April 3, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 117

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Two evacuaees from Nizamuddin died: Kejriwal NATIONAL, PAGE 5

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COVID-19 cases in NE rises to 20

An ambulance in Agartala carries devotees, who had recently attended the Tabligh-e-Jamaat’s Markaz, for testing. (PTI)

state who attended the Tablighi meet or went to the Nizamuddin area, including their family members, have tested negative.

In Imphal, Manipur Director General of Police L.M. Khaute asked the attendees from the state or those who even stayed in vicinity of the meeting venue or passed near it should get themselves tested at the nearest government hospital, warning of legal action otherwise.

Seven people from Meghalaya attended the Tablighi religious congregation, the Shillong Markaz informed the police, saying they have not yet returned.

In Nagaland, media reports said that some persons from Nagaland had either attended or were in the vicinity of the congregation venue in Delhi. The officials of the Health and Family Welfare Department along with the district administrations and the police have begun the process of tracking them down.

Three northeastern states -- Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura -- are yet to report any positive coronavirus case.

PM asks CMs to focus on containment measures

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told chief ministers to focus on COVID-19 containment measures -- testing, tracing, isolation and quarantine -- in the next few weeks with a common goal to ensure minimum loss of life, and pitched for formulating a “staggered” exit strategy from the ongoing lockdown.

As the country witnessed a spike in coronavirus infections and deaths in the past few days, the prime minister held a meeting with chief ministers via video-conferencing, and said it was imperative to work on war footing, identify hotspots, encircle them and ensure that coronavirus does not spread out.

According to an official statement, Modi also pitched for formulating a common exit strategy to ensure “staggered re-emergence of the population” once the 21-day nationwide lockdown ends on April 14.

Reiterating the importance of social distancing in preventing the spread of the virus, Modi asked the states to brainstorm and send suggestions on the Lockdown exit strategy. During the interaction, the prime minister forewarned that the global situation remains far from satisfactory. He informed the participants about speculations of a “possible second wave” of spread of the virus in some countries. He highlighted the necessity of maintaining supply of essential medical products, availability of raw material for manufacture of medicines and medical equipment.

Modi said it is necessary to ensure availability of separate, dedicated hospital facilities for COVID-19 patients. He said that it is pertinent to maintain peace, and law and order across the country. He appealed to the leaders to reach out to community leaders and social welfare organisations at state, district, town and block levels to build up a united front based on community-approach in the battle against the pandemic.

GUWAHATI/AGARTALA, APR 2 (IANS): With more positive coronavirus cases getting reported from the region, the total number cases in the northeast went up to 20 on Thursday, including 16 in Assam, officials said. Of the 20 positive cases, 18 took part in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi while a Manipuri girl and a Mizoram man had tested positive last month after they returned from the UK and the Netherlands, respectively.

According to Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, three attendees of the Tablighi event held last month from the state’s Goalpara district

have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the state’s tally to 16.

Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh said in a tweet that one more positive case has been detected on Thursday, taking the state’s tally to two.

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu said in a tweet that a 31year-old non-Arunachalee man, who participated in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation, has tested positive for coronavirua, becoming the first Covid-19 patient in the state.

In Tripura, the nodal officer for Covid-19, Deep Debbarma, told IANS that swab samples of 33 people comprising those from the

COVID-19 death toll touches 53 in India

No COVID-19 cases in state so far: H&FW

TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES CLIMB TO 2,069 NEW DELHI, APR 2 (PTI): With 235 more people being confirmed positive for the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the number of COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,069 and the death toll to 53 in the country on Thursday, the Union Health Ministry said. The number of active COVID-19 cases in the country is 1,860, while 155 people were either cured or discharged and one had migrated, it said. In its updated data at 6 p.m., the ministry reported three fresh deaths -- one from Gujarat and two from Delhi. Maharashtra has reported the most deaths (13) so far, followed

by Gujarat (7), Madhya Pradesh (6), Punjab (4), Karnataka (3), Telengana (3), West Bengal (3), Delhi (4), Jammu and Kashmir (2), Uttar Pradesh (2) and Kerala (2).

Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh have reported one death each. The 2,069 figure includes 55 foreign nationals, the ministry said.

The highest number of coronavirus confirmed cases have been reported from Maharashtra at 335 so far, followed by Kerala at 265 and Tamil Nadu at 234.

This is it!

“COVID-19 everywhere.

No sports, no politics.

Even my dreams are full of COVID-19.”

K Y M C

DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): State health and family welfare (H&FW) department Thursday informed that no person has been tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nagaland till date.

