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West Bengal CM informs that 91,515 cases of Influenza-like Illness and 872 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness found during door-to-door surveillance in the state

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West Bengal CM informs that 91,515 cases of Influenza-like Illness and 872 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness found during door-to-door surveillance in the state

After receiving loads of allegations from the opposition, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has finally opened up about the state of the health crisis in the West Bengal. She informed on Tuesday that 91,515 cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and 872 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) were found in 5.57 crore households as a result of door-to-door surveillance conducted by her government in the state.

Mamata Banerjee revealed in a Facebook post, “During the period of 7th April to 3rd May, 5.57 crore total household visits have been conducted. 872 cases of persons with SARI and 91,515 cases of persons with ILI have been identified and given necessary health advice. 375 people have also been admitted to different health facilities. 62 of them have tested positive for Covid-19 with the affected being treated at our hospitals. The surveillance efforts are ongoing and we will not stop till we together defeat Corona in Bengal.”

As per reports, South 24 Parganas tops the list with 8712 patients of respiratory diseases, followed by Burdwan East (6785) and Alipurdaur (5,906). A massive effort of the door to door surveillance was undertaken by 60,000 specially trained ASHA and health workers non-stop for the past 4 weeks, has been ongoing for the past one month to identify SAR and ILI cases. Mamata Banerjee added, “The surveillance gives us early warning signals and is an important proactive step in fighting Covid-19.”

It may be noted that Coronavirus infection causes Influenza-like Illness, apart from several other infections, while Severe Acute Respiratory Illness is an advanced stage of COVID-19.

Allegations against Mamata Banerjee in handling the coronavirus outbreak

The health-care experts believe that the situation in Bengal is very grave as the Mamata Banerjee-led government has not been giving real data to assess the actual seriousness of the pandemic. From threats to doctors for whistleblowing against the state government against lack of facilities to allegations of state government illegally disposing of dead bodies, there have been serious allegations against the Mamata Banerjee government in Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee is also indulging in rants against the centre

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister herself is engaging in rants against the Central Government and a lack of cooperation on her part with authorities at the center has been reported on numerous occasions. She is busy making false claims about the central government and accuses them of undue political interference in the affairs of her state. Mamata Banerjee has also asked Coronavirus positive patients to quarantine themselves at home, indicating that the spread of the virus is much greater than admitted by the state government.

Delhi Police cyber cell team visits Delhi Minorities Commission chief Zafar-ul-Islam’s house, carries out searches

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Police cyber cell team visits Delhi Minorities Commission chief Zafar-ul-Islam’s house, carries out searches

Delhi Police cyber cell team has reached Delhi Minorities Panel chief Zafar-ul-Islam’s residence in Delhi to carry out searches. Zafarul Islam has been booked for sedition. He has hailed radical preacher Zakir Naik and celebrated hounding of Hindus in UAE.

The Hateful Comments by Zafarul Islam

Earlier, Islam shared a provocative post on Facebook to thank Kuwait for “standing with the Indian Muslims” and attacked Hindus by referring to them as “Hindutva bigots”, who according to him miscalculated the reaction of the Arab world about the “persecution of Muslims in India”. Shockingly, the Delhi Minority Commission chairman hailed notorious radical Islamist and terror sympathiser Zakir Naik in his post as he claimed people like Naik are respectful household names in the Arab region and Muslim world. “Mind you, bigots, Indian Muslims have opted until now not to complain to the Arab and Muslim world about your hate campaigns and lynchings and riots. The day they are pushed to do that, bigots will face avalanche,” he added.

The Apology by Zafarul Islam

On May 1, Islam tendered an apology, saying that his tweet was “ill-timed” and “insensitive” in light of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak. While apologising, he claimed that the matter was blown “out of proportion. Zafarul Islam further accused the media of fabricating and distorting hi statements. He added that the would continue to defend India on crucial issues as doing otherwise would be against the Constitution and his religious beliefs.

However, he said that he had apologised for the tweet only because the timing of the tweet was incorrect, given that there is a pandemic underway but he does not see anything wrong with the comments themselves. He said that he stands by his words and convictions.

Kashmir: Violence erupts in Pulwama after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo killed in encounter by security forces

OpIndia Staff
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Kashmir: Violence erupts in Pulwama after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo killed in encounter by security forces

Hours after the Islamic terrorist and Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Riyaz Naikoo was eliminated by the Indian security forces in the Beighpora area of Pulwama district, massive violence has erupted at the site of the encounter. According to a report by Times Now, several locals, instigated by the Pakistani elements in the Valley, stormed the encounter site soon after the news of the dreaded terrorist’s death spread. Stones were pelted and vehicles of security forces were vandalised. Several have reportedly been injured in the ensuing mayhem.

