April 12, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 125

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

KKR begin with 10-run win over SRH in IPL

Follow us on @Nagaland_Post

sports, Page 12

‘Suspicious’ blackout at Iran nuclear site

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

international, Page 9

NMSA for recruitment of medical India records over 1.5L fresh Covid cases graduates through open NPSC exam

NEW DELHI, APR 11 (PTI): The active COVID19 cases in India breached the 11 lakh-mark for the first time after a record high of 1,52,879 new infections, threatening to stretch the health infrastructure to the brink, while a massive vaccination push, dubbed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the beginning of another major war against coronavirus, was launched on Sunday.

T h e a c t ive c a s e l oad was at its highest at 10,17,754 on September 18, 2020 and had dipped to 1,35,926 on February 12, 2021, before rising again.

Five states-- Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala-cumulatively account for 70.82 percent of India’s active COVID-19 cases, while Maharashtra alone accounts for 48.57 percent, the Union Health Ministry said.

Amid an unprecedented burden on health infrastructure in 15 states and

Consultative meet on RIIN on Apr 16 DIMAPUR, APR 11 (NPN): The State government, through the Home department, has called convened a consultative meeting with all the tribal hohos and organizations “on the proper modalities and systems to achieve the objective of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) in the State,” a DIPR report stated. The meeting is scheduled to be held on April 16 at 10 a.m. at Nagaland Civil Secretariat conference hall, Kohima, where chief minister, deputy CM, ministers and advisors, along with the chief secretary, commissioner Nagaland, and all deputy commissioners will be present.

In this regard, the presidents of following organizations have been requested to attend the meeting with one representative-- Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Chakhesang Public Organization, Chang Khulei Setsang, Kachari Tribal Council Nagaland, Karbi (Mikir) Union, Nagaland, Konyak Union, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Kuki Inpi Nagaland, Lotha Hoho, Nagaland Garo Tribal Council, Phom Peoples’ Council, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sumi Hoho, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, Yimchunger Tribal Council, Zeliang People Organization while Central Nagaland Tribes Council, Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization and Tenyimi Peoples’ Organization have been invited with two representatives each.

This is it!

“We’re back to where we started. Last year work halted due to covid. Then state elections.”

K Y M C

According to a PTI tally, the total cases had climbed to 1,35,09,746

by Sunday night, with 11,89,238 active cases.

Among the states displaying an upward graph in daily new cases were Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

Most of the such states have reimposed restrictions, including the closure of schools, night curfew, weekend and local shutdowns, while ruling out a total lockdown.

But as the latest wave of patients continues to flood hospitals, there are some signs of a rethink.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal have said that a lockdown will be the only option if the infections don’t abate and the health system shows signs of collapsing.

With India having

Active cases breach 11 lakh-mark for first time Delhi, which are witnessing an upward trajectory, authorities have started reserving more hospitals for COVID patients and taking steps to address any shortage of medical supplies, besides enhancing curbs on the movement of people.

The Central government also announced a ban on export of Remdesivir, used in coronavirus treatment, and its Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

It also asked all domestic manufacturers to display

on their website details of their stockists and distributors.

India’s COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 1,33,58,805, and the death toll increased to 1,69,275 with 839 daily new fatalities, the highest since October 18, 2020, the data updated by Health Ministry on Sunday morning showed.

The total active caseload has increased to 11,08,087 and it now comprises 8.29 per cent of the country’s total infections.

all three coronavirus fastspreading variants that are worrying the global medical community-- B117, first detected in the UK; B1351, now dominant in South Africa; and Brazil’s P1.

And now a “doublemutant” variant found in India, it has added to highest single-day COVID spikes across the country since January this year.

Meanwhile, as per report made available at 11.30 p.m. Sunday, India’s fresh Covid cases rose to 1,69,899, marking the biggest single-day spike since the beginning of the pandemic last year.

As many as 904 deaths were also recorded on the day. This is the second straight day the country reported more than 1.5 lakh new cases.

The figures do not include cases and deaths from Ladakh. The data are sourced from covid19india. org, an independent aggregator of daily COVID-19 figures.

DIMAPUR, APR 11 (NPN): Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) has expressed sadness over the imbroglio caused by the strife between Nagaland In-service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) and the State Government and appealed to the warring parties for an amicable solution in the best interest of general public so as not to cause any hindrance in providing healthcare services.

Further, underlining the importance of recruiting qualified and well-trained medical graduate doctors through open NPSC examination, NMSA president Kuveluzo Chizo and secretary Inolu K Yeputhomi in a statement also appealed to all right-thinking civil society organisations and the government to prevent any

dilution of the recruiting machinery by regularisation of contractual services, which it warned would lead to fall in the standards of healthcare services in the State.

NMSA applauded the State government’s “sincere efforts” in materialising the recent upgrading and creation of new posts in the health & family welfare (H&FW) department and for the mass recruitment held in 2020 to meet the shortage of health service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, to maintain the standard of medical profession, the association demanded that all appointments made contractually should be streamlined in batches by requisitioning those contractual posts to NPSC in the next five years

so that those currently holding contractual posts and the new medical graduates could have the equal opportunity to render service to public.

NMSA mentioned that every year at least 60 Naga MBBS doctors were produced across various medical colleges in the country and abroad, while at least another 300 students underwent MBBS course in various years.

So, with about 250-plus MBBS doctors vying for a handful of government medical officers’ posts when advertised through NPSC, it pointed out that there was no dearth of takers.

Hence, the association vouched for fair and equal opportunity for every medical graduate through competitive NPSC exam.

NIDA protest kept in abeyance till Apr 18

DIMAPUR, APR 11 (NPN): Nagaland In- and core committee on Superannuation held Service Association (NIDA) has decided to on Sunday at Naga Hospital Authority, Kokeep in abeyance the proposed mass casual hima, NIDA president Dr. E. Phyantsuthung leave for a period of seven days with effect and convenor NIDA core committee on from April 12 following a written appeal by superannuation Dr. Thorhusie Katiry stated chief secretary to withdraw the agitation, in a press note.

This decision was arrived at with the the town till further orders with an assurance to resolve the matter in a full conviction that the government will show for carrying out intensive fast tracked and amicable manner The decision was made during an utmost sincerity to bring about a logical concontact tracing to contain emergency meeting of the NIDA executives clusion to the issue, the signatories added. the spread of the virus.

In the order, the DC informed that the following houses were sealed-- H/No. 321, 246 (ABC), 225, 296 (Block 3),222 (A/B) and 340, all in Kumlong Ward, besides H/No. 54 in Mongtill the birth anniversary of senbai Ward.

Babasaheb Ambedkar on Stating that the conApril 14. tainment zone was mapped In his message, Modi and cordoned off, the order stressed urged the people to advised public and all conkeep four points in mind-cerned to follow all safety ‘each one-vaccinate one’, precautions to ensure public ‘each one-treat one’ and and personal safety in the ‘each one- save one’ while Sushil Chandra (File) proximity of the containalso calling upon the society ment Zone. and people to lead in creat- New Delhi, Apr 11 Failure to comply with ing “micro containment (PTI): Election Commisthe guideline would attract sioner (EC) Sushil Chandra zones”. penalisation under various is set to become the next He said that family sections of the Disaster Narendra Modi chief election commissioner, members and community Management Act, 2005, the sources said on Sunday. members should create “miEpidemic Disease Act, 1897 Spl. Correspondent Going by the convencro containment zone”, and relevant sections of the tion of appointing the seniorin case of even a single IPC, the order warned.

NEW DELHI, APR 11 positive case, adding that most EC as the CEC, the (NPN): Announcing the this was a key component government is learnt to have four-day countrywide ‘Tika of fight against Covid in a cleared his name for the top Utsav’ (vaccination festival) densely populated country post at Nirvachan Sadan. amidst rise in COVID-19 like India.

The order of his elevation ten days. Dr Reddy’s has cases in India, Prime MinisWhile emphasizing maybe issued anytime, the partnered with the Russia ter Narendra Modi on Sun- on the need for testing and sources said. Chandra will Direct Investment Fund day said that this will mark awareness, Modi asked that assume charge on April 13, (RDIF) to bring the Sput- the beginning of second big every eligible person should a day after incumbent Sunil nik V vaccine to India and war against Corona. get vaccinated. This should Arora demits office. other countries. The vaccine Modi also made several be the primary effort of both Chandra was appointed demonstrated an efficacy of suggestions to people on the society and the adminis- as an election commissioner 91.6 per cent as published in tackling the virus and urged tration, he said. on February 14, 2019 ahead reputed journal Lancet. them to focus on personal “We have to move to- of the Lok Sabha elections.

The data on trials is and social hygiene.

He would demit office wards zero vaccine wastage. currently with the Indian The Utsav launched Optimum utilization of vac- on May 14, 2022. Chandra regulator and the company on April 12, the birth an- cination capacity is a way was chairman of the Central expects it to get approved in niversary of Mahatma Jy- of increasing our capacity,” Board of Direct Taxes before otiba Phule, will continue Modi said. the next few weeks. he joined the poll panel.

5 new Covid cases; 2 deaths in Nagaland DIMAPUR/MOKOKCHUNG, APR 11 (NPN): Nagaland’s COVID-19 tally rose to 12,405 after five more persons tested positive for the infection while two new fatalities pushed the coronavirus death toll to 93 (10 not Covid related deaths), State Health department stated on Sunday.

The deaths were reported in Dimapur and Mokokchung, Health officials said.

A 74-year-old woman succumbed to COVID-19 at COVID-19 Hospital in Mokokchung Saturday evening. She is the fourth person to have lost her battle against COVID-19 from the district. Official sources from the Health & Family Welfare department disclosed that the deceased was first treated at a private hospital where she was found COVIDpositive and was immedi-

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON april 11, 2021 ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsympCritical-ICU District tomMod- Se- With- With On atic Mild erate vere out Oxy- VentiOxygen gen lator Dimapur 21 3 3 0 0 0 0 Kiphire 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kohima 129 0 0 0 0 0 0 Longleng 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mokokchung 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Phek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tuensang 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Death MiRecovunder Total Death gratered InvestiCases ed gation 6346 40 3843 10 184 594 506 47 248

63 1 21 0 4 2 0 0 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

81 0 49 9 8 9 1 0 1

6517 41 4041 19 197 605 507 47 250

2

39

Wokha

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

35

1

0

Zunheboto Total

0 151

0 3

0 3

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

139 11992

0 93

0 0

ately referred to the district COVID-19 Hospital.

The sources said she had diarrhoea and shortness of breath when she was admitted to the hospital and later died due to the viral infection on Saturday evening.

The victim’s daughter, who has a travel history (from Delhi), is also admitted at

3 142 163 12405

the hospital and the family members have been kept in isolation, the sources added.

Houses sealed, containment zone: Meanwhile, following the death of the woman, deputy commissioner (DC) Mokokchung Limawabang Jamir ordered sealing of seven houses in

‘Each one, protect one’: PM launches four-day ‘Tika Utsav’

Sushil Chandra to be next CEC

India to get 5 more Covid vaccines by Oct: Report NEW DELHI, APR 11 (ANI): In a big relief amidst covid-19 vaccine shortage across the states, India likely to recieve Covid-19 vaccines from five additional manufacturers, ANI has reported, citing top government sources.

India is currently using Serum Institute’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for restricted emergency use. “We can expect five

more vaccines by Q3 2021.

These vaccines are Sputnik V vaccine (in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s), Johnson & Johnson vaccine (in collaboration with Biological E), Novavax vaccine (in collaboration with Serum India), Zydus Cadila’s vaccine, and Bharat Biotech’s Intranasal Vaccine,” the sources told ANI. “Sputnik is expected to be available latest by June,

if all goes well Johnson and Johnson ( Bio E) will be available by August, Cadilla Zydus will also be available by August, Novavex (Serum) by September and Nasal Vaccine (Bharat) by October,” ANI reported.

Out of 20 vaccines in various clinical and preclinical stages, Sputnik V vaccine would receive approval first; within the next

YAA decries state govt’s alleged discrimination UZYF announces indefinite closure DIMAPUR, APR 11 (NPN): Yimchungrü Akherü Arihako (YAA) has warned that it will enforce the “No work. No Pay” against irregularity within its jurisdiction while expressing strong resentment against the alleged lackadaisical and stepmotherly treatment made in the recent transfer and posting of IAS/NCS officers.

YAA vice-president Hopong Kius and general secretary Donan S Yimchunger in a release mentioned that no administrative officer was posted to Mangko Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Headquarters, while Chessore SDO (Civil) had been “inconspicuously” transferred out within two days

after taking over charge.

Yimchungrü Akherü Arihako termed it as “nothing short of discrimination” when no substitute officer was posted after the recent transfer.

YAA said Shamator EAC, who was transferred, was temporarily holding charge of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) office but no replacement was made to take charge till date.

The student body declared that it will not the incumbent to be transferred until the State government provided a replacement.

Further, YAA said added to the discrimination, the government came out with numerous

notifications and in particular, notification (No. PAR – 4/6 , 2020, dated Kohima, the 12th march, 2021), which directed officers to take charge before March 19, 2021 when no ADC was yet posted at Shamator.

It said the government was not serious about its notifications or that the officers did not care about the notifications at all. YAA said public of the sub-division were facing immense hardships for their office-related works on account of non-availability of administrative officers.

In view of the daily hardships faced by public due to nonavailability of administrative officers, YAA has appealed to

the government to address the issue at the earliest.

YAA also warned that in the event of any delay in posting the officers, the State government would be held solely responsible for any issue pertaining to law and order situation or otherwise.

YAA also said its Federal Assembly reaffirmed to check irregularity of all government employees serving within its jurisdiction and enforce “No work, no pay” and also inspect all government offices/institutions uninformed.

It warned of taking appropriate action as deemed fit against those found absent from work.

of govt offices, activities in Peren

DIMAPUR, APR 11 (NPN): United Zeliangrong Youth Federation (UZYF) on Sunday announced an indefinite closure of all State government offices, movement of government vehicles and all government activities in Peren district from April 13 in protest against the government’s failure to fulfil its demand to book the culprits responsible for the killing of three persons on March 22.

A decision to this effect was taken at the executive meeting of the United Zeliangrong Youth Federation held on Sunday following expiry of the 10-day ultimatum it had served on

the government in this regard earlier.

However, all business establishments, movement of paramilitary forces and police, educational institutions and medical services have been exempted from the purview of the strike.

Warning that defaulters would be strictly dealt with without prior caution, the youth front also informed and appealed to all civil society organisations of Peren district and the State to cooperate in its initiatives to assert the right to act with strong resentment over the apathy and indifferent attitude of the government, UZYF media cell stated.

K Y M C

2

Tongpang inaugurates inter village link roads

Tongpang Ozukum with village council’s members of Chakpa village and Yaongyimti (New) at the inauguration of Inter village link road.

DIMAPUR: Minister of Mechanical and Housing (PWD) Tongpang Ozukum inaugurated two inter village link road in Mokokchung on April 10.

In a press release press secretary to the minister, stated that Ozukum after inaugurating the link road between Chakpa and Yaongyimti (New) village, asserted that the newly constructed link road should be labelled as “friendship road” as it will strengthen the bond between the two villages closer.

He also assured to provide further assistance

for maintenance of the road.

Yaongyimti (New) village council chairman, Suponglemba thanked the minister for fulfilling the dreams of the two villages by constructing the link road.

He said that with the construction of the link road, it will now take only nine minutes to reach Chakpa village.

Chakpa village council chairman, Imkonglemba also thanked the minister for coming forward and personally overseeing the construction of the link

NSF to elect new team on Apr 30

DIMAPUR: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has informed that the federation will be holding the general election for new team of office bearers for the tenure 2021-23 at the Conference Hall, Ukhrul (Manipur) on April 30 at 2 p.m.

Informing this in a statement, NSF election committee chairman, K. Elu Ndang said that the election commission notify

Model Code of Conduct and will be issuing directives and guidelines to ensure free and fair election and for smooth conduct of the election. Non-compliance may invite penalty, Ndang added.

He further informed that the election shall be conducted only for the posts notified by the Election Commission for the tenure 2021-2023.

road.

Later, the minister, who is on a week-long constituency tour also inaugurated the renovation of seven kilometers inter village link road between Yaongyimti (Old) and Salulamang village.

It may be noted that with the construction of the road, the distance has been shortened for the citizens of Phangsang to reach Chuchuyimlang EAC circle office.

Besides this, the link road will also serve as a boon for the villagers of Yaongyimti (Old).

state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

Kitovi, GPRN/NSCN condole DIMAPUR: Convener WC of NNPGs, N. Kitovi Zhimomi on behalf of the GPRN/NSCN rank and file, has extended condolences for Mrs. Sane and her children, the family of Vehushu Medeo, vice president Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), who passed away on April 10.

In a condolence note, Kitovi said that late Medeo “loved Nagaland from the core of his heart.

He was a nationalist, a patriot for his people and nation”.

The convenor said that late Medeo was a leader with integrity and deep sense of justice in his understanding of social and political matters.

He also said that as a proactive Chakhesang leader, late Medeo offered his positive advice to WC, NNPGs which were collectively studied, inserted in

negotiations with the government of India and has now reflected in the IndoNaga status paper.

The convenor further prayed that Almighty’s grace comfort the family at this hour and the departed soul to rest in peace.

Meanwhile, GPRN/ NSCN Chakhesang region has also expressed grief on the untimely demise of Vehushu Medeo, vice president of CPO. In a condolence note, MIP of GPRN/NSCN stated that late Medeo was “always prepared to advice and correct the Chakhesang national workers”, who had a strong devotion to serve the people to the best of his ability.

He represented Chakhesang tribe in many important gatherings and boldly spoken in the interest of the Chakhesang people in particular and Nagas in general, the MIP stated.

DC Mon on COVID protocols

DIMAPUR: DC Mon, Thavaseelan K has issued a directive to the following Magistrates to oversee the enforcement of Covid-19 protocols, especially mandatory wearing of masks in public places. As per the notification, EAC M Khenpa has been entrusted at New Site Junction; EAC, Chubasanen Ozukum at Cultural Office Junction; SDO (C) Lithrila Sangtam at Bazaar and Super Market Area; SDO (C) Ilika Zhimomi at Private Station Area; EAC Rumbemo Kithan at NST junction and EAC Molosangla Ozukum at Longwa junction.

Further, DC cautioned that violation and noncompliance will be penalized as per the aforementioned directive.

news in Brief TPDU community fishing: Tsungiki-Philimi Doyang Union (TPDU) has informed that the community fishing would be held on April 13. The union in a press release stated that owing to the pandemic, invitation has not been extended to any person from urban areas. It therefore, appealed for cooperation from all concerned in this regard.

