Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXII No. 40
DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Headed to disaster? US, Russia harden stances
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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
State records 862% spike in weekly Covid cases
Protests on Jan 31 if commitments not fulfilled: Farmers NEW DELHI, JAN 15 (AGENCIES): Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Saturday said that it will observe ‘Virodh Diwas’ on January 31 if the Centre does not respond to its demands. Addressing a press conference at the Singhu border, Yudhvir Singh, BKU leader said, “Till now, Centre has neither formed a committee on MSP nor approached us on it. The Government hasn’t removed the MoS whose son is involved in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.” “If the central government doesn’t respond to our demands, then we will celebrate ‘Virodh Diwas’ on January 31,” he said. Reminding the government about postponing the farmers’ movement, he said, “Our movement was postponed on December 11. The government has not responded to our demands yet. We will burn effigies on the government across the country on January 31.” He further informed that the BKU will again begin the agitation in Uttar Pradesh from February 1. In December last year, the SKM had announced the suspension of their yearlong agitation after they received a letter from the Centre, with promises of forming a committee on Minimum Support Price and withdrawing cases against them immediately.
This is it!
“What's the use of spending so much time on make up when you’ll cover it with face mask in the end?” K Y M C
7-13
AUG
21-27
4-10
SEP
2-8
OCT
4
16-22
6
122
137
3
5
142
180
18-24
145
125
5
305
5
0
520
15
8
8
225
250
DEATHS
10
403
375
12
311
591
500
CASES
359
DIMAPUR, JAN 15 (NPN): Nagaland has witnessed an alarming rise in Covid-19 positive cases during the past one week as 520 new cases were reported with 862% increase in new cases. Out of 520 cases, Dimapur alone reported 88% of all cases. According to the weekly bulletin released by the Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department on Saturday, travellers accounted 60% of the cases while random testing accounted 32% of the cases. For the first time in seven months, the state’s weekly sample positivity (WSPR) rate crossed 10% from 2%. Dimapur and Tuensang recorded a spike in WSPR 13.9% and 11.8% respectively.
20
625
446
Dmu records 88% of 520 weekly cases
WEEKLY DATA OFOFCONFIRMED & DEATHS WEEKLY DATA CONFIRMED CASES AND CASES DEATHS
750
5
4
3 94 68 30-5
3 3 67 56 1 34 16 13-19
NOV
27-3
19
2
11-17
DEC
9 27 0
25-31
54 1 0 0 8-14
JAN
(Source: H&FW department)
While seven new hospital admissions were recorded with no deaths, the department however said that hospitalizations and deaths follow only twothree weeks after increase in cases. Pointing out that vaccines were working very well against hospitalizations and deaths, it however said that effectiveness decreases over time. Therefore, H&FW has recommended 3rd dose for those at high risk-- 60 plus elderly with comorbidities and healthcare/frontline
workers after nine months of the second dose. The department also urged the unvaccinated to use the small window period before the peak of the wave. Citing data from across the globe, it said that vaccines were very effective against severe disease and hospitalization even against the Omicron variant. “The unvaccinated and those pending for second dose should use the limited time to get their vaccines,” H&FW reiterated. The department further urged all to avoid
crowded places and to compulsorily use mask (double masks, surgical, or N95 masks) while in public places and gatherings as it was critical to avoid super spreader events and avoid overwhelming the health system. State logs 59 fresh cases: Nagaland on Saturday recorded 59 fresh Covid-19 positive cases while no deaths were reported in the past 24 hours. Of the fresh cases, 51 were from Dimapur, five in Kohima, two in Peren and one Phek, taking the total
caseload to 32,834. Nearly 18k teens receive first dose of vax: Nearly 18000 teens between the 15-18 age group have received first dose of the Covid vaccine across the state. According to health department’s data, a total of 17925 received their first dose of Covaxin vaccine as on January 15. Further, a total of 13,65,587 persons have been inoculated against Covid-19-- 773771 first dose and 591816 second dose while 3806 beneficiaries (health care and frontline workers and 60 plus with comorbidities) received the ‘precautionary dose’. India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 156 crore with more than 57 lakh vaccine doses administered on Saturday, the Union health ministry said. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late night.
