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Omicron scare: Centre writes to States, UTs amidst rising cases, says activate war rooms, consider night curfews

After the second wave, the world is dreaded by the possible third wave of coronavirus. Recently, there has been surge in the number of Omicron cases in the world, and India has so far reported 213 cases of Omicron, at the time of writing this article.

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Omicron

After the second wave, the world is dreaded by the possible third wave of coronavirus. Recently, there has been surge in the number of Omicron cases in the world, and India has so far reported 213 cases of Omicron, at the time of writing this article. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to states following the surge of Omicron cases in India. The letter advised states and union territories to implement various strategic interventions for containment of Omicron cases in India. Some of these strategies are night curfews, limiting the number of weddings and funerals, increase in testing and surveillance and night curfew.

Key points of Centre’s letter to states and union territories:

  1. The Centre asked the states and union territories to follow stringent containment plans at district as well as local levels.
  2. Constant updates in data regarding active cases, deaths, hospitals and enforcement of necessary precautions to be taken at the district level. This data will ensure effective decision at micro levels.
  3. Containment and buffer zones should be created and notified about, in case numbers of cases start to cluster. All guidelines should be followed strictly and without delay, all cluster samples must be transferred to INSACOG Labs for Genome Sequencing.
  4. The major aspects of the framework to be utilised by states and union territories to help decision making at the district level and that test positivity of 10 per cent or more in the last one week or bed occupancy of 40 per cent or more on oxygen supported or ICU beds
  5. The current scientific evidence suggests that Omicron, the variant of concern, is at least three times more likely to transmit than the Delta variant. Hence, At the local and district levels, even more foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making, and stringent and rapid containment measures are necessary. At the state, UT, and district levels, decision-making must be swift and focused.
  6. Better containment, testing, tracking, monitoring, and clinical management.  
  7. States and Union Territories should ensure door-to-door daily searches, testing of all SARI/ILI and vulnerable/co-morbid persons, and the appropriate percentage of RT PCR tests in total tests.
  8. Utilising the Air Suvidha Portal by State Surveillance Officers (SSOS) and District Surveillance Officers (DSOS) to monitor foreign passengers who have landed in their states and districts.
  9. States and union territories have been asked to increase bed capacity, as well as other logistics such as ambulances, a mechanism for seamless patient shifting, availability and operational readiness of oxygen equipment, and a drug buffer stock to be ensured through prompt use of the central government’s Emergency COVID Response Package (ECRP-II) funds and other available resources.

Read Also: Omicron in India: List of states that reported maximum number of Covid-19 new variant

The latest data from the Centre and the states suggests that India has crossed the 200-mark of Omicron cases in India. With confirmed first cases in Jammu and Kashmir and Odisha on Tuesday, India now has confirmed a total of 213 active Omicron cases. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has reported 6,317 fresh COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. The total death count has reached 4,78,325 with 318 deaths in the past 24 hours. Today’s tally of fatalities has increased significantly. The number of active cases in the country is fewer than 1% of all cases, with the current figure of 0.24 percent being the lowest since March of last year.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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