Month: August 2020

The central government submitted before the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it has accepted the request of Bihar government recommending a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government, submitted before a single-judge bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy that the Centre has accepted Bihar government’s request recommending a CBI inquiry into the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by actor Rhea Chakraborty seeking directions to transfer the case registered regarding the late actor’s death in Bihar’s Patna to Mumbai.

Senior lawyer Shyam Divan, appearing for Chakraborty, said that Rajput died on June 14 and the Mumbai police had already started its investigation in the case.

“There are 56 witnesses. Everything has happened at Mumbai,” Divan said, after which Justice Roy observed that the fundamental issue here is about jurisdiction.

“In a matter like this, very unfortunate situations happen. There is criminality or any situation, the matter has to be investigated properly. Everybody has an opinion in the matter,” Justice Roy noted, following which Divan sought protection in the case.

Eventually, it is good for everybody’s interest that the truth should come out, Justice Roy observed.

Advocate Vikas Singh, the lawyer for the family of the late actor, sought the apex court’s direction to pass orders to Maharashtra Police to co-operate with Bihar Police. “The Maharashtra police is not cooperating with the Bihar Police,” Singh said.

Maharashtra government’s counsel R Basant pleaded that no direction is necessary in this regard in the case.

An FIR was filed by the Patna Police against Chakraborty on a complaint filed by KK Singh, father of the late actor, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including abetment of suicide. A team of Bihar Police is in Mumbai to probe the case.

Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14.

According to Mumbai Police, the statements of 56 people have been recorded till now in connection with the case, including Rajput’s family, his domestic help and several industry persons. (ANI)

Mysterious seed packages from China have sparked “bioterrorism” concerns in Poland after its nationals started receiving the unsolicited parcels, Polish Television reported.

Thousands of suspicious seed shipments have recently been reported across the world, including in the United States, Canada and Europe.

In Poland, a resident from the southern city of Jaworzno was one of the first recipients of the parcels, according to the state broadcaster. The woman was concerned over the unsolicited package with Chinese writing on it and handed the seeds over to the competent authorities.

The State Plant Health and Seed Inspection Service believe that the unidentified seeds may pose a threat to crops. The chief of the phytosanitary supervision department has warned that it may even amount to bioterrorism.

“This may be perceived as bioterrorism. If weeds or diseases had flourished and resulted in large losses, this could have been understood as bioterrorism,” Agnieszka Sahajdak, a plant journal said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry earlier denied that the parcels have anything to do with the country, noting that postmarks indicating their origin are forged. (ANI/Sputnik)

Indian Embassy in Lebanon is in touch with the Indian community after a massive explosion rocked capital Beirut on Tuesday, leaving many feared dead and a “considerable number of people” injured.

Indian envoy to Lebanon Suhel Ajaz Khan told ANI: “All our embassy staff are safe. We are in touch with Indian community members, so far there is no report of casualty. We are keeping a close watch and are in touch with community organisations. There is lot of damage to buildings in central Beirut.”

The Embassy has also shared its helpline numbers with the Indian community.

The National News Agency of Lebanon reported that a warehouse at the Beirut Port caught fire and lead to major explosions, which reverberated in the capital and the suburbs and left behind great damages to the surrounding buildings and a considerable number of wounded.

Dramatic images and videos on social media showed huge plumes of smoke billowing out of the site of the massive blast near Beirut’s port.

Local media showed people reporting shattering of glass windows of buildings and cars shaking.

Al Jazeera reported that the force of the blast was massive and it caused panic in the streets and pieces of glass were seen everywhere.

The daily quoted Hamad Hassan, Lebanon’s health minister saying hundreds were wounded in the explosion. It also quoted security sources put the initial death toll at 10 but medical and rescue teams on the ground said dozens were killed.

Several people on board an Italian ship docked near the explosion site, the Orient Queen, were wounded and taken to hospital.

Though the cause of the blast is unknown, the initial reports have stated that the explosion occurred in Beirut’s port area containing warehouses.

