Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXI No. 199
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00
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J&K to become State again ‘at right time’: PM Says, Assembly polls in J-K after delimitation NEW DELHI, JUN 24 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a 3-hour meeting with political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), spoke about removing “Dilli ki Doori as well as Dil Ki Doori” and assured his commitment to restoring full statehood at the right time. According to official sources, the main focus of the meeting was to strengthen the democratic process and the prime minister said that the government was fully committed to it. This is the first interaction between the central leadership and the mainstream parties since August 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked J&K’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated it into union territories, J&K, and Ladakh. Modi stressed that holding assembly elections, just like the successful con-
Modi with various political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, in Delhi on Thursday.
duct of the District Development Council polls, is a priority and that the polls can happen soon after the delimitation exercise, the sources said. The prime minister stressed that an atmosphere of safety and security needs to be ensured for all sections of society in J&K, according to the sources. During the meeting, almost all the 14 leaders from J&K demanded that its statehood, which was removed in August 2019, should be restored, he said. The four former chief ministers of the erstwhile state who participated in the discussions were Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar
Abdullah of the National Conference (NC), Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha, and Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh were in attendance too. Today’s dialogue came seven months after the District Development Council (DDC) elections in J&K. Talking to reporters after the meeting, NC leader Omar Abdullah said both Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah assured that they were com-
Delta variant now reported in 85 countries Expected to become dominant lineage, says WHO U N I T E D NAT I O N S, JUN 24 (PTI): The Delta variant, the significantly more transmissible strain of COVID-19, is expected to become a “dominant lineage” if current trends continue, the WHO has warned after it was reported in 85 countries and continues to be detected in more places around the world. The COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update released on June 22 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that globally, the variant Alpha has been reported in 170 countries, territories or areas, Beta in 119 countries, Gamma in 71 countries and Delta in 85 countries. “Delta, now reported in 85 countries globally, continues to be reported in new countries across all WHO Regions, 11 of which were newly reported in the past two weeks,” the update said. WHO said the four current ‘Variants of Concern’ being monitored closely – Alpha, Beta, Gamma and
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Delta - are widespread and have been detected in all WHO regions. “The Delta variant is significantly more transmissible than Alpha variant, and is expected to become a dominant lineage if current trends continue.” The update said that India reported the highest numbers of new COVID19 cases, 441,976 over the past week (June 14-20, 2021), a 30 per cent decrease as compared to the previous week. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from India (16,329 new deaths; 1.2 new deaths per 100,000; a 31 per cent decrease). The South-East Asia Re g ion r e po r te d ove r 600,000 new cases and over 19,000 new deaths, a 21 per cent and a 26 per cent decrease respectively compared to the previous week. “Decreasing trends in weekly case and death incidence in the Region are predominantly associated with decreases reported in India,” the update said. WHO noted that since the last detailed update on June 8, new evidence has been published on the phenotypic characteristics of the Delta variant. “A study from Singapore showed
that infection with Delta variant was associated with higher odds of oxygen requirement, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death,” it said. Further, a study in Japan “estimating the relative instantaneous reproductive number (a measure of transmission at a specific point in time) showed that the Delta variant was associated with greater transmissibility” when compared to the Alpha variant. “When compared with the variants circulating in Japan before December 2020, the relative instantaneous reproduction number for Alpha was estimated to be at 1.56 and for Delta 1.78. Overall, this study showed Delta was associated with 1.23 times higher transmissibility than Alpha,” the update said. The update also took note of two studies that have provided evidence of the effectiveness of Pfizer BioNTech-Comirnaty and AstraZeneca-Vaxzevria vaccines against the Delta variant. One study reports on the effectiveness of these vaccines against severe disease (hospitalisation) due to Delta among persons over the age of 16 years in the United Kingdom.
mitted to the restoration of J&K’s statehood. The central leadership wanted to hold the assembly elections immediately after the delimitation commission submits its report but senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad urged the prime minister to restore full statehood before conducting the polls, he said. He said that his party president Farooq Abdullah said during the meeting that there was an urgent need to rebuild trust in J&K. He said that even the central leadership was of the view the government could not be run by bureaucrats and that a political government needs to take charge.
State logs 88 fresh Covid-19 positive cases; 2 deaths DIMAPUR, JUN 24 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday registered 88 fresh Covid-19 positive cases while two more patients succumbed to the infection. Of the fresh cases, 36 cases were from Kohima, 11 each from Dimapur, Mokokchung and Peren, Zunheboto-9, Tuensang-7 and three in Mon, taking the total caseload to 24629. Further, the state also recorded one fatality each in Kohima and Zunheboto, pushing the death toll to 479 (including 14 non-Covid deaths but with Covid positivity).
