NEW DELHI, Oct 27: India reported 1.112 fresh COVID cases taking the total caseload to 4,46,46,880 and the active tally came down to 20,821. according to the updated data on Thursday.
The recovery rate has risen to 98.77 per cent. Active cases now comprise 0.05 per cent of total infections.
The death toll due to the viral disease climbed to 5,28,987 with one new fatality, the data updated at 8 am stated.
A decrease of 786 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.77 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate stood at 1.06 per cent, the ministry said.
The number of people who have recuperated from COVID-19 surged to 4,40,97,072 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent, it said.
So far, 219.57 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive, according to the ministry.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 last year and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year. (Agencies)
India reports 1,112 daily Covid infections, active cases in country dip to 20,821
Indian-American Sikh police officer Sandeep Dhaliwal’s murderer sentenced to death
Houston, Oct 27: Robert Solis, the man convicted of murdering Sandeep Dhaliwal, the first turbaned Indian-American Sikh police officer in the US state of Texas while making a traffic stop in 2019, has been sentenced to death, according to a police official.
The verdict was handed down by the jury, a panel made up of citizens. Solis showed no emotion as the sentence was read on Wednesday. Jurors deliberated for just 35 minutes before recommending the death penalty in the punishment phase of the trial. They deliberated for 25 minutes in the guilt phase.
“Verdict is in: Jurors sentence Robert Solis to death. We are extremely grateful that justice has been served,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted.
Solis, 50, was convicted by the jury of the Harris County Criminal Court in Houston of the capital murder of 42-year-old Dhaliwal, a 10-year-veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Dhaliwal made national headlines when he was allowed to grow a beard and wear a turban on the job. He was gunned down in an ambush-style shooting while conducting a routine mid-day traffic stop in northwest Houston on September 27, 2019.
Authorities said Dhaliwal was shot multiple times from behind after he had stopped Solis in a residential neighbourhood and was walking back to his patrol car.
“…Basically just shot him in a very ruthless, cold-blooded way,” said Sheriff Gonzalez in 2019.
Jurors saw multiple angles of the shooting and heard from 65 prosecution witnesses, who testified about a criminal history that goes back more than 30 years.
During the trial, Solis testified in his own defense and told jurors he had accidentally shot Dhaliwal.
But prosecutors argued Solis deliberately shot Dhaliwal because he didn’t want to go back to jail. At the time of the traffic stop, Solis had a warrant for violating parole, CBS News reported.
During his closing argument, his last chance to address jurors, Solis merely said, “The only thing I have to say is that it’s your decision to make. My life is in your hands,” KTRK-TV Houston reported.
Solis asked for several delays during the trial. He told the judge he was sick, and also said he had not been given proper time to prepare.
His behaviour throughout the trial stands in direct contrast to the life and legacy of Dhaliwal, who leaves behind a wife and three children.
“Anybody I talked to, they say, ‘I wish we had a Dhaliwal at this time. How many people get justice today? How many families?” Dhaliwal’s older sister, Harpreet Rai was quoted as saying in the report.
“We should all aspire to be a Dhaliwal. He left such a legacy. He was a humanitarian and he helped so many beyond his work,” Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Just moments after Solis received the death sentence, a teenager gave a victim’s impact statement, speaking directly to Solis.
“You’re a nobody, Robert. You’re the least powerful person in this room,” she told the court.
Dhaliwal worked with United Sikhs, a global humanitarian relief and advocacy nonprofit, to help organise the donation of truckloads of supplies for first responders after Hurricane Harvey.
A post office in west Houston has been renamed in his honour and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, who brought the renaming legislation to the US House of Representatives, had said at the dedication ceremony: “I am honoured to play a role in commemorating Deputy Dhaliwal’s remarkable life of selfless service”.
“He represented the very best of our community: he worked for equality, connection, and community through his life of service to others. I was glad to work with a bipartisan delegation, our community partners, and those in the Sikh community, to pass legislation to rename this building the Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office,” Fletcher added.
However, this wasn’t the first dedication for Deputy Dhaliwal. A year after his death, a portion of Beltway 8 near Highway 249 was renamed in his honour. (Agencies)
“I will do everything I can…” New UK PM Rishi Sunak promises Britain a hopeful future
Newly elected UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak on Wednesday night attended a Diwali reception at 10, Downing Street and pledged to provide Britain with a hopeful future.
Sharing his picture of celebrating the festival of lights at his residence, he extended his wishes to everyone and said he will do all that it takes to build a Britain where the future generation can light their ‘Diyas’ and look into the future with hope.
In a tweet, Rishi Sunak wrote, “Brilliant to drop into tonight’s Diwali reception in No10. I will do everything I can in this job to build a Britain where our children and our grandchildren can light their Diyas and look to the future with hope.
