There has been a nearly 50% jump in the number of Covid-19 hospitalisations in Delhi in just two weeks: from 291 on August 1 to 591 on Wednesday. The number of fresh cases spiked to 1,652 from Tuesday’s 917, though the positivity rate tumbled to 9% from 19.20%.
BJP re-elected in Gujarat on strength of Congressmen who switched party: Gehlot
The BJP’s Gujarat model is exposed and the party has failed to meet people’s aspiration, however, it got re-elected on the strengths of Congressmen who have joined the saffron party, claimed senior Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Gehlot is on two-day Gujarat visit. On Wednesday he addressed party workers and leaders of Central Gujarat at Vadodara in “My Booth My Pride” event.
The Congress leader said that he is confident that this time the party is going to cross the halfway mark in the state Assembly elections and form the government.
Gehlot is in Gujarat to discuss the political situation on ground and after discussions with the state leaders, the party will prepare a strategy for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
The Congress leader also said that though the BJP leadership was aware that its state government has failed, it took them three years replace it with a new team. It wasted public money and time, and even then, the new government’s performance is “dissatisfactory”.
He has alleged that despite being a dry state, liquor flows like water in Gujarat. “The state has now has become a hub of drugs, and drugs are freely available, even manufactured in the state,” Gehlot added.
GPCC (Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee) former president Bharatsinh Solanki has demanded that Gehlot should be made party’s national president.
Lalu Prasad says “Modi ko hatana hai” as RJD returns to power in Bihar
Aiming to hit another home run in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has slammed the “dictatorial” government at the Centre and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi must be ousted from power.
“We have to oust the dictatorial government. Hatana hai, Modi ko hatana hai,” RJD chief Lalu Prasad said on Wednesday when asked by reporters about the 2024 general elections, which the Modi-led central government is seeking to win for the third time. Lalu Prasad returned to Patna from Delhi on Wednesday and met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the first time since RJD returned to power in the state where Kumar formed a new Mahagathbandhan government after breaking the alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswhi Yadav who is Lalu Prasad’s son took to Twitter shared pictures of the meeting between the two leaders.
“Respected chief minister Nitish Kumar ji reached to meet the national president (RJD) Lalu Prasad Yadav,” Tejaswi tweeted. Tej Pratap Yadav and Rabri Devi were also present on the occasion.
Before taking oath as chief minister, Nitish Kumar had spoken with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and discussed the political developments. Kumar and his deputy – RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav took oath on August 10.
Earlier, when Nitish Kumar broke the alliance with BJP, Lalu Yadav hailed Kumar for his decision to split from the NDA and reunite with the Mahagathbandhan to form the new government in the state.
In July, Lalu Prasad, who has been out from prison on bail from April last year in the fodder scam case, was admitted to the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi after he suffered a fracture in his shoulder. The RJD leader was discharged on July 22.
A total of 31 ministers were inducted into the Bihar cabinet from various parties that are part of the Mahagathbandhan or the Grand Alliance in the state.
On August 16, the new Ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan at Raj Bhavan.
The RJD got 16 ministerial berths while the Janata Dal (United) got 11.
From RJD, Deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav’s brother Tej Pratap Yadav, Samir Kumar Mahaseth, Chandrashekhar, Kumar Sarvajeet, Lalit Yadav, Surendra Prasad Yadav, Ramanand Yadav, Jitendra Kumar Rai, Anita Devi and Sudhakar Singh and Alok Mehta took oath.
Congress legislators Afaque Alam and Murari Lal Gautam were inducted into the cabinet as ministers, while Hindustani Awam Morcha’s Santosh Suman was also sworn in.
The Bihar Grand Alliance has a combined strength of 163. Its effective strength climbed to 164 after Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh extended its support to Nitish Kumar. The new government is likely to prove majority in the Bihar assembly on August 24.
J&K Police issues advisory for vehicle Owners
In the backdrop of a ‘chance encounter’ at Nowhatta Srinagar recently, Police on Wednesday warned of legal action against those motorists who fail to ensure both front and rear High Security Number Plates (HSNP) on their vehicles.
The police also asked people to check from nearest police station credentials of person(s) with whom they enter into any deal regarding sale or purchase of the vehicles including two-wheelers.