Omar Abdullah said, “Our party president has made it clear that as and when an invite for the (delimitation) commission meeting will come, we will take consider it.” Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that he put forward various points on behalf of his party in the meeting, which included restoration of complete statehood, followed by elections. “I have also asked for a rehabilitation process for Kashmir Pandits, release of political prisoners, and domicile rules whereby the Centre guarantees jobs for the people of J&K,” Azad told reporters. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti told reporters that the meeting went off well and that she has complimented the prime minister for initiating backchannel talks with Pakistan that led to the ceasefire agreement at the LoC and decrease in infiltration levels. “I have requested the prime minister that, if need be, we could talk to Pakistan once again for further boosting the peace process,” she said.
NPF asks Governor to order investigation on irregularities DIMAPUR, JUN 24 (NPN): NPF Legislature Party (NPFLP) Thursday called on Nagaland Governor, R.N. Ravi and submitted representation, urging the latter to consider setting up of an independent probe into various alleged irregularities under the ruling NDPP-led PDA coalition government headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio. In a lengthy representation, signed by NPF Legislature Party leader T.R. Zeliang, spokesperson Imkong L. Imchen, Yitachu, Dr. Chumben Murry, Y.M. Yollow Konyak and Kezhienyi Khalo, the opposition listed several instances of alleged irregularities and mismanagement by the NDPP-led PDA, to justify demand for an independent probe. The NPF cited the “procurement of sub-standard materials to fight Covid-19” also highlighted in the local media last year. Fur ther, NPF also mentioned that the PDA government had ordered 15% pro rata cut from all non-developmental funds across all departments for 2020-21. It said the same was being implemented for 2021-
22 with a further increase of 20% pro rata. NPF also cited decision to allot Rs.30 crore for a 200-bedded makeshift Covid hospital under CIHSR (a private hospital. It said when district and rural health centres across Nagaland were neglected and in poor condition, the PDA government was interested only in lucrative deals for personal gain. NPF also claimed that the state’s proposed technofeasibility report for an alternative Greenfield airport at Ruzhephema under Dimapur district was approved by the Airport Authority Of India after due aerial and land/ ground survey. However, while the process for land acquisition was underway and finalized, the present chief minister diverted it to Chiethu at Chiechama under his constituency. NPF said land was purchased at Chiethu in 2009 measuring 645.2 acres for Rs.8,06,50,000 by flouting official procedures. An additional area of 368.52 acres was again purchased at the rate of Rs.2.60 lakh per acre totaling Rs.9,58,15,200. It claimed that the payment was made in July 2020
Notify assessment scheme for Cl 12 in 10 days: SC to state boards NEW DELHI, JUN 24 (IANS): Supreme Court on Thursday directed the state boards to notify their respective assessment schemes for Class 12 students within 10 days, after the cancellation of physical examination, and also declare results before July 31. A bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari said: “We direct all the State Boards to ensure that the Schemes are formulated and notified at the earliest and not later than 10 days from today and also declare the results of internal assess-
when the state was passing through financial crisis and unable to pay salaries of employees while tackling Covid pandemic. NPF also said the foundation stone for Medical College at Phriebagei, Kohima with an estimate of Rs. 189 crores under a 90:10 share between Centre and state remains inoperative. Though it was expected to enroll its first batch of students in 2018it was now extended to 2022-23. NPF also accused the PDA minister of misleading the house during the February 2020 session whenhe informed the house that Rs.113 crore was released. NPF also said the Cricket Stadium at Sovima had an estimate of Rs.25 crore but jumped to Rs.75 crore and still not fully complete even after 15 years. NPF alleged that the land was supposedly donated but sold for Rs.35 per sq feet when the prevailing rate then was only Rs.11 per sq.ft. It also mentioned about the still incomplete Multi-Disciplinary Sports Centre (Stadium) near DC Court Area which is also languishing without any progress.