Ashes: Eng collapse puts Aus on top in Hobart SPORTS, PAGE 12
ADDC serves ultimatum on govt to declare Aboi district by Jan 23 DIMAPUR, JAN 15 (NPN): Aboi District Demand Committee (ADDC) has served an ultimatum on the state government to declare Aboi as district on or before January 23, 2022. Failing which, the committee warned that it would take up its own course of action. Stating this in an ultimatum served on the chief minister, ADDC convener Manpon Changkap and presidents of-Konyak Union Aboi unit Y. Pangao, KU Chen unit Pongyao Konyak and KU Longchang unit N. Chaohong Konyak therefore urged the concern authority to take the matter into serious consideration. A D D C u r ge d t h e chief minister to acknowledge the sentiments and resentment of the people of Aboi under the umbrella of Aboi District Demand Committee (ADDC), as the demand for Aboi district
HQ had been turned down by the state government. It pointed out that the demand for up-gradation of Aboi ADC HQ to district HQ was officially initiated in 2008 and was subsequently included in the cabinet memo of 2011. As the present government was well aware of the demand, ADDC said that the apex body-- Konyak Union, Mon had also submitted a representation to the state cabinet on July 19, 2021, for creation of Aboi district by bifurcating Mon district. For this, ADDC said that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) was also granted on July 21, 2008. T h e c o m m i t t e e, therefore, questioned the state government on what ground their demand was denied “despite fulfilling the criteria fit for a fullfledged district than any other districts which were declared recently.” ADDC said it was
shocked and saddened as the government chose to declare creation of three new districts on December 18, 2021, when the Konyak community was mourning and seeking for justice with regard to the recent incident of Oting massacre. It said “the government has added salt to the wounds by the declaration of other districts in the midst of our sorrowful period and also by back dropping our demand.” While reminding the chief minister that their demand had always been democratic, ADDC, however, said that it has reached its elastic limit and the public have turned impatient towards the “stone-deaf attitude of the government”. ADDC, therefore, warned that the “response/ retaliation of the citizens maybe undemocratic” and ultimately hold the government responsible for its consequences.
Dimapur ready to face any Covid-19 eventuality: DC PM calls for innovating for India, from India;
Joint meeting of the District Task Force for Covid-19 and District Task Force for Covid-19 vaccination on Saturday. (DPRO)
DIMAPUR, JAN 15 (NPN): With Dimapur district witnessing a rise in Covid-19 cases, deputy commissioner Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan affirmed that with the support and cooperation rendered by all stakeholders, Dimapur was ready for facing any even-
tuality in the district, as far as Covid-19 was concerned. Addressing the joint meeting of the District Task Force for Covid 19 and the District Task Force for Covid 19 vaccination, here on Saturday at DC’s conference hall, Soundararajan said that testing and surveillance
measures at all entry points-Railway station and airport, has been intensified, DPRO report stated. Attributing high percentage of Covid-19 positive cases from amongst the returnees, DC urged all stakeholders particularly the village authorities for ensuring strict home quarantine and proper monitoring of the returnees in their respective jurisdiction. On the issue of manpower requirement raised by Chief Medical Officer Dimapur Dr. I Moa Temjen, the DC informed that employees would be drawn from different departments to help the CMO office in the monitoring and surveillance cell. On vaccination drive,
DC observed that Dimapur district was a front runner and expressed appreciation to all stakeholders while soliciting their continued support. He also appreciated the tireless efforts of the private hospitals during the first and second wave and sought for their support when situation arises. DC further said that more infrastructures would be put in place and activated as and when need arises. Reminding all not to be complacent about the Omicron variant, DC stressed on the need for all to strictly follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, adding that it was the collective responsibility of all to contain the pandemic. (Cont’d on p-8)
declares Jan 16 as ‘National Startup Day’
NEW DELHI, JAN 15 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for innovating for India and from India to tackle challenges facing the country as he counted steps taken by the government in freeing entrepreneurs and innovation from bureaucratic silos. “Our startups are changing the rules of the game. I believe that startups are going to be the backbone of New India,” he said interacting with youngsters from the world of startups. “Let us innovate for India, innovate from India.” India, he said, has over 60,000 startups with 42 unicorns.
First Indian study provides evidence of India logs over 2.68L Covid cases, Omicron variant’s community transmission 402 deaths; Omicron tally 6,041 NEW DELHI, JAN 15 (AGENCIES): Most Omicron variant infected patients of Covid-19, during the last week of December 2021, had no travel history, which indicates that there was eventual community transmission, according to a study conducted by the Department of Clinical Virology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, ANI reports stated. “The respiratory specimen of all RT-PCR confirmed positive cases between November 25 -December 23,
2021, collected from five districts of Delhi were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Complete demographic and clinical details were also recorded. Hence, we analysed the formation of local and familial clusters and eventual community transmission,” the study noted. The study also stated, “Out of the 264 cases during this study period, 68.9% (182) were identified as Delta variant and its sublineages while 31.06% (82) were Omicron variant with BA.1 as the predominant
sub-lineage (73.1%).” It stated that most of the Omicron cases were asymptomatic (50.61%) and did not require any hospitalizations. “A total of 72 (87.8%) cases were fully vaccinated. Around 39.1% (32) had a history of travel or contacts while 60.9% (50) showed a community transmission,” it added. The study showed a steep increase in the daily progression of Omicron cases with its preponderance in the community, which was observed from 1.8% to 54%.
