and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
On vaccination, he said, over 93 per cent eligible people have received first doses, and second doses given to about 60 per cent of them.
He added, Everyone needs to be alert, as this variant is a very fast-spreading variant. It spreads even faster than the Delta variant. So we need to be more careful.
So, even those who are vaccinated, also need to follow Covid-appropriate behaviours, Jain said.
On the spread of Omicron variant, he added, "Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier written a letter to the Centre appealing to stop the flights coming from the countries affected by the Omicron variant for some time, but the Central Government did not do so".
"Last time, we appealed to the central government to stop the flights coming from abroad as soon as possible, but the central government delayed a lot in banning the flights coming from abroad, the result of which we have seen," Jain said.
Therefore, the "central government must consider our words and stop the flights coming from the countries affected by the Omicron variant for a few days," he was quoted as saying in the statement.
"This is the easiest and most efficient way to avoid Omicron variants. Delhi receives the maximum number of flights from abroad, so Delhi is most at risk from this," he said.
The country reported the first two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Karnataka. On Saturday, a 72-year-old NRI man from Gujarat and a 33-year-old man from Maharashtra had tested positive for the new strain.
A fully vaccinated man, in his 30s, who arrived in Delhi from Tanzania has tested positive for Omicron, the first case of the new COVID-19 variant reported in the national capital.
Katrina Kaif leaves for Rajasthan
20:54 Katrina, Vicky Kaushal leave Mumbai for wedding
Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif were seen jetting off to Rajasthan on Monday for their rumoured wedding festivities.
Katrina Kaif was spotted leaving her residence, dressed in a full-sleeved heavy yellow suit. Before sitting in her car, she also waved and smiled patiently for her fans and media.
Katrina's mother Suzanne Turquotte was also seen leaving, dressed in a simple, yellow suit. As per reports,
Vicky was seen at the Mumbai airport, wearing a peach printed shirt and tan trousers.
The Sardar Udham actor could be seen smiling and waving for the cameras.
The wedding festivities will reportedly take place at Six Senses Fort Barwara resort, Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan from December 7-9.
Earlier today, Katrina's sister Natacha along with other family members was seen at the Jaipur airport.
Fashion stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania, who is styling Katrina for her upcoming film Tiger 3, was also spotted at the airport.
Katrina's sister Isabelle was seen jetting off to Rajasthan with other relatives.
A source revealed that the guestlist for the wedding has been finalised at 120 members.
Filmmaker Kabir Khan, producer Amritpal Singh Bindra and director Anand Tiwari are likely to attend the high-profile wedding.
Last night, the paparazzi clicked Katrina, her mother and other family members outside Vicky's residence in Mumbai.
As per several reports, Salman Khan's personal bodyguard Shera's security team, Tiger Security Services, will be guarding Vicky and Katrina's wedding venue at Six Senses Fort Barwara.
While Katrina and Vicky's wedding rumours have been making headlines, the two have never confirmed their relationship. However, the duo has been spotted together at several events and occasions.
-- ANI
Representational pic
20:48 Ex-UP Shia Waqf Board chairman adopts Hinduism
Former UP Shia Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi on Monday converted to Hinduism at a ceremony in a temple here.
The ceremony took place at the Dasna Devi temple.
Now, he will be known as Jitendra Narayan Singh Tyagi, temple priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati said declaring his new name.
Rizvi earlier this year had stirred a controversy by approaching the Supreme Court, seeking the removal of 26 verses from the Quran. Rizvi had alleged that the verses "promoted terrorism".
During the ceremony, Rizvi recited "shlokas".
After the ceremony, he alleged that Muslims "expelled" him from the community and he may choose any religion.
"Sanatan Dharma is the best in the world. Muslims used to burn houses of Hindus," he said.
Rizvi said he converted to Hinduism on a "sacred day" as the Babri Masjid wad demolished on this date years ago.
He also claimed that Muslims do not form the vote bank of any party and back only those candidates who can defeat candidates of the Hindu ideology-based party.
He also urged the Hindu community to stay aware from the elements who "want to burn their houses and kill them".
The former Waqf Board chairman stressed that his family members are free to adopt Hinduism and are welcome if they do it.
During the ceremony, mediapersons or visitors were checked at the entry point of the temple by police, an official said.
20:28 Maharashtra pegs cost of RT-PCR test at Rs 700
The Maharashtra government has revised rates for COVID-19 RT-PCR tests conducted at private laboratories, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Monday, adding that Rs 350 will be charged for samples taken from collection centres.
Tope said on Twitter that for tests conducted at laboratories in hospitals, COVID care centres and quarantine centres, Rs 500 will be charged. A charge of Rs 700 will be applicable if a sample is collected from home, the minister added.
No private laboratory can seek more charges than these, the minister added.
Photograph: PTI Photo
20:10 NHRC notice to Centre, Nagaland on killing of civilians
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notices to the Centre and the Nagaland government over reports of killing of civilians during an alleged 'botched up operation' by the Army Para Commandos to target militants, officials said.
It triggered several incidents of arson, rioting and attack on soldiers and Assam Rifles camp, resulting in more injuries and deaths, including that of one soldier, the rights panel said in a statement.
The NHRC has 'taken suo motu cognisance of media reports on the killing of civilians when their vehicle was fired upon in an alleged botched-up operation by the Army Para Commandos, lying in wait for militants in Mon district of Nagaland late Saturday', it said.
The commission has issued notices to the defence secretary, Union home secretary, chief secretary and the Nagaland director general of police, seeking a detailed report in the matter within six weeks, the statement said.
The commission has also observed that it is 'incumbent upon the security forces ensuring proper precaution with a humane approach even if it involved the militants'.
The report is expected to include the status of the inquiry being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), the relief granted to the next of kin of the deceased, status of the medical treatment being provided to the injured and the cases registered against the persons, officers responsible for the incident, the statement said.