KIN elects new team: Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) during its general assembly has elected new office bearers for the term 2021-2024 with L Singsit as president, Seijalam and Paotinlun Sitlhou as vice presidents, Thangkhokai Gangte as general secretary, Lamminlal Thangsing, Paotinsei Khongsai as joint secretariesand Dr. Denis Hangsing as Speaker, Jampao Kilong as custom and culture secretary, Sehlun Chongloi as finance secretary cum treasurer and Lallenmang Singson as secretary media cell.

NCC UC organises beautification prog: National Cadet Corps (SW) Unity College, Dimapur on April 10 organised a “beautification programme” under the theme, “Rejuvenating Neighbourhoods and Communities through Parks”.

UCTM gate inaugurated: The newly constructed gate of the United College of Theology and Missions (UCTM)was inaugurated on April 10 by Isaac Zhimomi, Class-I contractor, NPWD.

Inferno razes house in Longleng Correspondent Longleng, Apr 11 (NPN): In an unfortunate fire incident, an old wooden building with three rooms, attached with the building was gutted in a ravaging fire at Shamkang ward below daily market in Longleng on April 10.

Reportedly the inferno broke out at around 8:30 pm from one of the room when the occupant of the house was in the kitchen preparing a meal. It is suspected that fire started from the candle which was left unattended. Luckily during the time of incident there

NLA speaker exhorts Ao community

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker, Sharingain Longkumer has reminded the Ao community that it was in need of a socio-economic and political revival in order to be at par with others and to ensure that the future remains bright and hopeful for the younger generation.

He said this while addressing Kohima Ao Union (Kohima Aor Telongjem) annual general meeting at Molu Ki, Kohima on April 10, DIPR report stated.

He recalled how the Ao community in the past has been the torchbearers and leaders in various fields and has always been at the forefront by setting an exemplary example for others to follow.

He therefore called upon the gathering to retrospect on their achievements Assam Rifles, Mokokchung battalion, donated essential and make a careful study office equipment to Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK), Women Organisation of Aboi Town, Mon district of the present scenario and assess what changes need on April 9.

The house seen engulfed by the fire in Longleng. (NP)

was no electricity in entire Longleng district to damage in main supply line.

There was no report of any casualty or injury

caused by the inferno however, properties worth several lakhs were destroyed in the fire. It took three hours to contain the fire.

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY

of our beloved LATE P. LUNGPHI PHOM

Born on : 25.10.1965 – Died on : 13.04.2020 One year has passed since you left us time flies fast, but you will never be forgotten, that simply cannot be your light will always shine.

“Death may have taken you away from us, but our life’s Hero you’ll forever be” Miss you PAPA Loving Wife, Children, Grandchildren and relatives DP-1907

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR BELOVED DEAR MOTHER

Sharingain Longkumer addressing the members of Kohima Ao Union. (DIPR)

to be adopted and work together towards uplifting the society.

He concluded by saying that as a community, one must go back to their roots and bring about reforms in

various sectors from within oneself to ensure that the community moves forward in the right direction and at the right pace.

Earlier president, Kohima Ao Union, Chiden

Yaden delivered the welcome address and with his tenure as president coming to an end, Chubalepzuk Ao was elected as the new president of Kohima Ao Union.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LT. MRS. TIAMONGLA LONGCHAR DIED: 12TH APRIL, 2019 Ama! It’s been two years since you left us. It is difficult to explain the unimaginable hollowness and excruciating pain we are experienceing every day. The beautiful memories and the Lord’s Prayer which you have lived by, through your time on earth will always be cherished.

We Miss You Always AMA. MKC-108

Loving Husband & Children

Born on: 25-02-1948 Died on: 03-04-2021 “I have made a good fight, I have come to the end of my journey, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7 We, the bereaved family members of Late Thsavini Wotsa, wishes to acknowledge the many expression of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss.

We offer our heartfelt gratitude to many churches, doctors & nurses, villages, various organizations, blood donors and every individual who stood by us physically, emotionally, financially and specially in prayers during our difficult time.

We regret our inability to thank each and everyone personally but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God blesses you all abundantly.

Loving Children, In-laws, Grand Children, & Relatives.

DP-1908

K Y M C

K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q . : Should there be a lockdown in the face of the second COVID wave?

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

A B C

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

Foundation stone laid 32nd ACYA convention concludes for ‘Platinum College’ Correspondent

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

70% 30% 00%

Next poll

Q: A r e r i s i n g p r i c e s

reflected in the nation’s projected economic recovery?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST April 12

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Very hot hazy sunshine

39 22

Aizawl

Mostly sunny and very warm 33 17

Guwahati Hazy sunshine and hot

36 19

Hazy sunshine and very hot

34 14

Itanagar Sunshine and patchy clouds

30 18

Imphal Shillong

Mostly sunny and nice

26 14

Kohima

Hazy with a t-storm in spots

28 15

Dimapur A t-storm around in the p.m

35 20

Sunshine and some clouds

30 15

Tuensang Partly sunny and pleasant

22 12

Partly sunny and pleasant

29 19

Mkg Wokha

Zunheboto Hazy sunshine

27 13

3

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

Jacob Zhimomi, WSBAK officials and others after laying the foundation stone.

DIMAPUR: To commemorate its 75th Platinum Jubilee, Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (WSBAK) has decided to open a college christened as “Platinum College” under the theme “Posterity”.

The foundation stone for the said college was laid by minister of PHED, Jacob Zhimomi on April 10, at WSBAK resource center, Nihokhu village.

On the occasion, the minister also planted a black rubber tree sapling at the college site.

In his speech, Jacob said completion of 75 years by a Church was a big achievement and lauded the WSBAK for their com-

mendable work for the future generation.

Terming education as the best investment, he said that the best gift for the future generation was education.

The minister further encouraged the gathering to focus on community development and encouraged the leaders and elders to lead an exemplary life so that youngsters can emulate from them.

The ceremony was attended by Western Sümi Hoho, Western Sümii Kukami Hoho, Western Sümi Totimi Hoho and other apex bodies including pastors, deacons of 170 churches under WSBAK.

WSBAK executive secretary Rev. Dr. Phughoto Sema, said that WSBAK wanted to establish the college in commemoration of Platinum Jubilee which will be celebrated in 2022. He mentioned that the establishment will be solely carried out by prayers, contribution and support of 170 churches under WSBAK. He mentioned that before the Platinum Jubilee celebration which would be held on December 2022, the WSBAK has plans to complete at least five buildings including one administrative building, boys and girls hostel each, one dining hall and one church building.

K o h ima , A P R 1 1 (NPN): The 32nd Angami Catholic Youth Association (ACYA) convention which began on Friday concluded on Sunday at NAPO conference hall, Chiephobozou with Bishop of Kohima, Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, celebrating the holy Eucharist.

In his sermon, the Bishop hoped that the gathering of the Angami catholic youths from 59 villages should not simply be a social gathering rather it should be a “school of Christian discipleship by community celebration of faith”.

Citing from the bible, he urged the youth not to separate themselves from the Christian fellowship.

“Great things happen to us within the fellowship of Christ’s church, which will not happen when we are alone,” he said.

He added that the resurrection of Christ had brought the apostles together into one community of fellowship which gave a new life, a new relationship with God and one another.

On that note, the Bishop urged the youth to open up and accept a new set of values, relationships

Rev. Dr. James, priests along with newly elected and outgoing ACYA office bearers and central executive of ACYA on Sunday. (NP)

and readiness to give rather than have the determination to grab.

“Church is the body of Christ, and as the body of Christ, we must also become mercy personified,” the Bishop added.

The celebration of the holy mass concluded with blessing of the newly elected ACYA team which would be led by Kelhouzasie Lawrence as its president.

During the valedictory session, Lawrence assured that the new team of

office bearers would work in unity and give its best for the community.

Meanwhile, outgoing president Zeneikho-o Benedict expressed happiness and also exuded confidence that the new team would lead association to greater heights.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the host village St Dominic Savio Church Chiephobozou, and all who contributed to the success of the convention.

He disclosed that the

next ACYA convention will be held at St. Maria Goretti church SechüZubza.

The three-day long 32nd ACYA convention concluded with the handing over of the ACYA flag to Western ACYA president Seyiekhotuo Silvanus

by Chiephobozou Catholic Youth Association president Patrick Kiewhuo.

It may be mentioned that the 50 years celebration of the ACYA would coincide with the 33rd ACYA convention.

High Court judge inaugurates ‘Legal Aid Clinic’

DIMAPUR: Gauhati High Court, Kohima bench judge, justice Songkhupchung Serto inaugurated a “Legal Aid Clinic” at Oriental Theological College, Yangli, Tuensang on April 10.

Serto, who is also an executive chairman, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority in his address noted that theological college should be a place where justice should be taught and the notion of justice should be spoken and disseminated to the public.

Dwelling on the notion of justice as surpassing the Court, the judge reminded the gathering on the importance and use of justice in With an objective to create awareness on nature preservation particularly the Bible numerous times the rhododendron flower/trees, a group of youth trekked Mt. Tiyi on April 10 and without which tranquilto clean the tourist spot as part of a social media campaign, “on a mission lity and peace were absent. clime, venture, clean Mt. Tiyi”.

He added that, law was

the grassroot level and also assist the beneficiaries avail the services of the DLSAs. He said that legal clinics established in far reaching and interior areas both rural and urban will cater to reach people at the grassroot.

Therefore, he encouraged the people of the area and surrounding areas to take ownership of the clinic and utilize the services.

The clinic will be opened for two days a week Justice Songkhupchung Serto inaugurating the and will be manned by a ‘Legal Aid Clinic’ on April 10.

ingrained in everyone for which it was the duty to protect, preserve and propagate the very essence of law.

He further encouraged the students to read the books available in the legal

Para Legal Volunteer.

Earlier, secretary Tuensang DLSA Kumdilong Kessen, gave an introduction and the programme was chaired by Retainer Lawyer, Tuensang DLSA, Antimangyang Chang. OTC students presented a special song.

The programme was also attended by principal secretary, Justice and Law department, Ramakhrishnan and secretary, Law & Justice department, Nino Iralu.

clinic and share the knowledge with the community.

Member secretary N Longshithung Ezung said that the legal services provide free legal aid, and awareness and education at

Sensitisation on biodiversity preservation

DIMAPUR: Advisor for horticulture and border affairs, Mhathung Yanthan has stressed on the importance of creating awareness and training citizens of Wokha district on biodiversity preservation as the land and its resources belonged to the people.

According to DIPR report, Yanthan, who is also the chairman of Wokha District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), was addressing the board members during its monthly meeting on April 9 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Wokha office.

Pointing out that the Biological Diversity Act 2002 has been implemented across the country including Nagaland, Yanthan said there was a need for Nagaland State Biodiversity

Board (NSBB) to ponder upon effective implementation of the Act so that it could benefit the people.

While thanking the board for visiting the district, he urged them to sensitise and train citizens of Wokha district on preservation of biodiversity.

“It is very important to educate the people as there is a great link between biodiversity and wellbeing of the people of the district,” said Mhathung.

The advisor also suggested converting “unused or unutilised” land located far away from the villages to community reserved forest. He said through such initiative the community could avail benefits from the Government of India and at the same time conserve the forest.

NSBB chairman, S.P. Trepathihighlighted on status of implementation of

Biological Diversity Act 2002 & Rules 2004 in Nagaland.

He said 133 villages under Wokha district was registered by the board as per its topography and vegetations.

Trepathi said the villages were selected to study on the secondary income they generate and that detailed project reports or state report was being prepared accordingly.

The meeting also discussed selection and implementation of Champang area being selected as the aspirational block for Wokha district; discussion was held with the banks operating within the district; upgradation of schools and other issues. Earlier, the DC and vice chairman Wokha DPDB, Orenthung Lotha welcomed the new members of the board.

Legal seminar on Uniform Civil Code

Members of KDLSA and ZPC along with the participants.

Dimapur: Kiphire District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) organised a legal seminar-cum- essay writing competition among the students in collaboration with Zisaji Presidency College Kiphire on April 10 at Zisaji Presidency College, Kiphire on the topic K Y M C

“Uniform Civil Code in Nagaland”.

In the programme, “Uniform Civil Code in Nagaland” was delivered

by CJM secretary KDLSA, Phuleto Yeptho.

He stated that Uniform Civil Code was meant for all section of the society irre-

spective of religion and shall be treated equally according to a National Civil Code, which shall be applicable to all uniformly.

He also cited an example of Goa Civil Code where Goa is the only state to have a UCC in the form of Common Family Law.

Asst. professor, HoD political science, Gagan Chandra Mishra spoke on “UCC- Retrospect and Introspect” to the congregation by highlighting that practically discrimination was still very strong in the present society by citing examples like marriage, adoption, caring of child etc.

He also stated some Articles like Article 14 of Indian Constitution, which provides equality before law, Article 2528 provides Right to freedom of Religion and in Cultural field”.

In the competition, the first prize was won by Chingkela (6th semester) while Lomathong (6th semester) and Tsise (6th semester) won the second and third prizes.

The winners were awarded with certificate and cash by DLSA, Kiphire. Around 170 participated in the seminar.

K Y M C

4

northeast

Attack on TIPRA chief: no case filed as yet

AGARTALA, APR 11 (AGENCIES): A day after the attack on Tipraha Indigenous Peoples Regional Alliance (TIPRA) chief and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma inside Mohanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) office in West Tripura, the state police is yet to register a case or arrest anyone, reports The Indian Express.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, Mohanpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kamal Bikash Majumder said the situation is under control in the area where a group of hooligans attacked the SDM office yesterday, allegedly targeting Pradyot Kishore, who was inside the premised at the time.

“We rushed to the area right when the incident started and brought the situation under control.

Everything is peaceful now.

The local administration has imposed restrictions on public movement under section 144 in the area”, the official informed.

However, SDPO Ma-

Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma. (File photo) jumder said claims made

by Pradyot Kishore that gunshots went off outside the SDM office yesterday during the alleged attack on him were ‘wrong’. “There were a few local miscreants who created disturbance yesterday. We are in the process of identifying them.

All culprits will be booked as per law”, the official said.

In the aftermath of last evening’s incident at the SDM office, the officer said there was some tension in the area as Pradyot Kishore’s supporters got ‘emotional’ due to rumour mongering that the royal

scion was injured in the attack on him.

After Debbarma came live on social media late evening, assured everyone of his good health and appealed people not to become violent, agitated people who gathered in the area went back home, he added.

Debbarma went live on his Facebook page on Friday afternoon showing what seemed like CCTV footage from the SDM office.

In his press briefing later, Debbarma said a group of miscreants entered the SDM office and started pelting stones and attacking TIPRA supporters. The miscre-

ants hugely outnumbered the police present on the spot, he said, while adding that Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Director General of Police (DGP) VS Yadav have enquired about his condition later, assured of strict and speedy action.

Debbarma, who resigned as state Congress president’s chair in 2019, floated his own political party this year and fielded candidates in 23 out of 28 seats of the tribal council polls which went to polls Tuesday. His ally, the Indigenous Peoples Party of Twipra (INPT), has fielded candidates in the remaining five seats. While the polls were held amidst scattered violence, Pradyot later expressed confidence that his party would get clear majority in the tribal council poll results.

BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya later claimed CPIM is responsible for creating unrest and said his party supporters have nothing to do with the alleged attack on Pradyot.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

Swine flu spread from illegally imported pigs into Mizoram, says Dr K. Beichhua

29 new cases push Mizoram’s COVID19 tally to 4,612

Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister Dr K. Beichhua and state officials in a meeting.

AIZAWL,APR 11 (AGEN- pigs in and outside the two village.

CIES): It is believed that localities and the killing of Beichhuah reiterated the prevailing swine flu in infected pigs for commercial that the government is makthe State spread through purposes is prohibited in the ing effort to contain the illegally imported pigs from two neighbourhoods. outbreak at the earliest. He outside the State, said MiT h e M i n i s t e r a l s o added that the government zoram Animal Husbandry convened a meeting with will also take necessary & Veterinary Minister Dr officials, representatives measures to ensure that a K. Beichhua. The prevail- of NGOs and pig rearers VO (Veterinary Officer) is ing swine flu has claimed to review the outbreak of posted at Lungsen. more than 400 pigs in the swine flu in Lungsen Village A Veterinary departState, reports The Sentinel within Lunglei district. He ment official stated that at Assam. said that the government’s least 320 pigs have died due Meanwhile, the govern- ban on the import of pigs to an unconfirmed disease ment on Thursday declared and other pig products from highly suspected to be ASF two localities, Edenthar other States and foreign since March 21. Besides, Veng and Armed Veng, in countries is on since last 115 pigs also died due to Aizawl, as “infected areas” year. He added that African unknown disease in four vilafter unknown pig disease Swine Fever (AFS) is highly lages in the Mamit district, was reported in the two suspected to be the cause of he said. He added the toll localities. The movement of the death of pigs at Lungsen could increase.

Aizawl, Apr 11 (PTI): At least 29 people, including three children and a CRPF employee, tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram on Sunday, taking the tally in the state to 4,612, an official said.

Of the new cases, 28 were reported from Aizawl and one from Mamit district, he said.

Eight new patients have travel history, while four were detected during contact tracing and it is yet to be ascertained how the remaining 17 people have contracted the disease, the official said.

Mizoram now has 143 active cases, while 4,458 people have recovered from the virus and 11 died.

The recover y rate among coronavirus patients in the northeastern state is currently at 96.66 per cent.

The state has so far tested 2,62,310 samples, including 1,582 on Saturday, and the positivity rate stands at 1.76 per cent.

Mnp govt – JNIMS employees reach Arunachal Pradesh logs three Assam polls: Anchalik Gana Morcha agreement; duties resume in hospital more cases; tally 16,878 urges EC to videograph counting process

File photo of JNIMS Imphal.

Correspondent IMPHAL, Apr 11: Agitating employees of the only state-run medical college called off their strike over 7th ROP (Revised of Pay) demand after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the state government today upon reaching an agreement , on Sunday afternoon.

The doctors and nurses withdrew resignation letters they had submitted en masse three days ago and resumed normal duties with immediate effect, bringing a sigh of relief to the patients of the hospital.

In the MoU, the state government agreed to implement the 7th Pay Commission in JNIMS with notional effect from April 1, 2016 as a special case with actual implementation from April 1, 2021.

The three associations have been pressing the state government to start the actual implementation from April 1, 2020 with notional effect from April 1, 2016 even as the state govern-

ment offered to start the implementation from April 1, 2021 without notional effect.