Sharing daily update on the status of CODIV-19 in the state as of 4pm April 2, 2020, the principal director H&FW, Dr. Vizolie Z Suokhrie, disclosed that out of 40 samples sent for testing, 32 persons tested negative while eight test results were awaited. He also stated that 1,667 persons were screened on April 2, 2020.

Dr. Suokhrie further disclosed that cumulative number of persons put under quarantine was 5,350.

He added that out of the total, 1,789 persons were out of quarantine while 3,561 persons continued to remain on quarantine. He also informed that number of foreigners in the state at present was 20.

Meanwhile, Nagaland government has established contact with 48 individuals from Nagaland who had the visited the religious congregation organised by Tablighi Markaz at Nizamuddin, New Delhi or had been in close vicinity to that place.

While 20 people are still outside Nagaland, only two out of the remaining 28 had attended the congregation and they have been put under quarantine at the government facilities, state government spokesperson and planning & coordination, land revenue minister Neiba Kronu disclosed this during the daily briefing on status of COVID-19.

Fortunately, the samples of these two persons that were sent for testing have been found to be negative, he added. On the remaining individuals who were in the vicinity where congregation was held or had just crossed that location, Kronu said they were

under home quarantine and none of them have exhibited any symptoms so far.

Further, another consignment of essential medical equipments and accessories that was flown in from Delhi to Guwahati on Wednesday by Indian Airlines has reached Kohima.

Kronu said that a team from Health department led by principal director Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie visited Mon, Longleng and Tuensang districts on Thursday to oversee the designated COVID-19 quarantine facilities and hospitals.

With regard to availability of food and essential commodities, the situation continued to remain normal, even as the district administrations had again been asked to monitor the prices and keep the same under control. Kronu further sought the cooperation and support of the citizens for the various measures imposed for enforcing the lockdown.

WC grateful to state agencies combating COVID-19

at the end of India’s lockdown, the epidemic would hit a society already under severe economic distress, with potentially devastating consequences.”

The 746 signatories include members of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institutes of Technology, along with doctors, public health experts and activists.

They added that a roadmap will ensure that the rate of new infections is kept low in a sustainable manner when the lockdown period ends.

“While social distancing and better hygiene can help, these measures are insufficient by themselves,” the signatories said.

“We believe that such a plan should have been put in place before the lockdown was announced, and we urge the government to do

so as soon as possible. Such a move would also enhance the confidence of people in the government’s long-term strategy.”

The scientists, academics, public health professionals also expressed concern that India is not testing enough to identify people with infections.

“The lockdown may succeed in temporarily suppressing the epidemic, at great social cost, but we are concerned that the government is not using this precious interval of time to actually identify as many cases of Covid-19 as possible,” they said.

They said the restrictive testing policy will leave large number of coronavirus cases undetected by the end of the 21-day lockdown.

“These cases could easily serve as the nucleus for the epidemic to bounce back,” they added. The sig-

INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 6

Dmu total lockdown extended till Apr 5 Special panel formed for Dimapur district DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): Commissioner of Police (CP) and district magistrate Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo, Thursday promulgated and further extend the prohibitory order for total restriction of movement for general public and vehicles in Dimapur district with effect from 12 midnight of April 3, 2020 to 12 midnight of April 5, 2020.

In an order, district magistrate, however, stated that the movement of officials/ staff of departments of police, army, para military forces, magistrates/ district administration, doctors/medical staff/ chemist/pharmacist, media, DMC & sanitation, treasury, banks, power, PHED, IOC, FCI, food & civil supply, Airport/ Railway Staff and Telecom/ Pvt Internet Service Provider in discharge of official duty and vehicles transporting essential commodities would be exempted.

The district magistrate cautioned that violation of

DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio Thursday announced that the government has released Rs. 75 lakhs to all deputy commissioners in addition to the earlier sanctioned amount of Rs. 38 lakhs from the Chief Minister Relief Fund to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. He also sanctioned Rs. 1 lakh each for Naga Students Union Punjab and Rajasthan.

Further, Rio also announced to pay Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia to any health worker currently in the line of duty, if he or she got afflicted by COVID-19. This was in addition to the Rs 50 lakh similar ex-gratia announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKP) for health workers fighting COVID-19 in government hospitals and (Full text on p-4) health care centres.

natories urged Indian Council of Medical Research and the government to expand the testing regimen and follow the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.

They also added that the exodus of the migrant workers due to the lockdown can spread the virus to even places where healthcare facilities are the weakest.