The blast comes ahead of a verdict on Friday by UN-backed panel on the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri, who was killed in car bombing. (ANI)

Ahead of foundation laying ceremony of Ram Temple on August 5, festivities have begun in Ayodhya which will host several national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A bridge over Saryu river was illuminated and priests performed ‘aarti’ at the ghat of the river and temples were decorated with lights as part of the celebrations.

Pandit Kalki Ram, President of Ramdal Seva Trust performed ‘havan’ at the ‘yagyashala’ at Ram Ki Paudi on the last Monday of ‘Sawan’ month.

Temples across the city were decorated with lights and diyas ahead of the grand event.

Sharan Das Maharaj, priest of Rang Mahal shared that ‘Deepotsav’ will be celebrated like “never before” on August 5.

“I am associated with Ram Janamabhoomi Aandolan for a long time. We have struggled a lot for this day. We are doing preparations in the Rang Mahal and will observe Deepotsav like never before. Ayodhya will become synonymous with Deepawali. I am feeling fortunate that I will witness the construction of Ram temple,” Maharaj told ANI.

“VHP’s Ashok Singhal used to come here Rang Mahal often. This palace was given to Kaushalya to Sita. It is our fortune that PM Modi is a leader who does not have biases. CM Yogi visited here today to take stock of the preparation for the foundation laying ceremony,” he added.

Yogi offered prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple during his visit to Ayodhya to take stock of the preparations for the ‘bhoomi pujan’.

He along with officials also visited Ram ki Paudi to inspect the arrangements ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony.

PM Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5. (ANI)

With gradual unlocking of COVID-19 restrictions, the worst on the economic front seems to be over as high-frequency indicators show improvement, according to the latest monthly report released by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.

The indicators include index of industrial production, purchasing managers index, power generation, production of steel and cement, railway freight, traffic at major ports, air cargo and passenger traffic, e-way bill generation capturing the inter-state movement of goods, consumption of petroleum products and motor vehicle registrations among others.

However, risks on account of rising COVID-19 cases and intermittent state lockdowns remain, warns the 37-page report by the Department of Economic Affairs.

Inflation eased in June relative to the previous two months, indicating weak demand pressures and food supply chain recoveries. Volatility in most of the essential commodity prices stabilised reflecting their uninterrupted availability.

Lower inflation, nonetheless, is supportive of lower interest rates and benchmark bond yields that further softened in June.

The report said growth in money supply is commensurate with potential demand for credit in the commercial sector, although part of the growth has been driven by a surge in net foreign exchange assets.

The government has been deploying surplus liquidity available with banks to finance critical support to the economy damaged by the pandemic.

Although this has challenged the fiscal position, the government has been rationalising expenditure to ease the fiscal burden. Goods and Services Tax collections also provided some respite with year-on-year contraction falling from 38.2 per cent in May to 14 per cent in July.

“On the external front, India continues to attract robust foreign direct investments. Foreign portfolio investment inflows also rebounded to a 15-month high in June, reflecting the unshaken belief of foreign investors in India’s macroeconomic fundamentals,” said the report.

As a result, the Indian rupee recovered to 75.53 per US dollar by June-end as compared to the previous month-end.

Since the onset of the pandemic in India, stronger recovery of exports ensured that India registered a trade surplus of 0.8 billion dollars in June despite rising crude and gold prices.

This follows a current account surplus in the January to March quarter for the first time in more than a decade. On the back of buoyant FDI, the resurgence of FPI flows and current account surplus, foreign exchange reserves crossed half a trillion mark in June.

This safeguards a year of India’s imports. Finally, India’s persistently low external debt continues to add resilience to the external sector, a necessary safeguard in COVID-19 times, said the report. (ANI)

With 52,972 positive cases reported in India on Monday, the COVID-19 count in the country breached the 18 lakh-mark, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. The country also crossed the two crore-mark for the COVID-19 samples tested till August 2.

The total number of COVID-19 samples tested up to August 2 is 2,02,02,858 including 3,81,027 tests that were conducted yesterday, said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Monday.