'According to the media reports carried on Monday, the state government has reportedly constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a probe into the matter. The Army has also instituted a court of inquiry to probe the circumstances that led to the tragic outcome of what was to be an operation targeting the alleged militants,' it added. -- PTI
19:53 2 more Omicron cases found in Maharashtra; total 10
Two more cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus -- a 37-year-old South Africa-returned man and his 36-year-old America-returned friend -- have been confirmed in Maharashtra, taking the total number of cases to 10 in the state, says the Maharashtra government.
More details awaited. -- ANI
19:21 4-member Cong delegation to visit Nagaland
The Congress on Monday constituted a four-member delegation to visit Nagaland and submit a report within a week on civilian killings in Mon district.
'Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) has constituted a delegation to visit Nagaland and report on the matters related to the recent killing of innocent citizens and sequential violence in Mon district in Nagaland,' an official communication from the party said.
The delegation comprises senior party leaders Jitendra Singh, Ajoy Kumar, Gaurav Gogoi and Anto Antony, it said.
'The delegation will submit a report to the Congress president within a week,' the party said.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said the party stands with the people of Nagaland.
Congress is on the ground in Oting Village, Tizit Assembly Constituency, Mon District.
W Aum Yim Vice President Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Nadang Konyak, President District Congress Committee Mon, president National Studensts' Union of India Dimapur Unit.
ACCC vice president, general secrecy ACCC Tizit and PCC president K Therie along with others participated in the Mon Town funeral that took place this morning, Rahul Gandhi said in a Facebook post.
Profound condolences to the families of those who've been killed in the incident. We are with you, #Nagaland, he said.
The party also demanded a discussion on the Nagaland incident in both houses of Parliament, where Home Minister Amit Shah made a statement on behalf of the government on Monday.
Security forces opened fire on civilians killing 14 and injuring 11 more in Nagaland's Mon district in three consecutive episodes, the first of which was a case of mistaken identity, police said on Sunday.
One soldier also died in rioting which followed. -- PTI
IMAGE: Coffins of the 13 people who were killed by security personnel, during their funeral in Mon district, on Monday, December 6, 2021. Photograph: PTI Photo
19:03 Pak delegation in India to attend SCO cyber security seminar
A Pakistani delegation arrived here on Monday to participate in a cyber security seminar being hosted by India under the framework of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).
The Pakistan High Commission said its Charge d'Affaires Aftab Hasan Khan received the delegation at the mission.
India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.
'Today at the High Commission, Cd'A Aftab Hasan Khan received Pakistan's delegation participating in Cyber Security Seminar being held in New Delhi from 7-8 December 2021,' the High Commission tweeted.
'The seminar is being organised under the auspices of SCO-RATS. Mission's diplomats also interacted with guests,' it said.
The visit by the Pakistani delegation comes amid continued strain in ties between the two countries over a variety of issues.
The eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has emerged as one of the largest trans-regional international organisations.
India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.
The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. -- PTI
18:40 Putin@Delhi: India is a great power
Update: PM Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in New Delhi.
Putin says, "We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation, and a time-tested friend. The relations between our nations are growing and I am looking into the future.
"Currently, mutual investments stand at about $38 billion with a bit more investment coming from the Russian side. We cooperate greatly in military and technical sphere like no other country. We develop high technologies together as well as produce in India.
PM Modi says, "Despite the challenges posed by COVID, there is no change in the pace of growth of India-Russia relations. Our special & privileged strategic partnership continues to become stronger.""
Earlier PM Modi told Putin, "In the last few decades, the world witnessed many fundamental changes and different kinds of geopolitical equations emerged but the friendship of India and Russia remained constant."
18:25 India, Russia friendship constant: PM meets Putin
PM Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in New Delhi
PM Modi says, "Despite the challenges posed by COVID, there is no change in the pace of growth of India-Russia relations. Our special and privileged strategic partnership continues to become stronger.
"In the last few decades, the world witnessed many fundamental changes and different kinds of geopolitical equations emerged but the friendship of India and Russia remained constant," Modi says.
The relation between India and Russia is truly a unique and reliable model of interstate friendship, Modi added.
18:09 Modi welcomes Putin to Delhi
PM Narendra Modi receives Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House. The two leaders will hold the 21st annual India-Russia summit.
Putin, who has not travelled much outside Russia during the pandemic, is making the trip to Delhi, at a time when the pandemic is still raging in his country. He has only travelled to Geneva for the summit meeting with US President Joe Biden. This is his second visit outside Russia this year, say reports.
17:59 85% of Indians have got 1st Covid vax dose: Govt
Eighty-five per cent of India's eligible adult population has received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday.
The cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country have exceeded 127.93 crore.
"Another Day, Another Milestone. 85% of the eligible population inoculated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. With PM NarendraModi ji's mantra of 'Sabka Prayas', India is marching ahead strongly in the fight against COVID-19," Mandaviya said in a tweet.
The minister on Sunday had said that over 50 per cent of India's eligible adult population was now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
With the administration of 24,55,911 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 127.93 Cr (1,27,93,09,669) as per provisional reports till 7 am, the health ministry said on Monday morning. This has been achieved through 1,32,86,429 sessions.
Representational image
17:48 38,408 schools, 2.86 lakh anganwadis don't have toilets: Govt
As many as 38,408 schools and 2,86,310 anganwadi centres across the country do not have functional toilets, the Union government informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Replying to a question of NCP MP Vandana Chavan in the Upper House, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Prahlad Singh Patel also said that 2,85,103 schools do not have handwashing facilities.
The minister said 6,50,481 schools sourced drinking water from handpumps, while 61,627 schools got it from unprotected wells.
