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MID-DAY FOR 1. AND ALL
Keep up with the latest news as the newspaper moves
to your phone in a first-of-its-kind experience
As you gear up to embrace a new
and safe Mumbai, get ready to enjoy
the new, enhanced Mid-day.
INTRODUCING ON JULY 13!
The Mid-day Digital Tabloid
At just R1/day
See you on the other side of change.
Thank you for being part of the 10-crore
Mid-day reader family over the last 3 months.
Team Mid-day
The newspaper for all things #MadeInMumbai
July 8, 2020, Wednesday, 24 pages R4, Mumbai | Phone : 6831 4800 | Fax : 2642 6812 | www.mid-day.com
TMC CaughT in horrible Covid bungle Rain claims life
FAMILY FINDS THANE TAAPSEE of 16-year-old
from Chembur
TAKES Teenager drowns in
MAN STILL IN ICU THREE OFF!
swollen pond; short
circuits and wall
collapses recorded
DAYS AFTER CREMATION
but no waterlogging
Check out how
A Correspondent
the actor improved mailbag@mid-day.com
her 100-metre
time by seven HEAVY rain and strong winds
After performing the last rites to a wrapped body handed seconds in just three
lashed the city for the fourth
day in a row. Several tree-falls
over to them by Thane COVID Hospital on July 3, shocked months as she were reported on Tuesday
and a boy, aged 16, was killed.
family of 67-year-old told by doctors he is still alive prepares to play a The Indian Meteorological De-
sprinter » P13 partment (IMD), Mumbai, said
diwAKAr shArMA rain activity was expected to
29
And sAMeer MArKAnde lessen on Wednesday but will
PUNE CASES MORE
mailbag@mid-day.com pick up pace again from Thurs-
day. » P02
IN a case of gross misman-age- Day in June
ment that has caused two
families unnecessary grief, a
civic-run COVID-19 hospital,
Thane Global Impact Hub in
Bhalchandra
Gaikwad was
admitted THAN MUMBAI’S
While state recorded 5,000
Kalwa, handed a body wrapped
and taped in a PPE suit to a new cases, only 785 of them
family saying their relative, were from the city; Pune
Janardhan Sonawane, 67, had
died. However, a few days lat- recorded 953 new cases » P02
er, the family got to know that A tree collapse at Santacruz
Sonawane is alive and the body
they cremated was of Bhal-
chandra Gaikwad, 71. » P02
ONLINE-ONLY Navi Mumbai,
CLASSES? GO Panvel under
full lockdown
HOME: US
Draconian
Only delivery of milk is
Balchandra Gaikwad, 71, whose body was handed over to the Sonwane family
American
allowed, while grocers
claiming that it was of their father Janardhan Sonawane, 67 (bottom, right)
immigration and dept stores
‘On July 6, I got a call from the hospital agency tells allowed to deliver to
telling me ‘your father is alive’. I thought foreign students to doorsteps till July 13
Sixty-seven-year-old Janardan Shankar
somebody was playing a prank on me. I leave the country if they don’t AnUrAG KAMBLe
have classes on campus » P10 anurag.kamble@mid-day.com
Sonawane. PIC/SAMEER MARKANDE disconnected the call’ Sandeep Sonawane, son
ALL of Navi Mumbai and
Panvel have been put under a
Door-to-door screening failing in Malad hotspot complete lockdown until June
13 by their corporations as
residents continue to take the
COVID-19 pandemic lightly.
Heath workers struggle as residents, petrified Starting midnight of July 7,
about being quarantined, refuse to comply people are not being allowed
to leave their homes even to
patients, seems to have fallen buy essentials or to go to gro-
sAMiULLAh KhAn
samiullah.khan@mid-day.com flat on its face in densely pop- cery shops. » P03
ulated Malwani, Malad West.
THE Brihanmumbai Munici-
pal Corporation’s (BMC) am-
bitious door-to-door screen-
ing drive in slum pockets to
find symptomatic COVID-19
While local residents are not
cooperating with the civic
teams, some of them claimed
the latter are not implement-
ing the drive strictly. » P05
964
No. of COVID-19 cases in
BMC workers leave after some residents of Ambojwadi, Malwani, refuse to be screened. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Navi Mumbai in past 5 days
02 CITY mid-day Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com
MuMbai Meri Jaan BY ManJul
‘Hospital trying to
hush up matter’
Not knowing about his fate, Bhalchandra Gaikwad’s family looked for
him everywhere and the hospital filed a missing persons complaint
Continued from page 01
SONAWANE’S son Sandeep received
a call from the hospital at 6.30 am
on July 3 informing him that he had
died of COVID-19. “We reached the
hospital immediately. The body was
wrapped in a PPE suit and the face
was not visible. We could not tell the
hospital staff to show us the face as
it was not advisable,” said Sandeep.
“We were advised to wear a PPE Civic-run Thane Global Impact Hub. FILE
suit to conduct the last rites. We fol- PIC; (right) Sandeep Sonawane shows
lowed the instructions given by the the document he was made to sign by
hospital staff. The last rites were the hospital after he was told that his
conducted at Gaimukh in Bhayan- father is alive. PIC/SAMEER MARKANDE
dar on July 4 and we all were broken
Mumbai ranks second
after the loss that wasn’t,” Sonawane On the other hand, Gaikwad’s son-
added. in-law Ravindra Salvi told mid-day
“On the evening of July 6, I re- that the hospital staff is trying to
ceived a call from the hospital. The hush up the matter.
in state with 785 cases staff told me, ‘Your father is alive’. I
thought somebody is pranking me.
I disconnected the call. But they
“My father-in-law Bhalchandra
Gaikwad was admitted to the hos-
pital on June 29 at 10 pm after he
conclusion yet.”
A source at the hospital said, “The
hospital is running with only 30 per
called again and told me to visit the tested positive for COVID-19. He cent staff. All the hospital workers,
COVID-19 Prescriptions not
needed for tests
hospital. I told them I will come the
next day. On July 7 morning, the Ka-
died on July 3. The hospital staff is
telling us that on the same day, four
including doctors and nurses, are
overstressed due to the pandemic.
TICKER Reiterating the earlier
purbawdi police called and said the
same thing. I was shocked, I never
thought something like this could
people had died and they got a little
confused and handed my relative’s
body to someone else, who even
Chances are very high that made a
mistake in identifying the correct
relatives of the deceased and hand-
2,17,121
TOTAL CORONAVIRUS CASES IN MAHA AS OF TODAY
regulations, the civic body has
said that COVID-19 tests would
no longer require prescriptions
happen to me,” Sandeep said.