Visuals of people climbing atop vehicles have emerged from the Valley.

Immediately after the encounter, Mobile phones services, SMS services and Mobile internet services were shut down by the administration to prevent mobilisation of large protests and violence by separatist groups, although BSNL broadband service was still operating.

Hizbul Mujahideen commander eliminated

In a massive success to security forces of the country, Riyaz Naikoo, rated as an ‘A++’ category terrorist or most-wanted militant, was eliminated on Wednesday in a highly-sensitive operation that lasted more than 12 hours.

According to the reports, the Islamic terrorist was trapped in a village during an overnight operation in Beighpora village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama. During the encounter last night, another unidentified terrorist was also killed by the security forces in the Awantipora area.

Riyaz Naikoo took over as the commander of Hizbul Mujahideen after the outfit’s poster boy and commander Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Kokarnag area in Anantnag district on July 8, 2016.

Riyaz Naikoo – one of the most wanted terrorists

The dreaded terrorist – Riyaz Naikoo is a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander. He had carried a reward of  Rs 12 lakh on his head. The killing of Riyaz Naikoo is a big blow to the local terror groups active in the area, especially Hizbul Mujahideen. Riyaz Naikoo is among the oldest surviving members of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Riyaz Naikoo is also responsible for holding the remaining faction of Hizbul together after it disintegrated when Zakir Musa broke away from the Hizbul ranks to form his own splinter group.

Musa had split from the Hizbul in 2017 and formed his own group called Ansar-Ghazwatul-Hind that claimed to be the Indian affiliate of the Al-Qaeda.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un might have faked his death to identify traitors in inner circle: Report

OpIndia Staff
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North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un might have faked his death to identify traitors in inner circle: Report

The disappearence of the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un in mid April had stirred up a series of rumours and speculations about his death after a surgery gone bad. Since then the North Korean dictator has been in news on one pretext or the other. Today reports have emerged that he may have deliberately done this to pretend to be dead. He is said to have done this to reveal traitors.

According to a report by news agency WION, Kim might have faked his death to unmask people in his inner circle who were pinning hopes on grabbing power after his death. WION says that Kim may have done this to identify the leaks within his inner circle. 

This is being viewed by many experts as a “classic Stalinist manoeuvre” to identify the so-called traitors within the inner circles. Countries ruled by dictators like Stalin or even Kim often legally require the people to observe absolute allegiance to the dictator and North Korea is no different.

It is being said that Kim Jong Un will now use the reactions or the prolonged silence during his disappearance to purge the “traitors” and those who were desirous of grabbing power after his death.

This coordinated propapaganda by Kim has also exposed to so-called “high placed sources” of several media houses and also of the highly placed intellectuals who had claimed that Kim had a life threatening illness or could even be dead.

Several detractors who had escaped from North Korea to South Korea were elected to the parliament there and were expected to provide accurate analysis of the political developments in North Korea.

One of the defectors, Thae Yong-ho, was North Korea’s deputy ambassador to Britain, where he managed secret funds for Kim. Thae fled to South Korea in 2016 and was one of a pair of defectors elected to parliament last month.

“I am aware that one of the reasons why many of you voted for me as a lawmaker is with the expectations of an accurate analysis and projections on North Korean issues,” Thae said in a statement. “I feel the blame and heavy responsibility.”

“Whatever the reasons, I apologise to everyone”, he said.

Kim Jong Un may have fled to his private villa with his ‘pleasure squad’ to avoid coronavirus

Recently, a report published by The Sun had claimed that the North Korean dictator was missing from the public eye because he fled to his private luxury seaside villa in Wonsan, located along the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula, along with a harem of 2,000 sex slaves, to avoid catching the coronavirus.

According to reports, satellite images showing luxury boats used by Kim Jong Un in addition to his personal train stationed near the Wonsan villa indicated that he was at the seaside resort.

North Korean leader made his first public appearance since April 11

On May 1, the North Korean leader made a first public appearance since April 11, amid the speculations of his bad health and possible death. North Korea’s government news agency KCNA issued pictures in which Kim Jong Un is seen inaugurating a company on Labour Day. 

The news agency reported that the Leader had attended the completion of the fertilizer plant in a region north of the capital Pyongyang. This was the first official report on the dictator’s activity since April 11.

Rumors of Kim Jong Un illness and possible death

As per reports, Kim Jong Un presided a worker’s party politburo on April 11. The state media reported the next day that the leader had inspected fighter jets. After that Kim had vanished from the media reports of the country.

