May 8 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 151

DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021 Pages 8 ` 4.00

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India logs record one-day global spike

3rd wave may not happen if we take ‘strong measures’: Centre

Over 4.14 lakh new cases; 3900 deaths N E W D E L H I , M AY 7 (PTI): India reported 4,14,188 new Covid-19 infections on Friday, the highest daily spike reported by any country since the start of the pandemic. The country also logged 3,915 covid-19 fatalities during the last 24 hours, according to the data updated by the Union Health ministry as of 8 a.m.

India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,14,91,598, while the active cases crossed the 36lakh mark.

The death toll has increased to 2,34,083 with 3,915 fatalities being reported in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 36,45,164 comprising 16.96 per cent

Covid patients undergo treatment at Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital in Ajmer, Friday. (PTI)

of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 81.95 per cent.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,76,12,351, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 per cent, the data stated.

The Union Health Ministry said ten states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, account for 71.81 per cent of the new

covid-19 cases reported in a day. Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan are the other states in the list of 10.

“The National Mortality Rate has been falling and currently stands at 1.09 per cent,” the ministry said.

Ten states account for 74.48 per cent of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (853).

Uttar Pradesh follows with 350 daily deaths.

Two days after he said the third Covid wave is ‘inevitable’, principal scientific advisor to Prime Minister, K Vijay Raghavan said it can be prevented “if we take strong measures”.

“If we take strong measures, the third wave may not happen in all the places or indeed anywhere at all. It depends much on how effectively the guidance is implemented at the local level, in the states, in districts and in the cities everywhere,” Dr K VijayRaghavan said.

The comments were a step-down from Wednesday when he said, “Phase 3 (third wave) is inevitable, given the high levels at which this virus is circulating. But it is not clear at what time scale this Phase 3 will occur.”

The current surge in infections seems to be because of the Indian “double mutant” and the spread of the UK variant has slowed, he had said, adding that vac-

cines will need to be updated to tackle the new strains that are spreading the contagion faster.

Even as districts in Maharashtra and Kerala continue to bear high caseloads, other parts of the country are increasingly witnessing a rapid surge in cases that threaten to overwhelm local health capacities.

Of the 129 districts that logged more than 5,000 new cases in the past week, the district with the maximum new cases per capita was Gurugram (11,695 new cases per million population). Kolkata was ranked number six (9,494), Dehradun at nine (8,632) and Srinagar at 11 (8,355). Also in the top 20 is Kamrup Metropolitan Guwahati (6,380) and Chandigarh (6,320). That’s six districts from five states, including two that recently finished with assembly elections, and one union territory.

State records highest one-day Centre mulling over spike of 309 cases; 1 more death second ‘lockdown’

DIMAPUR, MAY 7 (NPN): Nagaland COVID-19 STATUS AS ON May 7, 2021 on Friday reported the highest singleACTIVE CASES day spike of 309 Covid-19 positive Symptomatic AsMiRecovTotal cases this year, and the second highest District ympDeath gratered Cases tomModSeWith On ed since the outbreak of Covid-19, taking Mild atic erate vere Oxy- Ventithe state’s total caseload to 15580. gen lator Of the fresh cases, Dimapur Dimapur 1445 108 17 52 9 2 6611 84 374 8702 reported 200 cases, Kohima- 63, Kiphire 4 0 0 0 0 0 40 1 0 45 Mon- 32, nine in Mokokchung, three Kohima 589 12 8 2 4 1 4084 25 72 4796 in Phek and two in Zunheboto. The Longleng 10 5 0 0 0 0 13 0 9 37 active cases also rose to 2433 while Mokokchung 32 10 3 0 0 0 194 5 13 257 48 15 0 0 0 0 595 3 9 670 Mon 112 more patients recovered from the 6 1 0 0 0 0 508 0 1 516 infection. The State also reported one Peren 7 0 0 0 0 0 61 1 0 69 Phek more death in Dimapur, taking the 25 4 0 0 0 0 259 2 2 292 Tuensang tally to 122 (10 non-Covid death).

Meanwhile, a total of 2,24,839 Wokha 3 0 0 0 0 0 36 1 2 43 eligible persons have been inoculated Zunheboto 10 0 0 1 0 0 139 0 3 153 Total 2179 155 28 55 13 3 12540 122 485 15580 against Covid-19 (176872 first dose *10 deaths not due to Covid-19 *0 deaths under investigation and 47967 second dose).

Fuel prices hiked AI adds more flights; IndiGo

DIMAPUR, MAY 7 (NPN): State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) Friday raised the prices of petrol and diesel for the fourth straight day by a steep 29 paise per litre and diesel by 31 paise a litre. With the revision, petrol price in Dimapur rose to Rs.90.23 per litre while diesel price surged to Rs.83.93 per litre. In Kohima, petrol price climbed to Rs.91.18 per litre and diesel price increased to Rs. 84.69 per litre.

NOTICE

Office of the Nagaland Post will remain closed for 48 hours w.e.f. May 8, 2021 as a precautionary measure after a staff was tested positive for Covid. Online edition will continue as normal.

This is it!

“You’re too late for vaccine for above 65 years and too early for above 18 years.”

K Y M C

temporarliy suspends ATRs

D I M A P U R , M AY 7 (NPN): In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the timings for the scheduled flights to Dimapur have been revised, while IndiGo airlines has temporarily suspended its ATR operations for the Kolkata-DimapurDibrugrah-Kolkata sector till May 31, 2021.

Informing this to Nagaland Post, Dimapur airport director, Mughavi Yeptho also said that the GuwahatiDimapur-Imphal-DimapurGuwahati sector, operated

by Alliance Air (ATR) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, will operate as daily flight from May 11.

He further informed Air India (Airbus 319) will be operating the KolkataDimapur-Kolkata sector six days a week except Saturdays from May 23, in place of the existing two flights a week (Tuesday & Thursday).

Zhimo, however, said that the schedule is subject to change in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Myanmar’s insurgents burn another govt outpost

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D I M A P U R , M AY 7 (NPN): India continues to break global covid infection records when another highest single-day spike with 4.14 lakh new Covid cases and 3915 deaths were reported on May 7,2021 and close on the heels of an earlier single day global record of 4.12 lakh new cases and 3980 deaths on May 6.

As the country finds itself in a desperate situation from the massive second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the centre is mulling for another possible nationwide lockdown. Many states have already imposed complete lockdowns and stricter restrictions in many regions to control the spread of the virus.

However, there are strong pressures from medical specialists that there might be a need to pull a national lockdown once again if the situation keeps deteriorating. The Centre has said that it was trying to avoid a nationwide lockdown as much as possible but the possibilities are being discussed. Nagaland is also witnessing increase in new Covid positive cases during the past week. On

May 7, Nagaland officially recorded 309 new coronavirus positive cases. In order to achieve vaccination targets and ensure protection, it has also been suggested that the state government needs to relook at its vaccine strategy especially those not covered under ‘frontline workers’.

Among the suggestions was one that seeks to vaccinate all taxi and auto drivers including drivers of commercial vehicles.

The Editors Guild of India (EGI) had also suggested making all working journalists covering reports be included as ‘frontline workers’.

Epidemiologists in India and abroad currently estimate that the country’s official reported Covid-19 death toll – a little over 4 lakh at time of publication – only accounts for a fraction of the real number. The director of the US-based Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation has estimated that India is only detecting three to four percent of actual cases.

Other experts point to total excess deaths in cities such as Mumbai as proof that there could be 60% to 70% more deaths from Covid19 than the government is admitting to.

international, Page 7

Over 230 villages in State report infestation by fall armyworm Sl. No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

District Wokha Zunheboto Mon Phek Kohima Kiphire Tuensang Dimapur Noklak Total

Infested Area (In Ha) No.of villages/ locations 100 162 751.2 282 27.5 204 36 5.3 1280 2848 Ha

Year Total Area (Ha) 2021 Kharif 64070 Ha

1 52 32 30 13 33 8 9 42 231 Nos

Infestation (Ha) 2848 Ha

Percentage (%) 4.44%

Crops damaged by fall armyworm (R) table showing districts affected by FAW

K.V. Nurumi

KOHIMA, MAY 7 (NPN): Nagaland has reported huge infestation of Fall Armyworm (FAW) with an area of 2848 hectares affected by the worm spread across 231 villages and locations since the second week of April during this Kharif period.

Alarmed over this phenomenon, the state agriculture department has started engaging its field functionaries and extension personnel to combat the menace of FAW infestations. The department is also taking steps to ease the hardship of the farmers facing drought-like conditions due to shortage of rainfall.

According to the agri department, the infested crop was in mild whorl stage and would be responsive to treatment provided there was enough manpower for control operations with input support. It said the outbreak has been triggered by warm temperatures associated with dry spell.

Besides holding awareness campaigns on FAW from time to time, the department is using treatment

methods like application of Azadiracthin 1500 ppm, Metarhizium Anisopliae an entomopathogenic fungi, Bacillus thuringiensis etc.

According to a report from the department, the infestation would continue till the end of May 2021 in maize crops sown in the month of March.

It said that the damage percentage might be more this year once the report from various establishments arrived. It also added that in heavily infested and damaged areas, reaching economic threshold level could require alternatives such as replacement by a different crop such as oilseeds or pulses.

When contacted over phone, the ag riculture production commissioner (APC) Nagaland, Kikheto Sema said that all personnel of the departments of agri and allied sectors have reached the sites and locations where reports of FAW and other natural calamities have been reported. APC informed that all officers in those departments have been told to be in station and submit reports to the concerned authorities and

also attend to the needs of the aggrieved farmers.

APC said that the agri & allied departments including FOCUS-IFAD have started distribution of seeds and planting materials to ensure that no fields were empty due to occurrence of FAW and places where other natural calamities have had its bearings on the crop fields. He said that the damaged seeds have been replaced ‘in situ’ and the land resource department has also stepped in by providing coffee pulper machines to the farmers.

APC said that the pandemic should not deter agri and allied sectors to function normally. APC, however, urged the farmers to attend to the fields while maintaining the SOPs laid down by the government.

On April 28 last, APC had informed that Nagaland was facing a drought-like situation during a meeting of all agri & allied departments and asked the agri & allied departments to take stock of the situation and take immediate action in affected areas hit by FAW on crops and Foot and Mouth disease in livestock.

AKIDA sets 13-day deadline to vaccinate LPG distributors’ staff D I M A P U R , M AY 7 (NPN): All Kohima Indane Distributors’ Association (AKIDA) has served a 13-day deadline with effect from April 28 on the State government to include staff of LPG distributors as frontline workers so as to get Covid vaccination on priority basis, failing which it has threatened to withhold services to protect their staff.

Making an appeal to the state government to consider its demand, AKIDA president K. Seyie and general secretary Tseibou Dzüvichü in a letter to the chief secretary on April 28 pointed that the government

failed to make Covid-19 vaccine available to the staff of LPG distributors of Kohima either on payment or for free till date.

It pointed out that so far, there were 61 deaths recorded in India in the LPG sector alone. It said delivery of refills and other services required the staff to work in close physical proximity with scores of people every day, and hence fall under high-risk category.

AKIDA also mentioned that LPG staffs have not yet been provided due preference for Covid vaccination by the State government and this has left both the distributors and their

staff, including administrative staff, drivers, handymen and delivery men undergoing untold mental agony.

AIKIDA also said the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas had written to the Union health & family welfare ministry on February 2 requesting that all staff of LPG distributors be considered as frontline workers for Covid vaccination.

Similarly, AKIDA said letters of North East Indane Distributors’ Association and general manager LPG were also shared, but regretted that all these had not received any positive response till date.

Around 5000 penalized for violation of SOPs in Dimapur EC lawyer quits, says his ‘values Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , M AY 7 (NPN): Dimapur Police has penalised around 5,000 individuals since the start of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 for violation of Covid-19 SOPs and traffic rules.

Speaking to Nagaland Post, Commissioner of Police (CP) Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo informed that though police collected substantial amount through fines levied on people not following the SOPs, it was dismaying that even after the government had given wide publicity and appeals public were violating SOPs. “Huge revenue col-

Clock tower Dimapur wears a deserted look on Friday afternoon. (NP)

lected by the police might be an achievement for us, but it reflects the indifference of the public ,” he said.

Tetseo appealed to public to be self-disciplined

and follow the SOPs to help contain the spread of Covid-19 in Dimapur. He also emphasised that the SOPs were for the safety of everybody and that the

police found no pleasure in having to penalise violators to enforce the rule.

Tetseo said personally, he wished that there would be ‘nil collection’ if public of Dimapur cooperate with the administration and police by adhering to Covid protocol so as to contain the virus.

He also disputed the contention that rise in Covid cases reflected the failure of the administration adding the second wave is being widely transmitted by a deadlier mutant strain.

He also disclosed that three policemen had recently tested Covid positive while performing their duties. He said as other front-

line workers, the men in uniform were also exposed to the risk while discharging their duties.

CP however, assured public that police personnel were manning all entry and exit points of the State and making all travellers follow SOPs to ensure safety of all. He cautioned public that if they did not strictly follow Covid protocols, it could lead to more spike in new Covid cases and leading to the same situation as in Delhi or Guwahati. He therefore, appealed to public to follow Covid-appropriate behaviours and not to venture out of their homes, unless very necessary.

are not in consonance’ with ECI

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (PTI): A lawyer, who has been representing the Election Commission (EC) before the Supreme Court, has resigned from the panel of advocates of the EC, saying his values were not in consonance with the present functioning of the poll body.