He added that 82,708 schools received drinking water from protected wells, while 4,15,102 schools had tap water supplies. As many as 68,374 schools supplied packaged or bottled drinking water, while 1,74,632 schools accessed drinking water from "other sources".
Of the 2,86,310 anganwadi centres without functional toilets, the maximum of 53,496 were in Maharashtra followed by 40,444 in Odisha. In Rajasthan, 29,098 anganwadi centres did not have toilet facilities, while in Assam 22,819 centres lacked such facilities, Patel said.
In West Bengal, 20,884 anganwadi centres did not have toilet facilities, followed by Telangana (18,072), Andhra Pradesh (14,731), Karnataka (13,518), Uttar Pradesh (12,891), Jharkhand (12,883). According to data from the states/Union Territories 47,022 tests for quality of water have been conducted in schools and anganwadi centres, using Field Test Kits during 2021-22, Patel said.
17:35 Lankan factory manager's lynching: Body sent to Colombo
The remains of Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana -- a Sri Lankan factory manager who was lynched in Pakistan last week -- were sent to Colombo on Monday, reported local media.
The Sri Lankan embassy officials arrived at the hospital to escort Diyawadana's body to the airport and laid flowers over it, reported Geo News. The body had been shifted to Lahore from Sialkot. The last rites of Priyantha will be performed upon the arrival of his body in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, seven more suspects were arrested in connection with the lynching of Diyawadana.
A total of 131 suspects have been arrested so far. On Friday, a mob in Pakistan's Sialkot had tortured Diyawadana to death before burning his body in Sialkot over alleged blasphemy.
The incident took place in the Wazirabad Road area. Reportedly, the workers of the private factory attacked the export manager Diyawadana and burnt his body after killing him, Dawn newspaper reported.
Several videos doing rounds on the internet showed scores of men gathered at the site. -- ANI
17:27 Covid boosters for healthcare workers, urges IMA
Update: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday urged the government to announce "additional" doses of Covid vaccine for healthcare, frontline workers and immunocompromised individuals.
21 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in India so far.
The IMA also demanded that the government expedite the proposal of vaccinating individuals aged 12 to 18 years.
At a press conference, the doctors' body said that cases of the latest variant of coronavirus were reported from a number of major states of India and the tally, which is in the double digits, is bound to increase.
With the scientific evidence available and the experience noted in countries of origin, it is evident that the Omicron variant will have high penetrability and will affect more people, the IMA claimed.
"At a time when India is limping back to normalcy, this is a great setback. If we do not take adequate measures, we may have a massive third wave," it said. Noting that India has crossed 1.26 billion vaccinations, with over 50 per cent of the adult population vaccinated at least with one dose, the IMA said vaccination has proved that it will prevent severe forms of infection.
"So, if we can altruistically be focused on vaccination, India can definitely overcome the impact of Omicron. IMA earnestly appeals to everyone concerned to take the vaccination as priority agenda and focus attention to reach all the unreached and also ensuring the second dose is given to all the needy."
"At this juncture, IMA also appeals to the government to officially announce additional dose (of vaccine) be given to healthcare, frontline workers and immunocompromised individuals to augment the immunity," the doctors' body said.
Omicron has proved to be less potent in causing severe infections but definitely five to 10 times more contagious than the Delta variant. Hence the government and all stakeholders should take proper steps to control the contagion by enhancing immunisation, the IMA stressed in a press release.
17:08 Kangana seeks more time to face Delhi House panel
Actor Kangana Ranaut has sought more time to appear before the Delhi Assembly's Peace and Harmony Committee over her alleged hateful posts on social media, panel chairperson Raghav Chadha said on Monday.
Chadha said the revised date of her appearance before the committee will be decided later.
The committee had last month issued a notice summoning Ranaut to depose before the panel on December 6 after complaints cited an alleged offensive and derogatory Instagram story posted by her. The actor has cited personal and professional reasons for her unavailability on Monday.
"Kangana Ranaut has sought more time to appear before the Peace and Harmony Committee of the Delhi Assembly. She has cited some personal as well as professional reasons for her non-availability today, Chadha said. He added that the actress has sought a fresh date for her appearance before the committee to aid and assist it in its ongoing proceedings.
"The committee has taken cognisance of this request of Kangana Ranaut. In due course we will let her know the new date of her appearance, Chadha said. Last month while issuing the notice to the actor, the committee in a statement said that complaints claimed that Ranaut, in her Instagram story, labelled the Sikh community as 'Khalistani terrorists'.
"A complaint mentions that on November 20, Ranaut posted a story that read, 'Khalistani terrorists may be arm-twisting the government today... But let's not forget one woman... The only woman prime minister ne inn ko apni jooti ke neeche crush kiya tha', the panel had said.
16:47 Around 10,000 vacancies in armed forces: Govt
The Army has 7,476 vacant posts of officers while the Navy and Air Force have 1,265 and 621 such vacancies, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said on Monday.
In his written response to a question in Rajya Sabha, the minister also said that for "airmen, sailors, junior commissioned officers and other ranks", there are 97,177 vacant posts in the Army, 11,166 vacant posts in the Navy and 4,850 vacant posts in the IAF.
On the question of which regiments of the Army have the maximum vacancies, he responded: "The deficiency is spread across all arms and services of the Indian Army." Bhatt said the government has taken a number of measures to reduce the shortages.
More testing, stepping up vaccination and boosters will help, say experts
16:25 Sensex nosedives 949 points on Omicron scare
Equity benchmark Sensex plummeted 949 points on Monday as concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant in the country triggered a sell-off across sectors.
According to market experts, Indian shares fell as the country recorded more cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus over the weekend.
The 30-share BSE Sensex ended 949.32 points or 1.65 per cent lower at 56,747.14. Similarly, the NSE Nifty slumped 284.45 points or 1.65 per cent to 16,912.25.
