April 26, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 139

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 Pages 8 ` 4.00

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sports, Page 8

India logs over 3.49L new Covid cases Don’t fall prey to misinformation: PM

Relatives of Covid patients wait to refill oxygen cylinders in Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

Modi informed the countrymen that in the days gone by, to tide over this crisis, he had long deliberations with experts from various sectors. “People from our Pharma industry, vaccine manufacturers, those connected with oxygen production, experts from the medical field have put forth their valuable suggestions to the government. This time, to emerge victorious in this battle, we have to accord priority to experts and scientific advice,” he said.

Modi explained that the Government of India is using its entire might to give a fillip to the endeavours of State Governments and the State Governments too are trying their best to fulfill their responsibilities.

He also appealed to people not to fall prey to any rumour about vaccine. “All are getting aware of the importance of vaccine, so it is my appeal, don’t get swayed by any rumour about the vaccine,” he said.

international, Page 7

Rise in Covid-19 cases raise voices for strict measures Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 25 (NPN): Amid rising Covid cases in Nagaland, particularly Dimapur- the gateway of Nagaland- sections of public, concerned with the new and more dangerous mutant virus, feel that the situation called for more stringent measures or lockdown-like restrictions to break the Covid-19 transmission chain.

They cited the case of Delhi, where lockdown has been further extended amid uncontrolled spread of the virus. After Lockdown in Delhi, there has been considerable decrease in fresh coronavirus cases.

Though many would not prefer another lockdown, yet a public leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, agreed that such a move would help the health care workers/frontline workers from facing unprecedented emergency situation at hospitals if situation suddenly changes from bad to worse.

A file photo of Dimapur’s main town area during the total lockdown in July 2020. (NP)

He cited media reports that may states having hospitals with best facilities are being overwhelmed with Covid patients and have no beds even to admit those with serious conditions.

The scenario in Dimapur like in many other districts, is replete with widespread flouting of COVID protocols at public areas especially the market places.

These could be attributed to either ‘Covid SOP fatigue’, complacency or careless behaviour.

Commenting on this, a medical practitioner told this Reporter that fresh Covid cases in Dimapur could be

double the official figures, if not more since many of those infected had either self-isolated themselves or preferred to hide their status.

He added, “we can expect only the worst to happen.”

While maintaining that total lockdown was not a possible option- unless authorities take the call, the doctor said the only way to prevent another lockdown is for mass vaccination to break the transmission chain. He said with the announcement to lower vaccination age to above 18 years, it was essential that they register for vaccination.

NEW DELHI, APR 25 (PTI): India logged a record 3,49,691 new coronavirus infections in a day taking it total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,69,60,172, while active cases crossed the 26lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

The death toll increased to 1,92,311 with a record 2,767 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 26,82,751

comprising 15.82 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further dropped to 83.05 per cent.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,40,85,110, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.13 per cent, the data stated.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went

Second Covid wave has shaken the country: PM

Mizoram forest fire spreads to towns, Nagaland registers 180 fresh Covid-19 cases gutting homes; IAF choppers deployed

NEW DELHI, APR 25 (AGENCIES): Noting that the second wave of COVID-19 is testing people’s patience and their capacity to endure pain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that this “toofan” (storm) has shaken the country after it was full of enthusiasm and self-confidence after successfully tackling the first wave.

In his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Modi spoke to doctors, nurses and frontline workers, who shared their experience and views on the disease, and expressed confidence that people will soon come out of this crisis.

“Many of our near and dear ones have left us untimely. After successfully confronting the first wave of Corona, the country was full of enthusiasm, full of self-confidence, but this storm has shaken the country,” he said.

He urged people to go for vaccination against the disease and cautioned them against rumours about it.

The Centre, he said, will continue to provide jabs free of cost to eligible people (those over 45 years of age). Modi also appealed to states to extend the benefit of the Centre’s free vaccine campaign to the maximum number of people.

This is it!

“Just because I’m wearing a mask does not mean I should not buy cosmetics.”

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past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of 1.50 crore on April 19.

According to the ICMR, 27,79,18,810 samples have been tested up to April 25 with 17,19,588 samples being tested on Saturday.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

NEW DELHI, APRIL 25 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to countrymen to seek all Covid related information only through correct sources and not to fall prey to misinformation.

Addressing the nation in the 76th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi said, “If you need any information, if you have any apprehension, get the information only from the correct source.”

He said that for right information one can consult one’s family doctor or doctors in the neighbourhood on the phone. “I am noticing that many of our doctors are taking upon themselves this responsibility, on their own to educate people.

Many doctors are providing information to people through social media. They are counseling on phone and WhatsApp. Many hospitals have websites where information is available. You can seek advice of doctors too,” he said.

Massive blaze in ICU of covid ward in Iraq kills 82

The wildfire almost took under its grip a fuel outlet in Lunglei town on Sunday. (Video grab via social media)

AIZAWL, APR 25 (AGENCIES): A massive fire has engulfed the forests in the outskirts of Lunglei town, the district headquarters in south-central Mizoram, since Saturday.

The wildfire that has been burning for more than 30 hours now is rapidly spreading towards Chandmari in the Lawngtlai district in southern part of the state.

While the reason for the wildfire is yet to be ascertained, it is suspected that Jhum cultivation or shifting cultivation may have been the reason behind the inferno, NDTV report stated.

Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga on Sunday sought help from the Indian Air Force (IAF) as well as the locals in dousing the

major forest fire in Lunglei district and its adjoining areas, officials said.

Firefighters from the state government, with the help of Assam Rifles and Border Security Force personnel and local volunteer groups have been trying hard to put the fire out, authorities said.

On Sunday evening as the fire continued to burn, the IAF-- requisitioned by the Mizoram government-deployed two Mi-17V5 helicopters, equipped with specialised Bambi Buckets, to control it.

Several fire tenders have incurred burns though no major injuries or casualties have been reported so far.

The fire reportedly started at 7 am Saturday in the forested

hills near Lunglei town.

By Sunday, it had not only affected 10 village council areas within Lunglei town, but also spread to three rural development blocks of Lawngtlai district.

“We managed to control a good part of it last evening itself,” said Kulothungan A, DC, Lunglei district, “However, it erupted again this morning and it is still going on. We are trying but the current high winds and dry vegetation are contributing to its spread and making it challenging.”

“As the fire had spread close to human settlements, the administration had evacuated residents of the area.

No injuries to humans or damage to any property has been reported yet,” DC Kulothungan said.

However, there have been reports of damage from Lawngtlai district.

“In Bungtlang South, the fire completely consumed 12 houses and partially destroyed two. No persons were injured but livestock perished,” said Marilyn Rualzakhumthangi, ADC, Lawngtlai district. She added that the district administration dispatched officials and immediate relief supplies to the village.

DIMAPUR, APR 25 (NPN): Nagaland’s Covid19 caseload on Sunday mounted to 13,183 after the state registered the highest single-day spike of 180 fresh cases this year. Dimapur saw a record high of 154 cases while Kohima reported 24 cases and 2 in

Mokokchung. Out of 154 cases in Dimapur two were from the armed forces/ security personnel, 107 returnees/travellers and 45 traced contacts.

In Kohima 9 were from the armed forces/ security personnel and 15 traced contacts while in

551 oxygen plants ASTD urges unions to be set up in to refrain from govt hospitals celebrating Moatsü Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APR 25 (NPN): In order to address the acute shortage of medical oxygen in the wake of the dreaded second COVID19 wave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday ordered setting up of 551 oxygen plants inside government hospitals across the country.

Making this announcement, Prime Minister’s Office said “In line with Prime Minister’s direction of boosting availability of oxygen to hospitals, the PM CARES Fund has given in-principle approval for allocation of funds for installation of 551 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption Medical Oxygen Generation Plants inside public health facilities in the country.” (Cont’d on p-6)

DIMAPUR, APR 25 (NPN): Taking note of the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur has appealed to all Ao unions/ organisations in and around Dimapur to refrain from celebrating Moatsü festival in the interest of general public safety.

However, in case of any pre-planned unavoidable programmes, ASTD said it should made mandatory for all to abide by the Covid SOPs laid down by the government.

ASTD also reaffirmed its fullest cooperation and support to District Task Force Dimapur during this pandemic time.

It also extended Moatsü greetings to all Ao citizens of Dimapur and the public in general.

Search on for third ‘missing’ ONGC employee abducted by ULFA GUWAHATI, APR 25 (AGENCIES): State authorities with the help of villagers in Nagaland’s Mon district gathered close to 500 people, including security personnel and searched for the last of the three employees of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) abducted by the militants of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), TNIE report stated.

“We have narrowed down some areas and involved village guards and locals of a number of villages in the search operation in consultations with village authorities,” officials in Nagaland said.

The officials further said “hopefully, we will get a breakthrough soon. The two employees rescued were handed over to the Assam Police on Saturday night.”

Junior engineering assistant Alakesh Saikia and junior technician Mohini Mohan Gogoi were rescued by the security forces following a gunfight with a combined group of the militants from the ULFA and the Yung Aung faction of the NSCN (K) near Totokchingnyu village in Mon on Friday night.

The ULFA had on Saturday claimed that all the three employees were handed over to the villag-

ers following the outfit’s concerns about their safety amidst the gunfight.

“Since the security forces have not yet said anything about the fate of the third person, we suspect that he was either killed or kept hidden by them,” the ULFA had said in a statement. But the two employees rescued rubbished the ULFA’s claim that all three of them were handed over to villagers.

“When we were crossing a road in the darkness, we came under a barrage of shots from the security personnel. Two of us jumped into a bush by the roadside. When we rose after two hours, we didn’t find

Ritul,” Gogoi said. He said the militants kept firing at the personnel as they were sneaking into the jungle.

The three persons were abducted from a work over rig site in the Lakwa field of Assam’s Sivasagar district on Wednesday night.

The militants had enquired about the health condition of the eight employees at the site prior to kidnapping the “fittest” trio. They had also enquired if there was any non-Assamese.

The site of gunfight in Mon is around 20-25 km from the India-Myanmar border. The ULFA and other militant outfits from the Northeast operate out of

the soil of the neighbouring country.

Meanwhile, the locals of Nangol, the missing employee’s village in Titabor of Assam’s Jorhat district, urged the ULFA to ensure his safe return. They asked ULFA military chief Paresh Baruah to make the outfit’s position clear on the whereabouts of the man.

NPN adds: De puty commissioner Mon, Thavaseelan K informed Nagaland Post the a joint team of Army, Assam Rifles, Nagaland and Assam police personnel have launched a search operation to locate the third person. No further details were made known.

Mokokchung-- 1 was a returnee/traveller and one frontline worker.

Health department, after investigating the three fatalities reported on Saturday, confirmed that all three were Covid related deaths. With this the death toll mounted to 98, out

(Cont’d on p-6)

of which 88 were Covid related.

Meanwhile, state immunization officer, Dr Ritu Thurr informed that a total of 1,80,437 (143703 first dose and 36734 second dose) beneficiaries have been administered the Covid vaccine.

Non-cooperation against NPG involved in Mar 22 incident: JACLI DIMAPUR, APR 25 (NPN): Joint Action Committee on Land Issue (JACLI) consultative meeting, held on April 23 at JTWWD Hall, Jalukie town, with head GBs and village council chairmen of all recognised Zeliangrong villages and towns under Peren district unanimously adopted several resolution in connection with the March 22 incident.

In a statement, JACLI media cell stated that the house while unanimously resolving to support the ongoing Naga political talks with Government of India for inclusive and honourable solution, decided to launch a non-cooperation movement against the Naga political group/groups whose cadres

were involved in the March 22 killings and stop paying any form of tax until the group/groups come in open and identify the cadres involved in the crime and hand them over to the law enforcing authority within 15 days with effect from April 23.

JACLI further said that the meeting warned that any individual or group or village violating the resolution would be doing so at their risk and would invite severe penalty.

It said that the meeting also unanimously resolved to welcome the April 5 decision of Lamhai village council to abrogate customary permission given to Kiyevi village and its offshoots village by the council as a right step.

WCH appeals for peace DIMAPUR, APR 25 (NPN): In view of the loss of lives, damage to properties, situational developments and unrest arising out of land dispute, Western Chakhesang Hoho (WCH) has appealed to the Sumi and Zeliang tribes for peace and to refrain from further provoking or aggravating the situation and to let government authority look into the matter for a solution.

In a statement issued

by WCH president Dietho Rhakho and joint secretary Zasekhoyi Ringa, while appreciating that both communities had earlier tried to resolve their dispute between themselves, acknowledged that at times practical difficulty arose for disputing parties to decide their own case. But, it stressed that

this should not be treated as an end to the possibility of resolving differences and requested both the communities to look beyond emotions to bring about peaceful coexistence.

WCH also urged the State government to judiciously resolve the issue at the earliest to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

Cautioning that yielding to pressures from both party sides would only complicate matters, the hoho thus insisted what was lawful and impartial must be maintained.

The hoho further urged the State government to provide compensation to the family members of the three persons who lost their lives recently.

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is the COVID second wave like to worsen ?

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

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A

B

C

80% 8% 12%

Next poll

Q: Are authorities checking

profiteering and hoarding in the markets?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST april 26

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Partly sunny and very hot

40 25

Mostly sunny and hot

34 18

Guwahati Sunshine and very hot

39 22

Mostly sunny and hot

35 15

Itanagar Partly sunny and hot

33 21

Imphal Shillong

Partly sunny and very warm

28 16

Kohima

Mostly sunny and very warm

29 16

Dimapur Mostly sunny and very hot

39 22

Mostly sunny

31 17

Mkg

Tuensang Mostly sunny and comfortable 23 13

Mostly sunny

31 21

Zunheboto Mostly sunny

28 15

Wokha

Correspondent

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A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

Aizawl

Mmhonlumo vouches for permanent peace Kohima, APR 25 (NPN): Advisor IT, Science & Technology and NRE, Mmhonlumo Kikon vouched for permanent peace in the state in order to facilitate all round development of the youth.

He was speaking at the valedictory session of Angami Students’ Union’s 29th bienniel general conference at the Heritage Village, Kisama here, Sunday.

Kikon said although law and order situation had improved and people were witnessing relative peace unlike in the 90’s when there were recurring factional clashes, he pointed out that real development would be realised only through permanent peace.

Recalling how he had always taken keen interest in the Naga issue from an early age, Kikon observed that resolving the crux Naga issue would result in huge dividends for the people.

Citing examples of exceptional leaders like AZ Phizo and Khodao Yanthan, Kikon remarked that leaders like them had work for “our” present and that it

Mmhonlumo Kikon (NP) was the present generation who would have to build tomorrow.

Exhorting the gathered students community, Kikon urged them to have hope and also participate in securing a better future for the people. He encouraged them to positively contribute for the betterment of their families, society and State while being humble in their daily conducts.

The programme was chaired by NSF vice president Dievi Yano while Angami Gazetted Officers Krotho president Dr. Kedozeto Punyü conveyed greetings and St. Paul Catholic Church, Phesama, parish priest, Rev. Fr. Arul Susai, SJ, offered the invocation.

The new team of ASU executives will be led by Bi-

sevi Nakhro from Jotsoma Village, Western Angami Students’ Union (WASU) as the president, Kevilelhou Zumu from Northern Angami Students’ Union as vice president and Mhalevilie Medoze from Chakhroma Students’ Union as general secretary.

After the dedication of new office bearers, outgoing president Vizokho Zashümo and newly elected president gave short speeches.

Earlier, in the morning during the devotional service, Kethoser Aniu Kevichüsa, in his sermon, shared on the meaning of “idea of service” to God. He said each person could serve God in their own capacity and position irrespective of one’s professional choices.

The devotional service was chaired by ASU tribunal member VisakoRino while Kigwema Baptist Church pastor, Zhavi Kere pronounced the benediction and ASU education secretary Viranu Ltu read the scriptures. Special numbers were presented by student unions of Phesama and Kigwema.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

World Malaria Day observed across Nagaland DIMAPUR: Along with the rest of the world, Nagaland also observed “World Malaria Day (WMD) 2021” Sunday under the theme, “Reaching the zero malaria target”. The day is observed across the globe with an objective to create awareness about malaria disease and to promote efforts to eradicate the disease.

Mon: National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Mon District observed the day in six villages under six blocks of the district.

A press release by District Vector Borne Consultant (DVBC) Mon stated that during the observance held at Longphaoh village, Mon Sadar block, DVBC, Meiwang highlighted the target set by India to eliminate malaria by 2030 and the effort made to prevent and reduce malaria cases.

In order to prevent malaria cases, Meiwang said public also have to take the initiative with the department.

Malaria Technician Supervisor (MTS), Mon Sadar block, Benjongtemsu urged the public to keep their surroundings clean and remove stagnant water from their surroundings.

He also urged them to regularly use Long Lasting

Programme on World Malaria Day in Longleng.

Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) treated mosquito nets and report any fever and get tested for malaria for early detection and complete treatment.

A short speech on prevention of malaria was delivered by Surveillance Inspector (SI), Mon Sadar block, Tingkem Konyak.

The department also visited house to house for inspection on LLIN usage.

The programme was attended by church leaders, village council members, and NGO. Longleng: National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Longleng commemorated WMD by organising various programmes.

A press release by the office of Chief Medical officer (CMO) Longleng stated that the NVBDCP team reached Mongtikang village on April 24 to sensitise and create awareness on malaria.

In a short programme, District Vector Borne Disease (DVBD) consultant, A Nyumoi Phom highlighted the status of malaria in the state as well as of Longleng district.

She encouraged the participants to use LLINS regularly at night, to organise sanitisation drive especially during the mosquito transmission season, to fill up the ditches and other unwanted water collection sites in and around the locality, which invites mosquito breeding.

WMD was observed in Yongnyah block at Yongam village and in Tamlu block at Buranamsang village.On account of the WMD, malaria technical supervisor and surveillance workers from all the blocks collected Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), blood slides, house to house visits to check whether LLINs were used properly, and IEC materials in Phom dialect were

distributed.

The release informed that since 2019 no malaria case has been reported in Longleng district.

Zunheboto: Medical department of Zunheboto district Sunday observed the day at Chief Medical Officer (CMO) office Zunheboto by organising a programme.

A press release by CMO Zunheboto office stated that in a short speech, EAC Zunheboto, Orenthung spoke on the importance of vector surveillance activities and its follow up action. He asserted the importance of proper management of sanitation and hygiene to prevent malaria.

Orenthung also highlighted the need for more community participation and efforts to spread awareness about the disease.

In a keynote address, consultant NVBDCP, Mudosayi Huire briefed the participants on how malaria could spread and encouraged the community participation to create awareness and to control the disease.

Huire also encouraged the participants to keep their surrounding clean so as to reduce mosquito breeding and to prevent the spread of malaria.

BJP district executive meet in Mon, Dimapur KVK Mon conducts STRY training

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA: BJP executive meetings of Mon and Dimapur districts were held at their respective districts on April 24.

In Mon, while addressing the party workers, BJP Nagaland spokesperson and co-convener Mon district Samuel Sumi claimed that BJP Nagaland was growing stronger and more united with the passage of time under the leadership of deputy chief minister and BLP leader Y. Patton and state BJP president Temjen Imna Along, who was a youth icon with multi tasking talents.

He congratulated the president BJP Mon district Nyawang and all the leaders of various organisational network of the party for standing steadfast with the party leadership.

He also informed the announcement of the union Finance Minister on February on various schemes in the country and the relief package worth Rs 1.70 lakh crore in 2020 to tackle the financial difficulties faced due to the COVID19 outbreak under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana at the meeting.

“This year, the government has announced the Aatmanirbhar pack-

DIMAPUR: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Mon, Nagaland in association with State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Nagaland and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad organised a one-week Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) programme on seed production and poultry rearing and management from April13 to 18, 2021 and April 17 to 23, 2021 respectively at KVK office Aboi under Mon district. A press release by KVK Mon stated that, during the first week long

training programme, course director, Bendangjungla emphasised on different theme in regard to seed production on cereals and vegetables and during the second week long programme, course director, Dr. Paihem Michui emphasised on various aspects of poultry rearing and management.

Meanwhile, senior scientist & head KVK Mon, Dr.V.Akashe Zhimomi urged the trainees to actively participate in the training programme and encouraged them to equip themselves with better knowledge and skills.

Earlier, the inaugural programme was

chaired by Dr. Paihem Michui, ACTO (Ani. Sc.) and Bendangjungla, ACTO (PBG) highlighted on STRY and entrepreneurship development through skill training programme. Sub-divisional Soil & Water Conservation Officer (SDSCO), Aboi, Shoyan Konyak graced the valedictory programme as guest of honour and vote of thanks was pronounced by Ruyosu Nakro, ACTO (Agri.Extn). Altogether, 34 rural youths from Angphang, Chaoha, Chingkao, Chenloishu, Chenwetnyu Villages and Aboi Town benefitted from the training.

Samuel Sumi and BJP party workers at Mon.

age amounting to Rs. 27.1 lakh crores to deal with the impact of coronavirus” he added.

In Dimapur, the meeting was held at Hotel Saramati, wherein party leaders highlighted the activities undertaken by the party in the district in their speeches.

BJP state secretary and in-charge of Dimapur, Zaveyi Kezo challenged the party workers to continue to work harder and give their best to strengthen the party.

He also requested the “karikartas” to assist the people to avail the schemes provided by the government.

Phizo’s death anniversary

Meanwhile, district executive member, K Hukuto Khulu, who also spoke at the meeting, appealed to the state level workers including elected MLAs and those working at the government level to support the party workers in the district and mandal level not only during election.

In this regard, he also requested all the MLAs to stay connected with the party workers and listen to their grievances too. BJP Nagaland state secretary Atila Phom encouraged the women to share their ideas in politics and challenged them to get more involved in politics.

Also speaking at the meeting, BJP Nagaland spokesperson Akum Pongen, stated that BJP was a voluntary workers party to help others and therefore requested the party workers to sacrifice and work hard to win the confidence of the people.

He encouraged all the party workers to focus on the 2023 election and start working hard from now.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Minority Morcha BJP Dimapur district president, Prakash Chetri and welcome note was delivered by district vice president Lanu S Walling.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DIMAPUR: Federal General Government (FGN) secretary,Thihü Khamo has informed that FGN would be observing the 31st death anniversary of A.Z. Phizo, “father of the Naga Nation”, on April 30, 7 a.m. at Phizo Hill, Kohima, Nagaland. FGN has asked all fellow Nagas to participate in the programme.

DoSe holds training on prematric scholarship scheme

DIMAPUR: One day sensitisation programme on “pre-matric scholarship scheme” for school teachers, initiated by Department of School Education (DoSE) was held on April 23 at Education Block Resource Centre (EBRC), Tening.

A press release by DoSE stated that during the workshop, resource person, Jangsem Tzudir from DoSE outlined modalities under pre-matric scholarship scheme and NSP 2.0 guidelines and eligibility criteria for applying and availing the scholarship under both minority and tribal scheme.

Re s o u r c e p e r s o n , special educator, Department of School Education, Zürheto Nyuthe gave a K Y M C

short power point presentation on “step-by-step” process for applying prematric scholarship scheme through NSP 2.0 portal and web based scholarship.

Nagaland.gov.in for understanding of trainees and designated institutional nodal officers present.

At the programme, team leader, deputy director and state nodal officer for scholarship scheme, Limadangit Jamir delivered welcome speech and keynote address.

The vote of thanks was delivered by EAC Tening, Tumben P Tsanglao.

Large numbers of teachers from both government and private schools representing each village in sub-division attended the programme.

9th May 1972 – 21st April 2021 We, the bereaved family members of Late Dr. Atula Tzudir, W/o Dr. Samuel George (Allahabad), would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the churches, relatives, neighbors, friends and well wishers who stood by us during the sad loss of our beloved. Your physical presence, financial and material contributions, emotional words of comfort and constant prayer support had been our strength during these difficult times.

Our special thanks to: 1. Faculty, Staff and Students, Allahabad Bible Seminary 2. Dr. Hipitho Chishi, SRN Hospital, Allahabad 3. Authorities of SRN Hospital Allahabad 4. The Leprosy Mission Hospital, Allahabad 5. Mr. Thejus Jacob and friends 6. Mr. Jayan Joy, Mrs. Akanksha, Dr. Moakumla, Dr. Ajungla, Dr. Menji, Imnuksungla, Sanjay Kumar, Dr. Tapas Ghosh.

We regret our inability to thank you personally, but please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude. It is our sincere prayer that God's abundant blessings will be upon you always.

Loving husband, parents, Bros & sis, in-laws.

MKC-122

DC-

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Oppn complain against CM, FM

GUWAHATI, APR 25 (PTI): The Congress-led ‘Grand Alliance’ on Sunday alleged Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation

by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the name of COVID-19 management, urging the Election Commission to bar them from travelling to different districts to hold meetings.

In a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner, the 10-party opposition grouping said the MCC is still in force in Assam and it will continue till the declaration of the poll results on May 2, making the status of the BJP-led government only a caretaker government. “But the Chief Minister and Health and Finance Minister are deliberately violating the MCC of the Election Commission of India. Since 23rd April 2021, Sarbananda

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northeast/State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

Himanta Biswa Sarma and Sarbananda Sonowal

Sonowal is visiting number of districts like Nagaon, Morigaon, Majuli etc and holding discussions there with the officials of different departments,” it said.

Similarly, Sarma and Minister of State for Health Pijush Hazarika are also visiting separately to some districts like Nagaon, Morigaon and Dima Hasao and holding meetings with government officials there, the complaint stated.

“This is not only violating the MCC of the ECI, but also grossly violates

the Covid protocol,” the letter claimed, adding that Sarma has announced many government policies related to the management of the pandemic in the state.

The Grand Alliance stressed that in this political transition period of the caretaker government, no minister should visit districts, hold official meetings and announce any policy matter.

Referring to some reports of “manipulation and looting” of EVMs from strong rooms, the signatories of the 10 parties claimed that

frequent visits by Sonowal and Sarma have created doubt in the minds of the public.

“Therefore, we urge upon you to restrain the Chief Minister, Health and Finance Minister or any other minister of Assam government to make official visit to any place,” the complaint to the CEC said.

It also urged the EC to bar the duo from making any official comment on policy matters in the interest of maintaining transparency and strict compliance to the MCC. The Congress, which was in power for 15 years in Assam since 2001, formed the ‘Grand Alliance’ with AIUDF, BPF, CPI (M), CPI, CPI(ML), Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM), RJD, Adivasi National Party (ANP) and Jimochayan (Deori) Peoples Party (JPP) to fight the Assembly election against the BJP-led NDA.

Assam reports 2,236 new COVID cases G uwa h ati / Nal bari, Apr 24 (PTI): Assam’s COVID-19 tally mounted to 2,35,689 on Saturday as 2,236 more people tested positive for the disease, while 14 fresh fatalities pushed the coronavirus death toll to 1,186, National Health Mission said in a bulletin.

The new fatalities include three from Kamrup Metro, two each from Dibrugarh, Hojai, Jorhat and Kamrup Rural and one each from Barpeta, Sonitpur and Tinsukia.

The fatality ratio stands at 0.50 per cent, and 1,347 COVID positive patients have died for other reasons, the bulletin said.

Assam now has 14,198 active cases, it said.

Of the new cases, 815 were reported from Kamrup Metropolitan, 196 from Kamrup (Rural), 123 from Nagaon and 115 from Dibrugarh.

The fresh cases were

detected from 69,094 sample tests conducted during the day with a positivity rate of 3.24 per cent.

The northeastern state has so far tested 82,40,455 for COVID-19, the bulletin said.

At least 619 people were cured of the disease during the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 2,18,958. The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state stands at 92.90 per cent.

During the last ten days, Kamrup (M) has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases at 5,490, followed by 981 in Kamrup (R), 835 in Dibrugarh, 628 in Nagaon and 594 in Sonitpur.

Altogether, 20,03,181 people, including 3,15,356 health professionals and 5,21,504 frontline workers, have so far received the vaccine shots in the state.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta

116 new COVID cases in Arunachal, tally rises to 17,546

Biswa Sarma said the state received two lakh more doses of Covishield vaccine during the day, and Itanagar, Apr 25 4,06,610 vials are currently (PTI): At least 116 more people tested positive for available.

COVID-19 in Arunachal Assam says it will import Pradesh, pushing the total oxygen from Bhutan caseload in the northeastAssam Health Minis- ern state to 17,546, a senior health official said here on ter Himanta Biswa Sarma Sunday. on Sunday said that the The COVID-19 death state government has made toll remained at 56 as no arrangements to import fresh fatality was reported, oxygen from neighbouring State Surveillance Officer Bhutan.

Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

Speaking to reporters Of the fresh cases, 110 here, Sarma said there will were detected through rapbe no shortage of Remde- id antigen test, five through sivir as he requested drug RT-PCR and one through manufacturer Sun Pharma TrueNAT method, he said. to expedite the produc- Barring 36, all the fresh tion at its Palasbari plant cases are asymptomatic, to 80,000 vials per week the official said. week.

Thirty-four new cases “Regarding oxygen, were reported from the we have moved ahead. Capital Complex Region, There is a new oxygen plant Lower Dibang Valley disbeing set up in Bhutan. To- trict (20), Papumpare (12), day, we have made arrange- West Kameng (11) and ments to procure oxygen East Siang district (10), the SSO said. from there,” he said.

Biggest pangolin seizure in NE 208 new COVID-19 cases, two more deaths in Meghalaya GUWAHATI, APR 25 (AGENCIES): In one of the biggest pangolin seizures conducted by the WCCB (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) Government of India, in North East, a joint operation launched by the personnel of Meghalaya Police and Meghalaya Forest department led to the seizure of four live pangolins, 44.28 kg of pangolin scale, and carcasses of 43 Tokay Gecko.

They also arrested several persons in this regard.

Based on specific inputs, the joint operation was

carried out in the house of Victorious Masharing of village Khlichumsotem in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, at 21:30 hours on April 19, reports The Sentinel Assam.

Based on the statement of the arrested accused, another operation conducted at Nongpoh, in Ri Bhoi district on April 20, 2021 led to the seizure of two elephant tusks and arrest of two persons. The accused said that after collecting the contraband items locally, they have been keeping the items at the house of Victorious Masharing for

the last two month while trying to sell the items.

A case was registered at Protection Range, Shillong. The accused were produced before the RiBhoi district Court, which sent them to judicial custody. Further investigation is going on.

The investigating team suspects that a big racket is involved in this case.

The eight arrested persons are Victorious Masharing, Pynshngainlang Sten, Edison Teron, Klinson Bey, Fieldstar Lyngdoh, Darwin Phangcho, Sparling Rani, and Banker Ronghang.

9th NCYM convention concludes

Executive members of NCYM along with newly inducted office bearers with the Bishop of Kohima Diocese and other priests at St. Xavier’s Church, Zhavame.

DIMAPUR: The three-day 9th Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM) convention came to an end on Sunday with a solemn mass with Bishop of Kohima, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil as the main celebrant.

In his homily, he reminded the congregation that “after a convention of this sort, and after having spent such an enormous amount of energy and money, we should go back home energized and enthused by our celebration of faith.”

He lamented on the present prevailing scenario, where the people were ready to give up their faith “just for momentary comfort and consolation”.

He further encouraged the congregation that

“today, we are invited to realize anew the strength that is ours by virtue of being Jesus’ beloved sheep.”

Therefore, he said that “the best we could do, as sheep to our Shepherd, is to help his mission in the world”.

Later in the felicitation programme, the Bishop told the young people that there was a possibility within Nagaland that Catholic institutions like St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama, Universities in Dimapur would bring out “diversity in our educational pursuits and other plans to start more colleges in the near future”.

But for this, he said hard work and determination was needed.

Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement director, Fr. Philip Magh, secretary general of Catholic Association of Nagaland, Thomas Magh and president of Nagaland Catholic Women Association, Rita Kikon also spoke at the felicitation programme.

The outgoing and the newly inducted president of NCYM also delivered short speeches.

Highlights of the felicitation programme included folk song by CYA St. Xavier’s Church, Zhavame, special number by NCYM choir and vote of thanks by Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement general secretary, Khamkiumong L. John. The event was hosted by Medolenuo Ambrocia.

Correspondent SHILLONG, APR 25: Meghalaya on Sunday recorded 208 fresh COVID-19, the highest daily spike this year, pushing the number of active cases up to 1388 and two related deaths taking the number of fatalities to 160.

Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War said two more patients, that of Saira Tynsong (54), a resident of Darrang village, on the edge of the IndiaBangladesh border in West Jaintia Hills District died in Civil Hospital, Shillong due

to COVID-19 infection with Type I respiratory failure.

Another 45-year-old woman Purnima Lama, who was suffering from other ailments died due to ARDS COVID-19 Pneumonia with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Bethany hospital, Shillong, he said.

Dr. War said 62 patients have also recovered from the viral disease took the number of recovered cases to 14, 446 in the State on Sunday. With 1008 active COVID-19 cases, East Khasi Hills, that includes State capital Shillong is the most affected district, fol-

State

COVID-19 related activities and information DIMAPUR: With the emergence of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, several activities have been taken up by government and its agencies, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), paramilitary etc. to mitigate the virus.

ZDCRO: Zunheboto District Consumer Rights Organisation (ZDCRO) has asked all business community to follow the state government laid down COVID-19 Standard Operation Protocol (SOP).

In a press release, ZDCRO stated that the organisation led by its president carried out inspection after rumours of an imminent lockdown.

ZDCRO president, Anthony L Aye said the team was checking artificial price hike, illegal practices, hoarding etc. and cautioned the business community to not indulge in such activities.

ZDCRO warned that action would be taken against defaulters and added that surprise checking would be carried out to ensure that all protocols and advisory were being followed.

PPVC: Padum Pukhuri Village Council (PPVC) in an emergency meeting to control the spread of Covid19 in the village has adopted three-point resolution.

A press release by the council informed that

the meeting was held in pursuance to directive of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur dated April 21, 2021.

The release stated that after thorough deliberation, the meeting has resolved and issued the following orders for strict adherence by all concerned: PVVC has banned sale of second hand goods and vendors coming from outside the village during weekly market (Monday market) till further orders from the council office. However, it has allowed vegetables and fruits vendors residing in the village to continue to sell their goods at the said weekly market venue maintaining SOP strictly including wearing of face mask and physical distancing in the market throughout the business hour.

PVVC has directed all the shop owners/ keepers in the village to follow COVID-19 SOP laid down by the district task force. The council resolved to penalize defaulters. The house also set up COVID-19 task force in the village headed

by VCM chairman, Tsenyimthung Kikon. The house further decided to organize coordination meeting with the community leaders in few days time for further follow up steps required to be taken.

lowed by Ri-Bhoi with 131 active cases and West Jaintia Hills with 122 active cases as on date.

Meanwhile, in partial modification to order under Section 144 CrPC issued on April 16, which prohibited opening of shops and establishments, roadside markets and roadside vendors, both in fixed premises or otherwise, in Shillong Urban Agglomeration on Sundays, till further orders, and also to order issued on April 22, in which shops and vendors as per list contained therein shall remain closed from April 26 to May 2in

Shillong Urban Agglomeration, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills in another order has extended the areas falling under Mylliem Community and Rural Development Block from 7th Mile, Upper Shillong, up to Mylliem-Bah, Madan Ing Syiem, Mylliem including Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka and Lawsohtun, till further orders.

3 oxygen generation plants for Meghalaya: In line with Prime Minister’s direction of boosting availability of oxygen to hospitals, the PM CARES

Fund has given in-principle approval for allocation of funds for installation of 551 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants inside public health facilities in the country, including one each in East Khasi Hills district, West Garo Hills district and West Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya.

The Prime Minister has directed that these plants should be made functional as soon as possible.

He said that these plants will serve as a major boost to oxygen availability at the district level.

Nagaland Prayer Centre Church dedicated at Tsiemekhuma

Rev. Dr. D.L. Sanchu addressing the inaugural function of Nagaland Prayer Centre Church at Tsiemekhuma on April 25.

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Prayer Centre Church at Tsiemekhuma near Botsa under Kohima district was dedicated by president, Apostolic Ministries, Rev. Dr. D.L. Sanchu on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Dr.Sanchu was hopeful that Nagaland Prayer Centre will become a “prayer city”.

He said that the centre will pray for the Naga unity in the spirit of Christ Jesus for all Naga Political Groups and all church denominational groups to

come together and for all the sections of Naga nation as God has a purpose for the Naga people.

He said that the centre will continue to pray for the safety from the current COVID pandemic disasters also committed to pray for all the Naga people as well all nations around the globe for the fulfilment of the Great Commission of Christ Jesus.

Also speaking on the occasion, Kevise Sogotsu said the centre was for all and requested everyone, irrespective of denomi-

nation to come and pray for better and prosperous Nagaland.

Director and founder IMTI Sovima, Dr. Kip Rio also delivered short speech.

Earlier, pastor Seiyhama CRC, Neizole pronounced offertory prayer.

The programme witnessed special number from Lazami Baptist Church, Seiyhama CRC and women prayer group of Sendenyu Baptist Church.

The programme was sponsored by Dr. Ruokuolhou Angami & family.

Kigwema organises tree plantation drive Correspondent K o h ima , A P R 2 5 (NPN): Kigwema village carried out a tree plantation drive part of its yearlong activities to mark 75 years of Khami-Makhu unity.

Village folks initiated a “one man one fruit tree drive” by planting over 2000 tree saplings in the vicinity of the village and along the national highway passing through the village area.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Village folks engaged in tree plantation. (NP)

secretary of the celebration, Ruokuovikho Chale, Khami-Makhu unity was a bond over a peace treaty made in the year 1946 with the help of the neighbouring khels, villages, government machineries, district administration and well-wishers.

Chale added that the two khels- Khamima and Makhuma were both major khels in Kigwema village and following the treaty, had pledged to work towards development progress in terms of economic

and human resources.

As part of the yearlong celebration the village decided that every member of the village should plant a fruit tree and safeguard it as a legacy to the upcoming generations.

The plantation drive was led by celebration committee convener,Dr. Neisakho Kere.

The fruit tree saplings numbering to a thousand were donated by the department of Forest, Ko- Police Baptist Church Kiphire mission department carried out mission trip at hima division.

Sangtsoze Village Baptist Church under Kiphire District from April 17 to 18. (NP)

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 139 Dimapur, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

O

RIIN hesitancy

n December 9,2019 the government of Nagaland, in a notification issued by the chief secretary, extended the Inner Line Permit(ILP) regulation to the entire Dimapur district some 40 years after a notification issued on November 21,1979, that made then Dimapur sub-division a tribal belt. Those who have settled or have entered Dimapur before November 21, 1979, and have been staying continuously, will be exempted from the ILP regime “along with his/her direct descendants”. Extension of the ILP to Dimapur came after vociferous demands made by several organisations in 2018 to check influx of illegal immigrants into the state, particularly at Dimapur. In some way, the extension of ILP may have also opened a Pandora box as the issue of determination of who is or who is not an indigenous inhabitant of the state arose. After deliberations with the Joint Committee for Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) formed by Nagaland Tribes Council(NTC) and with various apex tribal hohos of Nagaland , the government initiated preparation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) on July 10,2019. The government then announced the constitution of a three-member commission on RIIN on July 28,2019 headed by former chief secretary Banuo Z.Jamir. The commission submitted its report to the government by end of 2019 but the cabinet has yet to take any decision even after one and half years. The JCPI and other organisations asked the government to table the RIIN commission report at assembly session in 2020 but that did not happen. The government kept the matter under lockdown during the COVID pandemic in 2020. Again, before the recent budget session in February 2021, there were renewed demands to table the report in the house but it did not happen. The alibi was that RIIN needed more consultations. The government held another consultation on RIIN on April 16,2021 with ENPO, CNTC and TPO. Interestingly, the consultative meeting turned out to be another merry-go-round especially since the attendees were not provided with the report of the RIIN commission and instead only a gist of it was shared by the government. The meeting was all about a lot of motion but no direction. Now the government has decided to go back to the drawing board with a series of re-consultations which will only delay the process and possibly end in another stalemate. The outcome of the consultative meeting was the formation of a two-tier Joint Consultative Committee (JCC)- both at the state and district levels. At the state level JCC, will headed will be headed by the commissioner, with ENPO, CNTC and TPO as members. At the district level, the JCC sub-committee will be headed by respective DCs as convenors and representatives of tribal hoho(s) of the respective districts. The biggest catch of the RIIN issue is that till today, the government has not made public the RIIN Commission report and yet holds unending consultations. Even ruling party legislators have told this newspaper that they find no reason nor logic in the unending consultations held since mid-2019.

RIIN. The government cannot be over concerned with protection of non-indigenous but the interests of the indigenous inhabitants of the state in line with Article 371A. Taking decision is what matters since not taking a decision is not a decision.The government has to come clean about its hesitancy as it cannot continue to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.

DailyDevotion “Ready in Season”

Be ready in season and out of season. —2 Timothy 4:2 Many of us suffer from the unbalanced tendency to “be ready” only “out of season.” The season does not refer to time; it refers to us. This verse says, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.” In other words, we should “be ready” whether we feel like it or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything.

There are some people who are totally unemployable in the spiritual realm. They are spiritually feeble and weak, and they refuse to do anything unless they are supernaturally inspired. The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.

One of the worst traps a Christian worker can fall into is to become obsessed with his own exceptional moments of inspiration. When the Spirit of God gives you a time of inspiration and insight, you tend to say, “Now that I’ve experienced this moment, I will always be like this for God.” No, you will not, and God will make sure of that. Those times are entirely the gift of God. You cannot give them to yourself when you choose. If you say you will only be at your best for God, as during those exceptional times, you actually become an intolerable burden on Him. You will never do anything unless God keeps you consciously aware of His inspiration to you at all times. If you make a god out of your best moments, you will find that God will fade out of your life, never to return until you are obedient in the work He has placed closest to you, and until you have learned not to be obsessed with those exceptional moments He has given you.

Quotes

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” ~ Winston Churchill

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

Post-mortem

India’s deadly second wave: Subdued everything

S

econd wave mutant variant is far worse than the first one, reigning high and freely travelling right across the borders. Thus far vaccines and human intervention hardly seem to have worked and thus helped the global humanity to stop or reduced its spree.

Leaders across the borders thought that there would be some reprieve, but the second wave has hit harder and subdued the humanity than the earlier one. Leaders are perplexed and taken aback; people are confused as it indiscriminately kills and infects people in hundreds and thousands that runs to millions.

Second wave is severe and ruthless. It has killed and infected thousands and millions of people. It is in our midst. Though the politicians and leaders say that “they don’t believe in lockdowns and curfews”, but the second wave of mutant coronavirus does not believe and dictates its way that forces the leaders and politicians keep dancing to the rhythms of coronavirus. What we are watching is a ‘sea-saw battle’—a ‘roller-coaster’. As of now, the second wave is in absolute control and in the process dictating its terms and conditions.

India would soon become largest number of infected people and those died of coronavirus in the world and the curve is rising higher and higher. We are now witnessing over two hundred thousand plus new cases. In every 24 hours thousands of

cases are added The speed at which the second wave is striking India is stupendous and so alarming. The strike rate of the new variant is horrendous. Indians are worried as they keep witnessing and watching people dying in hundreds.

People have come to a realization that anything could happen at any moment not knowing how to handle the virus.

Take for example, the state of Karnataka and its capital Bengaluru broke single-day cases record for the second consecutive day as the overall infections in the state crossed the 11-lakh as on 15th of April, 2021. On the 15th April, 2021, the state of Karnataka witnessed 14,738 cases that includes 10,497 in Bengaluru – both happened to be record numbers—66 new deaths were added to the total to 13,112. Bengaluru reported 30 of the 66 deaths and has 4,963 of the total deaths. In all, Bengaluru accounts for 74 percent of the patients in the entire Karnataka.

What is happening across India is mindboggling. For instance, the mega-cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Trivandrum, Lucknow, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and others look like ghost cities where hospitals, morgues, cemeteries and crematorium are filled with ambulances and hearses.

Second wave is presenting a bleak picture to all ages that the death strike rate is so severe and at any

time they could succumb.

Data that we come across everyday should never be taken as just numbers—but have flesh and blood filled with life, but now lying in the hospital either alive or dead.

T he sufferi ng s of those who have been infected with the secondwave and members of their families have their own stories to narrate—real and factual. Those stories and their experiences make us to wonder and thus pushes us to ask many questions. In the morgues, graveyards and cemeteries dead bodies keep piling.

Bodies are wrapped in sheets like look like ‘sacks’ and handled roughly as if they lost their dignity and value. The scenes and the settings we are pushed into makes us to wonder as to why did we struggle all through makes us to reflect: what then after all is life about? All of us at one point or the other we think: when is my turn?

At a Surat crematorium in Gujarat five bodies were cremated on a single makeshift pyre built to speed up the disposal of a rush of corpses. Similarly, in crematoriums across Gujarat, non-stop smoldering pyres were testimony to fatalities much higher than the government’s official reports. Bulletins released by municipal corporations of four major cities state around 25 deaths each daily, but the mortalities are much higher. A 49year-old woman and her 75-year-old mother-in-law succumbed to Covid-19-

complications on the 11th and were buried next to each other the same day at a cemetery in Shantinagar, Bengaluru, as two bereaved young boys watched their mother and grandmother for the last time.

The tendency of the Centre and the state governments is always to downplay with the numbers. In Varanasi, situated in UP cremation and burial grounds show about 50 percent Covid deaths are not officially recorded. In the industrial town of Bharuch, at least 260 Covid-19 victims have been consigned to the flames in the designated crematorium since April 7.Dharmesh Solanki, who handles cremations on the banks of the Narmada river said, “Over the last one week, we are getting bodies of 22-25 patients daily in this designated Covid-19 crematorium.

Nearly 7,500 kg of wood is being supplied by the Rotary Club, Ankleshwar, every day.

In Ahmedabad, the last rites of about 100 bodies are being performed daily for the past four days across 10 crematoriums and burial grounds, according to Covid-19 protocol. Reliable sources say that in the past week at least 50 bodies of Covid patients have been handed over to their families every day. “In the past two days, this figure has crossed the 100 mark”. Further, the sources rip open the data and sources that underplays. “If one considers 147 public and private hospitals treating Covid pa-

tients, the daily death toll in Ahmedabad is definitely not under 30 as reported by the government in the past three days.”

In Rajkot district alone over 298 deaths in various government and private Covid hospitals from April 8 to April 14. The majority of these death, around 85 percent are from the city alone.

When TOI checked the records at two big crematoriums in Surat, there were at least 80 bodies brought daily, the majority being Covid-19 patients. From April 5 to April 13, 21, three new crematoriums started to function. In newly built Pal crematorium where at least 20 bodies are brought to one crematorium daily. The political leaders and government agencies as usual deny.

Another glaring incident was a Covid patient in Bhopal died at a gover nment hospital after his oxygen supply was allegedly switched off b a ward boy. Chilling CCTV footage shows that ward boy unplugging and wheeling away what looks like an oxygen concentrator to another bed in the same ward. While debating on health crisis in the assembly, a minister from BJP r uled gover nment in Madhya Pradesh by name Prem Singh Patel stated that while no one can stop death due to the disease as “people get old and have to die”. What did he mean?

When citizens look to their leaders and when

the leaders offer bizarre statements and use the helplessness of people to their advantage, they are left with no option as second wave is striking so intensely. Allowing mega political rallies to go on wherein politicians partake without facial masks and social distancing.

Similarly, thousands and lakhs of people attending the political meetings without facial masks and social distancing—all in the name of politics and power.

By allowing kumbh mela in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar where thousands and lakhs of people participated and out of which hundreds and thousands were infested and tested positive. Due to the public outcry, PM Modi called up the chief organizer a seer to close the Mela a few days earlier in line with the tradition and convention.

Apparently, almost all who went to kumbh mela were seem without facial masks and social distancing.

It shows ‘selective amnesia’ for the majoritarian religious group— BJP’s base. Is it not “patronizing” and playing politics? If other religious communities had done it, the Home Minister and his ministry would have charged them under “sedition” and called them as “anti-nationals”.The political class invokes laws and regulations wherever and whenever they want, that suits them for their political ends. Consequently, people suffer in silence.

Dr. John Mohan Razu

Provide COVID-19 Vaccine to Staff and Students of HEls in Nagaland

T

his open letter is a sincere and urgent appeal to the Minister of Health and Family Welfare (Nagaland), the Minister of Higher Education and Tribal Affairs (Nagaland), the Department of Secondary Education (Nagaland) and the stakeholders of all government and private educational institutions functioning in the state to kindly provide COVID-19 vaccine to students, teachers and nonteaching staff of higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Nagaland on a priority basis.

Our nation is facing an unprecedented crisis in dealing with the outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Over the past week, we are flooded with disturbing news and harrowing images of the death and devastation caused by the highly virulent double-mutant strain of the COVID19 virus. Over the span of barely a month and a half, daily new cases registered in India have multiplied exponentially from 14,989 cases on 2 March 2021 to 3,46,768 cases on 23 April 2021. Over 16.5 million people in India have been infected by the virus leading to over 1,90,000 deaths. Even in Nagaland, 94 people have lost their lives to the deadly illness till date.

In this context, it is imperative to contain the spread of the disease within the state of Nagaland given the limitations in medical infrastructure and the impending shortage of medical oxygen and lifesaving drugs such as remdesivir.

Nevertheless, higher education institutions (HEIs) (from Class IX and above), both in the government and in the private sector, have continued to function in Nagaland providing essential academic services to students in the state.

We should, at this

point, recognize the fact that there is a high risk that HEIs may become nodal points for the transmission of COVID-19 within the state. Both staff and teachers are under high risk of contracting the illness given the present circumstances.

High school, college and university campuses are spaces where large numbers of individuals from various areas and backgrounds congregate. Most students and staff stay off-campus and have to use public transportation to commute to campus.

Even after following the SOP protocols, teachers have to meet anywhere between 100-300 students on a daily basis. Within the classrooms, teachers have to shout over the incessant drone of ceiling fans addressing vast classrooms where students are seated in a dispersed fashion as per SOP protocols. Several research papers have pointed out how shouting and singing leads to a greater degree of aerosolization– the process through which saliva is broken down into smaller microscopic droplets – which lead to increased transmission of COVID-19 through air. Teachers themselves are prone to getting infected by the virus and may become primary transmitters as they have to take classes for multiple batches of students in the same day.

In this regard, teachers at HEIs should be considered in par with frontline workers taking into account the risk involved in their profession.

The most effective way to stop COVID-19 contagion has proven to be vaccination. Current studies show that less than 0.03-0.04 percent of those who were inoculated with Covaxin and Covishield had subsequently been infected with COVID-19.

It is therefore my humble request that COVID-19

vaccines should be provided on a priority basis to the staff and students of HEIs from 1 May 2021 when the next phase of vaccination begins. Additionally, I sincerely request that provisions should also be made for random sampling for RAT (Rapid Antigen Tests) in all educational institutions to enhance better tracking of COVID-19 incidence at the grassroot level. I request that the vaccines be distributed through the respective institutions, whether government or private, for free or at subsidized rates. I wish to point out that many private HEIs in other states have already provided mandatory free vaccinations for all teaching staff over the past months.

There are multiple benefits to this approach.

Firstly, this would help limit the spread of the virus within educational institutions which would otherwise prove to be highly volatile nodal points of transmission. HEIs should suspend offline classes until the vaccines are provided to the staff and students of the institutions. Secondly, providing vaccines at HEIs will also ensure a wider demographic distribution of the vaccine during the second phase, allowing perhaps one person in every household to be vaccinated. Thirdly, such a decentralized approach will also relieve the workload of primary health centres, hospitals and other vaccination centres which might face overcrowding of people seeking the vaccine.

Finally, if the first dose of the vaccine is provided to staff and students in May, the second dose can be taken during the semester break in June. This would allow safer reopening of HEIs for the upcoming academic year in the month of August.

We are all currently living in the fear of an

impending total lockdown, but none more so than teachers. This largely has to do with their experiences during the previous lockdown. When educational institutions in Nagaland were closed on 18 March 2020, teachers were faced with an unprecedented crisis. We had to quickly adapt to a new mode of online education, something which was done to a surprising degree of success.

However, many teachers across private institutes in the state were suddenly faced with delayed and reduced payment of salary.

Many are still working under reduced wages despite the fact that full fees are collected from the students.

Such a state of financial uncertainty wreaked havoc in

the lives of teachers, leading to delayed payment of rents, EMIs, loans, school/ college fees of children, medical bills of dependents, etc. I earnestly request the authorities that such unfortunate events should not be allowed to happen again.

Once offline classes are suspended, we live in the fear that our hard-earned wages will be held back. What if one of us falls ill and needs immediate medical attention? What if one or more members of our family fall prey to this deadly virus? I kindly beseech all authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff should be paid in full throughout the duration of the lockdown, if any. If wages are to be reduced or

delayed, this should only be done only following proper consultation with and after providing adequate notice to the staff.

This is a sincere and earnest request from the teaching community who have strived relentlessly through these uncertain times to make sure that the educational sector in Nagaland had not been adversely affected by the present crisis. I write with sincere hope that these suggestions will be taken into your kind and astute consideration.

Let us stay safe and stay united through these troubled times!

Dr. Achuth A., Assistant Professor, St. Joseph University, Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Let’s appreciate students

It’s a human nature to appreciate a person who have succeeded, but at the same time humans have despised failure, instead of supporting and helping the weak ones or those who lack behind, we look down upon them. This is true especially for students, in the time of covid, students are suffering more then, before the covid.Each and everyone has their weaknesses and strength. Students are going through mental, physical and many more hardships in the time of covid then ,before the covid. Don’t judge too quickly .We haven’t been in their shoes, especially at the time of covid pandemic. Every student is unique and special, lets appreciate each and every students .Last but not the least, my prayers to them,blessed each and everyone on them.

Nchum Lotha, Kohima

Sir,

Ban adulterated honey

It refers to Supreme Court on 19.04.2021 seeking comments of central and state governments on reports of adulterated honey being marketed in India even in popular brands of renowned companies where some special type of sugar imported from Chine mixed with honey bypasses tests as required by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) as per research done by Centre for Science and environment which further says that only three out of 70 samples of honey being marketed in India could pass internationally accepted by NMR spectroscopy test.

If the report is correct, then it is playing with lives of Indian people, because diabetic people consume consuming honey marketed under popular brand-names of renowned Indian companies, because honey is otherwise considered safe for diabetic people. Instead of further wasting time litigation-proceedings, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) should adopt internationally accepted NMR spectroscopy test for giving sale-permission for honey in India. Moreover all honey-packs under different brand-names must have on their labels a copy of affidavit by some companyexecutive wherein 100-percent purity of the product may be guaranteed.

Madhu Agrawal, (Guinness Record Holder for letters in newspapers), DELHI

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.

5

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

Every 2nd person tested in Kolkata is Covid +ve WB elections: 34 constituencies

Relatives of a COVID-19 patient outside Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata, Sunday. (PTI)

from testing more as this is one major tool to contain this wave,” he said.

Of the 25,766 samples tested in the state on April 1, only 1,274 samples were positive, a positivity of 4.9%. On Saturday, 55,060 samples were tested across the state and 25.9% samples or 14,281 persons

Kerala CM writes to Yogi to provide Kappan medical care

Siddique Kappan T H I RU VA NA N THAPURAM, APR 25 (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday requested his Uttar Pradesh counterpart to intervene and ensure that Journalist Siddique Kappan, presently in custody under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)in the northern state, be provided expert health care.

Union of Working Journalistsand some prominent media persons had brought to his attention that Kappan, who hailed from the southern state, suffered from heart ailments and had tested positive for COVID-19, due to which he was facing health issues.

Kappan had been admitted to KVM hospital in Mathura and had reportedly been kept chained to his bed even when his health condition had become precarious, Vijayan said in the letter, a copy of

which was released to the media here.

Expert health care should be provided and he should be shifted to anothersuper speciality hospital, where modern life saving facilities are ensured, it was stated. The move comes on a day when 11 MPs of the opposition Congress led UDF sought the intervention of Supreme Court Chief Justice N V Ramana for an urgenthearing of the case of Delhi-based Kappan, who was arrested last October while he was on his way to Hathras, where a young Dalit woman died after being allgedly gang raped. Kappan’s wife Raihana also sought Vijayan’s intervention in the matter. She alleged that her husband was chained to his cot and was not given food for four days and his condition was deteriorating.

were positive. “One reason is the high transmissibility of the mutant virus which is infecting a large number of people in a short span of time. In most cases, entire families are getting infected.

Another reason for the high positivity is that only those who are symptomatic are going in for the tests,” said

Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri, microbiologist at Peerless Hospital.

“The positivity rate has shot up to 50% in our lab. The pressure to test samples is tremendous. But it is good that people are going for the test. How fast we detect and isolate has an impact both on treatment

and mortality,” said nuclear cardiologist Alok Roy, chairman of Medica Group of Hospitals.

“In our lab, the positivity currently is about 55%,” said a NICED Kolkata official.

Every major lab in the city started seeing a sharp rise in positive samples in April with the rate going past 20% by the second week, and there has been no stopping after that. “Even during the post-Durga Puja surge last year we would find about 30% samples positive.

This time it has crossed the previous year’s record,” said Chaudhuri.

Sources in the health department said while Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas and Howrah have high positivity, the rate is going up in districts like Burdwan, Malda and Murshidabad as well.

“The infectivity rate and Covid numbers could be quite high in districts but to know the actual scene the number of tests needs to be scaled up there,” the NICED official said.

to go to polls in seventh phase

Fate of 284 candidates to be decided Kolkata, Apr 25 (PTI): Over 86 lakh voters in West Bengal will decide the political fate of 284 candidates on Monday, when 34 assembly constituencies, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s home turf Bhabanipur, go to polls in the seventh phase, amid a raging second wave of COVID-19.

Security measures have been heightened in view of the violence in the previous phases, particularly the death of five people in Cooch Behar in the fourth round of polling on April 10, an Election Commission official said. The poll panel has decided to deploy at least 796 companies of central forces in the seventh phase to ensure free and fair voting, he said. It will also put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols during the voting process, the official said.

West Bengal on Saturday registered its highest-

single- day spike of 14,281 coronavirus cases, which took the tally to 7,28,061, and at least 59 more people succumbed to the infection, pushing the toll to 10,884.

Voting will be held at 12,068 polling stations spread over nine assembly constituencies each in Murshidabad and Paschim Bardhaman districts, six each in Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda and four in Kolkata, the official said. All eyes will be on the Bhabanipur constituency, of which the TMC supremo is the sitting MLA and a resident. Banerjee, however, has opted for Nandigram to contest the elections this time and reposed faith in veteran politician and state power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay to make a hat-trick of wins for the party from Bhabanipur.

Chattopadhyay is pitted against a seasoned actor but a greenhorn in electoral politics, Rudranil Ghosh, who

left the ruling party a few months ago to join the BJP. State minister Firhad Hakim is also seeking re- election for a third consecutive term from the Kolkata Port constituency, while the BJP fielded Lt General (Retired) Subrata Saha from the Rashbehari seat in the metropolis.

Campaigning for the seventh phase has been a low-key affair, following curbs imposed by the EC in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 cases in the state. Following the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, the EC has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state and noted that the COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning. It also disallowed any public meeting with more than 500 people. The Election Commission has curtailed daily campaign hours and extended the “silence period” from 48 hours to 72 in each of the remaining three phases of the assembly polls in view of the Cooch Behar violence and the rising COVID-19 cases.

Nadda flays Mamata for ‘skipping’ PM’s virtual meet Priyanka slams UP CM for M anikchak ( W B ) , Apr 25 (PTI): BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday slammed Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her persistent attacks on the Centre over the prevailing COVID-19 situation, and sought to know why she chose to skip a virtual meeting where Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed ways to combat the disease.

He contended that the TMC supremo’s “anxiety has grown manifold”, after having seen the support that is pouring in for the BJP, and the ruling party, for that reason, has “resorted to attacks on saffron party men”.

Addressing a virtual meeting from Delhi in support of BJP candidate from Malda’s Manikchak seat, where polling is scheduled to be held on April 29, Nadda said, “Why didn’t you (Banerjee) attend meetings convened by the prime minister on COVID-19, is it be-

J P Nadda cause of your huge ego?”

Modi has also accused Banerjee of not attending meetings called by the Centre on various issues, including the Covid-19 management. Banerjee, on the other hand, has claimed that she was not invited to a meeting chaired by the PM a few days ago to discuss modalities to tackle the pandemic.

Nadda said that the chief minister, who also holds the health portfolio, “claimed that vaccines are

not available in Bengal, having forgotten that she deprived the people of the state of many essential facilities over the last 10 years”.

“If vaccines are not available, how are you (Banerjee) sending updates on the number of doses administered every day to the Union Health ministry?”

Nadda stated.

He further said that members of a central team sent by the Union government to West Bengal last year to review the coronavirus situation were prevented from working freely by the Banerjee-led administration.

The BJP president hit out at the TMC dispensation, and said the party’s top leaders, fearing that they might lose elections, have “let loose goons to intimidate voters”.

“Mamata ji claims she

is the daughter of the state, but it is under her rule that Sobha Majumdar (a BJP worker’s mother) had to sacrifice her life trying to saving her son from goons,” he said, referring to an incident of violence at Nimta in the northern suburbs of the metropolis.

Asserting that the lawless in Bengal has reached its nadir under the TMC rule, Nadda alleged that the CM has stopped sending crime records of the state to NCRB to “mask the real situation”.

Bengal tops the chart when it comes to crimes against women, including rapes, he claimed, insisting that a BJP government will ensure women’s security in the state. “Extortion rackets, appeasement policies and dictatorship rule the roost in Bengal under the TMC rule,” he added.

‘no oxygen shortage’ remarks

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday hit out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks that there is no shortage of oxygen in any private or public COVID-19 hospital in the state, and asserted that “only an insensitive government” will give such a statement. Asserting that there is no shortage of oxygen in any private or public COVID-19 hospital in Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath on Saturday had said that the state government would conduct an audit of the lifesaving gas in collaboration

with various institutes.

Tagging a media report on his remarks, Priyanka Gandhi, in a tweet in Hindi, said, “Just imagine yourself in the place of those patients who are told that they will not get admission due to lack of oxygen. ‘Oxygen is low, take your patient’.”

“Only an insensitive government will give such a statement,” she said.

Tagging another media report on Adityanath’s remarks, the Congress general secretary also said,”Mr. Chief Minister, there is an oxygen emergency in the entire state.”

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KO L K AT A , A P R 2 5 (AGENCIES): One of two persons undergoing RTPCR tests in Kolkata and its suburbs is turning out to be Covid-positive. In the rest of the state, one of four RTPCR report is Covid positive. That is a five-fold jump from the beginning of the month, when only one of 20 tests was positive, reports Times of India.

“Laboratories in Kolkata and surrounding areas are reporting a positivity rate of 45%-55% while in other parts of the state the positivity rate is around 24%, up from 5% at the beginning of this month,” said a doctor attached to one of the largest laboratories conducting RT-PCR tests in the state.

This, a senior doctor at a state-run hospital said, is only the tip of the iceberg.

“The actual positivity rate will be much higher. There would be so many asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients who are not getting themselves tested.

We are not testing enough.

We must not be deterred

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Lockdown extended in Delhi by 1 week

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced extension of the ongoing lockdown in Delhi for another week, saying the severity of COVID-19 is unabated and positivity rate has been as high as 36 per cent in the last few days.

The lockdown imposed on April 19 night will now continue till 5 AM on May 3, he said. Before extension, it was scheduled to end at 5 AM on April 26.

“We will have to watch the situation for a few more days whether the cases decrease or increase,” he said.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in an order for extension of the lockdown allowed services of courier outlets, electricians and plumbers, repair of water purifiers, and shops shelling books and electric fans.

The chief minister said the onslaught of the coronavirus has not subsided even as the government had imposed six-day lockdown as a last weapon in its arsenal.

Connaught Place area wears a deserted look during the COVID-induced lockdown, in New Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

“The public opinion is for extension of lockdown.

The positivity rate reached up to 36-37 per cent in past few days although it has slightly dipped now. It is around 29 per cent today,” he said.

To keep a watch on oxygen availability, the Delhi government has decided that the manufacturers, suppliers and hospitals will update supply and consumption data every two hours on a portal set up by it.

“This is to ensure that the Delhi government knows where shor tage might be felt and is able to divert resources in that

direction in time.”

He said the Centre has further increased Delhi’s oxygen quota by 10 MT per day and hoped the chaotic situation due to oxygen crisis in Delhi will end in a few days.

“The Centre has increased Delhi’s quota from 480 MT to 490 MT per day.

But, we are yet to receive full quota. Currently only 330-335 tonnes per day supply is being received by us,” he said.

The chief minister said his government is receiving much support from the Centre and both are properly coordinating to

solve the oxygen supply problem.

Kejriwal who had wrote letters to Chief Ministers of states for helping Delhi with spare oxygen and tankers, said, “Negotiations have begun with some states and I will update you about any positive results as and when they come.”

Noting that ministers and officers of his government were working overnight to ensure steady oxygen supplies to the hospitals, he said, “I do not claim that all our efforts have reaped successful results. In some cases, we have failed, and in some others we have managed to ensure oxygen supply to its destination.”

Delhi recorded the highest single-day rise in its COVID-19 deaths with 357 more people succumbing to the viral disease on Saturday as well as over 24,000 fresh cases.

The city has reported nearly 2,500 deaths due to the deadly virus in a 12-day period.

Several hospitals in the national capital are grappling with severe short-

age of medical oxygen.

The DDMA in its order on Sunday stated that the situation of COVID-19 in Delhi has again been reviewed and it is observed that positive cases as well as positivity rate is still very high. “....therefore, in order to contain the spread of virus and to further break the transmission chain, curfew needs to be extended for a further period of one week in Delhi (except for essential activities and services), as an emergency measure.”

In the order, Chief Secretary and DDMA executive committee chairman Vijay Dev directed extension of curfew (lockdown) the on movement of individuals, except for essential activities and services, in Delhi till 5 am on May 3 or further orders whichever is earlier. There will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of all types of goods, cargo and empty trucks including those for cross border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries, added the order.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

Rise in Covid-19 cases raise voices for strict measures

(From p-1) Meanwhile, incoming passengers to Dimapur were being monitored or screened at the airport and railway station, it was reported that there was some laxity at the inter-state check gates.

Authorities admit that checking every individual on a daily basis, especially daily wage earners, businessmen etc. entering Dimapur to earn their livelihood through the porous border, was challenging task, unless some strict measures are put in place at multiple entry points.

A policeman, at a check gate, admitted that penalizing daily wage earn-

ers entering Dimapur without wearing mask at most times, was a futile exercise as many were unable to pay the fine.

Dimapur police on April 14, had issued strict orders that inter-state entry into the district by road, train, flight without wearing of mask would be strictly enforced.

Night curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. has been imposed over Dimapur since April 23 and till further orders.

Commenting on this, an official told this Reporter that the objective of the curfew may have less impact since there is no such restriction in other

districts (except Dimapur and Tuensang).

With regard to curfew hours, a businessman said by and large most people in Dimapur generally do not venture out at night and so it was debatable if the curfew hours would have any major impact on breaking the transmission chain.

As more states went for partial-to-full lockdown, night curfew and other restrictions, the Centre had stressed that the next three weeks will be critical for the country reeling from the worst health crisis as it announced a series of measures to shore up medical infrastructure and supplies and scale up vaccination.

551 oxygen plants to be set up in govt hospitals

(From p-1) It said that Modi has directed that these plants should be made functional as soon as possible, which will serve as a major boost to oxygen availability at the district level.

These dedicated plants will be established in identified Government hospitals in district headquarters in various States/UTs. The procurement will be done through Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The PM CARES Fund had earlier this year allocated Rs.201.58 crores for installation of additional 162 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants inside public health facilities in the country.

Deaths under-reported, alleges Rahul 4 Cong-ruled states allege Centre of ‘hijacking vaccine stocks’

KAKURO

No. 4520 Yesterday’s solution No. 4519

No. 3544 Yesterday’s solution No. 3543

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the vaccine and essential life-saving medicines.”

“If the Centre does not support us, how can we roll out the vaccination drive?

We are only hand-to-mouth on vaccines. The Centre should allot the vaccine and provide it to us,” Sidhu said.

Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta alleged the prime minister is trying to derive political advantage even during this raging pandemic.

“Step-motherly treatment is being meted out to Congress-ruled states like us. The prime minister is politicising everything and we have to fight a dual battle of saving people from coronavirus and fighting politics,” he said.

“The Centre has hijacked their production ca-

pacity (manufacturers’) and struck a deal for Rs 150 per dose. The government that talks of one constitution, one tax, are now trying to derive benefits out of pandemic by different pricing of vaccines,” he said.

“How will we launch (the next phase of vaccination drive), when vaccine makers do not have vaccines, (and) how will they provide us supplies. People will ask us to vaccinate, we have set up vaccination centres,” he said, adding the Centre should allow them to purchase Remdesivir from Bangladesh, which is not being allowed.

“On one side, we are being bound, on the other hand, an impression is being created that there is decentralisation of power to states,” he alleged.

India welcomes ASEAN’s initiative to end crisis in Myanmar

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI): India on Sunday welcomed an initiative by the ASEAN to end the ongoing crisis in Myanmar which has been in turmoil since its military grabbed power in a coup in February.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India will continue to play a constructive and meaningful role in resolving the current situation in Myanmar. “We welcome the ASEAN initiative on Myanmar agreed to at the ASEAN summit held on April 24. Our diplomatic engagement with Myanmar will be aimed at strengthening these efforts,” he said.

Myanmar has been rocked by massive protests since the military seized power in a coup on February 1. Hundreds of people including children were killed in the crackdown against the

protesters by Myanmarese authorities. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday released a “five-point consensus” on Myanmar that included “immediate cessation of violence” and holding constructive dialogue among all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution in resolving the crisis. Myanmar is a member of the 10-nation grouping. “India, as a friend of the people of Myanmar, will continue to play a constructive and meaningful role aimed at resolving the current situation in Myanmar. India’s support to the democratic process in Myanmar remains steadfast,” Bagchi said.

According to the fivepoint consensus, the ASEAN will provide humanitarian assistance in Myanmar and it will appoint a special envoy to facilitate mediation

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“First, there shall be immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint,” the ASEAN said, Second, it said, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned would commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people of the country. “Third, a special envoy of the ASEAN chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the secretary general of ASEAN,” it said, adding the fourth step would be providing humanitarian assistance to Myanmar.

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fund the vaccine. How can we fund it from our budget?

No provision has been made by us in the budget.”

Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deo said, “There is no way shots can be administered if the vaccine is not available.

How will we provide vaccination? We are ready to vaccinate, provided we have the vaccines.”

He also alleged politics is being played on vaccination the way prime minister’s photo is put on the certificate of vaccination.

“The country is being misguided. The Centre has made a joke of this,” he said.

Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said, “We are being meted out step-motherly treatment.

The Centre should provide

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en away the stocks” and shots are not available to them.

They said they are prepared for the next phase of vaccination drive from May 1, but the manufacturers have expressed inability to provide them vaccine shots.

“How do we vaccinate adults of 18-45 years as Serum Institute has said they will not be able to provide vaccine till May 15,” Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said.

“We have the capacity, but not the vaccine,”he said. “States should get the supplies. The Government of India should provide vaccine as per their requirements.” The success of the drive depends on availability of shots, he said.

Sharma said, “Our demand is that the Centre fully

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spurt in COVID-19 cases in the country. His comments came on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio programme said the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the country and assured the people that the Centre was working with all its power to help the states.

“System’ failed, so it’s important to do Jan ki baat,”

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI): Fours states ruled by the Congress and its allies Sunday accused the Centre of “hijacking” vaccine stocks from manufacturers, and expressed doubts they would be able to launch the inoculation drive to cover those between 18-45 years of age from May 1.

They also accused the Centre of meting out “stepmotherly” treatment to them, and urged the Union government to provide them free vaccine doses to vaccinate all adults.

Addressing a virtual joint press conference, the health ministers of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jharkhand (ruled by Congress-JMM alliance) asked as to how they will vaccinate all adults when the Centre has already “tak-

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Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi said on Twitter.

“In this crisis, the country needs responsible citizens. I request my Congress colleagues to leave all political work -- just provide all help and ease the pain of our countrymen,” he added.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Sur jewala said “hiding data” and not sharing the total number of infections and deaths is doing a disservice to the nation.

He said the data, howsoever serious it may be, makes us aware and alert, and urged for a “course correction”. “The Modi government has bungled up. If Modi government has abandoned its people and abdicated its duty, please do course correction and let us work together,” he told reporters.

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NEW DELHI, APR 25 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that the truth about the pandemic is shrouded and deaths are being underreported.

“Shroud the tr uth.

Deny oxygen shortage. Underreport deaths. Government of India (GOI) is doing everything......to save his fake image,” he said on Twitter.

He shared the front page of ‘The New York Times’ showing a picture of cremations being conducted and headlined, “As Covid ravages India, true toll is undercounted”.

Rahul Gandhi earlier alleged that the “system has failed” and it is the duty of the party to provide help to fellow citizens suffering due to the sudden

Massive blaze in ICU of covid ward in Iraq kills 82 BAGHDAD, APR 25 (AP): Iraq’s Interior Ministry said Sunday that 82 people died and 110 were injured in a catastrophic fire that broke out in the intensive care unit of a Baghdad hospital tending to severe coronavirus patients.

Negligence on the part of hospital authorities has been blamed for the Saturday night fire, which initial reports suggest was caused when an oxygen cylinder exploded in the ward of Ibn al-Khatib hospital. Iraq’s prime minister fired key hospital officials hours after the catastrophic incident.

Among the dead were at least 28 patients on ventilators battling severe symptoms of the virus, tweeted Ali al-Bayati, a spokesman of the country’s independent Human Rights Commission. The commission is a semi-official body.

Firefighters rushed to battle the flames that raged across the second floor of the hospital. Civil defense teams put out flames until the early hours of the morning.

Ambulances transport-

People look on at Ibn Khatib hospital after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, April 25. (Reuters)

paramedics from the hospital floor. The fire came as Iraq grapples with a severe second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Daily virus cases now average around 8,000, the highest since Iraq began recording infection rates early

last year. At least 15,200 people have died of coronavirus in Iraq among a total of at least 100,000 confirmed cases.

In response to the fire, Prime Minister Mustafa alKadhimi fired the directorgeneral of the Baghdad

COVID-19 crisis: EU, UK, US, Denmark pitch in to assist India

Pak offers relief materials to India to help fight COVID

like Oxygen and medicine.

“Upon request for assistance

by India”, Janez Lenarcic European Commissioner for Crisis Management said, “we have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (ERCC). The EU will do its utmost to mobilize assistance to support people of India”.

President of the European commission Ursula von der Leyen seconded that tweeting, “The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people.” Other countries in Europe like Denmark, France, Germany are also extending support. Denmark’s envoy to Delhi Freddy Svane tells WION, “We are working closely with MEA to assist India with whatever is required. That’s what friends are about”. Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday announced that her country is preparing urgent support for India to deal with the ongoing Covid pandemic.

She said, “To the people of India I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that covid 19 has again brought over your communities. Germany

stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support”.

Armed Forces Medical Services or AFMS will be importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany. These plants will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to COVID patients. From Germany, containers are also being imported.

After much criticism over not allowing the import of raw material for the manufacturing of covid vaccines in India, top officials of the US government also extended support to India.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a tweet statement said, “Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India’s health care heroes.”

US is expected to announce its support to India soon, though a big focus remains on when it lifts a ban on the export of covid vaccine raw material. India is the largest producer of vaccines globally, but manufacturing is being hampered due to the lack of raw material.

ISLAMABAD, APR 25 (PTI): Pakistan has offered to provide relief support, including ventilators, to India to help the country fight the deadly wave of COVID-19 and said the two countries can explore possible ways of further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The Foreign Office in a statement late Saturday night said Pakistan was ready to send specific items quickly once the modalities were worked out.

“As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of COVID-19, Pakistan has offered to provide relief support to India including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X ray machines, PPEs and related items,” according to the statement.

It said that the authorities concerned of Pakistan and India can work out modalities for quick delivery of the relief items.

“They (authorities) can also explore possible ways of further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic,” it said.

Health Department in the al-Rusafa area, where the hospital is located.

He also fired the director of Ibh al-Khatib Hospital and its director of engineering and maintenance, according to a statement from the Health Ministry and his office.

After the fire first broke out, Al-Khadhimi held an emergency meeting at the headquarters of the Baghdad Operations Command, which coordinates Iraqi security forces, according to a statement on his Twitter account.

In the meeting he said the incident amounted to negligence.

“Negligence in such matters is not a mistake, but a crime for which all negligent parties must bear responsibility,” he said. He gave Iraqi authorities 24 hours to present the results of an investigation.

UN envoy to Iraq Jeannine Hennis-Plasschaert expressed “shock and pain” over the incident in a statement and called for stronger protection measures in hospitals.

Indonesia says 53 crew of lost submarine are dead, wreckage found

BANYUWANGI (INDONESIA), APR 25 (AP): Indonesia’s military on Sunday officially said all 53 crew members from a submarine that sank and broke apart last week are dead, and that search teams had located the vessel’s wreckage on the ocean floor.

The grim announcement comes a day after Indonesia said the submarine was considered sunk, not merely missing, but did not explicitly say whether the crew was dead. Officials had also said the KRI Nanggala 402’s oxygen supply would have run out early Saturday, three days after vessel went missing off the resort island of Bali.

“We received underwater pictures that are confirmed as the parts of the submarine, including its rear vertical rudder, anchors, outer pressure body, embossed dive rudder and other ship parts,” military chief Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters in Bali on Sunday.

“With this authentic evidence, we can declare

The Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala in 2014. (AP)

that KRI Nanggala 402 has sunk and all the crew members are dead,” Tjahjanto said. An underwater robot equipped with cameras found the lost submarine was lying in at least three pieces on the ocean floor at a depth of 838 meters (2,750 feet), said Adm. Yudo Margono, the navy’s chief of staff. That’s much deeper than the KRI Nanggala 402’s collapse depth of 200 meters (655 feet), at which point water pressure would be greater than the hull could withstand, according to earlier navy statements.

The wreckage is located 1,500 meters (yards)

to the south of the site where the submarine last dove Wednesday, off Bali’s northern coast, Margono said.

The underwater robot was deployed by Singaporean vessel MV Swift Rescue provided the images, while the Indonesian vessel KRI Rigel had scanned the area where the submarine was believed to have sank using multibeam sonar and a magnetometer, Tjahjanto said.

The cause of the disappearance was still uncertain.

The navy had previously said an electrical failure could have left the submarine unable to execute emergency procedures to resurface.

China commissions three advanced naval ships BEIJING, APR 25 (PTI): China has commissioned three main battle warships, including a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, a large destroyer and the country’s largest amphibious assault ship that can carry around 30 helicopters and hundreds of troops.

The ships were commissioned at a ceremony on Saturday attended by President Xi Jinping at Sanya, China’s main naval base in the disputed South China Sea in Hainan province.

The vessels commissioned included the Type 075 amphibious assault ships, which can carry an estimated 30 helicopters and hundreds of troops. It is China’s largest amphibi-

President Xi Jinping presents a PLA flag to the newly commissioned Changzheng 18 warship at a port in Sanya.

ous assault ship with an estimated displacement of about 40,000 tonnes, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Sunday. The Type 09IV submarine is believed to be the second-generation class

of China’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, replacing the old Type 09II, state-run China Daily reported.

The Type 055 is the most powerful destroyer in the Peoples liberation Army

Navy (PLAN) which is equipped with new types of air-defence, missile-defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons, the report said.

The new additions are part of the massive modernisation of the PLAN which included the aircraft carriers.

China has built two aircraft carriers. Official media reports say China plans to have six aircraft carriers.

China’s defence budget this year crossed USD 209 billion. Much of its military modernisation focussed on massive expansion of the navy and the air force as Beijing stepped up its assertive role in the disputed South China Sea and Taiwan, where the US too is stepping up its presence.

Afghan airstrikes kill 12 militants in eastern Ghazni province

GHAZNI (AFGHANISTAN), APR 25 (IANS): Afghan fighting planes targeted the Taliban hideouts in the restive Muqar and Gilan districts of eastern Ghazni province on Saturday, killing 12 insurgents and injuring six others, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The short statement

also noted that a good quantity of arms and ammunitions of the militants were also destroyed during the air raids, the Xinhua news

agency reported.

According to the statement, over two dozen militants had also been killed during the clean-up op-

erations in the neighbouring Wardak province on Saturday.

The Taliban outfit has not made a comment yet.

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NEW DELHI, APR 25 (AGENCIES): EU, US, Denmark have extended support to India with UK sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to deal with the surging COVID-19 cases. The 600 pieces include ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices sent from the UK today and will be arriving in India early Tuesday morning.

“We stand side by side with India” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19”, adding, “Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus.”

In all, UK will send nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, that can extract Oxygen from the air, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators this week.

Earlier in the day, the European Union announced that it is activating its “civil protection mechanism” to provide assistance to India

ed dozens of wounded. The Health Ministry said at least 200 people were rescued from the scene.

Doctors at the scene were frazzled by the chaos unfolding around them.

They said numerous burned bodies were carried out by

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

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The Terogvunyu Chupwen Fellowship, Dimapur convey our heartiest (HON-KEN-GWA) congratulations to Dr. Rosy Tep, D/o Lt. Zhavise Tep and Mrs. Kenyüyhunle Tep of Henbenji Village under Kohima district, currently serving as Assistant Professor and Head of Department in English at Tetso College Sovima, Dimapur, on being awarded doctor of Philosophy in English Literature in Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu (NAAC Accredited with A+ Grade) in Feminist perspective of the African-American writings on the Topic of “Quest for Racial Identity in select Novels of Gayl Jones” under the guidance of Dr. N. Geethanjali.

The Fellowship also gives her honour for being the first among the female of the Chupwen villages to achieve such a position. We pray that the good Lord continue to shower His blessings in all her future endeavours.

Sd/Sd/Chwelo Thyüg Sinyhunle Seb President, TCFD General Secretary, TCFD

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FELICITATION OFFICE OF THE TEROGVUNYU CHUPWEN FELLOWSHIP, DIMAPUR

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

Real Madrid drop points in DC beat SRH in 1st Super Over of the season title race against Real Betis off the third. The next ball, however, went for a dot after which the batsmen stole two runs off the last two balls to take DC over the line.

Brief scores: Delhi Capitals 159/4 in 20 overs (Prithvi Shaw 53, Rishabh Pant 37; Siddharth Kaul 2/31) beat SunRisers

Hyderabad 159/7 in 20 overs (Kane Williamson 66 not out, Jonny Bairstow 38; Avesh Khan 3/34) by Super Over.

Jadeja leads with bat & ball as CSK beat RCB by 69 runs

Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan of DC running between the wickets during the IPL in Chennai, Sunday.(PTI)

C H E N NA I , A P R 2 5 (IANS): Delhi Capitals (DC) beat SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in what was the first Super Over of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday at the M.A.Chidambaram Stadium. SRH, who sent in captain David Warner and Kane Williamson, managed to take just seven runs in their Super Over which

was bowled by Axar Patel.

One run was deducted from SRH’s tally due to captain Warner not putting his bat completely over the crease for the last run.

Captain Rishabh Pant and Shikhar Dhawan walked out for the run chase while spinner Rashid Khan bowled for SRH. The batsmen took two runs off the first two balls before Pant hit a four

restricted to 122/9 in reply to CSK’s 191/4, which also came largely due to Jadeja’s blistering 62 off 28 balls. Jadeja hit 37 runs off the last over of the CSK innings bowled by Harshal Patel, hitting five sixes and four, making it the joint most expensive over in the history of the IPL. RCB came into the match having won all four of the matches that they have played thus far.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 191/4 in 20 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 62 not out, Faf du Plessis 50; Harshal Patel 3/51, Yuzvendra Chahal 1/24) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 122/9 in 20 overs (Devdutt Padikkal Ravindra Jadeja of CSK celebrates the wicket of 34; Ravindra Jadeja 3/13, Washington Sundar of RCB during the IPL match. (PTI) Imran Tahir 2/16) by 69 runs Ravindra Jadeja led IPL on Sunday at the Monday’s Match Chennai Super Kings Wankhede Stadium.

Punjab Kings Vs Kolkata (CSK) to a 69-run win Jadeja took three Knight Riders over Royal Challengers wickets and gave away Time: 7:30 pm Bangalore (RCB) in the just 13 runs as RCB were

Match in action between Real Madrid and Real Betis during the La Liga match.

BA RC E L O NA , A P R 25 (IANS): Real Madrid missed the chance to move top of La Liga on Saturday as they drew 0-0 at home against Real Betis.

Zinedine Zidane’s depleted champions, placed second, looked tired at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium as they climbed to 71 points from 33 games, one match more than leaders Atletico Madrid and two points fewer, DPA reports.

A dull first half gave way to a better second,

with Rodrygo Goes hitting the crossbar and Eden Hazard adding spark off the bench on his return from injury, but Madrid didn’t have enough in the tank to win.

Borja Iglesias might have struck for Real Betis but rallied on the ball in the box and was denied by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is enjoying a top-notch season. Diego Lainez burst forward from his own half but lashed wildly over the crossbar

in another moment where the visitors might have hurt their hosts.

Madrid’s squad have endured over 50 injuries this season, more than any other side in the top-flight, and ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Chelsea seemed worryingly short of energy.

Betis provisionally climbed to sixth, level on 50 points with fifth-place Real Sociedad, as they look to qualify for the Europa League.

Usman, Namajunas score Karatsev stuns Djokovic to reach Serbia Open final KO title fight wins at UFC 261

Kamaru Usman (Red Gloves) fights Jorge Masvidal (Blue Gloves) during UFC 261.

JACKSONVILLE, APR 25 (AGENCIES): Kamaru Usman knocked Jorge Masvidal out cold to retain his UFC welterweight belt while Rose Namajunas pulled off a stunning firstround head kick KO to dethrone strawweight champ Zhang Weili at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday.

In the third title fight on the bill, women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko dominated Jessica Andrade as she coasted to a second-round

technical knockout victory to retain her crown.

Famed for his powerful wrestling, 33-year-old Usman came into the main event on Masvidal’s home turf on a 17-fight winning streak, and he won the first round comfortably before bringing the fight to a sudden halt in the second.

Usman uncorked a thunderous right hand a minute into the second frame to deck Masvidal, who looked out before he hit the canvas, silencing the boisterous home crowd

Israel Adesanya, Marvin Vettori to fight on June 12

Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori

LAS VEGAS, APR 25 (AGENCIES): A middleweight title fight between reigning champ Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori is expected to take place at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 263 on June 12.

UFC president Dana White told ESPN on Saturday that contracts are being finalized to set the 185-pound title fight.

Adesanya (20-1) defeated Vettori via split decision in April 2018. Adesayna, 31, lost his most

recent fight against light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259 on March 6 in Las Vegas. That did not affect his status as middleweight champion.

Vettori (17-4-1), a 27year-old Italian, has won his past five bouts, including a defeat of Kevin Holland on April 10.

White told ESPN that the Adesanya-Vettori winner will next face former champion Robert Whittaker. The location of UFC 263 hasn’t been announced yet.

and extending the longest winning streak among active fighters in the UFC. “Been a while since I’ve been extremely nervous for a fight. But he elevated me. He made me go to the workshop and sharpen all my tools to put on a performance like that,” Usman said in his post-fight interview, his daughter in his arms in the octagon.

“I am the pound-forpound best fighter on the planet right now,” he added. In the co-main event Namajunas, who won the title in 2017 and had one successful defence before losing it to Andrade in 2019, landed a left high kick flush to the jaw to put the lights out for Zhang after just a minute and 18 seconds of their title fight.

Namajunas dived in to finish off her opponent but referee Keith Petersen was quick to wave it off as the American snapped her opponent’s 21-fight winning streak and became the first woman in the UFC to reclaim a title.

B elgra d e , A pril 25 (AGENCIES): Novak Djokovic crashed out of his own tournament after Russia’s Aslan Karatsev beat him 7-5 4-6 6-4 on Saturday to reach the Serbia Open final and avenge the Australian Open semi-final defeat by the world number one.

Djokovic suffered his second successive shock exit on red clay in quick succession after he was beaten by Briton Dan Evans in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters last week, having failed to convert a bar-

rage of break points against Karatsev. The Russian will meet Matteo Berrettini in Sunday’s final after the Italian beat Japanese rival Taro Daniel 6-1 6-7(5) 6-0 in the other semi-final at Djokovic’s tennis centre by the Danube river in Belgrade.

Djokovic praised Karatsev after what he said was a forgettable evening.

“Hats off to Karatsev, he was bold and deserved to win,” Djokovic told an online news conference.

“I will probably not be able to recollect all the

Wood chopping competition deferred Correspondent

KO H I M A , A P R 2 2 (NPN): Wood chopping competition organised by United Brothers which was scheduled to be held on April 30 at Solidarity Park, Kohima, has been postponed owing to the second wave of COVID pandemic.

A statement from the organisers said they regret the inconvenience caused to the players and interested spectators. While hoping that the current situation would subside, the

organisers said they would hold the event tentatively in the month of May. The organisers assured tickets buyers that they could use the same for entry as and when the event was held.

The statement further said since the event was a first of its kind in the State, the organisers wish to hold the event on the “best day possible”. On the brighter side, we are hoping to hold the event better prepared and with more entertaining lineups, the organisers said.

Aslan Karatsev

memorable rallies in this match because I lost. I am not happy with my performance, I put up a fight but he delivered great shots every time he needed to.

“I was unlucky at times, it all came down to one or two shots but I had too many ups and downs throughout the match.” Karatsev said: “This is definitely the most important victory of my career. At the Australian Open in Melbourne I felt like I was playing against a wall but this is a different surface and I was focused.”

Azam fastest to 2000 T20I runs H arare , A pr 2 5 (IANS): Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Sunday became the fastest to score 2000 in T20 Internationals, erasing his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli’s world record.

Azam, achieved the feat during Pakistan’s 24run win over Zimbabwe in the third T20I, took 52 innings to reach the milestone while Kohli had taken 56 innings.

Australia captain AarBabar Azam on Finch is third on the list having taken 62 innings former New Zealand capto reach 2000 runs while tain Brendon McCullum is

fourth with 66 innings.

Earlier, Azam had ended Kohli’s nearly threeand-a-half-year reign at the top of the ODI batting rankings. In T20Is, Azam is ranked second with 844 rating points while Kohli is fifth with 762.

Azam scored 52 on Sunday and put up a 126-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan, who remained unbeaten on 91, to help Pakistan to 165/3.

Fast bowler Hasan Ali then took four wickets as Zimbabwe were restricted to 141/7.

Nadal sets up Tsitsipas title showdown in Barcelona Open BARCELONA, APR 25 (IANS): Spanish World No.2 Rafael Nadal made it to his 12th Barcelona Open final with a 6-3, 6-2 win against countryman Pablo Carreno Busta and set up a title clash with World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece.

The 11-time champion landed 13 forehand winners and claimed four service breaks to extend his unbeaten ATP head-tohead record against Carreno Busta to 8-0 on Saturday night. Nadal, the winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, made quick starts to both sets and reached his 69th clay final after 89 minutes.

“I am very happy to be back in a final here at an historic event, a home event and an important one for me,” Nadal told the ATP Tour website. Nadal is chasing his 12th title at the ATP 500 event. The 60-time clay-court titlist is the only player to lift 12 or more tour-level trophies at the same tournament, having claimed 13 titles at Roland Garros. Nadal owns a combined 23-1

Rafael Nadal

record in Barcelona semifinal and final matches.

The Spaniard’s only loss in Barcelona after reaching the final-four came in 2019, when he fell to eventual champion Dominic Thiem.

The top seed will meet Stefanos Tsitsipas for the trophy in a repeat of the 2018 Barcelona final. On that occasion, Nadal defeated the first-time ATP Tour finalist 6-2, 6-1.

The 34-year-old will be seeking revenge for his loss to the Greek in this year’s Australian Open quarter-finals, when Tsitsipas became only the second player to defeat Nadal

from two sets down at a Grand Slam. Nadal has a 6-2 ATP head-to-head advantage against the reigning Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion.

“Tomorrow will be a very tough one. Stefanos is playing probably better than ever,” said Nadal. The 20-time Grand Slam champion dropped serve when he tried to serve out the set at 5-1 and was forced to save three break points on his second attempt as Carreno Busta raised his level.

Nadal reached his 12th Barcelona final (11-0) when Carreno Busta struck a backhand return into the tramline.

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