Advocate Mohit D Ram was a panel counsel for the EC in the Supreme Court since 2013.

R a m ’s r e s i g n a t i o n comes at a time when the poll panel has been at the receiving end of criticism from several quarters, including

the judiciary. Last week, the Madras High Court observed that EC should be put on murder charges for failure to maintain Covid protocol during election campaigns.

The court had also said that the commission was the “only institution responsible for the situation that we are in today”. ECI responded with a plea in the court to gag the media on reporting oral observations like these, which was rejected by the Madras High Court.

They then approached the Supreme Court, who also refused to gag the media.

K Y M C

2

state

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Was BCCI driven by motive of profit by ignoring threat of second COVID wave on IPL teams?

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A

B

C

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

74% 24% 2%

Next poll

Q: W i l l Hi m a n t a Bi s w a

Sarma become the next CM of Assam?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST may 8

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Partly sunny

35 23

Partly sunny

30 18

Aizawl

Guwahati Cloudy in morning with t-storm 26 20 Imphal

Pleasant with partial sunshine 30 16

Itanagar Widely separated morning t-storms 27 19 Shillong

Cloudy in morning with t-storm 20 15

Kohima

Mostly cloudy with a t-storm

Dimapur Cloudy with a thunderstorm Mkg

21 14 29 19

Cloudy in the morning with t-storm 22 15

Tuensang Mostly cloudy with a t-storm Wokha

LRD distributes machineries

A t-storm in the morning

18 11 23 18

Zunheboto A thunderstorm in the morning 20 13

(Left) ADC Jalukie along with LRD officials and farmers at the programme on Thursday. (Right) DC Wokha, LRD Wokha, DPO and others with the beneficiaries at Wokha. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: With an objective to encourage the farmers to promote local coffee, enhance productivity and sustainable farming, the land resources department (LRD) distributed various machineries among farmers in Wokha and Peren on May 6.

Peren: LRD organised a programme at DPO office, Jalukie and distributed 15 rubber sheet roller machines and 15 coffee pulping machines to farmers of Peren district. The project was funded by North East Council (NEC).

According to DIPR report, special guest of the programme, ADC Jalukie, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang handed over the machineries to the farmers. He said that owing to the favourable agro-climatic conditions, Peren district had scope and potential for both rubber

and coffee plantation.

He stressed on the importance of rubber and coffee plantation as a sustainable crop to generate local economy and enhance their livelihood.

He encouraged the farmers to focus on mass quantity production and to channelise their products across the globe.

Further, he lauded the department for mobilising the farmers and providing continuous support, intellectual resource and guidance by systematically implementing the works.

Meanwhile, LRD district project officer, Alemla Aier said that Peren district was known as “the green district of Nagaland” and that it had the best forest areas with natural beauty.

She encouraged the farmers to have exemplary vision and carry out plan-

tation at a larger scale by promoting eco-tourism and providing more avenues for self employment.

Wokha: In Wokha, LRD distributed coffee pulper machines to the coffee growers of the district at the office of the district project officer, LRD Wokha with DC Wokha, Orenthung Lotha as special guest.

According to DIPR report, while speaking on the occasion, the DC stated that land resources was a result oriented department which undertook various developmental activities to uplift the economy of farmers.

He encouraged the coffee growers to work hard and grow more so that Nagaland in general and Wokha district in particular could be marked in the global map as coffee producing area.

Dubbing Wokha as “the land of plenty”, he

said large quantity of local produce such as green vegetables and fruits were sent to other districts on behalf of district task force during the lockdown in 2020.

He also urged them to share their experiences and expertise to others for better coordination and implementation of any department related activities.

In his introductory note Wokha LRD, DPO Tepunol Yore shared that the total area of coffee plantation in Wokha district was 684 hectares with 568 households covering 68 villages and that they were placed in the category of “progressive coffee farmers”.

He also informed that 46 villages have reached the fruits bearing stage taking the total to 206 hectares.

Altogether, 52 coffee pulper machines funded by NEC were distributed.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021

Two held with IMFL in Kohima DIMAPUR: Two persons were arrested by highway patrol party of Kohima Police on charges of possessing illegal Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) at Peducha on Friday. According to Kohima police PRO, the highway patrol party intercepted one black Scorpio (NL-107922) at around 11 a.m. and seized 27 cases of assorted illegal IMFL. PRO said that the driver and the occupant Vijay Prasad, (27) and Abeto Aye (36) were arrested and taken into custody along with the vehicle.

A case was registered with Sechü (Zubza) police station for further investigation.

ART plus centre Dmu relocated DIMAPUR: Art plus centre Dimapur, SMO Dr. Hotoka Hesso has informed that the present ART plus centre has been temporarily shifted to Vihaan centre, at district economics and statistics office building, Naga shopping arcade, Supermarket w.e.f.

May 8. Dr. Hotoka Hesso informed that this was done in view of the district hospital Dimapur being designated as COVID hospital. In this regard, all the PLHIV have been requested to bear the inconvenience and continue to avail the ART drugs from the relocated centre.

Tongpang inaugurates road at Longmisa village

Village council members and others at the virtual programme. (NP)

Correspondent MOKOKCHUNG, MAY 7 (NPN): Minister for PWD (housing & mechanical), Tongpang Ozukum virtually inaugurated the recently completed “metalling and carpeting” of the circular road, at Longmisa village under Mokokchung district on Friday.

Speaking as the inaugural guest, Tongpang Ozukum thanked the state chief minister for the allocation of fund for the road.

Tongpang claimed that the virtual programme was a step towards the “change is coming” slogan of the PDA government.

Longmisa village coun-

cil chairman, Yashiemba Jamir, 24 Angetyongpang a/c president, Nungshimangyang Ozukum and independent party Longmisa unit, president Nungshikaba Jamir also delivered short speeches.

T h e f u n c t i o n wa s chaired by Pangerzulu Jamir, invocation was said by Sentitemjen Pongen while benediction was said by Nokentemjen Pongen.

Speaking to media persons, PS to the minister, Nungshilemba who is also from Longmisa village, stated that the circular road was constructed under SRDP 20-21, which was about a kilometre from the village gate to the village ground.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Khango-led RCS Dmu greets on ‘world red cross day’ Dimapur pur, honorary secretary NSCN (K) directs DIMAPUR: district branch of Inter- Kamla Kant Paul on behalf Red Cross Soci- of the society pledged their ‘defectors’ national ety (IRCS) has extended commitment to help the DIMAPUR: Khango-led NSCN (K) has issued a final notice to “defectors” Kaiba Konyak, Simon Thongo Konyak and ‘lt. col’ Bankaho, who deserted and joined Niki group, to immediately surrender government properties both immovable and movable to the government within seven days from the date of issue of this notice.

Khango-led NSCN (K) through its MIP cautioned that failure to do so, “the government would be compelled to initiate its own course of action as per government Yehzabo and party discipline to recover government properties.”

It has also informed the Nagas and Niki group that in the case of the deserters failing to comply with this notice within the stipulated time, “it would become a personal issue between our government and the deserters concerned” and they would be held responsible for any eventualities.

greetings on the occasion of “world red cross day” which is celebrated every year on May 8.

In a press release, Red cross society (RCS) Dima-

GRATITUDE

K Y M C

LT. MAPALA AIER 08.05.2020 A year has passed since you left your dear ones to be with the One in Heaven. And on this day we cherish and remember the memories of love and care you gave us.

Fondly remembering you on your 1 st Death Anniversary.

Loving family members.

Dp-2318

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Through this column the Piphema ‘A’ village Council would like to express our immense heartfelt gratitude towards Shri. Zhaleo Rio, (IAS retd.) Advisor Sericulture, Excise and Minority Affairs, Govt. of Nagaland for providing the much needed Mega PA-Trumpet Horn which will go a long way for the villagers better communication within the village.

Chairman, Piphema ‘A’ Village Council and members

KVK training programme & supply of inputs DIMAPUR: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Zunheboto, Nagaland University (NU) conducted a training programme and supply of inputs at Litta old village farmers field in collaboration with NCIPM, New Delhi.

In a press release, KVK Zunheboto stated that fall armyworm (FAW) infestation in maize crops had become very common and was causing a huge economic loss to the farming communities.

After receiving the information about fall armyworm infestation in the maize fields at Litta old village, senior scientist and head Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia and ACTO plant protection, Wapangtoshi Longkumer visited the farmer’s field and inspected the farm.

During the interaction and inspection, the farmers reported infestation in soybean and tomato. After confirmation of FAW infestation, plant protection scientist provided information on how to control the pests.

Participating farmers were provided with free inputs in the form of yellow sticky traps, neem oils, pesticides and sprayer.

needy and suffering in times of need. The society said its volunteers along with the administration have been extending help during the current pandemic also.

DC-433

LATE ARIBONG LONGCHARI

(22.06.82 – 30.04.21) We, the bereaved family members of Late ARIBONG LONGCHARI would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who stood with us through physical presence, constant prayers and financial support during the prolonged illness and sad demise of our beloved.

We convey our special thanks to the Doctors, Nurses and Staff of Zion Hospital Dimapur (ZHRC): i) Dr. Imlitemsu (ZHRC) ii) Dr. Neitho (ZHRC) iii) Dr. Sentichuba (ZHRC) We deeply regret our inability to thank each and every individual personally but we sincerely pray that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Family Members and Relatives Dp-2352

Dp-2327

K Y M C

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Saturday, May 8, 2021

Assam govt augments Covid ICUs in hospitals

Himanta Biswa Sarma and other health officials during the review meeting.

GUWAHATI, MAY 7 ( AG E N C I E S ) : A s s a m Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday reviewed the status of COVID intensive care units (ICUs) in the state.

“We have 127 COVID ICUs currently working at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

Meanwhile, work to construct another 56 COVID ICUs is going on and we have requested the public works department to make them available in the next three to four days,” Sarma

informed newsmen after a meeting with PWD officials at GMCH here. “Besides, work on another 24 COVID ICUs is also going on simultaneously at Kalapahar COVID hospital,” he added.

He further informed that work on another 200 new COVID ICUs would be begin in the parking area of the GMCH premises from Saturday. “The principal secretary (Health) has informed that GOC 4 Corps has also consented to start construction of a 60-bed ICU at Tezpur Medical Col-

lege. This shall strengthen our COVID-19 management infrastructure,” Sarma said.

“We are also in talks with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for setting up a 300-bed hospital with oxygen facilities in Guwahati,” he added.

Vaccination for 18plus: The state health department kick-started the vaccination process for persons in the 18-44 years age category in a full-fledged manner from Friday.

Health minister Sarma said that beneficiaries in the 18-44 years’ age category have been administered the first dose of Covaxin across 244 COVID vaccination centres in the state. “We have 1.5lakh vaccines to be administered to this age category for three days. Serum Institute of Pune has promised to provide another 4 lakh vaccines (Covishield) for the 18-44 years age group on May 9,” he said.

3

Northeast/State

PM speaks to CMs of Mnp, ASF yet to be contained in Sikkim, Tripura on Covid-19 Mizoram, over 1,700 pigs dead

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Chief Ministers of Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim on the COVID19 situation in their states, the Government of India sources said.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Manipur has 2,991 active cases currently while Sikkim has 2,256 and Tripura has 2,292.

Earlier on Thursday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand about the COVID-19 situation in their states. The Prime Minister had also spoken to Lieutenant Governors of Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir about the COVID situation in the two union territories.

With a total of 4,14,188 new COVID-19 cases being recorded in the last 24 hours, India again reported its high-

Narendra Modi

est single-day spike on the second consecutive day. The cumulative count of cases in the country reached 2,14,91,598, informed the Union Health Ministry on Friday. Also, as many as 3,31,507 recoveries were recorded in the last 24 hours, pushing the total recoveries count to 1,76,12,351.

The country registered 3,915 new COVID-related deaths which took the total death toll in the country further up to 2,34,083. The prime minister’s interaction with Chief Ministers is part of his exercise to deal with the pandemic situation.

AIZAWL, MAY 7 (PTI): The African Swine Fever (ASF), which killed more than 1,700 pigs in over a month in Mizoram, is yet to be contained, an official said on Friday.

The disease is spreading to other areas even though the daily death toll in the epicentre showed a declining trend for a few weeks, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department Joint Director (Livestock Health) Dr Lalhmingthanga told PTI. Earlier the state gover nment had declared Lungsen village and Electric Veng in Lunglei district, Armed Veng and Edenthar neighbourhoods in Aizawl, Keitum village in Serchhip district, and a locality, Vaipi-I, in south Mizoram’s Siaha town as the epicentres of the ASF. Lalhmingthanga said that some more areas would be declared as epicentres and affected areas.

At least 1,728 pigs have died due to ASF since

the first death was reported on March 21 at Lungsen village in Lunglei district near the Bangladesh border, he said.

The monetary loss caused by the ASF is estimated to be Rs 6.91 crore, he added. Twenty-one pig deaths due to the ASF were reported on Thursday, Lalhmingthanga said.

The prevailing pig disease has affected five districts -- Aizawl, Lunglei, Serchhip, Lawngtlai and Mamit.

At least 866 unusual pig deaths have been reported so far in different parts of the state that are

outside the ASF affected areas, the official said.

Samples for tests have been collected from the pigs that had unusual deaths, he said, adding that the cause of the deaths is yet to be established.

There are 11 districts in Mizoram and it shares inter-state borders with Assam, Manipur and Tripura.

The state also shares international boundaries with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The ASF infection is suspected to be caused by pigs imported from neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar, officials said.