All Sensex components ended in the red. IndusInd Bank was the top loser, shedding nearly 4 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finserv, Bharti Airtel, TCS, HCL Tech and Tech Mahindra.
15:47 Nagaland killings: SIT report in a month, says HM
Update of Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on the firing on civilians in Nagaland:
"Situation was monitored yesterday. MHA immediately sent Additional Secretary in-charge of the northeast to Kohima where he today held a meeting with the Chief Secretary, other senior officials and senior officials of the paramilitary forces.
"The situation was reviewed in detail. It has been decided that all agencies should ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not take place again in the future while taking up such drives.
"The government is monitoring the incident minutely and necessary remedial measured are being taken to ensure peace in the area.
"Current situation is tense but under control. On 5th December, Nagaland DGP and Commissioner visited the site. A FIR was registered and keeping the seriousness of the situation in mind, the probe was handed over to the State Crime Police Station.
"A SIT has been formed and has been directed to complete the probe within a month."
The Indian Army has expressed regret over the incident and said it is being investigated at the highest level.
A day after the civilian killings by security forces, the state government on Sunday prohibited all mobile internet, data services, bulk SMS of all providers in the entire area of Mon district with immediate effect.
Image: Nagaland Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom meets patients injured in the firing at Oting. Pic: ANI
15:35 There will never be another like you, writes Vinod Dua's daughter
On Saturday, veteran journalist Vinod Dua, passed away in a hospital in New Delhi. For more on that read this.
His daughter, stand-up comic, Mallika Dua, shared this moving post on Instagram, yesterday. If you haven't read it, do:
"There will never be another like you. My first and best friend. My Papaji. Very few live as large and glorious a life as you did. Always up for a good time. Always ready for a challenge. Loved a good fight (laugh emoji). Always there for his children. A self made, lion-hearted legend who roared in rebellion till his last breath. He feared nothing, least of all death. Thank you for being the BEST dad in the world. I'm sure you and mama are eating chapli kebab and discussing "Yeh Mallika itna kyun ladti hai sabse. Kaise manage karegi (laugh emoji)'
"The most courageous, irreverent , compassionate and funny man I know. What a guy. An ordinary boy born in Nabi Karim who took on the high and mighty and won, till the end. Padmashree Vinod Dua. Even at your weakest, you gave Indian Journalism a landmark judgment. Journalists in India can no longer be randomly slapped with a sedition case because Vinod Dua fought that fight for them, as he always has.
"Heaven is just so f*****g lucky, it has my whole entire life. We won't live in fear and grief forever. We will live with pride and gratitude because look at the extraordinary parents we got. I wouldn't trade my destiny for anything. It gave me Vinod and Chinna. Nobody gets double lucky. Bohot Umda (hug emoji)."
The last rites of the pioneering television journalist, who was hospitalised with Covid earlier this year and lost his wife, radiologist Padmavati 'Chinna' Dua, to the virus in June, was performed at the Lodhi crematorium on Sunday.
15:21 IMA asks for booster Covid shots
The government continues to turn a deaf ear to studies as well as pleas by scientists to begin administering booster shots for Covid-19. Now, the IMA also asks for boosters.
"It's important that all healthcare workers and frontline workers should be given vaccine booster doses to enhance their immunity. We are lacking in the area of manpower as NEET-PG counseling is getting delayed. The PM should step in to stop this delay," says Dr JA Jayalal, President, IMA on the Omicron variant infections in the country.
15:17 Case of mistaken identity: HM on Nagaland killings
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reads out his statement on the Nagaland firing incident in both the Houses of the Parliament.
"Army had received information on the movement of extremists in Oting. On that basis, 21 commandos laid an ambush in the suspected area. A vehicle reached there, it was signalled to stop, but it tried to flee. On suspicion that the vehicle was carrying extremists, it was fired upon.
"Six out of eight people in the vehicle died. It was later found to be a case of mistaken identity. Two others who were injured were taken to the nearest health centre by the army.
"After receiving news of this, local villagers surrounded the army unit, set two vehicles on fire and attacked them.
"As a result, one jawan died and many other jawans were injured. Security forces had to resort to firing for self-defence and to disperse the crowd. This caused the death of seven more civilians, while some others were injured. Local administration and police tried to bring the situation to normalcy."
14:46 Major General to probe Nagaland civilian killings
The Indian Army has instituted a Court of Inquiry to probe the Nagaland civilian killings under a Major General-rank officer, sources said on Monday.
Army sources told ANI, "Indian Army has instituted a Court of Inquiry to probe the Nagaland civilian killings under a Major General-rank officer. The officer is posted in the northeast sector only."
An Army Special Forces unit was involved in the firing after they received intelligence inputs about the movement of NSCN (KY) terrorists in the Mon district.
According to sources, "the troops opened fire at the vehicle when it was passing through a second ambush party deployed in the area. In the first instance, six civilians died while claiming to defend themselves, the troops fired at aggressively agitating civilians in which another seven to eight lost their lives."
Image: The the site where 13 civilians were killed by armed forces in an anti-insurgency operation in Nagaland. Pic: ANI
Thermal screening at Patna airport
14:31 Apocalypse now
"Omicron makes it clear that there will be no going back to the unselfconscious sociability that used to define normal life. One explanation for the many mutations that make up Omicron was that the variant was created when the virus moved from a human to an animal host and then moved back, transformed. Another news story reported on deer that were infected by the virus but didn't show any clinical symptoms, which is to say, they weren't sick. We would give a lot to be those deer."
Mukul Kesavan on how Omicron is a reminder of our common humanity. Read the column here.
A separate ward has been set up for Omicron patients in this hospital
14:27 Centre repeating mistake, stop flights: Delhi govt
Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Monday said there is a need to stop international flights in view of rising cases of Covid-19 Omicron variant.
He alleged that similar negligence was seen in the second wave as well.