The two sides broke their respective stands during a meeting today at chief minister’s level. JNIMS is an autonomous body run

by JNIMS Society with the state chief minister as chairman.

The MoU was signed after the meeting thoroughly deliberated on the demands of the employees.

The state government agreed to fulfil the demands of the employees considering the special duties performed by the doctors, nurses and other staff of JNIMS, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the MoU, it was stated that “This rare exception is made only in the wake of duties performed in tackling COVID-19 pandemic requiring extra hours of work and uninterrupted services, often at risk to personal life.”

This may not be cited as a precedent by other autonomous bodies, soci-

eties, PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) under the state government.

The state government also agreed to consider the request of the Trained Nurses Association (TNA) for adoption of MACP (Modified Assured Career Progression) and uniform allowance on priority.

Following the agreement, the Teachers Association JNIMS, Trained Nurses Association and All Non-Teaching Staffs (AANTS) agreed to call off the protests with immediate effect, as per the MoU. Earlier in the day, state chief N Biren Singh who spoke to reporters on the sideline of Tika Utsav launching function at JNIMS hospital campus denied that healthcare services in the state-run hospital were affected because of the employees’ strike.

He said that the doctors and nurses of the hospital continued their services even during the strike and submission of resignation letters en masse three days ago (on April 8).

Itanagar, Apr 11 (PTI): Three more persons tested positive for COVID19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 16,878, a senior health department official said on Sunday.

The fresh cases were detected from Lower Dibang Valley, Changlang and the Capital Complex region.

One more person recuperated from the disease on Saturday taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 16,790, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Jampa said.

Ar unachal Pradesh currently has 32 active cases, while 56 people died due to the disease so far.

T h e r e c ove r y r a t e stands at 99.48 per cent and positivity rate at 0.19 per cent, the SSO said.

Lower Dibang Valley district has the highest number of active cases at 13, followed by Leparada and Namsai at three each, Changlang, Upper Subansiri and Tirap at two each and Lohit and West Kameng districts at one case each.

The Capital Complex Region -- comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa areas -- has five active cases, Dr Jampa said.

Altogether, 4,16,897 samples have been tested in the state thus far, including 320 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, State Immunization Officer (SIO) Dr Dimong Padung said over one lakh peoplein Arunchal Pradesh have been administered COVID-19 vaccine over the past four months.

IMPHAL, Apr 11: After launching a four-day Tika Utsav , Manipur chief minister along with some of his cabinet colleagues took the first jab of COVID vaccine at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital, Imphal.

State deputy chief minister Y Joykumar, works minister Th Biswajit, MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba and MLA L Radhakishore were among others who took the first dose of the vaccine along with the chief minister.

The chief minister launched the four-day nation-wide campaign to speed up vaccination to contain the second wave of the pandemic in the state.

After receiving the vac-

Manipur CM N Biren Singh recieving first COVID-19 vaccine jab at JNIMS hospital in Imphal on Sunday. cine, Singh said that he had not experienced any adverse effect.

He then made his earnest appeal to all those above 45 years and above, to get inoculated and extend support to government’s efforts towards preventing the second wave of COVID-19.

The chief minister further urged the public to continue following COVID appropriate behaviours and avoid crowding.

Earlier, in his address at the inauguration function of Tika Utsav, Singh said that human lives were so precious and to live healthy was very important.

(EC) to take all such possible steps as provided in the Conduct of Election Rule, 1961 as well as the notifications issued by the Commission from time to time. “One such step towards transparency would be to do videography of the entire counting process,” the party chief said in the letter. The AGM said the videography of the counting will ensure transparency in the counting process and there will be no scope for any party or individual to raise any grievance regarding manipulation in the counting process.

The three-phase assembly elections were held on March 27, April 1 and April 6. The regional party claimed that a lot of controversy had erupted during the 2020 Bihar assembly

elections and “this has cast doubts on the impartiality in the counting process”.

The AGM said provision for videography is available in case of re-verification or re-counting if victory is decided only on account of postal ballot counting.

The party urged the EC “to remove any apprehension in any quarter” and conduct videography of the entire counting process “without compromising the secrecy of voting”. The AGM said it has full faith in the impartiality of the EC “but at the same time we want to warn the possible stealing of verdict of the people by manipulation that may be caused by unscrupulous persons which will ultimately mar the reputation of the Election Commission of India,” it said.

CAG flays M’laya over appointments of Sikkim CM and wife receive consultants without bidding in MGCC first dose of COVID-19 vaccine S H I L LO N G, A P R 1 1 (AGENCIES): There have been appointments of consultants in the Meghalaya Government Construction Corporation (MGCC) without competitive bidding process. This has been reported by the CAG (Comptroller & Auditor General) of India on Social and Economic Sectors for the year ended March 31, reports The Sentinel Assam.

“Appointment of consultants for architectural services without following the tendering and competitive bidding procedure is in violation of Meghalaya Financial Rules (MFR),1981 and CVC guidelines,” said

the CAG. The MGCC is a State government public sector undertaking, and as such it is bound by the rules/directions of the State government. According to the CAG Report, during the course of audit (JulySeptember 2019), it was observed that MGCC appointed six consultants for architectural services based on ‘percentage contract’ for various projects during 2013-14 to 2019-20 at the rate (percentage) ranging between 1.50 per cent and 7.50 per cent of the project costs.

The Audit report observed that MGCC appointed all the six architectural firms on nomination basis without

Mnp CM takes first COVID vaccine jab; launches Tika Utsav Correspondent

Guwahati, Apr 11 (PTI): The Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM), a constituent of the opposition Congress-led ‘Mahajoot’ in Assam, on Sunday urged the Election Commission to videograph the May 2 counting of the assembly elections in the state.

In a letter to the EC, AGM president and Rajya Sabha member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan said the Commission has to depend on the state bureaucracy in the entire process of the assembly elections, and claimed that there is an “apprehension” that some sections of the employees may favour the ruling BJP and “can do mischief in the counting”.

“To make the counting process fair and transparent we urge the Hon’ble Forum

After witnessing a remarkable fall in the past few months, the state was now experiencing a steady rise of active cases in the past few days, the chief minister said.

Singh said that the state government had begun keeping strict vigil like earlier after positive cases were detected during screening at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport and key entry points like Mao and Jiribam.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi today enquired from him about the present COVID19 situation of the state over the phone, stating that Modi had instructed him to manage the pandemic by announcing micro containment zones instead of clamping total lockdowns.

Maintaining that no

adverse effect had been reported so far in the state, except a couple of cases, the chief minister appealed to the media to include the medical history of the patients as well while reporting about the cases of adverse effects.

A total of 126 centres were now activated across the state to vaccinate all the people aged 45 years and above.

The nation-wide rollout of COVID-19 vaccination began on January 16, 2021 with healthcare workers being the first beneficiaries.

Inoculation of frontline workers began in the state from February 8 this year followed by vaccination of those who are 45 years and above with co-morbidities from March 1.

following the procedure of tendering and competitive bidding prescribed under the MFR and CVC guidelines.

The MGCC, in its reply on January 2020, stated that as it did not have in-house architecture and structural engineer; hence, architects were engaged on verbal requests with a condition that payment would be made only if the scheme is sanctioned by the department concerned. They also opined that if open bids were invited from architects, the MGCC would have to bear the cost of architect fee from its own sources in the event of the scheme not being sanctioned or delayed.

G angto k , A pr 1 1 (PTI): Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang along with his wife Krishna Kumari Rai on Sunday received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, following which he appealed to those eligible for the immunisation drive to get inoculated.

The chief minister and his wife were administered ‘Covishield’ vaccine at STNM Hospital near here, an official said.

Rural Development Minister Sonam Lama also received the vaccine jab, he said. Speaking to the reporters after getting the vaccine shot, the chief minister urged all the people aged

45 years and above to participate in the ‘Tika Utsav’, a vaccination drive, starting from Sunday.

The special inoculation programme will end on April 14. Tamang also appealed to people to follow COVID protocols and maintain social distancing in public places to help the government contain the spread of the disease.

Sikkim’s COVID-19 tally had on Saturday gone up to 6,351 after 22 more people tested positive for the infection. Altogether, 5,982 patients in the state have recovered from the disease and the death toll due to COVID-19 stood at 136 in the state.

Frontline COVID-19 warriors felicitated in East Khasi Hills, Shillong

SHILLONG, APR 11 (AGENCIES): The Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, R. Lyngdoh felicitated frontline and COVID warriors of East Khasi Hills District during a programme organized by the DDMA (District Disaster Management Authority), East Khasi Hills (EKH) District, at Shillong Club here on Saturday.

The frontline workers also shared their experiences during the workshop, reports The Sentinel Assam.

The programme was attended by Deputy Commissioner & Chairperson of EKH DDMA, Isawanda Laloo; EKH Superintendent of Police, S. Nongtnger; ADC & CEO, DDMA,

EKH District, D. Phawa besides senior officers and incharge of different COVID cells of the district.

Speaking on the occasion, Lyngdoh congratulated the DDMA of all the 11 districts in the State for the roles they have played in the fight against the COVID19 pandemic. Lauding the services rendered by the frontline workers who have been working round the clock to contain the spread of the pandemic by helping the needy, Lyngdoh said that their services will be remembered for generations to come.

Lyngdoh reminded the officials and other personnel, ‘’As government employees, it is our duties to comfort, provide

and deliver our services for the safety of the people across the State.’’ She also expressed confidence that ‘’with the experiences we have gained during the last one year, the district administration in particular and the State in general would be able to systematically handle the second wave of COVID-19.

Lyngdoh also appealed to all the citizens to strictly follow the health protocols like wearing of face masks, frequent washing of hands, use of sanitisers, and to maintain social distance at all times. As part of the programme, officers incharge of various cells shared their experiences during the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

5

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

COVID-19: Delhi records 10,774 70 pc of India’s COVID cases from 5 states: Govt fresh cases, highest single-day spike

NEW DELHI, APR 11 (PTI): Five states -- Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala -- cumulatively account for 70.82 per cent of India’s active COVID-19 cases which have breached the 11-lakh mark for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The Union Health Ministry said on Sunday that India’s total active caseload has increased to 11,08,087 and it now comprises 8.29 per cent of the country’s total infections. A net increase of 61,456 cases has been recorded in the total active caseload in a span of 24 hours, it said.

The ministry said Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala cumulatively account for 70.82 per cent of India’s active COVID-19 cases. Maharashtra alone accounts for 48.57 per cent of the total active caseload of the country, the ministry said.

Besides, the ten states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya

A health worker collects a nasal sample from a passenger coming from Maharashtra via New Delhi in Ranchi, Sunday. (PTI)

Pradesh and Rajasthan have shown a steep rise in the daily new COVID-19 cases accounting for 80.92 per cent of the new infections reported in a span of 24 hours, the ministry highlighted. India’s daily new cases continue to rise, the ministry said as 1,52,879 new cases of coronavirus infections were registered in a span of 24 hours, the highest single-day rise so far.

Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 55,411. It is followed by Chhattisgarh with 14,098 while Uttar

Pradesh has reported 12,748 new cases.

Sixteen states -- Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala, Tejangana, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal -- are displaying an upward trajectory in daily new cases.

The active caseload was at its lowest at 1,35,926 on February 12 and at its highest at 10,17,754 on September 18, 2020.

India’s cumulative re-

coveries stand at 1,20,81,443 with 90,584 recoveries being registered in a span of 24 hours.Daily deaths continue to show an upward trend with 839 fatalities being reported in a span of 24 hours. Ten states account for 86.41 per cent of the new deaths, the ministry said. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (309) and Chhattisgarh followed with 123 daily deaths.

Ten states and UTs have not re por ted any COVID-19 deaths in a span of 24 hours. These are D&D & D&N, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 10 crore. Cumulatively, 10,15,95,147 vaccine doses have been administered through 15,17,963 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am, the ministry said.

These include 90,04,063 HCWs who have taken the first dose and 55,08,289 HCWs who

have taken the second dose, 99,53,615 FLWs who have received the first dose, 47,59,209 FLWs who have taken the second dose.

Besides, 3,96,51,630 and 18,00,206 beneficiaries more than 60 years old have been administered the first and second dose respectively, while 3,02,76,653 and 6,41,482 beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 have taken the first and second dose respectively. Eight states account for 60.27 per cent of the total doses given so far in the country. Over 35 lakh vaccination doses were administered in a span of 24 hours.

As on Day-85 of the vaccination drive (April 10), 35,19,987 vaccine doses were given. Out of which, 31,22,109 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 42,553 sessions for first dose and 3,97,878 beneficiaries received the second dose of the vaccine.

“In terms of the number of daily doses administered globally, India continues to remain at the top with an average of 38,34,574 doses administered per day,” the ministry said.

New Delhi, Apr 11 (PTI): Delhi recorded 10,774 fresh COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the highest single-day surge in the national capital till date, according to data shared by the health department.

According a bulletin issued by the department on Sunday, 48 new fatalities were also recorded, pushing the death toll to 11,283.

The fresh cases came out of the record over 1.14 lakh tests conducted the previous day, the bulletin said, adding that the positivity rate stood at 9.43 per cent.

The previous highest single-day spike in Delhi -8,593 cases -- was reported on November 11 last year, while on November 19, the city recorded 131 COVID19 deaths, the highest singleday fatality count till date.

Delhi recorded 7,897 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, while 39 more people died due to the coronavirus infection. The positivity rate had also mounted to 10.21 per cent, breaching the 10per cent mark for the first time this year.

Passengers being tested for COVID-19 at a train station, amid rise in coronavirus cases, in New Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

The positivity rate was above 15 per cent in midNovember last year.

O n F r i d ay, 8 , 5 2 1 COVID-19 cases and 39 deaths were recorded in the national capital. This was also the first time that more than 8,000 cases were recorded in a day this year amid a massive spike in cases over the last few weeks.

On Thursday, the city recorded 7,437 cases. It was also the first time that over 7,000 cases were reported in a day this year. On the two preceding days, the number

of cases stood above 5,000.

On November 27 last year, the city recorded 5,482 cases. It registered 6,224 cases on November 24 and 7,486 on November 18, according to official data.

A total of 1,14,288 tests, including 76,954 RTPCR tests and 37,334 rapid antigen tests, were conducted on Saturday, according to the latest health bulletin.

The total number cases stood at 7,25,197 on Sunday and over 6.79 lakh patients have recovered from the virus.

‘For God’s sake, get vaccine’: top Mumbai doctor Ambani security scare: NIA arrests Waze’s associate Riyaz Kazi MUMBAI, APR 11 (AGENCIES): With Covid figures skyrocketing in Maharashtra as part of the second wave, hospitals in Mumbai are bearing the brunt of the surge. A video from Mumbai’s premier Lilavati hospital was widely circulated on social media today, showing how the hospital was forced to convert its lobby into a Covid ward. A senior doctor of the hospital voiced his desperate appeal on camera. The hospital was not only short of vaccines but also life-saving drugs like Remdesivir, said Dr Jalil Parkar, a pulmonary consultant with the hospital, reports NDTV. “In my hospital there are no vaccines for the last two-three days. There is a shortage of Remdesivir, there is shortage of Tosili-

zubam. We are having to beg, borrow, steal,” Dr Parkar told NDTV. “My earnest request for god’s sake please see to it that Remdesivir, Tosilizubam, vaccination -- they are available. Because that’s the only way we can save lives. The only way we can conquer Covid 19. So for god’s sake, let there be no red tapism, let there be no discussion, but let there be action,” he added.

The lift lobby in the eighth floor of the Lilavati hospital was converted into a Covid ward after getting the consent of patients who are waiting in droves outside the hospital.

Dr Parkar said the beds are occupied by the rich and the poor alike because of the shortage.

Hospitals, he added, said, are facing a “tsumani” of

Dr Jalil Parkar

patients -- the “sheer humongous volume” making everybody “overwhelmed and overworked”.

The numbers are increasing to such an extent, the patients are going from pillar to post, to each and every hospital to get beds, oxygen, treatment.

These patients, Dr Parker said, cannot be turned away because most of the times, they need intravenous medication which can be given only in hospitals. They also

need round-the-clock supervision. Over the last year, nurses, wardboys and technicians have been giving days and nights of their life, he said. “We are all exhausted. I am actually exhausted. So are my colleagues,” he said. Not just the patients, the doctors have to attend to the families also, keeping them informed on phone and WhatsApp. Nurses and wardboys, he said, are working eight to ten hours straight in the hot PPE kits, without any tea of even bathroom breaks. “They cannot speak, wrapped as they are in two or three masks. You have to shout on the top of your voice to be heard... It is taking its toll on them too... but what can we do? We are serving,” he added.

Mumbai, Apr 11 (PTI): The NIA on Sunday arrested police officer Riyaz Kazi, an associate of suspended cop Sachin Waze, in connection with the case of an explosives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence, a police official said.

After his arrest, Kazi was produced before a holiday court here which remanded him in the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) custody till April 16 for further probe into the case. “Assistant police inspector (API) Kazi was called for questioning again by the NIA on Sunday and later placed under arrest,” the police official said.

He was previously also questioned multiple times by the NIA in connection with the case of the SUV with explosives found near Ambani’s multi-storey resi-

dence ‘Antilia’ in south Mumbai on February 25 and the subsequent death of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran. Kazi was shunted out of the Mumbai Crime Branch last month, the official said.

After Kazi was presented in the court on Sunday, the NIA told the court that he was arrested for destroying evidences and that he is involved in the conspiracy of the case along with Waze, the main accused in the case.

While seeking his remand for 10 days, the prosecution said that when the NIA startedconducting a parallel probe soon after explosivesladen vehicle was found, the accused allegedly killed Hiran fearing that he will disclose their plan.

The prosecution also submitted that Kazi was well aware of the crime.

After the case was

Riyaz Kazi

transferred to the central agency, the accused started destroying evidences like CPU and DVR and others, the NIA told the court.

Kazi’s custody is required to confront him with every recovered article, documents, witnesses.

Waze has given half the facts andKazi’s interrogation iss required to find out under whose guidance he destroyed the evidence, it said. He also needs to be interrogated about the source of the gelatin sticks (found

in the SUV). Opposing the remand plea, Kazi’s lawyer, Hasnain Kazi, argued that his client was not involved in the destruction of evidence.

The accused has been going to the NIA office for interrogation since the last20 days and co-operating with the investigation, hence his custody was not required, the lawyer said. After hearing both the sides, the judge remanded the accused to NIA’s custody till April 16.

According to police, in a CCTV footage, Kazi was seen entering a number plates shop in suburban Vikhroli and having a conversation with the outlet’s owner. He was also seen taking away a digital video recorder and a computer of the shop. Kazi was also seen collecting CCTV footage from Waze’s housing complex in neighbouring Thane, the official said.

