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The mystery behind Bihar’s surprisingly low coronavirus numbers

According to health data released by Bihar authorities on Wednesday, there are only 6,392 active cases and the recovery rate is 96.64%.

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bihar coronavirus

By Prerna Ahuja

An explosion in coronavirus cases was expected in Bihar as the state went to polls amid the pandemic but the numbers continue to remain surprisingly low, which remains a mystery. According to health data released by Bihar authorities on Wednesday, there are only 6,392 active cases and the recovery rate is 96.64%. Don’t rub your eyes, you read it right!

In his speech following the National Democratic Alliance victory in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the alliance won because of the excellent Covid-19 management in the country. He recalled the way the country had fought the pandemic from the day of the janata curfew to the present and said it was incredible.

Although cases in India are witnessing a decline with each passing day, several states like Kerala, West Bengal and Delhi are reporting a higher number of cases everyday. But the situation is totally opposite in Bihar with a sharp decrease in total number of active cases. The million-dollar question is: Is Bihar really doing better than other states in terms of Covid management? Are people there wearing masks and following social distancing norms? The news would have been exciting if the answer to this was yes. This does not seem to be the case. During the high-decibel campaign relayed on news TV, we saw people flouting every norm, so much so that people following the norm were kind of the exception. This is also true in other parts of India where festive shopping is seeing more people crowding markets without wearing masks.

Although Bihar is doing much better than many states in terms of testing, most of these have been less accurate rapid antigen tests. According to the health ministry, only 12 percent of Bihar’s total tests have been RT-PCR tests. Taking cognisance of the matter, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Wednesday asked the state to conduct more RT-PCR tests of people who are symptomatic but tested negative in antigen test.

Bihar has conducted more than 1 crore tests so far and most of them have been antigen tests, which can explain the reason behind the state’s surprisingly low numbers. Antigen tests are not considered reliable as they have lower sensitivity and often give out false-negative results.

Although, lower numbers look great on the map of India, the biggest task for the newly-elected NDA government would be to correct the course. The health department of Bihar would have to pull up its socks because the lives of the people are more important than the pat for good performance during the pandemic.

Read Also: Tejashwi Yadav says he won hearts in Bihar election 2020, Nitish Kumar didn’t

The Union health secretary’s decision to ask Bihar to do better testing came on the day the electoral process of the state came to an end with one alliance winning a clear majority. And therefore begs the question: were the coronavirus figures underreported just to get done with the election despite several parties wanting a postponement? A government for the people, by the people and, allegedly, of the people has been elected but at what cost to Bihar? Hai koi jawab!

India News

DMK leader’s son arrested after car rams family in Krishnagiri, one dead

A 20-year-old son of a DMK leader has been arrested for allegedly driving a car into four members of a family in Krishnagiri, killing assistant labour inspector Sivamoorthy.

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DMK leader

A 20-year-old son of a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been arrested for allegedly mowing down four members of a family following a heated argument in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. One person died in the incident, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Sivamoorthy, an assistant labour inspector and a resident of Krishnagiri. According to the police, the incident occurred outside his residence after the accused, identified as Adithya, objected to a two-wheeler parked on the road.

Police said Adithya was driving the car and began honking as the two-wheeler was blocking the road. Sivamoorthy and his family members reportedly stepped out to move the vehicle. During the exchange that followed, an altercation broke out.

Investigators allege that Adithya then rammed his car into Sivamoorthy, his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsavalli and granddaughter Nilani. Sivamoorthy sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The others were injured in the incident.

Besides Adithya, two of his friends — Rithik Kumar and Harish — who were present in the car at the time, have also been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against the trio and further investigation is underway.

Kirubakaran, recounting the incident, said the family had attempted to move the parked two-wheeler when the accused damaged it. He alleged that the men appeared intoxicated and tried to assault them with a stick before the vehicle was driven into the family.

Amsavalli said they had tried to defuse the situation peacefully but the confrontation turned violent, resulting in her father-in-law’s death and injuries to her child.

A police officer stated that Adithya’s father is a local functionary of the DMK in Krishnagiri district. The victim’s family has demanded strict action in the case.

Reacting to the incident, state BJP chief Nainar Nagendran criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, questioning the state government over the episode and alleging that party functionaries were misusing their influence.

Police said the probe is ongoing.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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