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Meerut: Police attacked as they seal area where Coronavirus patients were hiding in mosque, 4 including Imam arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Meerut: Police attacked as they seal area where Coronavirus patients were hiding in mosque, 4 including Imam arrested

A team of police personnel and district officials were attacked by locals in Meerut’s Jali Kothi when they reached there to seal a part of the area following a confirmation about presence of coronavirus patients in a mosque in the area. The agitated crowd was subsequently pacified and the entire area was cordoned off.

The Meerut police have made four arrests in this regard, including the Imam of the mosque where the coronavirus patients were sheltered. As per the police, action will be taken against the four accused under the National Security Act. A phalanx of policemen including DM Anil Dhingra and SSP Ajay Sahni were present on the spot when the mob went on a rampage against the police personnel who had come to seal the area. City magistrate Sushant Jain sustained a fracture in his hand during the sparring between the sides. He was sent to the district hospital for treatment.

While the police force and healthcare workers are going out of their way to stop the spread of highly contagious coronavirus, some of the folks are bent on sabotaging the district administration’s efforts of taming the contagion. Late last night, 4 coronavirus positive patients were found, three of whom were staying in Meerut’s Dari mosque in Jail Kothi.

Therefore, the administration had decided to seal off the area to limit the spread of the virus. On Saturday morning, the police administration and Health Department team reached Jali Kothi to cordon off the neighbourhood. However, they met with stiff resistance from the people, who attacked the police personnel who had gathered there to contain the possible spread of coronavirus to other parts of the city.

According to the reports, the brawl broke out when locals started pushing and shoving the police officers in the presence of Circle Officer. Subsequently, police officials from four police stations were summoned to control the exacerbating quagmire. However, the situation was brought under control and the entire area of Jali Kothi was completely sealed off. In view of the seriousness of the case, a large number of police personnel are deployed at the place to avoid any untoward incident. A flag march had been carried out in the area by the police. After touring the area, all the people have been warned against venturing out of their houses and the area has been completely fenced off.

‘Duggal Sahab’ of Ramayana wishes there was social media in those times, would have helped him in his career

OpIndia Staff
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‘Duggal Sahab’ of Ramayana wishes there was social media in those times, would have helped him in his career

The return of Ramayana on the television screen has seen the show attracting record viewership from citizens across the country. With the show gaining instant popularity, it was certain that the popularity will be reflected on social media and it was only natural that the actors started receiving a lot of attention. One certain actor who has been at the thick of it is Aslam Khan, an individual who has played a host of characters in Ramayana. Indeed, Aslam Khan has played the most number of characters in it.

Memes are flooding social media on Aslam Khan. Some have started calling him ‘Duggal Sahab’. People on social media are cracking jokes about the fact that he played so many roles in the hugely popular show. Among many roles, he has appeared as Samudra Dev, a Sadhu, a spy and a Sainik in the Vanara Army.

Recently, Aslam Khan gave an interview to Naarad TV through a telephonic conversation. In the interview, he said that he never really had any interest in acting as such. During his pursuit of a job in the private sector, he was taken to watch a stage show by a friend. Through the friend, he was introduced to the world of acting. He has acted for the first time in a Vikram and Vetaal show at the time.

The role of Samudra Dev which he played in the Ramayana came to him under fortunate circumstances. The person who was originally designated to play the role did not turn up for shooting on the given date. As backup, it fell on him to deliver the lines on screen. As it turns out, his role as Samudra Dev is the one that has gained a lot of traction on social media. He said in the interview that he got a lot of love for that particular role.

Aslam Khan is from Jhansi and was born in 1961 in the month of May. Apart from the Ramayana, he has also acted in numerous shows but it was due to his roles in the Ramayana that gained him the most prominence. He played some roles in Krishna as well. But unfortunately, he never got the opportunity to work in a movie. He quit the acting industry in 2002. He lives in Jhansi but is currently stuck at Mumbai due to the lockdown. He works at a marketing company now and has a son and a daughter, who are grown up.

About the recent outpouring of memes on social media about the characters he played in the Ramayana, Aslam Khan rues the fact that there was no social media in those times and says that had there been social media then, he might gained a lot of popularity and would have started receiving more prominent roles. He said that he is feeling very happy now that his work is being acknowledged.

