India

NEW DELHI, Apr 4 (NNN-PTI) – India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 12,392,260 yesterday, as 89,129 new cases were reported from across the country, according to the latest figures released by the federal health ministry. 714 deaths were registered, taking the death toll to 164,110.

Both the number of new cases and deaths are the highest this year, so far. There are still 658,909 active cases in the country, while 11,569,241 people have been discharged from hospitals after medical treatment.

(Reuters) - At least 22 members of Indian security forces were killed in a central Indian state by Maoist fighters, one of the bloodiest attack by the extreme left-wing insurgent groups this year, officials said on Sunday.

Security personnel belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force’s elite CoBRA unit, the District Reserve Guard, and the Special Task Force were attacked on Saturday in the tribal-dominated Chhattisgarh state during an anti-insurgency operation.

NEW DELHI, April 4 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and two others suffered burns in a devastating forest fire in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials said on Sunday.

The fire started at numerous locations along 62 hectares of forest area.

"Fire broke out at 964 locations in the state. Four persons were killed and two others injured in the blaze," Harak Singh Rawat, a local minister, was quoted by the media as saying. "Seven animals also perished in the fire."

Ahmedabad, Apr 4 (PTI) Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday kicked off his two-day tour of Gujarat, during which he will campaign against the three Central farm laws, by visiting Goddess Ambaji's temple in Banaskantha district.

Taking a veiled swipe at the BJP and the Centre while entering the Gujarat border, Tikait showed his passport to reporters and said he has brought it "in case it is required to enter Gujarat".

Mumbai, Apr 4 (PTI) Superstar Akshay Kumar on Sunday said he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and is under home quarantine.

The 53-year-old actor took to Twitter to share his diagnosis and said he is following all the necessary protocols.

Kanpur: Confusion persists on the exact date of reopening of the schools here. The fear of coronavirus looms thereby compelling the authorities concerned to beat about the bush.

Some say teaching will commence from April 7 while news reports said the pedagogy begins from April 5. Strangely enough there was also reports of teaching from April 11. Different dates from sources close to the school authorities.

Ambiguity about the mode of teaching is another hitch. When the students approached to the teacher she did not mind in disclosing about it in later date.

Chandigarh, Apr 3 (PTI) Farmers on Saturday held a protest against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Rohtak district.

After they came to know about the CM's visit, farmers including women gathered outside a private university where Khattar's chopper was to land.

Khattar was to attend a condolence meet in memory of Rohtak MP Arvind Sharma's father.

Heavy police security arrangements were made outside the university with barricades put up to stop protesters, said officials.

Coimbatore, Apr 3 (PTI): A total of 14 workers of two political parties were arrested for allegedly distributing cash to voters in two areas here on Saturday, police said.

Based on information, the police went to an area in Coimbatore south constituency where they caught 12 BJP workers distributing the money to residents.

A sum of Rs 46,000 was seized from them and six two- wheelers were impounded, the police said.

Aligarh (UP), Apr 3 (PTI) Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait claimed on Saturday that the attack on his convoy of vehicles in Rajasthan's Alwar was "pre-planned by BJP workers" and said it should serve as a reminder to the farmers protesting against three new agriculture laws of the Centre about the travails and challenges they are going to face in the days to come.

Jammu, Apr 3 (PTI) A fake currency racket was busted here on Saturday with the arrest of four people including the main accused along with counterfeit currency, police said.

The existence of the racket came to light after a shopkeeper lodged a complaint at the Talab Tillo police post, claiming that two motorcycle borne youth came to his shop and purchased a cigarette packet against a fake note of Rs 500, a police official said.