Partial lockdown in INPT announces merger with TIPRA in Tripura Tribal body in Mnp opposes burial of academician Sikkim till May 16

G A N G T O K , M AY 7 (AGENCIES): Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, lockdown-like restrictions have been imposed in Sikkim till May 16, said an official order. The restrictions, which include the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CRPC, will come into effect on Thursday, it said.

Rangpo, Melli and Ramam borders will be sealed and all travel across these border points stopped for the next ten days. Interdistrict travel has also been restricted, it added. Army, police, medical emergency vehicles and vehicles carrying essential commodities have been exempted from

the purview of the partial lockdown. All public gatherings such as weddings will not be allowed during the period. Special permits for funerals and other emergencies will be provided by the respective Block Development Officers and SDMs, the order said.

All business establishments throughout the state will be allowed to remain open from 10 am to 4 pm and will remain completely shut on Saturdays and Sundays. Pharmacies, shops selling essential commodities and milk outlets will be allowed to remain open.

The curfew will be imposed from 5 pm to 9 am, as per the order.

AGARTALA, MAY 7 (PTI): A month after their alliance won the state tribal council polls, the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT), the oldest tribal party in the state, has merged with the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) to achieve their “common goal of Greater Tipraland”.

The merger was announced by TIPRA chairman Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman here on Thursday.

The TIPRA and the INPT had contested the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls as alliance partners on April 6 and won 18 out of the total 28seats.

The BJP secured nine seats and the other seat was

won by an independent candidate.

In the 30-member tribal council, elections are held for 28 seats, and representatives in the remaining two seats are nominated by the governor on the advice of the state government.

TIPRA chairman Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman told reporters, the merger was a “post-poll unification to achieve the common goal of forming Greater Tipraland.

“This merger is for the unity of the entire tribal community of the state.

We want other tribal parties also to unite to achieve their common goal.”

Deb Barman, who was the state unit president of Congress, quit the party in September 2019, citing

differences with the high command. A month later, he announced the name of his new outfit - TIPRA, which was initially a social organisation but in 2020, was turned into a political party.

“Even six months ago there were seven to eight tribal parties in Tripura, but now barely one or two parties are left outside the fold of TIPRA. This is historic as the oldest political party in Tripura has decided to merge for the interest of our combined goal of Greater Tipraland and to workas a single entity,” Deb Barman, a scion of the former royal family of Tripura, added.

Tripura was ruled by the Manikya kings for over 500 years before it merged with the Indian Union on

October 15,1949.

INPT president and former rebel B K Hrangkhawl said that the issue of merger with the TIPRA was extensively discussed in the party, which finally concluded that if the INPT merged with the TIPRA under the leadership of Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman, the community would be united for a commongoal.

“There was a deliberate attempt to ostracise us in the Communist regime.

Steps were not taken for the protection of Kokborok, our mother language, and our culture,” the INPT chief alleged.

“Greater Tipraland” is an extension of the IPFTsdemand of Tipraland, a separate state for the tribals ofTripura.

questioning how he got Indian citizenship.

Even though Nehginpao was born at Teijang village in Myanmar, he grew up in Manipur, the Thadou Students’ Association argued.

His wife is from Churachandpur and his relatives are from Kangpokpi.

He did his schooling in Manipur, and taught indifferent parts of India, it said. Nehginpao is of the Kuki community.

The Thadous are part of the Kuki-Chin community, which is settled in this area for nearly two centuries even as kins men are still found in Myanmar that borders the state.

IMPHAL, MAY 7 (PTI): A tribal body in Manipur opposed the burial of academician Nehginpao Kipgen who died of COVID19, stating that he was not “indigenous” to the state.

Nehginpao, 46, headed the Centre of South East Asian Studies at OP Jindal University in Hyderabad. He died on May 2 at AIIMS-Delhi while undergoing treatment for COVID-19.

In a statement, the United Naga Council (UNC) demanded the “legal ground” for the burial of Nehginpao at Kangpokpi. It said that the “burial of a foreigner” will set a bad precedent, while also

State

Trg on PCV introduction in 2 districts

DIMAPUR: State health department has been conducting orientation programmes and training of trainers (TOT) for the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), which would be rolled out soon in the state. The programmes are being held in order to prepare health workers for the immunisation process.

Longleng: District and block level TOT for PCV introduction training was conducted on May 7 at chief medical officer (CMO)’s conference hall on with DPO (RCH/UIP), Dr. Imnameren Phom, VCCM (UNDP) Christina Rume and DPM Viroli Sangtam as resource persons.

A press release from the CMO’s office stated that while delivering a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Imnameren Phom spoke on various topics on the

DIMAPUR: With the surge of COVID-19 positive cases across the state, the state government, its agencies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been issuing guidelines to contain the spread of the virus.

Kiphire: DC Kiphire T. Wati Aier has directed head GBs of all villages under Kiphire district to cooperate and coordinate with the medical team while visiting the villages and no village should ban the entry of the team.

In view of the upsurge of Covid cases in the state and in district, the medical team from district hospital would visit all the villages to collect samples for Covid K Y M C

pneumococcal disease, PCV efficacy, dose, route and site of administration, etc.

Christina spoke on capacity of ILR in term of No. of doses and maximum target being covered, EVIN solution- system strengthening and improving programme governance, EVIN process flow, PCV storage, transportation of PCV, temperature sensitivity of UIP vaccines, vaccine management and record keeping and others.

Meanwhile, Viroli Sangtam spoke on safety profile of PCV, what is an AEFI, classifications of AEFIs, formats and timelines for reporting serious/severe AEFI cases, new vaccine reporting formats among other topics.

The training was attended by CMO Dr. Obangjungla, deputy CMO Dr. Philip Kent, medical officers from

the three blocks, CHOs from health and wellness centre, DPM, BPMs, DCM, DEO (UIP) and IDSP, and ASHA coordinators.

Wokha: District level orientation programme on PCV was held at CMO’s conference hall Wokha, with WHO state consultant, Dr. Shiela Longkumer, as resource person on May 6.

A press release by CMO office Wokha stated that during her session at the programme, Dr. Shiela Longkumer informed that PCV would be rolled out in the state soon.

She shared that pneumonia was one of leading cause of death among children below the age of five years in the country.

In this regard, she informed that PCV had 80% efficacy and was introduced in 146 countries in their national immunisation pro-

grammes.

Dr. Sheila also reminded health workers to handle Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) cases effectively and that AEFI cases were rare in PCV however, if any severe cases occurred it should be reported.

Sessions on vaccine management, record keeping, formation of district AEFI committee, and communication strategy were conducted during the training which was attended by district programme manager, medical officers, block programme managers and vaccinators.

Delivering welcome address, CMO Wokha, Dr. CW Tungoe urged medical officers and block programme managers to focus on training and later impart the information at block levels.

Paiwang directs immediate Samson Aye promoted to ‘gen.’ of GPRN/NSCN activation of VTF

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAY 7 (NPN): Following the detection of 32 COVID-19 positive cases in Mon district on Friday, the minister in-charge of Mon, P. Paiwang Konyak has ordered immediate activation of the Village Task Force (VTF) and sought the support of Konyak Union, Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong, Konyak Students’ Union and the church to assist the administration, police and medical department to fight against Covid pandemic. It was learnt that out of 47 that were tested, the report of 32 were positive.

Paiwang informed Nagaland Post that he had also directed the district task force Mon to form new committees to tackle the situation and that funds would be reserved from the common pool of the LADP. Meanwhile, DC Mon, in an order has restricted all mass gatherings including places of worship with immediate effect.

DIMAPUR: GPRN/NSCN on Friday informed that its supreme commander, GPRN/ NSCN president has promoted ‘lt. gen.’ Samson Aye to the rank of ‘general’ basing on his sincerity, loyalty, efficiency and seniority in his service.

In a statement, MIP said that ‘gen.’ Aye’s career in the Naga Army started since 1985 with much commendation and immaculate records. He took charge as chief of Naga Army on March 21, 2017.

“His remarkable endurance and formidable determination in leading and mould-

ing the Naga army throughout the course of his service made him a well-deserved soldier to be accorded a ‘general’ rank.” MIP added. It further said that the incumbent chief of Naga army, proved his efficiency and pro-activeness through his dedication and hard work in strengthening the Naga army.

The GPRN/NSCN congratulated ‘gen.’ Aye on his highest achievement and wished him a successful future, and hope for a secure and strong Naga army under his leadership.

Random testing for COVID in Kiphire dom testing for COVID-19 at Kiphire town, on Friday.

KIPHIRE, MAY 7 (NPN): The medical team was led Medical team from health by CMO office Kiphire, department conducted ran- district epidemiologist Dr. Correspondent

Dheni Thonger with district administration and police.

The exercise was conducted as per the Kiphire

District administration issues COVID-19 advisories and guidelines testing and for vaccination.

DC has warned that failure to comply with the order mill be penalised under relevant sections of the Epidemic Disease Act 1987 and disaster management Act 2005.

Wokha: Wokha DTF for COVID-19 held a review meeting on May 7 at DC’s conference hall.

ADC, Wokha Lankonsen Tsanglao chaired the meeting.

According to DIPR report, while reviewing the last meeting minutes, ADC informed the members that war room for COVID-19 at the district was fully functional.

In this regard, he urged the responsible department

to give daily reports of their activities to be uploaded in the state portal.

He also informed that as a measure to ensure adequate caution and social distancing, Wokha Town Council would soon come up with an order for opening and closure of shops on alternative days.

Wokha CMO, Dr. CW Tungoe added that so far the district recorded 1667 returnees, 10434 screened, 47 under home quarantine, three persons under COVID care centre, 43 confirmed cases, six active cases, 37 recovered, one death and 10 persons migrated.

As suggested by Dr. Chumben Murry, MLA, the meeting also decided

to conduct random testing in areas which were critical and setting up of testing centers at Bhandari and Sanis.

He also requested Wokha DTF to sensitise the village functionaries and colonies chairman to take up preventive steps.

Phek: ADC Pfutsero has informed the public to strictly adhere to the following measures and SOPs: all places of mass gatherings to be closed including religious places, except for solemnization of weddings with prior permission of the Deputy Commissioner across the state and shall be limited up to 50 persons.

Public has been strictly

advised to avoid non-essential travelling, particularly to containment zones of Kohima and Dimapur, as most of the COVID-19 positive cases have resulted out of the travelers and returnees. Urgent travelers should take all the necessary measures.

High risk groups including persons, pregnant mothers and persons above 65 years of age are advised to stay home; all the business establishments and shops are permitted to remain open as per directive of the state government but shall strictly follow all COVID-19 protocols including setting up of hand hygiene (hand sanitiser) facilities, wearing of masks

and gloves, avoid crowding, proper sanitization of the shops and its premises, and other measures.

All coaching/hostels/ vocational institutions shall be closed. However, online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged; public has been reminded to mandatorily wear face masks at all times, maintain adequate social distancing, follow strict hand hygiene and other COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

There will be mandatory seven days home isolation for those persons entering the Pfutsero subdivision from outside of the state while following other norms as per the latest con-

solidated guidelines. Health authorities, ward and village authorities should be informed.

In case of medical emergencies and suspected cases, Pfutsero COVID19 Helpline may be contacted at 8729840597, 8837371959, 9862745089 or 9642415388.

Any violation of the SOP and the above measures would be prosecuted as per Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster management Act, 2005, IPC section 188 and termination of trade license.

LVC: Lotovi Village Council (LVC) and GBs after thorough deliberation has unanimously resolved to totally restrict entry of

district task force decision.

Altogether, more than 40 samples were collected from shopkeepers, the daily bazaar and taxi counters.

commercial vehicles both heavy and LMV ferrying coal from Assam and parts of Nagaland.

In a press release, LVC chairman Hotoka H Chishi informed that vehicles ferrying bricks randomly from the village and neighbouring areas occupied with brick industries plying via Lotovi would immediately stop the non-essential activity till the area was contained or until the government relaxation order.

Further, the council warned that failing to comply the order would lead to seizure of vehicle and the same would be handover to the district task force or concerned government order.

K Y M C

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 151 Dimapur, saturday, may 8, 2021

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Joining the fight

ven as Nagaland as with all states in the north east during the past several weeks, desperately announced various forms of lockdown including night curfews at several parts of the states, of great concern for the people, besides the raging second coronavirus wave, has been on rising prices of various commodities, decreasing number of hospital beds for covid patients and shortage of medicines, not to speak of vaccine shortages. However, for the majority of people the spectre of the first covid pandemic lockdown has been resurrected.

Except food stores and pharmacies, all other shops have remained closed since May 5. The prices of commodities, as expected but most undesired, have started rising upwards. One of the main reasons as to why food prices have risen in the local market is from the source from where the items are procured.

The wholesale inflation rose due to fuel prices and higher input costs. Core inflation also increased to a series-high 7%, driven by metals, textiles, chemicals and rubber, the global prices of many of which have recorded sharp increases in recent months on the back of optimism generated by the covid vaccine rollout. The current lockdown-like impositions have also reinforced concerns that price rises could aggravate because of supply constraints caused by lockdownlike curbs. Though the civic authorities including district administrations have been informing consumers on rates officially fixed; yet these have had little bearing on those who sell and buy. For instance, price of vegetable items have shown a marked increase by over 50 % during the past few weeks. Whether the artificial hikes were due to manipulation by syndicates is a matter of speculation. Even in the case with construction material, prices have also shot up.

For instance cement priced at around Rs.470 per 50 kg bag during April, has shot up to Rs.485 per 50 kg bag. Though curfew has not barred inter-state or inter-district movement of vehicles carrying goods; yet the very situation appears to have justified the price increase. It is therefore important that the district authorities including civic bodies focus attention on making traders comply with various notifications.