Journalist-cum-troll Vidya Krishnan displays ignorance by mocking PM Modi with ‘mask tokenism’ jibe: Here is why she is wrong

Dibakar Dutta
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Journalist-cum-troll Vidya Krishnan displays ignorance by mocking PM Modi with ‘mask tokenism’ jibe: Here is why she is wrong

On April 11, ‘Health and Science journalist’ Vidya Krishnan took to Twitter to express her displeasure over the mask worn by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the Chief Ministers of all States over the issue of extension of the nationwide lockdown that was imposed on March 24, in the wake of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak.

She claimed that the Prime Minister wearing a mask during video conference somehow suggested ‘tokenism’ and lack of ‘common sense’ in India’s response to the Chinese virus. While India has been lauded by the likes of the World Health Organisation for its efforts in containing the pandemic, Vidya Krishnan left no stone unturned in correlating two mutually independent events.

It is indeed a matter of common sense that the Prime Minister needs to wear a mask during the video conference because is not alone at that time. The prime minister is surrounded by officials at all times and often in close proximity. The PM is also constantly surrounded by SPG commandos are per security protocol. The mask is not meant for protection during the video conference but rather from the people who stay in his vicinity. Though wearing masks is not mandatory for everyone, but covering the nose and mouth can prevent droplet infection and thus the transmission of virulent diseases.

Moreover, while Vidya Krishnan, who has emerged as one of the harshest critics of India’s response to Coronavirus, claims that India’s response is high on tokenism and low on common sense, the reality is actually the opposite. Despite being having the second-highest population in the world, lack of proper healthcare facilities for all, and high population densities, India has managed the COVID-19 pandemic well so far. Despite the first cases were detected in January, India’s total infections are still below 10,000, way behind first world’s countries like USA, Italy, UK etc. While many of those countries have reached community transmission or stage two, India is still at the second stage, which means the source of the infection can be traced. Moreover, almost half of India’s total coronavirus cases are linked to one event, the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi, without which India’s numbers would have been much better.

The Indian govt imposed total lockdown in the country even when the COVID-19 positive cases were less than one thousand, which has succeeded in preventing mass transmission of the virus. Not only India has managed to keep Coronavirus numbers relatively low, the country is also helping other countries by delivering them the Hydroxychloroquine, the Malaria and Arthritis drug which has emerged as successful in combating the virus.

Besides, making a mockery of herself, she also compared PM Modi to Harry porter’s villain named ‘Voldemort’ who had a distorted nose in the fantasy book penned by author J.K. Rowling. Anyone with an iota of rationale and logic left in them would have refrained from exhibiting such stupidity. But for the Hate-Modi brigade, this is an everyday affair. Nevertheless, the miffed netizens did not mince any words before slamming her.

In a reply to her tweet, columnist and tax lawyer Amrita Bhinder asked Vidya Krishnan about the people in the vicinity of the Prime Minister. She explained the journalist-cum-troll to be aware of the fact that the Prime Minister cannot be left on his own during an official meeting.

A Twitter user (@AnandHumour) pointed out how a section of journalists who were once medical experts on HCQ and IT experts today will soon reach NASA if their trend of expertise continued.

Common sense is indeed uncommon among ‘experts’ these days. Avinesh said while stating the obvious fact that the Prime Minister has medical staff and security team in his vicinity. He also questioned the rationale behind her name ‘Vidya’, which means knowledge.

Another Twitter user, Rakesh Rao while taking a jibe at Vidya Krishnan for her reference to “Voldemort”shared a GIF of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping with a caption, “He is so proud of you.”

Yogi Patel, in response to Vidya’s tweet, shared a ‘Ramayana meme’ and compared her to ‘Supnakha’, the sister of Ravana whose nose was axed by Laxman.

Earlier, the featured image of the article titled- “The Callousness of India’s COVID-19 Response“, penned by Vidya Krishnan in ‘The Atlantic’, showed a distorted version of the Indian flag in which the much hallowed Ashok Chakra in the Indian flag was replaced by the artistic image of deadly pathogen- Novel Coronavirus. The sanctity of a nation’s flag is inviolable. However, the hatred for PM Modi amongst some individuals like Vidya is so intense that they have no qualms in eroding the sanctity of the national flag if it helps their propaganda of showing the Modi government in the bad light.

