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SC appoints independent panel to probe PM’s security breach in Punjab, DGP Chandigarh, NIA chief included

OpIndia Staff
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SC appoints independent panel to probe PM’s security breach in Punjab, DGP Chandigarh, NIA chief included

The Supreme Court directed on Monday to appoint an independent panel to investigate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security breach in Ferozepur, Punjab. The panel will be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. The top court, while hearing a plea on the subject, told both the Centre and the Punjab governments that their investigations into the matter should be halted.

The court further proposed that the independent panel should incorporate the DGP Chandigarh, the IG National Investigation Agency, the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Courts, and the ADGP (security) of Punjab.

Earlier today, a Supreme Court bench led by CJI Ramana began hearing a petition seeking a court-monitored investigation into an episode involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security breach during his visit to Ferozepur in Punjab. A three-judge panel chaired by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana and comprised of Justice Surya Kanta and Justice Hima Kohli heard the plea made by the “Lawyers’ Voice” organisation.

On Friday, the Supreme Court had instructed the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to “protect and preserve” records pertaining to the prime minister’s travel to Punjab when there was a major security breach.

Following notification that the Centre had issued show-cause notices to Punjab authorities, the Supreme Court informed the Centre that the notices issued to Punjab officials were self-contradictory. The court went on to say that by forming the Committee, the Centre is attempting to determine whether there was a violation of the SPG Act while also holding the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General responsible.

“There is a security breach and the Punjab government has admitted as well. The question is if an inquiry is held, what will be its scope. If you want to take disciplinary action against officers what remains for this court to look into?” the Court asked.

During the hearing on Monday, senior counsel DS Patwalia, the Punjab government’s Advocate General, informed the Supreme Court that the documents had been reviewed by the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, arguing for the Centre, said the Supreme Court that show-cause letters were given to the DG and the Punjab Chief Secretary before the Committee’s activities were suspended. The appointed committee had no hearings, he said.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for petitioner Lawyers’ Voice, told the Supreme Court on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security breach in Punjab is a matter under the Special Protection Groups (SPG) Act, not only a law-and-order issue.

The breach of PM’s security, according to the petition, was a deliberate failure on the side of the state authorities. It has urged the Supreme Court to take stringent action against the Punjab government’s “erring” officials. The PIL also raised concerns about why and how private individuals were granted access to PM Modi’s route.

On January 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cavalcade was stalled for about 20 minutes on a flyover in Punjab owing to farmers blocking the flyover. A huge security breach occurred when private automobiles were spotted approaching the cavalcade. According to the MHA, the Punjab government failed to deploy adequate security to ensure the safety of any road traffic. The Punjab Police had reportedly directed the protesters towards the flyover where the PM’s convoy was about to pass.

The Kerala model is superstition: Here is how

Abhishek Banerjee
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The Kerala model is superstition: Here is how

Do you believe in creationism? In other words, do you believe, as it says in the Bible, that God created the world approximately six thousand years ago, with all living things as they are today? Before you answer that, let me ask you another question. Do you believe in Australia? Yes, I’m asking if you think Australia is a real place.

Both questions may appear to be similar because both have been framed in the same way: Do you believe in …. ? But the proponents of Australia and the proponents of creationism differ in the way they handle the question.

The proponents of Australia will give you the coordinates for where it is. If you sail there, and you don’t find the continent, well then there is no Australia.

What about the proponents of creationism? You show them fossil remains. They say these are remains of the monsters mentioned in the Bible. But you tell them that you can date the fossils and prove that these are millions of years old. So that disproves creationism, right?

No, the proponents of creationism say. What if God made the world six thousand years ago and then made everything look like it is millions of years old?

Stumped?

The purpose of this long-winded introduction is this. Anyone can claim anything. How do we know which claims are scientific? Because claims that are scientific are always falsifiable. In other words, there has to be a way to disprove them using observations. If you don’t find Australia where they say it is, then there is no such thing as Australia. Superstition, on the other hand, argues that observations don’t matter. The conclusion is always the same.

Now think about the so-called ‘Kerala model’. How do the proponents of the Kerala model know that it is the best in the world? They say it is based on observation. But remarkably enough, the conclusions don’t change with observations.

What does it mean when the test positive rate for Covid in Kerala is low? It means that Kerala has successfully contained the spread of the disease. Ok, but guess what it means when the test positive rate in Kerala is high? It means that the state govt strategy of “targeted testing” is working.