Perhaps it would be helpful if the civil administration, authorities of civic bodies, district chambers of commerce and industry also rope in civil society groups to constitute price monitoring and public grievance cells to keep check on prices of various commodities. Several preventive measures announced by the state government to face the onslaught of the second covid pandemic wave needs further tuning up on the ground. Strict checks on entry of people or vehicles at border points need to be enforced. The state government had announced partial lockdown with stricter rules in the state from April 30 to May 14 and leaving the respective district state task forces to fine tune the suggested measures. Since the second covid pandemic wave affects all, it would be worth while in suggesting that the DTFs could also form area community task force by inclusion as members from various local civil society groups, private hospitals, medical practitioners, veterinarians and professionals, colony levels. A unified effort is needed since the situation calls for such.

DailyDevotion Building For Eternity

Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it… —Luke 14:28 Our Lord was not referring here to a cost which we have to count, but to a cost which He has already counted. The cost was those thirty years in Nazareth, those three years of popularity, scandal, and hatred, the unfathomable agony He experienced in Gethsemane, and the assault upon Him at Calvary— the central point upon which all of time and eternity turn. Jesus Christ has counted the cost. In the final analysis, people are not going to laugh at Him and say, “This man began to build and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:30).

The conditions of discipleship given to us by our Lord in verses 26, 27, and 33 mean that the men and women He is going to use in His mighty building enterprises are those in whom He has done everything.

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple ” (Luke 14:26). This verse teaches us that the only men and women our Lord will use in His building enterprises are those who love Him personally, passionately, and with great devotion— those who have a love for Him that goes far beyond any of the closest relationships on earth. The conditions are strict, but they are glorious.

All that we build is going to be inspected by God. When God inspects us with His searching and refining fire, will He detect that we have built enterprises of our own on the foundation of Jesus? (see 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). We are living in a time of tremendous enterprises, a time when we are trying to work for God, and that is where the trap is. Profoundly speaking, we can never work for God. Jesus, as the Master Builder, takes us over so that He may direct and control us completely for His enterprises and His building plans; and no one has any right to demand where he will be put to work.

Quotes

If you can stay positive in a negative situation, you win. ~ Anonymous

Nagaland Post, Dimapur saturday, may 8, 2021

Post-mortem

Examination of Christian Socialism as a Political Ideology

A

s a thinker and an academician, I spend maximum of my time challenging my own notions and beliefs that has been developed over the period of time as a result of physical/sensory experiences, personal meditations and contemplations. I am always suspicious about what i see, what I read, what I learn, what I think, what I say and what I teach. My students and apprentices help me in this rigorous endeavor of ‘Self-examination’ and ‘Introspection’. This present work is a final result of a thought provoking classroom debate that started with academic discourse on ‘St. Augustine’s ‘City of God’.

Christian Socialism is a religious and political ideology that helps in integrating Christianity with socialism.

Christian Socialism is mainly intended towards promoting socialist economy and left wing politics. Christian Socialism is developed and built on the teaching of the Bible. The proponents of Christian socialism believe that capitalism is the main evil of the society that results in causing inequality and discrimination. According to the proponents, Capitalism is idolatrous, and associated with the sin of greed. Therefore, Christian socialist considered capitalism as the main source of greed and inequality in the society. The first major movement related to Christian Socialism started in the United Kingdom in 19th century which intended towards becoming politically involved and theologically reflective.

However, despite of the significant Social Equality approach in Christian Socialism, it has been criticized by many scholars and researchers. Christian socialism has been significantly criticized for being pacifist and utopian. The pacifist belief informs that all forms of the violent acts are against the Christian belief.

However, there have been Christian social pacifists, who have supported war.

O

For example, Henry Scott Holland, John Clifford, R.H. Tawney supported the First World War. Moreover, dealing with the debate on ‘Christian Socialism’, In Rendering Unto Caesar, Lawrence Reed, president emeritus of the libertarian-leaning Foundation for Economic Education, writes that Jesus was not a socialist in that he promoted voluntary giving and charity rather than the mandatory taking by government (taxes).

Conservative evangelical Christian Johnnie Moore, Professor of Religion at Liberty University, a “bastion of the Christian right” in American politics, writing on the homepage of Fox News Radio’s Todd Starnes, claimed that Jesus was a capitalist. Traditionalist conservative Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, a Christian fundamentalist organization in the United States, also claimed that Jesus was a capitalist who advocated “voluntary redistribution of wealth”. Charles Haddon Spurgeon was critical of socialist doctrines, and warned that those who seek socialism “may soon have too much of it”. Specifically, he regarded collectivist Christianity as inferior to faith on an individual level. He said that “I would not have you exchange the gold of individual Christianity for the base metal of Christian Socialism”.

Christian socialists and their political ideology is criticized because it is based on utopian thinking and such a belief and thinking is not rooted in reality, rather it remains the vision of entirely just and perfect world merely in a theoretical form.

Some of the scholars have also argued that Christian Socialism is a mere political thought, which displays the utopian dream in the worst sense of the present world.

It has been further argued that considering the Christian Socialists ideologies are nearly impossible to be translated in practice and in policies of the government,

because of lacking reality.

Christian Socialism is far from providing any satisfactory answer to how they wish to overcome the problems associated with budget deficits, how they would address mass unemployment, complex tax issues, international relations, strategic affairs, trade & commerce and how they can address other forms of inequalities and discriminations in the society. The opponents of Christian Socialism have also argued that such socialism lack the strong proposal about how they wish society to function. Their utopian vision is considered to be very disengaged with the world around them, and therefore, their socialism is mere a fantasy that would never be able to achieve reality.

Although, Christian socialism is considered as the major critique of the post-modern capitalist’s society, but it is itself filled with many ambiguities. For the Christian Socialists, the new world that they wish to establish is not a society that is more just and safe; rather they consider it to be the ‘Kingdom of God’, and for establishing such kingdom, there would be a need of profound reversal of the entire social order, in which first shall be last and last shall be first (as stated under the New Testament of the Bible). Christian socialists have argued that those who have studied the teaching of the Jesus Christ would have known that he had hardly spoken about the life after death rather he has placed a strong emphasis on establishing the kingdom of God. Kingdom of God, means establishing a right and a communistic society, where every individual would be equal, as every man was made in the image of God. Thus, they shall be equal in his kingdom.

Christian Socialism is significantly inclined towards establishing a grand and glorious society, with the passionate aim of making the world like heaven.

However, how real is this

truly atmanirbhar

ver the last couple of fight covid19. Instead of acting weeks we have seen some on the points suggested by them, truly terrifying and dis- the Union health minister of turbing visuals as the second India Dr. Harsh vardhan took to wave of covid raged over India twitter to rebuke Dr. Manmohan unleashing its fury. With record Singh. Such is the ungraciousnew cases every day and thou- ness and callous approach of sands of deaths primarily due to the central leaders even at trylack of oxygen. India is literally ing times like these. Earlier this gasping for breath! From people year, the Union health minister lined up in long queues outside also attended the launching the hospitals to just get a bed to ceremony of ‘Coronil’ by padead bodies lined up outside the tanjali which lied about getting crematoriums waiting for the slot the WHO certification to which allotted to them for cremation. the IMA came down heavily on The situation is hell here in India. the Union minister. The minister The health infrastructure particu- also proudly claimed that we are larly in the capital has completely in the ‘endgame’ of the covid19 collapsed. But how did it come to pandemic in India while speakthis? It couldn’t have happened ing at the Delhi Medical Associajust all of a sudden? It has been tion’s 62nd Annual Delhi State over a year since covid hit our Medical conference completely country and many experts had unaware of the reality on the suggested that the second wave ground. The Prime Minister on will be hitting our country hard. the other hand is always in full So then, why were these warn- election mode, busy campaignings overlooked? ing for his party leaving aside his The problem is with the Mr. responsibilities as the PM while All knowing, megalomaniac who the nation continues to burn. has utter contempt for scientific Today every second person in temper. When the first wave hit Kolkata being tested is covid our country and lockdown was positive. The people are running announced, the PM promised to helter-skelter from pillar to post end the corona battle in 21 days for oxygen and hospital beds in reference to the Mahabharata while he continues to deliver battle which ended in 18 days. shallow and hollow speeches to From thalibajao, talibajao, di- the nation through his infamous yajalao to the recent tika festival ‘Maankibaat’. Perhaps, the PM we have witnessed enough of should take out some time and vain events which is nothing but listen to ‘Deshkibaat’ as well! sheer attempt to keep the public The PM’s pet project ‘Central entertained and aloof from the vista’ estimated to be built at Rs. stark reality. In fact, the central 20000 crore is listed as an ‘essengovernment over the last one tial service’ with workers being year has done nothing concrete ferried in special buses while the to effectively fight the dreaded states are entrusted to procure the virus. The public are left on their vaccines on their own. own to fend for themselves. SevLast year during the start eral opposition leaders including of the pandemic, the Tablighi former PM Dr. Manmohan Jamat was blamed and held Singh and former PM H.D Deve responsible for the spread of Gowda have written to the Prime Covid19 in India. They were Minister suggesting measures to subjected to witch-hunt and Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of

belief, when there are no strong strategies or policies to establish such society?

How this new society would sustain? However, it has also been identified that not all the Christian Socialists have similar perspective, such as R.H. Tawney and William Temple have opposed such Christian view of establishing the kingdom of God or if such kingdom could be established ever on Earth.

Tawney had been one of the most influential Christian Socialists, who had believed that humans could not be freed from their sinfulness, nor a perfect human society could be established. Therefore, it is important to consider and acknowledge the realistic view of the human nature, for understanding that how men and women would function within a new society.

Christian socialists have distinct perspective within themselves, for example, some of them believe that sinfulness of the humans would be ended for establishing the new world, while others within them argue that sinfulness of the humans could not be ended, but it would have no impact on establishing a socialist communist world. For example, a Christian Socialist Headlam, have written that sins would not disappear under socialism, but he nowhere suggests that it would have any impact on establishing a righteous society.

These evidences informs that Christian Socialism is based on the fluid ideas that do not have any strong bases, rather theological ideas are tried to be included in political ideology of socialism. Christian Socialists seek to establish a society on the basis of mutual cooperation and collaboration. For example, Christian socialists Hardie, Lansbury, Tawney and Temple have positively argued about the collective ownership of the properties and land. Although, they believe that personal property would remain as it is, but it is the private property that is identified under dispute. However,

undue harassment by both the media and the establishment.

Even the people whose network signals were detected nearby that area were traced out promptly and quarantined. The government however seemed to have turned a blind eye to the Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand this year where lakhs of devotees have gathered for the annual rituals.

Uttarakhand CM categorically stated that ‘the flow and blessings of Ma Ganga will ensure that corona virus will not spread’.

Many states in the BIMARU region have underreported cases.

The statistics however shows a rather discomforting reality. The covid deaths reported are far lower than the number of covid victims cremated.

The situation is far more harrowing in Uttar Pradesh where the Yogi government has announced to slap NSA against anyone reporting shortage of oxygen. One youth who sought help for oxygen cylinder on Twitter was charged by the UP police. Things doesn’t end here.

This is just one of the many examples which India is facing on a daily basis.

The woes and cries of the common people continues unabated. The nation has paid enough lives for the arrogance of but one man. The bearded man has enough blood stains on his hand. The government cannot continue to live in denial. It has to buckle up, accept its mistakes and put up a concerted effort to fight the covid-19. Or perhaps when the PM spoke of atmanirbhar, he foresaw what was coming and wanted the people to be truly atmanirbhar because his inept government cannot be relied upon!

X Chophika Sumi Bank Colony, Dimapur

I

again because of the lack of proper strategies and ideas about how such disputes would be resolved, Christian socialism again leaves a gap. This is the reason that Christian Socialism is denied and opposed as being not only the part of socialism but also the philosophical spectrum of Politics & Statecraft, because the Christian socialist methods are without any solid base, and ideas. Competition, which is an important element of the modern society, is completely against the Christian world view, as competition is ethically dubious. Christian Socialism lacks the answer towards how the new society would be able to respond towards the extremely competitive, technologically oriented modern complex world.

Therefore, Christianity and socialism are incompatible to each other in all forms, as both are dissimilar in forms of origin, aims, methods and principles.

Finally, as I lost deeper in the abyss of my mind in the middle of the silent night; I ask one question to myself. How wise is it to regenerate and crossbreed theological principles with political philosophy? Will Theology be able to withstand the ‘Realist Temptation’ of power’? Being a follower of Jesus Christ, a realist thinker and a student of Philosophy, Christian Theology and Comparative Religions; I can say that the Jesus Christ was a social reformer of his day, advocating the transformation of oppressive systems of power. He gave hopes to those who had been thrown at the bottom of the pit. Naturally, therefore, his first disciples were all from the lowest strata of society who could relate to his ‘teachings’, the ‘path’ and most importantly his ‘suffering’. However, with the passage of time the light of Jesus’ wisdom went through multitude of ‘prisms’; reaching to the kaleidoscopic paradox which not only disturbs me but also makes me want to question the nexus between

the Political Power & Religious Faith. The Franciscan friar Richard Rohr (2018) explains this paradox: “As long as Jesus’ followers were on the bottom and the edge of empire, as long as they shared the rejected and betrayed status of Jesus, they could grasp his teaching more readily. Values like nonparticipation in war, simple living, inclusivity, and love of enemies could be more easily understood when Christians were gathering secretly in the catacombs, when their faith was untouched by empire, rationalization, and compromise.