"The new variant is coming from abroad, there is a need to stop the flights coming from abroad, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also made this appeal. The same negligence was seen during the last wave as well," said Jain in a press conference.
"All international travellers from affected nations being tested. 27 have been brought to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital so far, 17 of them tested positive and 10 are their close contacts. Genome sequencing of 12 out of 17 people done and 1 of them has been detected to have Omicron," he said while talking about the first case of Omicron in Delhi.
"The condition of the one who is Omicron positive is fine as of now. The report of his second test done for confirmation had also come positive," he added.
"All patients are stable, many do not even have symptoms. The rest of the report will come by tomorrow," he stated. "It is our endeavour to prevent the spread of Omicron in any way through those coming from the airport," he further stated. -- ANI
Travellers queue up to get tested for Covid
13:58 Now, a chewing gum to reduce Covid transmission
A team of researchers has developed a chewing gum that is laced with a plant-grown protein serving as a "trap" for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and could reduce its transmission.
The study has been published in the 'Molecular Therapy Journal'. The work, led by Henry Daniell at Penn's School of Dental Medicine and performed in collaboration with scientists at the Perelman School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine, as well as at The Wistar Institute and Fraunhofer USA, could lead to a low-cost tool in the arsenal against the COVID-19 pandemic.
"SARS-CoV-2 replicates in the salivary glands, and we know that when someone who is infected sneezes, coughs or speaks some of that virus can be expelled and reach others," said Daniell.
"This gum offers an opportunity to neutralize the virus in the saliva, giving us a simple way to possibly cut down on a source of disease transmission," he added.
Vaccinations for COVID-19 have helped change the course of the pandemic but haven't stamped out transmission. Even people who are fully vaccinated can still become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and, according to recent research, can carry a viral load similar to those who are unvaccinated. -- ANI
The NCB has been accused of going after soft targets.
13:55 NCB should meet international obligations
The NCB could detect only 385 cases in 2019 under the NDPS Act, whereas our police forces had registered 72,779 cases during that year.
The NCB was created in 1986 as a coordinating agency to monitor enforcement, the powers of which were scattered in the Indian Penal Code, Drugs & Cosmetics Act, Customs Act and the NDPS Act and enforced by a plethora of agencies such as the police, Customs, BSF, Coast Guard and Sashastra Seema Bal.
Read the report here
13:31 Nutrition of children hit during pandemic, says survey
A recent survey by the women and child development department has revealed that the number of children suffering from malnutrition has increased twofold during the closure of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) centres following Covid-19, prompting the Bengal government to take urgent measures to ensure food supply to the doorsteps of mothers.
Read the report here.
13:30 India tells Russia about unprovoked aggression on north border
At its inaugural '2+2' defence and foreign ministerial dialogue with Russia, India on Monday listed "extraordinary militarisation" in its neighbourhood and "unprovoked aggression" along its northern border among major challenges facing the country.
In his opening remarks at the talks, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that India is confident of overcoming the challenges with a strong political will and an inherent capability of its people.
Besides Singh, the talks are being attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and Russian Defence Minister Gen Sergey Shoigu.
"The pandemic, the extraordinary militarisation and expansion of armament in our neighbourhood and unprovoked aggression on our northern border since early summer of 2020 have thrown in several challenges," the defence minister said.
Singh, however, did not mention China while referring to the unprovoked aggression in eastern Ladakh. Noting that India's development needs are colossal and its defence challenges are "legitimate, real and immediate", he said India seeks partners that are sensitive and responsive towards the country's expectations and requirements. -- ANI
Image: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and EAM Dr S Jaishankar with Russian Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
13:10 Goa party with 1 MLA joins hands with TMC
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) on Monday announced that it would contest the forthcoming Goa Assembly elections in alliance with the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.
Addressing a press conference, MGP president Deepak Dhavalikar said their party's central committee resolved to have an alliance with the TMC for the state polls due early next year. Details like who would be chief ministerial face (of the alliance) would be worked out later, he said.
The MGP, which had won three seats in the 2017 polls to the 40-member Goa Assembly, is currently left with only one MLA after two of its legislators joined the ruling BJP.
The TMC has already decided to contest the Goa Assembly polls and expressed confidence that it will do well in the elections.
Dhavalikar said both the parties have joined hands to provide good governance to people of the state. There is a wave against the BJP. People want a change and we will be able to form government in the state, he claimed.
Dhavalikar said an impression was being created that the MGP did not have any option other than the BJP.
"We have always been criticising the BJP. We were in talks with all other parties like the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress and the TMC," he said.
The MGP chief claimed 60 per cent o In the 2017 Goa Assembly polls, the Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 17 seats in the 40-member House. But, the BJP at that time forged an alliance with some regional outfits and independent legislators to form government. The Congress currently has only four legislators in the state. PTI
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma
13:02 AFSPA should be repealed: Meghalaya CM
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said that the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 should be repealed as he joined the growing chorus for withdrawal of the law amid the civilian killings in Nagaland.
Civil society groups, rights activists and political leaders of the Northeast region have been demanding the withdrawal of the "draconian" law for years, alleging excesses by security forces with impunity under the cover of the Act.
AFSPA confers special powers on the armed forces in areas deemed as disturbed.
"AFSPA should be repealed," tweeted Sangma, whose NPP is an ally of the BJP. The state Congress also supported the chief minister, urging him to convene a meeting for consultation over the issue.
"We must go all out to demand immediate repeal of this draconian oppression on our people. Kindly convene a consultation at the earliest," Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh tweeted in reply to Sangma.
The AFSPA is in force in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur (excluding Imphal Municipal Council area), Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang, Longding, Tirap districts and areas falling within the of eight police stations at the Assam border. The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) also demanded that the AFSPA be withdrawn for building a peaceful Northeast.