COVID-19 and exams: Maha MP seeks ‘clear communication’ from Centre students of that state at a disadvantage career and opportunity-wise and intervention by the Education Ministry would mean a national consensus, the MP from Shiv Sena said in his letter. Stressing that students’ concerns, especially those raised by Classes 10, 12 board exam students needs to be addressed Arvind Sawant urgently, Sawant asked the Education Minister students of different states to ensure that there is “no with regard to safety meadiscrimination” between sures or that of “opportu-

nity” between students of different states.

“Primarily, we have multiple boards operating in India, CBSE, ICSE, state boards, IB, IGCSE to name a few...apart from the state boards, two boards are national...two are international whereby your kind intervention and guidance is needed,” he said.

Exams cancelled for lower classes: Amid COVID scare, the Maharashtra government had

previously announced promotion without exams for Classes 1 to 9 and 11.

School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad on Friday said a decision for Class 10, 12 students will be taken soon. As per the latest updates, Maharashtra SSC and HSC board exams 2021 are scheduled to begin on April 29 and 23, respectively.

Politicians, including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

have questioned CBSE’s decision to conduct exams amid the pandemic.

Actor Sonu Sood Sunday said conducting offline exams will risk “many lives” and suggested “internal assessment” for evaluating students. CBSE’s controller of examinations, Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj recently said the board will “start taking the advice of the doctors into making a proper plan for conducting the examination smoothly.”

Gyanvapi petitioner gets threat call

(World Bank Funded Project)

E-Procurement Notice

The Executive Engineer, Investigation Cell, WRD, Dimapur, Nagaland on behalf of Government of Nagaland invites bids through e-procurement for the package - Procurement of FRP Cut Throat Flume with Electroray Discharge - Recorder (Portable) and FRP Cut Throag Flume (Non Portable), (Bid Reference No. NHP-2020-2021-NL-514570) The details are available at www.nagalandtenders.gov.in Download start date : 12/04/2021 (17.00 Hours) DP-1897

PERI MONTESSORI & NURSERY

TEACHERS TRAINING INSTITUTE Internationally Recognized

ADMISSION OPEN FOR APRIL BATCH

View of Gyanvapi mosque complex.

The ACP said the phone number is being traced and investigation is on. Harihar Pandey, Pandit Somnath Vyas and Ramrang Sharma had filed the first petition in the case on behalf of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar at a civil court in 1991.

Pandey is now the only surviving petitioner among the three.

Advocate Vijay Shankar Rastogi as the ‘next friend’ of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar had filed an application in the court of civil judge in December 2019,

requesting for the survey of the entire Gyanvapi compound by ASI. After hearing the case, the court of civil judge (senior division) Fast Track, Ashutosh Tiwari gave verdict on April 8 and asked the Director General of ASI to conduct a comprehensive archaeological physical survey of the entire settlement plot of Gyanvapi compound.

The court directed the DG to constitute a five-member committee of eminent persons who are experts and well versed in the science of archaeology for this purpose.

Course Duration Requirement Advance Diploma 1 year 12 pass or equivalent Diploma 6 months Certificate Course 3 months 10 pass 100% placement assistance Centre : 1. 6th Mile, Dimapur, Opp. Nagaland JCB 2. Purana Bazar, Opp. Renault Dimapur DP-1406 Ph: +91 8575797395 / +91 7005655009

K-663

K-709

Varanasi (U ttar Pradesh), Apr 11 (IANS): Harihar Pandey, the petitioner in the Gyanvapi mosque case on behalf of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar, has received a life threat on his phone after a local court pronounced the verdict directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct an archaeological survey of the Gyanvapi compound to ascertain if a temple existed at the spot earlier.

The police officials have deputed two constables at Pandey’s residence for his security. Pandey informed that he received a phone call from an unknown number on the day of the verdict.

The caller threatened Pandey that he would be killed.

Pandey called senior police officials and informed them about the threat following which ACP Avadhesh Pandey met him and collected all the details.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT NATIONAL HYDROLOGY PROJECT

K-731

NEW DELHI, APR 11 (AGENCIES): Ar vind Sawant, Member of Parliament (MP) from South Bombay on April 10 wrote to Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ asking for “clear communication” from his ministry with regard to conduct of university, college and school exams, as COVID cases are on the rise again.

A unilateral decision by any state would put

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 125 Dimapur, MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

I

On the anvil

n another landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on April 9 dismissed a petition in the form of a Public Interest Litigation(PIL) filed before the apex court by BJP leader and Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, seeking directions to the Central and state governments to take apposite steps for controlling black magic, superstition and forceful religious conversions. In its judgement, the Supreme Court of India said persons above 18 years (marriageable and voting age) of age are free to choose their religion and dismissed a plea seeking directions to the federal government to enact a nationwide law against religious conversion. The Supreme Court bench also refused to grant permission to approach the law commission and dismissed the petition as withdrawn. One of the rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution is the right to Freedom of Religion as enshrined under Article 25,26,27 and 28. As a secular and democratic nation, every citizen of India has the right to freedom of religion i.e., right to follow any religion. India is the birthplace of major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikkhism.

Therefore, to think that a law be enacted to ban religious conversion is against the constitution which guarantees every citizen the liberty to follow the religion of their choice. According to this fundamental right, every citizen has the opportunity to practice and spread their religion peacefully. In case of any specific complaints of any incidence of religious intolerance occurs in India, it is the duty of the government to curb these incidences and take strict actions against those involved in such practices. It may be mentioned that Upadhyay had also filed a petition in February, seeking minority status for Hindus in Ladakh, Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Kashmir, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab and Manipur. Earlier in July 2019, the Supreme Court out rightly rejected entertaining a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Upadhyay, challenging a law that empowers states like Nagaland to make it mandatory to have an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for the entry of people from outside to the state. The PIL filed by Upadhayay hides the motive to effect a legal ban on conversions and also the fact the petitioner belongs to a particular political party. Eight Indian states Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand, have passed laws to check religious conversion, with minority Christians and Muslims often targeted through these laws. The judgement of the Supreme Court on April 9 could lead to challenging the anti-conversion laws adopted in these. The Uttar Pradesh government, had also passed an ordinance in November 2020 to deal with unlawful religious conversions or alleged ‘love jihad’ which particularly targets conversion into Islam. The real beauty of the ordinance lies in the way it entirely exonerates Hindus from all charges of fraud, allurement or intimidation when they convert people from another community. For in the case of shifting from another faith to Hinduism, conversion ceases to be conversion. It will be defined as “homecoming” or ghar wapsi – returning to one’s authentic roots, one’s true faith. Communalism is from the dark past, seeped up in prejudice and fuelled by hatred that passes on.

The fuel for communalism is religious intolerance sparked by extremist elements who unfortunately, are not mere fringe elements in society.

DailyDevotion Complete and Effective Divinity

None locks itself down during war, India must have protocol to be on job

I

ndia has to learn to be on working mode and not shut or lock itself down repeatedly. After loss of productivity, jobs and severe thaw in the economy for a year, it should have evolved a protocol to restore normal working conditions.

The hits come at a time when International Monetary Fund just predicts a possible 12.5 growth in 2022 and forecast India as the fastestgrowing economy. The second erratic closure may throw a spanner.

During the last 100 years it has suffered many epidemics but never closed down the establishments. During the difficult times all individuals and organisations came together to strive and restore normalcy.

The mid 1990s Surat plague was also combated like that and the dirty city reemerged as a beautiful clean destination but it did not shut its business activities.

Even after nine months after the unlocking process most industries, including education, tourism, travel and even government offices have not gone back to the usual mode. Direct and indirect job losses are hitting not only the

Quotes

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” ~ Albert Einstein

economy but social and family lives. The minus 23.9 percent fall in GDP during the lockdown and still speculations by national and international organisations about the growth; another bout of widespread closures and uncertainties are hitting all activities.

The nation remembers that nationwide sudden lockdown on March 25, 2020 at a four-hour notice led to 10.9 million (1.1 crore) jobs being lost and termed the worst-ever year for the job market. It does not include the trek back of at least another 10 crore migrant workers, of a supposed 18 crore, to their homes impacting MNREGA expenses.

There is no centralized data available for how many jobs were created during JulyDecember 2020, a volatile period. In total, HR consultants estimate one million (ten lakh) jobs were added during this period. Now many of these jobs, most in irregular employment, are threatened to be lost again.

Many companies like Parle Products, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ceat and Axis Bank have largely gone back to WFH format for corporate employees. Many

others like ITC, Samsung, RPG, Dabur, Haier, Vedanta, Vivo and Panasonic have issued new guidelines to the workers.

Aditya Birla group Global HR director S Misra says that office attendance may come down to 30 percent against the present 50 to 60 percent. This reduces companies’ productivity or not it affects travel and transport, restaurant, entertainment and allied sectors.

Shivaji A c cording to CMIE, since January 2021 about 12 million additional people get jobs, the highest since March 2020. But the April lockdowns can make many of them lose it again.

Stock market is again rocked with both BSE and Nifty slipping every day, banks fretting over another spike in defaults and credit quality, and the manufacturing activity at its lowest pace in seven months restricted by covid19 panic. The curbs imposed almost all over the country and beginning of a second wave of exodus of migrant workers back to their home could dent manufacturing, core sector activities, supply of goods & services and the overall demand.

The rating agency ICRA says that bad loans of Indian banks could rise to 9.7 percent in 2021 and 10.2 percent in 2022 from gross bad loans at 9.6 percent in March 2020 and 8.3 percent in December 2020.

The December decline is due to writing off of Rs 1.1 lakh crore of such loans.

A nation trying to recover is being hit hard again.

Retailers Association of Sarkar India (RAI) estimates retailers will lose about $ 5 billion in Maharashtra alone in April. It says that Maharashtra alone accounts for 10 percent of $ 85 billion of India’s annual retail sales. It says that sales of automobiles, consumer durables, smart phones and apparels, which have just started recovering, will be adversely affected. Even partial lockdowns in different parts hit sales. Kirana stores across the country report that there are no major increase or customer walk-ins.

Work from home occasionally for maximum worker utilization cannot be a permanent mode. The online mode in a poor country like India with critical cash flow in rural areas increases hardship

and is devastating the education sector, largely private as income-deprived parents are unable to pay the tuition fees leading to closure of several lakh budget schools in Bihar, UP, Rajasthan, MP and many other states. They can neither afford increasing data costs nor they have connectivity nor even smart phones or laptops.

The new generation feels not only deprived but also discriminated leading to a severe social divide. In Bihar, the budget school owners are up in arms against the irrational lockdowns.

The situation remains alarming as the factory activity grew at its weakest in March 2021. The Nikkei manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) declined to a seven-month low of 55.4 from 57.5 in February on demand squeeze. A Reuters survey says that Asia’s third largest economy despite some recent improvements is heading for the biggest risk to the outlook.

The rupee is already taking a hit for national, international situations as well as severe price hike and income squeeze.

The country cannot also relax fiscal deficit norms as

suggested by Home Minister Amit Shah. Rising government debts may have many dangers.

The second largest populated country having a capacity to grow fast has to change its policies. It cannot force repeated closures of social and economic activities for an unconfirmed fear of a disease.

Some health sector people link the new supposed surge to intense vaccination. Even the efficacy of the vaccine produced in a jiffy is being questioned as the production and testing process are yet to be made public. It is also said that pneumonia vaccine has yet not been found even after over 100 years of modern medicine. The concerns may remain though the fears are more speculative.

However, it calls for the nation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider whether every now and then the country should impose jittery closures. A protocol must be developed so that it continues its work as during war time with least of disruption during any future epidemic. Diseases surge and go but a nation has to sprint to success without closing down for a day.

Post-mortem

Refugee dilemma

T

he Nagaland Post in its April 8 issue, citing information from the Chief Minister of Nagaland, reported no movement of refugees entering Nagaland while fleeing Myanmar in view of the recent military coup and crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

With reports of grouping and alliance by the armies of the ethnic groups, which had been at loggerheads with the military for the past 70 years and were in ceasefire with the civil government under Suu Kyi, the political situation in Myanmar appears more predictable.

Al Jazeera has further reported willingness of the members of anti-coup joining ethnic armed groups to fight with the military in defence of their people, which finds expression in devastated ordinary citizens who lost their near ones to the inhuman military crackdown.

Amidst nation-wide unrest, the UN has warned the deadly military crackdown in Myanmar becoming a full-blown civil war.

The fallout of the army’s crackdown in Myanmar is sure to trigger a humanitarian crisis unfolding in our backyard, pushing people seeking asylum further towards our land. The means to deal with the oncoming persecuted lots and the management of which will offset debates and counter-narratives. The question pertaining to accommodating people fleeing persecution has been further compounded by the complete absence of a national law on refugees.

Though the 1951 United Nations Convention and 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees define who may be classified a refugee and sets out the rights of refugees, India is a signatory to none.

India has permitted certain ethnicities and nationalities to reside in its land and prominent of which are Tibetans, Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka and Chakmas of Bangladesh. The central government has recently looked for a more permanent solution to the refugee issue in the

form of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the initiative has however suffered a public backlash for it being communal in content and limited in its extent as it only made reference to minorities in only three neighbouring countries.

It is empirically evident that absence of categorical and long-term refugee laws has once again raised issues of centre-state relations. The government at the centre in its recent advisory instructed the states sharing boundary with Myanmar not to allow Myanmar nationals crossing border for refuge, which is interpreted to be diametrically opposed to the interest of, and the committed stance adopted by, the state governments. A case in hand is the flatten rejection of the centre plea by Mizoram Chief Minister, saying his government, on humanitarian grounds, will accept people fleeing the crackdown. The same feeling was also reflected by the Nagaland Chief Minister who directed state instrumentalities to deal with the refugees with ‘human feelings’ and on humanitarian grounds. Even Manipur Chief Minister, after facing public reprisal for his refugee policy, made a u-turn and started accommodating incoming refugees.

With an inclined reference to Nagaland, the central government’s advisory on dealing with refugees from Myanmar has overlooked the core issue of social fabric and sacred feeling of political affiliation that takes place across the international border. Families separated by porous international border transact both social and cultural activities which run along with exchange of talents by taking advantage of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that facilitates movement of locals up to 16 km for 14 days on both sides of the border. The FMR therefore renders identification and repatriation of people seeking refuge, as directed by the centre government, nearly impractical. Moreover, depriving nationals of foreign origin of their needs is

antithetical to the basic Christian tenets while dealing with strangers, as love and humanity towards the vulnerable is biblical.

Prophets of the Old Testament such as Jeremiah, Zechariah and Malachi reminded us the need to protect the welfare of immigrants and foreign nationals residing with us (or may move to our land) in Jeremiah 22:3, Zechariah 7:10 and Malachi 3:5. While it is admitted that the principles enshrined in the Old Testament may not be adapted unabridged in our dealing with immigrants and refugees, they heralded about God’s unchanging character in defending “the cause of the fatherless and the widows, and loved the foreigners residing among you, giving them food and clothing” (Deuteronomy 10:18 NIV). God’s constant character is reiterated in Mathew 25:35 NIV saying “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in”.

Laws of the land at times contradict with our established belief and its doctrines. Worse, rejection of one or the other merits condemnation and may even get branded as apostates or anti-nationals. What, however, remains to be fundamental in handling humanitarian crisis is to imaginarily situate ourselves in the same degree of predicament the vulnerable are presented with. The state of their conditions – leaving their family, livestock and every little thing behind, walking over a long distance without security of food and jobs, negotiating with hostile physical and social environments, sleepless nights and day under roofless sky, injuries, diseases and infections – call for immediate humanitarian relief just to provide the most of the basic needs.

New Delhi’s refugee policy on the Northeastern frontier may not compatibly align with the stance of the concerned state governments considering its strategic position it enjoys with

Myanmar. Any concrete actions against the interest of the Myanmar’s military will boomerang back and will have a counter-strike effect in its dealing with armed groups in the India’s Northeast. New Delhi may as such not openly ask the state governments to welcome the Myanmar nationals fleeing army atrocities. It is thus incumbent upon us to formulate state-specific policy and temporarily welcome the people fleeing violence in our neighbourhood (when conflict escalates). This is in congruous with the internationally acclaimed practice of nonrefoulement which India also advocates. Nonrefoulement upholds the international obligation in protecting the refugees and asylum seekers from returning them to a country wherein they may be subjected to persecution.

Nevertheless, there exists a limit of their stay in a foreign land. Even prominent biblical figures themselves were refugees once. Israelites were once strangers in the land of Egypt. David fled the violence of King Saul and sought asylum among the Philistines. Jesus was forced to take refuge in Egypt as a child escaping Herod’s jealousy. They all returned to their lands. Hence, accepting the forsaken and vulnerable is biblically grounded, whereas remaining immigrants / refugees forever may not be biblical. Such could have formed the basis of our approach and adopt it as the state policy towards the immigrants and the refugees.

Our moral responsibility towards our neighbouring people fleeing violence is to accept them, make them learnt their duties and obligations, skill them to earn a living, educate them to be an agent of change and give them time and space to prepare themselves to be leaders and transform our state of existence with humanity and compassion, like Jesus did. In doing so, authoritative roles of the Church and various flourishing NGOs assume significance.

Nukhosa Chüzho, Kohima

The electricity crisis in Nagaland

If we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection… —Romans 6:5 Co-Resurrection. The proof that I have experienced crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a definite likeness to Him. The Spirit of Jesus entering me rearranges my personal life before God. The resurrection of Jesus has given Him the authority to give the life of God to me, and the experiences of my life must now be built on the foundation of His life. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus here and now, and it will exhibit itself through holiness.

The idea all through the apostle Paul’s writings is that after the decision to be identified with Jesus in His death has been made, the resurrection life of Jesus penetrates every bit of my human nature. It takes the omnipotence of God— His complete and effective divinity— to live the life of the Son of God in human flesh. The Holy Spirit cannot be accepted as a guest in merely one room of the house— He invades all of it. And once I decide that my “old man” (that is, my heredity of sin) should be identified with the death of Jesus, the Holy Spirit invades me. He takes charge of everything. My part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He reveals to me. Once I have made that important decision about sin, it is easy to “reckon” that I am actually “dead indeed to sin,” because I find the life of Jesus in me all the time (Romans 6:11).

Just as there is only one kind of humanity, there is only one kind of holiness— the holiness of Jesus.

And it is His holiness that has been given to me. God puts the holiness of His Son into me, and I belong to a new spiritual order.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

What is the problem, What could be the solution?