At the hospital, Sandeep saw his
father in the Intensive Care Unit
conducted the last rites. This is real-
ly shameful. The hospital is now try-
ing to hush up the matter,” Salvi said.
ed over the body to someone else.”
There are over 640 COVID-19
patients currently admitted to the
from doctors. While earlier, (ICU). “It really shocked me, at the The in-charge of the hospital, Dr. hospital. Sources said that the miss-
high risk contacts were allowed same time I was also very happy to Yogesh Sharma, said, “We registered ing person’s complaint was filed as
A CORRESPONDENT to get tested after submitting see my father alive,” said Sandeep, a missing persons complaint for Gaikwad was untraceable and his
mailbag@mid-day.com a declaration to the private adding, “I identified my father and Gaikwad at Kapurbawdi police sta- relatives had been looking for him.
laboratories, civic officials said the hospital staff told me to sign a tion. An internal enquiry is under- Calls and messages to the senior
WHILE Maharashtra recorded more document which had written some- way and we have been questioning inspector of Kapurbawdi police sta-
that tests were now open for
than 5,000 fresh COVID-19 cases on thing on it in English which I don’t staff members to ascertain how this tion, Sanjay Nimbalkar, went unan-
Tuesday, Mumbai ranked second anyone who wishes to get tested understand.” happened. We have not come to any swered.
highest in the state with just 785 as per the guidelines of ICMR,
new cases. The highest — 953 cases which includes symptomatic
patients as well as high-risk
Rain to let up today, resume tomorrow
— was recorded in Pune. However,
with 64 more deaths in the city, the contacts (symptomatic or
toll has now crossed the 5,000 mark. asymptomatic).
The state recorded an additional 224
COVID-related deaths on Tuesday. hind is K West (Andheri) with 4,987 Continued from page 01
State health department officials cases. While G North continues to
said that there were 5,134 new cases have the second highest number of ACCORDING to IMD Mumbai,
in Maharashtra and 3,296 patients cases in the city, Dharavi recorded the observatory in Colaba record-
were discharged after full recovery. just one new case on Tuesday, Dadar ed 49.4mm rainfall until 5.30 pm,
Of the total count, currently, 89,294 20 and Mahim 11. while the one in Santacruz recorded
patients are being treated and the Among the 224 deaths in the state, 45.2mm. Though the rainfall record-
recovery rate of the state stands at 64 deaths occurred in Mumbai, ed on Tuesday is lesser compared to
54.6 per cent. 20 in Thane, 36 in Pune, 13 each in Saturday’s, when the IMD had is-
Apart from Mumbai and Pune, 389 Nashik and Kalyan-Dombivli, 11 in sued a Red alert; there were strong
cases were recorded in Kalyan-Dom- Mira-Bhayandar, 10 in Solapur, nine winds and an intense spell of rains
bivli and more than 500 in Thane. in Panvel, eight each in Vasai-Virar for a long time at different places in
Mumbai’s tally currently stands at and Jalgaon, five each in Aurangab- the city.
86,509 cases while the state’s count ad and Ulhasnagar, three each in La- “Intense clouds around Mumbai
is 2.17 lakh. tur and Bhiwandi, two each in Navi and around as seen from the radar Part of a house collapsed in Sharda Niwas, Bhandup West. PIC/DATTA KUMBHAR;
The city’s recovery rate stands at Mumbai, Palghar, Dhule, Jalna and and satellite images. Intense rain- (right) people drive through a flooded street in Wadala on Tuesday. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
67 per cent with an average growth Yavatmal and one each in Nanded, fall was expected over Mumbai and
rate of 1.58 per cent and a doubling Osmanabad, Satara, Pimpri-Chinch- around with pauses in between,” According to BMC, the fire brigade fic complaints. However, according
rate of 44 days. Nine administrative wad and Ahmednagar. One tweeted K S Hosalikar, deputy di- was sent to rescue Vishal Panpatil, to the BMC’s report, there were six
wards continue to have a growth other death was of a resident of an- rector general of meteorology, India 16, in Chembur. “He was taken out complaints of wall or part of hous-
rate higher than the city’s average other state. MET Department, Mumbai. “Due to by the fire brigade and was sent to es collapsing and 75 complaints of
rate and among them, T ward has the The 64 deaths recorded in Mum- active monsoon conditions, the en- Shatabdi hospital in Govandi where trees and branches falling. In Mal-
highest growth rate of 3.4 per cent. bai occurred in the last 48 hours and tire Konkan coast, including Mum- he was declared dead,” stated the ad’s Kurar Village, an incident of
The S ward (Bhandup) has become civic officials said 54 patients were bai, is experiencing an intense spell BMC’s report. landslide led to a house being evac-
the fourth ward to have more than suffering from other ailments and of rainfall,” an IMD Mumbai state- On the other hand, the city re- uated. There were 16 short-circuit
5,000 cases and following close be- 40 were senior citizens. ment said. ported no water-logging and traf- complaints.
03 CITY mid-day Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com
Reopen malls and save jobs,
retailers plead with state
With the de-growth of 77% in malls during the second half of June, the
retailers association calls on Aaditya Thackeray to help resume businesses
DHARMENDRA JORE
dharmendra.jore@mid-day.com
A DAY after the hospitality
industry got a go-ahead to re-
sume operations, the Retailers
Association of India (RAI) on
Tuesday requested the state
government to allow malls to
reopen to save jobs as well as
the entire retail chain.
Navi Mumbai and Panvel have seen a spike in cases since the easing of During a survey by the RAI,
lockdown early last month over 100 big and small retailers
revealed that there has been no
Except milk, medicine, significant growth in business
even in the second half of June.
get rest of supplies Retailers witnessed 67 per
cent de-growth from June 15
to June 30, compared to the
delivered home corresponding period last year.
Malls that have been closed for
over three months saw 77 per
Continued from page 1 cent de-growth during the
Malls have been closed for over three months due to the lockdown. FILE PIC
same period.