NEW DELHI, JAN 15 (PTI): India registered 2,68,833 new Covid infections in a day taking the tally to 3,68,50,962, which includes 6,041 Omicron variant cases, Health Ministry said on Saturday. With 402 more deaths, the number of people who have succumbed to the viral disease has risen to 4,85,752. The case fatality rate was 1.32 per cent. A total of 6,041 Omicron cases has been detected so far, an increase of 5.01 per cent since Friday, the data updated at 8 am
showed. The daily positivity rate was 16.66% while the weekly positivity rate was 12.84%. Active cases increased to 14,17,820, the highest in around 223 days, and comprise 3.85% of the total infections. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 94.83%, the Health ministry said. In a day, the active caseload in India increased by 1,45,747. The total number of people who have recuperated from the disease so far has risen to 3,49,47,390.
Centre is focusing on three aspects to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem– “Freeing entrepreneurship, innovation from government and bureaucratic silos; setting up institutional mechanisms to promote innovation, and handholding of youth innovators,” he said. Narrating successes during the recent years, he said 28000 patents were granted last year as compared to 4000 patents in 2013-14. Against registration of 70,000 trademarks in 2013-14, 2.5 lakh trademarks were registered in 2020-21. “India’s ranking on the Global Innovation
Index is improving. India was ranked 81 in 2015 and now it is at No. 46,” he said. The year 2022 has brought new opportunities and avenues for startups, he said adding January 16 will be celebrated as National Startup Day to help percolate startup culture to the grassroot level. Modi said easier access to funds as well as making self-certification for compliance of nine labour and three environment laws is helping promote startups. Innovation and technology based solutions are being encouraged for finding solutions to challenges facing the country, he said.
Cancel board exams, Gov, CM, DyCM greet demand students as on Tsungkamneo fest JAN 15 (NPN): Covid-19 cases rise DIMAPUR, Nagaland governor Prof.
NEW DELHI, JAN 15 (AGENCIES): Amid rise in Covid-19 cases, students across the country are in demand to cancel the central (CBSE, ICSE), state board exams. CBSE, CISCE are yet to announce the schedule of the term 2 exams, CBSE in its earlier statement said that the term 2 exams will be conducted only if the Covid-19 situation gets better. Taking to twitter, several candidates are demanding to cancel the 10th, 12th exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic situations.
Jagdish Mukhi, chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy CM Y. Patton have extended Tsungkamneo greetings to the people of Nagaland and the Yimkhiungs. In his message, Mukhi said “It is a celebration of love and peace among neighbouring villages and a manifestation of reconciliation of disputes that might exist,” he said. CM: Neiphiu Rio wished that the true spirit of the festival-- which is unity, forgiveness, peace and friendship prevail among all sections of people. Dy.CM: Y. Patton called upon the people to take the opportunity to bring oneness and unity among brothers and sisters to make the festival more memorable Chauhan, who was the guest and meaningful. of honour. To mark the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ 75 bikers from all over India will be a part of this journey D I M A P U R , J A N 1 5 which is organised by Amaz- (NPN): Apropos the notiing Namaste Foundation. fication issued by the Home The expedition, which department dated January 8, is set to flag off on April it has been clarified that para 8 from Guwahati, will see (f) shall be read as-- Any stuparticipation by riders from dent of Class IX and above, across India. They will tra- and who has completed 15 verse a distance of about years of age, shall be allowed 1400 kms across different to attend regular/offline states of North East in a classes, only if he/she has span of eight days. taken at least one dose of (Cont’d on p-8) vaccine against Covid-19.
Mon dist receives natl award for Covid management MoS flags off ‘North East DIMAPUR, JAN 15 (NPN): Mon district administration received the prestigious national award for e-Governance 2020-21(Silver) at the recently held 24th National Conference on eGovernance at Hyderabad. The award, announced in December 2021, that consists of a trophy, certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, was handed over by union minister of state Dr. Jitendra Singh to deputy commissioner Mon, Thavaseelan K. The award was given under the category 6 of “Use of ICT in the
Dr. Jitendra Singh handing over the certificate to DC Mon, Thavaseelan K.
Management of Covid-l9” for the initiatives taken by Mon district administration. According to Thavas-
eelan, the project titled “Technology in Aid to Administration” was initiated to reduce the hardships and
inconvenience caused to the public while enforcing Covid-19 appropriate measures to minimise exposure to Corona virus. The project had reducing hardship of people, increasing effectiveness of administration and keeping people safe from Covid as the objectives, he said. Altogether 231 entries were received from across the country in this category and only two districts were awarded. Further, there were a total of 1377 entries with the top 26 initiatives being awarded across six different categories.
on Wheels’ bike expedition
NEW DELHI, JAN 15 (AGENCIES): Taking on the initiative to showcase the beautiful and resourceful North East, The NEW Expedition (North East on Wheels) was launched on Saturday in Delhi, APN report stated. The event was graced by union minister of state for Culture & External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi as chief guest in presence of other dignitaries including MD & CEO, Bombay Stock Exchange Ashish Kumar
Home dept corrigendum
K Y M C