(After a long debate and discussion with people from power sector in Nagaland and beyond to try and understand the issue, I collected the technical points to simplify and summarise it into an article which common public can understand. So I took out my laptop to write this article but laptop battery is dead and no electricity since morning to charge my laptop so here I am typing it using my phone at 40% battery.)

1. How much electricity nagaland requires?

Ans: 400+ MW (MegaWatts) 2. How many power plant does nagaland have?

Ans : 2 (24 MW + 75 MW = 99 MW capacity) a. Likimro Hydro power plant which has capacity to generate 24MW. (This is the only state owned hydro power plant but this plant is currently not generating any electricity due to dry season) b. Doyang Hydro power plant which has capacity of 75MW. But this plant was built by NEEPCO so as per agreement between NEEPCO & Nagaland Government, Nagaland gets only 12% i.e.

9MW. But this also becomes 0 during dry season) How much electricity nagaland generates?

Ans: 0 (During this season) In simple words, we require 400 MW of electricity and we are generating 0 MW during dry season.

So where do we get our electricity from?

We have to buy from the open market by tapping from

the NorthEast or National Grid.

(During dry season, cost of electricity goes up since major energy/electricity is produced mostly from Thermal/ Gas/Coal since hydro electricity generators run dry.)

Now the Government (Cabinet/Ministers) have to sanction fund to Power department inorder for Nagaland to buy electricity from other states through the power grid.

Consider a simple example where Naga public are facing water shortage so Nagaland Government decides to purchase 1 Crore litres of water from Assam at the rate of `20 per litre. Nagaland Govt pays `20 Crores (1 Crore litre x `20 = `20 Crores) to Assam.

Now if Govt sells this water to households, our Govt should at least be able to get back `20 Crore from the public consumers. But the billing system and management is so inefficient and outdated that Govt is able to recover only `5 Crores instead of `20 Crores.

The problem: 1. Nagaland buys electricity worth around `400 Crores which the power department sells to public but at the end they are able to recover only `162 Crores (As per 2019-2020). Over the past 5 years, Nagaland has lost around `1000 Crores due to inability to effectively recover electricity bills.

2. Nagaland cannot generate our own electricity requirements and we are left

at the mercy of those who generate electricity and sell to us at exorbitant rates!

Even the upcoming hydro electric generation project of 200MW at Tizu is unable to start due to land owner issues.

3. This dry season, even the thermal power plant in Tripura is shut down due to technical issues, Likimro is not generating any electricity, and the Doyang hydro quota is not contributing anything to us.

4. The existing electricity supply & distribution infrastructure are operating beyond their capacities especially in Dimapur which results in transformers blowing up in flames.

5. Despite having a SAP based billing system Power department still require major eGovernance reforms by use of modern online IT systems/ computers to eliminate inefficiency within the system.

The solution: 1. Need few big hydro projects in the state: But land ownership issue is the major hurdle which should be resolved by keeping in mind that electricity has today become one of the most important human need and thus we must utilize our God blessed resources to at least become self reliant&self sufficient in electricity!

Land issues are also followed by environmental concerns which need to be addressed by ensuring proper rehabilitation programs & benefits to those who are sacrific-

ing their lands to give electricity to the entire population!

We should also develop big solar project (At least few MW) around Dimapur area which has good sunshine.

However, solar is still not as effective and commercially viable compared to other sources. It is five to eleven times more expensive to produce electricity from the sun than it is from coal, hydro or nuclear sources. Solar panels use expensive semiconductor material to generate electricity directly from sunlight.

Hence, if electricity generated from hydro is `2 per unit then the electricity from solar will be around `10 per unit. So if all households are sold only solar electricity then the electricity bill from mostly hydro based which is around `400 per household presently will go upto `4000 per household per month. In energy/electricity generation & distribution, the economics is extremely critical. However there is hope that in the near future, the cost of generating solar energy will go down.

Tapping Wind Energy could also be an alternative. However, many years back when I did a thorough research on wind energy by assessing CWET (Centre for Wind Energy Technology) data and also visited wind turbine manufacturing factory of Luminous energy in Mumbai, the data gathered from wind masts installed in few places & insights gathered didn’t provide the viability for wind energy projects during

that time. But interested geeks can try checking viability for Wind energy again, maybe new wind masts could be installed in new places.

2. Smart meters and prepaid meters at consumer level to improve billing efficiency and revenue collections thereby minimising the losses!

3. Upgrading the supply & distribution power infrastructure to ensure transformers do not blow up operating beyond their load capacity!

4. Corporatisation/privatisation of the power department electricity distribution & billing division need to be explored by ensuring use of modern technology - software, SCADA, GIS, GSM etc to have a highly efficient & transparent management

system!

5. While other States allocate huge funds to power sector. Nagaland govt doesn’t allocate sufficient funds to power dept, which means that without Central Govt schemes our State will plunge into complete darkness. Our public leaders & Government need to pay more attention and invest more on priority sectors - roads, electricity, education, telecom/ internet!

It is not an easy task but with public pressure & political will power, nothing is impossible!

We shall one day emerge from darkness into light and become a self-reliant Nagaland and even sell surplus electricity to give light to other neighbouring states in the future!

Yanpvuo Kikon

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Irregularities of electricity and network supply

We have been facing several problems of growing instances of irregular electric supply for months in Dimapur now. In our locality there are many students who are sitting for the Board Exams but, due to this irregularity in electric supply, studying becomes a difficult task.

And in addition, these irregularities in power supply also affect the network supplies too. Therefore, I would like to request every concerned authority to look into these matters personally without any delay.

Along Phom, Industrial Village, Dimapur

Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

‘Cooch Behar violence result of conspiracy’ RAJGANJ/NAGRAKOTA/CHALSA, APR 11 (PTI): Urging people not to vote for “trigger-happy BJP”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday claimed that the tragedy in Cooch Behar was the “result of a conspiracy” hatched by the saffron party to intimidate voters.

Amid polling for the fourth phase of elections on Saturday, four persons died in Sitalkuchi area of Cooch Behar when CISF personnel opened fire allegedly after coming under attack from locals, who “attempted to snatch their rifles”, the police had said.

The TMC supremo, who addressed three rallies in Jalpaiguri district during the day, also stated that BJP leaders, who have come out in support of the central forces, should sit back and reflect if they would have

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee during a press conference in Siliguri, Sunday, April 11, 2021. (PTI)

had the same stance if someone in their families met with a similar fate.

“I have video footage that shows some BJP leaders are speaking in favour of the central forces after the firing incident. You (BJP leaders) don’t feel sad if sons die in other families. What if it had happened to someone in

Ready to resign only if people of Bengal ask me to do so: Amit Shah

Basirhat (WB), Apr 11 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that he is ready to resign from his post only if the people of West Bengal ask him to do so.

The senior BJP leader, however, asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will have to quit on May 2 as the Trinamool Congress will lose the ongoing assembly elections.

The TMC chief has demanded Shah’s resignation over the killing of four people in firing by CISF personnel during the fourth phase of voting in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district on Saturday.

“Didi has been asking for my resignation. If the people of West Bengal demand that I put down my papers, I am ready to do so with my head bowed. But Mamata will have to quit the CM’s post on May 2,” Shah said, while addressing a rally in Basirhat in North 24 Parganas district.

Votes polled in the eight-phase elections to 294 assembly seats in West Bengal will be counted on May 2. Training his guns on Banerjee, Shah alleged that

Amit Shah

she is opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to appease illegal immigrants, who he claimed take benefits of welfare schemes but indulge in riots.

“What is Didi’s problem if Matuas get citizenship? Her problem is that illegal immigrants will be displeased. Such people don’t have the right to rule the state any longer. Illegal immigrants take benefits of welfare schemes like free ration but indulge in riots,” he said.

Shah said that the BJP will completely stop illegal immigration from Bangladesh and withdraw a resolution passed in the assembly against CAA after forming the government in the state.

your family,” Banerjee said in Rajganj.

Hitting out at the accused CISF personnel, she said, “If you think someone is causing nuisance, speak to him, you also have lathis.

How can you suddenly point your gun at the torso and neck of voters?”

Describing the incident

as “murder of democracy”, Banerjee pointed out that the EC has stopped her and other politicians from visiting Sitalkuchi for 72 hours at the “behest of the BJP”.

“You can stop me from visit Sitalkuchi or for that matter any other place, but I will find a way out to be on the side of the distressed people.”

She asserted that “for every bullet, reply will be given in votes”.

“Come out in larger numbers to cast your vote, exercise your democratic rights to defeat the triggerhappy BJP. The Cooch Behar incident was a result of a conspiracy hatched by the saffron camp,” the chief minister said during her address in Nagrakota.

Accusing the BJP of failing to deliver on its promise to re-open tea gardens that had to shut shop due to

paucity of funds, Banerjee said the saffron party has always deceived common people.

“In sharp contrast, the TMC dispensation has undertaken many development projects in Jalpaiguri to boost its agriculture and tourism sectors. It has built a stadium in the district, and ensured that the social welfare schemes launched by the government benefits everyone in the region,” she inisited.

Banerjee, who wore a black scarf to condemn the Cooch Behar incident, paid floral tribute to those killed in the firing at a makeshift memorial built next to the stage in Nagrakota.

At Chalsa, she promised ration and Rs 500 for every household and Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for the backward caste families.

7 More Sitalkuchi-like incidents if ‘bad boys’ don’t behave, warns Dilip Ghosh KOLKATA, APR 11 ( AGENCIES): West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh Sunday said that there will be similar incidents like the one that happened in Cooch Behar’s Sitalkuchi during the fourth phase of polling for the Assembly if “dustu chelera” (bad boys) do not behave in the coming election phases, reports The Indian Express.

Ghosh also demanded a case against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for instigating the people against security forces on poll duty in Bengal, adding that she should not be allowed to campaign in the state any more.

“From where have the ‘dustu chele’ (bad boys) come? The ones who received bullets in Cooch Behar’s Sitalkuchi yesterday.

These bad boys will not remain in Bengal. This is

Resume talks with protesting farmers, Vij urges Tomar Chandigarh, Apr 11 (PTI): Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij has written to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Sing Tomar, urging him to resume talks with farmers protesting against the Centre’s farm laws as the coronavirus scare looms large.

Maintaining that a surge in coronavirus cases is being seen across the country and the situation is “turning bad” in Haryana too, Vij said he is worried about the farmers protesting on the state borders with

Anil Vij

Delhi.

“All possible efforts are being made to bring the corona situation under control in Haryana but my worry pertains to thousands of agitating farmers who are sitting on the borders

of Haryana and I have to save them from corona,” the minister said.

“There is also a worry that because of them the disease may not spread in the rest of the state,” wrote Vij in his letter, dated April 9.

He also mentioned that being in agitation mode, farmers are not able to follow all COVID-related guidelines. The Centre has made a lot of efforts to resolve the problems of farmers and held multiple rounds of talks with them “but due to some reasons, the solution is yet to

come”, he said.

“A situation of uncertainty prevails as there have been no talks for a long time. I am of the belief that a problem can be solved through dialogue,” he said.

“Therefore, I request you that the talks should be resumed so that the issue is resolved and the protest ends,” Vij said in his Hindi letter.

A few days ago, Vij had said that he would be writing to the Union agriculture minister for the resumption of talks.

only the beginning. Those who think that the CISF carry guns just for show are mistaken. If anyone takes law into his own hands, he will receive a befitting reply.

Central forces will be deployed in booths and no one will be allowed to threaten them. If things go out of hand, there will be more Sitalkuchi-like incidents in many places. So beware,” said Ghosh at a public meet-

ing at Baranagar in North 24 Parganas district.

On Saturday, four persons were killed after Central Armed Police Force personnel opened fire at a polling booth in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar district after allegedly coming under an attack from locals. On the same day, another person was shot dead outside a polling booth by unidentified men.

Maha Cong to protest against Centre over COVID-19 vaccine shortage

Mumbai, Apr 11 (PTI): The Maharashtra unit of the Congress will hold protest against the BJP-ruled Centre from Monday by beating plates and ringing bells outside those vaccination centres in the state that have been shut due to the nonavailability of COVID-19 vaccines, a party leader said.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, state Congress president Nana Patole wondered how ‘Tika Utsav’ (vaccine festival) can be observedin the state from April 11 to 14 when several centres are shut

as they have run out of doses.

“We will protest against the central government’s attempt to politicise a serious issue of shortage of vaccine doses by banging of thalis (plates) and ringing of bells outside those vaccination centres that had to be shut due to the nonavailability of doses,” Patole said. Patole said there is no option but to vaccinate people to keep them safe from the virus. “Maharashtra is leading among other states in the vaccination drive, but the Centre is not providing enough doses,” he said.

BJP cancels candidature of Sengar’s wife

Lucknow, April 11 (IANS): The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh has cancelled the ticket of Sangeeta Senger, wife of former MLA and rape convict Kuldeep Senger. The party, two days ago, had announced the candidature of Sangeeta Sengar from Fatehpur Chaurasi seat in the upcoming panchayat elections.

Sangeeta had earlier held the post of the zila panchayat chairperson.

UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh said that

Sangeeta Senger

a fresh panel of candidates was under consideration.

Party sources said that Sangeeta’s candidature had been withdrawn after the rape victim’s family threat-

ened to launch a campaign against her in the polls.

Kuldeep Singh Sengar was a BJP MLA who was expelled from the party following his conviction in a rape case.

Sangeeta Senger was made the candidate, keeping in mind the influence that her family wields in the area and the sympathy that they have earned after Kuldeep Senger’s arrest in April 2018.

Many still believe that he is innocent and has been framed by political rivals.

DP-1852 DC-340

DP-1910

DC-339

K-696A

DP-1535

CBI questions two PAs of Deshmukh

M u mbai , A pr 1 1 (IANS): Moving ahead with its probe, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday began questioning two personal assistants of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with allegations of bribery and misuse of office. A CBI source told IANS the agency is questioning Palande and Kundan, both PAs of Deshmukh, about the alleged allegations made by arrested Mumbai Police cop Sachin Vaze and former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh. The CBI has questioned Singh, Vaze twice, and ACP Sanjay Patil and DCP Raju Bhujbal in connection with the case.

The CBI also recorded the statement of two other people. The CBI had registered a PE on Tuesday night.

Two teams of CBI-led by SP level officers have arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday and Wednesday to probe the matter. The Bombay High Court directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary probe against Deshmukh on Monday. Soon after the ruling, Deshmukh stepped down from his post.

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the pleas of the state government and Deshmukh challenging the High Court order. The NIA arrested Vaze on March 13 after taking over the case of the explosive laden SUV found outside Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani’s residence. Vaze is also being probed in the mysterious death of businessman Mansukh Hiran.

West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh during his roadshow in Kolkata (PTI)

8

Govt may hike pension FDI limit to 74 per cent

New Delhi, Apr 11 (PTI): The government may hike foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the pension sector to 74 per cent and a Bill in this regard is expected to come in the next Parliament session, according to sources.

Last month, Parliament approved a Bill to increase FDI limit in the insurance sector from 49 per cent to 74 per cent. The Insurance Act, 1938 was last amended in 2015 which raised FDI limit to 49 per cent, resulting in foreign capital inflow of Rs. 26,000 crore in the last 5 years.

Amendment to Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Act, 2013 seeking to raise FDI limit in the pension sector may come in the monsoon session or winter session depending on various approvals, sources said.

Currently, the FDI in the pension fund is capped at 49 per cent.

Besides, sources said, the amendment Bill may contain separation of NPS Trust from the PFRDA. The powers, functions and duties of the NPS Trust, which are currently laid

down under the PFRDA (National Pension System Trust) Regulations 2015, may come under a charitable trust or the Companies Act, they said.

The intent behind this is to keep NPS Trust separate from the pension regulator and managed competent board of 15 members.

Out of this, the majority of members are likely to be from the government as they, including states, are the biggest contributor to the corpus.

The PFRDA was established for promoting and ensuring the orderly growth of the pension sector with sufficient powers over pension funds, the central recordkeeping agency and other intermediaries. It also safeguards the interest of members.

The National Pension System (NPS) was introduced by the Government of India to replace the defined benefit pension system. NPS was made mandatory for all new recruits to the central government service from January 1, 2004, (except the armed forces in the first stage) and has also been rolled out for all citizens with effect from May 1, 2009, on voluntary basis.

The government had made a conscious move to shift from the defined benefit, pay-as-you-go pension scheme to defined contribution pension scheme, NPS, due to rising and unsustainable pension bill. The transition aimed at freeing the limited resources of the government for more productive and socio-economic sectoral development.

business

Amazon ‘Mentor Connect’ prog for startups launched Bengaluru, Apr 11 (IANS): Amazon India on Sunday announced the launch of its “Mentor Connect” programme for thousands of startups and emerging brands.

Introduced ahead of ahead of the company’s flagship event “Smbhav,” the Amazon Mentor Connect programme is aimed at accelerating the growth of start-ups and emerging brands owners enrolled in the “Amazon Launchpad” programme. Amazon Launchpad showcases differentiated products from startups and emerging brands to millions of Amazon customers.

The Mentor Connect programme will help startups+ gain exclusive access to guidance from venture capitalists, industry veterans and Amazon leaders through expert knowledge sharing sessions, networking events and one-on-one mentorship sessions.

Mentors from educational institutions and VC firms like Fireside Ventures, DSG Consumer Partners, Elevation Capital, and Tomorrow Capital have already signed up for this programme and are looking forward to contributing to the Indian startup growth story, Amazon said.

Startups and emerging brands enrolled in the Ama-

zon Launchpad programme can access guidance from these mentors through various ways. This includes one to one mentorship with chosen mentors over a 3-month period, ongoing networking opportunities with a wider pool of industry experts, or knowledge sharing sessions between these experts and other Launchpad brands.

This offers entrepreneurs a platform to engage, learn and showcase their startups to the industry’s leading subject matter experts to help tackle strategic and functional challenges.

“With Amazon Mentor Connect programme, we aim to create a support system to help start-ups unlock their potential by providing them with the right kind of mentoring that can help them scale their business, avoid blind spots, learn from experience of existing leaders, open new doors and help them unlock infinite possibilities for a Digital India,” Pranav Bhasin, Director, MSME & Selling Partner Experience, Amazon India, said in a statement. Amazon said that the Mentor Connect programme will also be extended to the winners of the Amazon Smbhav Entrepreneurship challenge in the upcoming Amazon Smbhav summit.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

M&M to pump Rs 3,000 crore in EV business in next 3 years

New Delhi, Apr 11 (PTI): Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd will put in fresh investments to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore on its electric vehicles business in the next three years, while it looks for more alliances and partnerships in the vertical, according to a top company official. M&M is working on developing on an EV platform by combining capabilities of its operations across the globe, including Detroit and Italy.

“So, for EVs we are going to invest Rs 3,000 crore additional to what we have talked about,” Mahindra Group Managing Director and CEO Anish Shah said.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd had earlier said it was investing Rs 9,000 crore in auto and farm sectors in the next five years.

The company, which has set a goal of putting 5 lakh electric vehicles on Indian roads by 2025, has already invested Rs 1,700 crore in the EV business in India with another Rs 500 crore on a new research and development (R&D) centre.

While it has already opened its electric technologies plant in Bengaluru that produces battery

packs, power electronics and motors, it has also invested in a new manufacturing unit at its chakan plant to produce EVs. Shah, who recently took over as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with the mandate to have a complete oversight of and responsibility for all the Mahindra Group businesses, said the fresh investment “is over and above that”.

It will be utilised on various activities, including developing a new platform that can roll out multiple models, by combining the group’s various capabilities. “...there are multiple capabilities we have within the group. We have capabilities in Detroit...we have capability in Automobili Pininfarina and our Formula E,” Shah said adding those are going to combine

to get an electric platform for India.

When asked if M&M is looking for alliances or partnerships, he said, “For EVs we will look at alliances. EV is the future.”

“We already have one alliance. We have announced an MoU with REE (Automotive) which is an Israeli company. This is for smaller trucks and commercial vehicles. And we will have other alliances in the EV side as well. So we are very open to alliances but it is more for the future,” Shah said.

On whether the future alliances would be technology or equity partnerships, he said, “We are open to all sorts of possibilities at this stage but at this point it is too early to say because we will have to have a lot of conversations. Once we do that we will have a better sense.”

CEOs prefer strict safety norms over partial lockdowns: CII Survey BSNL waives off installation charges for new fixed-line customers

HIGHWAY DRIVING HUB

FOR SALE Dumper 2011

Price : 12 Lakhs Negotiable Ph : 6033897334

DP-1902

ADMISSION OPEN

pay Rs 500 as the installation charge. It is again Rs 250 for getting a broadband connection over the existing voice calling service.

In comparison to JioFiber, the broadband arm of Reliance Jio, this cost is minuscule. JioFiber customers are required to pay Rs 1,000 as installation charges that are non-refundable and Rs 1,500 for a security deposit against the ONU devices provided by the company. The security deposit is fully refundable though.

Contact No. : 9856309638 9362579358 DP-1875

3rd MILE, CHEKIYE VILLAGE DIMAPUR, NAGALAND LEARN DRIVING WITH POWER STEERING INTERESTED CANDIDATES MAY CONTACT AT : 8974222333 DP-1895 8837380762

WANTED

LAND FOR SALE

Near St Antony School Area : 27000 Sq. Ft (approx.)

Only Tenyimi. No Broker Contact No. : 9856124777

Contact: 8014992750/7005666161

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

for a Professional Unisex Salon in Dimapur Salary: Negotiable Contact: 9612646489

*IT TRAINER REQUIRED*

B . E / B . Te c h / M C A / B C A graduate with 2 years of experience in Teaching/ Training and good knowledge of Hardware and Networking.

Mail your updated Resume/CV at ddugky.bmpl@gmail.com Contact : 9774809276 8787432396

JOB VACANCY

Shreya Tele Media Pvt. Ltd is recruiting 21 boys and 17 girls for various post i.e office staff, assistant manager and branch manager to expand new branches all over India.

Qualification 10 to graduate Age 18-26.

Dimapur-6909618009 Wokha-8132890988 Mokochung-9362417621 Kohima-9366112992

LOST NOTICE I, Vimugha S. Sema, am applying for duplicate copy of HSLC, HSSLC, B. Com Admit Card and Marksheet as I have lost them.

Name : Vimugha S. Sema F/Name : Shovukhu Sema HSLC R/No. 271063 HSSLC RNo. : 516369 Reg No. 31040237 of 2005-06 B.Com 3rd Year General R/No. : D06318

LAND FOR SALE 1. Padumpukhuri, Dimapur Area : 86,400 sq. ft.

Rs. 350 per sq. ft. slide negotiable 2. Area 03 Bighas (Approximate) Rs. 270 per sq. ft. (any size) No filling Required Ph. No. : 9862128679 8014690505 No Broker

LAND FOR SALE Land with Building for sale Location : Kohima Genuine Buyers Only No Brokers Please Contact : 9362500878

LAND FOR SALE In KOHIMA URGENT SALE!

Between New Sectt.

Complex and Medical College. Road attached.

Rs. 450/- per sq.ft. onwards.

Contact : 7085416488

TENYIPHE VILLAGE

DP-1816

Residential Plot for sale @ Rs. 700/- per sq.ft located near Mount Mary College Ward-9, Chumukedima.

LAND FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE Highway Touched 3rd Mile Diphupar 'B' near Green Park Paglapahar (Paddy Field) Khughovi 4 Lane Touched Nihoto Village Near Naga United NO BROKERS PLEASE Contact No. : 9862954673

DP-1863

Hair Stylist

K-750

Admission Going On Address : 3rd Mile

LAND FOR SALE

1. URA COLONY 2. KUSHIABILL 3. NAGARJAN 4. NAGA UNITED VILLAGE 5. NEAR NEW SHOWUBA Phone : 8794493450 9862086218 DP-1878

LAND FOR SALE Well Marked Plot at Nihoto Village Ranging from Rs. 80 to 120 per sq. feet (Negotiable)

DP-1844

No. 3531 Yesterday’s solution No. 3530

FIRST DRIVING INSTITUTE

DP-1682

No. 4507

Yesterday’s solution No. 4506

Across 3. Steam room (5) 8. As yet (2,3) 10. Stamp book (5) 11. A mine (3) 12. Player’s first game (5) 13. Chef ’s room (7) 15. Attack (3,2) 18. Pigmeat (3) 19. Tranquil (6) 21. Plant type (7) 22. Revise (4) 23. Fruit (4) 24. Remainder (7) 26. Loves deeply (6) 29. Stripling (3) 31. Tribal badge or emblem (5) 32. Walks like a duck (7) 34. Anteroom (5) 35. Boy’s name (3) 36. Celestial body (5) 37. Rage (5) 38. Stinks (5) Down 1. Theme (5) 2. Short axe (7) 4. Middle East port (4) 5. Disgust, revulsion (6) 6. Change (5) 7. Japanese padded quilt (5) 9. Seizure (3) 12. Relegates (7) 14. Witch (3) 16. Native American tent (5) 17. Approaches (5) 19. Alike (7) 20. Gain access to (3,2) 21. Intolerant person (5) 23. Dessert course (7) 24. Distant (6) 25. Father (3) 27. One giving blood (5) 28. Allude (5) 30. Hereditary units (5) 32. Seven days (4) 33. Insulate (3)

will be available pan-India and is not limited to any particular circle.

BSNL’s head office in Delhi had released the circular ordering every other state and circle to update the information on their website as well. Further, it mentioned that the above order should be applicable immediately which means starting now till April 30th 2021, any user looking to get new broadband or a landline connection will not have to pay any installation charges.

For broadband-only connections, BSNL usually charges users Rs 250 as the installation charge. But for Bharat Fibre (Optic Fibre) connections, users need to

DP-1909

No. 9888 Yesterday’s solution No. 9887

New Delhi, Apr 11 (Agencies): India’s state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has decided to waive the installation charges until April 30th, for all kinds of fixed-line connections. The telecom PSU offers several telecom services such as fibre optic broadband connections, DSL broadband connections, and landline service, Business Today reported.

The installation charges for any new connection for either of the services are waived off until April 30, 2021, reported TelecomTalk. BSNL announced this information through a circular dated 8th April 2021. The offer

K-746

KAKURO

restrictions, about 67 per cent of the CEOs of those polled expressed their desire to work with the government for mass vaccination of eligible workforce who are 45 years and above.

While 57 per cent of the companies expressed the need to stock raw materials in excess of just-in-time levels to meet any likely shortage of raw materials, about 31 per cent of the industry leaders said that they would accommodate their labour force in the factory in case of movement restrictions due to night curfew.

DP-1905

Su doku

by 96 per cent of the CEOs polled, stringent implementation of safety norms was opined to be better than the option of partial lockdowns by 93 per cent of the CEOs polled.

“Protecting livelihoods along with lives is essential and industry is keen to work with the Government on universal coverage (18 years and above) of vaccination programme and in implementing strict health and safety protocols”, said Narendran.

Looking at ways to mitigate the impact of the

DP-1730

Crossword

ing and services and 68 per cent of the responding CEOs were from MSMEs. “Stringent enforcement measures to promote strict adherence to health and safety protocols are essential and any measures to restrict social gatherings should not be extended to regular functioning of industry and commerce” said T.V. Narendran, President Designate of CII. While the Indian industry is well prepared and equipped for implementation of stricter health and safety protocols as revealed

K-751

of goods, which would affect industrial production significantly. About 60 per cent of the CEOs said that their production could be affected if there are restrictions on movement of labour during these partial lockdowns.

Similarly, 56 per cent of the CEOs expressed their concern over loss of production of up to 50 per cent if there were restrictions on the ecosystem which supports movement of goods.

The CEOs polled pertained to both manufactur-

DP-1904

New Delhi, Apr 11 (IANS): Amid rising Covid cases and talks of partial and total localised lockdowns, most of the CEOs in India believe that along with the ongoing vaccination drive, stringent implementation of safety norms should be adopted instead of going for restrictions and partial lockdowns, according to a CII survey.

Around 75 per cent of the 710 CEOs polled were of the view that partial lockdown measures could impact the movement of labour as well as movement

No brokers entertained Contact - 8257057476 8837226410/9366463059 8974226498

LAND FOR SALE

Location : Kushiabill, Near Highway (4.5 km from Zion Hospital) Area : Any size plot available Price : 180 per sq.ft. *Plots with drainage and approach road Contact : 8787777148 / DP-1898 +917005227608

9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

‘Suspicious’ blackout at Iran nuclear site Israel pledges to work with US on Iran

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin landed in Israel on Sunday for talks with Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

Power at Natanz had been cut across the facility comprised of above-ground workshops and underground enrichment halls, civilian nuclear program spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi told Iranian state television.

“We still do not know the reason for this electricity outage and have to look

21 Chinese coal miners trapped by underground flood

Rescue workers at a flooded coal mine in Hutubi county in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Region, Sunday. (AP/PTI)

BEIJING, APR 11 (AP): Rescuers on Sunday were trying to reach 21 coal miners who were trapped by an underground flood in China’s northwest, a state news agency reported.

The mine in Hutubi County in the Xinjiang re-

gion flooded at about 6:10 pm on Saturday, the Xinhua News Agency said. It said eight people were rescued. China’s coal mines are among the world’s deadliest, regularly suffering explosions and gas leaks despite repeated safety crackdowns.

into it further,” Kamalvandi said. “Fortunately, there was no casualty or damage and there is no particular contamination or problem.”

Asked by the state TV correspondent if it was a “technical defect or sabotage,” Kamalvandi declined to comment. Malek Shariati Niasar, a Tehran-based lawmaker who serves as spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s energy committee, wrote on Twitter that the incident was “very suspicious,” raising concerns

BEIJING, APR 11 (PTI): With no forward movement at the latest round of SinoIndia military talks on disengagement from the remaining areas in eastern Ladakh, the Chinese military has said that India should cherish the “current positive trend” of de-escalation and cooling down of tensions in the border area.

A day after the 11th round of Corps Commander-level talks that lasted for 13 hours, the Indian Army said in a statement on Saturday that both sides held a detailed deliberation on the disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points of Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang in eastern Ladakh and agreed to jointly maintain stability on the ground, avoid any new incidents and resolve the outstanding issues in an “expeditious manner”.

There was no visible forward movement at the latest round of military talks between the two countries as the Chinese delegation came to the talks with a “premeditated mindset” and did not show any flex-

ibility in moving forward on the disengagement process at the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, people familiar with the negotiations said in New Delhi on Saturday.

In its press release on the latest round of talks between two militaries held on April 9, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said India should cherish the de-escalation and cooling in the border area, in an apparent reference to the disengagement of troops from the most contentious area of the Pangong Lake in February.

Both sides should also adhere to the consensus reached in the previous talks, the state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Sunday quoted the press release by a PLA spokesperson on the talks held at the Chushul border point on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

“We hope the Indian side could cherish the current positive trend of deescalation and cooling in the border area, adhere to

JERUSALEM, APR 11 (AGENCIES): Israel’s defence minister pledged on Sunday to cooperate with the United States on Iran, voicing hope that Israeli security would be safeguarded under any renewed Iranian nuclear deal that Washington reaches.

“Israel views the United States as a full partner across all operational theatres, not the least Iran,” Benny Gantz said after hosting visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

“And we will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region and protect the State of Israel.”

Austin, making the first visit to Israel by a senior Biden administration official, told his counterpart that Washington views the alliance with Israel as central to regional security.

Austin’s visit includes talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is worried about the Democratic administration’s desire for a U.S. return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal

Chinese vaccines’ effectiveness low: Official BEIJING, APR 11 (AP): In a rare admission of the weakness of Chinese coronavirus vaccines, the country’s top disease control official says their effectiveness is low and the government is considering mixing them to get a boost. Chinese vaccines “don’t have very high protection rates,” said the director of the China Centers for Disease Control, Gao Fu, at a conference Saturday in the southwestern city of Chengdu.

Beijing has distributed hundreds of millions of doses abroad while trying to promote doubt about the effectiveness of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine made using the previously experimental messenger RNA, or mRNA, process.

“It’s now under formal consideration whether we

India should cherish ‘current positive trend’ of de-escalation: Chinese military

PLA soldiers and tanks during military disengagement along the LAC on Feb 16. (AFP File)

for the killing of a scientist who began the country’s military nuclear program decades earlier. The Stuxnet computer virus, discovered in 2010 and widely believed to be a joint U.S.-Israeli creation, once disrupted and destroyed Iranian centrifuges at Natanz.

Israel has not claimed any of the attacks, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly has described Iran as the major threat faced by his country in recent weeks.

Meeting with Austin on Sunday, Gantz said Israel viewed America as an ally against all threats, including Iran.

“The Tehran of today poses a strategic threat to international security, to the entire Middle East and to the state of Israel,” Gantz said. “And we will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world, of the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region, and protect the state of Israel.”

The Israeli army’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, also appeared to reference Iran.

the relevant agreements between the two armies and the consensus of the previous talks and move towards the same direction as the Chinese side to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border area,” a spokesperson for the Western Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said in a statement.

The Indian Army statement said it was highlighted at the talks that completion of disengagement in other areas would pave the way for considering “de-escalation of forces” and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the region.

The Indian delegation, led by Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen PGK Menon, particularly insisted on resolving outstanding issues in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang. “The two sides had a detailed exchange of views for the resolution of the remaining issues related to disengagement along the LAC in eastern Ladakh,” the Indian Army said.

The two sides agreed on the need to resolve the outstanding issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols, the statement said.

The two sides agreed that it was important to take guidance from the consensus of their leaders, continue their communication and dialogue and work towards a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest, it said.

Pfizer-BioNTech and the traditional AstraZeneca vaccine.

The coronavirus pandemic, which began in central China in late 2019, marks the first time the Chinese drug industry has played a role in responding to a global health emergency. Vaccines made by two state-owned drug makers, Sinovac and Sinopharm, have been exported to 22 countries including Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, Hungary, Brazil and Turkey, according to the foreign ministry.

The effectiveness of a Sinovac vaccine at preventing symptomatic infections was found to be as low as 50.4% by researchers in Brazil, near the 50% threshold at which health experts say a vaccine is useful.

should use different vaccines from different technical lines for the immunization process,” Gao said.

Officials at a news conference Sunday didn’t respond directly to questions about Gao’s comment or possible changes in official plans. But another CDC official said developers are working on mRNA-based

vaccines. “The mRNA vaccines developed in our country have also entered the clinical trial stage,” said the official, Wang Huaqing. He gave no timeline for possible use. Experts say mixing vaccines, or sequential immunization, might boost effectiveness. Researchers in Britain are studying a possible combination of

Jordan King, prince appear together for first time since rift

Iranian parliament files charges against president

JERUSALEM, APR 11 (AP): Jordan’s King Abdullah II and his half brother Prince Hamzah made their first joint public appearance Sunday since a palace feud last week. Members of the Jordanian royal family marked the centenary of the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan, a British protectorate that preceded the kingdom. The royal palace released a photo with Abdullah II, Prince Hamzah, Crown Prince Hussein and other dignitaries at the grave of King Talal in Amman, Jordan’s capital.

Hamzah was seen for the first time since he was placed under a form of house arrest amid accusations he was involved in a plot to destabilize the kingdom.

Hassan Rouhani

TEHRAN, APR 11 (IANS): The Iranian parliament has filed charges against President Hassan Rouhani, in an intensifying power struggle between hardliners and moderates in the country.

The deputies accuse him of having disregarded laws passed by parliament.

Citing the Fars news agency, DPA reported on Sunday that 190 of the 235 lawmakers present voted in favour, without providing any further background or detail.

Observers see a connection between the vote and the renewed nuclear negotiations in Vienna, which may require a compromise with the hardliners’ archenemy, the US. Shortly after their victory in parliamentary elections in February 2020, the hardliners and conservatives have pressured the moderate president to be called in and ultimately resign.

They argue that Rouhani distanced the Islamic Republic from its ideological goals with pro-Western policies and the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement. Rouhani for his part accuses the hardliners in parliament of sacrificing national interests for domestic power struggles ahead of the presidential election in June.

US and Philippines officials discuss concerns over China’s ships WASHINGTON, APR 11 (AP): Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday discussed with his Philippine counterpart China’s recent positioning of “militia vessels” near the Philippines in the South China Sea. Austin spoke by phone with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana while Austin was flying from Washington to Israel to begin an international trip.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Austin and Lorenzana dis-

cussed the situation in the South China Sea and the recent massing of Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, which has drawn criticism from Manila.

China has said its vessels are there for fishing.

In their phone call, Austin proposed to Lorenzana several measures to deepen defense cooperation, including by “enhancing situational awareness of threats in the South China Sea,” Kirby said.

He did not elaborate.

Kirby said earlier this week that the aircraft carrier USS Theodore

Roosevelt and its strike group, as well as the amphibious ship USS Makin Island, are operating in the South China Sea. The U.S. has no military forces based permanently in the Philippines but sometimes rotates forces to the country under the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement.

The recent gathering of Chinese vessels near the Philippines is among moves the United States has criticized as efforts

by Beijing to intimidate smaller nations in the region.

Benny Gantz

with major powers, which the previous Republican administration quit.

Netanyahu has said Israel will not be bound by a renewed deal, which he describes as a temporary cap on Iranian nuclear capabilities that would pave the way to bomb-production in the longer-run. Tehran says its atomic ambitions are purely peaceful.

Israeli officials have long threatened last-ditch military action against Iran if they deem foreign diplomacy a dead-end.

In his public remarks, Austin did not comment on Iran specifically. He said the Biden administration would continue to ensure Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the Middle East as part of a “strong commitment to Israel and the Israeli people”.

“Our bilateral relationship with Israel in particular is central to regional stability and security in the Middle East. During our meeting I reaffirmed to Minister Gantz our commitment to Israel is enduring and it is ironclad,” Austin said.

Israel and Iran have in recent weeks reported sabotage to their ships at sea.

Syria has accused Israel of air strikes on its territory. Israel says it is trying to stem a build-up of Iranian forces within next-door Syria.

On Sunday, Iran’s Press TV said an electricity problem had caused an incident at the Natanz underground uranium enrichment site, without casualties or pollution. Israel, which lists cyber-sabotage in its arsenal, did not comment.

Former B’desh PM Khaleda Zia tests positive for COVID DHAKA, APR 11 (PTI): Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, a year after she was released from jail temporarily amidst the pandemic, according to media reports.

The 75-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief ’s samples were sent to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, for testing on Saturday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted Public Relations Officer, Health Ministry, Maidul Islam Prodhan as saying.

“It came back as positive today [Sunday], which has been updated on the database of the Directorate of Health Services,” he told Dhaka Tribune. The newspaper reported that one of Zia’s relatives, who had met her last week, had later tested positive for the coronavirus.

“That is why madam’s [Zia] family took steps for her COVID-19 test, though she has no major symp-

Khaleda Zia

toms,” a source close to the family told the Dhaka Tribune. However, BNP leaders failed to confirm Zia’s diagnosis. Speaking to The Daily Star, Sayrul Kabir Khan, member of BNP press wing, said, “After talking to Khaleda Zia’s physician Dr Mamun, I came to know that it was a regular health check-up. We have no information about the positive COVID-19 test report.”

Zia has served thrice as the premier of Bangladesh since 1991. Her party suffered a miserable defeat in the 2018 elections bagging only six seats in the 300-seat parliament. Her conviction on “moral turpitude” charges de-barred her from contesting the polls.

OFFICE OF THE

TSIERAMIA COUNCIL L. KHEL, KOHIMA VILLAGE NOTICE

In continuation to the earlier notice issued on 18/08/2000 and in support of notification issued by DC Kohima dated 23rd March 2021, the Tsieramia Council hereby once again apprises the public not to engaged in any deed of sales or purchases of land within New Secretariat area without the consent or knowledge of the council.

Any individual violating this notice may be doing so at his or her own risk Sd/Keviseyiezo Vizo General Secretary

Sd/Khriengulie Dzüvichü Chairman

K-749B

This satellite photo from Planet Labs Inc. shows Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. (AP)

about possible “sabotage and infiltration.” He said lawmakers were pursuing details of the incident as well. The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors Iran’s program, said it was “aware of the media reports,” but declined to comment.

Natanz was largely built underground to withstand enemy airstrikes. It became a flashpoint for Western fears about Iran’s nuclear program in 2002, when satellite photos showed Iran building its underground centrifuges facility at the site, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) south of the capital, Tehran.

Natanz suffered a mysterious explosion at its advanced centrifuge assembly plant in July that authorities later described as sabotage.

Iran now is rebuilding that facility deep inside a nearby mountain.

Israel, Iran’s regional archenemy, has been suspected of carrying out that attack as well as launching other assaults, as world powers now negotiate with Tehran in Vienna over its nuclear deal.

Iran also blamed Israel

OFFICE OF THE

TSIERAMIA COUNCIL L. KHEL, KOHIMA VILLAGE NOTICE

A. The Tsieramia council hereby brings forth the following rules and regulations to the public notice 1. The Council hereby notify all the house owners and residents under its jurisdiction that w.e.f., from publishing of this notice, the Council will take severe action against any unfortunate occurrence caused by selling of alcohol and intoxicant items and that the house owner shall bear sole responsibility in case any person is caught involving in such activities.

2. All the house owners are restricted to rent out house/flats to illegal immigrants for personal space or commercial purposes.

3. Hunting and fishing within Tsieramia jurisdiction shall be strictly prohibited.

4. Any person caught loitering at night without any valid reason in the said jurisdiction will be severely dealt with.

5. All the residents are expected to adhere to the precautionary measures and SOPs issued by the government to further contain and mitigate the spread of the disease.

B. Daily wages for laborers: 1. Male – Rs 500/- with Lunch.

2. Female – Rs 400/- with Lunch.

3. Construction: a. R.C.C. – Rs 170/- per sq ft. b. Pucca – Rs 100/- per sq ft.

C. Daily wages for construction workers: 1. Laborer (skilled) – Rs. 600/2. Laborer (unskilled) – Rs. 400/3. Carpenter (skilled) – Rs. 600/4. Carpenter (unskilled) – Rs. 400/4. All approach roads leading to various colonies/ blocks from Phezoucha main road shall have at least 20ft width. Therefore all house owners are expected to take note of this while constructing their houses. As such, defaulters shall take the lone risk in case of demolition of their property/properties.

Sd/Sd/Keviseyiezo Vizo Khriengulie Dzüvichü General Secretary Chairman

K-749A

DUBAI, APR 11 (AP): Iran’s underground Natanz nuclear facility lost power Sunday just hours after starting up new advanced centrifuges capable of enriching uranium faster, the latest incident to strike the site amid negotiations over the tattered atomic accord with world powers.

As Iranian officials investigated the outage, many Israeli media outlets offered the similar assessment that a cyber attack darkened Natanz and damaged a facility that is home to sensitive centrifuges. While the reports offered no sourcing for the evaluation, Israeli media maintains a close relationship with the country’s military and intelligence agencies.

If Israel caused the blackout, it further heightens the tensions between the two nations already engaged in a shadow conflict across the wider Middle East.

It also complicates efforts by the U.S., Israel’s main security partner, to re-enter the atomic accord aimed at limiting Tehran’s programme so it couldn’t pursue a nuclear weapon if it chose. As news of the blackout emerged, U.S.

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

‘Superbug’ in India adds to COVID woes F or the first time, researchers have found traces of a “superbug”, a multidrug-resistant organism, on remote sandy beaches of India that can lead to the next deadly pandemic.

In a “landmark discovery”, scientists now have clear evidence of Candida auris. Also called C auris is known as a “superbug” because it can resist the main anti-fungal treatments.

The study was published in the journal mBio on March 16.

A team led by Dr Anuradha Chowdhary, at the University of Delhi, studied 48 samples of soil and water collected from eight natural sites around the Andaman Islands. These included sandy beaches, rocky shores, tidal marshes, and mangrove swamps.

The researchers isolated C. auris from two sites: a salt marsh wetland where virtually no people ever go, and a beach with more human activity.

It was found the C. auris isolates from the beach were all multi-drug resistant and were more closely

related to strains seen in hospitals compared with the isolates found in the marsh, Live Science quoted Chowdhary as saying in a statement.

Researchers observed that one isolate found in the marsh was not drugresistant and grew more slowly at high temperatures compared with the other isolates, suggesting that this isolate could be a “wilder” strain of C. auris.

This isolate might be the one that hadn’t yet adapted to the high body temperatures of humans and other mammals, said Dr. Arturo Casadevall, chair of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public

Health in Baltimore.

However, the study still does not prove that C. auris naturally lives on the Andaman Islands, or that it originated there.

It’s possible that the microbe could have been introduced by people, particularly at the beach site that had more human activity, Live Science reported.

What are the symptoms?

The infections caused by this “superbug” can show “no symptoms before turning into a fever and chills”.

These symptoms won’t go away despite the use of medicines and can lead to death, the Sun reported.

C. auris survives on the skin before entering the body through wounds. Once

in the bloodstream, it causes severe illness and can lead to sepsis -- a condition that kills up to 11 million people a year globally, the World Health Organization said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American health body, said the microbe can cause serious bloodstream infections, especially in patients who require catheters, feeding tubes or breathing tubes.

“This infection can be difficult to treat because the microbe is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs; and it can also linger on environmental surfaces,” Live Science reported.

What causes the spread?

How this C. auris spreads is still a mystery to scientists.

However, researchers have previously hypothesized that increased temperatures due to climate change may have caused C. auris to adapt to higher temperatures in the wild, and thus allowed the fungus to make the jump to humans, whose normal body temperature is typically too hot for most fungi

Stress linked to coronary heart disease in women

P

sychosocial stress typically resulting from difficulty coping with challenging environments may work synergistically to put women at higher risk of developing coronary heart disease, a new study suggests.

The findings indicate that the effects of job strain and social strain, the negative aspect of social relationships on women is a powerful one-two punch. Together they are associated with a 21 per cent higher risk of developing coronary heart disease.

“The Covid-19 pandemic

has highlighted ongoing stresses for women in balancing paid work and social stressors,” said researchers Yvonne Michael, Associate Professor at Drexel University in the US. The study also found that high-stress life events, such as a spouse’s death, divorce/separation or physical or verbal abuse, as well as social strain, were each independently linked with a 12 per cent and 9 per cent higher risk of coronary heart disease, respectively.

For the study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the team

used data from a nationally representative sample of 80,825 postmenopausal women.

In the current follow-up study, the researchers evaluated the effect of psychosocial stress from job strain, stressful life events and social strain (through a survey), and associations among these forms of stress, on coronary heart disease.

(IANS)

to survive.

The infection has reached all corners of the world where it is “spreading like wildfire”, suggesting that it does spread via human contact, the Sun reported.

Were there any previous traces?

C. auris was discovered in hospitals around the world about a decade ago.

This mysterious “superbug” is a fungus that was first discovered in 2009 in a patient in Japan.

Around 270 people in the United Kingdom have been diagnosed with this infection until 2019, the report cited data from Public Health England.

Also, eight people have died, however, the report said, it was not possible to attribute the deaths directly to the fungus.

“It’s a medical mystery, where did it come from,” Dr. Arturo Casadevall said.

The new findings are “a very important part of the puzzle,” Casadevall told Live Science.

Next pandemic already there?

A report by Dr Don-

Q

ald Sheppard, a professor of microbiology at McGill University, Canada, in 2020, said there is evidence C. auris is present in the UK because the fungus had been found in the foot ulcers of people with diabetes in London -- which has also been reported in India.

There have been random cases of the fungus emerging usually in people who have travelled to the UK from areas C. auris is more prevalent, with multiple introductions from Asia and Africa.

The report said patients with C. auris remain infected possibly forever, “suggests this emerging nosocomial pathogen is likely here to stay”.

In view of the coronavirus pandemic, scientists have now shifted focus on investigating pathogens that might cause the next deadly pandemic.

“If this idea gets validated, we need to start mapping out more of these pathogens that are out there so we don’t get surprised, as we got surprised by the new coronavirus,” Casadevall said.

District Band Zunheboto officially launched

(Inset) DC, Peter Lichamo. District Band Zunheboto performing during the launch.

D

istrict Band Zunheboto was officially launched in Zunheboto on April 10, 2021

by Zunheboto DC, Peter Lichamo at his official residence.

In his speech, the Deputy Commissioner expressed his happiness on the formation of the district band and encouraged the upcoming artists to continue and pursue their passion in the field of music as well. He also expressed his gratitude to

the 32 Assam Rifles for providing the sound system and other necessary equipments, SP for giving all necessary logistic support, band members for devoting their time in promoting music and further requested everyone present during the programme to cooperate for the upliftment of the band in the district. It must be noted that the Deputy Commissioner, who himself was a musician, was the main person behind the formation of the district band.

Queen working on new music

u e e n h ave b e e n working on new music with Adam Lambert but their recording sessions didn’t turn out the way they had hoped.

Queen has been “trying things out” in the studio with Adam Lambert.

The remaining members of the group, Brian May and Roger Taylor, have been performing live with the former ‘American Idol’ star for a decade, but have never recorded new material with him and it seems fans will have to wait even longer for new songs because the

73-year-old guitarist admitted their recording sessions didn’t turn out the way they had hoped.

Asked about the possibility of a new record, Brian told Guitar Player magazine: “I always say, ‘I don’t know.’ It would have to be a very spontaneous moment. Actually, Adam, Roger and myself have been in the studio trying things out, just because things came up. But up to this point we haven’t felt that anything we’ve done has hit the button in the right way. So it’s not like we’re closed to the

idea, it’s just that it hasn’t happened yet.”

The ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ rocker admitted the coronavirus pandemic has made it even more difficult to think about a new record.

H e added: “A n d to be honest, life h a s now taken

a turn in which it’s very difficult to explore an avenue like that. Things may change, but I don’t think they’re going to change very fast.”

(Contactmusic)

Niall Horan and Anne-Marie duet is ‘happening’

N

iall Horan has hinted that he and Anne-Marie are gearing up to announce t h e i r e a ge r ly - awa i t e d duet.

The ‘Problems’ singer revealed last year that she and the One Direction star decided to collaborate on music after bonding over their shared love of golf and that they had penned three songs together.

And it looks like fans won’t have much longer to wait before they hear a track from the pair.

Niall took to Twitter to share a picture of himself and the cotton candy-haired pop star in glam attire in a pale green classic motor this week.

The 27-year-old star simply captioned the snap: “It’s happening.”

Anne-Marie had

teased that the pair’s “voices sound really good together”.

The 30-year-old star said in November: “It was amazing actually. The communication started to happen after I pronounced his second name wrong on the radio, and then we started chatting and I’m into golf and he was like, ‘We need to go and play golf!’ We’d planned to hang out with

each other but never did, but then this session opportunity came around and I was like, ‘Finally, we’re going to be in the same room’. It was a very creative process and we wrote three songs so we’ve got a few to choose from.

I’m really excited about that because I feel like our voices sound really good together.”

(Contactmusic)

and protect, every Punjabi, and appeal to all to get vaccinated at the earliest,” the chief minister tweeted.

Singh said there is no one more ideally suited to inspire and influence people to take the vaccine.

“There is a lot of hesitancy among people here in Punjab. Sonu’s popularity among them, and his exemplary role in helping tens of thousands of migrants reach safely home since the pandemic broke out last year, will help counter their reservations,” he said in an official statement here.

“When people hear this ‘Punjab da puttar’ talk about the benefits of the vaccine, and how safe and essential it is, they will believe him. Because they trust him,” he added. Sood said he was happy and honoured to be appointed the brand ambassador for the vaccination programme.

On the occasion, the actor presented to the chief minister his book ‘I am no Messiah’, which he says captures his experiences of his journey from Moga to Mumbai.

(PTI)

THEREFORE WHAT GOD HAS JOINED LET NO ONE SEPARATE. MARK 10:9

(12.04.1996 – 12.04.2021) Mr. Nkhanimo Humtsoe & Mrs. Etssibeni Humtsoe

Happy Anniversary to the best Mon and Dad (Apo and Apvu)

Dear Apo and Apvu Happy 25 Anniversary to you! We thank God for blessing us such a wonderful parents and we are so blessed to have you as our parents.

Congratulations on reaching a milestone of 25th Marriage Anniversary. Keep loving and cheering each other.

DP-1865

K Y M C

With gratitude, love & prayers Loving children, Ngongo Kaka and baby

DC-341

A

ctor Sonu Sood has been made the brand ambassador for Punjab’s anticoronavirus vaccination programme.

During the coronavirus-induced lockdown last year, the actor had helped migrants reach their home states. Sood catapulted to the national spotlight for feeding thousands of underprivileged people amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was viewed as a messiah of sorts for migrants.

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on Sunday made the announcement, a day after his meeting with the actor who called on him at his residence.

“Happy to share that actor & philanthropist @SonuSood will be the Brand Ambassador of our #Covid19 vaccination drive.

I thank him for supporting our campaign to reach out to,

DP-1867(B)

Sonu Sood appointed ambassador for Punjab’s anti-COVID vaccination

K Y M C

Man Utd come from behind to beat Spurs 3-1 west ham survive leicester come back

Manchester United players celebrate after Edinson Cavani’s score against spurs.

L O N D O N, A P R 1 1 ( AG E N C I E S ) : M a n chester United inflicted further damage on Tottenham’s hopes of making the Premier League’s top four as they came from behind to secure a fully deserved 3-1 victory.

Spurs went into this game knowing victory would keep them in touch with the Champions League places but another colourless performance led to what could be an expensive defeat. Edinson Cavani thought he had given United a first-half lead with

a smooth finish from Paul Pogba’s pass but the goal was controversially ruled out by referee Chris Kavanagh following a video assistant referee consultation after Scott McTominay caught Son Heung-min with his trailing arm.

United’s sense of injustice was increased when Son put Spurs ahead before the break but the visitors recovered impressively for a win that leaves them 11 points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.

Fred was involved in

the build-up and conclusion of the equaliser after 57 minutes, pouncing after Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris had saved well from Cavani. And Cavani finally got the goal his superb movement and constant menace deser ved with 11 minutes left when he launched himself to head beyond Lloris from substitute Mason Greenwood’s cross. Greenwood completed the formalities with virtually the last kick of the game as he provided a finish that was too powerful for Lloris at his near post.

Real Madrid’s Vazquez to miss rest of the season due to injury MADRID, APR 11 (IANS): Real Madrid have paid a price for their 2-1 win over FC Barcelona with the news that winger Lucas Vazquez will probably miss the rest of the season with a knee injury he picked up in the game.

Vazquez, who has spent most of the season playing as a makeshift right-back, had set up Karim Benzema to score Real Madrid’s first goal of the game when he had to be replaced by Alvaro Ordiozola after a collision with Sergio Busquets before the break in Saturday’s El Clasico.

Tests carried out on Sunday confirmed a twisted cruciate ligament on his right knee - an injury that usually requires around six weeks’ recovery time, meaning he is unlikely to be

Lucas Vazquez

available before the end of the campaign.

Vazquez’s injury comes at a bad time for Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, who after Saturday’s win admitted his players were tired after an intense season.

Odriozola is just back after several months out, while Dani Carvajal is still injured. Sergio Ramos is also sidelined with a third injury and Raphael Varane is still

out after testing positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday.

The injury is also bad news for Vazquez on a personal level, as it all but ends his hopes of playing for Spain in this summer’s European Championships, and it could also mean he has played his last game for Real Madrid as his current contract expires at the end of June, and he has yet to sign a new deal.

“The partnership between AESF and the Olympic Council of Asia further legitimises esports globally and provides the athletes and the fans the support they deserve,” Prince Faisal Bin Bandar, who is the president of the

Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS), said.

The high-ranking Saudi sports official said that by making esports an official medal event, it will provide young athletes and

Bangladesh women cricket teammates celebrate their victory against South Africa.

Allan Saint-Maximin came off the bench to inspire Newcastle to a 2-1 victory at Burnley that lifted the team six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone on Sunday. Trailing to Matej Vydra’s first-half goal, Newcastle looked uninspired before Steve Bruce brought on Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson in the 57th minute. It was Wilson’s first appearance since Feb. 6, with the Magpies winless during the time their top scorer has been out with a hamstring problem, but it was Saint-Maximin who would do the damage at Turf Moor.

Within two minutes of his introduction, the Frenchman, who has been limited to 18 league appearances this season through illness and injury, ran into the penalty area, drawing three defenders before pulling the ball back for Jacob Murphy to fire in an equalizer.

S Y L H E T ( BA N G L A DESH), APR 11 (IANS): An unbeaten century by skipper Nigar Sultana (101 not out) and useful contributions from Murshida Khatun (41) and Shobhana Mostary (45) helped Bangladesh Women Emerging notch up a 110-run win over South Africa Emerging players in the fourth one-dayer on Sunday.

Bangladesh Women Emerging have won all the four one-dayers in the fivematch series by a big margin and will look to make a clean sweep when the final

Newcastle rallies to beat Burnley 2-1, ease relegation fears

2 fencers test positive for Covid in Egypt New Delhi, April 11 (IANS): Two Indian fencers have tested positive for Covid-19 while participating in the World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in Cairo, confirmed a senior official of the Fencing Association of India (FAI).

“The players will undergo 15 days of quarantine if their second Covid19 RT PCR test returns positive on Sunday,” the FAI official told IANS. A 24-member national team, including 12 girls, participated in the nine-day world championships that will conclude on Sunday.

“No Indian team member has won a medal,” the FAI official added. The Indian team is participating in all the three disciplines -sabre, foil and epee.

esports enthusiasts with “sustainable career paths in the Olympic sphere”.

Prince Faisal Bin Bandar added that Saudi Arabia was extremely happy to be competing in the Hangzhou Asian Games and promised a successful 2034 Games, which will take place in Riyadh.

The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) director, Lokesh Suji, said that the move towards full medal status at the quadrennial continental event was a success for not only the Indian esports athletes and fans but the whole of Asia. “ We h ave f i n a l ly

LOS ANGELES, APR 11 (AGENCIES): The LA Lakers beat the Brooklyn Nets 126-101 despite missing five players and seeing Dennis Schroder ejected in the second half.

Andre Dr ummond scored 20 points for the Lakers and Schroder registered 19 before he and opponent Kyrie Irving were removed.

The Lakers are missing Anthony Davis through a calf strain and LeBron James, who watched from the sidelines.

“I learned that we have a lot of guys that are very tough,” Drummond said. “Despite who’s on the other side of the court, they’re going to come out and play.” Irving scored 18 points in the first half for the Nets but was left furious after he and Schroder were ejected for a doubletechnical foul.

The 29-year-old had

reaped fruits with inclusion of esports as a medal sport in Asian Games 2022. That day is not far, when esports will be a medal sport in the Olympics too,” Suji was quoted as saying.

Among the countries that have played a key role in furthering the cause of esports in Asia are Indonesia, which hosted the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang where esports was featured as a demonstration event.

A year before being featured in Jakarta, esports was a demonstration sport at the 2017 Ashgabat Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

Inter Milan’s Matteo Darmian scores against Cagliari during the Serie A match on Sunday.

MILAN, APR 11 (AGENCIES): Matteo Darmian was the unlikely hero as Inter Milan beat Cagliari to extend their Serie A lead to 11 points.

K Y M C

The former Manchester United full-back tapped home Achraf Hakimi’s cross with 14 minutes remaining to seal an 11th successive victory.

Para Snow Sports Championships

LILLEHAMMER, APR 11 (IANS): The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has given fresh dates for its key event, the World Para Snow Sports Championships, which will be held in Lillehammer, Norway from January 8 to 23.

The championships will take place eight weeks before the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.

The competition was initially scheduled from February 7-20 this year but because of the uncertainty over the Covid-19 pandemic, the IPC decided to

tie is held at the same venue on April 13. Thanks to Nigar Sultana’s century, embellished with eight boundaries and a six, the home team amassed 236 for 4 in the allotted 50 overs and then bundled out SA Emerging players for 126 in 46.5 overs with Fahima Khatun doing the maximum damage, taking four wickets.

Fa h i m a , w h o h a s played 14 women’s One-day Internationals, gave away only 29 runs in 9.5 overs and got rid of dangerous middle-order SA Emerging player Faye Tunnicliffe,

Leah Jones, wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta and tail-ender Jane Winster cheaply. Anneke Bosch, though, compiled a workman-like 63 off 81 deliveries to emerge as the highest run-getter for the visitors.

Brief scores: Bangladesh Women Emerging 236/4 in 50 overs (Nigar Sultana 101 not out, Shobhana Mostary 45, Murshida Khatun 41) beat South Africa Emerging 126 in 46.5 overs (Anneka Bosch 63; Salma Khatun 2/19, Fahima Khatun 4/29) by 110 runs.

Drummond stars as depleted Lakers beat Brooklyn

Serie A: inter edge out Cagliari to go 11 clear Fresh dates announced for World Strugglers Cagliari had frustrated Inter who saw defender Stefan de Vrij head against the bar after 68 minutes. Antonio Conte’s side now require 16 points from eight games to win their first league title since 2009-10.

AC Milan are second, with Juventus - who have won the past nine titles - one point behind them after a 3-1 win over Genoa.

Dejan Kulusevski gave Andrea Pirlo’s side the lead with a clever finish and Alvaro Morata made it 2-0 after Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post. Gianluca Scamacca headed in for Genoa but Weston McKennie slotted home to make the game safe.

B’desh Women Emerging all set for series sweep against SA

Jesse Lingard continued his stunning form with West Ham by scoring twice in the first half to set the Hammers on course for a crucial 3-2 victory over fellow Champions League hopefuls Leicester City. The two sides came into the weekend occupying the last two Champions League spots, before wins for Chelsea and Liverpool on Saturday nudged West Ham down to sixth place.

But David Moyes’ men showed they are up for the challenge of qualifying for Europe’s top club competition for the first time, climbing back into fourth after going 3-0 up against Leicester, who had the hosts hanging on after a late rally. The Hammers took the lead as Arthur Masuaku’s cross went through to right-back Vladimir Coufal, who cut back for Lingard to sweep the ball inside Kasper Schmeichel’s near post from the edge of the box.

Jarrod Bowen then beat the offside trap to race on to Issa Diop’s long ball and square for Lingard to tap into an empty net for his eighth goal in nine Premier League games since arriving on loan from Manchester United.

Esports likely to be medal event at 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games HANGZHOU (CHINA), APR 11 (IANS): In an indication that esports will certainly be a medal event during the Hangzhou Asian Games, the recognition given to the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is being seen as a “very positive step” ahead of the quadrennial games in September 2022.

The recognition drew applause from top sports administrators, with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, whose country will host the 2034 Asian Games, welcoming the move.

11

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

postpone it in November 2020. “Once we announced the postponement of the World Championships, our focus shifted to confirming the new competition dates as quickly as possible,” said Christian Holtz, Managing Director of World Para Sports.

“Now, athletes and teams can better plan their activities in the lead-up to Lillehammer 2021, while the Lillehammer Organising Committee (LOC) and their stakeholders have more certainty to take the necessary steps to deliver a fantastic event.”

Lakers center Andre Drummond grabs a rebound between Brooklyn Nets forward Bruce Brown, left, and center LaMarcus Aldridge.

to be escorted off the floor and threw his jersey into the stands as he left.

Elsewhere, the Utah Jazz became the first team

in the NBA to win 40 games, beating the Sacaramento Kings 128-112.

Stephen Curry scored a game-high 38 points as

the Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 125-109, while the Phoenix Suns beat the Washington Wizards 134-106.

Asian Oly qualifiers: Free style wrestlers return empty-handed from Almaty ALMATY (KAZAKHSTAN), APR 11 (PTI): National champion Sandeep Singh Mann (74kg) failed to qualify for the Olympic Games at the Asian Qualifiers here on Sunday, keeping veteran Sushil Kumar’s Tokyo hopes alive in the weight category.

Also missing out on qualification was Satywart Kadiyan (97kg) and Sumit Malik (125kg) in the threeday competition that concluded here on Sunday.

All those who missed out have one last chance to make the cut for the Tokyo Games at the World Olympic Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria from May 6-9.

Young guns Sonam Malik and Anshu Malik were the only ones to qualify for the Games in Almaty, taking the country’s quota in women’s wrestling to three.

Sandeep began by beating Qatar’s Abdullrahman Ibrahim A Ibrahim in the Qualification match and followed that up by defeating Tajikistan’s Gulomdzhon Sharipov 6-2.

However, in the allimportant semifinal, Sandeep lost to Iran’s Yones Aliakbar Emamichoghaaei by technical superiority.

He will now fight for bronze with China’s Menghejigan Mengheji-

Sandeep Singh Mann

gan. Sushil, a two-time Olympic-medallist who did not compete here after missing the trials, can get one last chance book a ticket for the Tokyo Games, starting July 23, should he be picked for the world qualifiers. In 97kg, Satywart Kadiyan defeated Korea’s Minwon Seo 6-2 and then lost his semifinal by technical superiority to Iran’s Mohammadhossein

Askari Mohammadian.

Sumit, on the other hand, defeated Makhsud Veysalov 7-0 but lost the semifinal 0-2 to local wrestler Yusup Batirmurzaev.

In men’s free style, Bajrang Punia (65kg), Ravi Dahiya (57kg) and Deepak Punia (86kg) had qualified for the Tokyo Games through the 2019 World Championship in Nur Sultan.

K Y M C

12

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021

KKR begin with 10-run win over SRH in IPL

C H E N NA I , A P R 1 1 (PTI): Opener Nitish Rana (80) and Rahul Tripathi (53) hit fluent half-centuries to script Kolkata Knight Riders’ a comfortable 10run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their Indian Premier League match, here on Sunday.

SRH’s Rashid Khan (2/24) was yet again at his best, asking tough questions to the KKR batsmen but most of his bowling colleagues proved ineffective on a slow yet decent batting wicket.

Hyderabad lost skipper David Warner (3) and Wriddhiman Saha (7) early and were always playing a catch-up game despite Jonny Bairstow’s fighting half-century. They could manage 177 for five in the end.

Warner was dropped on nought by Pat Cummins in the first over bowled by Harbhajan Singh but he could not make good use of the life and became a victim of pacer Prasidh Krishna while Saha was cleaned up by Shakib Al Hasan.

Jonny Bairstow (55) and Manish Pandey (61 not out) formed a partnership at a steady run rate.

Prasidh Krishna of KKR celebrates the wicket of David Warner Captain of SRH during match 3 of IPL 2021 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. (PTI)

Australian pacer Cummins broke their 92-run stand when he had Bairstow caught at backward point

by Rana.

SRH needed 70 off the last five overs.

Mohammed Nabi (14) was hit on his neck by Krishna but the Afghan responded with a cracking six. He went after a slower one but only to be caught

by Eoin Morgan.

The 19-year-old Abdul Samad, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, creamed off two sixes and

a four off Cummins in the penultimate over to keep SRH in hunt. Requiring 22 runs from the last over, KKR’s Andre Russell held his nerves to deny SRH a win.

Earlier, left-handed opener Rana struck the ball hard and clean to provide his side a confident start after they were asked to take first strike.

His strokes on the offside -- the drives and cuts were of highest quality and a treat to the eye.

Neither Bhuvneshwar

Kumar nor T Natarajan could stop Rana from hitting boundaries even as Subhman Gill was quiet initially. Sandeep Sharma was hit for three boundaries in a row by him.

Gill opened up his arms to hit a massive straight six off Natarajan to make it even better for KKR. However, the run-flow was affected when everreliable Rashid got the ball in his hands. He also provided the breakthrough when he deceived Gill with

a wrong’un to find the stumps.

Rana though kept going strong, completing his half-century with a six off Vijay Shankar after surviving an LBW appeal off Rashid. He got the decision overturned, taking the DRS call.

Rana’s six-hitting continued after getting his fifty as he punished Natarajan and Sandeep again.

His colleague at the other end Rahul Tripathi also stroked confidently and fluently. He smashed a massive six off Bhuvneshwar and then followed it up with a cheeky four in the third-man region.

He completed his fifty with another boundary off Bhuvneshwar but was dismissed by Natarajan soon after when he top-edged a ball.

Rashid too sent back dangerous Andre Russell (5) back.

Mohammed Nabi (2/32) got rid of Rana and Eoin Morgan (2) off successive balls in the 18th over.

Monday’s match Rajasthan Royals Vs Punjab Kings Time: 7:30 p.m.

La Liga: Real Madrid pull off thrilling Clasico win; Barcelona coach fumes BARCELONA, APR 11 (IANS): Real Madrid held on to earn a narrow 2-1 El Clasico win over Barcelona on Sunday and go top of the La Liga charts on Saturday. Karim Benzema broke the deadlock in the 13th minute with his ninth goal in seven league games, finishing Lucas Vazquez’s cross with a back heel nudge.

Madrid doubled the lead before the half-hour mark when Toni Kroos’ freekick deflected against Sergino Dest’s back and flew past Jordi Alba on the line, reports DPA. Barcelona fought back in the second half in torrential rain, with Oscar Mingueza pulling one back from close range. Substitute Ilaix Moriba almost equalised in stoppage time but hit the crossbar.

Atletico Madrid travel to face Real Betis later on Sunday and could go back top with a point. They are currently level with Real on 66, while Barcelona are third on 65.

Barcelona complained of two penalty decisions they were not given, with Ferland Mendy clashing with Ousmane Dembele

Real madrid players celebrates their goal against El Clasico during the La Liga match.

and later Martin Braithwaite in the area.

“I think everyone saw the game, if you’re a Barcelona fan you’re furious, very unhappy about the two refereeing decisions,” said an angry Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman.

“In the first half we were not good in attack or defence, in the second we improved. It’s a very clear penalty, once more we have to shut up and accept it.”

The Barcelona coach later walked out of a pitchside interview after a reporter did not answer his question about whether his team should have been given a penalty.

Neither incident was clear cut, and Madrid could have put the game to

bed in the first half when Fede Valverde hit the post with the score already at 2-0. Barcelona captain Lionel Messi hit the post near the end of the first half, direct from a corner before Mingueza put his team back in the game after 60 minutes. However, Madrid held on to win an entertaining Clasico despite a nervy finale.

“I’m happy for (the players), we made a lot of subs today, we suffered but nothing changed,” said Real manager Zidane.

“They are all committed, and they want to play and that’s the good thing. We have to enjoy today and the other day,” he said, referring to the team’s defeat of Liverpool in the Champions League.

Tokyo Olympic organisers to secure Postponed PSL to resume on Jun 1 300 hotel rooms for athletes with Covid

TOKYO, APR 11 (AGENCIES): Tokyo Olympic organisers plan to prepare 300 hotel rooms for athletes who test positive for the coronavirus at this summer’s Games but show no or minor symptoms of COVID-19, Kyodo news agency said on Sunday.

Japan’s government is placing Tokyo under a month-long state of “quasi-emergency” from Monday to combat surging infections, less than a month after a broader

state of emergency was lifted for the capital and Olympic host.

The Tokyo organising committee plans to reserve an entire hotel located a few kilometres away from the athletes’ village in the Harumi waterfront district, which will likely cost several million dollars, Kyodo said, citing several unnamed sources.

Coronavirus-positive athletes and other Games participants who do not require hospitalisation

will be quarantined in the rooms for 10 days in principle, and medical staff will treat them around the clock, it said.

The committee will also prepare about 30 special vehicles to transport the patients to the hotel, according to Kyodo.

Athletes will receive COVID-19 tests every four days at least under rules unveiled in February for the Tokyo Games, scheduled to begin in late July after a one-year delay due to the pandemic.

More guidance on isolation and testing is to come in April.

Japan has recorded more than 500,000 infections and nearly 9,400 deaths, public broadcaster NHK said on Saturday, low compared to most other major economies.

But concerns about the new wave of infections are rising ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games to be held on July this year.

LAHORE, APR 11 (IANS): The postponed Pakistan Super League (PSL) will resume on June 1, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Sunday. The PCB said that it will be hiring “a globallyrecognised safety management company” to ensure safety of its Covid-19 biobubble for the remainder of the tournament.

All the matches will be held at the National Stadium in Karachi with Lahore Qalandars facing Islamabad United on June 1. The league stage ends on June 14 and the playoffs will be held from June 16 to June 18. The final will then be held on June 20.

The PSL was postponed on March 4 due to seven individuals within the tournament’s bubble, six of which were players, testing positive for Covid-19.

“The BoG (board of governors) endorsed all recommendations of the fact-finding panel, including robust and stringent implementation of the protocols, as well as maintaining a zero-tolerance approach towards all those who breach the Covid-19 SOPs, which are put in place for safeguarding the health and safety of all participants,” said the PCB after its board of governors’ meeting that was held on Saturday.

Australia pull out of relay Worlds due to Covid fears

Representational image

S Y D N E Y, A P R 1 1 (IANS): The organisers of the 2021 World Athletics Relay Championships in Silesia, Poland suffered a setback as Athletics Australia (AA) confirmed on Sunday it is withdrawing its team for the May 1-2 event due to Covid-19 challenges.

A statement issued on AA’s website stated: “The decision was made in light of the Covid-19 situation in Poland and greater Europe, with the safety and wellbeing of Australian participants at the forefront of the decision-making process.”

Athletics Australia CEO Darren Gocher said that,

while the withdrawal is disappointing for athletes, a thorough process had been undertaken to consider all associated risks with travelling to Poland and the quarantine requirements on their return to Australia.

“It is always disappointing to withdraw a team from a major event.

However, we believe the decision is in the best interest of the health and safety of our athletes, staff and coaches,” said Gocher.

“We acknowledge the work World Athletics is doing in attempting to hold a safe event ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Printed, Published and Edited by Geoffrey Yaden at G.M. Printers, Circular Rd. Dimapur-797112. Ph: Desk 248489, Fax: 225366, e-mail-npdesk@gmail.com. Adm.& Advertisement  :248267 Fax: 248500 e-mail-npostadvt@gmail.com Kohima: 2290567, R.N. 40978/90 RN/NE 707 K Y M C

K Y M C