EXCEPT for dairies and milk In a tweet, the association categories like QSR and restau-
providers, pharmacists and implored Tourism Minister A recent consumer sentiment survey by the RAI had rants (-71 per cent), followed by
flour mills, all other shops Aaditya Thackeray to reopen revealed that more than 60 per cent of the consumers beauty, wellness, and personal
and departmental stores have malls. This request was made will wait up to 90 days before going out for shopping, care (-69 per cent) and appar-
been told to home deliver in line with the state govern- el, clothing, jewellery, watches,
supplies. Since the lifting of ment's directive to reopen
keeping in mind the expenditure and safety factors. and other personal accessories
lockdown restrictions, the hotels outside Containment (-67 per cent)," said the state-
two cities have seen cases Zones, RAI stated in a state- tioning well in other states and per cent of the consumers will ment.
increasing, especially dur- ment. these practices will be imple- wait up to 90 days before go- With Unlock 2.0 on the cards
ing the past five days, during "Dear Shri @AUThackeray, mented here as well to ensure ing out for shopping, keeping in the next few days and sev-
which Navi Mumbai reported good to know that hotels are safety of customers & staff," in mind the expenditure and eral sectors opening again,
964 cases and Panvel recorded now allowed to open. We re- the tweet read. safety factors. "This has re- retail can hope for a revival
705. A lockdown was enforced quest you to help us reopen A recent consumer senti- sulted in slow growth for the of consumption and signs of
on July 3, but was made even malls in Maharashtra. With ment survey by the RAI had retail sector throughout June. recovery at least in the second
stricter July 6 onwards. SOPs in place, malls are func- revealed that more than 60 The sentiment was reflected in quarter of the year, added RAI.
“Despite there being a lock-
down, we were witnessing
Only 88 people stepped out without
huge crowds at groceries and
departmental stores. It did not
reduce in vegetable markets Navi Mumbai and Panvel have
either. The purpose of the seen a spike in cases since the
masks in six days! (as per BMC)
lockdown was to re- easing of lockdown
strict movement to
only emergencies,”
said an NMMC
705
No. of COVID-19
Milk centres will
operate from 5 am
official on condi- cases in Panvel in the to 10 am and flour BMC’s vigilance of anti-maskers seems
tion of anonymity.
past five days
mills from 9 am to
to have reduced as daily average of Unmasked!
“However, that was 5 pm.
not happening. After “Residents leav- ofenders comes down from 25 to 14 June 30 35
reviewing the situa- ing their houses will
tion and consulting
with Navi Mumbai
police, we decided
964
No. of COVID-19
be booked or penal-
ised for breaking
lockdown rules.
PRAJAKTA KASALE
prajakta.kasale@mid-day.com
On June 29, Municipal
Commissioner Iqbal Singh
Chahal issued the new or-
July 1
July 2
16
17
to enforce a strict cases in Navi Also, residents not AFTER issuing a strict order der, making the R1,000 fine July 3 12
lockdown.” Mumbai in the following health about fining Mumbaikars who official. But ever since the
As per the new past five days advisories will be don’t wear masks R1,000, the new order, action has slowed July 4 7
order issued by the booked under the Brihanmumbai Municipal down drastically. In the last July 5 1
Navi Mumbai Munic- Epidemic Diseases Act,” Corporation, in the past six week, marshals have appar-
ipal Corporation and the said a senior officer from days, has booked only 88 such ently ‘warned’ 602 people for Total 88
Panvel Municipal Corpora- Navi Mumbai police. “The offenders. On Sunday, the ev- not wearing masks. A mask-less man in Vikhroli East.
tion, pharmacies are also not measures will be in place till er-vigilant BMC found just “There are so many peo- PIC/SAMEER MARKANDE
allowed to sell anything over July 13. We urge residents to one person without a mask. ple wandering on the roads
the counter. comply with orders.” The corporation had made without masks and chatting in groups without any social of it,” Kulkarni said.
the wearing of masks in public distancing. Morning walkers “The number of clean-up
‘Despite a general lockdown, we compulsory in April. While the ‘The number of clean-up too don’t wear masks and re- marshals attending to this job
marshals attending to this
were witnessing huge crowds at order did not mention fine,
clean-up marshals appointed job is low. Besides, the
fuse to listen to people telling
them to wear one,” said Smru-
is low. Besides, the main aim
of their work is to keep the
groceries and departmental stores. by the Solid Waste Manage- main aim of their work is ti Kulkarni, a Borivli resident. city clean and other officials
ment (SWM) department had to keep the city clean and She questioned the proof of are busy with COVID-19 work,”
The purpose of the lockdown started fining offenders. The warnings given by the BMC. said a civic official, adding
other officials are busy
was to restrict movement to only corporation was taking action
against an average of 25 peo- with COVID-19 work’
“The BMC can put any number
on the warning table as they
that there is increased aware-
ness among citizens and very
emergencies’ An NMMC official ple a day till June-end. A BMC official don’t have to give an account few flout the rule.
04 mid-day Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com
daily dossier @AbijitG: Adult life is all about forgetting
your dreams and aspirations and just feel-
ing happy when the weather is nice.
Storehouse blues
Decade-old Gillo Repertory
Theatre will be moving out of
its storeroom, Shaili Sathyu, its
artistic director confirmed with
this diarist. “The lockdown has
brought our income to a halt. It’s
become impractical to
store everything
that we have
collected over
the last decade
in an affordable
space. This move
will cut our losses.
But it isn’t goodbye.
We wish to continue practising
theatre.” Sathyu added that until
children are back in school, this is
temporary. “We are giving away
many props and costumes. The
hope remains that we will tide
over this pandemic and resume
theatre again,” she signed off.
IN DEEP WATERS
As heavy rain lashed the city, two boys were stranded on a water-logged road in Chembur on Tuesday. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
A bite into royal
A new chapter fare at home
Former New York Times journalist
Lending a voice of hope
and administrator of the Pulitzer As part of The Music of the Hebrew Slaves from
Prizes, American Dana Canedy Solidarity Project, 55 opera the opera Nabucco, and the
has been appointed senior vice- houses, theatres, cultural video has notched over
president and publisher of Simon institutions and about 500 6,000 views on YouTube
& Schuster (S&S), one of the musicians from all over so far. The experience was
world’s marquee publishing the world — both world- also made more accessible
imprints. “With God’s class artistes and passionate with Italian sign language
Grace, I am looking starting with Richard L amateurs — embarked on interpreters on board. “I got
a non-profit initiative to send to know about the project via a Anuradha Joshi Medhora started
forward to this new Simon. Dana Canedy is Charoli Foods as a step to revive
“chapter” of my career! the youngest person, a message of hope this month. Facebook post. The piece, drawn
The ensemble that featured 10 from the oppression of Hebrew the closely guarded gastronomic
Sorry, couldn’t resist first woman, and first heritage from the royal kitchens of
[sic]!” Canedy tweeted, person of colour to serve as musicians from India, including slaves, really gives a message of
Mumbai-based soprano Farah being together and achieving Malwa. For four months, it operated
while Rahul Srivastava, MD, administrator of the Pulitzer out of Flea Bazaar Café’s The Cameo
S&S India, shared, “In our 96-year Prizes. We believe Dana will be an Ghadiali, performed Verdi’s Chorus victory,” Ghadiali told this diarist.