Pakistanis stage protest in Dubai, beg authorities to take them home as Pakistan and UAE abandon them amidst Coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistanis stage protest in Dubai, beg authorities to take them home as Pakistan and UAE abandon them amidst Coronavirus

Flouting all social distancing guidelines imposed in the wake of the Wuhan Coronavirus in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), hundreds of stranded Pakistanis protested outside the Pakistan Consulate and demanded to be taken back to their home country. The demonstrators were soon dispersed by the cops for breaching the lockdown.

Amidst the travel restrictions imposed in the Gulf State, more than 20,000 Pakistanis are stuck in the UAW. They have reportedly registered with the Pakistan Consulate on April 3 to return to Pakistan.

Several Pakistanis who had expressed their desire to return home have expired visas or have entered the country on a tourist visa. Many such blue-collar migrant workers had lost their jobs or stopped being paid by their Arab employers. Even though the Pakistan Government was in talks with its UAE counterpart to arrange flights for their return, the plan did not materialise.

UAE which had reported 3,360 live cases of the Chinese virus and 16 deaths as of April 10 suspended all its flight operations in March. Even though Etihad Airlines and Emirates have vowed to resume outbound services again to ‘limited destinations’, Pakistan did not feature in the list. As such, the fate of the abandoned Pakistanis is now shrouded in obscurity.

While India continued with its operation to safely evacuate its citizens from Coronavirus hit China, Pakistanis remained stuck at Coronavirus hit China as Pakistan refused to evacuate their citizens stranded in Wuhan, as an “act of solidarity” towards their ally China.

Earlier, a heartbreakingly tragic video had emerged in which a Pakistani student shamed Pakistani authorities for their apathy towards them as he watched Indian students boarding a bus sent by the Indian embassy. The bus carried these Indian students to the airport from where they were airlifted to India.

Pakistan President Arif Alvi also shocked the world when he resorted to preaching Islam to fellow Pakistanis stuck in China instead of advising the Pakistan government on the urgent need of evacuating their citizens who are begging for help amidst global health crisis of Coronavirus attack in China.

“Prophet’s directions regarding disease outbreaks are a good guide even 2day. ‘If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it, but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place’ (Bukhari & Muslim) Let us help those stuck there,” tweeted Pakistan President Arif Alvi.

Student of Jamia Millia Islamia and member of Jamia Coordination Committee, who had assaulted Muslim activist, arrested by Delhi Police

OpIndia Staff
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Student of Jamia Millia Islamia and member of Jamia Coordination Committee, who had assaulted Muslim activist, arrested by Delhi Police

Safoora Zargar, an MPhil student from Jamia Millia Islamia University, has been arrested by Delhi Police. She is a member of the Jamia Coordination Committee and has been very active in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens. She was called for questioning yesterday.

The reason for her arrest is not yet clear. However, in February, it was reported that an FIR had been registered against seven individuals including Safoora Zargar for an alleged assault against one Seema Aiman Rizvi, a Muslim activist. Rizvi had alleged in her complaint that she was assaulted on her way back home from the protest site at the Jamia Milia Islamia University when she was stopped by some protesters near Jamia Mosque at Gate No. 7. She alleged that she was assaulted while being accused of being an agent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Earlier, Meeran Haider, also a member of the Jamia Coordination Committee, was arrested by Delhi Police. He was arrested on the 2nd of April in connection with rioting and criminal conspiracy pertaining to anti-Hindu riots in north-east Delhi that have claimed the lives of 53 people and left over 400 injured. Meeran Haider is also the president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal youth wing’s Delhi unit.

CRPF and ITBP takes on a new role, fortify India’s battle against coronavirus by aiding in the production of PPE

Jinit Jain
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CRPF and ITBP takes on a new role, fortify India’s battle against coronavirus by aiding in the production of PPE

The Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) has a new frontier to conquer. This time, it is the fight against the novel coronavirus that threatens to ravage the country which has so far affected 7000+ people in the country with several fatalities. As India grapples with the scourge of Wuhan coronavirus, the Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) has stepped up to ensure that there is no dearth of Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) and masks in her fight against the COVID-19.

Recognised for their preparedness and battle-readiness against Naxalites and other enemies of India, the jawans of CRPF are prepping to bolster the nation’s crusade against the coronavirus. PPE kits, which are the most important gear to be donned by healthcare workers while treating positive COVID-19 patients, are being prepared by CRPF jawans and delivered to hospitals and police personnel, who are at the vanguard of the country’s campaign against coronavirus.

