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People rush to markets after TN govt announces complete lockdown in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore

Chennai, Apr 25 (ANI): On April 25 early morning, people were seen rushing to markets to buy essential commodities after Tamil Nadu government announced complete lockdown in areas within Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore Municipal Corporations from 6 am on April 26 to 9 pm on April 29. State Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced the lockdown on April 24. However, the essential services would continue to operate. Hospitals, ambulance services, police, revenue, electricity departments and drinking water supply would continue to function.

Mumbai manufacturer to make 'Smart kiosks' for Goa govt for COVID-19 testing

Mumbai, Apr 25 (ANI): A COVID-19 sample collection 'smart kiosks' has started to manufacture in Mumbai to help coronavirus patients in Goa. Earlier, Goa State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced that the state government would be installing 'smart kiosks' as a measure to intensify testing for COVID-19 in the state. The vendor will make 12 'smart kiosks' for the Goa government. "We will present this to the Goa government. This kiosks is different from other kiosks. Kiosks will be sanitised after use of every patients," said Jatin Shah, Owner, Variety Trading Company.

COVID-19: Security tightens in Jammu's 'red zone' area

Jammu, Apr 25 (ANI): Police surveillance tightened in Bathindi area of Jammu, which has been identified as a 'red zone' on April 25. Over 70 red zones have been identified in Jammu and Kashmir. The total number of COVID-19 cases in J and K stands at 454, which includes 5 deaths so far.

Saint allegedly thrashed by miscreants in Punjab's Hoshiarpur

Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Apr 25 (ANI): A saint allegedly thrashed and robbed by some miscreants in Punjab's Hoshiarpur. The saint got minor injuries on his face and got discharged after treatment. According to the police, the miscreants thrashed the saint then they robbed the victim and fled away on their two wheeler. Police have lodged a case and investigating the matter.

Awantipora encounter: 2 unidentified terrorists, 1 associate of terrorists killed

Awantipora (Jammu and Kashmir), Apr 25 (ANI): An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces at Goripora area of Awantipora in Pulwama district. According to Jammuand Kashmir Police, two unidentified terrorists and one hardcore associate of terrorists have been killed in the encounter. Search operation is still going on. Further details are awaited.

Forest officials rescue elephant from well in Karnataka

Chamarajanagar (Karnataka), Apr 25 (ANI): An elephant was rescued from a well by forest officials in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar. The tusker fell into the mudfilled well while it was trying to drink water. Elephant was stuck in it for hours. In a video of the rescue operation, the villagers can be heard cheering for the forest officials after the elephant came out of the muddy well and walked into the dense forest.

Ramzan 2020: People observe first Sehri

Delhi, Apr 25 (ANI): The holy month of Ramzan commenced today. However, Jama Masjid area wore a deserted look as people remained indoors and refrain from public gathering keeping in mind the coronavirus spread in country. People observed Sehri, first meal of the day before the fast begins. Muslim clerics and leaders have urged people to observe Ramzan at home this year amid COVID-19 outbreak.

People flout social distancing norms in Chandni Chowk market ahead of Ramzan

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): A large number of people gathered at Delhi's Lal Kuan Bazar ahead of Ramzan celebration. Social distancing norms went for a toss in the Chandni Chowk market. Delhi Police has appealed to people offer prayers from their homes during Ramzan. Total positive cases of COVID-19 in Delhi stand at 2376. Death toll rose to 50.

COVID-19 lockdown: Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam urges people to not invite neighbours during Ramzan

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam, Syed Ahmed Bukhari has appealed to people to not invite neighbours at their home to offer Ramzan prayers. "I appeal to all, do not invite your neighbours to your house to offer prayers during Ramzan. Ensure, there are not more than 3 people in 1 room even while offering prayers with family," said Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari. Meanwhile, the Jama Masjid illuminated ahead of the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan.

Mother names newborn after Delhi cop 'Dayaveer' who rushed her to hospital amid lockdown

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): Delhi Police has become a ray of hope to pregnant women amid the lockdown situation in the state, as many examples have come to the fore where cops have rushed them to hospital for timely delivery. A pregnant woman, Anupa had called for ambulance as she was not feeling well but after not getting any answer, she called Delhi Police for help. In just 10 minutes, the police constable, Dayaveer Singh, reached at Anupa's door and admitted her to hospital. The woman named her newborn after the succor, 'Dayaveer'. The nation is under lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

Watch: TN Police put lockdown violators in ambulance with fake COVID-19 patient

Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu), Apr 24 (ANI): In the wake of coronavirus scare, Tamil Nadu Police put lockdown violators in an ambulance with fake COVID-19 positive patient, as punishment in Tiruppur. The step has been taken to create fear among lockdown violators so that they cannot loaf around.