"We call upon the Government of India to reign in their Armed Forces if they really wish the peace to prevail in the Region as incidents like these will only bring instability, which is not a good sign for the region as a whole," HYC general secretary Roykupar Synrem said.
12:57 Mapped: Covid numbers across India
Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Karnataka are top five states for Covid-19 infection in India.
12:38 India, Russia sign deal for 6L AK-203 rifles
India and Russia on Monday signed the agreements for the procurement of 6,01,427 7.63x39mm assault rifles AK-203 through Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd, under the military-technical cooperation arrangement for 2021-31.
This deal was signed following the meeting between Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu.
Another agreement was signed on Protocol on amending agreement on cooperation in the field of Kalashnikov series small arms manufacturing dated February 18, 2019.
Underlining the importance of the time-tested relations between India and Russia, Rajnath Singh had said that defence cooperation is one of the most important pillars of the bilateral partnership and thanked Russia for its strong support.
"Defence cooperation is one of the most important pillars of our partnership. India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) is a well-established mechanism for the past two decades. I hope the India-Russia partnership will bring peace to the entire region and provide stability to the region," said Singh in his opening remarks during a meeting with Sergey Shoigu. Rajnath Singh also appreciated Russia's strong support for India.
"Our close cooperation is not targeted against any country. We hope that our partnership will bring peace and prosperity to the entire region," he added. -- ANI
States have upped testing across the board
12:14 Relatives of Omicron patient in Guj test +ve too
The wife and brother-in-law of an NRI man, who had been found infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Gujarat, have tested positive for coronavirus.
Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing, officials said on Monday.
Both of them were shifted to an isolation ward, said a release issued by the Jamnagar Municipal corporation.
On December 4, the genome sequencing established that the 72-year-old NRI man, who arrived here from Zimbabwe, one of the "at-risk" countries, had contracted the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The man, who had taken both the doses of a Chinese vaccine in Zimbabwe, is currently at an isolation ward of a hospital in Jamnagar.
His wife, who came with him from Zimbabwe, and his brother-in-law, who lives in Jamnagar, tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, while the other family members tested negative, the Jamnagar civic body said.
The samples of the duo were sent to Gandhinagar for genome sequencing, to find out whether they are infected with the Omicron variant or not, it said.
As a precautionary measure, the municipal corporation has declared the residential society, where the NRI's family resides, a micro-containment zone and restricted the movement of people there by putting barricades.
On Sunday, Municipal Commissioner Vijaykumar Kharadi visited the society along with the corporation's health officials and asked them to conduct door-to-door surveys and testing in the area to find out positive cases.
As directed, officials also started the exercise of administering COVID-19 vaccine to people in the area who have not taken the first or second dose till date, the release said, adding that the entire area was also sanitised.
Till Sunday, India reported 21 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 - including from places in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Delhi.
Karan Johar is a father to twins through surrogacy
12:04 Mansukh Mandaviya to table Surrogacy Bill in RS today
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare of India Mansukh Mandaviya is scheduled to move 'The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2020' in Rajya Sabha on Monday for consideration and passage.
The Bill seeks to constitute the National Surrogacy Board, State Surrogacy Boards and appointment of appropriate authorities for regulation of the practice and process of surrogacy, as passed by Lok Sabha and as reported by the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha.
The winter session of Parliament is scheduled to conclude on December 23.
11:43 India, Russia hold 2+2 defence dialogue
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu.
The two leaders will take part in the first 2+2 ministerial dialogue between India and Russia today.
"India and Russia relations are time-tested, based on a common interest in multilateralism, global peace, prosperity and mutual understanding and trust," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says in his opening remarks during the meeting with Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu.
"The annual India-Russia Summit today in the emerging geopolitical circumstances once again reconfirm the critical importance of special strategic partnership between our countries.
"Defence cooperation is one of the most important pillars of our partnership. I hope the India-Russia partnership will bring peace to the entire region and provide stability to the region," Singh said.
11:36 Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi jailed for 4 years
Myanmar court jails ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi for four years for inciting dissent against the military and breaching Covid rules. Details awaited.
Booster vax doses have begun in several nations but not India
11:34 43 students Covid+ve in Telangana after annual day
Forty-three students of Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences at Bommakal in Karimnagar district of Telangana have tested positive for Coivd-19 after the college held a annual day function.
Authorities have now suspended classes and shut down the campus.
The annual day function was held over a week ago, and could have been the source of so many students getting infected.
Amid rising 'Omicron' threat, cases of the new variant of coronavirus might increase between January and February in Telangana, said State Director of Public Health and Family Welfare Srinivas Rao on Sunday.
Rao said, "As we have seen in South Africa, The Omicron varient is increasing with four times the intensity to 16 times within a span of 1 week to 10 days.
"Since the past two days it is stable, but with this variant the hospitalization rate and the death rate is low, which is a big relief.
"But this variant has a characteristic of fast-spreading,and we should be very careful.
"From 10 countries, the variant has spread to 35 countries with 450 or 500 cases, so we have to wait and watch hos the variant is going to behave in the coming days.
"So with that assumption and epidemiological perspective we expect a bit of a surge in January or February in our country and state," said the health Director.
Rao added that the surveillance mechanism has been strengthened at the international airport in Hyderabad.
The historic Babri Masjid
11:20 29 years ago Babri demolished: Security upped
On the anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid on Monday, security arrangements have been tightened in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Grover.
To avoid any untoward incident, security forces in huge numbers have been deployed across the city.
"To maintain law and order, security has been tightened in Mathura. The city has been divided into superzones, zones and sectors. Several security forces have been deployed. Drones and CCTVs are being used to keep a check on the law and order situation. We are also keeping an eye on social media posts inciting violence. Strict action will be taken," said the SSP.
Superintendent of Police Martand Prakash Singh informed that security has been stepped up.