“In light of investigations into usage of vehicles for transport by (terrorists), all owners are requested to install HSNP on both front and rear of vehicles (in all the two wheelers also) as mandated by Motor Vehicles Act,” police said in a statement to the media. Non-compliance will lead to legal action including seizure of such vehicle, police said in a statement.
“Further all persons selling, renting or providing vehicles (two wheelers included) are also requested to verify credentials of such buyer/user from nearest police station before handing over vehicle,” it said, adding, “Ignorance of procedures will not be an excuse if such vehicle(s) is/are found with subversive element.”
A police informed the media that in the “chance encounter” at Nowhatta here it was seen that HSNP was not present on front side and rear was smeared with mud. He said the scooty used in Nowhatta incident was sold by Umar motors to one active terrorist Momin Gulzar for Rs 45,000.
Kashmiri Pandit employees stage protest, block Tawi Bridge
Jammu: Protesting Kashmiri Pandits (KP) employed under the Prime Minister’s Package on Wednesday blocked the busy Tawi bridge against the targeted killing of Sunil Kumar Bhat in Shopian and demanded their relocation to Jammu till the situation improved in Kashmir.
Carrying placards in their hands, earlier the protesters held a sit-in at Dogra Chowk and then they marched towards the Tawi Bridge and blocked it for some time raising slogans in support of their demand for relocation.
The protesters were angry over the continuous targetted killings in Kashmir and alleged that they were not provided with a secure environment to work in the government offices.
“Therefore, we are demanding relocation to Jammu till the security situation improves,” one of the protesting PM package employees told Greater Kashmir.
While questioning the senseless killings of the minority community people by the terrorists, the protesting employees sought the attention of the government towards the situation, which they alleged, was “not conducive for the working of PM package employees.”
“We have also informed the government that we will return to our jobs in Kashmir till the situation improves there. At present, we are not willing to work there. There is no security. The KP employees are in deep stress due to continuous killings,” said one of the protesters.
“We have been protesting for the last 92 days in Jammu after the killing of Rahul Bhat and demanding our relocation to Jammu. Today we started our march from the Relief Commissioner’s office at Canal Road and then blocked the Tawi bridge,” Naveen Pandita, a PM Package employee told Greater Kashmir.
Rain, landslides disrupt traffic on Sgr-Jmu NH
Ramban: Incessant rains, triggering landslides, disrupted vehicular traffic movement for several hours between Chanderkote and Banihal sector of Srinagar Jammu National Highway on Wednesday afternoon.
Traffic authorities told Greater Kashmir that the vehicular traffic on highway between Chanderkote and Banihal sector remained suspended for several hours as incessant rains that lashed the area triggered mud and landslides at Mehar, Cafeteria Morh, Seri, and T-2 Kelamorh.
Besides, shooting stones too kept on tumbling down at some places between Chanderkote and Banihal after the heavy spell of rains which lashed the area this afternoon at around 2.30 pm, they said.
“Every type of movement on the highway was suspended for the safety of life and property of commuters and vehicle owners,” they said.
Due to blockade, hundreds of light, medium and heavy vehicles remained stranded on the both sides of the highway at Mehar, Ramban, Seri , Kelamorh, Ramsu and other places till it (highway) was restored this evening at around 8.30 pm.
Traffic authorities said that the vehicles were made to halt at different locations on the highway at safer places till the rain stopped and the highway was cleared by the company engaged by NHAI.
They said that soon after improvement in weather, the road maintenance agency pressed its men and machinery to clear the stones, mud and landslides from the highway.
National Investigation Agency conducts raids at multiple locations in Jammu
National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducts raids at multiple locations in Jammu
Arms, ammunition dropped by Pakistani drone recovered in Jammu
Jammu, August 18: Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered arms and ammunition dropped by a Pakistani drone in Toph village near the international border.
According to Police, a case was registered on February 24, 2022 at Arnia police station regarding recovery of arms and ammunition dropped by Pakistani drone. One accused, belonging to Jammu, made revelations that a Pakistani prisoner/handler Mohd Ali Hussain alias Qasim has been instrumental in drone droppings and is the main operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Al Badr.
He was then brought before the court on production from Jail and subsequently police remand was taken.
Police said during sustained questioning, the accused confessed to his role in the Arnia weapon drop case and also disclosed two locations where the arms and ammunition dropped by drone had been concealed.