No matter what the observations are, the conclusion is always the same. Kerala model is a success!

Death rates in Kerala are high? It is because it is the most aggressive and honest in updating data.

What does it mean when there are few Covid deaths in Kerala? It is a win for Kerala’s amazing healthcare system. So what does it mean when there are lots of Covid deaths in Kerala? It means that the state is doing a stellar job of recording deaths. As with creationism, you can’t disprove the Kerala model. Every observation, as well as its exact opposite, is explained by the Kerala model.

That’s how you can tell that the Kerala model is not science. It is superstition.

There is another way. Scientific results are reproducible. The effects of an antibiotic such as penicillin can be reproduced over and over again, with millions of human subjects. A magic potion or powder given by a fakeer baba is different. There is always someone willing to testify to its effectiveness, but the results can never be reproduced independently.

Nobody knows what is “targeted testing”

Just like “targeted testing.” No government, whether inside or outside India, has been able to reproduce the Kerala government’s technique of targeted testing. The World Health Organization has no clue what it is. The WHO still says that a test positive rate above 5% means that the pandemic is going out of control. However, in “targeted testing,” a higher positive rate indicates things are going very well, only in Kerala.

Right now, there is a huge shortage of testing kits in the US, for instance. Think about how much waste could have been avoided if we didn’t have to go through say 100 tests to find 5-6 cases. We could have used “targeted testing” and cut down the number of test kits needed by a factor of 4 or 5! But no government has tried to acquire Kerala’s unique technology. Neither has the Kerala government tried to export it.

The Kerala model cannot be falsified by observation. Its results cannot be reproduced anywhere else. Because the Kerala model is faith-based.

What? Communists and faith? Heresy!

But here is what settles the matter. The people running the scam know exactly what they are doing. We know the Kerala model is superstitious because those running it don’t believe in it themselves. And that is why Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan is off to the US for just a “medical check-up.”

Apparently, Kerala’s much-acclaimed healthcare system cannot do so much as a medical check-up. Also observe that the Communist CM is not going to Cuba, or China, or any other place that inspires his politics. He is going to America!

Incidentally, he isn’t even the only minister in his government right now who is going to America for medical reasons. His sports minister is doing the same.

Where does that leave you, the common citizen? Well, if you are a resident of Kerala, congratulations! You will be picking up the bill, because all expenses will be borne by the taxpayer. So, if you have relatives in the Gulf who are sending money home, better call them and tell them to work just a bit harder. Don’t worry, because it is all going towards a good cause, which is fighting fascism. You don’t want Modi taking over Kerala, do you? So work a little harder, comrades! Thanks to Comrade Pinarayi, the harvest shall be plentiful this year.

Oh, and Comrade Pinarayi also changed the commissar who supposedly led Kerala so successfully through Covid. Remember Comrade Shailaja? I haven’t heard her mentioned once in the media since mid-May. Remember the revolution isn’t about individuals, it is about the collective.

Have you ever seen a faith healer take their own “medicine”? And so does Comrade Pinarayi head to the US, leaving behind his famed Kerala model. The real Kerala model isn’t healthcare or education. It is about making sure nobody in the media dares to say a word against it.

Congress leader shares manipulated media originated in Pakistan to malign Modi govt, deletes it later: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader shares manipulated media originated in Pakistan to malign Modi govt, deletes it later: Details

On Sunday, January 9, Dr Param Navdeep Singh, a leader of the Indian National Congress, took to her official Twitter handle to share the same manipulated video which Pakistanis and their Indian agents shared on January 7 to claim that the Indian government is planning to remove Sikhs from the Indian army. 

Despite the Indian government rubbishing the fake video on the very same day, the Congress leader continued to peddle the fake news in her deliberate attempt to berate the Modi government.

In a fresh new effort to portray PM Modi as anti-Sikh, the Congress leader Tweeted the fallacious claim, two days later, with the hashtag #ModihatesPunjabis.

In her now-deleted Tweet, Dr Param Navdeep Singh wrote: “During 6 January Meeting of Modi’s Cabinet Committee on security BJP Minister Calls For Removal of Sikhs From Indian Army #ModihatesPunjabis” while sharing a screenshot from the same ‘fake’ video that went viral, showing anti-Sikh views being expressed during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi.

Now-deleted Tweet of Congress leader Dr Param Navdeep Singh

Dr Param Navdeep Singh who identifies herself as a social activist and doctor is a former Congress MLA of the Sangaria assembly constituency in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district.