"Security has been tightened in Mathura. Security forces have been deployed at 145 checkpoints. An eye is being kept on suspected people and vehicles," the SP said. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is already in place in Mathura prohibiting the assembly of four or more people. -- ANI
File pic
11:04 Safdarjung hospital doctors boycott emergency, OPD
And another boycott: Resident doctors of Safdarjung hospital boycotted emergency services along with Out-Patient Department (OPD) in view of the delay in NEET PG Counselling on Monday.
Director-General of Health Services, Sunil Kumar interacted with protesting Resident Doctors of Safdarjung Hospital, who have boycotted Emergency Services in this hospital.
He appealed to them for calling off the protest for a few hours.
On Sunday, resident doctors of the RML Hospital informed that they have decided to boycott emergency services and OPD service from that day due to "repeated delay in NEET PG Counselling 2021".
Shashi Tharoor in solidarity with MPs last week
11:01 Tharoor won't host TV show over MPs' suspension
Expressing solidarity with the 12 suspended Rajya Sabha MPs, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday said he has decided to suspend hosting of a talk show on Sansad TV until the suspension of the legislators is revoked and a "semblance of bipartisanship restored to the conduct of Parliament".
Tharoor has been hosting the talk show "To The Point" on Sansad TV. "I believed that my accepting Sansad TV's invitation to host a show was in the best traditions of India's parliamentary democracy, reaffirming the principle that our political differences did not prevent us, as Members of Parliament, from participating fully in various parliamentary institutions which belong to us all," the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said.
"However, the prolonged suspension of 12 MPs from the Rajya Sabha, expelled in an arbitrary manner for actions committed during a previous session, has called into question the very assumption of a bipartisan spirit animating the work of Parliament," he said.
Tharoor said that in solidarity with the protesting MPs, he has decided to suspend hosting of the talk show "To the Point" on Sansad TV until such time as the suspensions of MPs are revoked and a "semblance of bipartisanship restored to the conduct of Parliament and the functioning of Sansad TV".
His statement comes a day after Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who is among the 12 suspended Rajya Sabha MPs, said she has stepped down as the anchor of the Sansad TV's show "Meri Kahaani". -- PTI
10:29 Shah to make statement on Nagaland firing in Parliament
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will give a statement on the Nagaland firing incident in both the Houses of the Parliament on Monday.
Some Naga youth were reportedly killed in Oting village of Nagaland's Mon district on Saturday when they were allegedly fired at by security forces, who suspected them to be terrorists.
Reportedly, irked villagers torched vehicles of security forces and some people were reportedly shot when security forces opened fire to control the irate mob.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday ordered a high-level probe into the reported killings of civilians by security forces and the government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the matter.
The Indian Army has expressed regret over the incident and said it is being investigated at the highest level.
A day after the reported civilian killings by security forces, the state government on Sunday prohibited all mobile internet, data services, bulk SMS of all providers in the entire area of Mon district with immediate effect.
Shah on Sunday expressed anguish over the incident and conveyed condolences to bereaved families.
Meanwhile, the winter session of the Parliament commenced on November 29 and will continue till December 23. -- ANI
10:04 BJP leader calls Rakesh Tikait 'terrorist'
In a controversial statement, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader on Sunday called Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait a "terrorist" and said the withdrawal of the central farm laws will lead to losses for farmers and profit for "Khalistani gundas".
In a purported video that surfaced on social media, the former Ghosi Lok Sabha MP, Harinarayan Rajbhar, also alleged that Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar worked as "a shooter of mafia Mukhtar Ansari".
The BJP leader held Tikait responsible for the death of "700 farmers" during the course of the agitation against the laws and demanded that a case be registered against him and his property seized to compensate the kin of dead farmers.
Farm union leaders have claimed that over 700 farmers died during the course of the agitation.
In the video message, Rajbhar said the protesting farmer leaders, including Tikait, are "ugravaadi" (terrorists).
"Rakesh Tikait is responsible for the death of 700 farmers, who were protesting against the three farm laws. A case should be registered against Tikait and his property be seized so that compensation be given to kin of the dead farmers," he said.
The withdrawal of the three farm laws has resulted in a big loss for farmers and profit for a handful of "Khalistani gundas", he alleged.
"Farmer leaders took undue advantage of the flexible stand of the government. The protesters are not farmers," he said.
Harinarayan Rajbhar also attacked SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, saying before joining politics, the opposition party leader was "a shooter of mafia Mukhtar Ansari".
"Om Prakash Rajbhar in order to hide his criminal past, donned the attire of a politician," he alleged. -- PTI
09:49 Omicron more infectious than Delta variant: Report
Singapore's ministry of health has said that early clinical observations globally suggest that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 may be more transmissible and have a higher risk of reinfection compared to the Delta and Beta variants of the virus.
"This means that there is a higher likelihood of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to be reinfected with the Omicron variant," Channel News Asia quoted the ministry as saying on Sunday in an update on the Omicron variant.
Meanwhile, the city-state reported one more "preliminarily positive" Omicron case on Sunday. The 37-year old vaccinated permanent resident was on the same flight as two other "preliminary positive" cases that landed here from South Africa on December 1.
On Sunday, Singapore also reported 552 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths linked to the coronavirus.
The ministry said it has, over the past several days, reviewed reports from South Africa and other countries, and actively engaged experts in affected countries to obtain first-hand information.
"This press release updates our understanding of the Omicron variant, even while many questions remain with no clear answers," the Channel quoted MOH.
With the new variant spreading globally, Singapore "must expect to detect more cases at our borders and, in time to come, also within our community", MOH cautioned.
Studies on whether existing COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the new variant are ongoing, but "there is an emerging view amongst scientists around the world that existing COVID-19 vaccines will still work on the Omicron variant, especially in protecting people against severe illness," the MOH said.