“This can precipitate both an epidemiological and a humanitarian crisis,” the statement said.

“Rather than attempting to prevent the reverse migration, using the police, we urge the government to use its stocks of foodgrains and use urgent cash transfers to ensure the food-security and welfare of workers and ensure that they are not compelled to undertake long and unsafe journeys, which have already led to a number of deaths.”

the order would be liable for punitive punishment under section 188 of the IPC. DC extends closure: The deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi, also extend the prohibitory order directing all shops, commercial and private establishments to further remain closed from the midnight of April 3, 2020 till midnight of April 5, 2020.

In an order, the DC stated that containment measures to prevent the spread of coronavir us would remain in force in all parts of Dimapur district.

DC, however, stated that police, army, para-military forces, magistrate on duty, doctors and medical staff including private hospitals & clinics, medicine wholesalers & retail pharmacies, bank staff and persons engaged in emergency services were exempted.

In case of emergency, one could contact: 8787551751 (for ambulance & medicines); DC office control room (6009924366 ); police control room (7085055050); medical control room (7630877991/7630877993).

The order warned that

any person violating containment measures would be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under section 188 of the IPC.

COVID-19 panel

State government has constituted a special committee to liaise with and advise the district administration and police of Dimapur on all matters concerning COVID-19 pandemic.

In a notification, state chief secretary, Temjen Toy, stated that the committee would also inter-alia work out logistics of opening locality wise markets, expansion of quarantine facilities, etc.

The committee members include commissioner and secretary horticulture Kikheto Sema (9436000186), S Liremo Lotha, IGP (Training & Border) - 8974918913; additional director H&FW, Dr. Avono Kire (9436011851) and F&CS director Asangla Imti (9436005626). The committee has been asked to submit daily reports to the office of chief minister and the chief secretary.

State Govt releases `75L to DCs; offers risk cover to frontline health workers

DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): Working Committee of the NNPGs has expressed its “profound gratitude to and solidarity” with healthcare workers in Nagaland in particular and across the world in general for donning the warrior’s mantle in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, WC termed the battle against coronavirus as a war of a different kind, where doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers, who were at the forefront day and night risking their very lives, were the real heroes. “We salute the brave medical personnel on the ground,” the committee declared. WC, NNPG also extended appreciation to Nagaland government and various law enforcing agencies working in tandem to ensure that the dreaded virus was kept at bay.

Centre urged to prepare post-lockdown plan NEW DELHI, APR 2 (AGENCIES): Over 700 scientists, academics and public health professionals on Wednesday urged the Narendra Modi government to prepare a post-lockdown plan, expand testing, and institute urgent welfare measures for those in the unorganised sector to reduce the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, the signatories pointed out that the three-week lockdown imposed to contain the coronavirus spread is by itself not a cure. They urged the government to chart out a post-lockdown plan at the earliest to minimise damage.

“Epidemiological models consistently suggest that, in the absence of other factors, the epidemic could bounce back once the lockdown is lifted,” they said. “If this were to happen

COVID-19: world braces for 1mn cases

Nothing wrong CM asking for donations: NPCC DIMAPUR, ARP 2 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has supported chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s appeal for donation to the CMRF to fight the COVID-19 pandemic In a statement, NPCC president K. Therie said there was nothing wrong with Rio seeking donation.

“We must fight together. It is not a personal fight. It is for protection of all,” said Therie, while also expressing happiness that civil societies and individuals have come forward to join this endeavour.

Therie fur ther appealed to ministers, MLAs and MPs to donate one year’s LADF and also urged “bureaucrats, heads of departments, contractors, officers, businessmen and tax

Rio made this announcement during a video conference with deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs) and chief medical officers (CMOs) held on Thursday to review the status and preparedness of districts.

Planning & coordination minister and State spokesperson for COVID-19 Neiba Kronu, Health minister Pangnyu Phom, chief secretary Temjen Toy and other senior State government officials were present on the occasion.

The video conference with the DCs, SPs, and CMOs followed the video conference of Modi with chief ministers of all States earlier in the day.

During the video conferencing with the DC, SPs and CMOs, Rio stressed that though Nagaland had no confirmed COVID-19 case, the State had to pre-

pare for any eventuality. He specifically enquired about the public response to the enforcement of lockdown, preparedness for COVID19-related matters, COVID19 hospitals and status of receiving medical equipments from the H&FW department and availability of essential commodities in the districts.