CRPF and ITBP have deployed specialised machines and manpower at their bases in and around the national capital for helping in the production of PPEs and masks. The country’s largest paramilitary force, CRPF, with a strength of 3.25 lakh personnel, has brought in a large automated machine in a Delhi-based camp that produces about 1 lakh three-plier masks a day which can be scaled up to 2 lakh units based on the demand on availability of raw material.

As per a senior CRPF official, the three-plier mask made by the machine deployed by the CRPF will cost only ₹5 per piece compared to ₹15 in the market. He also added that the northern sector office of the force has also put together a team of its tailors and other professionals who will prepare 500-1,000 hand-made cloth masks in a day and 400-500 PPEs per day.

CRPF is also producing PPEs which will provide healthcare workers or other frontline persons operating in the virus-infected environment complete safety with a special lamination cover and all accessories. The cost of the PPE kit is worth Rs 450 per set.

On the other hand, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is involved in a similar initiative at its supply and support battalion in Saboli near Sonipat (Haryana). An ITBP official claimed that they are preparing PPEs that will cost just about Rs 100 and a three-layer mask which will be available at Rs 5.

Thousands of PPEs and 2000 face masks have already been manufactured by the ITBP. It has the capacity to produce 200 PPEs and 500 masks per day.

Fact Check: Alt News Co-founder Mohammed Zubair deliberately misrepresents gathering for relief work as a ‘religious gathering’ of Jain monks

OpIndia Staff
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Fact Check: Alt News Co-founder Mohammed Zubair deliberately misrepresents gathering for relief work as a ‘religious gathering’ of Jain monks

On April 11, Alt News Co-founder and serial fake news peddler Mohammed Zubair wrote on Twitter, “Leading by example, Surat Dy Mayor Nirav Shah shares a video of him attending a ‘religious ceremony’ presided by Jain Monks.” The caption was accompanied by a video wherein the Surat Mayor could be seen prostrating in front of a Jain monk.

What is the Truth?

A longer video of the same event was shared by Nirav Shah on his Facebook page. During the first leg of the video, Jain devotees, along with Dy Mayor Nirav Shah, who also happens to be a Jain, is seen greeting the monks and paying a ritualistic obeisance to them. Jainism entails a ritual where an adherent has to bow down before the monks and ask for their well being when they meet them. This is not a “religious ceremony” as contended by the uninitiated individuals like Mr Zubair.

Later, the Jain monk could be heard appreciating the relief work being carried out. Another leader said that the money and supply of food would be taken care of. He added that everyone was free to take as much food they want for the relief work.

A closer look at the banner, seen at 6:27 minutes sheds more light on the truth. The loose translation from Gujarati reads as, “Feed the stray animals and birds during the Coronavirus pandemic and exhibit humanity.”

Another picture from the event with stockpile of food to be distributed for relief work further confirms the point.

One of the key facets of Jainism is “Jiva Daya”, meaning showing mercy and compassion towards all the other living beings, including those invisible microorganisms who exist in the air surrounding us. This explains why the Jain monks in one of the above pictures hold a white-coloured handkerchief, called as “Muhpatti” in Jain parlance, to avoid hurting those invisible microbes around them while speaking.

Amidst the lockdown, since most of the people are mandated by the government enforced restrictions to stay at home, there are fewer prospects for the speechless animals and birds to get food for themselves. Street animals may get emaciated and many may not be able to survive the ordeal. It is to this end that Jain monks in Surat organised an initiative to help the stray animals and birds sate their appetite and slake their thirst. In the video, the monks are simply applauding the relief work carried out by the individuals and motivating them to help even greater number of people and animals in distress.

Earlier, PM Modi has repeatedly asked the citizens of the country to be heedful of the food needs of the speechless animals and birds around them who will be worst-hit by the harsh restrictions. PM Modi had appealed people to feed such animals and birds with food and water and prevent them from starving to death.

The ‘religious ceremony’ which Mr Zubair claims was in fact a meeting presided over by the Jain monks to devise a strategy to provide food to the needy and destitute in Surat as well the stray animals and birds devoid of the food due to stringent lockdown. Being the Deputy Mayor of Surat, Nirav Shah simply attended the meeting to oversee the measures taken by the Jain community and guide them in the effective implementation of the same.

