Rev. Kevimese, Nagabazar Baptist Church

NEW DELHI, JUN 17

(PTI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to come forward and tell the country how Chinese troops occupied Indian territory and why 20 soldiers were killed.

In a video message, she assured the country of her party’s full support to the Indian Army and government and said, “I am confident that in these challenging times, the entire nation will unite to face the enemy.”

“I urge the prime minister to come before the country and reassure it on the basis of truth and facts in this hour of crisis,” she added. Gandhi asked whether some Indian Army personnel were still missing and how many were still seriously injured. She said the government should explain its thinking and strategy to deal with the situation on the border in Ladakh.

“Today, when there is so much anger in the country over Chinese intru

NEW DELHI, JUN 17

(PTI): In a strong message, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that the unprecedented incident in Galwan Valley will have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship and asked China to take corrective steps.

Jaishankar and Wang held a telephonic conversation in the wake of Monday night’s violent clash between the two armies in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel including a Colonel were killed.

“The external affairs minister conveyed the protest of the government of India in the strongest terms on the violent face-off in

NEW DELHI, JUN 17

(AGENCIES): The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Delhi government over suspension of healthcare workers for exposing facts related to the condition in hospitals while saying that doctors and nurses were “corona warriors” and needed to be protected.

The remarks were made by a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul, and MR Shah while hearing a suo motu cognisance Galwan Valley on June 15,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.

It said Jaishankar referred to a meeting between senior military commanders of the two sides on June 6 where an agreement was reached on de-escalation and disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Jaishankar conveyed to Wang that while there was some progress on the situation, the Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan valley on the Indian side of the LAC.

“While this became a source of dispute, the Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the matter related to the treatment of Covid-19 patients and dignified handling of bodies in government hospitals.

“Stop harassing doctors and registering FIRs. You can’t suppress the truth. Why did you suspend a doctor who made a video of the pathetic conditions of one of your hospitals?” the Supreme Court said and asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit in the case. The bench posted the hearing for Friday. resulting violence and casualties,” the MEA said giving details of the conversation.

Jaishankar conveyed that it reflected an intent to change the facts on ground in violation of all the agreements to not change the status quo.

“The External Affairs Minister underlined that this unprecedented development will have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship. The need of the hour was for the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps,” the MEA said.

“The two sides should scrupulously and sincerely implement the understanding that was reached by the senior commanders on June 6,” it said.

“Troops of both sides should also abide by the bilateral agreements and protocols. They should strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control and should not take any unilateral action to alter it,” the MEA said.

In the talks, it was agreed that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner, and both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of June 6 sincerely, the MEA said.

The Delhi government told the SC that it was committed to taking care of patients, managing of bodies and raising the number of Covid-19 tests.

“Don’t shoot the messenger, don’t threaten doctors and health workers, support them,” the Supreme Court said.

The development comes after the bench described the situation in the national capital as “deplorable and pathetic” in the last hearing on Friday.

Sonia Gandhi addresses on Indian Army face-off with Chinese troops at Galwan valley via video link. (video grab/PTI)

sion into Indian border, the Indian territory were under prime minister should come Chinese occupation. out and tell the truth on how “Which portions of the Chinese occupied the the Indian territory have the Indian territory, why brave Chinese occupied? What is soldiers were martyred and their location? What is the what is the current situation government’s thinking and along the LAC,” she said. strategy to deal with this

Gandhi assured the situation?” she asked. country of Congress party’s The Congress president complete solidarity with saluted the slain soldiers and the Army and government said, “The sacrifice of 20 and said, “In this time of Indian soldiers on the LAC crisis, Congress stands with has shaken the very soul of the Indian Army, the solIndia. I salute them and pay diers, their families and the my tributes from the depths government.” She asked of my heart. I also pray that the prime minister to detail god grants their families the as to what portions of the strength to brave this loss.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come out of “hiding” and share the truth of the India-China face-off, saying the entire country is standing behind him.

Questioning the prime minister’s silence on the fierce clash between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, he said the country needs to know what has happened and why Modi is silent.

“Why is the Prime Minister silent. Where are you hiding? You should come out, the whole country is standing behind you together. Come out and tell the truth to the country, don’t be afraid,” Gandhi told the prime minister in a video message.

The former Congress chief, in his message shared on his Twitter account, also saluted the brave martyrs of the country.

The court also had issued notice to LNJP hospital, the largest hospital run by the Delhi government, and one of the dedicated Covid-19 treatment facilities in the national capital.

Chief Justice of India S A Bobde taken suo motu cognizance of media reports on “horrific scenes” at the hospital, apathy in treatment, and the handling of dead bodies.

“We are concerned with the living too… Please see the deplorable conditions of people in hospitals. Dead bodies are lying in the ward,” Justice Kaul said.

The bench was informed by the Delhi government counsel that after the recent visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to LNJP Hospital, things were being improved.

In another hearing earlier in the day, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to issue directions to states for payment of salaries and providing necessary quarantine facilities to doctors and healthcare workers engaged in treating Covid19 patients.

Coronavirus deaths in Delhi was up by 437, taking its toll to 1,837 on Wednesday with 44,688 cases, according to the Health Ministry data.

Rahul Gandhi (Video grab)

He said that two days ago, 20 Indian soldiers were martyred and snatched away from their families and China has snatched India’s land and usurped it.

“Why is the PM silent? Why is he hiding? Enough is enough. We need to know what has happened,” Gandhi earlier said on Twitter.