Speculations about his bad health and possible death emerged when he was found absent at April 15 celebrations for the birthday of his grandfather, who was the North Korea’s founder. The day is one of the most auspicious days for the country. His absence triggered many unconfirmed reports over his condition. An online media outlet, that is handled by North Korean defectors reported that the dictator was undergoing treatment for the cardiovascular procedure last month.

It stated that Kim, who is in mid-30, needed urgent treatment due to heavy smoking, obesity and fatigue. The rumours of his death triggered a volley of memes and jokes on the Internet including some who joked that he may have faked his own death to identify those who are celebrating.

Kim Jong Un having the last laugh

5-year-old boy driving an SUV on Highway stopped by police in Utah, was going to California to buy a Lamborghini with $3 in pocket

OpIndia Staff
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5-year-old boy driving an SUV on Highway stopped by police in Utah, was going to California to buy a Lamborghini with $3 in pocket

A police officer in the western US of Utah was shocked to see a young boy aged five driving a car after he had asked the driver to stop. The car was being driven unevenly and the police officer didn’t see the head of the driver above the seat’s headrest so he thought it must be an impaired driver who is in need of a medical emergency.

The juvenile revealed that he left home after an argument with his mom after she refused to buy him a Lamborghini car. He left home with three dollars, according to Utah Highway Patrol.

The department further added that the boy took the car key from his home so that he could drive to California to buy a luxury sports car for himself.

Officer was stunned after seeing the minor driving

The police officer Rick Morgan pulled over the boy. Initially, he thought that the driver of the SUV is impaired and in need of a medical emergency. But he was shocked to see a minor driving this way. He didn’t expect what he found when he approached the car.

Morgan said, “I was pretty clear when the window came down that it was young, very underage driver that was behind the wheel. He was sitting on the front edge of the seat so that he could reach the brake pedal to keep the car stopped while I was standing there.” Morgan thought that the bit was 8 to 9 years old, but the boy said that he is 5. Later the family of the boy also confirmed that his age is five years only.

The boy said the trooper said that her sister live in California and he was trying to go to her house there. Morgan also said he was amazed that when the boy heard the siren he actually pulled over the car and stopped.

Video released by the department

In the dash cam video released by the Utah Highway Patrol, the SUV the boy is driving is seen weaving across the freeway as cars and semi-trucks drive past. The Child pulls over to the shoulder of the road after the police officer blows siren.

They tweeted that when his mother refused to buy him a Lamborghini, he decided he will take the car and go to California to buy the car himself. But the department noted that he might have been short on the purchase amount, as he only had 3 dollars in his wallet. Price of different models of Lamborghini ranges from more than $200,000 to more than $3 million in the United States.

The police department reached his parents who were said to be at work and left him in the care of his sibling.

The family said that the boy had not driven before, and this was the first time he did that. Lt. Nick Street, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol, said that it was “very shocking that a child, age 5, would know how to drive, get on the freeway and go the right direction to California to his destination.”

No one was hurt neither any property was damaged but still, his parents can face the charges, said the Highway lieutenant Nick Street.

As of Tuesday, no charges have been filed in the case, Lieutenant Street said.“The case is in the screening process,” he said, adding that the Weber County Attorney’s Office may file charges or give the case to a lesser court in Ogden.

Ahmedabad: All shops, including those selling fruits, vegetables and groceries shut down from 7th May till 15th, milk and medicine shops to remain open

OpIndia Staff
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Ahmedabad: All shops, including those selling fruits, vegetables and groceries shut down from 7th May till 15th, milk and medicine shops to remain open

All shops except those providing milk and medicines have been ordered to shut down in Ahmedabad in the wake of the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic. The shops ill be closed from 12 am on the 7th of May to 6 am on the 15th. The order was issued by the Commissioner of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The order stated that the extreme measures are being undertaken to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Shops selling fruit, vegetables and groceries have also been ordered to be shut down.

The order issued by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner

Ahmedabad Coronavirus Situation

Gujarat is the second most affected state in the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic, second only to Maharashtra. As of the time of writing this report, Gujarat has a total of 6245 cases of which around 4500 cases were in Ahmedabad itself. Almost 90,000 tests have been conducted thus far. 1381 people have recovered from the disease and 368 individuals have lost their lives due to the virus.

The India Coronavirus Situation

As of 6th May 2020 10 am, India had a total of 49,391 Coronavirus cases with 14,182 recoveries. 1694 people have lost their lives. The 40-day lockdown across India came to an end on the 3rd of May 2020. Some stores across the country have opened with restrictions and guidelines on social distancing. While movement within green zones is freely allowed, restrictions continue to remain in place in orange and red zones. Containment zones remain completely sealed.