Security forces resume searches at Baramulla gunfight site
Srinagar, Oct 27: The police and security forces resumed the searches at the site of a gunfight that broke out yesterday in a forest area in Sheeri Chandoosa in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Quoting sources, news agency GNS reported that the search operation which was halted last night due to darkness was resumed at first light today.
A soldier was injured in the exchange of fire yesterday, it added. He was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where his condition is stated to be stable.
It said the operation is underway in a dense forest area in Sultanpora.
Infantry Day: Rajnath Singh, Army chief to attend event in J-K today
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande will be attending an event in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday to mark the 75th anniversary of Infantry Day.
Celebrated to commemorate the arrival of the Indian Army at Budgam airfield on October 27, 1947, Infantry Day marks the first military operation of Independent India to protect Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistani forces.
The Army reached at the airfield after the ‘instrument of accession’ was signed on October 26, 1947, between the then Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir Hari Singh and the Union of India.
“The defence minister and the Army chief will take part in the Infantry Day anniversary event in Jammu and Kashmir. And, a number of other top officers of the armed forces will also be present,” a senior official was quoted saying to PTI.
One of the major scenes scheduled for the events are historic Budgam landings will be reenacted, among other events planned to be held on Thursday to mark the landmark occasion.
In New Delhi, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan will pay homage at the National War Memorial to commemorate the historic day. The reenactment of the historic event (Budgam landings) to be held at Old Air Field, Srinagar, and is aimed to pay tribute to the brave soldiers and people of Jammu and Kashmir who laid down their lives, and also to honour the next of family of war heroes who participated in the 1947-48 war.
The Indian army under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai, who later lost his life at Baramulla, modified the course of the war, wherein people and soldiers of State Forces of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Army fought alongside valiantly, to put the Pakistani forces behind , driving them out of most of Jammu and Kashmir till ceasefire on January 5, 1949.
Balwan Singh pays rich tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh & Brigadier Rajinder Singh to mark Accession Day
Balwan Singh pays rich tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh & Brigadier Rajinder Singh to mark Accession Day
Jammu: Senior DAP Leader and former MLA Thakur Balwan Singh today paid rich tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh for signing instrument of Accession on Oct 26 1947 to become part of the Union of India , asserting that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India is full and final as he along with other DAP leaders celebrated ‘Accession Day’.
Singh also paid rich tributes to Brigadier Rajinder Singh, MVC, chief of military staff, J&K State Forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice along with hundred soldiers defending the state from Pakistani raiders allowing time for the Indian Army to fly in on 27th October 1947. He however said Pakistan was not learning the lessons from history and repeatedly attempting to disturb the situation in J&K.
“On J&K Accession Day I congratulate all citizens of India. “On this day in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession to become part of the Union of India. I pay homage to the soldiers of J&K State Forces & Indian Army who were martyred, added Singh”.He said some parts of Jammu and Kashmir are still under the illegal occupation of Pakistan and China which deserves to be taken back.
Singh recalled the historic moments of the signing of accession and the defeat of Pakistani raiders who tried to control the Srinagar airport. Singh speaking on the ocassion urged upon the BJP Government at the Centre to fulfill its promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for returning full statehood to the J&K as soon as possible.
He said that people of J&K feel betrayed by the downgrading of the historic state and deprived of the rights to land and jobs. He said the political philosophy formed the edifice of the Democratic Azad Party’s agenda encompasses the true empowerment of the people through restoration of Statehood and legal safeguards for their land and jobs. He said that Democratic Azad Party feel duty bound to work for the well being of the people.
He said that rise in the prices of almost all the things, including essential commodities have become a common feature these days. The Government should do something in this direction. He said the increasing prices of daily commodities have become a headache for the citizens of the nation. Sudden and massive rise in prices cause an all round effect on prices of commodities that makes life of common man miserable.
DAP leader said that the causal workers, daily wagers, consolidated employees, need based workers and employees of several departments highlighted their demands through protests seeking fulfillment of the commitments and promises by BJP Government to them while in opposition and after assuming power, they are neglected by the government instead of resolving their issues. He urged the government to consider the long pending demand including regularization of workers of different Departments.
Eight Injured In Accident In J&K’s Ramban
JAMMU, Oct 26: A 13-year-old girl was among eight people were injured in an accident at Kelamorh along the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban district on Thursday.
Official sources reported that there was a collision between a Passenger auto and a truck, resulting in injuries to at least eight people who were later shifted to hospital by rescuers including local volunteers and police. All but three injured were shifted to district hospital Ramban.
The injured include Fayaz Ahmed (36) son of Mohammad Ibrahim of Awantipoora, a helper of truck, Imran (35), driver of truck, also of Awantipoora, Tariq Ahmed (22) son of Abdul Gani Shah of Seri, Mubashir (19) son of Gulzar Ahmed Wani of Seri, Mangal Singh son of Hari Chand (40)of Shounda Maroog Gaam, Sonam Devi (13) daughter of Suraj Singh of Shounda Gaam, Suraj Singh (40) of Kelarh and Naseer Ahmed (30) son of Abdul Salam of Seri. Suraj Singh and Mubashir (driver of auto) have been shifted to GMC Jammu and Naser Ahmad to GMC Anantnag for advanced treatment, they added.