The total COVID-19 cases stand at 18,03,696 including 5,79,357 active cases, 11,86,203 cured/discharged/migrated and 38,135 deaths.

As many as 771 fatalities were reported in the country today.

As per the data provided by the Health Ministry, Maharashtra — the worst affected state from the infection — has a total of 1,47,018 active cases and 15,842 deaths. A total of 4,50,196 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the state up to Sunday.

5,609 new COVID-19 cases and 109 deaths reported in Tamil Nadu in the last 24 hours, taking total cases to 2,63,222 including 2,02,283 discharges and 4,241 deaths. 58,211 samples were tested for the disease in the last 24 hours, the state health department said.

The total cases here rise to 1,38,482 including 1,24,254 recovered/discharged/migrated cases and 4021 deaths.

A total of 3,904 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests and 6,229 rapid antigen tests conducted today. 10,73,802 tests done so far, Delhi government said.

Manipur reported 84 cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking total cases to 2,920 out of which 1,147 cases are active. Seven people have died in the state so far. According to the state government, the recovery rate stood at 60.47 per cent.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh reported 4,473 new COVID-19 cases and 50 death in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 40,191 and death toll to 1,778. A total of 55,393 have been discharged in the state so far, the state health department said.

The number of active COVID-19 cases reached 1,081 in Himachal Pradesh.

Telangana Health Department said 983 COVID-19 cases, 1,019 recovered and 11 deaths were reported in the state yesterday, as of 8 pm. The total number of cases in the state at 67,660, including 48,609 recovered 18,500 active cases and 551 deaths.

Puducherry’s COVID-19 case tally reaches 3,982 with 178 fresh positive cases detected today till 10 am.

According to the Union Health Ministry, West Bengal has 21,108 active cases, 52,730 discharged and 1,678 deaths so far. The statewide complete lockdown shall now be observed on August 5, 8, 20, 21, 27, 28 31.

Karnataka has reported 4,752 new cases and 98 deaths. Total cases rose to 1,39,571, out of which 74,469 are active patients.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reports 7,822 new COVID-19 cases and 63 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total cases rise to 1,66,586.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday said that the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gave approval to Serum Institute of India, Pune to conduct Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD) in India.

“The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given approval to Serum Institute of India, Pune to conduct Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD) in India. This will hasten the development of the COVID-19 vaccine,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.

While, an innovative technology called the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) has ensured essential immunisation services.

“The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) is an innovative technological solution aimed at strengthening immunisation supply chain systems across the country. This robust system has been used with the requisite customisation during the COVID-19 pandemic for ensuring the continuation of the essential immunisation services and protecting our children and pregnant mothers against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said the health ministry in a statement. (ANI)

Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers and Taiwanese raise voice against China’s oppression

Hong Kong, August 4 (ANI): Political activists and leaders from China and its occupied territories have raised a voice against the oppression and colonial expansionism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In a video message, the Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers, Taiwanese, Southern Mangolian and Chinese democracy activists have decided to mark the Global Day of Action on October 1 against China. October 1 is the founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

Jenny Wang, co-founder of Keep Taiwan Free said, “Everyone suffers from the Chinese Communist Party’s colonial expansionist and totalitarian regime”.

She added, “China has bullied its way into power – blackmailing governments, corporations and international institutions and silenced critics with its economic clout”.

Dolkun Isa, President of Uyghur World Congress said, “Crackdowns have intensified against voices demanding freedom, democracy and human rights across China and its occupied territories. Over three million innocent Uyghurs and Kazakhs are in China’s concentration camps in East Turkistan”.

Rushan Abas, executive director of Campaign for Uyghur said, “Its time for free nations to act and hold China accountable. World leaders must protect and safeguard democracy and free society from Chinese imperialism.

Fengsuo Zhou, Tiananmen Survivor and founder of Humanitarian China said, “Arrests and disappearances are common practices, while long prison sentences, torture and even death in prison happen time and time again”.

Alex Chow, a Hong Kong-based activist said, “By implementing the draconian national security law in Hong Kong, China is threatening the basic rights of millions of Hong Kongers.