Screenshot of Dr Param Navdeep Singh’s Twitter bio

It may be noted that after being called out for sharing the erroneous claim that too, two days after it was fact-checked by the government of India itself, the Congress leader deleted her Tweet saying, “No harm/ ill-will was intended by hashtagging it”.

Congress toes Pakistan’s line to berate Modi government

Congress, which is infamous for always toeing Pakistan’s line when it comes to demonising the Modi government, did so again this time, parroting the false assertions made by an Inter-Services Public Relations propaganda Twitter handle (ISPR). In her eagerness to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Congress leader likely overlooked the fact that the falsehood she was pushing had already been debunked by the Indian government two days prior.

On Saturday (January 8), several accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Telegram were reportedly blocked by the Ministry of Information and Technology (MeitY) for disseminating modified recordings of a cabinet briefing and promoting inappropriate or hostile content.

In a tweet, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar revealed that 73 Twitter accounts had been suspended, four YouTube videos had been deleted, and one Instagram game had been taken down. The proprietors of these accounts are being identified and will face legal action, and these social media networks’ due diligence will be examined, he added.

Propaganda to divert from PM Modi’s security breach

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) propaganda Twitter handle released a doctored video on Friday (January 7) claiming that the Indian government is intending to remove Sikhs from the Indian army. The news comes amid a standoff between the central government and the Punjab government over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security lapse on January 5 of this year.

“Cabinet Committee on Security Meeting Minister Anurag Thakur, S Jaishankar calls for removal of Sikhs from the Indian army,” according to Anjali Kaur’s Twitter profile (@heyanjaliii). The aforementioned account was established in October of last year and currently has 987 followers. Someone was heard in the video arguing for the removal of all Punjabis from the Indian Army.

The propaganda handle used visuals from a Union Cabinet meeting and superimposed an audio transcript from a Clubhouse discussion. It was pointed out by several social media users on Twitter.

The false account’s allegations were also refuted by the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) official handle.

Accused Ibrahim and Abdul sold call routes to Pakistani, Chinese handlers, arrested by Kerala police

OpIndia Staff
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Accused Ibrahim and Abdul sold call routes to Pakistani, Chinese handlers, arrested by Kerala police

The Kerala police Crime Branch had nabbed a Kadampuzha native named Ibrahim Pullatile in connection to the sale of call routes to handlers in the neighbouring countries of China, Bangladesh and Pakistan, reported The New Indian Express (TNIE). Call routing is used by criminals to avoid detection of the origin of calls by telecom operators.

Ibrahim had confessed to his involvement in the parallel telephone exchange case during which he remained in contact with 168 nationals from Pakistan. This was revealed during the probe of his Skype files and chats. The accused had received 20 lacs worth of Hawala money from Muhammaed Raheem, a Pakistani national, and ₹15 lacs from Bangladeshi national Sahir.

Although Pakistani Inter-State Intelligence (ISI) uses Gulf-registered phone numbers for carrying out Hawala activities, this was not the case with Raheem. The Research and Analysis Wing (RA&W) officials are now probing the money trail and activities of the Pakistani handler.

Ibrahim was also found bargaining with Pakistani nationals over the sale of the illegal call routes. The other accused in the case has been identified as Abdul Gafoor. TNIE reported that Ibrahim used Chinese-origin soft switch, similar to DINSTAR (leading Chinese VoIP gateway provider), for running parallel telephone exchange in India. The accused was also in touch with 2 Chinese women named Lee and Fly.

A report filed by Assistant Commissioner TP Sreejith stated, “It is explicitly evident that the intention and motive of the culprits were not a mere case of bypassing a phone call or cheating a service provider. It is a clear threat to our nation’s internal security.”

The menace of parallel telephone exchanges surfaced during the investigation in the gold smuggling case in Kerala. Besides, phone numbers associated with many POCSO cases were found linked to such exchanges. Other such cases reported from Mumbai, Patna, Bengaluru and Meerut were found to use identical devices. Reportedly, such parallel telephone exchanges were intercepted near the Bombay Stock Exchange and used for money laundering purposes.

Journalist and NGO board member in Uttarakhand expresses glee over BJP leaders testing positive for COVID

OpIndia Staff
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Journalist and NGO board member in Uttarakhand expresses glee over BJP leaders testing positive for COVID

On January 10, Ranjona Banerji, journalist and board member of Latika Roy memorial, expressed her happiness over Bharatiya Janata Party leaders testing positive for Covid-19. She was replying to a tweet of another journalist Deepal Trivedi of Vibes of India, where she had urged the Election Commission to ban intra-state travel amidst the Covid-19 pandemic for election rallies. Banerji replied to the tweet with a laughing emoji.