It was not a religious congregation by any stretch of the imagination, as asserted by Mohammed Zubair, who is trying to paint all the faiths from the same brush with the ulterior aim of absolving Muslim members of Tablighi Jamaat members who wantonly violated the lockdown restrictions and partook in transforming their centre of Markaz Nizamuddin into a raging coronavirus hotspot.

There is a stark contrast between the two events that Mr Zubair is trying to equate, in order to extenuate the criminal role of Tablighi Jamaat members in spreading the coronavirus across the country. While the defiant holdouts of Tablighi Jamaat members deliberately wreaked havoc which was illustrated by their perverse behaviour of spitting on healthcare workers, taking a dump in the corridor of the quarantine facility and intentionally concealing their travel history to the Markaz Nizamuddin, the Jain community members in Surat, were involved in helping the underprivileged, disadvantaged and speechless animals who are amongst worst-hit by the scourge of coronavirus outbreak.

Conclusion

It is evident that the event was aimed at voluntary relief work and not a religious congregation as suggested by Mohammed Zubair. Ever since the role of Tablighi Jamaat has been exposed in endangering public health and safety, apologists and closet Islamists have left no stone unturned to defend them through whataboutery or deliberately misinterpreting social work as a religious event. Mohammed Zubair is a serial purveyor of fake news. Last year, the Alt News co-founder, who has often displayed Islamist tendencies was found shielding radical Islamists who may have been responsible for the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka. 

Coronavirus can spread up to 13 feet from infected patients: Study by Chinese scientists in a Wuhan hospital shows

OpIndia Staff
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Coronavirus can spread up to 13 feet from infected patients: Study by Chinese scientists in a Wuhan hospital shows

The Wuhan Coronavirus has dragged the world into severe darkness and distress leading to infect a massive population of more than 1.6 million people across the world and claimed the lives of 102,774 individuals across the world. While till now it was believed that the coronavirus can travel in the air up to 3 feet after it is released through sneeze or cough of an infected person, and people should maintain a distance of around 6 feet to be on the safer side, now researchers from Beijing have revealed in a study that the novel coronavirus can travel up to 13 feet from the infected patient’s body. The new report was established after examining air samples from the hospital wards that the virus can be present up to 13 feet (about four meters) of the patient that is twice the current earlier guidelines suggest.

The preliminary research was conducted by Chinese researchers which were published on Friday on Emerging Infectious Diseases, a journal of US center for disease control and prevention.

The researchers at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing tested the surfaces and air samples from the Intensive Care Unit and general ward where patients of Coronavirus had been admitted at the Houshenshan Hospital in Wuhan. The hospital admitted 24 patients between 19 February and 2 March.

They observed that the virus was heavily concentrated on the floors of the wards, perhaps because of the gravity and airflow causing most droplets containing the virus to float to the ground.

Areas like computer mice, trash can, bed rails, and doorknobs were most affected.

The researchers even revealed “Furthermore, half of the samples from the soles of the ICU medical staff shoes tested positive. Therefore, half of the samples from the soles of the medical staff shoes might function as a carrier.”

The researcher team also revealed that the droplets of the virus become suspended and remain airborne for several hours, unlike cough or sneeze droplets that fall to the ground within seconds. The team observed so-called aerosol transmission of Coronavirus, when the droplets of the virus are so fine they become suspended and remain airborne for several hours. They asserted that they found virus-laden aerosols were mainly found in 13 feet and also 8 feet upstream.

Although the team said that it is unclear if these ultra-fine particles are infectious.

They also offered advice, “Our findings suggest that home isolation of persons with suspected COVID-19 might not be a good control strategy” given the levels of environmental contamination.

Aerosolization of the coronavirus is a contentious area for scientists who are researching on it because it is now clear how infectious the disease is.

The Chinese coronavirus has infected 1,699,490 people across the world, and 102,774 people have succumbed to virus. While 377,040 have been recovered.

Delhi: 52 of 102 people evacuated from 13 mosques in Chandni Mahal test positive for Coronavirus, three deaths in three days

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: 52 of 102 people evacuated from 13 mosques in Chandni Mahal test positive for Coronavirus, three deaths in three days

The authorities have detected 102 people in 13 mosques in the Chandni Mahal area of Delhi. 52 of them have tested positive for the Wuhan Coronavirus. Furthermore, three of them have died in three days due to the virus, an official informed on Saturday.