A police officer confirmed the accident and said a case has been registered and investigations taken up. (Agencies)
PM Modi to address meeting of state Home Ministers, Home Secys, DGPs
NEW DELHI, Oct 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Home Ministers and DGPs of states on Friday via video conferencing.
The PMO said the event is being held at Surajkund in Haryana on October 27 and 28. Home secretaries of states and director generals of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) will also attend it.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the exercise is an endeavour to provide national perspective to policy formulation on internal security related matters in accordance with the ‘Panch Pran’ (five pledges) announced by Modi in his Independence Day speech.
The ‘shivir’ in the spirit of cooperative federalism will bring more synergy in planning and coordination between various stakeholders at Centre and state levels, it added.
Participants will deliberate on issues like modernisation of police forces, cybercrime management, increased use of IT in the criminal justice system, land border management, coastal security, women safety and drug trafficking among other issues.
The five pledges listed by Modi were working to have a developed India by 2047, erasing all traces of servitude, developing pride in India’s legacy, keeping unity and fulfilling one’s duties. (Agencies)
ABVP stages sit-in to demand withdrawal of J&K university bill
Jammu, Oct 26: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on Wednesday staged a demonstration to demand the withdrawal of the Jammu Kashmir Public University Bill, 2022, that, it claimed, eroded the autonomy of universities in the Union Territory.
The administrative council led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recently approved the bill.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said it would not tolerate the erosion of the autonomous character of universities, which are governed by University Grants Commission (UGC) rules across the country.
Led by Mukesh Manhas, the state unit secretary of the RSS-affiliated organisation, ABVP activists carrying placards staged a sit-in and raised slogans to demand revocation of the bill.
Manhas said, “The bill erodes the autonomy of all universities in Jammu and Kashmir. It should be immediately withdrawn.”
The independence of universities has been snatched and vice-chancellors have been made ineffective, he added.
The ABVP leader said the bill granted the power of recruitment to the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the State Service Recruitment Board (SSRB) instead of universities, as per UGC laws.
“Now recruitment will be done by the PSC and the SSRB, which has been involved in multiple recruitment scams in recent times,” he alleged.
Questioning the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for approving the bill, Manhas asked, “Why has this bill been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir alone while all universities across the country are governed by UGC rules?”
Manhas threatened massive agitations by students and staff members of all colleges and universities across the Union Territory and demanded that immediate withdrawal of the bill.
The ABVP leader said the amendments proposed in the bill infringed on the academic domain of universities and amounted to a mala fide attempt to increase unwanted interference of the bureaucracy.
He said universities were autonomous bodies and government interference in their functioning would disturb the working atmosphere and kill the basic spirit of autonomy at these institutions of higher learning. (Agencies)
Aqua jammers, multi-shot guns to tackle “Pak drones” on Indian borders
Jammu, Oct 26: To counter the cross-border drone activities, Indian Army has installed aqua jammers and multi-shot guns along the Line of Control in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, so far, over a dozen times, drone activity has been reported from the Pakistan side with a motive to deliver weapons, sticky bombs and other logistic support to their handlers on this side of the border.
“The Indian Army has installed aqua-jammers and multi-shot guns along the border to deal with “Pakistan’s nefarious design” of using drones to smuggle drugs, weapons and other consignments,” defence sources said.
They said that the modern and hi-tech gadgets have been installed just 400 meters from the Pakistan border on the LoC, adding, “the Indian Army is prepared to give a befitting reply to the drone conspiracy of the Pakistan for which aqua-jammers and multi-shot guns will foil the attempts made by the adversaries.”
As of now, they said that the Indian troops deployed on the border this year have several times foiled Pakistan’s conspiracy and recovered sticky bombs, IEDs and explosives after they shot down the flying objects.
“The aqua jammers will not only track the drone at a distance of 4900 meters but is also capable of freezing its activity,” they said adding that all designs of Pakistan will be effectively dealt with the installation of the gadgets.
“Besides, the multi-shot gun has the ability to shoot down the drone once tracked by the aqua jammer by triggering/firing rounds,” they said.
“Drone conspiracy hatched from across the border is a new challenge for the security forces but with an installation of hi-tech gadgets, the designs of the enemies will not be allowed to succeed,” sources asserted.
“The specially designed surveillance centers are monitoring every activity across the border with state-of-the-art PTZ cameras and the thermal imagers so that taking advantage of the geographical conditions, Pakistan does not carry out any mischief,” they revealed.
“After the installation of the modern equipment on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, it is expected that similar kinds of gadgets will also be deployed all along the international border so that Pakistan’s drone conspiracy can be given a befitting reply,” they added. (AGENCIES)