Kitchen but when the pandemic hit,
history, the S&S imprint has been agent of change who will bring new they had to shut shop. Now, they
led by only a dozen publishers, voices.” have started deliveries out of their
home kitchen for the first time,
from Colaba to Andheri . “I wanted
Picking up the creative pieces to start work, but also wanted to
ensure I could send hygienic, fresh
It’s been repeated ad nauseam reveals how 53 per cent of the food that I could cook from the
that the pandemic has events and entertainment safety of my kitchen,” Medhora
brought the creative management sector had 90 said. Plus, they have a separate
industry down to its per cent of their business menu for each day
knees. Now, there is data cancelled between March with treats like daal
to validate the extent of and July 2020. In the long maas and maas
the damage. The Federation run, 88 per cent expect their ka zarda pulav,
of Indian Chambers of businesses to be impacted. to ensure you get
Commerce and Industry, the Art X “With little support or state subsidy, your food fresh.
Company and The British Council there is an urgency to address the Call 9833549949
India recently compiled a report situation,” said Art X Company to place an
called Taking the Temperature. It founder Rashmi Dhanwani. PIC/tHE muSIC SolIdARIty PRoJECt/youtubE order.
05 CITY mid-day Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com
‘We are forced to seek police help’
Civic health officials claim locals pick up verbal fights with them, often protest and stand together against them
Continued from page 01 big issue. A few of them have
told mid-day that through
THIS reporter, who accompa- various media – social media,
nied them for few days, found newspapers and TV channels -
volunteers appointed by the they have learnt that the wash-
civic body were merely ask- rooms, hospital beds, floors,
ing the slum dwellers if they etc are in filthy conditions and
wanted to get screened for fear they will fall sick if they
symptoms associated with get admitted to these hospi-
COVID-19, and if they got ‘no’ tals, quarantine facilities or
in response, they would go isolation wards. In some cas-
onto the next dwelling. es, the locals were found pick-
But both sides can be ing up fights with the health
blamed, for on learning about teams, which ended with the
the civic team’s visit in the local police intervening.
area, a few slum dwellers Seema Singh, a resident,
were also seen locking their said, “We have heard the
houses on the pretext of going quarantine centres are filthy
to the market, to escape get- and fear we will fall sick if
ting screened for COVID-19. we get admitted there. Also,
In most of the slum pockets the door-to-door screenings
in Malwani, the residents should have been done at the
have been putting off screen- beginning of the pandemic.
ing to avoid getting admitted It is too late now. The civic
to COVID hospitals in case teams are only filling up their
they are found symptomatic. diaries for the sake of an-
In Ambojwadi, the civic team nouncing that door-to-door
walked off after locals refused screening at Malwani has been
to co-operate. done.”
The civic teams are armed
with temperature guns, oxym- ‘People not co-operating’
eters and a register to jot down The civic body has also started
the details of residents, but testing fever camps at various
hardly a few pages are filled locations, which local resi-
in their day-long arduous foot dents are encouraged to visit
work in the slum areas of Mal- to get screened. But this too The civic teams conducted door-to-door screenings in several slum pockets such as Ambojwadi, where people did not co-operate. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
wani. seems to have failed because
Fear of quarantine centres
people are not turning up in
large numbers.
one in this global health crisis.
“People are not cooperating
few others gave wrong details
like address, mobile numbers,
of COVID-19 saying they test-
ed negative but in our records,
‘I was really
This reporter spoke to many The doctors are finding it in some areas. We have asked etc.” said Dr Sufiya Shaikh, in- they had tested positive. Our scared that if I
local residents and learnt difficult to convince the slum them to visit the testing fe- charge of BMC’s health post teams tried to convince them
that people are scared to get dwellers to cooperate with ver camps with their Aadhaar number 2 at Malwani. to cooperate with us for iso- test positive I
quarantined in civic facilities them though the initiative has cards but few of them turn up
Nine people to be traced
lating them, but they were would be sent
where they feel hygiene is a been taken to safeguard every- without any documents and adamant not to help us. In
“If someone is found sympto- such cases we have to take the to an isolation
matic, we take their samples
for the COVID test and if the
help of Malwani police as the
crowd swells to stand against
ward. But
report is positive, we inform our team members.” my screening
our teams to isolate the pa- The BMC Surveillance Health
tient immediately. But if the Inspector, Sandesh Purandare, was done
address and other details are
deliberately given incorrect
told mid-day that local resi-
dents have been “misguided.”
and I was not
by the person, it becomes a “They are unaware of what will symptomatic,
herculean task for us to track
him/her down immediately.
happen to them if they go to a
COVID hospital. We were doing
nor is my
Till now there are nine such door-to-door screening near husband. We
patients, who have given in- Moinia Masjid. But the local
correct credentials to us and residents protested and when must cooperate
they have tested positive for
COVID-19. We are struggling to
the situation deteriorated, we
had to call the police.”
with the civic
trace them,” added Dr Shaikh.
Some glad about move
teams’ Noorjahan
A local social worker, Tophail Shaikh, a local resident
Khan, has been helping civic However, some locals, such
teams track down the missing as Sarita Jaiswal welcomed to an isolation ward. But my
nine people. the door-to-door screenings screening was done and I was
The civic teams have con- and testing fever camps in not symptomatic, nor is my
ducted door-to-door screen- Malwani. “The BMC has done husband. We must cooperate
ings in several slum pockets something good for us in this with the civic teams.” Shaikh
of Malwani including Azmi global health crisis. We must further added that many preg-
Nagar, Rathodi, MHB colony, cooperate with the civic teams nant women have returned
A doctor said some residents of the slums have produced forged reports saying they tested negative but in Mhada, old and new collector who have risked their lives to to their hometowns in Uttar
BMC records, they had tested positive. She said they are adamant about not co-operating with the BMC. compound and at present ef- safeguard us,” she said. Pradesh and Bihar, “because it
forts are underway at Ambo- Her neighbour, Noorjahan is mandatory to get COVID test
jwadi, and Kharodi. Shaikh said, “I am suffering done at the time of delivery.”