“Interactions between those who have tested positive and the other residents cannot be ruled out,” the District Magistrate said. Chandni Mahal has been declared a containment zone by the Delhi Government, the announcement was made late on Friday night. Security personnel have been deployed in the area. The administration will now sanitize the entire area and essential commodities will be delivered to the homes of the residents.

The people who were evacuated from the Mosques are reportedly members of the Tablighi Jamaat. Orders have been issued to trace possible Wuhan Coronavirus suspects. Meanwhile, with 183 cases having been reported in the past 24 hours, the highest jump in a single day, Delhi has crossed the 900-mark. According to the bulletin issued by Delhi’s Health Department, of the 903 cases, 584 are linked to Tablighi Jamaat’s Markaz Nizamuddin, which has emerged as the largest vector of the virus in India.

While people associated with the Tablighi Jamaat are testing positive for the Wuhan Coronavirus all across India, 200 of them have suddenly disappeared in Uttar Pradesh and their mobile phones have been switched off. Moreover, around 300 people who were in contact with those Jamaatis have also switched off their phones.

MHA writes to West Bengal govt led by Mamata Banerjee against dilution of lockdown, police allowing religious congregations: Read full​ letter

OpIndia Staff
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MHA writes to West Bengal govt led by Mamata Banerjee against dilution of lockdown, police allowing religious congregations: Read full​ letter

The country is fighting against all odds to arrest the unprecedented public health emergency that the country has seen as the Wuhan Coronavirus spreads globally. To arrest the spread of Coronavirus, the central government had imposed a nationwide lockdown that was to end on the 14th of April. There are speculations now that the lockdown is going to be extended to arrest the spread of the Chinese Virus. However, amidst the lockdown, the conduct of the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee has been questionable to say the least. Now, the Ministry of Home Affairs has written a letter to the West Bengal government calling out its irresponsibility and the gradual dilution of lockdown that is taking place in West Bengal.

Letter written by MHA to West Bengal government

The letter says that as per inputs received from security agencies, gradual dilution of lockdown has been reported from West Bengal with an increased number of exceptions being granted which are in excess of what has been sanctioned by the central government.

As an example, the MHA letter cites lack of control on mutton, fish markers etc functioning unabated and people thronging to such markets in complete violation of social distancing norms set by the government. It also says that non-essential shops have been allowed to function in the state.

The letter cites certain areas like Metiabruz, Raja Bazaar, Narkel Danga, Topsia, Ikbalpul etc. Incidentally, these areas have a high concentration of Muslim population.

It also mentions that “religious congregations” have been allowed in the state and the ration is being distributed by political leaders which may be leading to more infections of the Coronavirus.

Read: West Bengal: Hundreds of people gather in a mosque in Murshidabad for Friday prayers defying lockdown orders

Invoking the Disaster Management Act, the letter says that these actions are in violation of the guidelines released by the Ministry and are liable for penal action.

The ministry then demands that strict action be taken and that a report be sent to the ministry regarding the matter.

For some time, it has been suspected that the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government was fudging its data on the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic. We had reported on the 6th of April that at least eleven people who had tested positive for the virus had died in the state and yet, the official records of the state claimed that the figure was only three. Now, a report on The Statesmen claims that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation recorded ten deaths due to the virus while the West Bengal Health Ministry led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continued to claim that only five people had succumbed to the disease.

Read: At least 11 Coronavirus positive patients die in West Bengal, but official count stands at 3: Here are the details

The report by Subhendu Maiti on The Statesman says that the list of deaths due to the Wuhan Coronavirus compiled by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation says that ten patients died of the disease across government and private hospitals such as the NRS Hospital, R.G.Kar Medical College, M.R.Bangur Super Speciality Hospital, AMRI Hospitals at Salt Lake, Peerless Hospital and Zenith Super Specialty Hospital. The deceased were buried or cremated as per their religious beliefs between the 23rd of March and 6th of April, the report mentioned.

In a significant incident on the 2nd of April, after an expert committee announced that seven people had died due to the Chinese Coronavirus in Bengal, Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha quickly issued an “explanation” to claim that the number of deaths was in, fact, three. Subsequently, the expert committee was formed to determine the official cause of death. All of this is a matter of significant concern as there appears to be a dedicated attempt underway to fudge data regarding the pandemic in the state. Given the seriousness of the question, it remains to be seen whether Mamata Banerjee and her government decide to course correct now that the cat is out of the bag.

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