As per the feedback received during the video conference, the enforcement of lockdown in the districts had been largely peaceful and successful, even as separate places had been identified for quarantine purposes and hospitals had been kept ready in the event of any detection.

Also, medical equipments sent by the H&FW department had already been received, except one or two districts that were yet to receive ventilators.

(Cont’d on p-5)

Kohima village gears up to face COVID-19 pandemic Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 2 (NPN): Kohima village, Asia’s largest village with more than 15,000 people, is taking all measures to keep the community safe from COVID19 pandemic. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Kohima Village Youth Organisation president Dzüvinguzo Mepfüo said a Kohima Village Social Action Core Committee (KVSACC) had been set up under Kohima Village Council to tackle the health emergency. The committee comprises leaders of Kohima Village Gazetted Officers’ Association, Kohima Village Doctors’ Association, KVYO and Kohima Village Students’ Union as members.

Mepfüo said that, following government orders, (Cont’d on p-5) about 160 students who were

studying outside and entrepreneurs who had recently travelled were being kept in compulsory quarantine at homes where KVSU activists were monitoring these people on a daily basis.

Also, following the government instructions, he claimed that the committee was encouraging everyone to take necessary precautions by issuing instructions in all localities regularly. To maintain social distancing, he said one-metre distance markings had been drawn around shops and public ponds. Further, to avoid letting the public venture out, KVYO president said essential commodities were being supplied in the locality/colony where shops have been assigned scheduled time to open and allow the public to buy the commodities.

(Cont’d on p-5) K Y M C

state

2

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

Meetings, awareness and thermal screening to combat COVID-19

Mhathung Yanthan seen taking thermal screening Advisor Dr. Nicky Kire along with DTF members during PD, DoH&FW with district health officials in Longleng. (173rd CRPF Battalion Dimapur conducting medical accompanied by DC Wokha at Police check gate, the review meeting on NHAK preparatory measures. check up at Youth Hostel Dimapur. (DIPR) Bhandari on April 1.

(DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Legislators, administration, police and civil bodies have been working cohesively to combat against the possible outbreak of COVID-19 into the state. Every measure is being taken up to provide awareness and medical thermal screening taken at various places.

Mhathung Yanthan holds consultative meeting at Bhandari: Advisor of Horticulture and Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan along with DC Wokha Orenthung Lotha and CMO, Wokha held a consultative meeting on COVID-19 with the block task force, Bhandari (BTF) at the community health centre (CHC) Bhandari on April 1, to take stock of the COVID-19 situation and to step up efforts to contain and prevent its entry into Wokha district.

According to DIPR report, additional deputy commissioner Bhandari, Tiameren Chang apprised that the block task force was doing all it could to ensure public health safety by utilizing every resource it has to keep the virus at bay. He also apprised that the quarantine ward set up at 7th NAP Hospital has been provided with basic facilities including two sets of PPEs for the time being. He further stated that a proposal has been send to concerned higher authority for supply of required materials.

Highlighting on the need of additional manpower under CHC Bhandari, Dr. Lawrence MO I/C informed that 5 SDRF trained personnel from Bhandari and some personnel from 7th NAP Bhandari have volunteered to assist the medical team to intensify screening and disinfecting vehicles passing through the Police check gate, Bhandari, towards Wokha district. Observing that Bhandari block was manning a porous cross border area, advisor Mhathung stressed on the need to take extra care in sealing off the border to ensure total safety and called for continuous effort from all teams concerned. To gap the shortage of manpower, he emphasized that retired doctors, nurses and other competent

NUSU against fire outbreaks

persons can be invited to volunteer during a crisis period. He also donated Rs.50,000/- to the medical team to meet exigency expenses. DC Wokha assured that the district administration will do its best to provide the requirements of the block on priority basis. The team also visited the quarantine and isolation wards and other infrastructures to take first hand assessment of preparedness under CHC Bhandari. They also visited the police check gate where thermal screening is being conducted by medical team in the presence of police on duty. Materials such as mask, gloves and hand sanitizers were also given to the block.

Review meeting held at NHAK for preparatory measures: Review meeting was held at Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (NHAK) in regard to preparatory measures undertaken with special emphasis to COVID19 at NHAK, Kohima on April 2. According to DIPR report, advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire along with deputy commissioner Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie and Sr. SP Kohima, K. Sophie and DTF members attended the meeting. Dr. Thong informed that NHAK shall be activated to COVID-19 Treatment Center as and when 50% bed strength of Chedema is filled up with COVID positive patients for treatment. He said that all general OPDs and operation of any nature shall be suspended and only flu and related respiratory diseases shall be attended to in the designated OPD. The office of the MD and MS, EOC and administrative establishments shall be immediately shifted to the present Obs and Gynae Ward. Highlighting on the COVID positive patients admitted in the designated wards, Dr. Thong informed that no VIP accommodation can be provided owing to infrastructural constraints and as per the safety contingency plan. No healthcare staff on duty shall be allowed to leave the hospital premises during the entire

duty period (1 week) and thereafter undergo compulsory institutional quarantine at the designated centre followed by home quarantine.