‘They are unaware of what will happen to them if they Dr Shaikh said, “‘Apart from from hypertension and my Another local resident,
go to a COVID hospital. We were doing door-to-door conducting door-to-door husband is diabetic. We have Sameer Khan said, “It is really
screenings, we are also spread- been indoors since the lock- sad that most people believe in
screening near Moinia Masjid. But the local residents ing awareness among people. down and were scared to go to rumours. It is also the respon-
protested and when the situation deteriorated, we had Many of them refuse to coop-
erate with us. Some of them
the hospital to get our medi-
cines. I was really scared that
sibility of government bodies
to spread awareness in slum
to call the police’ Sandesh Purandare, BMC Surveillance Health Inspector have produced forged reports if I test positive I would be sent pockets.”
06 CITY mid-day Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com
Now, a website to match plasma
donors to COVID-19 patients
The Pint Network uses an algorithm to match donors with patients based on the criteria
prescribed in the guidelines; the hospital carries out necessary measures to verify the details
A CORRESPONDENT Thakrar said that an algorithm part of the initiative. “Conva-
mailbag@mid-day.com is able to match donors with lescent plasma from recov-
patients based on the criteria ered COVID patients has been
AN online platform launched prescribed in the guidelines known to help other patients
on Monday aims to donors in real time. “Once there is a with severe symptoms. We
connect with patients in var- match, the donor’s details are were getting a lot of messages
ious parts of the country, in passed on to the patient, after from people who were looking
order to facilitate plasma which they can connect for plasma and it would take
therapy, that can help and take the process them 4-5 days to find it. With
36
in the recovery of forward. Donors the help of this platform, we
critical COVID-19 can then go to the hope to reduce that time to 1-2
patients. The ini- hospital where days,” said Dr Pinto.
tiative, titled Pint the patient is
Network, has reg- No. of donors who admitted and Questions on Instagram
istered around 65 registered a day donate plasma,” Thakrar said that apart from
donors. after the site’s said Thakrar. She Mumbai, they have received a
The website was launch added that a day positive response from other
created by 23-year-old after the website was metro cities as well including
Dr Neil Pinto and 22-year- launched, 36 donors and Hyderabad, Bangalore, Del-
old Karina Thakrar. “People 24 patients from Mumbai have hi, Ahmedabad and Chennai.
are now gradually opening up registered, and there were two Since there isn’t a whole lot
to the idea that once they are matches for patients in private of information available on
COVID-19 free, they can help hospitals. plasma therapy which is still
others suffering from the dis- Donors and patients can in an experimental phase in
ease. To deal with the pandem- both submit their details on India, Thakrar said that they Karina Thakrar and Dr Neil Pinto who created the site
ic, we are building a network two forms on the website that have an account on Instagram
of plasma donors across India include details about their for people who have queries ‘Once there is a match, the donor’s ‘Convalescent plasma from recovered patients
for the recovery of COVID-19 blood group, details of any regarding plasma therapy. details are passed on to the patient, has been known to help those with severe
patients. A pint of plasma can ailments and a confirmation Dr Pinto added that once the after which they can connect and symptoms. We were getting a lot of messages
save up to two lives,” Thakrar of being a COVID-19 patient. donor is matched with the take the process forward. Donors can from people looking for plasma and it would
said. Dr Pinto said that they are in patient, the hospital carries
talks with a few hospitals and out the necessary measures to then go to the hospital where the pa- take them 4-5 days to find it. With the help of
Hospitals to be roped in hope to rope in both govern- verify the details provided by tient is admitted and donate plasma’ this platform, we hope to reduce that time to
Describing the process, ment and private hospitals as the donor. Karina Thakrar, co-founder, the Pint Network 1-2 days’ Dr Neil Pinto, co-founder, the Pint Network
Won’t accept credit, want refund, travellers tell tour firms
78% tourists say want money back as they won’t be travelling within the next year due to the pandemic; threaten legal action against operators
PRAJAKTA KASALE The survey was conducted as they don’t want to travel in
prajakta.kasale@mid-day.com between June 15 and 24 after
the panchayat received many
the near future due to COV-
ID-19. Also, 62 per cent partic-
Survey in numbers
THREE months into the complaints from travellers re- ipants have refused to accept Total respondents: 1,423
lockdown, tourists who had garding refunds. A total 1,423 the credit shell as they have
booked international trav- people had booked tours for the right to receive a refund,”
(75% international)
el packages are demanding collectively 5,031 people, of said Shirish Deshpande, exec- No. of respondents
their money back. A survey which 3,054 are senior citi- utive chairman of MGP. More demanding refunds: 1,115
conducted by the Mumbai zens. Around 75 per cent of than 68 per cent of tourists No. of respondents offered
Grahak Panchayat has revealed the tours were international want longer validity and trans- a credit shell: 1,029
that 78 per cent tourists are and the rest domestic. Of the ferability to any other tour
Total travellers: 5,031
not willing to take a credit shell, 1,071 respondents with inter- in case they accept a credit
but want refunds from travel national packages, 406 had shell. Around 40 per cent No. of senior citizens:
companies. The total worth of obtained all visas, 183 had ob- would prefer the credit shell 3,054
over 1,400 packages meant tained a few visas and 378 had to be transferred to relatives/ Amount claimed from tour
for over 5,000 tourists with not obtained any. REPRESENTATION IMAGE. PIC/GETTY IMAGES friends. operators: R45 crore
six tour operates is over R45 Of the 1,423, 1,115 request- “Most people are avoiding
crore. ed for a refund. However, ‘I booked a tour on March 26 for Japan worth R3,42,100 tours. But the companies’ and local guides and tourist
1,029 or 72 per cent were of- for two. I asked for a refund but the tour operator said decision to cut R20,000 to spots well in advance. As op-
‘All tour companies are fered a credit shell. Only 165 that they can only give a credit shell after a deduction of R25,000 and by insisting that erators, we gave credit notes
facing turbulent times. We respondents have been able
R20,000. We can use the credit shell to go anywhere next customers travel within a through which the tourist can
had paid amounts in airline to get operators to agree to a year. But I need the money back as the chances of travel-
year,” said Deshpande. He opt for any tour or transfer it to
fares, hotels charges, to refund. Cancellation charges added that the MGP has ap- their relatives,” said Atmaram
will also be deducted by tour ling even in the next year are very low’ proached Chief Minister Ud- Parab of Isha Tours. He added
restaurants and local guides operators in 758 (55 per cent) Dilip Parulekar, traveller dhav Thackeray and demand- that the situation is unprece-
and tourist spots well in cases. Only 294 respondents ed that customers be given a dented and everyone should
advance. As operators, we will be getting a full amount in for two. I asked for a refund chances of travelling even in refund. “Otherwise, we will adjust. “If a tourist company
gave credit notes through credit shell, while 811 respond- but the tour operator said that the next year are very low,” have to go for a legal battle,” is declared bankrupt, no one
which the tourist can opt ents said they were offered a they can only give a credit shell said Dilip Parulekar, 70. He said Deshpande. will get anything. We expe-
credit shell after deduction of after a deduction of R20,000. is willing to pay cancellation “All tour companies are fac- rienced it when two airlines
for any tour or transfer it to cancellation charges. We can use the credit shell to charges. ing turbulent times. We had closed down without refund-
their relatives’ “I booked a tour on March go anywhere next year. But I “78 per cent tourists are not paid amounts in airline fares, ing a single penny of air fair,”
Atmaram Parab, Isha Tours 26 for Japan worth R3, 42,100 need the money back as the willing to accept credit shell hotels charges, to restaurants added Parab.