Gonpo Dhondup, President of Tibetan Youth Congress said, “High-tech surveillance, censorship systems and extreme repression are dangerous obstacles faced by Tibetans in occupied Tibet. But, despite the repression, the peoples’ resistance continues to grow against the Chinese Communist Party”.

Penghsuan of International Tibet Network said, “China’s has been dishonest about the coronavirus outbreak which has led to a global pandemic, with thousands of lives lost and economic collapse in many parts of the world. The Chinese government’s repressive authoritarian practice of secrecy and censorship are a danger to people everywhere.

Dorjee Tseten, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet said, “Together we have unity. Together we have strength. And together we will win freedom for our people. Now is the time to act!”

Teng Biao, a Chinese human rights activist and lawyer said, China’s human rights violations and propaganda reach far beyond its borders; from plotting espionage to intellectual property theft to undermining international law, enforcing censorship and more”.

Enghebatu, Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center said, “After decades of our resistance to China’s might, the world has finally woken up and is confronting the truth. Now is the time to stand united against China and say enough is enough”. (ANI)

The Srinagar district administration has imposed curfew in view of inputs that Pakistan sponsored groups were planning to observe protests on August 5 and also specific inputs about violent protests endangering public life and property.

The District Magistrate announced restrictions on public movement with immediate effect and it will remain in force on August 4 and 5.

“Superintendent of Police has reported that a series of inputs have been received suggesting that separatist and Pak sponsored groups are planning to observe August 5, 2020, as Black Day therein apprehensions of violation action or protest are not ruled out. There are specific inputs about violent protests endangering public life and property,” the order said.

It said there will be “complete restriction on public movement/curfew” in the territorial jurisdiction of Srinagar district. (ANI)

By Ajit K Dubey

In response to China’s deployment of more than 17,000 troops and armoured vehicles opposite Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) and Depsang plains in Ladakh, India has made heavy deployment of troops and tank regiments in the area to counter any misadventure by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) there.

“We have done a very heavy deployment of troops and tanks in the DBO and Depsang plains area including the T-90 regiments which are part of an armoured division,” government sources told ANI.

The deployments have been made from the Patrolling Point 1 near the Karakoram Pass (PP-3) to the Depsang plains where the Chinese have amassed more than 17,000 troops since April-May time frame and have been blocking Indian patrols from PP-10 to PP-13, sources said.

The armoured deployment is such that the Chinese would find it difficult to operate there, in case, they try out any misadventure, they said.

Before the Chinese started build-up opposite the DBO and Depsang, the entire area was looked after by a mountain brigade and an armoured brigade but today more than 15,000 troops and several tank regiments have been moved there both by road and by air to tackle the threat from China, sources said.

One of the major intentions of the Chinese in this area has been to build a road from its TWD battalion headquarters opposite the DBO sector to the Karakoram pass area and connect the battalion there.

The connectivity plan, which has been foiled in the past, will allow the two Chinese units to reach other in a matter of a couple of hours against the 15-hour drive through the Highway G219 in their territory, sources said.

A small bridge was put up by the Chinese inside Indian territory on a nala (drain) near PP-7 and PP-8 but it was broken by Indian soldiers a few years ago, sources said.

At present, India and China are engaged in a dialogue focusing on disengagement from Finger area and other friction points but Chinese build up along the LAC in Depsang plains and DBO area has not yet been taken up in the military talks.

At present, we are in a position of strength in the Depsang Plains and DBO area now and we are not in a hurry to discuss that with the Chinese. Let the disengagement first take place and then we can talk about de-escalation there also, sources said.

On Sunday, India and China held Corps Commander-level talks at Moldo on the Chinese side of LAC to discuss disengagement.

The Chinese had earlier agreed for complete disengagement at Galwan valley, PP-15, Hot Springs and Gogra along with Finger area near Pangong Tso lake.

However, China stopped honouring their commitment after initial disengagement in Finger area and is now wanting to build an observation post at Finger 5. This has been rejected by India which has clearly stated that it will have to disengage completely and restore the status quoted existing in April/May 2020. (ANI)