“How dare China kill our soldiers? How dare they take our land?” he said. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Delhi Health Min and AAP MLA test

COVID positive

Satyendar Jain NEW DELHI, JUN 17

(PTI): Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, a day after he was admitted to a hospital here following high fever, a senior official said.

The 55-year-old minister was brought to the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) in the early hours of Tuesday and was administered a test for the novel coronavirus infection that morning, for which he tested negative.

AAP MLA and national spokesperson Atishi has also tested positive for Covid-19, her party colleagues said on Wednesday.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to wish her speedy recovery.

She is presently under home quarantine. Vadra also asked Prime Minister Modi to show up, saying it is time to stand up to China as it is threatening India’s sovereignty.

“Our land, our sovereignty is being threatened, our soldiers and officers have been martyred, are we just going to remain silent?

“India deserves the truth. It deserves a leadership that is willing to do anything before allowing its land to be taken. Show up Narender Modi ji, it’s time to stand up to China,” she said in a tweet.

Government sources said the Chinese side too suffered “proportionate casualties” but chose not to speculate on the number.

It is the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers, while over 300 Chinese army personnel were killed in the confrontation.

NEW DELHI, JUN 17

(IANS): The Delhi Police on Wednesday detained Army veterans and Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) members, who were protesting outside the Chinese Embassy here against the killing of 20 Indian Army soldiers in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night by the Chinese People’’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops.

The protest outside the Chinese Embassy was supposed to be a represen

NEW DELHI, JUN 17

(PTI): The loss of soldiers in Galwan Valley is deeply disturbing and painful, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, paying glowing tributes to the Army personnel who were killed in a violent clash with the Chinese Army.

The Indian Army on Tuesday said 20 Army personnel, including a Colonel, were killed in the clash on Monday night, in the biggest ever military confrontation between the two armies in over five decades. In a series of tweets, Singh said Indian soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

“The Nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult hour. We are proud of the bravery and courage of India’s bravehearts,” he said.

Monday’s clash was the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while over 300 Chinese Army

NEW DELHI, JUN 17

(PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said India will always remain indebted to its soldiers who lost their lives in Ladakh’s Galwan protecting the country’s territory, and their bravery reflects the country’s commitment towards the motherland.

In a series of tweets, Shah said the pain of losing the brave soldiers at Ladakh’s Galwan cannot be put in words.

“India will always remain indebted for their supreme sacrifice. Entire nation and Modi government stands firmly with their families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he said.

The home minister said the nation salutes the immortal heroes who sacrificed their lives to keep Indian territory safe and secure.

“Their bravery reflects India’s commitment totation by the Martyrs Welfare Foundation. However, members of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch also joined in later.

SJM members initially protested at the Teen Murti Police station and then moved towards the embassy to protest. The members could be seen holding posters with a black cross on ‘’Made in China’’ written on them.

Earlier on Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath personnel were killed in the confrontation.

The EAM on Tuesday said the violent face-off between armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh was the result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo in the region. The ministry said both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had the agreement wards her land,” he said, adding, “I bow to the families who have blessed Indian Army with such great heroes”.

Twenty Indian soldiers, including a colonel, were killed on Monday evening in a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers will not go in vain.

He also said that India wants peace but is capable of giving a befitting reply, if instigated.

For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country is most important, Modi said in his opening remarks on day two of the virtual conference with chief ministers on coronavirus.

The opposition had been questioning the government’s “silence” on the biggest ever military confrontation between the two

Galwan Valley incident will have serious impact on bilateral ties: India to China

S Jaishankar (File)

Ladakh face-off: PM convenes all-party meeting on Friday

Narendra Modi (File)

NEW DELHI, JUN 17 including a colonel, were (PTI): Prime Minister Nakilled on Monday evening in rendra Modi has convened a clash with Chinese troops an all-party virtual meet on in eastern Ladakh Galwan Friday to discuss the situavalley. tion along the India-China Congress leader Raborder, his office said on hul Gandhi on Wednesday Wednesday. asked the prime minister to

The meeting comes share the truth of the Indiaagainst the backdrop of China face-off, saying the demands by the opposition entire country is standing seeking details of the viobehind him. lent face-off between Indian Earlier in the day, and Chinese troops in the Defence Minister Rajnath Galwan Valley in Ladakh Singh said that Indian solwhich left 20 Indian Army diers displayed exemplary personnel dead. courage and valour in the

“In order to discuss the line of duty and sacrificed situation in the India-China their lives in the highest traborder areas, Prime Minister ditions of the Indian Army. @narendramodi has called “The Nation will never for an all-party meeting at 5 forget their bravery and PM on 19th June. Presidents sacrifice. My heart goes out of various political parto the families of the fallen ties would take part in this soldiers ...We are proud of virtual meeting,” the PMO the bravery and courage tweeted. of India’s bravehearts,” he

Twenty Indian soldiers wrote on Twitter.

Don’t shoot the messenger: SC on harassment of docs

Delhi Police detain Army veterans protesting outside Chinese Embassy

Police personnel detain an ex-armyman during a stir against the killing of 20 Indian soldiers by Chinese troop at Galwan valley near Chinese embassy in New Delhi. (PTI)

armies in over five decades. Singh extended his condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers who laid down their lives for the country in the violent faceoff that broke out on Monday night.

“The loss of soldiers in Galwan is deeply disturbing and painful. Our soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army,” Singh

Killing of Indian soldiers in Galwan deeply disturbing, painful: Rajnath

tweeted. arrived earlier at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.

Indian and Chinese armies are engaged in standoff in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern Ladakh. A sizeable number of Chinese Army personnel even transgressed into the Indian side of the de-facto border in several areas.