07 CITY mid-day Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com
Sept deadline for final year exams: UGC
This comes month after state govt said that no exams would be held this ‘In the earlier guidelines the UGC
year in view of the COVID-19 situation; new rules spark protests across city had said how evaluation could
PALLAVI SMART lier guidelines the UGC had said universities across the country.” be done if it was not possible to
pallavi.smart@mid-day.com how evaluation could be done
if it was not possible to conduct ‘Will go on hunger strike’ conduct examinations. Now a
THE confusion over exams
seems to be a never-ending one
examinations. Now a different
stand is only putting pressure
Another students’ organisation
Vidhyarthi Bharati has also tak-
different stand is only putting
for Mumbai University’s final on students. It appears that the en a strong stand against the re- pressure on students’ Shreedhar Pednekar
year students. Even though the revised guidelines have been vised guidelines. Manjiri Dhuri, from Chatra Bharati Vidyarthi Sanghatna
state government had declared issued without proper ground- state head of the organisation,
on May 31 that no exams would work because there are still so said, “This is shocking for all the
be held for final year students, many Containment Zones across students amid this health crisis.
the University Grants Commis- the state.” If this decision is not taken back
sion (UGC) issued new guidelines in seven days, I will launch a hun-
on Monday, which says that the ‘So unfair to students’ ger strike.”
exams should be held latest by Mohammad Salman, president On the other hand, Siddharth
September through the online of Student Islamic Organisation, Ingle, president of the Maharash-
or offline mode. The guidelines South Maharashtra, said, “The tra Students’ Union said, “This is
have led to dissent among stu- revised guidelines are pointless, a clear political game between
dents and have sparked protests. unreasonable and unfair to stu- the central and state govern-
Amol Matele, president of dents, teachers and educational ments, and we will not let stu-
NCP students’ union, which held institutes. Earlier, the UGC had dents suffer because of it.”
a protest outside the govern- set a July deadline for conduct- Meanwhile, state Higher and
ment’s administrative building ing the final year examinations, Technical Education Minister,
on Tuesday, said, “This is unfair which was impossible to meet Uday Samant tweeted, “Revised
for lakhs of students across the due to the COVID-19 crisis. Now guidelines of UGC regarding fi-
country. Considering the current the commission has extended nal year examinations is a shock
health crisis it is risky to conduct it to September. However, even for all. Even after knowing Cov-
examinations, especially when this deadline is unjustified as id-19 conditions in Maharash-
the number of COVID-19 cases the situation continues to remain tra, taking such a decision is
are constantly rising.” precarious and unpredictable. clearly playing with life of final
Shreedhar Pednekar from Cha- Besides, extending the current year students.” The minister
tra Bharati Vidyarthi Sanghatna academic year to September will has also written a letter to the
said, “This is clear mental har- have an adverse impact on the Central government regarding
assment of students. In the ear- subsequent academic years of the same.
I F YO U A R E A B U D D I N G
AC TO R O R A N A S P I R I N G
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Please contact Rahul on 9867072943 or Sabina on 9004126050.
You could also send us a mail on
rahul.shukla@mid-day.com / sabina.dsouza@mid-day.com
08 CITY mid-day Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com
Woman delivers on
footpath in SoBo after
hospitals refuse help Arogya Sevika members and health workers screen residents at New Chitrakoot
building on 90 Feet Road in Dharavi. PIC/SURESH KARKERA
‘Indian Medical Services
A woman police officer, who tried to get the pregnant woman
medical aid, was denied help by all hospitals around Metro Cinemas needed for administrative
ANURAG KAMBLE
anurag.kamble@mid-day.com
‘It was a very
difficult situation
decisions on healthcare’
AMID the COVID chaos, a police of- VINOD KUMAR MENON cies. A classical example of a public
ficer’s struggle to get a street-dweller as it was raining vinodm@mid-day.com health disaster was seen in January
in labour admitted to a hospital for
delivery helped save the woman and
heavily. There 2020 when one ICMR scientist blindly
A LOT of confusion over experiments followed WHO’s advice against use of
her baby on July 5. Despite all efforts could have been a with drugs and administrative deci- facemasks to prevent the early spread
though, the woman had to ultimately sion-making has once again brought of COVID-19. It took ICMR 4-5 months
deliver her baby on the footpath near tragedy had to the fore the importance of bringing to correct the basic principle of res-
Metro Cinema 5 as doctors from all the mother and the Indian Medical Services (IMS) un- piratory infectious diseases to block
nearby hospitals refused to attend to der the purview of the UPSC stream droplet transmission. This is how it
her and no ambulance was available. baby not been of studies. Health experts are of the became clear that the establishment
After hundreds of calls were made
by the policewoman, an ambulance
attended to’ opinion that if IAS officers, who do of the IMS under the UPSC cadre is
not have medical qualifications, urgently required.”
arrived after three hours with a PPE PSI Priya Garud continue to take decisions related Dr Wiqar Shaikh, senior allergy and
kit to take the mother and child to the to health management and services, asthma specialist, said, “For the India
hospital. ed Cama hospital again, the doctor at sooner or later the healthcare system of 2020 it is essential to have IMS on
Police Sub Inspector Priya Garud casualty said his absence there could would collapse. the lines of the IFS, IRS, IAS and IPS.
was on duty in the area on the night create an issue,” the officer explained. Dr Subhash Hira, professor of Glob- Directives from the ICMR and state
of July 4 when she received a call from An ambulance had meanwhile ar- al Health, University of Washington, task force have only been experi-
her staff about a pregnant woman rived at the spot but it had no doctor. USA, and former technical advisor mental tools to fight the COVID-19
shouting for help near Metro Cinema. PSI Priya Garud Another one with a doctor (connect- of Ministry of Health, New Delhi, pandemic.” Dr Shaikh added, “Medi-
“I called the police control room ed through 108) finally arrived with a said, “The Indian Health Systems cine is a specialised area of work. The
and explained the situation to them,” also sent to nearby Cama and Albless PPE kit after three hours. The umbili- (IHS) have been fragmented since government requires professionals
said PSI Garud who rushed to the spot Hospital to fetch help. “An RMO in the cal cord was immediately cut and the 1947. Before that it was organised as trained in medicine and also those
immediately while some cops were casualty department denied help. He duo was taken to the hospital. Indian Medical Services (IMS) that who have sound administrative
asked us to bring the woman to the Doctors at Cama hospital said that existed even during the first and sec- knowledge. An IAS officer, who is not
hospital. He didn’t budge even after while the mother was mentally un- ond World Wars. The IMS cadre was trained in medicine, may not be able
05JULY
Day the woman delivered
we explained the situation to him,”
she added.