In 313 A.D., Constantine legalized Christianity. It became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380.

After this structural change, Christianity increasingly accepted, and even defended, the dominant social order.

The church slowly lost its free and alternative vantage point. Before 313, the church was on the bottom of society. Within the space of a few decades, the church moved from the bottom to the top, literally from the catacombs to the basilicas. When the Christian church became the established religion of the empire, it started reading the Gospel from the position of maintaining power and social order instead of experiencing the profound power of powerlessness that Jesus revealed.”

As night passes, the clouds of thoughts gathers in my mind and my inner eyes starts searching for Jesus who has been in the ‘Prison’ of the conscience of his followers for eternity. Time has come to free ‘Jesus’ from our own selfish interests and political ambitions. Jesus was the first and last Christian who never gave ‘Christianity’, but rather taught how to live like a man which I believe we all have forgotten in our mad rage for the ‘POWER’.

Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dept of Political Science, Tetso College, Dimapur

church is essential

, with great appreciation for all the people, departments and organisations involved in helping the community and society during this crisis, would like to address the government’s decision to shut down religious places completely except what they termed essential commodities like government offices, medical assistance, commercial vehicles, etc.

I believe the church leaders should be encouraged even more during this crisis to gather and intercede for the people whilst maintaining the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) given. Therefore, I humbly appeal to the concerned government leaders not to shut down churches completely, both now and in the days ahead.

As a Christian state, churches are praying unceasingly and doing their best to help people behind the scenes, having the same need and burden or even more as those who are working hard in giving their best for the welfare of the society and community. The church is essential because the church has always played a big role not just spiritually but also

generally in standing together with the government in giving, helping the needy, in building relationships and bringing hope, help and healing to the people which has prevented a lot of misunderstandings, fights and also helped people personally in overcoming addictions, detrimental habits, depressions, suicidal thoughts, etc.

I do not disagree with the need of the use of masks, vaccines and necessary procedures directed by the concerned authorities. However, we are all aware that these natural things alone cannot sustain us. Our trust in the Almighty God should come first and foremost. And to my fellow servants of God, let us not put aside or take for granted the importance of coming to church as a place for fellowship and prayer as how the Lord Jesus Christ has taught us. “...Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

Psalm 127:1b ESV In His Service, David Yashu, Pastor, C. R. Mission Church, Kohima

Reader’s Post

Colony youth immune to the virus??

Sir,

When half the world went into lockdown, “social distancing” was the term on everybody’s lips. Well, at this juncture when everyone is asked to stay at home, volunteers have been reaching out to extend their hand which is a great initiative. But on the other hand, colony youth have been seen in groups taking the lead without maintaining any social distance as if they are immune to the virus. The coronavirus lockdown has been a testing time for all of us. And that the virus does not know your age, gender or tribe etc. We need to understand that we need inculcate self-consciousness to protect yourself first in order to protect others.

Alemla, Duncan colony, Dimapur

the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Central Vista project: SC refuses to entertain plea

Construction work underway as part of the Central Vista Project, at Rajpath in New Delhi, Thursday (PTI)

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea against deferment of hearing on a PIL seeking direction to halt construction activity at the Central Vista Avenue Redevelopment Project during the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic but gave liberty to petitioners to approach the Delhi High Court for urgent listing of the matter.

The apex court was hearing the appeal against the May 4 order of the high court which had listed the PIL for hearing on May 17 saying it wants to first go through what the Supreme Court has deliberated in its judgement of January 5, giving a go ahead to the ambitious project.

The apex court today asked senior advocate Siddharth Luthra to mention the matter before the High

Court for urgent listing on May 10.

“We are of the opinion that since the matter is pending before the High Court and the order challenged in the special leave petition is only of adjournment, we are not inclined to go into the merit of the case,” a bench of Justices Vineet Saran and Dinesh Maheshari said.

It said that “in given circumstances, we request Mr. Luthra to file the petition himself or through any other counsel, to make a request before Delhi High Court on Monday (May 10) to take up the matter as early as possible”.

It noted the submission of the senior advocate that the matter involves extreme urgency and said that the High Court may consider the prayer and pass orders.

At the outset, Luthra told the bench that the mat-

CVC revises SOPs for exam of govt depts, banks, PSUs NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (PTI): The Central Vigilance Commission has revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for carrying out an intensive examination of different government departments, public sector banks and PSUs. The Chief Technical Examiners’ Organisation (CTEO) of the CVC conducts intensive examinations of all contractual activities of the central government, central public sector undertakings, public sector banks and other organisations.

The scope of its examination includes execution of works, purchase of goods, hiring of services, etc, which are mainly funded by the central government.

In its revised SOPs, the CVC has decided a new time limit and procedure to deal with the examination. “The Commission has directed that the procedure and time limit as prescribed in the revised SOP should be strictly adhered to by the authorities

Bengal post-poll violence: MHA team meets gov KOLKATA, MAY 7 (PTI): A four-member team of the Union Home Ministry, tasked with looking into reasons for the post-poll violence in West Bengal, met Gover nor Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Raj Bhawan on Friday. The team, led by an additional secretary of the ministry, had arrived in the state on Thursday and held meetings with the chief secretary, home secretary and the DGP at the secretariat, officials said.

The ministry has sought a report from Dhankhar on the law and order situation in Bengal, particularly the post-poll violence that erupted following the announcement of the assembly election results on May 2.

The team visited several places in South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts on Thursday and spoke to family members of the deceased and locals, they said. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said 16 people lost their lives in post-poll violence in various parts of the state.

in the organisations concerned,” the probity watchdog said in an order.

As per the revised SOP, a proposal containing procurement contracts of various organisations to be taken up for intensive examination will be put up by chief technical examiners through the Secretary, CVC, for approval of the Commission.

On approval of the proposal by the Commission, intimation will be sent to the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of respective organisations for submission of relevant documents/details/ information to the CTEO for study, before taking up intensive examination, the order issued on Thursday said. “Dates of intensive examination will be communicated to CVOs of the organisation concerned, who will be responsible for ensuring availability of all concerned persons, documents, testing equipments etc during intensive examination,” it said.

ter is of extreme importance as the country is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. He said they are only concerned with the challenge to the permission granted for continuation of construction which is going on at Rajpath, Central Vista stretch and gardens.

“Labours are being transported from Sarai Kale Khan and Karol Bagh area to Raj Path and Central Vista, where construction work is going on. This enhances chances of spread of COVID infection among them,” Luthra said.

He referred to the letter written by Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) for continuation of construction work in Central Vista project on the ground that it is time bound work.

“The permission was granted on the ground that it was essential activity. How is construction work an essential activity? In a health emergency, we cannot risk the lives of workers and their families and put more pressure on health care system,” Luthra said adding that peak of second wave of COVID-19 is being anticipated by May 15 and High Court has listed the matter for May 17, which would not serve any purpose.

5

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur saturday, may 8, 2021

4 held for illegal Remdesivir injection trade in Bihar PATNA, MAY 7 (IANS): The Bhagalpur police have arrested two persons including a manager of a private hospital for trying to purchase Remdesivir injection in the name of a dead patient.

Puran Jha, ASP of Bhagalpur, confirmed the development. The accused were identified as Rahul Raj, the manager of Pulse hospital and Pintu Thakur, a tout. Another tout named Alam managed to escape during the raid.

The illegal nexus was unearthed after the owner of an authorized dealership of Remdesivir injection, Mukul traders, suspected Pintu Thakur who went there with a medical prescription from Pulse hospital.

Modi govt failed people of India: Sonia Gandhi Demands convening all-party meet on COVID NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (PTI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday attacked the Centre over its handling of the pandemic, saying the system has not failed but the Modi government failed the people of the country and demanded that an all-party meeting be convened immediately on the COVID-19 situation.

She also said the party’s performance in the justconcluded assembly elections was very disappointing and party MPs must draw appropriate lessons from this setback in the spirit of humility and honesty.

Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting virtually, she

Uranium seizure: NIA seeks information from Maha ATS

MUMBAI, MAY 7 (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought detailed information from the Maharashtra ATS about the seizure of over seven kg of natural uranium worth about Rs 21.30 crore, an official said on Friday.

The Nagpada unit of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had arrested two persons on Wednesday night and seized 7.100 kg uranium from them, he said. “During the investigation, it came to light that the purity of the

highly-radioactive substance is more than 90 per cent,” the official said. The ATS is trying to find out the source of the uranium and the accused are being questioned, he said. “As it is a sensitive matter, the NIA sought a detailed report from the ATS about the uranium seizure,” he added.

Accordingly, the ATS on Friday gave a copy of the FIR to the NIA officials and also provided other necessary information related to the case, the official said.

Sonia Gandhi

that has no empathy for the people. The Modi government has failed the people of our country,” she told the MPs. She said the Congress firmly believes that fighting the pandemic is not a ‘Government versus Us’ battle but a ‘Us versus Corona’ battle.

“This battle transcends political differences. We have to fight this battle together as a nation. In that spirit, as a

first step, I believe that the Modi government must urgently call an all-party meeting on the COVID-19 situation,” she said.

“The Congress Party also demands that standing committees must be convened to ensure collective action and accountability to combat the pandemic better,” she said.

Gandhi told the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to bring to the notice of the Presiding Officer the Report of Standing Committee on Health presented in October 2020 and demand that he take action on the recommendations of the report.

“The situation brooks no delay. Tackling this crisis requires able, calm and visionary leadership,” she said.

Over 90 lakh vaccine doses still available with states, UTs: Govt

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (IANS): The Centre has provided more than 17.35 crore vaccine doses to the states and the union territories free of cost, and more than 90 lakh doses are still available with them, the Health Ministry said, adding over 10 lakh doses will be received by the states and UTs in the next three days.

In a statement, the Union health Ministry said that so far, more than

17.35 crore vaccine doses (17,35,07,770) have been provided to states and UTs free of cost of this, and the total consumption including wastage is 16,44,77,100 doses.

“More than 90 lakh C ov i d Va c c i n e d o s e s (90,30,670) are still available with the States and UTs to be administered.

States with negative balance are showing more consumption (including wastage) than vaccine sup-

plied as they have not reconciled the vaccine they have supplied to Armed Forces, Furthermore, more than 10 lakh (10,25,000) vaccine doses will be received in addition by the States/UTs within the next three days,” the Ministry said. The Ministry said that the Government is leading the fight against the Covid pandemic in collaboration with the States and UT through a “Whole of Government” approach.

NAGALAND STATE e-GOVERNANCE SOCIETY (NSeGS) DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION Nagaland : Kohima 797001

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING) Applications are invited for the post of Central Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission.

The details of eligibility, etc. and the proforma for sending particulars for consideration for the post may be downloaded from the Department of Personnel and Training website: www.persmin.nic.in. The last date of receipt of applications in the Department is 07th June, 2021. davp 32201/11/0001/2122

NAGALAND STATE e-GOVERNANCE SOCIETY (NSeGS) DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION (Below New Secretariat) Thizama Road NAGALAND: KOHIMA

No. NseGs/etender-2/2021

said the battle against the pandemic transcends political differences and everyone has to fight it together as a nation.

Launching a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi charged that India is crippled by political leadership that has no empathy for the people. She also demanded that a meeting of the the standing committees must be convened to ensure collective action and accountability to combat the pandemic better.

“Let us be absolutely clear -- the system hasn’t failed. The Modi government has been unable to constructively channelise India’s many strengths and resources. I say this categorically - India is crippled by a political leadership today

Dated 06th may 2021

NotICE INVItINg tENdER

No. NseGs/Gen-5/2013 Vol-ii(pt)

Dated Kohima, 6th may, 2021

NotICE INVItINg e-tENdER

the Nagaland state e-Governance society (NseGs), Department of information technology & Communication invites proposals from reputed firms for Cyber security audit of Nagaland Department websites hosted in the Nagaland state Data Centre. the proposal is required to be submitted online on e-tendering mode on the state public procurement portal – www.nagalandtenders.gov.in. interested bidders are requested to download the e-tender documents from https://www.nagaland.gov.in and submit their bids online.

Important dates: Event date – deadline release of rFp 06-05-2021 Last date to receive prebid queries 13-05-2021 Date of prebid meeting 17-05-2021 Last date and time for submission of bids 20-05-2021, 15:00 Hrs technical/Financial Bid opening 21-05-2021 submission of security Deposit 20-05-2021 sd/(tongtiliba longkumer) Member secretary, Nsegs & director, It&C Issued by DIPR DC-431

the Nagaland state egovernance society (Nsegs) invites tender for supply of It and Network Equipments from it empanelled Firms under the Department of information technology & Communication, Government of Nagaland. the detailed tender documents can be viewed / downloaded from the following website, from 07/05/2021 10:00 Hours (server time) to 21/05/2021, 14:00 Hours (server time): 1. www.nagalandtenders.gov.in 2. www.nagaland.gov.in amendments/Corrigendum, if any will be hosted on the above website. sd/(Er. tongtiliba longkumer) Member secretary, Nsegs & director, It&C Issued by DIPR DC-432 GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAGALAND: KOHIMA

NOTIFICATION

No.dtE/EXaM/6/2020-21: in continuation to the earlier notification of this office even number dated 13th april 2021, the last date of filled application for undergoing dIPloMa Engineering courses within Nagaland is hereby extended till 31st May 2021. application form can be downloaded from the Department website at http://www.dtenagaland.org.in, in which case the fee of rs. 300/- (rupees three hundred) only may be deposited while submitting the form. s.