Source: Twitter

Ranjona Banerji is a part of the left ecosystem. A simple scroll through her timeline shows how well she spreads anti-Hindu propaganda. One of the tweets that she retweeted recently was of Khalistani sympathizer Pieter Friedrich who is allegedly on hunger strike for the made-up stories of attacks on Indian Christians. Banerji is associated with the infamous Latika Roy Memorial, the same organization that has been accused of anti-CAA propaganda, dubious links with China and spiteful lies.

Source: Twitter

Banerji is one of the Board members of the Latika Roy Foundation.

Banerji as Board Member of Latika Roy foundation

Jo Chopra and her Left-leaning propaganda

Notably, the Director of Latika Roy Foundation, Jo Chopra McGowan, recently tweeted a piece of fake news that Christmas was banned in Uttarakhand. Her claims were refuted by authorities and netizens alike, after which she had to issue an apology where she alleged her tweet was misinterpreted.

McGowan, who is a US citizen, later deleted the tweet. As of now, her Twitter account no longer exists. Amidst all the criticism, stark details pertaining to the NGO director and her family have come to the fore. Interestingly, Jo Chopra and her husband Ravi Chopra both run separate NGOs and receive funding from foreign countries. Their son is married into a Chinese family, Vijay Gajera, a Twitter user, said in a Twitter thread posted by him detailing the shenanigans of the NGO director and her husband.

In a subsequent tweet, Patel said Ravi Chopra was appointed head of the committee on the Chardham Road project, adding that he was against the proposed idea of broadening the width of the road, whereas in his committee, 12 people were in support of a 12-meter wide road.

Besides, Ravi Chopra is also a part of the leftist cabal that includes the likes of Harsh Mander, Prashant Bhushan, Teesta Setalvad etc. Ravi Chopra was one of the many signatories to a petition floated by leftists against the Central government. Chopra was also among the signatories who urged the Supreme Court to reconsider contempt proceedings against Prashant Bhushan.

In addition to this, Ravi Chopra’s wife, Jo Chopra, has also peddled misapprehensions about the Citizenship Amendment Act, driving a wedge between different religions and stoking unfounded fears that CAA would disenfranchise Muslims.

Delhi: Another case of dextromethorphan poisoning reported, toddler falls ill after being administered with cough syrup at a mohalla clinic

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Another case of dextromethorphan poisoning reported, toddler falls ill after being administered with cough syrup at a mohalla clinic

A Delhi Mohalla clinic is facing the ire of the public after a case of a toddler falling sick because of dextromethorphan poisoning has come to the fore. The child was taken seriously ill after she was administered dextromethorphan syrup by a mohalla clinic in the city, a report published in the New Indian Express said.

The toddler was immediately rushed to Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital on Thursday evening and put on a ventilator support system after suffering from respiratory failure.

The toddler is now in stable condition. Following the incident, there was anger among residents against the mohalla clinic that gave the child dextromethorphan syrup, which allegedly put her life in danger and caused her respiratory problems.

3 children died in December 2021 after consuming cough syrup administered at neighbourhood clinic in Delhi

However, this is not the first time that Delhi mohalla clinics have come under the scanner for their dangerous and potentially fatal treatment practices. In December 2021, 16 children were poisoned and admitted to Kalawati Saran Children’s hospital in New Delhi after allegedly consuming a cough syrup that was administered by a mohalla clinic run by the state government. 3 of those 16 children died in the incident.

Reportedly, an inquiry that was carried out by the central government revealed that the children were poisoned by the drug after it was administered to them on the prescription of the state-run mohalla clinics.

Following the incident, the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Union health ministry had asked the Delhi government to send a notification to all dispensaries and mohalla clinics to stop the prescription of the drug to children who are less than four years of age. The drug was a cough suppressant, which is manufactured by a multinational company. The DGHS has also suggested that the drug should be withdrawn in the public interest due to its side effects.

A senior paediatrician had then said, “This drug is a centrally acting cough suppressant. It causes side-effects such as sedation and, therefore, it is not given to children. However, the side effects cannot be so serious in so many children. It is possible that the drugs were contaminated, or there were other issues. It needs detailed investigation and appropriate action.”