By the time the staff returned to the
spot, the woman had delivered the
stable, the baby is healthy and fine.
“It was a very difficult situation. There
was a heavy downpour and no help
was available. There could have been
dismantled soon after Independence. to efficiently handle the medical ad-
Hence, the IHS was under the purview ministrative work.”
of the general IAS administration, Meanwhile, Dr Ketan Vagholkar,
both at the national and state levels. professor of surgery at DY Patil Medi-
on the footpath baby but the umbilical cord was stuck a tragedy had the mother and baby not Consequently, IHS went through in- cal College said, “In our country there
inside her body. “When the cops visit- been attended to,” PSI Garud said. tense experimentation, including the is an immediate need of officials who
bifurcation of preventive, curative understand both the expectations of
and promotive health. The IAS babus the patients and challenges of the
Seven turtles rescued along state’s west coast in one day treated the IHS medical professionals medical community. Hence, there is
distantly to the extent that up to 1983, a need to develop a new concept of
no MBBS doctor was even eligible to IMS, which would solely have individ-
RANJEET JADHAV by Dr Vinherkar at the Injured Sea sit for the UPSC examination. Such uals who’ve worked in the healthcare
ranjeet.jadhav@mid-day.com Turtle and Wildlife Treatment Cen- discrimination led to complete ne- sector.” He further said, “If the IMS
tre the Dahanu Forest Division and glect of the healthcare sector till the branch is to be created, then it should
WITH the continuous moderate to supported by WCAWA. end of the 20th century.” solely have experience healthcare
heavy rainfall at many places along Dhaval Kansara, Honorary Wild- Dr Hira added, “Towards the begin- professionals. In the event of such
the west coast of Maharashtra, there life Warden of Palghar said, “Dur- ning of the 21st century, which saw pandemics, these medical adminis-
has been an increase in incidents of ing monsoon, with the water being pandemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, trators will be in a better position to
turtle rescues. On Monday a total of choppy and with the high tides, tur- malaria, dengue, NIPAH, ebola, swine develop and manage the healthcare
seven sea turtles were rescued from tles which are either injured or too flu, SARS, MERS, zika among others, needs of the society.”
the coast of Maharashtra while in weak to swim get washed ashore. In the world leaders started to pay atten- Neuro surgeon Dr Shashank Joshi
last one month, around 20 have been last one month, we have rescued a tion to the health sector. This led to said, “It is high time the government
rescued from several beaches in Pal- total of 19 Olive Ridley turtles from more funding and health experts talk- realises that the healthcare sector
ghar district. branches in Palghar and one Hawk ing about the need of re-establishing needs to be handled by professionals
The Mangroves Cell has a marine
At present, the Mangroves Cell of Bill turtle. Majority of them were in- the IMS cadre to face the emerging who understand the requirements
respondents group in coastal district
the forest department has a marine jured with damaged flippers. Around health crisis.” He further said, “With of the system. It is important to have
to rescue the turtles
respondents group in costal district four have died despite taking all the the emergence of the COVID-19 pan- medical professionals in adminis-
of Mumbai-Thane-Palghar, Raigad, NGO Wildlife Conservation and best possible efforts to save them.” demic in November 2019, it became trative positions as medical service
Ratnagiri and the formation of the Animal Welfare Association (WCA- Fisheries Commissioner Atul clear to the world leaders that their is beyond hospital management and
group for Sindhudurg is under con- WA) along with veterinarian Dr Patne said, “It’s good to see that health systems lacked intelligence patient care.”
sideration. Dinesh Vinherkar, who has been members from the fishing com- and the administrations had no ca-
“Due to the presence of mind working in the field of turtle con- munity and marine enthusiasts are pacity to understand and collate
shown by the fishermen and the servation, have also been saving life coming forward to help the marine what caused pandemics and how to Read the full story at
coordination between the marine of several turtles which wash ashore creatures in distress and saving their respond to these national emergen- www.mid-day.com
respondent group that we have in in Palghar district. life. Fisheries and animal husband-
place, a total of seven sea turtles Over the years, there has been an ry department have plans to set up ‘In our country there is an immediate need of officials who understand
were rescued from the coast of Ma- increase in the number of injured centres in Ratnagiri and Sindhudu- both the expectations of the patients and challenges of the medical
harashtra which includes three from and dead marine creatures, includ- rg were injured turtles or marine
Palghar, two from Sindhudurg and ing turtles, getting washed on the creatures can be treated on priority
community. Hence, there is a need to develop a new concept of IMS,
one each from Ratnagiri and Raigad,” shore between Mumbai and Daha- along with the animal husbandry which would solely have individuals who’ve worked in the healthcare
a forest department official said. nu. The injured turtles are treated department vets.” sector’ Dr Ketan Vagholkar, professor of surgery, DY Patil Medical College
09 NATION mid-day Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | www.mid-day.com | twitter.com/mid_day | epaper.mid-day.com
BROWSER
Jawan dies in encounter
with terrorist India has the lowest deaths,
cases per million people: Govt
SRINAGAR: One terrorist
was killed and one army
jawan also died in action
and a policeman of the
special operations group of
Jammu and Kashmir police
was injured in an ongoing
encounter in Pulwama
The central government on Tuesday said the COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 61.13 per cent
district on Tuesday,
officials said. According to
details on a police input, COVID-19 SC seeks status
report on shelter
an operation was launched
on Monday night at Gasoo,
Pulwama by the police
TICKER The Supreme Court on
along with local security
forces unit. 7,19,665
TOTAL NO. OF CASES IN INDIA AS OF NOW
Tuesday asked the Uttar
Pradesh government to file
a status report on news
articles that 57 minor
NGT asks AP firms to NEW DELHI: Citing a World girls of Kanpur-based
deposit compensation Health Organisation (WHO)
situation report, the cen-
shelter home have tested
positive for COVID-19. The
NEW DELHI: The National tral government on Tuesday top court has taken suo
Green Tribunal (NGT) has claimed the country had one
directed two companies in of the lowest Coronavirus
motu cognisance of the
Andhra Pradesh to deposit deaths and cases per million condition of children in
with Visakhapatnam and population. The recovery rate protection — be it juvenile,
Kurnool district authorities had increased to 61.13 per cent, foster or kinship homes
within two weeks the it added. across the country —
compensation amount to India recorded 22,252 new amid the Coronavirus or
given to kin of those who cases and 467 deaths in the COVID-19 pandemic.