Brief of government Name of Polytechnic Course offered seats Polytechnics No Civil Engineering 60 1. i d e a l l y l o c a t e d f o r s t u d y environment with qualified mechanical Engineering 30 faculty.

1 Khelhoshe polytechnic, atoizu Electrical & Electronics Engineering 30 2. aiCtE, New Delhi approved institutions. automobile Engineering 30 3. Quality technical education Computer Engineering 15 through hands on practical classes, entrepreneurship and institute of Communication & information Electronics & Communication 2 15 industrial trainings. 24 hours technology, mokokchung Engineering power backup facility. information technology 15 4. pursuing NBa accreditation.

Government polytechnic, seithekema ‘C’ 5. state of the art Laboratories with 3 Civil Engineering 27 Dimapur smart classrooms and internet.

4 Government polytechnic, sedem, tuensang Civil Engineering 30 6. Hostels and Bus available.

7. scholarship state as well as Government polytechnic, tsunazho, Central scheme.

5 Electrical & Electronics Engineering 30 Chetheba, phek 8. state and National activities: seminars, workshop, sports, 6 Government polytechnic, aboi, mon Civil Engineering 30 techfest.

7 Government polytechnic, Doyang, Wokha architecture Engineering 30 9. Online and offline admission 8 Government polytechnic, peren interior Designing 30 and classes.

Civil Engineering 30 10. pass out students working in state and Central Government Computer science & Engineering 30 Offices, private Companies 9 Government polytechnic, Kohima and self- Entrepreneurs, higher Fashion Design & apparel production 30 studies through lateral entry.

(FDap) seats: 1) 15% reservation shall be made for Backward tribes on the basis of One tribe One seat.

2) 85% seats for st indigenous of Nagaland for Civil Engineering course.

3) 75% seats for st indigenous of Nagaland and 10% of seats will be reserved for General category (within & outside the state) against the remaining programs.

4) 5% reservation for pWDs candidates from the above seats of s.no 1 and 2.

5) 10% reservation for women candidates from the above seats of s.no 1 and 2.

Eligibility Criteria: Engineering Course: HsLC/10+ passed with minimum aggregate of 45% with maths & science/DEE FdaP Course: HssLC/12+ passed with minimum aggregate of 40%

DC-430

(NUNgsaNgMENla IMCHEN) Ex-officio director Issued by DIPR

K-946

CHENNAI, MAY 7 (PTI): Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, the DMK president who led his party to a huge victory in the Assembly polls was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Friday.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 68-year old Stalin, for whom this would be the first stint as CM, in a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here.

A total of 33 ministers were also sworn in following Stalin, of whom 15 are first-time ministers. All the 34, including Stalin took the oath as per their conscience

N Rangasamy

PUDUCHERRY, MAY 7 (PTI): AINRC leader N Rangasamy was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Puducherry at a brief ceremony held at the Raj Nivas here on Friday and will lead a coalition government of BJP members in his cabinet. While Karnataka is the lone southern state with the BJP in the ruling saddle, its induction in the UT cabinet allows the saffron party expand its footprint, vis-a-vis power in the region.

Incidentally, it fared well in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where it won four assembly seats in the Dravidian heartland in the April

6 polls. Union Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Kishan Reddy, who attended the swearing-in ceremony today, told reporters that BJP and AINRC would have three ministers each and they would be sworn in over the next few days. BJP’s A Namassivayam, who was elected unanimously as the leader of the BJP legislature wing, is tipped to be deputy chief minister.

On Friday afternoon, Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Rangasamy, giving him his fourth stint in office of CM. Rangasamy, the only legislator to be sworn-in today, took the oath in Tamil and in the name of God. The swearing in of the other ministers belonging to the AINRC and BJP would be held in the next few days, AINRC party sources said.

Of the three BJP members in the cabinet, one would be deputy CM. The ceremony, which began at 1.20 PM, lasted five minutes.

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (PTI): The Indian Army has set up a ‘COVID management cell’ to ensure better coordination in extending support to civil authorities across the country to deal with surging cases of coronavirus infections.

Officials said the responsibility of the cell is to bring in greater efficiency in coordinating the Army’s response to call for help from state governments as well as authorities in union territories. “To coordinate multiple facets of staffing and logistics support, an exclusive COVID management cell under a director general rank officer has been established...” said an official. “This will bring in greater efficiency in coordinating real time responses to address exponential rise in COVID cases across the country where assistance to civil administration in the form of testing, admissions in military hospitals and transportation of critical medical equipment, etc are already being provided,” he said.

Soren’s tweet targeting PM draws flak Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (IANS): A tweet by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not gone down well with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some others in the political circles.

In a tweet on Thursday night, Soren had alleged that the Prime Minister did not listen to him during a phone call to discuss the Covid-19 situation. On Thursday, Modi spoke to the Chief Ministers of Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the prevailing Covid-19 situation in their respective states. “Respected Prime Minister called today. He only spoke his ‘Mann Ki baat’. It would have been better if he had talked about the work done and listened to the other side,” Soren

Hemant Soren

tweeted at 11.19 p.m. on Thursday. Within an hour, Assam Health Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: “Your tweet is not only against basic dignity, but also to make fun of the suffering of the people of the state for whom the Prime Minister called you to know about. You have lowered the dignity of the Chief Minister’s post.”

Hoping that the Jharkhand Chief Minister will retract his statement,

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio tweeted: “In my experience as a Chief Minister for several terms, Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always been sensitive to the concerns of the states, particularly the northeast.

I disagree with Hemant Soren and I hope he retracts his statement.” Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Babulal Marandi tweeted: “Hemant Soren is a failed Chief Minister. Failure in governance. Failure in tackling Covid-19 in the state.

Failure to assist people. To hide his failures he demeans the office he holds. Wake up and work, Hemant Soren.

The clock is ticking.” BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh tweeted: “This is the level to which some politicians are stooping.

Seeks increase in supply of medical oxygen

KO L K ATA , M AY 7 (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking increased supply of medical oxygen for COVID-19 treatment.

Banerjee also said that the Centre hiked oxygen allocation for other states out of the total production in Bengal, despite its enhanced requirement.

The chief minister said daily consumption of oxygen in her state has gone up to 470 MT in the last 24 hours and is expected to increase to 550 MT per day in about a week.

“I would request you to kindly have the alloca-

tion of medical oxygen reviewed and instructions issued for an immediate allocation of at least 550 MT per day of MO,” she said in the letter to Modi.

Any allocation less than the requested amount will not only adversely affect the supply, but may also result in loss of lives of patients in the state, Banerjee said. “... Government of India has increased allocation of MO to other states, from the total production in West Bengal, during the last 10 days from 230 MT to 360 MT, keeping allocation for us constant at 308 MT per day despite its requirement of 550 MT,” the CM added.

No. 9912 Yesterday’s solution No. 9911

No. 4531 Yesterday’s solution No. 4530

No. 3555 Yesterday’s solution No. 3554

Across 1. Of the kidneys (5) 6. Breaks suddenly (5) 9. Place, locate (7) 10. Foremost (5) 11. Water jugs (5) 12. Tips up (5) 13. Stretchy (7) 15. Long scarf (3) 17. Superlative of good (4) 18. An instant (6) 19. Country (5) 20. View or glance (6) 22. Woman’s name (4) 24. Put on (3) 25. Revolves, spins (7) 26. Five-pound note (5) 27. Perfect (5) 28. Paved area (5) 29. Seek new members (7) 30. Ingrained dirt (5) 31. Requires (5) Down 2. Eatable (6) 3. Help (6) 4. Illuminated (3) 5. Military surcoat (5) 6. Cowboy hat (7) 7. Tidings (4) 8. Excuse, forgive (6) 12. Of tides (5) 13. Receded (5) 14. Pallid (5) 15. Brimless cap (5) 16. Book of maps (5) 18. Army officer (5) 19. Special anniversary (7) 21. Over there (6) 22. Cease to occupy (6) 23. Cause to remember (6) 25. Brings up (5) 26. Cultivate land (4) 28. Narrow brooch (3)

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (PTI): WhatsApp has scrapped its May 15 deadline for users to accept its controversial privacy policy update and said not accepting the terms will not lead to deletion of accounts.

WhatsApp had faced severe backlash over user concerns that data was being shared with parent company Facebook. A WhatsApp spokesperson told PTI that no accounts will be deleted on May 15 for not accepting the policy update.

“No accounts will be deleted on May 15 because of this update and no one in India will lose functionality of WhatsApp either. We will follow up with reminders to people over the next several weeks,” the spokesperson said in an emailed response to a query on Friday.

The spokesperson added that while a “majority of users who have received the new terms of service have accepted them”, some people have not had the chance to do so yet.

partners with Facebook to offer integrations across the company products.

WhatsApp has insisted that the acceptance of the privacy policy update does not expand its ability to share user data with Facebook. However, user backlash over WhatsApp’s alleged sharing of user information with Facebook forced the company to postpone the February deadline to May 15.

The WhatsApp spokesperson said the company has spent the last few months working to “clear up confusion and misinformation”.

“As a reminder, this update does not impact the privacy of personal messages for anyone...” the spokesperson said.

News of Chhota Rajan’s death wrong: Tihar Jail

Total lockdown in Karnataka for two weeks

BENGALURU, AMY 7 (AGENCIES): Karnataka has announced a two-week lockdown amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. In an order issued today, the BS Yediyurappa government said the lockdown will be from 6 am on May 10 to 6 am on May 24.

The movement of essential goods and services are allowed, and shops selling groceries can remain open from 6 am to 6 pm, the government said.

Other services and tasks allowed to continue during the lockdown are road repair work and cargo vehicles.

Shops and other commercial units like hotels, pubs, bars and industries that are not directly related to providing essential services will have to pull down their shutters.

Karnataka figures in a list of states that the centre has identified as places where Covid cases have been rising in recent days.

The state capital Bengaluru has been adding the biggest number of fresh cases every day to the state’s total caseload.

Flights and trains already scheduled will operate during the lockdown, the Karnataka government said in the order.

Metro rail won’t run; cabs not hired for emergency aren’t allowed on the roads. Schools and colleges will remain shut, though online learning can continue.

The state reported 48,781 fresh cases in the last 24 hours.

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Registration started for NPSC PRELIMS ONLINE Test Series Registration ends: 14th May For DETAILS, contact 9378129625/ 9366942624

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However, the company did not clarify the reason behind the decision and did not divulge the number of users who have accepted the terms so far.

In January this year, WhatsApp had informed users about the changes in its terms of service and public policy through an inapp notification. Users were initially given time till February 8 to agree to the new terms in order to continue using the platform.

According to WhatsApp, the key updates include more information about its service and how it processes user data; how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats; and how WhatsApp

A B.Sc candidate for Teaching Mathematics in Higher Classes Handsome Salary will be given to the suitable candidate Contact : 8721096355

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (PTI): The Tihar Jail administration on Friday said that the news of gangster Chhota Rajan’s death is “wrong”.

Rajan was found COVID-19 positive in the Tihar Jail on April 22 and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on April 24.

“News of death of Tihar jail inmate Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje @ Chhota Rajan s/o Sadashiv Nikalje is wrong,” Director General (Prisons) Sandeep Goel said. Rajan, 61, is lodged at the high security prison since his arrest after deportation from Bali in Indonesia in 2015.

KITAMI KIPHIMI KUQHAKULU PUgHoBoto : NagalaNd

FELICITATION

With immense joy and honour we the Kitami Kiphimi Kuqhakulu KKK extend our heartiest congratulations to shri atovi sema on being promoted to Hindi Education Officer HEO Directorate, under school Education Department.

We KKK wish you all the very best in your future endeavors. God bless you sir.

Kakiye swu lovito tsuqu president, KKK Gen secretary, KKK

K-943

M.K. Stalin

and in Tamil, in sync with the decades old tradition of the DMK. Earlier, Stalin, clad in a white shirt and dhoti introduced his Cabinet to Purohit.

When Stalin took the oath, beginning with words “I Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin,” his wife’s eyes welled up in joy.

The DMK chief ’s elder brother, M K Alagiri’s son Dayanidhi and former union minister Dayanidhi Maran were present.

The ceremony, which went on for about an hour and 10 minutes witnessed adherence to COVID-19 guidelines including wearing masks.

Later, when Stalin paid floral tributes to a portrait of his father and late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi at the residence of the late leader here, he turned emotional and he took the blessings of his mother Dayalu Ammal.

Stalin’s family members including his sister Selvi were present when he visited the Gopalapuram house.

WhatsApp scraps May 15 deadline for accepting privacy policy terms

Dp-2364

Stalin sworn in asRangasamy Tamil Nadu CM sworn in as Puducherry CM

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Saturday, may 8, 2021

Dp-XXXX

national Army sets up Covid management cell

Dp-2362

6

Regd. No. 131/21 AFFIDAVIT/SELF DECLARATION

Dt. 6/5/21

I, THUSHILA JANKHIUNGRU is wife of No. 4382360X Rank Sep Name Chantsuthong S Jongpfulu, presently residing at Vill. Old Thewati, P.O. Meluri, District Phek, State, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath as follows: (a) That, I have change my name from THUSILA JANKHIUNGRU to THUSHILA JANKHIUNGRU due to change my name. That my date of birth is seventeen December nineteen ninety six. (b) That, I am producing this Affidavit for porpose of evidence for my name. (c) That both names THUSILA JANKHIUNGRU to THUSHILA JANKHIUNGRU pertain to one and the same person. (d) That, I shall at all times in all records, deeds and writing and in all proceeding dealing with transactions, private as well as under occasions what so ever be known as only THUSHILA JANKHIUNGRU. (e) That what is stated above is true and correct to best of my knowledge information and belief. Nothing material has been concealed there from.