In order to recover the weapons, a police team, along with the magistrate concerned went to the spot one after the another.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh said, “Though no recovery was made at the first place but at the second place in Toph village (near the International Border) in Phallian Mandal area, a packet of arms, ammunitions and explosives were recovered. When the packet was being opened, the accused attacked one of the police officials and snatched his service rifle. He fired at the police party and tried to flee from the spot.”
“In retaliation, the accused got injured and was shifted to Governmnet Medical College Jammu along with an injured police official. The injured terrorist later succumbed to his injuries,” said the official.
The dropped packet was then scrutinized with the help of the Bomb disposal squad. An AK rifle, magazines, 40 AK rounds, a star pistol, pistol rounds, and Chinese small grenades were recovered from the packet.
The investigation is underway. Further details are awaited. (Agencies)
LG Manoj Sinha chairs high level meeting to review Sports activities in J&K
Jammu August 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high level meeting at Civil Secretariat, to review the sports activities across Jammu & Kashmir.
The Lt Governor took a detailed assessment of the efforts for engagement of 35 lakh youth in sports activities targeted for this year.
J&K Sports Council and Department of Youth Services & Sports were directed to use the power of sports to prevent crime and drug use among youth.
The Lt Governor further called for ensuring maximum participation of girls. Make sporting activities more inclusive; accelerate efforts to promote women athletes. We must promote equal participation of girls and it should be ensured they have ample opportunities to develop teamwork, self-reliance, resilience and confidence. Sport has the power to change the society and we must use its unmatched potential, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor also directed the officials to develop facilities for yoga centers and explore the modalities to organize rallies in the districts to promote sports culture among the younger generation at grassroot level.
Analytic view must be taken to identify the employees engaged under sports quota who can contribute towards the development of sports in J&K, added the Lt Governor.
While taking stock of the calendar of activities under ‘My Youth My Pride’, the Lt Governor was informed that Phase-I of the programme has witnessed the participation of 8.76 lakh youth from across the UT, while 13.75 lakh youth will be engaged in Phase-II.
The chair was informed about the special activities under ‘My Youth My Pride’ to be organized to commemorate important International days with the targeted engagement of 25,000 youth.
The meeting also discussed the progress made in formulation of merit list for the appointment of outstanding sportspersons, the rewards as per the Sports Policy being extended to the sports persons who have brought laurels to the country and the UT.
The Lt Governor asked Sh Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department to encourage the youth at Higher Education level to participate in different sports disciplines.
On being informed about the ongoing projects under PMDP, JKIDFC, Capex and Khelo India, the Lt Governor asked the officials to identify the projects facing land or other issues so that appropriate action can be taken to resolve the same.
The Lt Governor instructed the Department of Youth Services & Sports to organize sports tournaments in multiple disciplines under LG’s Rolling Trophy including Cricket, Football, Volleyball and Hockey, and reward the outstanding players at UT level and District level.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Sarmad Hafeez, holding the charge of Secretary, Youth Services & Sports; Subash Chander Chhibber, Director Youth Services & Sports; Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Security forces on high alert in Jammu after militants escape during encounter
JAMMU, Aug 17: Security forces and police have intensified operation to track down terrorists, who managed to escape from the cordon after a bried gunfire encounter in Rajouri district, sources said.
Security forces had on Sunday located a group of 2-3 terrorists in Sojan forest area of Samote in Rajouri and laid a seige to neutralise them, they said.
Terrorists fired on the security forces during cordon and search operation (CASO) but managed to escape using heavy rains and bad weather conditions as cover, they said.
Forces have now intensified the operation to track down the terrorists, who may be trying to find new targets in the area, they said.
Security forces and police have been put on high alert in view of movement of two suspected persons around Rajouri city, particularly around security forces area on Tuesday, they said.
Agencies also spotted two suspected persons, including one carrying a bag, in CCTV footage, they said.
On August 11, two terrorists had attacked an Army camp in Rajouri, killing four soldiers in a pre-dawn suicide strike that marked the return of ‘fidayeen’ to Jammu and Kashmir after more than three years.
Both the terrorists, believed to be from the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), were shot dead after an over four-hour gun battle.
On May 8, a terrorist was killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Laam area of Rajouri district. There were several blasts in Rajouri district in April and May.
Police had busted two modules of the LeT instrumental in carrying out terror acts and ferrying drone-dropped weapons from Pakistan to the Kashmir valley. They arrested five members of two terror modules. (Agencies)