died and those affected last 24 hours, pushing the
by the toxic gas leaks last tally to 7,19,665 and death
People move along a busy street after the government eased a nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi. PIC/AFP
month. Benzimidazole toll to 20,160. Diesel price up
gas leaked at Sainor Life “The WHO situation one of the lowest deaths As on July 7, there are 1,201
Sciences Private Limited in report, dated July 6, per million popula- Dedicated COVID Hospitals, No community spread by 25 paise/litre
Visakhapatnam district on shows India has tion. “India’s cases 2,611 Dedicated COVID Health-
June 30, which claimed two
lives and left four others
affected.
one of the lowest
cases of COVID-19
per million pop-
10,000
COVID-19 cases mark
of death per mil- care Centres and 9,909 COVID
lion is 14.27, while Care Centres to take care of pa-
in K’taka: Yeddy
the global average tients with very severe to very The Karnataka government
Diesel price in the national
capital on Tuesday
touched an all-time high
ulation. India’s is 68.29,” it said. mild symptoms. on Tuesday told a central following a rate hike after
cases per million that Odisha has The UK has wit- “Such level of preparedness team that community a week-long hiatus. The
SC extends protection is 505.37, while crossed nessed 651.4 cases has shown results in continu- spread of COVID-19 was not price on Tuesday was
to Dua till July 15 the global average is
1,453.25,” the Minis-
of COVID-19 related ously improving recovery rate happening in the state. Chief
deaths per million, and low fatality rate,” the gov- Minister B S Yediyurappa on
increased by 25 paise per
litre, according to a price
NEW DELHI: The SC on
Tuesday extended till July
15 the protection granted to
senior journalist Vinod Dua
try of Health and
Family
said.
Welfare
Chile has wit-
20,160
Total no. of deaths
while the same ernment claimed. During the Tuesday held discussions
for Spain, Italy, last 24 hours, 15,515 COVID-19 with the team consisting
France, and the patients have been discharged,
US is 607.1, 576.6, taking the cumulative figure
of Arti Ahuja, additional
notification of state-owned
oil marketing companies.
This took the retail selling
secretary-Health and Family price of diesel to `80.78
from any coercive action in nessed 15,459.8 due to the virus in 456.7 and 391, re- of recovered cases to 4,39,947.
per litre in the national
a sedition case filed against cases of COVID-19 India spectively. There are 1,80,390 recovered Welfare and P Raveendran,
him by a local BJP leader per million popula- The government cases, which is more than the director-Emergency Medical capital — the highest
in Himachal Pradesh over tion, while Peru, the US, said the hospital infra- active cases. The recovery rate Relief (EMR), regarding ever. There was no change
his YouTube show. A bench Brazil and Spain have 9,070.8, structure had been ramped among COVID-19 patients has the COVID-19 situation in in petrol price for the
headed by Justice U U Lalit 8,560.5, 7,419.1 and 5,358.7 cas- up to manage the cases and increased to 61.13 per cent,” the state. Senior ministers eighth straight day, and it
restrained the Himachal es per million, respectively. the preparedness included ar- the government said. All the and officials of the state continues to be priced at
Pradesh police from Alluding to the report, the rangement of oxygen support, 2,59,557 active cases are under government were present at `80.43 per litre.
arresting Dua in the case. government said India had ICU and ventilator facilities. medical supervision. Agencies the meeting.
Gangster Dubey’s relative, two others arrested IAF conducts night-time
patrol over Eastern Ladakh
KANPUR: Three more people
including a close relative of
gangster Vikas Dubey involved
Now, cops look for NEW DELHI: Amid tensions with
China, the Indian Air Force
Apache attack helicopters and
the Chinook heavy-lift heli-
in the attack in which eight po- gangster’s wife (IAF) is carrying out night copters. Notwithstanding the
lice personnel were killed have time combat air patrols over strong winds and the chilling
been arrested, a senior police Kanpur police is on the Eastern Ladakh sector. weather, the ground crew and
officer said on Tuesday. hot pursuit of Richa Team ANI reached a forward pilots are flying using even
According to the police, the Dubey, wife of UP’s airbase near China border very small windows when the
total number of arrests in the most wanted gangster from where the IAF is carry- wind speed is low.
case now stands at four. Dubey’s Vikas Dubey, who killed ing out intensive night opera- At the forward airbase near
relative Shama, his neighbour eight policemen. Richa tions involving its fighter air- China border, the first to take
Suresh Verma, and maid Rekha Debris lie on the ground after demolition of the residence of main craft including the MiG-29 and off were the lethal Apache at-
accused in the Kanpur encounter case, Vikas Dubey. PIC/PTI is said to have fled the
were arrested in the case, an of- house in Bikru village Sukhoi-30MKI along with its tack helicopters. Agencies
ficial police spokesperson said. of `25,000 along with 17 oth- for their alleged involvement in
with her son, minutes
Rekha’s husband, Daya ers who continue to remain the encounter. Station Officer
after the bloodbath early TWEET TALK
Shankar Agnihotri, is a key elusive. Ten police constables Chaubeypur, Vinay Tiwari, SIs
member of the Dubey gang have been sent to Chaubeypur Kunwarpal and Krishna Kumar on Friday. Sources said Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader: 'National interest
and was arrested in a pre- police station from the reserve Sharma and constable Rajiv that the police have is paramount. GOI’s duty is to protect it. Then, 1 –
dawn encounter in Kalyanpur police lines, said SSP, Kanpur were suspended for their al- recovered her mobile Why has Status Quo Ante not been insisted on? 2 –
on Sunday. Agnihotri, who Dinesh Kumar P. This is in re- leged involvement in passing phone during a search of Why is China allowed to justify the murder of 20
was involved in the ambush, placement for the police per- on information to Dubey about the house. unarmed jawans? 3 – Why is there no mention
was carrying a cash reward sonnel who were suspended police movement. Agencies of territorial sovereignty of Galwan Valley?'You can also read
