Breaking News, March 22, 2019 | As it happened

A mishap was averted on Sunday morning after a train driver saw smoke emanating from Telangana Express near Selu Road station in Wardha.

As the 14-hour Janta Curfew evoked a tremendous response on Sunday, the Andhra Pradesh government received requests that it be extended for a couple of more days as people took the fight against the dreaded coronavirus seriously.

Cities in Gujarat wore a deserted look on Sunday as people stayed inside their houses to support the pan-India "Janata curfew" call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help check the spread of coronavirus whose cases are steadily increasing in the country.

Nagpur police took action against 878 persons for various violations during Sunday's Janta curfew.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and former CM Devendra Fadnavis were among the politicians in the state who paid tribute at 5 pm to those in the frontline in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condemned the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, saying the valour of security personnel will not be forgotten.

At least 17 jawans were killed and 14 others injured in a Naxal attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh that took place on Saturday.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday expressed his condolences as the bodies of 17 security personnel, who were missing after an encounter with Naxals in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, were found on Sunday.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Sunday thanked the people of the state for making the Janta Curfew “a grand success”.

The Budget Session of Parliament is likely to be concluded on Monday after passage of the Finance Bill in both Houses, sources said on Sunday.

Several people came out on their doorsteps and rooftops of houses in Raipur and other major cities of Chhattisgarh on Sunday evening and clapped, clanged utensils and blew conch shells to express solidarity with healthcare providers during the fight against coronavirus.

A 55-year-old man died in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district on Sunday after being allegedly slapped by his son, police said.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday joined crores of countrymen to clap with them at 5 pm to thank doctors, paramedics and other essential service providers, including media persons, engaged in a fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

The Himachal Pradesh assembly will reassemble on Monday after a recess from March 15-22 during budget session. The assembly will reassemble at 11 am instead of its scheduled timing at 2 pm, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Sunday.

Online grocery platform Grofers said many of its delivery persons were stopped and arrested on Sunday even as e-commerce firms were to be exempted during 'Janta Curfew' announced to combat the spread on coronavirus in the country.

Seven flights were cancelled at the Jammu airport on Sunday in view of the 'Janta Curfew', an Airports Authority of India official said.

Minutes after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that no domestic or international flight will operate from the Delhi airport from Monday till March 31, a senior official of aviation regulator DGCA clarified that domestic flights will be operating as usual at the airport.

Streets across Odisha wore a deserted look and markets and business establishments remained closed on Sunday as people largely remained indoors in view of the 'Janata curfew' call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid a spurt in Covid-19 cases in the country Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed his gratitude to the people for observing the 'Janata curfew' in a "disciplined and decent way", Odisha governments chief spokesperson on COVID-19, Subroto Bagchi, said.

The Assam Police thanked people for making the "Janata Curfew" a "huge success", and urged them to remain indoors for a few hours more - till 8 AM on Monday.

The Jharkhand government decided to extend 'Janata curfew' beyond 9 pm on Sunday to thwart the possibility of some people organising programmes after the completion of the deadline.

Roads and public spaces in Goa wore a deserted look on Sunday, in view of the 'Janata curfew' announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the state government might extend the curfew by two more days.

The Hon'ble President, along with the First Lady and other members of the family, joined the fellow citizens and expressed their gratitude towards all those who are safeguarding the health of the nation in spite of the grave risk to them and their families.

PM Modi's appeal to citizens to come out on their balconies as the nation observes Janata curfew saw people coming out on their balconies and ringing bells and clapping their hands. The gesture was meant to express gratitude to doctors and healthcare workers at the forefront of the coronavirus epidemic. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was among notable high-profile people who heeded to PM's call.

Eight men were arrested at Kalyan in the district on Sunday as they were found playing cricket during the 'Janata curfew' being observed to check the spread of coronavirus, police said.

For five minutes on Sunday evening, lakhs of Mumbaikars stood in balconies, windows and on terraces of their houses and clapped their hands, banged plates and pans to salute those participating in the war against coronavirus.

PM Narendra Modi in a tweet said, "It is the sound of thanks, but also the beginning of victory in a long battle. Let us, with this determination, tie ourselves in social distancing for a long battle with this restraint". 

"The country thanked each person who led the fight against the coronavirus. Many thanks to the countrymen" he further added.