Yogi Adityanath govt refutes Samajwadi Party’s allegations of caste bias for martyrs, reiterates it does not differentiate

OpIndia Staff
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Yogi Adityanath govt refutes Samajwadi Party’s allegations of caste bias for martyrs, reiterates it does not differentiate

The Yogi Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh government took to Twitter to announce that it shall provide financial assistance worth 50 lacs and a government job to a family member of martyrs of the armed forces as well as paramilitary.

This policy of Yogi government also includes naming of a road in the native village after the martyr’s name.

Samajwadi party alleges casteism

The Samajwadi party alleged that the yogi government is discriminating on basis of caste while disbursing financial assistance for the martyrs. The Samajwadi party cast aspersions that the compensation was different for Colonel Ashutosh Sharma and CRPF Jawan Ashwini Yadav.

However, the UP government clarified that they, as does everyone in India, have immense respect for martyrs and there is no discrimination.

The controversy erupted when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the financial assistance of rupees 50 lakhs for the family of Colonel Ashutosh Sharma who laid down his life in counter-terrorist operation in Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir.

40 lakhs would be given to Army officer’s wife and 10 lakhs would be given to his mother Additional Chief Secretary, Avanish Awasthi told reporters.

CM’s office clarified that it has already been announced that in the case of the army and paramilitary forces financial assistance will be provided to the martyr’s spouse and surviving parents. A government job will be given to a family member and a village road will name after the martyr. Hence, these benefits will be given to the family of Ashwini Yadav of Ghazipur as per the policy of the government.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tributes to the martyrs of Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir. He wrote on Twitter, “Salute to the courage of Constable Ashwini Kumar Yadav, Constable C Chandrashekhar, and Constable Santosh Kumar Mishra. Your sacrifice for the nation is unmatchable. All of us are proud of you. Jai Hind!”

Kerala: Despite showing no symptoms, 2 patients remained coronavirus positive for over 40 days

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Despite showing no symptoms, 2 patients remained coronavirus positive for over 40 days

As India fights hard to flatten the Chinese Coronavirus curve, the erratic behaviour of the Sars-CoV 2 virus continues to worry health officials. In one such case, a 62-year-old woman in Pathanamthitta, in central Kerala was tested positive for coronavirus 19 successive times. Despite all the symptoms disappearing, the woman tested positive for 40 days consecutively after she was admitted in the District General Hospital on March 10.

As per a report in Hindustan Times, she was a primary contact of a three-member family who had returned from Italy and tested positive on March 8.

While others who got the infection from the same family recovered and were discharged after two consecutive tests turned negative in two weeks, the woman continued to be under treatment at the hospital. Her test results continued to show positive for coronavirus.

“The 62-year-old woman, who contracted the diseases after she came in contact with the Italy-returned family, tested positive even after 19 tests. She is not showing many symptoms also. We tried combination drugs several times,” said Pathanamthitta district medical officer Dr N Sheeja. She said she has sought the advice of the state medical board in this regard.

Finally, 46 days after being admitted, the woman was finally discharged on April 24.

Similar case in Kerela where a man remains positive for 43 days

The Pathanamthitta district in Kerala witnessed another similar case wherein a 53-year-old man, who had returned from England in the United Kingdom, tested positive on March 25 and has been undergoing treatment since then. As per a report in The News Minute, it has been 43 days and the man’s samples are still positive for the virus. 

According to Dr Nandini CS, the District Surveillance Officer of Pathanamthitta, his RT-PCR or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results have been showing positive, but the man is asymptomatic currently.

As per the discharge criteria, two consecutive samples should test negative before a person can be discharged.

Meanwhile, the Pathanamthitta district officials are waiting for three more test results of the 53-year-old man. “If he is still showing positive, we will convene a medical board meeting to decide the next course of action,” said Dr Nandini.

Why are some coronavirus patients’ samples returning positive even after their symptoms have subsided?

When the coronavirus infects an individual, it invades the host’s cells and begins to incorporate its genetic material into the cells. The genetic material found in this particular virus is RNA (ribonucleic acid), which is similar to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). When the host cell undergoes division, the viral genes are replicated too, thereby keeping the virus’ RNA active and circulating. Although a patient may not show any symptoms, there is a possibility that the fragments of coronavirus RNA remain in the body. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) had prescribed a 14-day incubation period for coronavirus but Kerala had extended it to 28 days to ensure that an asymptomatic person or a patient is disinfected completely.