VERIFICATION I, the deponent above named, do hereby solemnly declare and verify that the contents of the above Affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing has been concealed or suppressed there from.

TO BE ATTESTED BY CO/ZAINIK BOARD Dp-2353 IN THE COURT OF PRINCIPAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE KIPHIRE : NAGALAND

NO.PD&SJ.KPE/SUCC-12/2021-2022/271 Dated the 4th May, 2021 OBJECTION NOTICE Whereas THSANTSUMONG son of Late CHERIMONG Yim of Thanamir Village has applied for issue of Succession Certificate under the Indian Succession Act, 1925 in order to draw/received the payment of movable/immovable of his father Late Cherimong Yim who was serving as Primary Teacher, Kiphire, Nagaland who expired on 07.01.2021.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY 1. G.P.F 2. G.I.S 3. F.B.F From the Officer of the 4. Pension Case District Education Officer, Kiphire Division 5. Any other dues etc.

Public are hereby asked to file objection/claim if any within 30(thirty) days from the date of issue of this order, if no objection/claim is received within the given time, succession certificate will be issued in favour of the applicant.

Principal District & Sessions Judge Kiphire : Nagaland Dp-2356

DECLARATION

regd.No. 508/2021 Date 06/05/2021 i, smti. Koncholumi@ Khoncholumi Ezung@ sangmoni@ sangmoni Ezung, W/o. Fuchumo Ezung, r/o. Church Colony, Wokha town, Dist. - Wokha, Nagaland, do hereby affirm an oath and declare as under:1. i, am a bonafide citizen of india and a resident of the above mentioned address.

2. that, in my sBi saving Bank account No. 34923555168, my i.D. Card, and p.p.O. Book Bearing No.pEN/COm-12164/NL/F/13793, my name has been entered/recorded as Koncholumi, and in my aadhaar Card No. 8670 5565 5377, my name has been recorded as Khoncholumi Ezung, and in my Elector photo identity Card, my name has been recorded as sangmoni, whereas in my son mr. F. Echungbemo Ezung, service record, my name as a nominee, and my Birth Certificate my name has been recorded as sangmoni Ezung.

3. that, ‘Koncholumi’ is my official name, ‘sangmoni’ is my favored name named after my marriage, ‘Ezung’ is my surname by virtue of marriage with ‘Lt. Fuchumo Ezung’ ‘Lotha’ is our tribe.

4. that, the name Koncholumi, Khoncholumi Ezung, sangmoni and sangmoni Ezung, refers to one and same person, i.e. me and my names.

5. that, henceforth my name shall be use/record as ‘KONCHOLumi’ in my son service record as a nominee and for all official purpose.

6. that this declaration shall remain a piece of evidence for any future references.

7. that, this declaration is made to avert the above statement.

VERIFICatIoN

i, hereby verify that the contents made above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing material has been concealed therein. deponent solemnly sworn before me (advocate & Notary Public) WC-97

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international

Myanmar’s insurgents burn another govt outpost

the number of people joining street protests in Myanmar’s cities and towns has declined, in large part due to deadly violence increasingly used by security forces to suppress them.

Hundreds of demonstrators and bystanders have

died.

There is now daily fighting between the government and the military forces of the Karen and the Kachin.

A shadow National Unity Government formed by the junta’s foes an-

nounced this week the formation of a “People’s Defense Force” intended to serve as a precursor to a “Federal Union Army” of democratic forces including ethnic minorities, underlining the major rule they may play.

‘Disintegrated space rocket ‘highly unlikely’ to cause any damage on earth’ on the Chinese side will give updates in due course and in a timely manner.

Official media here quoted Chinese experts as saying that the parts of the disintegrated rocket will fall in international waters. The rocket was used by China

VACANCY 1 Post of Nodal Coordinator Dimapur Under CHILDLINE 1098 Project ( A project under the Union Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt. of India) Requirement: • Graduate/Post-Graduate • 2 years experience in child protection sector • Able to drive 2 wheeler and 4 wheeler with valid driving licence.

Email your resume to childlinececs@yahoo.in Last date for submission : 17th May 2021.

For queries contact 7005725271/9856163452 Dp-2365

to launch part of its space station. While most space debris objects may burn up in the atmosphere, the rocket’s size - 22 tonnes has prompted concern that large parts could re-enter and cause damage if they hit inhabited areas.

OFFICE OF THE

PESSAO VILLAGE STUDENT'S UNION P.O. Tobu - 798624 Dist Mon : Nagaland

FELICITATION

K. Tuhba President, PVSU

C. Chemang Simon Gen/Secy. PVSU

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTORATE OF PRISONS NAGALAND KOHIMA NO.PRI/ESTT-83/95(Pt)/152

Dated Kohima the 7 May 2021 th

FELICITATION

The Office of the Monyakshu Citizen Staff Union and Monyakshu Union Mon Town with immense pride and honour congratulate M r. Wa m m a i Ko nya k L , S/o Mr. & Mrs. Langphong for bringing laurel to the Village in particular and community in general by clearing NPSC Examination 2021 to the post of Secretariat Assistant.

Further, we wish him success in the future endeavor.

Y. SHOLEN President MCSU

N. POANGBA President MUMT

FELICITATION

With immense pride and honour, the Dimapur Molungkimong Senso Telungjem would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Mrs. Kilangnaro, wife of D r. Te m s u m e r e n ( Re t d .

D i r e c t o r, D e p a r t m e n t o f Ve t e r i n a r y & A n i m a l Husbandry, Nagaland) on being promoted to Additional Commissioner of State Taxes, under Taxation Department, Government of Nagaland.

The Dimapur Molungkimong Senso Telungjem wishes her good health and more success in her future endeavour.

(T. Nungshi Tzudir) President, DMST

(S. Maong Longchar) Secretary, DMST

oFFICE oF tHE

LANGKOK YANGDONG SUROKHUNG ASHIMÜKHONG dIstRICt : KIPHIRE

FELICITATION

T h e L a n g k o k Ya n g d o n g Surokhung Ashimükhong expresses its heartiest congratulations to Smti. Vilila S. Thonger, D/o, Shri.

Setsathong Thonger of Langkok Village for her success in NPSC Examination, a s S e c re t a r i a t A s s i s t a n t u n d e r Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department.

We appreciate you for bringing laurels to our community and wish you a prosperous future ahead.

BANGJUM PHOM Secretary TBUK

CALLING NOTICE To,

(sEtHRICHo) secretary, lYsa

Warder James Angami House NO JC 93 Jail Colony, Kohima Nagaland Whereas it has come to the notice of the undersigned that you have been found absent from your govt. bonafide duties wef 20/02/2021 without any leave from the competent authority. This absence without leave is considered as dereliction of duties and subject to disciplinary proceedings as per Service Rules.

You are therefore directed to report to this office within 7 (seven) days from the date of this Notice. Failing to act upon shall entail further disciplinary action as deemed fit.

(tsIPIsE) Chairman, lYsa

LOTSUI YANPOE YANPIA EYI OKHO FELICITATION

With immense pride and honour, we the Lotsui yanpoe yanpia Eyi Okho (LyyEO), Wokha town would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to dr. l. Nongothung Yanthan, S/o. mrs. Lochumlo yanthan, W/o Late Lidemo yanthan, Humtso Vilage for bringing laurels to the union and community for achieving to the post of Dy. Superintendent of police (DSp) in the recently declared NpSC result examination 2021. the Okho is immensely proud of his great achievement and pray that almighty God guide you and bless you in your future endeavour as you take this new assignment.

Sd/Sd/Mrs. thungsali Yanthan Mrs. Easter Kikon Vice President, lYYEo secretary, lYYEo

(RENCHAMO P KIKON) Addl. Director General Prison Nagaland Kohima

WC-98

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as an independent.

The result is a boost for Prime Minister Boris Johnson despite a rocky few months for the premier, with the country’s successful vaccine campaign appearing to be a key factor.

It is equally a blow for Labour party leader Keir Starmer, who has only been chief for a year.

The win will make no difference to Johnson’s influence in the British parliament, however, as his party already holds a majority.

The by-election was held on Thursday, the same day as local and mayoral elections across England, and votes for the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.

OFFICE OF THE

The Tamlu Bühü Union Kohima (TBUK) would like to congratulate Dr. Wungtei Buchem, S/o Lt.Mokan Phom and Mrs. Enung of Tamlu Village for the Degree conferred on him as Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies (OT) on the Thesis Title: The Deuteronomistic History since 1943 (Martin Noth): A post-Colonial Hermeneutics from the Margins in NEI. University of Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK).

The Union is immensely proud of your achievement and wishes you a bright future.

SHAHLONG BUCHEM President TBUK

L on d on , M ay 7 (IANS):The UK’s ruling Conservative Party has snatched a historically leftwing seat from the opposition Labour in a tense byelection in England.

Conservative party candidate Jill Mortimer won the north-east England seat of Hartlepool with a large majority, beating opposition Labour party candidate Paul Williams, reports dpa news agency.

She described it as a “truly historic” result.

It is the first time since its creation in 1974 that the seat has been won by a Conservative politician.

Previously it had only been held by Labour, at one point, a candidate who ran

DIMAPUR MOLUNGKIMONG SENSO TELUNGJEM

FELICITATION

K-944

With immense joy and gratitude to God, we the Pessao Village Student's Union would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Shamba John S/o Shri.

Thongo Konyak for achieving the post of Secretariat Assistant (SA) under merit category in the recently declared NPSC result 2021.

The union further wishes him all the very best in their future endeavours.

Dp-2358

BEIJING, MAY 7 (PTI): Breaking its silence on its tumbling space rocket, whose debris is expected to fall on the Earth this weekend, China said most of it would be burnt during the re-entry and it is “highly unlikely” to cause any damage on the ground.

Replying to questions about the Long March 5B rocket, which last week launched the core module of the country’s space station and started hurtling down to Earth, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing here on Friday that China will provide timely updates on it. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that it was tracking a large Chinese rocket that is out of control and set to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere this weekend.

Wang said part of the rocket will be burnt and contracted when it enters the atmosphere. “It is an international practice. On April 29 long march 5B has successfully entered the expected orbit and we are also paying high attention to the re-entry of the rocket.

“As we understand the rocket has adopted some special technical designing. Most of the part of the rocket will be burnt during its re-entry into the atmosphere. It is highly unlikely to cause any danger and harm to the aero activities or the Earth. The relevant competent authority will give an update in due course,” he said.Asked whether China knows where the debris is likely to fall and the concerned countries have been alerted to take preventive measures, Wang reiterated that the competent authority

young activists from the cities in the rudiments of guerrilla warfare.

The attack raised the likelihood of retaliatory air strikes by the Myanmar military and a surge of refugees trying to flee into Thailand.

Myanmar militar y jets have launched around 30 attacks since the end of March, targeting Karen villages as well as KNLA positions, according to aid groups active in the area.

Several thousand people crossed the Salween River into Thailand in April but Thai authorities insisted they go back to Myanmar.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said last week that 40,000 people have been newly displaced in Karen territory by intensified fighting between the government and the KNLA, and by “indiscriminate attacks”

by Myanmar’s army on civilian areas.

Many of the displaced villagers have been hiding out in jungles, caves and valleys.

Dp-2357

A Karen National Liberation Army soldier holds a motor shell while standing next to a cache of mortar shells found at a Myanmar military outpost, May 7. (AP/PTI)

Video provided to The Associated Press showed KNLA soldiers on Friday inside the U Thu Hta base -– a group of wooden buildings and trenches cut into a forest -– inspecting mortar shells left behind by the government military.

The camp is close to the Salween River, which marks the border with Thailand.

“Yesterday our troops fired a few shots and today when we approached there was no one there, so we just entered,” KNLA Maj. Gen. Ner Dah Mya said by phone Friday.

Fighting between the guerrillas and the Myanmar army has been increasing since last year but escalated after the military’s seizure of power.

The Karen National Union has been fighting for greater autonomy for the region for decades.

It has denounced the February coup and given shelter to opposition supporters evading arrest. As well as confronting the army on the battlefield, the KNLA has reportedly been training hundreds of

K-945

BA N G KO K , M AY 7 (AP): Guerrilla soldiers from Myanmar’s Karen ethnic minority burned down a government military outpost on Friday after capturing it without a fight when its garrison fled, a senior Karen officer said.

The position is approximately 15 kilometers (nine miles) from a larger camp that the Karen National Liberation Army stormed and burned 10 days earlier.

The KNLA is the armed wing of the Karen National Union, the main political organization representing the Karen minority, whose homeland is in eastern Myanmar.

The Karen and the Kachin in northern Myanmar are the two major ethnic armed organizations that have allied themselves with the movement against the junta that took power in Myanmar after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February.

The role of the ethnic fighting groups has become more important as

UK Conservatives win oppn-held seat

Dp-2360

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021

oFFICE oF tHE

OLD RISETHSI VILLAGE COUNCIL

FELICITATION

P.o & dIst. KIPHIRE-798611 : NagalaNd

“Good things happen to people who wait, but better things happen to those who labour, go out and get them”

K Y M C

We the Old Risethsi Village Council would like to acknowledge Shri. Kashiho Sangtam, Hon'ble Minister, Soil and Water Conservation, Geology and Mining for assisting to construct new road connection between Old Risethsi Village to Yingshükur Village under your dynamic leadership and guidance fulfilled the long awaited dreams. Your concern towards our people would not go in vain but will remain ever grateful to your leadership even in the days to come.