The ministry urged those eligible to get themselves vaccinated or go for their booster jabs, saying there is strong scientific consensus that doing so will protect against any existing and future variants of COVID-19. -- PTI
Journalist Girish Kuber
09:21 Ink thrown at Maha journalist at Marathi literary meet
Suspected activists of an organisation on Sunday hurled ink at senior journalist and writer Girish Kuber at the Marathi literary meet in Maharashtra's Nashik district in protest against some allegedly controversial references about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in his book.
The incident was condemned by Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis.
Prima facie, activists of Sambhaji Brigade were behind this incident as they were irked by some references Kuber has made about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in his book, sources said.
Kuber, the editor of Marathi daily Loksatta, reached the Kusumagraj Nagri in Nashik on the concluding day of the 94th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan earlier in the day. He was scheduled to attend a symposium.
When he was standing behind the stage of the main pandal, two-three unidentified men walked up to him and threw ink which fell on his face, hair and shirt. Some ink fell on police personnel present at the spot.
Police security has been stepped up in the area after this incident.
The incident has been condemned by leaders cutting across party lines including Sharad Pawar and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Pawar, who had visited the venue of the literary meet in Nashik earlier in the day, said the attack on a writer in protest against his work is akin to the attack on the principle of the freedom of expression.
"I condemn this incident which doesn't suit the image of Maharashtra," he said.
The NCP chief said he had read Kuber's book.
"Though there is a controversy over some portions of this book, at the same time, Kuber has the right to express himself. Those who disagree with his views also have the right to oppose him but such attack is not acceptable," he added.
Fadnavis, the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, said anything written against Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj should be condemned but restoring to an ink attack during a literary meet is not right.
"If something is factually wrong, it should be countered with facts and evidence," he said.
Kuber's book "Renaissance State: The Unwritten Story of the Making of Maharashtra" has been criticised by the Sambhaji Brigade for alleged objectionable references to Chhatrapati Sambhaji.
The Mumbai press club also condemned the incident.
"We believe that physical confrontation must not be a part of any civilised battle of ideas which must find expression through persuasion, reasoned arguments, and decent debate," the club said in a statement.
However, an unequivocal condemnation of the unruly act must not deter one from steadfastly taking an issue with the book's content and intent, it said.
"We note that there is a reasonable critique of the interpretation and presentation of the history of Maharashtra offered by Kuber. The book has been called out for its glaring errors of commission and omissions. It arguably treads the slippery slope of writing an exclusionary and distorted version of history, which ultimately proves counter-productive to nurture a society conducive to democratic and reasoned debate," the statement said.
Acknowledgement that the historical figure of Sambhaji Maharaj has been subjected to distorted perceptions to extend a particular cultural agenda is not antithetical to a firm opposition to the means adopted to counter such distortions, it added. -- PTI
09:17 President, PM pay tribute to BR Ambedkar on his death anniversary
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid floral tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 65th death anniversary which is observed as "Mahaparinirvan Diwas".
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and other parliamentarians paid tribute to the architect of the Constitution at his statue in the Parliament premises today.
08:59 TMC team to visit Nagaland to meet firing victims
A five-member Trinamool Congress delegation will visit Nagaland on Monday to stand by the families of those killed and injured in the firing incident in Mon district.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has demanded a thorough investigation into the killing of civilians by security forces in Nagaland.
"This is to inform all that a five-member AITC delegation will be visiting Nagaland tomorrow to stand beside the families of those killed and injured in the heart-wrenching incident in Oting, Mon," the party said in a statement.
The delegation will comprise four MPs- Prasun Banerjee, Sushmita Dev, Aparupa Poddar and Santanu Sen - and party spokesperson Biswajit Deb.
Security forces opened fire on civilians killing 14 and injuring 11 more in Nagaland's Mon district in three consecutive incidents of firing the first of which was possibly a case of mistaken identity, police said on Sunday.
One soldier also died in rioting which followed.
The first firing which killed six civilians, occurred when army personnel mistook coal mine workers returning home in a pick-up van on Saturday evening, to be insurgents belonging to the Yung Aung faction of the banned outfit NSCN (K), about whose movements they had been tipped off.
As workers failed to reach their homes, local youth and villagers went in search of them and surrounded the army vehicles. In the ensuing melee, one soldier was killed and army vehicles burnt down. Soldiers who fired in self-defence killed another seven civilians, said, police officials.
At least one more person was killed and another two injured, as security forces fired at a group of people who attacked an Assam Rifles camp in the area, setting fire to parts of it. -- PTI
08:18 Nagaland firing: Govt announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia
The Nagaland government on Sunday announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the 13 people killed in firing by security forces in Mon district where Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will make a visit on December 6.
The state government also decided to set up a High Level Special Investigation Team led by an IGP level officer to probe the incident that took place on Saturday evening, according to an official statement.
"The state government has condemned the incident in Oting village area of Mon district that resulted in the death of 13 civilians," Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam said in the statement.
He said an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh will be paid to the next of kin of the 13 deceased while the state government will bear the cost of medical treatment of the injured persons.
Thirteen civilians were killed and 11 others injured by security forces in two consecutive incidents of firing, the first of which was possibly a case of mistaken identity.
Senior minister P Paiwang Konyak led a team of officers including the director general of police reached Oting village to monitor the situation, Alam said.
He said two state government helicopters were pressed into service for emergency relief operations and four injured persons were airlifted from Mon to Dimapur for further medical treatment.
Health and Family Welfare Minister S Pangyu Phom also visited the injured at the Referral Hospital, Dimapur.
Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton who was in New Delhi rushed back and went to Mon directly from Guwahati, Alam said.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be visiting Mon on Monday morning accompanied by his cabinet colleagues and senior government officers to take an on the spot assessment of the situation and pay respect to the deceased, he said. -- PTI
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances