Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXI No. 116
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00
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West Bengal, Assam vote in phase-II polls NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): A large voter turnout of more than 80 per cent despite sporadic incidents of violence and allegations of vote fraud on Thursday marked the second phase of West Bengal assembly polls. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused central forces deployed in Nandigram constituency, where she is locked in battle with her former lieutenant, Suvendu Adhikari now with the BJP, of helping the saffron party under instructions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “The CRPF, BSF are acting under the instructions of Home Minister Amit Shah....they are only helping the BJP,” she told reporters outside the polling station. Allegations of booth capturing and partisan be-
Mamata accuses Central forces, Poll panel of helping BJP Mamata calls Governor to complain about the situation, outside a polling booth in Nandigram, Thursday. (PTI)
haviour prompted the Election Commission to seek a report on an incident in Boyal village where the feisty TMC boss stayed put for more than two hours outside a polling booth following a siege of sorts by BJP supporters. Banerjee slammed the Election Commission for not taking any action despite lodging 63 complaints and threatened to move court over it. Amongst the
complaints were allegations of “booth capturing” and “massive fake voting” in Boyal. The area saw a faceoff between TMC and BJP supporters who gave vent at each other with slogans of “Khela Hobe” and “Jai Shri Ram”. Stones were hurled and abuses traded, prompting the administration to rush a police contingent to the spot. Banerjee also rang
up West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar to complain about the situation. Despite the violence and accusations of vote fraud in Nandigram, the TMC supremo said she was confident of victory. TMC leadership also complained of “terror unleashed by the Central forces in favour of the BJP” in the Nandigram constituency, which recorded 80.79 per cent polling till 5 pm. While her rival Adhikari said, “It has become her habit to insult people of Nandigram. The people of Nandigram will not forget this insult. Mamata Begum (Mamata Banerjee) will be defeated.” Suvendu Adhikari’s car too was attacked twice at - Takapura and Satengabari - and stones were pelted while he was visiting booths in the assembly constituency.
Myanmar protesters burn military’s constitution
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77.21 per cent voter turnout in Assam
G U WA H AT I , A P R 1 (PTI): An estimated 77.21 per cent of the 73.45 lakh voters exercised their franchise on Thursday during the second phase of polling, in which at least three persons were injured in firing by PSOs of deputy speaker Aminul Haque Laskar in Sonai constituency. Voting took place in 39 constituencies to decide the fate of 345 candidates including five ministers. Meanwhile, three persons were injured in firing by body guards of Laskar after clash broke out between supporters of BJP and AIUDF at Sonai, Cachar district. Chief Electoral Officer of Assam said they will be able to comment only after a detailed report is received from the Returning Officer.
international, Page 9
Amid Covid surge, Centre says vax to be offered on all days of April NEW DELHI, APR 1 (AGENCIES): Centre on Thursday said that vaccination against coronavirus will be offered on all days in the month of April at both public and private sector vaccination centres. In a significant step to exponentially expand the nationwide vaccination drive, the Centre has written to all states and union
territories and asked them to make necessary arrangements to provide vaccination on all days including gazetted holidays during April. “This step has been taken after detailed deliberations with the states and UTs on March 31, 2021 to optimally utilise all Covid vaccination centres across the public and private sec-
tors to ensure rapid increase in the pace and coverage,” the government said in a release. The government had earlier decided to start vaccination of all people above 45 years of age from April 1, 2021 based on the recommendation of National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration (NEGVAC).
Second wave puts children, younger adults at high risk: experts
T
he second surge of COVID-19 puts children and younger adults at high risk with the situation being very grim especially in rural areas which were spared in the first wave, warn experts, reports The Hindu. “Children and young adults are mostly uninfected so far and therefore are at high risk of contracting
the infection. The schools and colleges are functioning in most States resulting in a higher risk of transmission in closed settings. Young adults have resumed working from the office and are again at higher risk in closed spaces,” explained Giridhar R. Babu, Head of Life Course, Epidemiology, Public Health Foundation of India.
He said there are multiple super spreader events happening in schools, colleges, offices, public transport (metros). “There is no doubt that many States are surging and as a result, the country is witnessing a rise in cases amounting to the ascending phase of a second wave. (Cont’d on p-8)
March 22 incident: Sumi Highest one-day COVID spike in country since Oct Kohima under partial blackout legislators appeal for peace 5 new cases in State Correspondent
DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Sumi legislators Thursday said they have taken serious note of the March 22 incident at Kiyevi-Lamhai and condemned the “barbaric act” committed by some unidentified persons wherein three precious lives were lost and properties were damaged. In a joint statement, legislators have appealed to the two communities—Zeliang and Sumi-for peace and unity in these times. They also urged “our brothers to remain calm and extend support to the Government to bring this issue to an end.” Further, the Sumi legislators appealed to “all the well-wishers and sympathizers to
Trains: No charging of devices at night NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): The Railways has decided to disallow passengers from using mobile charging stations onboard trains between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. as a precautionary measure against spread of fire, senior officials said on Tuesday. “It is a Railway Board instruction for all railways. We have started implementing it from March 16,” a railway official told PTI. This comes after recent incidents of fire reported in some trains. According to railway officials, the decision to restrict the use of the charging ports was taken as a precautionary measure.
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Offices of Nagaland Post will remain closed on April 2 on account of Good Friday. The next issue will appear on April 4, 2021.
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“I can’t use computer for online class. So I’m teaching him what I know - paper craft.” K Y M C
refrain from further escalating the issue by enraging the sentiments of the two communities but to uphold the spirit of brotherhood and support the two communities towards peaceful co-existence and a positive settlement to the issue”. Meanwhile, the Sumi legislators have conveyed their deepest condolences to the bereaved families. The Sumi legislators included Ministers-- G. Kaito Aye, Jacob Zhimomi; advisors-Phukayi Sumi, Tovihoto Ayemi, KT Sukhalu, Khehovi Yepthomi, Kazheto Kinimi, Er. Picto Shohe; MLAs-- Azheto Zhimomi, Y. Vikheho Swu and Lok Sabha MP Tokheho Yepthomi.
NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): India recorded its highest daily rise in COVID-19 cases this year with 72,330 new infections being reported in a span of 24 hours, taking the total tally of cases to 1,22,21,665, Health Ministry data updated on Thursday stated. The single-day rise in cases is the highest recorded since October 11, 2020, while the death toll increased to 1,62,927 with 459
daily new fatalities, the highest in around 116 days. Registering a steady increase for the 22nd day in row, the active cases have increased to 5,84,055 comprising 4.78 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 93.89 per cent, the data stated. As many as 74,383 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on October 11, 2020.
40447 to sit for HSSLC, HSLC exams DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): A total of 40447 students would be appearing for the HSSLC Examination 2021 and HSLC Examination 2021, which would commence from April 6-29, 2021 and from April 7-21, April 2021 respectively. In HSSLC Examination, a total of 16835 candidates (Arts – 13024, Commerce – 1347 and Science – 2464) would be appearing from 96 provisional examination centres. Out of 16835 candidates, 8194 are boys and 8641 are girls. Altogether 23612 candidates would be appearing for the HSLC Examination 2021 from 133 provisional examination centres and four sub centres. A total of 742 candidates would also be appearing for the HSLC Compartmental Examina-
tion 2021 from 41 examination centres. According to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), due to COVID-19 pandemic, more additional examination centres have been created in the districts and sub divisions in order to maintain social distancing in the examination centres. On March 17, 2021, the NBSE had an online meeting with the centre superintendents where their duties and responsible were discussed in detail. They were also briefed about the preventive measures/SOPs to be followed during the conduct of the examination to contain the spread of COVID-19. NBSE also delivered materials to the examination centres to disinfect the
rooms, washrooms, halls etc. Candidates have been requested to read the question paper carefully before they start to write the answers. Answers to the questions should be written keeping in mind the marks allotted to it. Candidates are allowed to bring only the materials that are permitted in the examination hall such as pen, pencil, scale, eraser, sharpener and geometry instruments. They are also permitted to bring a pocket hand sanitizer, mask besides transparent water bottle. Students have been reminded to refrain from any kind of malpractices during examinations. Candidates are advised to reach the examination centre in time by moving out from (Cont’d on p-8) home.
DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday reported five new COVID-19 positive cases-- 4 in Dimapur and 1 in Kohima, taking the total caseload to 12345. With this the active cases also rose to 116. Meanwhile, State health department’s data on Thursday a total of 65,539 people have been administered the COVID19 vaccine. Of the total people administered the vaccine in the state 37,818 are frontline workers, 12,192 healthcare workers, 45 to 60 years 3736, above 60 years 11364 and 429 private.
KOHIMA, APR 1 (NPN): The State capital has been reeling under partial blackout for the past two days. While there has been load shedding in some parts of Kohima town, many colonies are without power for more than 24 hours. When inquire about the reason behind the blackout, a power house employee attributed the power cut to repair works going on somewhere in town area, though he could not confirm any location or the nature of work that was being carried out. Another employee posted
at the sub-station however said the load shedding was caused by the increase in power load. An entrepreneur, who runs a cyber cafe at PR Hill, said his shop was totally at the mercy of power supply as alternate power supplies like inverters were able to provide backup only for a limited period of time. A lady who runs a beauty salon said since most of the equipment needed electricity, she was unable to run her shop due to power cut. She feared that if the current situation persisted for the next few days, her business would be adversely affected.
Gov, CM extend Good Friday greetings DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Nagaland governor RN Ravi and chief minister Neiphiu Rio have extended Good Friday greetings to citizens of Nagaland. In his message, Ravi said that the essence of Good Friday was the victory of good over evil, adding that truth, non-violence, love, forgiveness and grace were some of the significant attributes of Jesus Christ. “Let us reflect and imbibe these essential virtues and the Youths, who are our future, should above all assimilate His unblemished attributes,” governor said. Stating that Christ came to bring His peace to every man and woman, governor said “He came as the Prince of Peace.” Ravi also said peace through non-violence and truth was the greatest gift of Jesus to Humanity. (Cont’d on p-8)
GBUD cautions authorities against 2nd COVID wave DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): GB Union Dimapur (GBUD) has cautioned authorities against the spread of COVID-19 once again in the State and called for adopting precautionar y measures to arrest the situation. In a statement, GBUD president MY Ngullie and general secretary T Onen Jamir warned that the second wave of COVID-19 could be worse and even more dangerous than the first wave due to mutation of the virus. They said the detection of huge number
of COVID-19 positive cases at St Paul Training Institute, Phesama recently should serve as a reminder that the State was under second wave of the pandemic. And seeing the spike in the cases, the duo expressed concern and cautioned that the State machinery like the health department, district administration, law enforcing agencies and CSOs should not remain complacent on the matter anymore. Observing that many people had left Nagaland, particularly Dimapur, for
their home States following holding of Assembly elections there, the GBUD warned of the danger they would pose once they return from the pandemic-affected areas. Hence, it urged the authorities concerned to be prepared with adequate preventive measures to detect people infected with COVID-19 virus from entering the State. Demanding that every traveller and returnee entering the State must be strictly screened to contain the spread of the virus in Nagaland, the union also
asked the general public to maintain discipline and adhere to the COVID-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) for their own safety and for the safety of others. It also demanded stern action and imposition of penalty against the defaulters. GBUD appreciated the State government for tackling the pandemic effectively by and large so far and announced extending its full cooperation to the authorities for the welfare of people in the fight against COVID-19. K Y M C