Dp-2359

Dp-2363

Dp-2355

Mr. Medo Linyu Mr. Thejaselhou Kire With immense pride and joy, The Kuda Kewhimia Youth Organisation (KKYO) takes this opportunity to convey our heartiest congratulations to its following members for bringing laurels to the organisation.

1. Mr. Medo Linyu, S/o K. Linyu for securing the post of State Project Officer (Livelihood), Government of Nagaland, MGNREGA Commissionerate of Nagaland.

2. Mr. Thejaselhou Kire, S/o Vitsothie Kire for securing the post of Secretariat assistant, under Personal and Administrative Reforms Department, NPSC. The organisation further prays and wishes them success in all their future endeavours.

Melvin Solo, President David Noel Kire, Info. & Publicity Secy

APPRECIATION

(Tsitongse) Hd.GB, Old Risethsi Village

(Seliba) Chairman, Old Risethsi Village Council.

K Y M C

8

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Saturday, May 8, 2021

Man Utd into EL final; Arsenal lose to Villareal

ROME, MAY 7 (IANS): Manchester United lost 2-3 to Roma in second leg of the semi-final of Europa League but cruised through to the final on the basis of an 8-5 aggregate victory.

But it will not be Premier League rivals Arsenal they meet in Poland’s Gdansk on May 26, rather Spaniards Villarreal, who are in a first major final after a goalless second leg in London, DPA reports.

The Yellow Submarine, as Villarreal are known, gained revenge for their 2006 Champions League semi-final loss to Arsenal with a 2-1 aggregate triumph while United dominated Roma 8-5.

Manchester United’s entry to the final means the club could claim both of the major European titles this year as neighbours Manchester City face Chelsea in the Champions League final three days later.

Only the city of Milan has managed this feat, when AC Milan won the Champions League and Inter Milan

Manchester United players celebrate after scoring against Roma during Europa League semi-final match.

the UEFA Cup in 1994.

United survived an early scare when their former player Henrikh Mkhitaryan headed wide but Edinson Cavani, with his third chance in the game, smashed in the 39th minute opener to settle their nerves.

He had previously lobbed onto the bar and had a shot saved by keeper

Antonio Mirante.And it was Cavani’s simple header from Bruno Fernandes’ cross midway through the second half which ultimately put the tie beyond doubt.

“It’s a great achievement,” United captain Harry Maguire told BT Sport.

“Obviously we didn’t win the game tonight which is disappointing but we did the hard work in the first

leg.” Roma, who will be coached by former United boss Jose Mourinho next season, deservedly levelled when Edin Dzeko headed in from close range and soon after Bryan Cristante fired in on the hour.

United keeper David de Gea, recalled for Europa League fixtures, made some impressive saves from Pedro and Mkhitaryan when

a third goal could have sparked a comeback.

Teenager Nicola Zalewski did grab the winner on the night but his deflected debut goal offered only late consolation.

“We had some great European nights this season with some big wins,” Cristante told UEFA.com. “It’s a pity for that second half in Manchester.”

“Tonight we still had a few goals to score but we exit the competition with our heads held high.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had lost his previous four semi-finals as United manager but could finally taste victory. Villarreal also ended a last four hoodoo as they had lost all five of their previous semi-finals in various competitions.

Coach Unai Emery, a former Arsenal manager, won three Europa Leagues with Sevilla and is on the brink of glory once more.

“Villarreal have missed out on so many semi-final chances to reach the final but now, finally, we’ve done

it,” said defender Pau Torres. “It’s time to enjoy right now but immediately important to prepare the final really well because that’s a historic opportunity.”

They almost repeated their early goal from the first leg but keeper Bernd Leno saved well from Samuel Chukwueze, who was later carried off injured.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the post in the first half for Arsenal with a curling shot and headed onto the woodwork with his last involvement before being substituted 10 minutes from time due to lingering effect of a malaria infection.

But Villarreal held on to claim a historic date with United later this month and Arsenal -- a lowly ninth domestically -- face a bitterly disappointing conclusion to the campaign.

“We are devastated, really disappointed but we have to congratulate Villarreal on reaching the final,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

David Villa joins Odisha FC as technical coach

David Villa

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 7 (IANS): Indian Super League (ISL) side Odisha FC have brought on board Spanish football legend David Villa to advise the club’s coaching staff and guide the senior and youth players.

A statement from the club said, “Odisha FC is glad to announce its association with football legend David Villa, who has joined the club’s Football Committee, and will head the global football opera-

tions of the club.”

The 39-year-old, regarded as one of the best Spanish strikers of all time, will be assisted by a dedicated team called DV7 (David Villa 7), which will have, among others, the former Odisha FC head coach Josep Gombau and Victor Onate.

“I will try to bring my experience. Obviously, I didn’t play in India but I played soccer for 20 years as a professional and before that in the academy. And, in all of the projects that we (the team) are involved in, I’ll try to give all of my experience that I have in soccer,” said Villa after joining Odisha FC. Villa was a part of the Spanish team that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2008 European Championship in Austria-Switzerland. He was also an integral part of Spanish giants Barcelona FC, who won the La Liga and the Champions League.

BCCI names India squad for World Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal, win Laureus World Sports Awards Test C’hip final against New Zealand

Photo for representation.

M U M B A I , M AY 7 (AGENCIES): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 20-member India squad for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. India will lock horns against New Zealand in the World Test Championship final to be played at Southampton from June 18-22.

The 20-member squad marks the return of star allrounder Ravindra Jadeja and batsman HanumaVi-

hari. Mohammed Shami is also set return to action for India. Meanwhile, Opener Prithvi Shaw failed to book a berth in the 20-member squad.

Spinner Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Navdeep Saini have also been left out of India’s Test squad.

“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked the Indian squad for the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final and the five-match Test series against Eng-

land,” the BCCI said in a statement.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul, who recently underwent a surgery after being diagnosed with appendicitis, and WriddhimanSaha, who is infected with COVID-19 during the recently-suspended IPL, have been included subject to their fitness clearance.

India Test squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, CheteshwarPujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), HanumaVihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, JaspritBumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to fitness clearance), WriddhimanSaha (wicket-keeper; subject to fitness clearance).

L O N D O N, M AY 7 (AGENCIES): Japan’s Naomi Osaka has been named Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards, with fellow tennis player Rafael Nadal the men’s winner.

Osaka won the US Open in 2020, while Spaniard Nadal equalled Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam men’s titles by winning last year’s French Open.

German football champions Bayern Munich, who won last season’s Champions League, were named Team of the Year.

Tennis legend Billie

Jean King received the Lifetime Achievement award.

Laureus cited the “powerful statement” made

by Osaka at the US Open, where in each round she came on to court wearing a face mask bearing the name of a different AfricanAmerican victim of alleged police or racist violence.

“Regarding my activism on the court, I think it is important to use my voice, because for me I feel like I often hold back a lot and worry about what people think of me, but you know if you have a platform it is very important you use it,”

Laureus award winners: World Sportswoman of the Year Award : Naomi Osaka World Sportsman of the Year Award : Rafael Nadal World Team of the Year Award : Bayern Munich World Breakthrough of the Year Award : Patrick Mahomes World Comeback of the Year Award : Max Parrot Sport for Good Award : Kickformore by Kickfair Lifetime Achievement Award : Billie Jean King Athlete Advocate of the Year Award : Lewis Hamilton Sporting Inspiration Award : Mohamed Salah Sporting Moment of the Year Award : Chris Nikic

Saina, Srikanth’s hope takes hit as Malaysian Open postponed NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (PTI): The Malaysia Open Super 750 tournament, one of badminton’s last two Olympic qualifying events, was on Friday postponed due to a recent COVID-19 surge in the host country, dealing a severe blow to the qualification hopes of India’s Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth.

The USD 600,000 event was scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur from May 25 to 30.

“All attempts were made by the organisers and BWF to provide a safe tournament environment for all participants, but the recent surge in cases left no choice but to postpone the tournament,” Badminton World Federation said in a statement.

“BWF can confirm the rescheduled tournament will no longer take place

Kidambi Srikanth and Saina Nehwal

in the Olympic qualifying window. New tournament dates will be confirmed at a later date.”

The decision came as a huge setback for London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina and men’s star Srikanth in their bid for Olympic qualification.

Following the postponement of the India Open (May 11-16), Saina

and Srikanth’s qualification for the Tokyo Games hinged on the Kuala Lumpur event followed by the Singapore Open (June 1-6).

In light of the new development, Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Friday reached out to the world body, seeking clarity on the qualification scenario for its shuttlers.

“It’s really unfortunate

that the crucial qualifier had to be postponed in this way but that is the time we live in now,” BAI General Secretary Ajay Singhania said in a statement.

“Though four of our players have already qualified and there are few more including Saina and Srikanth who can still make it.

I have reached out to BWF Secretary Thomas Lund asking for clarity on the future course of action.”

With Singapore suspending all flights from COVID-ravaged India, it will be a difficult task for the Indian players, including Saina and Srikanth, to travel to the country for the last qualifier.

BAI had earlier said that as per the laid-out guidelines, for any Indian to enter Singapore, they have to either be in quarantine in a foreign country

other than India for 14 days to be allowed to enter Singapore.

“Alternatively all players have to maintain a 21 days quarantine in Singapore.”

BAI said it is in touch with the Singapore Badminton Association and is trying to find a best possible way regarding the mandatory 21-day quarantine rule.

“We will do whatever best possible can be done to find a better way out so that the shuttlers get the chance to secure the Olympic berths if there is any scope and opportunity,” Singhania said.

Indian shuttlers who have already made the cut for the Olympics include PV Sindhu, B Sai Praneeth and the men’s doubles pairing of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.

Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka

said Osaka, who won the Breakthrough of the Year award in 2019. “My main hopes for the future would be just to have helped or impacted as many people as I could and, hopefully be a better person.”

Briton Lewis Hamilton claimed the inaugural Athlete Advocate award, which has been brought in

to acknowledge the wider impact on society made by athletes. During the 2020 Formula 1 season, Hamilton took a knee on the grid and wore anti-racism slogans as he won a record-equalling seventh drivers’ title, while his Mercedes team also adopted a black livery for the campaign in a stand against discrimination.

Liverpool and Egypt striker Mohamed Salah won the Sporting Inspiration award for “his unique contribution over many years to those in need and for those less fortunate”. Nadal’s win was his fourth Laureus award, having previously won the Breakthrough, Comeback and main men’s awards.

Malik earns Olympic quota in men’s 125kg freestyle wrestling

Sumit Malik

SOFIA (BULGARIA), MAY 7 (IANS): India’s Sumit Malik has won the Olympic quota place in the men’s 125kg freestyle wrestling event by reaching the final of the World Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament here.

Malik beat Jose Daniel Diaz of Venezuela 5-0 to set up the title clash with Russia’s Sergei Kozyrev.

Finalists in each of the weight categories in this tournament are eligible to win a quota place for the Tokyo Olympics.

In his first qualification round, Malik beat Aiaal Lazarev of Kyrgyzstan 2-2 while in his second round he defeated Alexandr Romanov of Moldovan 2-2. In the quarterfinals, he outclassed Rustam Iskandari of Tajikistan 19-5.

Malik is the fourth Indian freestyle wrestler to have won the Olympic quota place in the men’s category.

Ravi Dahiya (57 kg), Bajrang Punia (65 kg), Deepak Punia (86 kg) are the other three wrestlers to have won tickets to Tokyo Olympics from the 2019 Olympic qualification cycle.

On Friday, three Indian women will compete with an eye on the Olympic quota.

Eng county clubs express interest to host IPL Fifth edition of Abu Dhabi T10 to begin on November 19

L O N D O N , M AY 7 (IANS): England’s county cricket clubs have reportedly offered to host the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL).

The tournament, which was being held amid the raging second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India, was postponed earlier this week after multiple positive cases of the coronavirus came up in the tournament’s bio-bubble.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Surrey and Warwickshire, who

are based at Lord’s, The Kia Oval (both London) and Edgbaston (Birmingham), respectively are understood to be part of the group who wrote to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) inviting them to extend the opportunity to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), according to ESPNCricinfo.

The plans would see the tournament completed in around two weeks in the second half of September.

While Lancashire is not one of the signatories

in the letter, their home ground Old Trafford in Manchester could be used as one of the stadiums for the tournament should it be held in England.

However, the ECB has received no request from the BCCI to host the tournament.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly said on Wednesday that it remains too early to plan for the tournament to be held at a new venue at a later date.

ABU DHABI, MAY 7 (IANS): The fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 cricket tournament will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium from November 19 till December 4 this year.

The tournament, jointly sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Emirates Cricket Board, will feature an increased number of matches played over 15 days, as against 10 in the previous seasons.

Launched in 2017, the

Abu Dhabi T10 is played in a round-robin format followed by the eliminators and the final. “By bringing T10 to the UAE capital we have made Abu Dhabi the home of this truly exciting cricketing format, the potential of which is now reaching ever-growing audiences of 144.2 million worldwide with 800 million video views on social media during Season 4,” said Aref Al Awani, general secretary, Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

“It is a matter of pride

that a journey that started in 2017 with just four teams has now reached a stage where the tournament has become an important part of the world’s cricketing calendar,” said Shaji Ul Mulk, chairman, Ten Sports Management (TSM), which owns the League. The fourth edition in Jan-Feb this year was safely delivered against a background of strict Covid19 prevention protocols and gained a global TV audience of 63.9 million, a 79.67% year-on-year increase.

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