Mohalla Clinic, the flagship healthcare model promoted by Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP govt in Delhi

It is worth noting that Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) had launched ‘Mohalla Clinics’ as their flagship healthcare model to strengthen the primary healthcare system in the city. According to a senior health official, there were more than 500 mohalla clinics in Delhi at one point. A mohalla clinic consists of a doctor and a midwife-cum-nurse and gives a wide range of diagnostic services and essential medicines free of cost to patients.

Nagpur Police suspects involvement of a local man in RSS HQ recce by JeM

OpIndia Staff
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Nagpur Police suspects involvement of a local man in RSS HQ recce by JeM

Nagpur Police has revealed that a local man based in Nagpur was tasked to provide logistical support to Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) terrorists during their visit in Nagpur. During the interrogation of an arrested terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir, he revealed that he withdrew the operation midway citing unknown reasons. The Nagpur Police has started probing the involvement of a local man in the JeM Terror case of conducting a recce of RSS Headquarters and Hedgewar Smarak in the city.

Nagpur Police Comissioner Amitesh Kumar informed The Hitavada, that the information about the local suspect was revealed by the JeM Terrorist Raees Ahmed Sheikh Abdulla Sheikh while he was being interrogated by the Nagpur Crime branch on Sunday. Sheikh in July 2021, had come in Nagpur to conduct a recce of The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Headquarters and Hedgewar Smarak both situated in Reshimbagh, Nagpur. According to the CP, the handlers of Sheikh in Nagpur had assured him of local logistical support during his stay in the city for three days. While the terrorist’s target was to conduct a video recce of all six lanes leading to the RSS HQ, he withdrew his mission observing police patrolling and a large number of police cops deployed for security.

The CP informed that the police has started an investigation for identifying the local support. The Nagpur Police have employed digital tools and are also working with the cyber department to trace the source. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have confirmed the identity of Raees (26), a resident of Avantipura, Pulwama whose expertise in electrical work got him recruited by Jaish for a ‘Fidayeen Attack’. A case under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) has been registered against the JeM terrorist at Kotwali Police Station, Nagpur.

Earlier, The Nagpur Police had banned photography and the use of drones in the Reshimbagh Area where the RSS Headquarters is located. The Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to declare the precinct as a “no-drone” zone in light of the perceived threat.

Novak Djokovic can now stay in Australia and play Grand Slam, court overturns govt order to cancel his visa

OpIndia Staff
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Novak Djokovic can now stay in Australia and play Grand Slam, court overturns govt order to cancel his visa

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has won his legal fight against the Australian government in an Australian court. As per reports, Djokovic’s deportation order has been overturned by the Federal Circuit Court in Australia.

The court has also ordered the tennis star to be released from detention immediately. The judge had also allowed Djokovic to leave the hotel and watch the court proceedings.

The court has observed that a ministerial order can be used to still deport Djokovic, but he won’t be allowed in the country for 3 years if that route is taken.

As per reports, Djokovic’s lawyers had argued for several hours, calling the Tennis star’s deportation orders illegal. His lawyers had stated at court that the Australian Border Force officials had failed to give valid notice of the government’s intentions to cancel his visa.

The court proceedings were paused for a significant time after Djokovic’s lawyers presented their case. BBC has reported that the pause was the time when the Australian government withdrew their case against the tennis star.

Judge Anthony Kelly has ruled that the government’s order cancelling Djokovic’s visa will be quashed.

The Australian Open starts on January 17. Djokovic is the current world number 1. If he wins the title, he will be the most successful men’s player in tennis.

Djokovic’s ordeal

Earlier last week, Novak Djokovic’s visa was cancelled by the Australian government over their vaccination rules. He was stopped at the Melbourne airport upon arrival and was sent to an ‘immigrant hotel’ after several hours of interrogation.

Australian PM Scott Morrison had announced that ‘rules are same for everyone’ and the Serbian tennis star, who is reportedly not vaccinated against Covid, will be sent back on the next plane.

Djokovic’s detention had caused a massive furore. The Serbian government had called it a ‘political witch hunt’. It is notable here that Djokovic had landed in Australia after being granted a ‘medical exemption’ against the country’s mandatory vaccination rules.

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar refuses to undergo a Covid test despite coughing in public during ‘padayatra’, FIR filed

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar refuses to undergo a Covid test despite coughing in public during ‘padayatra’, FIR filed

An FIR has been filed against Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar for refusing to undergo a Covid test, reports News 18. Despite being found coughing in public during his 10-day padayatra in Karnataka against the Mekedatu dam the Congress leader had allegedly said that he ‘is perfectly healthy’ and ‘does not need any test.’

Responding to the FIR filed against the Karnataka Congress chief for flouting Covid norms and refusing to undergo a COVID-19 test despite coughing in public, his party leaders called it a politically motivated move of the ruling BJP in the state against their state party chief.

“I am fit and fine. You can’t compel me (to give my sample). I know the law of this land. Tell your Home Minister I am perfect,” the Karnataka Congress chief had reportedly argued with the District Health Officer who had come to collect his samples after the event for the day had concluded on Sunday, January, 9.

Dramatic visuals of the padayatra emerged on Sunday with a large group of people gathering, few wearing masks or observing social distances.

BJP had also posted a video where DK Shivakumar was seen coughing during his interaction with Congress leaders. In the video, DK Shivakumar, who is seen without a face mask, coughs while addressing a large gathering of his party members.

Siddaramaiah, Congress senior leader currently serving as the leader of the opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly is also seen sitting next to DK Shivakumar with his mask on his chin exposing his mouth and nose. None of the party leaders, sitting next to the duo, are seen wearing face masks.

Reports suggest that Siddaramaiah, who also took part in the Congress’ padayatra in Ramanagara district had returned to Bengaluru post-lunch, due to fever. Videos have surfaced of the former Chief Minister speaking to Bengaluru Rural MP D K Suresh, former Minister R V Deshpande, and other Congress leaders about his fever and need to rest for a while, and then leaving in his official car.

Unfazed by the government’s warning of action in case of violation of COVID restrictions and rules owing to the rising cases in Karnataka, the Congress had begun its 10-day padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru this morning with the theme “Namma Neeru Namma Hakku” (Our water, Our right).

It may be noted that the state government has imposed a curfew on weekends and restricted public gatherings to fight the surge in COVID-19 cases, till January 19. It has also imposed a night curfew, and prohibited all rallies, dharnas and protests, among others.

Before the commencement of the Padayatra, the Karnataka Congress chief had downplayed the third wave of COVID-19 by maintaining that there is no such thing as Covid in the country and it’s all a creation of the BJP.

Shivakumar had told the media: “Where is Covid? There is no Covid. The government has been manipulating the numbers (COVID-19 cases) to create a scare among the public and scuttle our Padayatra. The ruling BJP fears our Padayatra will expose its lack of commitment to addressing the drinking water issues. Isn’t BJP playing politics by imposing a curfew?” 

Witnessing a spike in coronavirus cases, Karnataka on Sunday reported 12,000 fresh cases and 4 virus-related deaths, taking the tally to 30,51,958 and the fatalities toll to 38,370.

Local Chinese media claims two Omicron cases found in China’s Tianjin

OpIndia Staff
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Local Chinese media claims two Omicron cases found in China’s Tianjin

China is testing all residents of Tianjin after two Omicron cases were detected in the city. Notably, Tianjin is only 115 KM away from Beijing, the host city for Winter Olympics scheduled for February 2022. According to CCTV, a state-affiliated broadcaster, the government of China divided Tianjin and the 14 million residents into three levels of restrictions.

In the first level, the region is in complete lockdown and people are not allowed to leave their homes. In the second level, the region is in partial lockdown, and one family member can leave the house to buy groceries every other day. In the third level, the residents can go out, but they have to stay in their immediate neighbourhoods.

The two cases of Omicron that were reported in Tianjin were a 29-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl. 18 close contacts of the two were tested positive for Covid-19. 767 other contacts were tested negative. The citywide testing would be completed in two days.

The authorities have further suspended bus and train services from Tianjin to Beijing. The residents of the city have been told not to leave the city unless it is necessary. Mass testing in the city began on Sunday after 41 Covid-19 cases were reported, including both children and adults. At least two of them have been tested positive for the Omicron variant.

It is noteworthy that people from Taijing frequently travel to Beijing. Keeping the upcoming Winter Olympics in mind, the authorities have stepped up the strict zero-tolerance strategy.

Two more cases on Omicron variant were reported in Henan province out of a total of 60 cases that were reported. Reports suggest that the Omicron variant that was found in Anyang of Henan province was brought from Tianjin by a college student on December 28. Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, is also conducting mass testing. The schools have been shut till further notice.

Two other cities, Xi’an and Yuzhou, are under lockdown after larger outbreaks were reported of Delta variant. It has been two weeks since 13 million people of the Xi’an are under lockdown.

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