Maharashtra: Muslims in Ichalkaranji town of Maharashtra, earned heaps of praises from Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackrey as they celebrated Eid festival by donating a 10-bedded ICU to the local government hospital with the help of money collected through Zakat, the traditional Muslim charity tax. The move as reported, is aimed at contributing to the state’s efforts to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.

Muslims reportedly collected charity worth Rs. 36 lac and donated a 10-bedded, well-equipped ICU to the Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Civil Hospital in the town. The ICU is reportedly now ready to facilitate the fight against the spread of Corona Virus.

Even as Maharashtra is one of the worst hit states by COVID-19 in India, the town of Ichalkaranji has seen comparatively lesser number of cases, but the fear of spike in number of cases looms large. The town according to the 2011 census has a population of 2.88 lac people with 78.32% Hindu population and 15.98% Muslim population among others.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday inaugurated the ICU facility. Applauding the initiative, he said via video conference, “Muslims in Ichalkaranji have shown the way for everyone in the country. Till now, we have controlled the spread of coronavirus with courage and patience. Henceforth, public participation (to fight the pandemic) is necessary. The Muslim community has set an example on how to celebrate a festival.”

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New Delhi (PTI):Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has reviewed with Home Minister Amit Shah and other officials about the situation following the explosion near the Red Fort metro station on Monday that claimed eight lives, and assured people that those affected are being assisted by the authorities.

The high-intensity explosion in the area milling with people also injured 24. They have been taken to the LNJP hospital, a few kilometres away.

"Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest," PM Modi said on X.

"Those affected are being assisted by authorities. Reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah Ji and other officials," he added.

Earlier, government sources said PM Modi had taken stock of the situation and spoken with Shah, and taken an update.

Videos shared by the Chandni Chowk Traders' Association revealed the magnitude of the blast. A mangled body could be seen lying on a vehicle, while another clip showed a body lying on the road. Eyewitnesses said body parts could be seen scattered near the blast site.

A high alert has been sounded in Delhi, and security has been beefed up at city border points, with vehicle checking intensified.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said the car, in which the blast took place, had some occupants.

According to a senior police officer, "The blast occurred in a moving Hyundai i20 car in which three people were sitting. We have not found any pellet or puncture in the body of the injured, which is unusual in a bomb blast. We are investigating all angles."

Police sources said the car was registered in the name of one Nadeem Khan and bore a Haryana number plate.

Ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot as police cordoned off the area, the Delhi Fire Services said. The blaze caused by the blast was brought under control by 7.29 pm, officials said.

According to a fire department official, six cars, two e-rickshaws and one autorickshaw were gutted in the fire.

The blast was so powerful that it shattered the window panes of vehicles parked several metres away, and the sound was heard at ITO, a few kilometres from the site.