Petrol price close to `100 mark in State’s 4 districts
ment by July 31, which is the time-line specified for CBSE and ICSE.” In its order, the top court said: “In addition, the Scheme must provide for a proper mechanism for redressal of dispute or grievances of the students after declaration of results, as has been done in the case of CBSE and ICSE Boards.” The bench also emphasized that as per its previous observation there is no possibility of having a uniform assessment scheme for all boards across the country. The bench said: “We are not going to direct uniform
scheme, as each board is auPetrol Diesel City per litre per litre tonomous and different.” The top court added, Dmu Rs.96.41 Rs.90.42 “However, we further make Kma Rs.97.36 Rs.91.81 it clear that we are not en- Tsg Rs.99.53 Rs.93.18 dorsing the correctness and Mon Rs.99.09 Rs.92.81 validity of the proposed Kiphire Rs.99.45 Rs.93.15 Schemes, to be so formulatRs.98.84 Rs.92.54 ed by the concerned Boards. Phek That will be considered on Llng Rs. 98.60 Rs.92.44 its own merits, if and when Mkg Rs.98.56 Rs.92.30 occasion arises.” Wka Rs.98.00 Rs.91.78 On June 22, the Centre Zbto Rs.98.84 Rs.92.50 told the Supreme Court that there cannot be any Peren Rs.96.74 Rs.90.72 uniform assessment policy Noklak Rs.99.30 Rs.93.09 for all board examinations, DIMAPUR, JUN 24 which include those of the (NPN): Petrol price in NaCBSE, the ICSE and the galand’s four districts (Tustate boards. ensang, Mon, Kiphire and Noklak) neared Rs.100mark a litre on Thursday after state-owned oil marketing companies increased the fuel prices again after a day’s pause. According to a price notification of state-owned OMCs, the price of petrol was hiked by 26 paise per litre and that of diesel by 27 paise a litre. The increase took rates of two auto fuels to fresh highs across the country. The hike on Thursday is the 29th increase in prices since May 4. In 29 hikes, the price of petrol has risen by Rs 7.36 per litre and Protesters holding a banner during the rally. diesel by Rs 7.77 a litre.
Protest rally against sexual assault on minor
DIMAPUR, JU 24 (NPN): Citizens of Langmeing staged a protest rally against the alleged sexual assault on a 15-year-old minor girl near Aboi town on June 20. The protesters demanded strong action against the six culprits, claiming that all the accused were adults and should not be booked under Juvenile Justice Act. Protesters were seen holding placards/banners that read: “If biased justice (Cont’d on p-8) is delivered, we will take
law in our own hands”, “No duplication of culprit age” etc. Addl SP and PRO Mon police on Wednesday said that the six accused had sexually assaulted the minor at a place located above Tapi bridge under Mon district. All the accused have been booked under various sections of the IPC including section 4/8 POCSO Act and investigation was under progress.
Mysteriously deleted Wuhan Covid-19 gene sequences found: report New Delhi, JUN 24 (AGENCIES): A researcher from Seattle in the US has recovered deleted files from Google Cloud that reveal 13 early coronavirus sequences, for some of the earliest Covid-19 cases in Wuhan, reports ThePrint. About a year ago, genetic sequences from more than 200 virus samples from Wuhan’s early cases of Covid-19 disappeared from an American online database, where they were stored on the request of Chinese researchers, US of-
ficials have confirmed. In a statement Wednesday, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) said the data that was initially submitted to the US-based Sequence Read Archive in March 2020 was requested to be withdrawn by the same researchers three months later in June last year. The NIH also said the researchers had asked for the data to be removed to avoid “version control issues”. “Submitting investigators hold the rights to their data and can request
withdrawal of the data,” the agency said. The NIH statement came a day after Jesse Bloom, virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, released a report on the discovery of missing genetic sequences. ‘241 missing genetic sequences’: In his report released Tuesday, Bloom asserted that a team of Chinese researchers sampled the viruses from some of the first Covid-19 patients in Wuhan and posted the sequences on an US database, but these
were later deleted to “obscure their existence”. “It seems likely that the sequences were deleted to obscure their existence,” Bloom wrote in the report, which is yet to be peerreviewed or published in a scientific journal. The virologist claimed to have stumbled upon the missing data in the online database while reviewing genetic data published by different groups. Bloom came across a March 2020 spreadsheet that included information on 241
genetic sequences collected at Wuhan University, and indicated that they were uploaded to the US managed database — Sequence Read Archive. But when he looked for the Wuhan sequences, the search result returned a message that read: “no items found”. The spreadsheet indicated that 241 sequences were collected from Renmin Hospital in Wuhan by a scientist, Aisi Fu. Bloom then found a study posted by Fu and his colleagues on medRxiv
in early March of 2020, which was also published in a scientific journal later in June 2020. Scientists part of this study said they looked at 45 nasal swab samples taken from “outpatients with suspected Covid-19 early in the epidemic”, but researchers didn’t publish the actual gene sequences but only some mutations in the viruses. However, the report received criticism as many claimed the data has actually been publicly available all along.
Virus was circulating before 2019?: While the Joe Biden administration has been trying to ascertain the origins of Covid19, Bloom’s study doesn’t strengthen or undermines the theory that it leaked out of a Wuhan lab. China has vehemently denied that the virus leaked from a lab. The new report suggests the virus may have been circulating in Wuhan before the initial outbreaks in 2019 that have been linked to animal and seafood mar(Cont’d on p-8) kets. K Y M C