HRD Minister congratulates IIT Delhi for developing low-cost COVID-19 test kit

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal met Director of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, V. Ramgopal Rao and congratulated IIT for developing low-cost COVID-19 test kit which has been approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research. Pokhriyal said, "It's a big a achievement for us, Indian researchers have developed a COVID-19 test kit, the kit is approved by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)".

Assam govt to conduct random COVID-19 tests in districts bordering WB: Himanta Sarma

Guwahati (Assam), Apr 24 (ANI): Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that the state government will conduct random swab tests in districts bordering West Bengal. "We are getting periodic positive cases from the districts bordering Bengal, so the government has decided to conduct swab testing in those districts. We will take further actions if we get alarming numbers of positive COVID-19 cases," he said.

Over 9 lakh people are under surveillance for COVID-19: National Centre for Disease Control

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): National Centre for Disease Control's (NCDC) Director, Dr Sujeet Singh on April 24 informed that over 9 lakh people are under surveillance in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. While addressing the press conference, "Surveillance is our primary weapon in the fight against COVID-19. About 9.45 lakh people are on surveillance system," said Director of National Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Sujeet Singh.

Present COVID-19 cases could've been 73,000 instead of 23,000 if lockdown wasn't done on time: Govt

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): Chairman of Empowered Group-1, Dr VK Paul, on April 24 said the lockdown has been effective in slowing the doubling rate of COVID-19 and if not for the timely lockdown decision, the present cases which are around 23,000 could have been 73,000. While addressing the press conference, he said, "Our analysis shows lockdown has been effective in slowing the doubling rate of COVID-19 and saved lives. The lockdown decision was timely as the around 23,000 cases in India today could have been 73,000." The government has created 11 empowered groups for guidance in the wake of pandemic coronavirus.

Udupi DCP felicitates fisher-woman for helping 140 poor families amid lockdown

Udupi (Karnataka), Apr 24 (ANI): Deputy Commissioner of Police of Karnataka's Udupi, G Jagadeesha, on April 23 felicitated Sharadakka, a fisher-woman, for helping needy persons with essentials. She spent her savings of Rs 30,000 to distribute rice among 140 poor families amid lockdown. To contain the spread of COVID-19, nationwide lockdown is in place till May 03. Total positive cases of COVID-19 in Karnataka stand at 445.

Drone mapping of rural areas will be done to give ownership rights under 'Swamitva Yojana': Agriculture Minister

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): On the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, the Centre has started a pilot project 'Swamitva' Yojana. It will provide integrity property validation solution to villagers, which will help them to avail loans from banks.While talking to ANI, Union Minister of Agriculture and Panchayat Raj, Narendra Singh Tomar informed, "With the coordination of National Survey and Mapping Organisation and State Governments, we have started a pilot project 'Swamitva' in 5-6 states. This will allow houses built in villages to be used as mortgage property by banks." "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also inaugurated a Gram Swaraj Portal today, which will help over 2 lakh gram panchayats in villages," Union Agriculture Minister further said.

COVID-19: IMCT carries out inspection in containment zones of Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 24 (ANI): Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) carried out inspection in COVID-19 hotspots in Kolkata on April 24. There is complete prohibition on the movement of the people from the 'Red Zones' to outside areas and vice versa. IMCT visited quarantine center at Dumurjala stadium to review COVID-19 preparations. Earlier, Inter-Ministerial Central Team was blocked by West Bengal government from carrying out their duty of assessing COVID-19 risk zone.

COVID-19: Rahul Gandhi gives ideas only to oppose govt, says Prakash Javadekar

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar hit out at Congress for slamming central government and not giving constructive ideas to fight COVID-19 pandemic. "When the whole country is fighting a war against COVID-19, Congress is only fighting against the central government. Rahul Gandhi never comes up with constructive ideas, but only gives suggestion to oppose the government. This behaviour of Congress at this time will be questioned someday and they will have to explain it then," said Javadekar.

COVID-19: Home Ministry sets up 4 more IMCTs for Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad and Chennai

New Delhi, Apr 24 (ANI): In wake of coronavirus pandemic, Union Home Ministry will send Inter-Ministerial Central Teams to Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad and Chennai for assessment of hotspots and chalking out containment strategy. For this, Home Ministry has constituted four additional Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT) on April 24. While addressing the press conference, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Punya Salila Srivastava, said, "Apart from 6 Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT) constituted earlier, Home Ministry today constituted four additional IMCTs, each headed by an Additional Secretary - level officer, to Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad and Chennai."