An Army porter was injured and several houses were damaged in villages along the Line of Control and International Border in Poonch and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistani army resorted to firing and mortar shelling, violating the ceasefire, officials said on Sunday.

Non-life insurance firms reported a 14 per cent increase in the premium collection to Rs 1.73 lakh crore during April-February this fiscal, according to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) data.

Streets, roads and public places in Punjab, Haryana and the common capital of the two states, Chandigarh, wore a deserted look on Sunday as people chose to stay at home in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a "Janata Curfew" to check the spread of the coronavirus.

Some donned their chef's hats, a few picked up books for late morning reads, and many enjoyed something that has become scarce given the everyday noise pollution - listening to birds chirping on trees - during the 'Janta Curfew' on Sunday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to hold a joint press conference later today. 

Streets of Agartala and other parts of Tripura wore a deserted look on Sunday as people largely remained indoors in response to the 'janata curfew' call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid a spurt in Covid-19 cases in the country.

The Uttarakhand government imposed a lockdown till March 31 in the state on Sunday to contain the spread of the coronavirus, officials said. However, essential supplies such as medicines, food grains, vegetables, etc. were kept out of the ambit of the lockdown, they added.

The lockdown was imposed on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a countrywide "Janta curfew" evoked a spontaneous response across the state with people staying at home and roads and marketplaces wearing a deserted look.

While Tamil Nadu came to a virtual standstill on Sunday as people observed the 'Janata Curfew' proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help check the spread of coronavirus, the state government extended it till 5 am on Monday.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh said: "Janta Curfew is a unique way and a great initiative by Prime Minister to deal with Coronavirus Pandemic. He has given a responsibility to each and every citizen of the country towards their health and society. People have supported it wholeheartedly."

"Some people from elite class return from London and take part in public events. Strict action must be taken against them. In such a sensitive issue,each one of us must be extra cautious and follow all guidelines in order to control the spread of COVID-19," he added. 

Punjab Health Minister BS Sidhu said: "14 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in the state; During the lockdown in the state, there will be a regular supply of all essential commodities. I appeal to all citizens to follow govt advisories to fight against this virus."

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said: "The way people of the state have supported Janta Curfew announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shows that we can together defeat Coronavirus. It is highly commendable."

Shops closed and streets empty in Shimla, as countrywide Janata Curfew is being observed today in wake of COVID-19.

Citizens of Delhi observe Janta Curfew as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the spread of Coronavirus.

Juhu Beach in Mumbai wears a deserted look as people observe self-imposed Janta Curfew, amid rising Coronavirus cases in the country.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said: "Janta Curfew is being observed across the country today. It is a battle against Coronavirus. Social distancing is the best way to defeat the pandemic and prevent its spread. State govt has taken all essential measures to fight COVID-19."

Desserted roads in Jaipur as people are observing Janata Curfew amid the rising cases of Coronavirus in India. 

BJP President JP Nadda said: "Today we need to unite & fight a big battle against COVID-19 infection. 'Janata Curfew' is an important step by the people for the health of the people. I request all of you to follow the guidelines given by PM Narendra Modi, regarding Janata Curfew."

Mumbai: People providing essential services do not need to take part in self-imposed Janta Curfew. Maharashtra has the highest number of positive Coronavirus cases in the country; Visuals from Dadar railway station

Visuals from Cubbon Park in Bengaluru where daily 1000-1500 people are seen doing morning walking and jogging, but today the city has imposed Janata Curfew. 

Deserted roads in Nagpur following commencement of Janta Curfew from 7 am today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed for the self-imposed curfew in his address to the nation on 19th March.

Janta Curfew commences amid rising Coronavirus cases in country. According to ICMR, positive cases of Coronavirus in India stand at 315; Visuals from Assam's Guwahati.

US Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday said he and Second Lady Karen Pence will be tested for the coronavirus. Pence's comments came a day after his spokesperson said a staff from his team was tested positive for the deadly disease. However, the infected staff was never in direct contact with either Pence or President Donald Trump.

Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte orders the shutdown of all 'non-essential' companies, as death toll due to COVID-19 reaches 4,825 in the country.

Embassy of India in Italy: 263 Indian students and compassionate cases departed for India by special Air India flight from Rome fulfilling our commitment to ensure their safe return home. Sincere folded hands to Air India and Italian authorities

Junta Curfew to be observed between 7 am to 9 pm, today on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal.