April 2, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 116

DIMAPUR, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Tablighi Jamaat: 5 trains, thousands under lens national, Page 5

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COVID-19 case in Assam now 13

COVID-19 update: COVID-19 fight hits top gear 26 negative, results of six awaited Search for Tablighi12 who tested positive on Apr 1 attended Tablighi Jamaat meet in Delhi DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): linked suspects as to be shared. while the remaining could Sharing daily updates on GUWAHATI, APR 1 A person tested posi- not traced as their mobile status of COVID-19 in Na- tally crosses 1,900 (PTI): Twelve more people tive for the deadly disease phones were switched off galand, the state health & tested positive for COVID19 in Assam on Wednesday, taking the total number of such cases in the state to 13, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

All the patients had attended a congregation at Tablighi Jamaat Markaz in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West earlier this month, he said at a press conference.

Assam now has the highest number of cases in the Northeast, followed

by Manipur and Mizoram with one case each.

The state has “entered a very critical stage and we have to maintain the lockdown strictly to ensure that the situation does not worsen”, Sarma said.

Nearly 350 people have returned to Assam after attending the congregation in Delhi, which has emerged as an epicentre for spread of the coronavirus in different parts of the country.

Sarma requested those who came in contact with the patients to report to the nearest health facil-

Power department expresses dismay DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Power department has expressed shock and dismay that despite the officers, staff and field workers of the department working round the clock, some public vigilante groups obstructed some field staff on line restoration works. In a press note, Power department engineerin-chief, Er. Shikato Sema informed that during these trying times, the officers and staff were responding to the call of duty to the best of their abilities in over hundred electricity sub-stations and control rooms spread across the state. Even though many of the staff would be happy to stay safe at home, as most citizens are, Er. Shikato asked whether it was going to be a solution? The department has therefore requested all, including the government to support the power sector too, in its efforts to maintain stable power supply.

CP: More exempted

DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): A day after promulgation of three-day total lockdown in Dimapur, the commissioner of police and district magistrate Dimapur has added DMC & sanitation, Treasury, banks, power, PHED, Telecom and vehicular transportation of essential commodities in the total lockdown exemption list.

This is it!

“Though to me she’s normal, yet she’s unduly worried about coronavirus.”

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Himanta Biswa Sarma

ity for their samples to be tested and quarantine themselves.

Of the 12 new patients, four are being treated at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), while the rest are undergoing treatment at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, he said.

One of the four patients at the GMCH is from Nalbari and the other persons are from Jagi Road in Morigaon district, he said.

Details about eight other patients admitted at the Jorhat hospital are yet

on Tuesday and is undergoing treatment at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Sarma said, adding that he is a maulana from Karimganj and also a cancer patient.

The minister said that the Centre had given the state a list of 457 people from Assam who had been to the Nizamuddin area and 91 others reported for testing on their own after coming in contact with the people who attended the congregation.

Out of the 457 people, investigations revealed that 134 of them had not attended the congregation but were in the area and their presence were detected by mobile phone towers.

Another 68 did not return to Assam and are in Delhi, Lucknow and other places, he said.

There are 347 people now in Assam, who returned from the congregation by March 16, and out of them, 230 people have been located so far,

and their family members did not cooperate, the minister said.

“The situation is very dangerous and we appeal to all who had gone to the congregation and also those who have come in contact with them to give their swab samples for testing and quarantine themselves,” he said.

The samples of those traced have been taken and sent for testing.

“Even those who are found to be negative will be kept in quarantine,” he added.

The contact tracing of those who have tested positive have begun as “we know that they did not quarantine themselves and went to different places in connection with their trade”, Sarma said.

“We appeal to the people not to hide where they went but quarantine themselves and get tested along with those who have come in contact with them,” he urged.

family welfare (H&FW) department Wednesday informed that while 26 persons were tested negative for COVID-19, results of six were still awaited.

Principal director H&FW, Dr. Vizolie Z Suokhrie informed total persons screened as of 2pm April 1, 2020 was 771, which include 161 from Kohima, 125 from Mokokchung, 15 from Peren, 30 from Phek, 167 from Mon, 59 from Tuensang, 132 from Zunheboto, one from Wokha and 21 from Kiphire.

Pointing out that cumulative number of persons put under quarantine was 4,747, Dr. Suokhrie said that 1,146 persons were already out, but 3,601 were presently on quarantine. He also informed that number of isolation beds in the state was 173 and number of foreigners in the state at present was 10.

Further, as per the update, a total of 38,375 phone calls have been received through helpline.

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): In a sweeping nationwide hunt, authorities across states have identified more than 6,000 people who attended the Nizamuddin Tablighi Jamaat congregation, the biggest COVID-19 hotspot in India, as more than 400 fresh cases of infection emerged on Wednesday to take the tally over 1,900 with at least 58 deaths.

More than 5,000 of those identified to have attended the congregation have been quarantined, including in hospitals across states, while efforts are on to trace another 2,000 including in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

The list includes foreigners as well, while some of those identified by the state authorities are yet to return from Delhi to their respective native places.

Authorities attributed the big spike in the numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases largely to the Tablighi Jamaat, an orthodox Muslim society set up nearly

People who showed coronavirus symptoms being taken to various hospitals in New Delhi on March 30.

100 years ago by Deobandi Islamic scholar Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Khandhalawi as a religious reform movement and to spread the faith.

The latest Union Health Ministry update put the nationwide tally of the confirmed COVID-19 cases at 1,637, after 376 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, and the death count at 38. But figures announced by different states and union territories totalled 1,910 with at least 58 deaths.

The Ministry officials said cases have increased largely due to Tablighi Jamaat congregation, which took place in mid-March, and therefore technically it does not show a national

trend. They urged people to follow guidelines during lockdown period and avoid congregations, including religious gatherings.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi were among the places to report a large number of new cases. While more than 400 confirmed cases were reported by all states put together, they also reported at least 11 new deaths due to COVID-19.

The Centre on Wednesday also asked all states and Union Territories to launch on a “war footing” the contact tracing of all participants of the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin, which has emerged as the coronavirus hotspot.

Commr Nagaland reviews situation Nagaland COVID-19: Telephonic Total lockdown a success: CP counselling service announced

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Reviewing the situation across the state, Commissioner of Nagaland M Patton said special consideration was being given to Dimapur and Kohima districts in regard to the spread of COVID-19.

Taking into consideration the importance of stakeholders, Patton said the State government alone could not prevent the situation and thereby a convened a meeting at Commissioner of Police office here Wednesday in which various agendas were discussed focusing on the chaos and commotion due to panic buying and traffic congestion that happened on March 30 in the town.

The house discussed closure of all main markets in the town and at the same time how to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities to the people.

The meeting also underscored the need to regulate timings for trucks ferrying essential commodities to Manipur and other districts. Considering the order and instructions of the Union

Ministry of Home Affairs, the ban on entry from across the State border would be ensured.

The meeting also discussed regulating the timings of petrol pumps taking into consideration those exempted from the lockdown. In order to contain the excuse of going out to get medicines and other essentials, home delivery would also be encouraged. The meeting was also attended by GBs and representatives of Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Naga Council Dimapur and other stakeholders to work out the modalities. Patton appealed to all sections of NGOs and organisations to assist the government machineries.

On law and order, ADG (L&O) Renchamo Kikon mentioned that there was no shortage of manpower in the State. With regard to the safety of police personnel, he said the department had made special sanctions to all units. He said safety of the policemen was important because only if they took care of themselves would they be able to take care of the public.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Realising the potential of the lockdown measures because of COVID-19 pandemic to adversely affect mental well-being of the general public, All Nagaland Counsellors’ Association (ANCA) has volunteered to render telephonic counselling services, especially to those under quarantine.

In a statement, the State government asked those requiring counselling to send request through Whatsapp to 70052 51298. Separate time slots too have been fixed for counselling – those at quarantine facility can send request between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., under home quarantine between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and for others between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, the State continued to be free from COVID-19 with out of the 32 samples being sent for testing, 26 had tested negative till 3 p.m. on Wednesday, while results of six samples are awaited.

The government said it had some information about people of Nagaland who might have attended the Nizamuddin Markaj religious congregation or might have been in the vicinity in New Delhi, where some COVID-19 positive cases have been reported, and claimed that they were being tracked to ascertain detail information and take necessary action.

Further, 4,747 persons, including students, who have returned from outside the State from March 6 had self-re-

State roundup on COVID-19; 40 lockdown violations DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): At least 40 violations of the lockdown were reported in the state on Wednesday, but remedial steps were taken against the violations committed.

Home commissioner and principal secretary Abhijit Sinha, who issued a report on law & order and facilitation of essential goods & services for April 1, 2020 in the state, said that 49 persons were arrested, 39 FIRs were lodged under section 188 IPC and 1 FIR under section 106/107 CrPc. However, he said that no fine was imposed and no vehicle seized. Also, Sinha said no law and order incidents have been reported in the State.

On the supply of essential goods and services, he said to monitor the essential supplies control room was being setup in all the 11 districts of the State.

The scene at Clock Tower during the total lockdown in Dimapur on Wednesday. (NP)

Shops for food grains and groceries were opened in all the districts except Dimapur, Sinha informed.

It was stated that shops were regulated in Mokokchung and Kiphire and opened only on alternate days. Shops for milk and medicine were also opened in all the districts except Dimapur.

No shortage of food grains, groceries, milk and medicine has been reported in the State.

According to the report, no restrictions were imposed on the movement of commercial vehicles for distribution of essential commodities and service providers like electricity, telecommunication, fuels

etc. in the State.

In Dimapur, restriction was imposed on the movement of e-commerce agents.

The Dimapur district administration has established a community kitchen and food has been distributed with the help of NGOs. Permits were issued to vehicles for transportation of essential commodities.

DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Terming the total lockdown of Dimapur district as a success, commissioner of police (CP) Rothihu Tetseo told newsmen that the lockdown was imposed as per the demand of the situation.

Asked whether the total lockdown would continue after April 3, the CP said it all depended on the situation because public safety was more important. He expressed the hope that all citizens would cooperate.

Tetseo informed reporters that in order to enforce the total lockdown an additional 50 men of Special Task Force and one IRB battalion had been deployed.

With regard to the lack of roadmap to implement the lockdown, he said the department had been trying to do its best, but added that participation of the citizens was important. “Unless the citizens participate and (Cont’d on p-5) cooperate, any amount of

ported to their respective district surveillance teams and have been home quarantined, out of which 1,146 have completed their quarantine.

Also, 3,905 individuals have self-registered on ncovid-19 Nagaland app by providing all the required information, while 1,165 persons were yet to provide their full details and have been once again asked to do so. Those who had entered the State after March 6 have also been asked to self-register in the app with full details.

The State government expressed its happiness at the continued support of the people in ensuring proper enforcement of the lockdown measures.

Pharmacies to open in Dmu DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): A day after it decided to shutdown all medical stores in Dimapur, following alleged harassment on March 31, Nagaland Medical Dealers Association (NMDA) has expressed gratitude to the district administration, police and assistant drug controller of Dimapur for resolving the issue and allowing the medicine wholesale and retail shops to open.

In a press release, Nagaland Medical Dealers Association president A Ato Yepthomi assured to render its best possible services to the needy people at this critical moment.

NMDA has directed the chemist and druggist to wear mask, gloves and keep hand sanitizers while operating their shops and also to maintain social distancing.

Rothihu Tetseo (NP)

security will be difficult,” he stressed. Pointing out that the police personnel were deployed on the frontline risking their lives checking and screening the public, he said the people should extend their cooperation.

The CP said more than 300 persons had been detained and regular cases of more than 35 have been registered and 200 plus nonFIR cases booked till date.

He said 88 vehicles were booked on the first day of the lockdown, adding the police were also checking all vehicles moving under the exemption category.

DHD declared COVID-19 hospital DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Health & family welfare (H&FW) department Wednesday announced that the Dimapur District Hospital (DHD) has been identified as COVID-19 hospital.

According to an official bulletin, no new patients will be admitted at DHD until further notice.

It was informed that all existing in-patients at DHD requiring further hospitalization would be shifted to Referal hospital CIHSR, Eden Medical Centre, Zion Hospital and Research Centre, Nikos Hospital and Research Centre and Nagaland Multi-specialty Health and Research Centre, provided the patients could be safely moved. H&FW stated that other hospitals would be designated as and when required.

District Health Authority would make arrangement for providing OPD

services in various government health institutions like Urban Primary Health Centre Burma Camp, Urban Primary Health Centre Duncan, Primary Health Centre Chumukedima, and Police Referral Hospital Chumukedima. All suspected COVID-19 cases or flu-like symptoms from any private hospital or public health centre would be referred to the COVID-19 Hospital for screening.

Medical expenditure for existing in-patients shifted from DHD and new emergency patients would be worked out with the respective hospitals. The above listed hospitals would be empanelled under AB-PMJAY if not yet empanelled. Free benefit would be provided to AB-PMJAY beneficiaries as per guideline. For any query, one could contact State Control Room: 9099607609/7085444710.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

community participation against COVID-19 Longleng on lockdown during Monyu festival

Poor and needy bring fed by various organisations at DDSC stadium Dimapur. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Coronavirus also dubbed as COVID-19 is perhaps the biggest pandemic that the world has witnessed since more than a century. Amidst such global pandemic, community participation to aid the government becomes the need of the hour. According to DIPR report, in Nagaland, it is heartening to note the holistic approach where various social organisations, NGOs, churches, individuals, national workers, and political leaders are coming

forward and contributing through various goodwill donations and rendering their services in the fight against COVID-19.

At Dimapur, besides the migrant workers, poor and needy people, many persons affected by the nationwide lockdown are housed in different locations through the initiative of the district administration and Police. One such place is the Youth Hostel at Netaji Railway Colony, where 42 persons mostly students

comprising of 18 girls and 24 boys who came from Kerela, Maharashtra, Goa etc are presently quarantined in the Youth Hostel Dimapur.

The Jain Samaj Dimapur provides daily lunch, water and fruits to these students while the Bihari Samaj takes care of any requirements including rations and hygienic aids as and when required by the students. These two organisations informed DPRO Dimapur that their services would be rendered till April

24, 2020. Athletic coach B. Awala Walling who is also the warden of Youth Hostel Dimapur informed that besides others, Lotha Church Chumukedima provided hygiene aids and surf, Konyak Students Union donated snacks and water. With the addition of two more persons last night, Youth Hostel now houses 44 persons, she informed.

To avoid unnecessary loitering in the streets and also to enable the various organisations to carry out the feeding programmes in a more hygienic manner, the district administration and Police Dimapur, has initiated to move and accommodate the beggars, the homeless, poor and needy and the daily wagers at DDSC stadium Dimapur on March 31. Here, different social organisations and NGOs are exhibiting their humanitarian act, feeding these people in turns. The Dimapur Bongs are voluntarily working tirelessly providing food and educating the people on maintaining social distance. Besides, the Swami Vivekananda Welfare Foundation (VWF) has also committed to feed the needy people throughout the lockdown period. Con-

sidering the importance of social distancing, VWF has divided their members into three groups comprising of five people each for grocery arrangement, cooking and distribution and execution of works.

The foundation also plans to take a survey and demarcate areas of the town where people are not getting food, and provide ration as per their requirements. The food is being cooked at the Railway Pandal where the Railway authority has provided the common kitchen to the VWF fir preparing food fir the destitute people.

Various organisations and NGOs including Muslim community, Bengali Samaj, Marwari Samaj, Bengali Students Youth Generation, Bhojpuri Samaj, Durgabari Committee, Rotary Club Dimapur, Lions club Dimapur and many others are coming forward, to help the needy and the homeless, those under quarantine and the police/ traffic in duty. With the whole of the state machinery working on war footing, backed by a very strong and positive community participation and cooperation, Nagaland would definitely overcome and win the battle against COVID-19.

Longleng town on the 1st day of Monyu festival and lockdown.

DIMAPUR: With consolidated efforts of the district administration and Longleng Town Council (LTC) in collaboration with the NGOs and civil societies such as the Phom People’s Council, Phom Students’ Conference & Phomla Hoichen, the village councils, students community, village guards, GBs & DBs and churches the entire villages under Longleng district have been on lockdown along with the district headquarter Longleng and Tamlu sub-division since March 26 with the rest of the nation.

According to DIPR report, village guards (VGs) and the volunteers from the students’ body have been round the clock to ensure complete lockdown

Donations continue during lockdown to combat COVID-19

under their respective village jurisdiction. Village gates are closed and sealed with village guards, volunteers and GBs deployed to ensure complete hold of movement from village to village. People were not allowed to enter or go out from the village except on emergency cases. Hand wash tanks were also seen in some villages installed at the village gates to be used by the people coming back to their village after shopping from the towns or out for emergency cases.

The district administration has issued prohibition order to ban celebration of Monyu festival in the district which began on April 1. The towns and villages seem deserted with no social gatherings seen

on the 1st day of the festival. Yachem village of S. Pangnyu Phom minister for Health & Family Welfare and M. Shayung Phom deputy commissioner of Longleng was completely deserted on the 1st day of Monyu festival. It signified the discipline of the citizens of Yachem village to the prohibition order issued by the district administration. District administration and police have been stitching mask as an alternative arrangement with the help of the police tailors due to shortage of masks in the district.

Deputy commissioner and Phom students community have also been providing refreshments to the police and volunteers engaged on lockdown duty.

KVC reacts to ANTA ultimatum

DIMAPUR: Reacting to the ultimatum served by All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA), the Kohima Village Council (KVC) stated that it was not the time to serve ultimatum but to approach the government and public with their problems for assistance if it has not yet reached them.

A press release from H. Khehovi Yepthomi along with the essential items Nagaland State Bharat Scouts and Guides team along Toshi Ozukum, GB, with the members of the Muslim KVC chairman Dr. Neiphi with Kovi Meyase at Kohima on Wednesday. (NP) Society on Wednesday. and other officials.)

Kire and secretary Zeniezo Rutsa while appreciating the plight of the association, also reminded ANTA that this lockdown covered the entire country. Stating that this pandemic has affected not only taxi drivers but all daily wage earners

as well as private business establishments, the KVC expressed that it would be most hasty and unwise for the association to play out its ultimatum on the streets, endangering the safety and lives of everyone.

KVC pointed out that government of Nagaland and the NGOs have already started providing relief in terms of cash and kind to the poor and needy, including daily wage earners.

KVC therefore appealed to all the taxi drivers and taxi owners of the village to comply with the resolution passed on March 24 to observe lockdown in letter and spirit.

NPF party extend festivals greetings

Members of BJP Kiphire during the distribution of Members of LBC along with hospital authorities during The donated essential protective items like masks, hand essential commodities to the needy. visit to the DH Dimapur. sanitizers, soaps.

DIMAPUR: Leaders, organisations, political parties and others continue with humanitarian service towards the helpless during the period of lockdown as preventive measure to combat COVID-19 in Nagaland.

Advisor H. Khehovi Yepthomi donates protective essentials: Advisor of Tourism, Art & Culture, H. Khehovi Yepthomi visited his assembly constituency 33 Suruhuto and handed over medicines, hand sanitizers, masks and gloves to STF Suruhuto in the presence of SDO (C) medical officer, ATC chairman.

A press release from the PS to advisor stated that while handing the equipments, Yepthomi assured his constituency that he would be available 24/7 if any situation related to the pandemic cropped up.

He requested the constituency to keep pace with the

present global situation by updating themselves with all the latest news and developments taking place.

Yepthomi also advised the people in the area not to panic but to have strong faith in God. It may be noted that earlier the advisor also donated a sum one lakh and visited Zunheboto to assess the situation on behalf of all Sumi legislators and handed over the money contributed by all Sumi legislators. He also visited isolation ward District Hospital Zunheboto and donated hand sanitisers and masks from his own end requested people to abide by the lockdown norms laid by the government for everyone’s safety.

Tovihoto, former CEs donate to Power dept: Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, advisor Power Tovihoto Ayemi has donated 150 (30ml) bottles of hand sanitizers,

500 nos. of face masks and 525 nos. of hand soaps to the department. Power department engineer-in-chief Er. Shikato thanked Ayemi for the generous donation during such crisis. Further, retired chief engineers, Er. S.I. Longkumer, Er. D.A. Shishak, Er. K. Miachieo, Er. Imli Ao, Er. G. Chishi, Er. Khose Sale, Er. Rokozhalie Angami, Er. K.Yiese and Er. K.K. Awomi donated Rs. 1.50 lakhs to the department. Er. Shikato expressed gratitude and said they showed that they were no less retired in their concern and thoughts. “We have converted this to hand sanitizers and face masks for distribution to our staffs.

We sincerely thank all of them,” he stated.

NSBS&G donate rations to sanitary workers: As the sign of gratitude for performing their duty in the midst of COVID-19, a group from Nagaland State

Bharat Scouts and Guides (NSBS&G) called “The good turn project team” handed over some rations to the sanitary workers of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) in the presence of KMC administrator Kovi Meyase at KMC office on April 1. Representatives of the 16 member team were led by former president Nagaland State Women Commission and life member NSBS&G, Sano Vamuzo.

Team members informed that that the humble idea was to give helping hand to the sanitary workers as they continue to tirelessly work for the interest of the citizens, despite the threat of COVID-19. Sano Vamuzo mentioned that the team will continue to pray for the whole land and people for God’s protection. She also urged upon citizens of the state to wake up and turn to God during such unfavourable situation. Kovi Meyase

expressed gratitude to the team for remembering the marginalized group of workers. (Correspondent) Muslim Society distributes relief to poor and needy: Muslim Society, United North Block, Naga Colony, Burma Camp, Dimapur distributed relief to the poor and needy of the colony including Naga families on April 1. A press release from the organisers stated that, the relief comprising of essential commodities included rice, daal and mustard oil and were distributed to around 400 households in the presence of the colony GB, Toshi Ozukum. He acknowledged the Muslim Society, UNB Naga Colony, Burma Camp, Dimapur for their generous contribution towards the poor and the needy of the colony, mostly daily wage earners.

BJP Kiphire distributes essential commodi-

ties: BJP Kiphire district has distributed essential commodities for daily wage earners and for poor families during the lockdown to combat COVID-19 pandemic. A press release from BJP Kiphire vice president, Tali C. Sangtam and general secretary, Tsatongpi stated that, the distribution was done under the supervision of minister, V. Kashiho Sangtam. Essential commodities such as rice, daal, M-Oil etc were given to the poor families. BJP Kiphire unit also thanked the minister, party leaders, Lirimong Sangtam and Tsapikyu for their financial support in times of need.

LBC Chümoukedima goodwill visit: The Lotha Baptist Church (LBC) Chümoukedima paid a goodwill visit to District Hospital Dimapur along with some essential food items for the health care workers.

NSCN/GPRN (R) revokes suspension order

Department of Zoology, Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) in collaboration with Dew Drops have prepared 31 litres of hand sanitisers to be handed over to the district administration. (HoD Mass Communication)

Principal director H&FW, Dr. Vikeyie Losu leading a prayer service at directorate of H&FW seeking God’s guidance and wisdom in the fight against COVID-19 and for the people affected by the pandemic. The service will continue everyday at 9 a.m. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: NSCN/GPRN (Reformation) president has revoked the suspension order of kilonser Langkhuh Konyak with immediate effect.

A press release from NSCN/GPRN (R) through its MIP stated that, the kilonser has been retained under same position and under same ministry and directed to report to the competent authority for further necessary instructions.

Earlier, kilonser was suspended on September 23, 2019 through disciplinary act enshrined in article (4), clause (C), mentioned under NSCN’s party discipline.

DIMAPUR: Naga People’s Front (NPF) president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu along with party rank and file extended warm wishes to the Konyaks on Aoleang Mongyu festival, Changs on Kundaglün festival and Phom on Phom Monyu on their respective festivals. A greetings message from NPF press bureau hoped that these joyous celebrations develop relationships between people to people, and at the same time, promote peace, culture and progress.

NP, NPA, DPC condole

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Post (NP), Nagaland Press Association (NPA) and Dimapur Press Club (DPC) have condoled the demise of Solo Thong, father of Alice Yhoshu, president KPC, after a brief illness at Dimapur.

Nagaland Post: Editor and staff Nagaland Post are saddened to learn of the demise of late Solo Thong, father of Alice Yhoshu, a former colleague. Editor and staff in a condolence message expressed that, the passing away of a dear parent is painful and like losing a protecting and helping hand. Words are not enough to comfort the bereaved except to pray that Almighty God will

grant comfort to the family members at their time of deep grief and also strength to overcome their loss. May Almighty God grant eternal peace and rest to the departed.

NPA: NPA president H. Chishi conveyed that late Solo has left a permanent imprint on the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

NPA extended condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the departed soul.

DPC: DPC president Dilip Sharma conveyed condolences to Alice Yhoshu and all the bereaved family members and pray that the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

news in Brief DC Longleng prohibits celebration: Deputy commissioner (DC), Longleng M. Shayung Phom has prohibited celebration of Monyu festival in the entire district of Longleng during the lockdown period. Defaulters will be dealt with as per existing provision of the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulation 2020 under the Epidemic Disease Act 1897.

COVID-19 helpdesk set up at Aboi: Helpdesk has been setup for Aboi sub-division. The helpline contact number can be reached to access information with regard to issues listed below: Essential commodities at 8974487678; Vehicle pass at 8730939105; Relief for stranded labourer/daily wage earners from other state and any medical/Quarantine centre information at 8119961352.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

COVID-19 Hospitals, quarantine centres, advisories and appeals

consultative meeting, Patton took note of various grievances including lack of basic health amenities and facilities encountering by the health workers to fight against the dreaded virus. He assured to take up the matter to the state government for necessary action. Patton appreciated the preparedness level by the district administration, Police, and Medical department and media fraternities for their constant efforts and sacrifices for all the citizens in order to contain the COVID-19. Patton also urged and encouraged all the allied departments and frontline workers to do justice.

Patton also contributed some preventive kits comprising of 4000 face masks and about 1500 hand sanitizers and also donated cash for providing logistic support to the district administration for immediate requirements towards containment of COVID-19 in Wokha district. Patton also assured that more protective gears will be distributed from the government sector as well. He also appealed the general public to stay away from rumors and fake news as state and central government along with the department of Health and Family Welfare will update information to COVID-19 issues.

Legislators visit health centres under Chiephobozou and Tseminyu: To ensure full preparedness to combat against COVID-19, a team led by the district in-charge minister of National Highways Tongpang Ozukum, advisors Dr. Nicky Kire and R. Khing, Police, district administration and officials from CMO inspected the health centres in Northern Angami area on Wednesnagalandpost.com Poll day.

Briefing on the purQ.: Will the lockdown be pose of the visit, Ozukum effective in containing acknowledged the health Coronavirus? workers, security forces, 100% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– village councils and people 90% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– involved in delivering their 80% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– service with utmost sin70% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– cerity and dedication. He 60% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– assured that additional 50% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– protective gears required 40% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– in some health centres will 30% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– be looked into at the earli20% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– est possible time. He also 10% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– informed that the commu0% nity health centre (CHC) A B C Tseminyu needed special 88% Yes. A attention in all aspects and 0% B No. assured the matter would be 12% C Can’t Say. conveyed to the authority.

Minister also maintained Next poll that since central ministry Q: Is Assam a potential has relaxed agri allied seccrisis zone of the north tors considering the sowing east for coronavirus? time, he said except for the  Yes. farmers, lockdown must be implemented. Advi No. sor Urban Development  Can’t Say. and Municipal Affairs, Dr. Nicky Kire said the WEATHER overall preparation of the FORECAST health centres visited was April 2 satisfactory and assured to take up CHC Tsemi(Temperature in ºC) Max Min nyu requirements to the Agartala Hazy sunshine and hot 38 22 higher authority immediAizawl Hazy sunshine 31 14 ately. From the department Guwahati Hot with hazy sun 36 16 side, Kire informed that Imphal Hazy sun 32 8 center has released some Itanagar Sunshine and some clouds 29 16 amount for Urban Local Shillong Hazy sun 25 14 Bodies (ULB) which will Kohima Hazy sun 26 14 be distributed soon to all Dimapur Hazy sun 33 18 the municipals and town Mkg 27 14 Hazy sunshine councils. Deputy commisTuensang Hazy sun and cooler 19 10 sioner Kohima Gregory Wokha Hazy sun 27 18 Thejawelie informed that Zunheboto An afternoon thundershower 24 11 district administration will

DIMAPUR: District hospitals have been designated as COVID-19 Hospitals in various places along with special quarantine centres in preparedness to combat the outbreak of coronavirus in the state. Legislators and other officials have been inspecting and taking stock of the respective level of preparedness in the districts.

Y. P a t t o n v i s i t s Wokha district COVID19 Hosptial: Deputy chief minister Y Patton, in-charge of Home and Roads & Bridges, Mhathung Yanthan, advisor of Horticulture & Border Affairs along with Dr. Chumben Murry, MLA, accompanied by various district administrative officials, inspected Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha COVID-19 Hospital, GHSS-Quarantine Ward, Christian Medical Centre for in-house patients, Vankhosung.

A press release from DyCMO media cell stated that, during their inspection, legislators’ in-charge for Wokha district for monitoring and implementation of COVID-19, Y. Patton took stock of the situation and preparedness for tackling the containment of COVID-19 in Wokha district. The team also interacted with the chief medical officer and doctors and staff for effective measures and control of COVID-19 during the lockdown period.

Y Patton and Mhathung Yanthan who is also in-charge for Wokha district along with Dr. Chumben Murry held a short consultative meeting with the district administration, police and health workers at DC conference hall, Wokha. During the

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Tongpang Ozukum, Dr. Nicky Kire, R. Khing and others at Tseminyu CHC. (NP)

ensure smooth movement of essential commodities vehicles and asked to be immediately informed on any hiccups. He also appealed the citizens of Tseminyu sub-division not to panic since there were enough stock of essential commodities. For the daily wage earners and immigrant workers, he said free distribution of rice, daal and salt has started and asked the ADC to list out proper data of those who were in need of food so that supplies will be sent immediately.

Deputy CMO Kohima, Dr. H Sema briefed the health workers and others to remain in touch with the NHAK and CMO office and also briefed on what was supposed to be done if any positive cases was detected. He also advised not to shift the patients of their own as ambulance will be sent in those areas if any patients have symptomatic. The team visited Chiephobozou CHC, Botsa PHC, Tseminyu CHC, Chunglikha PHC and Touphema PHC. In Tseminyu sub-division 18 persons are under home quarantine while Touphema 3 persons were under quarantine.

Almost all the health centres were equipped with protective gears and for the additional requirement, the team members assured to reach them as early as possible. Advisor Dr. Nicky Kire also personally donated masks and hand sanitizers in all the health centres. (Correspondent) UBD Merima Kohima as quarantine centre: Employees from the department of Home, Power, PHED, Health and Family Welfare and others were engaged in cleaning the quarantine centre in Urban Development Building (UDB) Merima, Kohima.

Advisor Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Dr. Nicky Kire along with district and police administration visited the quarantine centre Wednesday evening. The building has the capacity to quarantine 266 people and almost 100 beds and other facilities have been placed. (Correspondent) Dimapur COVID-19 Hospital: Department of Health & Family Welfare has informed that Dimapur District Hospital (DDH) has been identified as COVID-19 Hospital.

Following alternative arrangements are prepared for the convenience of patients: No new patients will be admitted in DH Dimapur, until further notice; All existing in-patients in DH Dimapur requiring further hospitalization are to be shifted to the under mentioned hospitals, provided they can be safely moved: Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research, Eden Medical Centre, Zion Hospital and Research Centre, Nikos Hospital and Research Centre, Nagaland Multispecialty Health and Research Centre. NB: Other Hospitals will be designated as & when required; All patients requiring emergency healthcare, henceforth will be taken up the above mentioned hospitals; District health authority will make

arrangement for providing OPD services in various government health institutions like urban primary health centre Burma Camp, urban primary health centre Duncan, primary health centre Chumukedima, and Police Referral Hospital Chümoukedima; All suspected COVID-19 cases or flu-like symptoms from any private hospital or public health centre will be referred to the COVID19 Hospital for screening; Medical expenditure for existing in-patients shifted from DH Dimapur and new emergency patients will be worked out with the respective hospitals.

The above mentioned treating hospital will be empanelled under ABPMJAY if not yet empanelled. Free benefit will be provided to AB-PMJAY beneficiaries as per guideline. For any query, contact state control room at 9099607609/7085444710.

IMDH identified a s C OV I D - 1 9 H o s p tial: Principal secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Menukhol John in exercising the powers conferred by the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 under the Epidemic Disease Act 1897, identified Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) as COVID-19 Hospital. According to DIPR report, he informed that the following alternative arrangements are to be prepared for the convenience of patients: No new patients will be admitted in IMDI-I from April 6, until further notice; The existing in-patients requiring further hospitalization will be shifted to Lenjem Hospital (contact: 0369 2225226), provided they can be safely moved; New patients seeking emergency healthcare in IMDH will be diverted to Lenjem Hospital. Only emergency cases will be entertained; Medical expenditure for in-patients who are shifted or new emergency patients who are referred will be worked out with the concerned hospital; Any patient shifted or referred by IMDH to Lenjem hospital will carry an authorization order from MS, IMDH; Free benefit will be provided to AB-PMJAY beneficiaries as per guideline.

He further added that for any query one may contact: State Control Room at 9099607609 /7085444710; District Control Room (Mokokchung): 7630007954 /7628854582.

LDH identified as C OV I D - 1 9 H o s p i t a l : Longleng District Hospital has been identified as COVID-19 Hospital.

Following alternative arrangements are prepared for the convenience of patients: Medical services for other patients are to be taken up by converting Nyengching GHS Longleng to a make shift hospital.

Further, CHC Yachem can be explored for the same; DH Longleng authority shall start the preparation including postponement of Non¬-essential elective surgeries, discharging stable patients, advising patients not to come for routine visits to the OPD if it can be avoided or post-

poned etc with immediate effect; To make indent to the directorate for requirement of any logistics; All unauthorized/authorized shops (excluding pharmacies) and eateries in the vicinity of hospitals should be compulsorily shut; Engage resources from other departments in non-technical roles, so that health personnel can dedicate in their professional responsibilities; The dedicated COVID-19 hospital and the make shift hospital should be operational at the earliest. For any query, contact state control room at 9099607609/7085444710.

CMO Phek awareness on COVID-19: Office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Phek has disseminated information to the public through distribution of leaflets to take precautionary measures, maintaining personal hygiene etc and reduce the risk of coronavirus infection.

A press release from CMO office Phek stated that, the leaflets were printed in English and local dialects. Pasting of posters on COVID-19 were also done in all the 11 colonies of Phek town. The 11 colony presidents are being utilized to disseminate the information through distribution of IEC materials, awareness talks in their respective colonies so as to reach out to all the people at all levels. To sensitize all age groups videos on Do’s and Don’t’s on COVID-19 in Chokri and Khezha dialects done by nurses of DH Phek has been circulated.

To combat the shortage of protective gears for health workers, the doctors/staffs of CMO and DH Phek has come up with an innovation to make alternative form of protective gears also. CMO also expressed gratitude to the Lotha Hoho Phek for showing their concern and support to the medical staff by donating money. CMO also thanked the respective colony youths for their valuable service.

Government buildings requisitioned as quarantine facility: Principal secretary Health & Family Welfare, Menukhol John through an office memorandum informed that the government has issued orders to requisition government buildings as quarantine facilities to prepare necessary infrastructure and tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and save lives.

According to DIPR report, Menukhol informed that the order was issued to enhance preparedness and containment of the virus following World Health Organisation and the government declaring COVID19 as a notified disaster and invoked the Epidemic Disease Act 1897. He added that in areas where suitable government buildings are not available to use as quarantine facility the government accord approval to the district administration to requisition building such as hotels, lodges, guest houses etc run by private or NGOs, if found suitable to use as quarantine facilities.

The requisition shall also include all existing services & facilities such furnishing, amenities, catering services

UDB Quarantine centre in Kohima. (NP)

etc. He further directed the district task force to identify such private facilities as quarantine facilities and to operationalize the facility when required in conformity with extant SOP and to intimate the same to the directorate of Health & Family Welfare.

UGC on safety and care for hostel residents: University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), India, secretary, prof. Rajnish Jain has issued a notification in view of fight against COVID- 19, time and again had issued several advisories to ensure the safety and health of stakeholders, which include the students, faculty members, researchers, nonteaching staff members and other, by taking necessary precautionary and providing required support.

Vice chancellors of all the universities and principals of all the colleges in prevailing situations have been urged upon to take measures for due care of all the students residing in the hostels through team members (wardens, deans, other officials and support staff) covering all aspects from health care, safety, accommodation, food and hygiene. UGC had appealed not be deterred by the prevailing circumstances and continue to work together for the welfare of one and all.

ADC Tening holds meeting with SDTF: ADC, Tening, Rhosietho Nguori, convened emergency meeting with sub divisional task force (SDTF) on COVID19 at town hall on March 31. According to DIPR report, Rhosietho Nguori also chairperson of SDTF on COVID-19 briefed the implementation of resources and highlighted the utilisation of funds received from various agencies to be done through SDTF with social distance measures will be followed in the crucial days of lock-down as mandatory by the government. Dr. Neilasakuo Linyu, medical officer of CHC, Tening highlighted the efforts of the medical department like sensitisation, and awareness for

Colony youth pasting the posters on COVID-19 at Phek Town.

the public on COVID-19 tracking and monitoring home quarantine, and 24 X 7 counselling services.

Dr Linyu informed that 26 people entered the sub-division after March 6, out of which 14 completed quarantine while twelve people are undergoing the same.

The house also resolved to maintain identified places like bank, hospitals, police station, garbage points and drainage for fumigation and sanitisation by the SDTF in the coming days.

SDTF Tening will enforce the directive of the state government and continue to update the general information the COVID-19 followed the next review meeting will be held on April 7.

CYF appeals citizens to stay safe: Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) has appealed to all the citizens of Phek district to take precautions and combat the COVID-19.

A press release from CYF president, Lhuvesayi Lohe stated that: While appreciating the medical personnel who are tirelessly and efficiently working to counter the epidemic in the district, CYF appeal all the medical staff to

be present 24X7 in their respective postings to provide necessary services to the general public in this crucial period; Appeal the government of Nagaland to provide the essential medical equipments to all the health centers in Phek district at the earliest; Urged the concerned department to provide essential commodities to the poor people according to the provision of the government in the district during this period of lockdown; General public must strictly adhere to the precautionary measures provided by the Medical department and the government; During this period of lockdown the general public are reminded to sternly follow the ban orders of the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) with respect to hunting; The respective youth presidents and colleagues are informed to check this activity in their respective areas.

CYF also acknowledged the administrators, Police personnel, Medical health workers, NGOs, political leaders, churches, individuals, legislators of Phek district for their concern and generosity.

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Y Patton along with others inspecting Wokha district COVID-19 Hospital.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXx NO. 116 Dimapur, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

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Devouring wildlife

s the world battles the silent, raging and deadly strain of coronavirus , sourced to a wildlife market in Wuhan, it has also thrust China’s live wild animal trade into the spotlight. Some of the earliest infections were found in people who had exposure to Wuhan’s seafood market, where bats, snakes, civets and other wildlife were sold. The Chinese literally eat anything that moves and most of the species are protected and facing extinction. In order to feed the growing demands, many of the species are smuggled from across the globe. The list is endless as the voracious appetite for live animals based on unscientific logic in the unproven medicinal efficacy of these items. The Chinese traditional medicine industry, which heavily relies on ancient belief in the healing powers of animal parts, is a massive driver of the trade. China temporarily shut down all such markets in January, warning that eating wild animals posed a threat to public health and safety. Chinese still like to eat wild animals in the belief it is healthy, providing the demand that sustains wildlife markets like that in Wuhan and a thriving online sales business, much of which is illegal. Traders legally selling donkey, dog, deer, crocodile and other meat admitted that they plan to get back to business as soon as the markets reopen. Scientists suspect, but have not proven, that the new coronavirus passed to humans from bats via pangolins, a small ant-eating mammal whose scales are highly prized in traditional Chinese medicine. Most unfortunately, the breeding and trading of wild animals in China is supported by the government and is a source of profit for many people. Animal products, from bear bile to pangolin scales, are still used in some traditional Chinese medicine, an industry China wants to expand as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Scientific investigation has not found evidence for traditional Chinese concepts such as qi, meridians, and acupuncture points.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) theory and practice are not based upon scientific knowledge, and there is disagreement between TCM practitioners on what diagnosis and treatments should be used for any given patient. Another tragedy if that the World Health Organistion(WHO) today stands exposed as the culprit for the devastation of wildlife species throughout the world on account of TCM. This has resulted in wholesale poaching of wildlife animals to the verge of pushing many species to extinction. Even if legal under Chinese laws, what is vital is that international ban on wildlife should have pre-eminence over the hocus pocus belief in their medicinal efficacy. The scale of unscientific beliefs has also spawned another idea. A report on the coronavirus outbreak has in fact boosted some illegal wildlife trafficking as traders in China and Laos are selling rhinoceros horn medicines as a treatment to reduce fever. Seventy percent of zoonotic diseases come from wildlife, says Erin Sorrell, an assistant research professor in the department of microbiology and immunology at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C. The diseases can be notoriously devastating: HIV, Ebola, and SARS are among those that have made the leap from wildlife to humans, spawning international outbreaks. This has led many microbiologists to term the Chinese wildlife market as ‘“cauldron of contagion.” The WWF must resolve to blacklist China for being the biggest threat to health also a poachers’ market and an accomplice in driving many animal species to extinction.

DailyDevotion Helpful or Heartless Toward Others?

It is Christ…who also makes intercession for us…. the Spirit…makes intercession for the saints…

—Romans 8:34, 27

Do we need any more arguments than these to become intercessors– that Christ “always lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25), and that the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for the saints”? Are we living in such a relationship with others that we do the work of intercession as a result of being the children of God who are taught by His Spirit? We should take a look at our current circumstances. Do crises which affect us or others in our home, business, country, or elsewhere, seem to be crushing in on us? Are we being pushed out of the presence of God and left with no time for worship?

If so, we must put a stop to such distractions and get into such a living relationship with God that our relationship with others is maintained through the work of intercession, where God works His miracles. Beware of getting ahead of God by your very desire to do His will.

We run ahead of Him in a thousand and one activities, becoming so burdened with people and problems that we don’t worship God, and we fail to intercede. If a burden and its resulting pressure come upon us while we are not in an attitude of worship, it will only produce a hardness toward God and despair in our own souls. God continually introduces us to people in whom we have no interest, and unless we are worshiping God the natural tendency is to be heartless toward them. We give them a quick verse of Scripture, like jabbing them with a spear, or leave them with a hurried, uncaring word of counsel before we go. A heartless Christian must be a terrible grief to our Lord. Are our lives in the proper place so that we may participate in the intercession of our Lord and the Holy Spirit?

Quotes

The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

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The other virus

he total lockdown of India by GOI for the next three weeks is in continuation of the lockdown ordered by the State Govt. of Nagaland is the best way to isolate and mitigate the catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic. It is indeed frightening to know what the death rates in Italy, Spain and the meteoric spread of the disease in USA are at the moment.

Unless the Nagaland Govt. puts its best effort to arrest the spread of the disease, once it is allowed, it will be almost impossible for the State Govt. to overcome it for the fact that Nagaland is ill equipped. Yet, the lock down alone will not mitigate the spread of the virus unless tests are conducted, detected, quarantined and whoever is suffering from the infection is timely treated. May God save Nagaland from the onslaught so that the Health Department is not proved worthless. I believe the Health Department has become practical rather than theoretical.

In the midst of the State Govt. fighting against the onslaught of the terrible pandemic of COVID-19, the general public have to face the other virus which is no other than the price rise of the commodities created by those greedy and unscrupulous traders.

Within the few days of the lockdown, some of the shop owners unilaterally and illegally enhanced the rates of the commodities and against which some

sensitive public organisations promptly reacted to it including Western Sumi Hoho (WSH). If the State administration at all develops lethargy to effectively control the price rise, I would rather support the WSH’s warning that it will not remain a spectator but to retaliate to the reckless anti people activities of those greedy traders. The DMC, KMC and the ZTC too had taken some corrective measures against the defaulters. The three weeks lockdown is going to be a pretty long period. The GOI and the Govt. of Nagaland have assured the people that there is no shortage of essential commodities and therefore it is neither to worry about food shortage nor to go for panic purchase of food stuff.

Nevertheless, in this type of situation, there are always opportunists who will not fail to take undue advantage on the gullible public and resort to make bumper sale at exorbitant rates fuelled by two factors. Firstly, in absence of competition during this period, those unscrupulous traders have chance to impose their will on the consumers, and secondly, the unbridled traders will resort to hoarding of any item under which circumstance the rate will be raised in the name of artificial scarcity.

Not only during this period of the peculiar situation but some of the unscrupulous traders have the habit of doing business against the general inter-

est of the public anytime one gets the opportunity.

Naturally it is easy to push up the rate of any commodity in absence of possible reprisal from the administration, and once a rate is raised, it becomes almost impossible to bring that enhanced rate down to its rational level. The rates of the items so increased illegally by now will therefore remain stationary even after normalcy returns.

Then that raised rate of an item becomes catalytic in spiking the rates of other items. Such illegal manipulation is not usually done collectively but by any individual trader whose spark is enough to change the market scenario. Such price manipulations are illegal and it is the other virus against the public welfare. The worst victim becomes the people in BPL(Below Poverty Line) in the face of price rise.

This illegal practices are rampant in Nagaland over the years and not only during the ongoing lockdown period by which the consumers are made to be the undeserved victims. The rates of several commodities are found cheaper in Imphal than in Kohima despite the higher freight charges for obvious reasons that Dimapur is just 74 km away from Kohima as against the 216 km distance between Dimapur and Imphal.

The only reason is that there are altruists in Govt. working for the common man in Manipur whereas in Nagaland the Govt.

hardly bothers for the plight of the low income people. Perhaps 10% of the population in Nagaland will not hesitate to buy rice @ Rs.1000/per kg under compelling circumstance, whereas, the other 90% definitely lacked that buying power.

This being my layman’s analysis, it is most imperative that the authorities, while trying to arrest the spread of COVID-19, the same effort be spared to control any manipulator from illegally taxing the fragile economy of the general public. Both the DMC and the KMC are found to have taken actions against some of the defaulters who always look for any opportunity and will never miss the chance to exploit the common man.

However, those nodal authorities are expected to remain vigil, meticulous and prompt in detecting any defaulter taking undue advantage of the situation during lockdown.

The concerned authorities must not soft paddle with such manipulators but take befitting action against the anti-people elements.

How long the general public and particularly the poorer section of the citizens are made to suffer in the hands of those predators. If the present day Govt. stands for the people as promised, take advantage of this situation and make a humble beginning for reformative measures henceforth.

Z. Lohe

COVID-19: A Societal Impact

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s viral diseases continue to emerge and represent a serious issue in the society, several viral epidemics such as SARS-CoV in 2002 to 2003, H1N1influenza in 2009, MERS-CoV in 2012 and Ebola in 2014, historically have succumbed human civilisations with more than Millions of deaths worldwide. Today, a timeline that reaches the respiratory infection detected at Wuhan in China’s Hubei province was reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019 called ‘Corona Virus/COVID19’ (a Pandemic Virus).

Human beings are complex creatures. However, when they interact and begin to form relationships and societies, things become even more complicated. Now, in such situation, are we more likely to act differently in a group to produce more interaction and societal relationships as a resources than we will when we’re alone?

There is unfortunately a good reason to believe that all of these will not be enough either, but let’s remember that everything depends on situational demands. So, self-isolation and prevention could give a productive and better results by preventing ourselves at home in the fight against this dangerous Covid19 virus. Even, Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte first asked the public to stop the panic and act responsibly in the fight against the deadly Human-Virus that claims more than 799,723 Cases and 38,721 deaths till 31st March 2020 worldwide.

If we are contagious and do not protect ourselves for ‘others’ we could be coresponsible for an outbreak of this Human-Virus as indi-

vidual behaviour at present is of crucial importance to control the spread of COVID-19 not only for the self but for society as a whole. In the case of this Pandemic outbreak, one needs to balance the perceived benefits of making physical contact and the perceived cost of the transmission rates but that does not mean one is excluded in the family and society but are for a positive and effective measures for change. So, what is left at present for mitigation is mandated quarantine, stopping mass gatherings, and social distancing. If not, it would not be a choice but have a necessary impact on the society’s mode of relationships and acceptance against the outbreak of the Covid-19. This therapeutic strategies fight against the human-virus, besides Government stringent actions on ban of mass gatherings, lock down, diagnostic facilities, remotely accessed health advice, specialised treatment etc, the complete downfall and oriented success in the fight against the Pandemic Virus greatly depends on the society’s contributions i.e ‘Me and You’ through supportive and prevention which would be the best weapon too.

At last, it won’t be simply enough by counting the numbers of cases and deaths, days and months rather, individuals’ responsibility and societal contributions in support of governmental measures are of necessary and would be highly acknowledged in fighting against the invisible enemy Covid-19 for a better future.

Lamkhotinthang Chongloi, Lecturer, St. John College, Dimapur

Restorative motif in the midst of COVID-19

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umankind is now his belongings and took a be our own master, and this just like the young men. Situfacing a global crisis, trip to a distant land. Tradi- situation has forced us to ation demands us to forget Perhaps the biggest tionally, the father was not come back to the basics. Yes our race, culture, religion or crisis of our generation. to free his property as he it has a restorative Motif. upbringing, set aside all our Novel coronavirus (COVID: like; in most cases the son COVID-19: THREE differences but in solidarity 19) is portrayed as human would have received this As the famine was sev- find means and ways for the destroyer, but it also has at his father’s death. This ering in the land there was sustenance and existence a restorative motif. It has showed son’s arrogant and complete lockdown (Famine of humanity. Covid:19 is persuaded our Indian Gov- disregard for his father’s persuaded the Lockdown as forcing those in power to ernment in the person of authority as head of the COVID-19) for people, so, he take desperate measure, the Narendra Modi as the prime family. Today there are lots began to starve. When the decisions that in normal minister to articulate and of broken families similar to reality struck him, he finally times could take years of announce 21 days lockdown this parable. The true essence came to his senses. Sitting deliberation are passed in that includes Holy Shrines, of familial relationship is lost among pigs that were better a matter of hours. We need Temples, Mosque, Churches and disharmonized because fed than he was, haggard and to get down to our knees etc., Worshipping places and all have become self-centred, tired to the bones almost to and find a way out of this gatherings for prayer and Egoism and individualistic the point of death he started threatening situation. Yes it worship. In the midst of this which disconnects the har- reflecting on his life Back has a restorative Motif. hard hit time we are forced mony in the family as this Home, he evaluated and COVID-19: FIVE to isolate ourselves, distance lost son tries to De-Socialize re-evaluated his life, which The young man said to from people and to have a himself from the family and is when realization hit him him, “Father, I have sinned time of Realization. This society. hard. The famine persuaded against both heaven and you, crisis takes me to a parable However, COVID-19 him to realize and reasons and I am no longer worthy in Luke 15:11-24 wherein a dismantles the wall of indi- his life: past and present. of being called your son. lost son came into a sense of vidualism, Self-centredness, In the like manner the 21 “But his father said to the realization which prompted Hatred etc...To bring every- days lockdown prompted by servants, Quick! Bring the him to Return Home. In one into a corporate family novel covid-19 should also finest robe in the house and this disturbing hour Luke and prompts us to care and be a time for us to spend put it on him. Get a ring for 15:11-24 gives us a word of think for others by infusing time by ourselves and be his finger, and sandals for consolation that all human- in us a dynamism for the a time of reflection and his feet. And kill the calf kind should return back to renewal of a true essence re-evaluation. Yes it has a we have been fattening in God for restoration. of familial relationship and restorative Motif. the pen. We must celebrate It is fascinating to ob- novel idea that we belong COVID-19: FOUR with a feast, for this son of serve that Luke 15 placed to one another. Yes it has a The young man began mine was dead and has now three parables together and restorative Motif. to starve and was longing to returned to life. He was lost, depicts that anyone can lose COVID-19: TWO fill his stomach; he started but now he is found. “when anything at any point of As he wasted all his thinking of existence and the reality of famine and time. In the parable of the money on wild living a great sustenance which forced him disaster finally hit him, the lost sheep; out of hundred famine swept over the land, to eat the pods that the pigs young man came to his sense sheep one was lost. Similarly, and he began to starve. So he were eating. This young man to restore his relationship in the parable of the lost went and hired himself out being a Jew; to stoop down to with his father. The restoracoin; out of ten coins one to a citizen of that country, feeding pigs would have been tion took place because the was lost. Anything that we who sent him to his fields a great humiliation, and for son wanted to reconcile with treasure here on earth can to feed pigs. It is understood him to desire to eat food that his father by saying “I have be lost as portrait by Luke; that the young man had trav- the pigs had touched was to sinned against you”. He however, another interesting elled outside Jewish territory, be degraded beyond belief. was forced to realize that and important observation since he later ended up with As the starvation forced him he has sinned against his in verses 11-24 suggests that pigs (15:15-16). Jews did to think of existence and Sus- father. This restoration was anyone can face a threat not own pigs because they tenance, he was persuaded to highlighted by Robe, Ring, in life or can lose life. In were considered unclean. He Return Home.

Shoes and feast. In Jewish the two preceding stories, wanted to live his own way, Verses 17-21 says, “I custom Robe signify Honour, the seeker actively looked be his own master, get out will go home to my father Ring signify Authority as a for the sheep and the coin, from under the rules of his and say, “Father, I have son (not a slave), and shoes which could not return by home and his father. Money sinned against both heaven were worn only by the affluthemselves. However, in this was his ticket out, so he took and you, and I am no longer ent (only slaves and the very parable (11-24), the father it and ran. The young man worthy of being called your poor went barefoot) and the not only watched but waited wanted to settle down far son. Please take me on as a feast signify celebration. with anticipation which in- away from home in freedom hired man. So he returned In this COVID-19 epidicates that the lost Son will but the situation, misfortune home to his father”. demic we have witnessed „Return Home’. And as we and disaster started chasing The situation forced many returning home (comdetach ourselves in silent him, God of nature did not him to be humble and re- ing back home) because this and solidarity I would like allow him to go on though pent from being arrogant. epidemic is a clarion call for to highlight five points from he wanted to create his own In this particular situation all to return back home. It Luke: 15:11-24. identity in the foreign land of COVID-19 arrogance and urge us to leave aside everyCOVID-19: ONE but became the company egoism has no place. The thing be it their job, studies In this parable the with pigs. Novel Covid-19 times would compel us all to or another thing, but take a younger son took the share doesn’t allow us to live our stoop down to the place we pause go home and get reof his estate and packed all own way, doesn’t allow us to would never even imagine connect with people back Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this

home, to those who remain aloof from family and friend because of want for white collar jobs or arrogance, dissatisfaction and their want for more and more, they are urged to return home, to reconciled with their own as the son pronounce “father I have sinned against you”.

Our situation in this time of desperation demands the same of us. 4 Towards the end of this parable we notice that the son was given a grand welcome by his dad and his household. The grand response or gesture of the father is beautifully noticed, the son lost his honour, his place and authority in the family but this returning and welcoming cemented the once broken relationship, this return gave a chance to start things all over again, to start afresh and begin a new story the same is expected from this novel COVID-19 it should not just be a return because we fear the epidemic outside as foreigners but this should also be a return back to our God to our faith and begin restoring our relationship with God who is ever looking out for our return back home just as the father anticipated the return of his lost son. Yes it has a restorative Motif.

Finally, everyone loves freedom and needs a growing portion of it. But the reality

is we need family, friends, and community more as they are the solid base that provides identity and support. The question that needs to be posed is; are we trying to live life our own way?

Selfishly pushing aside any responsibility or commitment that gets in the way?

If that is the case scenario, let us take a step back, pause and look before we hit the rock bottom. You will save yourself and your family much grief. In the midst of this global crisis caused by novel COVID-19 let us all as human beings reaffirm that we belong to God, we belong to one another and we belong to a wider world and none of it is our exclusive property to treat as we want. As we ask ourselves how to overcome the immediate threat; let us also ponder what kind of world we will inhabit once the deadly virus passes. Yes the deadly virus will pass, humanity will survive and we prospect that we will inhabit a different and hopefully better world. I know that this deadly virus has a name as “COVID-19” but the name of Jesus is above all names.

In the midst of this situation let us restore back the things we have lost and let us continue to seek God’s intervention and wisdom in this time of desperation.

Amen.

Kito S Awomi

Reader’s Post

Teach workers to maintain hygiene Sir,

Some people do not seem to be concerned about the threat of viruses being spread through surface contamination. Despite ministry of health advisories about cleanliness, especially during these trying times, used utensils, and other equipments should not be casually wiped down and with the same cloth used to wipe the table tops. Workers at homes, bakeries, etc should be provided with enough gloves for different purposes and they should be taught that maintaining hygiene and cleanliness are extremely important during these unprecedented times. Workers should be taught not to touch ready-to-eat foods with bare hands so that they prevent viruses and bacteria which are present in our body from contaminating the food.

Among Aonok, Tuensang newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

5

Tablighi Jamaat: 5 trains, thousands under lens

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): Railways is scrambling to provide information regarding thousands of passengers who travelled on five trains with people who participated in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi, many of whom have tested positive.

All these trains began from Delhi between March 13 and March 19 - the Duronto Express to Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, the Grand Trunk Express to Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Express to Chennai, New DelhiRanchi Rajdhani Express and the AP Sampark Kranti Express.

While there are yet no definite numbers with the railways on the actual number of people who could have come in contact with the participants of this event, sources say that each train carried around 10001200 passengers and other staff members which could put them all at risk.

State officials said that the railways is providing lists of passengers to the district authorities which are being compared to the list of participants of the event to

Representational image.

ensure contact tracing.

Of the contacts being traced, one is the case of 10 Indonesians who took the AP Sampark Kranti Express back to Karimnagar district after the event on March 13, and subsequently reported positive for coronavirus.

Around 60 passengers

who travelled on the New Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani Express in the same B1 coach as a Malaysian woman who tested positive for the virus, believed to be part of the Nizamuddin Tablighi cluster, are under the scanner with the district authorities scrambling to find their

whereabouts.

The woman who travelled on the train on March 16 with 23 others tested positive and is Jharkhands first confirmed case of COVID-19.

According to inputs from states, two people who attended the congregation

and later tested positive travelled by the Duronto on March 18 in the S8 coach along with “two companions”, two of them travelled by the Grand Trunk Express in the S3 coach with two minors, while a couple of others took the Tamil Nadu Express.

What is making the contact tracing of these individuals a herculean task for both the railway and district authorities is the fact that they moved around freely at that time as it was before any restrictions were imposed.

Both Hazrat Nizamuddin stations and the New Delhi railway station are one of the busiest railway stations in the country.

While Hazrat Nizamuddin station in Delhi, sees 56 long-distance trains departing every day and 130 trains from other sources halt here, 62 trains originate and 76 trains halt at the New Delhi railway station every day.

While the former has a footfall of about two lakh every day, the latter has a daily footfall of around 5 lakh.

Govt asks states/UTs to launch contact tracing of Tablighi Jamaat participants on war footing The Centre on Wednesday asked the states and Union Territories to launch on a “war footing” the contact tracing of all participants of the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin, which has emerged as the coronavirus hotspot.

In a video conference with chief secretaries and DGPs of all states and Union Territories (UTs), Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba also asked them to take action against foreigners, who have participated

in the missionary activities of the Tablighi Jamaat, for violation of visa conditions.

During the meeting, the states and UTs were sensitised about the intensive contact tracing of Tablighi Jamat participants as this has increased the risk of containment efforts of COVID-19 in the country.

“The states were asked to complete the contact tracing process on a war footing,” an official statement said.

The chief secretaries and DGPs

were told that it has been found that foreigners who had participated in the Tablighi Jamaat had violated visa conditions. “The states were asked to initiate action for violation of visa conditions against the foreigners and the organisers of the event,” the statement said.

More than 2,300 Tablighi Jamaat activists were found to be living at the organisation’s headquarters at Nizamuddin Markaz and they were evicted from the premises in last three days.

As many as 617 of them were hospitalised for showing COVID19 symptoms, while the rest were placed under quarantine.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had on Tuesday said as on March 21, approximately 824 foreigners, were staying at Tablighi Jamaat branches in different parts of the country. Out of them, 216 were staying at Nizamuddin Markaz. Most of these foreigners came to India on tourist visa, which prohibits involvement of any religious activities.

NPRAAF appeals for donation to CM relief fund

DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has appealed to the people of Nagaland to support the State government in combating the deadly COVID-19 disease by donating to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and by staying at home obeying the 21-day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The appeal comes even as the forum pledged to donate Rs 30,000 to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and another Rs 35,000 to Prime Minister’s Care to combat the pandemic.

In a statement, NPRAAF said everyone was required to behave as a responsible citizen during this difficult time “if we love ourselves, our family and humanity”.

Stressing that this was not the time to be critical

against the State government but join hands, the forum feared that a pandemic of this magnitude would not be easy to overcome without people’s cooperation.

Calling for advising the government wherever necessary to serve the people better as they were facing an unprecedented challenge, it said supporting the government was supporting themselves.

The forum thanked the State government for sanctioning Rs 17.5 crore on March 27 to village development boards (VDB) for setting up quarantine facilities and procurement of basic necessities. However, it was not possible to procure anything from anywhere at this juncture when everything was under a lockdown with shops opening only for a limited time to enable the people to buy essentials, the statement pointed out.

M oreover, c onsid ering that there are over 1,430 villages in Nagaland, NPRAAF said the amount sanctioned was too meagre and added it would have been better had the government made arrangements to help the villagers with basic needs, instead of giving them money.

The forum appealed to Nagaland Medical Dealers’ Association (NMDA) to reconsider shutting down medical shops indefinitely from Wednesday during this difficult time, as it would affect many sick people. It would be unwise to make the sick innocents suffer for alleged harassment meted out by the “unspoken authorities”, the statement pointed out.

NPRAAF also appealed to authorities not to harass medical shops as they were rendering life saving service to humanity.

F&RMCA slams timber sale ban

DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Forest and raw materials contractors association (F&RMCA) Tuli has demanded revocation of what it described “the random and hasty decision” made by the cabinet to impose a complete ban on sale of sawn timber outside the state other than finished products.

In a press release, F&RMCA president T Nukshi Yaden and secretary Watitoshi, on behalf of Tuli area tree farmers, stated that the decision was “directly” in contravention of Article 371 (A) and Naga customary right and practice from the very inception.

Pointing out that agriculture was the main source of livelihood for Naga people, the F&RMCA claimed that about 90% of the population were involved in cultivation like tree, tea, rubber etc. Along with the agriculture, the association said that small scale and medium scale industries were growing side by side. It stated that those industries have grown by leaps and bounds giving a boost to the economy.

F&RMCA asserted that the state cabinet decision would not be accepted unless an alternative arrangement for the trees farmers and the Nagas in

general was available.

The association also called upon the Naga people to stand together and tackle the issue. “Otherwise one day we cannot protect our Naga customary and traditional right in our own land if we watch as a spectator today,” F&RMCA stated.

Stating that Article 371(A) granted Nagas special powers to conduct their own affairs, the association has, therefore, urged the responsible authority to retrospect and revoke the decision otherwise the cabinet should set up an alternative avenue for the tree farmers and general public.

Chopper scam: SC asks Michel Centre redefines Jammu and Kashmir domicile rule extends rule to those who have lived in UT for 15 years to move Delhi HC for interim bail bail from the high court.

Michel, alleged middleman arrested in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam cases filed by the CBI and the ED, had earlier moved the Delhi High Court seeking interim bail citing risk of contracting coronavirus in the Tihar Jail. He then moved the apex court seeking the same relief saying that the high court has been unable to accord hearing on his interim bail plea.

Michel, 59, has claimed that his health condition was critical and incompatible with the current prison status, especially to cope with the risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection which could have a lethal effect on him as he is already suffering from serious pathologies.

“The agedness and a pre-existing ill state of health will make the applicant’s

(Michel) body more susceptible to the said infection than any other ordinary prisoner with a normal health condition,” Michel has said in its plea.

The regular bail plea of Michel, who was arrested in 2018 and is in judicial custody since January 5, 2019, is also pending before the high court where the CBI and the ED have contended that he should not be granted the relief as he has a nexus with influential people and can influence witnesses.

He has been denied bail in both the matters by the trial court. He has approached the high court against the lower court’s decision. The special CBI court had denied him the relief, saying there was no sufficient ground to grant bail.

Michel, extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the ED on December 22, 2018.

Nagaland COVID-19: Telephonic...

(From p-1) In Dimapur, certain additional measures had also been taken by the district administration and police for the lockdown and the government called on all citizens to extend their cooperation. Claiming that the availability of food grains, petroleum products, medicines and all kinds of essential commodities continued to remain normal, the government said the district administrations were also keeping a strict vigil to ensure that prices of commodities remained under control.

Support the fight against racism: NPMHR unit DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Reacting to COVID-19 pandemic panic that has stoked racism against the people from North East in many cities across the country, the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Delhi unit has urged all responsible to extend help and solidarity to people in need or in distress.

In a press release, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights Delhi unit stated that people with different and distinct racial features being discriminated against was not only wrong, but affected the

dignity of a person and a people. “This should be dealt with in all seriousness and severity,” the rights body said and extended solidarity to all affected by such incidents.

Further, seeking help to fight racism by reporting and standing up for those who cannot, the NPMHR Delhi unit said “We believe that together we will be able to fight all three- pandemic, panic and racism.”

For any assistance, one could contact NPMHR Delhi unit at 9999228582, 9717136251, 7011182692, 9643922343 or email npmhrlink@gmail.com

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR, APR 1 (AGENCIES): The Centre has redefined domicile for government jobs in the newly-created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through a notification - the J&K Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020 - issued on Tuesday night.

According to the gazette notification, Section 3A of the J&K Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order 2020, under the J&K Civil Services (decentralisation and recruitment) Act, has been introduced to define domicile as that “who has resided for a period of 15 years in the UT of J&K or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in class 10th/12th examination in an educational institution located in the UT of J&K”.

This allow them to apply for gazetted and nongazetted government jobs in UT administration. Before August 5, 2019, Section 35 A of the Constitution (now abrogated) empowered J&K Assembly to define a J&K resident, who alone were eligible to apply for jobs or own immovable property.

The new definition of domicile also expands to

include “children of those central government officials, all India services officers, officials of PSUs and autonomous body of central government, public sector banks, officials of statutory bodies, officials of central universities and recognised research institutes of central government who have served in the UT of J&K for a total period of ten years or children of parents who fulfil any of the conditions in sections”.

Additionally, as per the new rules, persons registered as a migrant by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants) in the UT of J&K, will also be included in the definition.

“Children of such residents of J&K as reside outside UT of J&K in connection with their employment or business or other professional or vocational reasons” but their parents fulfil any of the conditions provided earlier.

The provisions of the Act authorise the Tehsildar as competent authority for issuing the domicile certificate, as opposed to DC or any officer specially notified by the state government by way of a gazette notification in the form of an SRO.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE NAGALAND : KOHIMA In collaboration with

Political parties in the valley on Wednesday criticised the Centre’s new domicile rules for Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was adding insult to injury of the people as there were none of the promised protections.

While the National Conference termed the new rules as hollow, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the rules will give rise to massive problems for residents of J-K. “Talk about suspect timing. At a time when all our efforts & attention should be focused on the #COVID outbreak the government slips in a new domicile law for J&K. Insult is heaped on injury when we see the law offers none

of the protections that had been promised,” National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah said in a series of tweets. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the rules will give rise to massive problems for residents of J-K. The party said the Centre’s “manipulation of the law” would only further alienate the people.

“As the GOI (government of India) tries to manipulate a law that provides guarantees to Kashmiris, it is only further alienating people, by depriving them of their constitutional rights.

When GOI imposes orders that relegate elected Kashmiri leaders to nothingness, GOI shows how it doesn’t want local Kashmiris to

govern the land they fought for!” the PDP said.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) led by Sajad Gani Lone said the presidential order defining the domicile law issued at the depth of night while the world is under the grip of a deadly pandemic, falls way short of expectations even for those who expected some relief and some reconciliation process.

The recently-floated Jammu Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) said it was most unfortunate that such an important order was issued at a time when the whole country was battling for its survival and was under strict lockdown to stem spread of deadly Coronavirus disease.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NAGALAND (An Institute of National Importance under Ministry of HRD, GOI) Chumukedima, Dimapur, Nagaland - 797 103

CORRIGENDUM REGARDING EXTENSION OF LAST DATE FOR RECRUITMENT TO THE POST OF REGISTRAR Advt No. NIT-N/ RECT-NT/2020/07 dated 20-02-2020

Reference to our Advt. No. NIT-N/RECT-NT/2020/07 dated 20-02-2020, inviting applications for the post of REGISTRAR on Deputation basis (including short term contract), it is to be informed that considering the prevailing situation in the country, the last date for the receipt of application for the post of Registrar is extended upto 02.05.2020 (16.00 Hrs), which is subjected to further review if such exigency arises.

The detailed advertisement is available in the institute website: www.nitnagaland.ac.in DIRECTOR

Date: 31/03/2020

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE,

ALL NAGALAND COUNSELLORS ASSOCIATION

NAGALAND :: KOHIMA.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING DURING COVID-19 Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or experiencing any form of mental concerns?

Would you like to speak to a professional?

Send message through WhatsApp to this number 7005251298 with the

following information:

***** Name: Age/Gender: Address: Presenting problem or reason in brief: ***** We will connect you with a professional Counsellor Strict confidentially will be maintained You are not alone. Help is on the way

J-K parties slam Centre’s new domicile rules

DC-365

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): The Supreme Court Wednesday asked Christian Michel James, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper scam, to seek interim bail from the Delhi High Court in the case.

Michel, lodged in Tihar jail, has moved the top court seeking interim bail citing coronavirus scare inside the prison and cited its recent order on granting bail to undertrial prisoners to decongest prisons in view of the pandemic.

A bench comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah, in a hearing conducted through video conferencing, asked the accused to seek bail from the high court first.

Lawyer Aljo K Joseph, appearing for the accused, said that the bench without expressing its views on the merits, asked Michel to seek

DC-366

NO.PHQ (D-I)16/2020-21/

Dated Kohima the

th April 2020.

NOTICE All the Tenderer(s)/Firms who had already submitted sealed Tender to PHQ for Supply of Centrally Purchased Ration (CPR) Items for the year 2020-21 are hereby directed to Submit undertaking within 01 ( one) week time i.e on or before 07-04-2020 stating that samples submitted by you are as per the specification provided in the Tender Notice No. PHQ (D-I)16/2020-21/3001 Dated 18-022020 and that Tender shall be liable for rejection if it is not as the requisite specification.

DC-

(JOSEPH HESSO) IPS, Dy. Inspector General of Police (Hqr) Nagaland, Kohima.

INTERNATIONAL

6

Italy’s COVID-19 death toll crosses 12,000

Rome, April 1 (IANS): Italy observed a minute of silence for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic as their numbers rose above 12,000.

Speaking during a nightly televised press conference on Tuesday, Civil Protection Department Chief Angelo Borrelli confirmed that there were 2,107 new active coronavirus infections compared to Monday, bringing the nationwide total to 77,635 cases, Xinhua news agency reported.

Of those infected, 28,192 are hospitalized, 4,023 are in intensive care and 45,420 are isolated at home, Borrelli said. He added that there were 1,109 additional recoveries compared to Monday, bringing that total to 15,729.

The death toll on Tuesday was 837, raising the tally to 12,428 since the pandemic first broke out in northern Italy on Feb. 21.

The overall number -- combining active cases,

Of those infected, 28,192 are hospitalized, 4,023 are in intensive care and 45,420 are isolated at home deaths, and recoveries -- ing off. “It appears we are quered the peak and the climbed to 105,792, up reaching a kind of plateau, fight is over, but that we from a total of 101,739 on which means our (isolation must begin the descent,” Monday. and containment) measures Brusaferro continued. “And National Institute of are working,” Brusaferro the descent can begin if we Health (ISS) President Sil- said in reference to an on- continue paying maximum vio Brusaferro said at a going national lockdown attention to how we behave press conference earlier in and strict quarantine mea- and what we do on a daily the day that the upward sures. basis.” curve of the rate of the “Reaching the plateau Flags flew at half-mast pandemic seems to be level- does not mean we’ve con- throughout the country as

Italian President Sergio Mattarella, the cabinet led

by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, both houses of Parliament, mayors from north to south, public broadcaster RAI, and the Vatican observed a minute of silence at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, mourning the victims and showing solidarity with doctors and nurses fighting the pandemic.

The move was initiated by the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI).

“The participation of all the institutions that adhered to ANCI’s initiative ... shows that Italy is united and supportive right now,” said ANCI President Antonio Decaro, who is also the mayor of the southern city of Bari.

On the international front, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for announcing that he will send “100 million U.S. dollars’ worth of medical supplies” to Italy.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

Coronavirus cases in France reach 52,128, death toll at 3,523

Paris, April 1 (IANS): The coronavirus cases in France have reached 52,128, with a death toll of 3,523, General Director of Health Jerome Salomon announced at a daily briefing.

In the last 24 hours, 7,578 more people were diagnosed with the COVID19, which claimed 499 more deaths, the biggest fatalities caused by the virus in one day, Xinhua news agency reported.

Some 5,565 out of the 22,757 patients hospitalized were in critical condition and needed life support, up by 458 from Monday. Meanwhile, 9,444 patients recovered and returned home.

“It is the daily number of patients in intensive care which is the most important indicator to follow the evolution of the epidemic, and to evaluate the impact of the confinement,” Salomon noted.

In order to cope with the influx and ease pressure on overwhelmed hospitals

in the worst-hit regions, the government has transferred, since early March, 288 critically-ill patients to less-affected French cities and to neighbouring Germany and Luxembourg, he added.

“This figure is set to increase in the coming days,” he warned. “In France, we are mobilized to face an epidemic of major impact on the health system,” said Salomon.

In a visit to protective mask factory near Angers in western France on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced an “exceptional fund of 4 billion euros” (US $4.4 billion) to finance orders for masks, respirators and medicines.

In January, France had a mask production capacity of six million units per week, while hospitals need 40 million per week. Earlier in March, all stocks and production of masks were requisitioned across the country. Deliveries of masks

were organised, with priority given to frontline health workers.

It has ordered more than one billion face masks from China and the first orders are arriving, local media reported.

“Before the crisis, we were producing 3.3 million masks per week. At the end of April, we will be (producing) over 10 million, we will more than triple (the producing capacities) in a few weeks,” Macron said.

With new players -- including car parts maker Faurecia, tire maker Michelin and retailer Intermarche -- joining in the production, the total mask output would increase to 15 million per week, he added.

The head of state also announced that an industrial consortium bringing together Air Liquide, Valeo, PSA and Schneider Electric, “will make it possible to produce 10,000 heavy and lighter respirators by midMay.”

US toll at 4,055 passes grim 9/11 mark, prepares for worst COVID-19 as most challenging US and a post-World War II benchmark for tragedies.

New York City, the epicentre of the pandemic where 1,096 have died, gave a preview of how the situation could unfold: Outside some city hospitals that had run out of space in the morgue to store the bodies, freezer trucks were parked with bodies being brought out on forklifts. The New York Post quoted New York Funeral Directors Association official Mike Lanottes as saying that some cemeteries are finding it difficult to handle burials and a backlog could be developing.

The supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) for health professionals and first responders, sophisticated ventilators for patients and tests to determine who is affected dominates the response to the pandemic amid questions if there are enough in stock.

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

K Y M C

President Donald Trump in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Tuesday. (AP/PTI) Trump and Vice Presi- immediately needed. dent Mike Pence say there She accused Trump of is adequate stock and more not fully using his powers unare on the way, but others der the Defence Production question if the supply can Act to compel companies to meet the needs of the up- manufacture them. “It will coming onslaught. Demo- save lives,” she said. cratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi New York Governor criticised Trump for not Andrew Cuomo said that preparing for the crisis. the state needed 30,000 She said on a TV pro- ventilators in the coming gramme that PPEs, ven- weeks but was receiving tilators and test kits are only 4,000 from the federal

government. He accused the Trump administration of setting up a competition among states and itself in bidding for equipment, raising the prices, instead of having a centralised purchase system.

Because of the de-industrialisation of the US under previous administration, the US is ironically dependent for a lot of the equipment and supplies on China, which is the source of the pandemic and is getting huge profits from it.

The US is now making auto manufacturers like Ford and General Motors to make the ventilators that cost about $25,000 each.

Trump said that some governors were exaggerating their needs.

Federal agencies and the military have been deploying hospital ships and rapidly setting up field hospitals around the country.

No. 9541 Yesterday’s solution No. 9540

No. 4160 Yesterday’s solution No. 4159

No. 3186 Yesterday’s solution No. 3185

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Anthony Fauci and Deborah Brix, the medical experts on the Coronavirus Task Force (CTF), said that the worst phase was two weeks ahead and displayed the models that showed the possibility of 100,000 to 240,000 people dying before the pandemic’s end months away.

And that number was if the US followed the best procedures for controlling its spread. If it did not follow the guidelines for social distancing, the projections show that the death toll could be as high as one million, according to the projections they presented.

With a choice between the economy and health, Trump has extended till April the guidelines for combating COVID-19 with social distancing that has led to the closing of businesses and Stay-at-Home orders at its core.

crisis since WWII: UN Chief

U n i t e d Nat i o ns, April 1 (IANS): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the COVID-19 pandemic is the most challenging crisis since the Second World War as it represents a threat to everybody.

The pandemic “represents a threat to everybody in the world and ... it has an economic impact that will bring a recession that probably has no parallel in the recent past,” Guterres said on Tuesday at the virtual press launch of the UN report “Shared responsibility, global solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19”, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The combination of the two facts and the risk that it contributes to enhanced instability, enhanced unrest, and enhanced con-

flict are things that make us believe that this is, indeed, the most challenging crisis we have faced since the Second World War and the one that needs a stronger and more effective response that is only possible in solidarity if everybody comes together and if we forget political games and understand that it is humankind that is at stake,” the UN chief said.

Noting that he has been in touch with world leaders about the pandemic, the secretary-general said that “there is a growing consciousness that we are in this together and we need to come out of it together.”

“The problem is how to create the practical ways to do so,” said Guterres, noting that fast action is critical.

“We are slowly moving in the right direction, but we need to speed up,” he added.

Four IS militants killed in raid in Iraq Baghdad, April 1 (IANS): The Iraqi force on Wednesday killed four Islamic State (IS) militants during a raid on their hideout in Iraq’s eastern province of Diyala, a police source said. An intelligence force raided the hideout in Buhruz area in south of the provincial capital Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, sparking a fierce clash with IS militants for half an hour, and killed four militants inside, Ali Jasim from the provincial police told Xinhua.

The troops also seized two explosive belts in the site, Jasim said, adding that the IS militants were Iraqi nationals and believed to be

involved in attacks against the security forces. Despite repeated military operations in the Diyala province, remnants of IS militants are still hiding in some rugged areas across the province as well as the sprawling areas extending from the western

part of the province to the neighboring provinces of Salahudin and Kirkuk. The security situation in Iraq has been dramatically improved after Iraqi security forces fully defeated the extremist IS militants across the country late in 2017.

FUNERAL SERVICE of

Lt. I. Pangernungsang Lemtur, Postmaster General (PMG ) H.Q. Shillong will be held on April 2, 2020 at 10 a.m. (Thursday) at Nagagaon (Signal Basti) Dimapur.

DC-

New York, April 1 (IANS): As the number of deaths from coronavirus passed the grim milestone of the toll of 9/11, the US stared at questions about its preparedness and the stark prospects of more than 100,000 people dying in the pandemic.

After the top doctors dealing with the crisis displayed their statistical model for the pandemic’s trajectory, President Donald Trump said at his briefing on Tuesday, “This is going to be a very painful, a very, very painful two weeks” when the COVID-19’s toll reaches its peak.

The number of fatalities due to COVID-19 infections in the US spiked to 4,055 with at least 188,578 confirmed cases on Wednesday. The count of deaths exceeded the 2,977 toll of the terrorist attack on the US, the worst mass death in the

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lt. Nokchametongba Changkiri

Born: 20th June 1924 – Died: 29th March 2020

Proverbs, 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained in the way of righteousness.”

We would like to acknowledge our deepest gratitude to every individual and group who has supported us in every way during the loss of our beloved father and grandfather on 29th March 2020. Your love and support during this time have made this passage much lighter and heart comforting for us. We pray that God, in all His grace and mercy, bless you all abundantly.

MKC-117

With Deep Gratitude Loving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and relatives.

K Y M C

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

COVID-19: Shillong prisoners get bail Correspondent

Itanagar, Apr 1 (PTI): The Arunachal Pradesh government will be providing financial assistance of Rs 2,000 per month in April and May to all registered construction workers in the unorganised sector, officials said on Wednesday. The decision would give relief to thousands of construction workers in the state who have been hit by the nationwide 21-day lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, a senior official said. Each worker, registered with the Arunachal Pradesh Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board (APBCWWB), would get an amount of Rs 2,000 per month for April and May as cash relief, its secretary Jalley Sonam said.

leased on Monday from the observation home (Boys) Mawkasiang.

Khan said the Committee which met on Tuesday also discussed releasing of prisoner on bail, interim bail, and parole also deliberated on the present condition and preparedness of the Prison department to deal with congestion in district jails. Prisons department statistics till March 30, 2020, revealed that there are 1105 inmates in the five district jails of Shillong, Tura, Williamnagar, Jowai and Nongpoh. 174 prisoners were identified from the Shillong jail, which constituted 37.9 percent of the total population of Shillong jail.

In Shillong jail, the

number of prisoners is 459 against the available capacity of 170. The number of inmates at Jowai jail in West Jaintia Hills district and Nongpoh jail in Ri-Bhoi district are also on the extreme higher side Jowai jail has 243 prisoners against the housing capacity of 130 inmates, while Nongpoh District Jail which has a capacity of 120 has 179 inmates.

There are 193 inmates at Tura jail in West Garo Hills district against the capacity of 200 and Williamnagar Jail in East Garo Hills district which have a capacity to accommodate 50 prisoners is occupied by 31 inmates.

On the other hand,

measure. But the number of people accompanying a body should be reduced.

On average, 10 people come with a body,” he said.

The Agartala Municipal Corporation that operates the crematorium has been urged to issue a circular that a maximum of seven people should accompany a body due to the present situation, said Ajoy Chakraborty, another priest. The opinion of the municipal body could not be obtained.

However, despite requests to avoid gatherings, several people were seen thronging the burning ghats during the last rites of their friends and relatives.

Gautam Chakraborty, an officer of the Tripura State Electric Corporation, lost his 87-year-old father on Tuesday. “We informed our relatives about the sad demise of my father, but discouraged them to attend the funeral. Despite our request, 13 people came to the burning ghat,” he said. On the other hand, the supply of items needed in funeral rituals like sandalwood and honey has been affected due to the lockdown.

D i b r u g arh ( A s sam), Apr 1 (PTI): The district administration of Dibrugarh in Assam on Wednesday indefinitely banned entry and exit of all vegetable carriers into the district in order to prevent spread of novel coronavirus.

Issuing an order, Additional District Magistrate Ranjit Konwar said the rise in the number of vegetable carriers entering the district has increased the threat of spreading novel CoronaVirus in Dibrugarh. The total number of COVID-19 patients in Assam has gone up to five on Wednesday. However, none of them is from Dibrugarh district.

“Entry of all vegetable carriers from other district and exit of all vegetable carriers from the Dibrugarh district to outside the district are hereby banned until further order,” he said in the order.

The measure was taken as per the ‘COVID19 Health Protocols’ and “Any violation of this order will invite punitive action,” Konwar said.

Ag artala , A pr 1 (PTI): Subir Chakraborty, a priest of Tripura’s largest crematorium at Battala here, sat down beside a body to perform rituals before it is placed on a pyre.

He checked out what he needed -- jute sticks, ghee, tulsi (basil) leaves, white cotton cloth, incense sticks, clay pots and other items.

After Chakrabor ty found everything he required, he took out a small container of hand sanitiser, applied it on his palms and told the grieving family members that he is ready.

Hand sanitiser has become a part of the 46-yearold priest’s funeral kit since the coronavirus outbreak.

“Six to eight bodies are brought to the crematorium every day. These include bodies on which post-mortem examination has been conducted. The rituals include washing, offering prayers, placing tulsi leaves on eyes. We have to be cautious and that is why hand sanitiser is required,” Chakraborty said.

But as hand sanitiser has become scarce in the market, Chakraborty has

been manufacturing his own. “With hand sanitiser becoming unavailable in local markets, I thought of some alternative. While looking up on the internet, I found the process of making it at home. “I bought alcohol from a chemist shop and aloe vera gel from a grocery shop and mixed the two in 70:30 ratio to make my hand sanitiser. I carry the homemade product everywhere in a small container,” the priest told PTI at the Battala Maha Smashanghat.

Apart from Subir Chakraborty, the crematorium has two other priests and all of them are using homemade hand sanitisers.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb had recently admitted that there is a shortage of hand sanitisers and masks and advised people to always carry a ‘gamchha’ (traditional cotton towel) to cover their faces due to the scarcity of masks. During this time of crisis, Chakraborty said, people should be asked not to attend funerals to avoid large gatherings.

“We are using hand sanitisers as a protective

10 from Nizamuddin event quarantined in Manipur Tripura to provide free ration to 6.19 lakh poor families for one month

Correspondent

IMPHAL, APR 1: One symptomatic person and three suspected cases were in government hospitals in Manipur where the first COVID-19 case in Northeast was reported on March 24. Sources said that of the 11 samples sent for testing today, 10 belonged to those who had attended Tablighi Jamaat organised Delhi’s Nizamuddin religious congregation. So far 10 individuals who attended the congregation have reported to the authorities and have been put at a government designated quarantine centre in Imphal.

Daily status update of state medical directorate on COVID-19 stated that samples of 11 persons were sent for testing today, taking the total sample so far tested for

the virus in the state to 78.

The testing for the disease is being done at Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory of Department of Microbiology of JNIMS hospital, Imphal.

The results of the all the 11 were awaiting, the status update also indicated treatment of three suspected cases in government hospital. It further stated that one symptomatic person was also being treating at the isolated ward of a government hospital in Imphal.

A total of 233 persons were in the government designated quarantine facilities till today after five persons have completed the 14-day quarantine period.

Besides 486 passengers who recently entered the state via surface and air routes under home surveillance. Another 361 passen-

My dad is away from me to help you, pls stay at home: Arunachal girl’s message I t ana g ar , Apr 1 (PTI): A nine-year-old girl of Arunachal Pradesh has urged everyone to stay indoors during the 21-day lockdown period and help her father, who is a policeman and is currently away from home on duty.

Union minister and Arunachal Pradesh MP, Kiren Rijiju, posted in his twitter handle a photograph of this girl holding a piece of paper bearing the message. “My dad is a policeman. He stays away

Dibrugarh bans entry-exit of vegetable carriers

from me to help you. Can you please stay at home to help him? #IndiaFights #Coronavirus,” the message read. It is “an emotional yet powerful message” from a “sweet little girl”, said

Rijiju, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Minority Affairs. “ L e t ’s a p preciate all the Police Personnel and all those who are continuously working in the field for the safety of everyone” he added.

Netizens widely appreciated the message of the little girl and saluted the efforts of law enforcement officials like her father.

gers have completed their surveillance period.

Police have launched a search for the individuals who attended the congregation after it has set off several COVID-19 clusters in the country with reports indicated death of 10 and hundreds of them infected.

There was no exact official report on the number of individuals from the state who attended the congregation.

However, an official statement of state government’s COVID-19 Central Control Room claimed that 14 persons linked to the religious conference have been traced in the state so far.

All the people who went to Nizamuddin area during the religious congregation held in mid-March were traced from their phone numbers.

Meanwhile, the state government has extended the closure of all educational institutions, tuition centres, coaching centres, boarding, etc. by issuing an order closing down the institutions until further order.

Earlier, Manipur government announced the closure of educational institutions, tuition centres, coaching centres, boarding, etc. till March 31 as part of precautionary measures to fight outbreak of COVID-19 in the state.

However, considering the ongoing lockdown imposed across the whole country the educational institutions, tuition centres, coaching centres, boarding, etc. will remain closed until further order, an order issued by state education commissioner T Ranjit Singh today informed.

Agartala, Apr 1 (PTI): Tripura government on Wednesday announced that 6.19 lakh poor families in the state would get free ration for one month in view of the COVID-19 situation and the 21-day lockdown.

Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday said the decision to provide provide free ration for one month was taken in a meeting of the state council of ministers on Tuesday.

As per the Public Distribution System (PDS) records, Tripura has 5.79 lakh ‘poor’ families including 1.09 lakh Antodaya Annapurna Yojana (AAY) families, 4.70 lakh priority group or BPL families,

Aizawl, Apr 1 (PTI): The engineering fraternity of Mizoram on Wednesday joined a host of politicians, corporate and other associations in extending financial help to the state government in its fight against the deadly coronavirus. The Mizoram Engineering Service Association (MESA), an umbrella body of graduate engineers, donated a sum of Rs 10 lakh, PWD Engineer-in-Chief K Lalsawmvela told PTI. The state has so far reported one positive case of COVID-19.

The amount was collected from 332 MESA members based on their payscale and contributed towards the CM RF, he said.

ernment on Wednesday sent gon said.

The result of the test is a sample of a person, who attended the Tablighi Ja- expected by Thursday evemaat congregation in Delhis ning, the SP said, adding, if Nizamuddin, a coronavirus there is any positive signal, hotspot, for COVID-19 test. those who came in contact Lohit Superintendent with him would be traced.

When asked whether of Police (SP) Dr Wangdi Thungon said that the dis- the samples of his family trict medical authorities members were also sent for have collected the swab test, Thungon said that since sample of the person and he went to Delhi alone and sent it to Regional Medical was under home isolation, Research Centre (RMRC) the samples of other memof the Indian Council of bers of the family were not Medical Research (ICMR) collected as of yet.

“If his test result is posat Dibrugarh in Assam on itive, we will perform the test Wednesday.

The 29-year-old person for other family members reached Medo in Lohit dis- also,” the SP added.

Arunachal Pradesh has trict of Arunachal Pradesh on March 18 after attending not reported any COVID-19 the Markaz congregation cases so far. A total of 37 in Delhi’s Nizamuddin on samples have been sent for testing from the state, of March 15.

“He left Nizamud- which 33 are negative while COVID-19, local resident din on March 16 and since results of four are awaited, Zomuanpuia Tlau said.

March 24, he is under home State Surveillance Officer Lalmuansanga handed quarantine. He is not show- (IDSP) Dr L Jampa said. over a tiny plastic containing Rs 333 in coins and currency notes to leaders of the task force, he said.

His gesture has been appreciated by many in- Shillong, apr 1 (PTI): Seven persons from Meghalacluding Chief Minister ya attended the religious congregation at Tablighi Jamaat’s Zoramthanga.

Markaz in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West, the Shillong Markaz “This tiny bundle con- informed the state police on Tuesday. tains Rs 333 in cash and They attended the congregation before the nationwide coins; 7-year-old Rommel lockdown was imposed in the wake of the coronavirus Lalmuansanga from Kolas- outbreak, the Shillong Markaz said. In the wake of the preib Venglai donated his entire vailing situation, it is our responsibility to co-operate with savings to his village-level the administration, Ali, a member of the Shillong Markaz, task force in this war against said. The persons who attended the religious congregation the dreaded COVID-19 have not returned to Meghalaya, said G Iangrai, the assispandemic,” Zoramthanga tant inspector general of police (A). tweeted.

Five of them are currently in Delhi and two are in The chief minister Lucknow, he said. The Meghalaya Police are in touch lauded Lalmuansanga as a with them, the officer said, adding that their details have “hero” and wished that he also been shared with the police forces of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. be blessed by God.

7 from Meghalaya attended religious congregation at Delhi’s Nizamuddin

Aizawl, Apr 1 (PTI): A seven-year-old boy from Mizoram’s Kolasib town broke open his piggy bank and donated his entire sav-

ings to fight COVID-19 and feed the poor hit by the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the disease.

Rommel Lalmuansanga, a resident of Venglai area in Kolasib donated an amount of Rs 333 to the village-level task force on

Nath said.

In addition to BPL and AAY beneficiaries, government would extend similar benefits to 50,000 people registered to be living above the poverty line (APL), though they are actually poor, he said.

“Almost 25 lakh people under BPL and AAY categories and 2 lakh people in APL category would

COVID-19: Sample of Tablighi Jamaat Mizoram engineers returnee sent for COVID-19 test Itanagar, Apr 1 (PTI): ing any signs and symptoms contribute The Arunachal Pradesh gov- even after 16 days,” Thun-

Mizoram boy donates his savings to fight COVID-19

Rommel Lalmuansanga with his savings.

Ratan Lal Nath

benefit from this initiative.

The scheme would incur a financial involvement of Rs 7.22 crore”, Nath said.

Students in primary and elementary sections would be given take-home food under the mid day meal scheme, pregnant and lactating mothers would also be given take home food on daily basis.

The minister said Rs 75 crore would be used for giving social security pension to all beneficiaries in advance.

The scheme also covers 40,000 construction workers of the state who would get Rs 1,000 for next three months. The money would be credited in their account in DBT mode at a time.

K-458

Arunachal to provide Rs 2,000 pm to masons

File photo of Shillong district jail.

COVID-19: Hand sanitiser becomes part of funeral kit in Tripura

OFFICE OF THE

LONGJANG SENSO MUNGDANG PO IMPUR, BPO LONGJANG, MOKOKCHUNG, NAGALAND

FELICITATION The Longjang Senso Mungdang heartily congratulates the following bonafide members of the village for bringing laurels and fame to the village through their success in various fields.

1. Mr. Achanger T. Aier, S/o Late Tekamanen and Chubasangla Jamir for securing the post of SDO (Power Department) in the recently held NPSC exam.

2. Er. Nungshitoba Jamir, S/o Tekatoshi Jamir for securing the post of JE (Civil) under Public Works Department.

3. Miss Imsuienla, D/o R. Anung Aier, for securing the post of Superintendent, Child Protection Service, Department of Social Welfare.

4. Mr. Merenkaba Pongen, S/o T. Chuba Pongen, on being promoted to Deputy Director, Department of Land Records and Survey.

5. Mrs. Chubainla Jamir, D/o Late Rev. Ayutemjen Jamir on being promoted to the post of Additional Director, Department of Social Welfare.

6. Mr. Alongdhimen Jamir, S/o Alemwati Jamir on being promoted to Additional Deputy Commissioner, Govt. of Nagaland.

7. Mrs. Toshinaro, D/o Late Rev. Ayutemjen for receiving the ‘Bravery Award’ from Dimapur Watsu Telongjem.

8. Mr. Longpozem Jamir, S/o T. Sashi Jamir, for being elected to the post of Cultural Secretary, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang.

9. Mr. Bendangwapang Imchen, S/o Talichuba Imchen, on being promoted as Principal, Higher Secondary School under Department of School Education.

10. Mr. Mechi Imchen, S/o Asang Imchen, for achieving 1st position District Level Science Exhibition 2019, 2nd position State Level Science Exhibition 2019 along with a special prize at the Eastern India Science Fair 2020 (Inter State Science Exhibition).

May the Almighty Lord continue to bless you in all your future endeavours.

Sd/M. Temjen Jamir President Longjang Senso Mungdang

Sd/Supogsashi Secretary Longjang Senso Mungdang

MKC-118

SHILLONG, APR 1: 94 Undertrial prisoners (UTPs) from Shillong jail and eight children from observation home in Meghalaya, were released on bail on Tuesday following Supreme Court order to decongest prisons in view of COVID-19, a law officer said on Wednesday.

The UTPs and eight children were released on bail after the High Power Committee (HPC) headed by Justice Hamar Sing Thangkhiew of the Meghalaya High Court, discussed on the matter of releasing of prisoner on bail, interim bail, and parole as per the directive of the apex court.

Thangkhiew is also the Executive Chairman of Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MLSA).

Member Secretary of MSLSA, N.A. Khan said the release of UTPs from other district jails of the State would soon follow under the supervision of the district legal services authority with the assistance of the legal aid counsel. He said the 94 UTPs from Shillong jail and eight children “in conflict with law” were re-

the HPC has also expressed concern on the impact of the pandemic of COVID-19 which has greatly affected the daily wagers and migrant workers.

Khan said the government will be extending financial assistance to all daily wagers earners for the wage loss due to lockdown and has set up a Toll Free Number 1070 for registration and collecting details of such daily wager.

However, the government informed the HPC that the financial assistance will not be applicable to the workers already registered under the Meghalaya Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, the MGNREGA job card holders, muster roll workers of government departments and casual wage workers in government and semigovernment.

Khan said the MSLSA will make wide publicity through the district and block level officials of Labour department, mobile vans, WhatsApp, SMS to bring awareness among daily wagers and migrant workers of the benefit extended by the Labour department.

7

8

Sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

names Ganguly Pressure mounts on Premier League Wimbledon to be cancelled asWarne captain of his India XI players to make move on wages for first time since WWII

LONDON, APR 1 (AFP): Wimbledon looks certain to be scrapped for the first time since World War II by tournament chiefs on Wednesday as the coronavirus wreaks further havoc on the global sporting calendar.

The cancellation of the only grasscourt Grand Slam tournament at the All England Club would leave the tennis season in disarray after the French Open was controversially moved and all events cancelled until June 7.

Wimbledon, in leafy southwest London, is due to run for two weeks from June 29, with Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep set to defend their singles titles.

A decision to scrap the tournament is widely expected, with the world struggling to contain the spread of COVID-19, which has infected more than 840,000 people worldwide and killed over 40,000.

Lead-up tournaments

in the short grasscourt season are also likely to be scrapped following talks on Tuesday, understood to have involved Wimbledon chiefs and the game’s governing bodies.

Organisers had earlier ruled out playing the Grand Slam behind closed doors and postponing the event would also create its own problems. Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker on Tuesday pleaded for tournament chiefs to wait longer before making a decision.

“I really hope Wimbledon will wait until the end of April for decision!” he tweeted. “The tourney is first week of July... patience is a virtue.” But former women’s world number one Amelie Mauresmo, the 2006 Wimbledon champion, said the 2020 season would probably need to be scrapped.

“I think that we are going to have to draw a line under the 2020 tennis season,” she tweeted.

Asian Youth Games to be held in China in November 2021

The cancellation of Wimbledon could mean multiple champions Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Venus Williams have played at the All England Club for the final time.

Federer and Serena will be nearly 40 by the time of the 2021 championships and Venus will be 41.

Serena, beaten in last year’s final by Halep, is stuck on 23 Grand Slam singles titles -- agonisingly one away from equalling Margaret Court’s record.

The conditions required to play on grass in England mean a postponement is impractical and a date later in the summer or early autumn would mean much shorter evenings.

“Each week that passes, you get less and less light to play the tournament,” doubles specialist Jamie Murray told the BBC. American giant John Isner, who won the longestever tennis match over three days at Wimbledon in 2010, said the scrapping of the tournament would be a “tough pill to swallow”.

“We may have to come to grips with the fact that we may not be playing Wimbledon this year,” he told ESPN on Tuesday.

“Wimbledon sort of has to be played this (same) time of year,” Isner said.

“With that surface, the event, it seems, has to be played this time and there’s a good chance it won’t be.”

Shane Warne

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): Australian spin legend Shane Warne has named former skipper and current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly as the captain of his all time India XI, which includes master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Singh Sidhu.

War ne said he ignored for mer skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and current captain Virat Kohli because he picked only those Indian players against whom he had played. “ I a m o n ly p i c k ing players that I played against and that’s why M S Dhoni and Virat Kohli are not going to be a part of the side. While Dhoni is probably the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman to have played the game, Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen across formats,” Warne said in an Instagram live post.

Warne also ignored VVS Laxman, who was once considered his nemesis. He justified his decision, stating that the stylish Hyderabadi batsman faced

the axe to accommodate Ganguly.

“I went for Ganguly because I wanted him to be the captain of my side, that is why Laxman missed out,” he said.

Nayan Mongia was his pick as the wicketkeeper of the team, which also includes the likes of 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath among others.

The 50-year-old spin wizard named Virender Sehwag and Sidhu as openers in the strong batting line-up which also includes the likes of Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin.

On picking Sidhu ahead of other openers, Warne said the right-hander from Punjab was the best player of spin during his playing days.

“I had to pick Navjot Singh Sidhu because he was the best player against spin I have ever played against. All the other spinners I have played with, they have also told me that Sidhu was brilliant against them,” Warne said.

Shane Warne’s alltime India XI: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Navjot Singh Siddu, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Kapil Dev, Nayan Mongia (wicketkeeper), Harbhajan Singh, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble.

MANCHESTER, England, APR 1 (AGENCIES): Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to impose a 20% wage reduction on 550 nonplaying staff due to the impact of the coronavirus has prompted increased pressure on Premier League players to take a pay cut or a deferral of wages.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) are in talks with the Premier League over how best to deal with the current suspension of competition, but the moves by some clubs to use the government’s furlough scheme has prompted sharp criticism.

On Monday, Newcastle United put non-playing staff on leave and instructed employees to apply for the government’s newly-created coronavirus job retention scheme.

Professional football in England has been suspended until April 30, at the earliest,

Bajrang Punia assured of seeding at Olympics placed No.2 in latest world rankings

due to the pandemic.

Norwich City on Tuesday said they were taking similar steps to “safeguard future jobs and help sustain the club” through the crisis.

The Norfolk club said they would top up the government’s help to ensure staff received their full salaries.

Julian Knight, the Conservative MP who is chair of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee in the British parliament, has condemned such moves.

“It sticks in the throat,” said Knight.

“This exposes the crazy economics in English football and the moral vacuum at its centre.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said top players should be the ones who make the sacrifices.

“It should be those with the broadest shoulders who go first because they can carry the greatest bur-

den and have probably got savings, rather than those who were in catering or hospitality who have probably got no savings and live week by week and who probably won’t get the (government) benefits for five weeks,” he told the BBC. Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan said the situation was an “awful look for football.

“I believe there is a moral issue around an industry like football that has been awash with money,” Jordan told the talkSPORT radio station.

“Football players and football clubs over the last five years have really had it on their toes with the revenues that have increased because of the broadcasters.

“I think there is a situation here where football has to look at itself and say, ‘Do I really, just because the government is offering its teat, have to nuzzle on that?’.”

We are behind Aus & Eng in fitness, but not skill: Kaur

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (IANS): India’s T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur has said India’s domestic structure is “five-six years behind” Australia and England, adding that skill wise they are at par with them.

India lost to Australia in the T20 World Cup final by 85 runs last month.

“Definitely we are fivesix years behind them in these aspects,” Kaur told Mumbai Mirror. “But now girls have understood their responsibility towards being fit. Earlier there used to be a huge difference between a domestic player and what is expected at the international level. But now some 30 girls are given individual programme by the BCCI. “So when one of them is picked for India, she is not clueless about what is expected of her. As we keep improving our domestic level, the performances at the international level will improve. That is why I said we are five-six years behind these teams because our domestic set-up is not as good as it should be.”

“Now the players are

getting more aware about being fit and following the right daily routines,” Kaur said. “The things we have grasped in the last two-three years, England and Australia have been doing from long before.”

Kaur said it is more about fitness and not skills that separate them from Australia or England.

“Just the fitness. In these two countries fitness is part of their culture. Unfortunately, in India we start these things late,” Kaur told The Week.

“For the last three years the girls have been working hard on fitness. It does not improve overnight, we need to work on it for longer durations. Earlier, we would come close to these teams and lose, but now we are winning matches against them. Skill-wise we are better batters and bowlers than these two countries.”

Kaur’s form was poor throughout the World Cup campaign in Australia. But the 31-year old dashing batter said she is not thinking too much about pressure and also captaincy.

spot in 65kg after finally claiming his long-awaited world gold in Nur-Sultan last season.

Punia began the year ranked number three with 25 points after his world bronze medal. He has overthrown world finalist Niyazbekov for the number two ranking.

Punia added 16 points to his world championship total after he erased a three-point deficit against Jordan Oliver (USA) to win the 16-point Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series gold medal.

Although he stumbled in the Asian finals against 2018 world champion Takuto Otoguro(JPN), Punia collected 18 points and pushed himself to within one point of the Russian defending world champion.

The 57kg is led by reigning world champion and number one from Russia Zaur Uguev (60 points).

World runner-up Suleyman Atli is firmly in the number two position after runnerup finishes at the World and European Championships.

He has 58 points and is followed by Stevan Micic (48) and Dahiya (45).

Dahiya needs a 12-point finish at the final Ranking Series event to secure one of the top-four seeds. There is slim chance that the Indian wrestler can grab the number one seeding.

For that to happen, Dahiya would need Uguev, Atli and Micic to sit out of the final Ranking Series event and win gold in a bracket with more than 11 wrestlers to earn the 16 points he needs to clear his top-three rivals.

Nurislam Sanayev is ranked fifth in this weight and trails Dahiya by six points.

World Championship silver-medallist Deepak Punia is ranked second in 65kg behind Iranian great Hassan Yazdani, who underwent knee surgery earlier this year and had no choice but to skip the Matteo Pellicone and Asian Championships.

He commanded a 20point lead over Deepak but the Indian wrestler closed that gap on Yazdani with a 14-point Asian championship bronze-medal finish.

Will not give up until I win gold at Olympics: Mary Kom

Olympic flame handed over to Fukushima

Hungarian swimming champion Kapas diagnosed with COVID-19

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (IANS): The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Wednesday said that the coastal city of Shantou in southern China will remain as hosts of the third Asian Youth Games that will be held from November 20 to 28, 2021.

“The OCA while maintaining a very strict isolation policy is still continuing its activity and liaising with the various Asian Games Organizing Committee to ensure that the preparations for the Games are not hindered,” said OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam in a letter written to the Presidents and Secretary Generals of all Olympic bodies under its ambit.

“In this respect I have the pleasure to inform you

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (IANS): Six-time World Champion Mary Kom on Wednesday reiterated that her dream is to win a gold medal for India at the Olympics and for that she will try her level best and keep fighting until she achieves her goal.

The ace Indian boxer had won bronze at the 2012 London Olympic Games in the 51-kg weight category.

In 2016, she was unable to qualify for the Rio Games.

However, last month, she secured her second appearance at the mega quadrennial Games in the Asian/Oceania Olympic Qualifiers, held in Jo r d a n , f o r t h e To k yo Games which have been postponed until next year due to coronavirus pandemic.

“My focus is to win gold for India at the Olympic Games. I have been trying really hard even at this

that the OCA in coordination with the Shantou 3rd Asian Youth Games Organizing Committee (SAYGOC) has decided the dates and sports programme of the 3rd Asian Youth Games.” A number of Olympic qualifiers were scheduled to be held this year in China and most of them were shifted out of the country due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 3000 people in the country.

The disease has since spread to most countries around the world, leading to restrictions on movement of people and quarantine measures that ultimately forced the International Olympic Committee to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to August 23, 2021.

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): Star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia is assured of a top-four seeding in the 65kg category at next year’s Tokyo Olympics even if he skips the last ranking series tournament, going by the latest world standings.

The fast-rising Ravi Dahiya also seems set for a topfour billing at the mega-event, which will be held from July 23 to August 8 next year.

Wr e s t l i n g ’s w o r l d governing body UWW announced the fresh rankings which placed Bajrang at number two in the 65kg category.

Dahiya is fourth in the very competitive 57kg category.

Russian Olympic champion Gadhzimurad Rashidov leads the 65kg rankings. Four Points separate Rashidov (60), Punia (59) and Kazakshtan’s Daulet Niyazbekov (56) for the top seeding.

But the Russian and Indian wrestlers have such commanding leads over the field that they can sit out of the final ranking series event and still earn a top-four seeding at the Olympic Games.

Rashidov owns the top

Mary Kom

age. It was very difficult for me to qualify for the Olympics in the first place which have been postponed until next year,” Mary Kom said in a Facebook Live Session for the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

“There’s no secret mantra for me to achieve at the World Championships or the Olympics. I will keep fighting and will not give up until I win the gold for India at the Olympics,” she added.

Ever since returning from Amman, Mary Kom has been at home amid the nationwide-lockdown imposed by the government.

However, she has been trying to keep herself fit and remains focused to win gold at the Tokyo Games which will be held from July 23 to August 9, 2021.

“Even though I am in quarantine, I am continuing with my preparations even at home. I am trying to stay fit as much as I can so that

Bajrang Punia

I can achieve my target.

Sometimes it becomes difficult at home, but I do enjoy my time with my family,” she said.

“I need blessings and love of the entire nation to fulfil my dream,” she added.

The 37-year-old also urged people to stay indoors and adhere to the guidelines of the government in order to win the battle against coronavirus pandemic.

“We were not expecting this pandemic to hit us but now that it’s there, we have to make sure we adhere to the guidelines of the government. The best and the only way to help the government and the medical staff to stop the spread of coronavirus is by staying at home,” she said.

“I know it’s difficult but that’s the need of the hour. We need to follow the instructions of the government for our own benefit.”

TOKYO, APR 1 (IANS): The Olympic flame was handed over to officials in the Fukushima prefecture in a low-key ceremony on Wednesday. The flame will be on display in a lantern for the month of April in Fukushima after the Tokyo Olympics, and with it the torch relay, got postponed by a year due to the global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The lantern containing the Olympic flame will be on display from April 2 until April 30, 2020, with limited public viewing available,” said the organisers as per Olympics’ official website. The 121-day torch relay was due to start on March 26 from the J-Village due to its symbolism as being the focal point of Japan’s reconstruction following 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

B U DA P E S T, A P R 1 (IANS): Hungarian Olympic bronze medallist Boglarka Kapas has announced on her Facebook page that she tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

She would have needed two negative tests to continue her training, the first test was negative but the second came out positive, reports Xinhua news agency.

“I am currently in quarantine for two weeks at home, I cannot leave the apartment. For now, I do not feel any symptoms,” the 26-year-old swimmer informed on Tuesday, recalling the importance of protective measures against the outbreak and the significance of staying home.

Later, she told public television channel M1 that when she found out the

Boglarka Kapas

result, she cried.

Kapas won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women’s 800m freestyle event and last summer she won the 200m butterfly at the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

According to official figures, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Hungary stood at 492 on Tuesday, with 37 reported

recoveries and 16 fatalities.

Meanwhile, Cruzeiro president Jose Dalai Rocha has said he is recovering well after becoming the third club official to be struck down by COVID19.

CEO Sandro Gonzalez and board member Alexandre Faria had already tested positive for the virus before Rocha received news of his diagnosis on Tuesday.

Last week, former Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber, the country’s most capped player, was in a “critical period” in hospital with coronavirus.

AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel, who currently plays for the club, have both tested positive for coronavirus, the Serie A club had said in a statement earlier.

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