Web journalist Safiqul Islam threatened for reporting on Mamata govt’s grant to fake clubs, wife decides to stop the news venture

OpIndia Staff
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Web journalist Safiqul Islam threatened for reporting on Mamata govt’s grant to fake clubs, wife decides to stop the news venture

Sheikh Safiqul Islam, a journalist in West Bengal who regularly reports on the misconduct of the local administration on his web news channel of Arambagh TV, was allegedly been threatened by the administration in West Bengal. On the intervening night between the 5th and 6th of May 2020, around 30 to 40 men had gathered around his house and his family was threatened, his wife claims. The wife claims that she is not sure whether the men were from the Police or not. She said that they were targeted because of the news reportage of her husband. She said that the news venture will be abandoned given the severity of the threat to their lives.

The web channel is already facing police action as several FIRs have were registered against them last week.

The wife of Safiqul Islam said that she fears for the lives of her children and hence, the news channel will be abandoned. She says that it’s not the fear of her husband’s life that she has taken her decision but due to that of her children. she claimed that the goons banged on her door and terrorised her family and they could not sleep the whole night fearing for their lives. She says that Safiqul Islam has always spoken up for the truth and has never spread false news. She says that such things are not observed in other states but in Bengal alone. She also condemned the kind of politics that prevails in Bengal.

Late into the night, Safiqul Islam released a video on his YouTube channel which was made at his home. In the video, he says that a crowd of men had gathered near his house and he wasn’t sure whether they were policemen or goons. He said that attempts might be made to enter his home or arrest him. He also said that there was the possibility that he might be thrashed brutally. Safiqul Islam also said that he does not know how the night shall pass but hoped that his audience will continue to support him during such times of crisis.

The Arambagh TV had questioned the Mamata Banerjee government over making donations to various clubs in the state during the Coronavirus pandemic. The channel had shown the images and list of 59 clubs which were given Rs 1 lakh each, asking how many of them actually exist. The web channel had also questioned the mismanagement of the health crisis in the state. After that, several FIRs were filed against Safiqul Islam and reporter Suraj Ali Khan under several different sections of IPC at the Arambagh police station. Notices were sent to them informing them that they have been booked under sections 420, 468, 469, 471, 500, 505, 120B, but the notices didn’t mention the exact reason of the FIR.

It may be noted that even mainstream media houses like Anandabazar Patrika had also reported that names of fake clubs appear in the list of clubs granted money by the West Bengal government, but the Arambagh TV has been targeted for raising the same issue. Safiqul alleged that it was a conspiracy to close down his web channel. He asserted that they will not bow down to this atrocity and will fight it in the courts.

The Atrocious Conduct of West Bengal Government in recent times

The Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) had slammed the West Bengal government for its handling of the Wuhan Coronavirus crisis in its final observations regarding the state of affair. Apart from exposing the flaws of the Mamata Banerjee led government in handling the crisis, it also provided evidence of the state government fudging data. Prior to that, Mamata Banerjee decided to not give her approval to the Indian Airforce to shower petals over two Kolkata hospital on Sunday as part of a military gesture to show gratitude to the country’s corona warriors. The conflict has only risen between the Centre and the West Bengal government after the Mamata Banerjee-led government was angry over the centre for sending special teams to the West Bengal to take stock of the coronavirus ground situation. Health Experts have also alleged that the government was fudging data regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.

Angry drunk man in Karnataka bites snake into pieces after it crossed his path. Watch video

OpIndia Staff
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Angry drunk man in Karnataka bites snake into pieces after it crossed his path. Watch video

In a bizarre incident, an angry intoxicated man attempted to bite a snake into pieces for crossing his path when he was riding his bike. A video of the man biting the snake into pieces is doing rounds on social media.

According to the reports, the incident occurred in the Mustur village in Mulbagal, Kolar district of Karnataka. A 38-year-old man named Kumar was returning from a liquor store with a few bottles of alcohol on Tuesday. He encountered a snake as he rode back and then picked up the snake after it crossed his path.

He then wrapped it around his neck and rode in that condition for a while. After some time, he stopped in the middle of the road and began to bite the snake as passersby looked at him. Some even filmed and photographed the incident.

Man was angry after snake crossed his path

“How dare you block my path,” the man was heard shouting at the snake in the video. The video shows the man holding the snake around his neck as he starts to bite it.

“The snake has troubled me earlier. I was angry as it came under the wheels this morning too,” Kumar said while speaking to Times of India. Kumar said sighting and killing snakes was common enough in the village.

Reportedly, the police arrived at the scene after 30 minutes. The snake had died by then.

Meanwhile, Kumar was not aware that the snake was venomous. However, he was now expressed confident that nothing would happen to him and has also refused to visit a doctor.

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