In the event of exhaustion of the available health care workers, manpower shall be requisitioned from other unaffected districts as deemed fit by the department of Health & Family Welfare.

Dr. Thong also highlighted for provision of round the clock perimeter security to prevent escape of the infected patients that will endanger the public outside the NHAK COVID-19 hospital.

He also said that all admitted patients shall observe all sanitary guidelines and respiratory etiquettes.

State health officials visit Longleng, Mon, Tuensang: State Principal director, Dept. of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Vizolie Z Soukhrie, visited the districts of Mon, Longleng and Tuensang with a team of the directorate officials on April 2 to assess the preparedness for the management and containment of COVID-19.

A press release from DoH&FW stated that, the principal director held meetings with the district medical officials in the presence of the deputy commissioners and the superintendents of Police respectively in the three districts. While interacting with them, Dr.Vizolie said that the districts were fortunate to have such dynamic DCs and SPs who were really concerned about the health workers in the districts and actively involved in all the activities pertaining to COVID-19.

He also added that, as health personnel they have encountered this kind of situations several times in the past and encouraged them to have courage even now. He also appreciated the commendable job that they were doing so far. He insisted on practicing universal precautionary measures in the health facility as well as to propagate personal hygiene to the people. Dr. Vizolie also appealed the district team to strengthen awareness and sensitization and surveillance activity. He appreciated the active par-

ticipation of the community and from all the sectors in all the districts.

173rd CRPF conducts medical check up: Medical team from 173rd CRPF Battalion Dimapur conducted free medical check up to all the 44 persons (mostly students) who are under quarantine at Youth Hostel Dimapur on April 2. According to DIPR report, the medical team led

by CMO of the battalion, Dr. Kumar Sankar Verma checked all the students and said that so far everyone was in good health besides few cases of gastric and acidity complains. They were given medicines free of cost besides hygiene aids like sanitizers, handwash and soaps.

DMC for making pitches in all shops: Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) administrator Albert Ezung has requested all the colony chairmen and GBs within the jurisdiction of DMC to make necessary arrangement within their respective colonies to mark pitches in all the shops dealing with essential commodities and medicines (pharmacies). DMC also informed that the pitches should be at least one meter apart to ensure that the costumers maintain social distancing.

DC Mokokchung issues orders: Deputy commissioner (DC) Mokokchung issued orders that all water tankers/carriers operating within Mokokchung municipal area to obtain registration from the core committee on essential commodities COVID-19 Mokokchung; Further, water tankers/carriers operating outside Mokokchung municipal area are to obtain registration from the concerned administrative officer. The order further reiterated the earlier order that there shall no restriction on the movement of such registered water tanker/carrier.

DC also stated that in order to streamline the movement of vehicles in the town, all the clerical and grade IV staff of the deputy commissioner Mokokchung has been restricted to commute to the office in personal vehicles. Necessary arrange-

Wildfire destroys residence & rubber plantation at Jalukie

DIMAPUR: Nagaland University Students’ Union (NUSU) Kohima campus has appealed the state government to put up more stringent regulations against fire outbreaks. A press release from NUSU Kohima campus president, Rhilo Mero stated that due to recent fires, lives of people and property could have been seriously damaged including two of the hostels, residences and quarters nearby. NUSU also urged all citizens to kindly refrain from burning anything in the forest as well as in and around the campus strictly.

NUSUS further requested public vehicles to refrain from entering the Nagaland University road unless very much needed as a precautionary measure to fight off COVID-19 and the fire outbreaks that had been going on. NUSU thanked the fire department and all those who have supported in preventing any damage the fire and one particularly near the hostel Victim of the wildfire in the midst of the charred remains and the guest houses. of her residence and plantation.

DIMAPUR: Wildfire at Jalukie burned down two residential houses and about 200 rubber plantation forest on March 29.

A press release from chairman, New Jalukie Village Disaster Management Authority, stated that on March 29 midnight, a wildfire broke out and completely burned down two residential houses and about 200 rubber plantation forests at Samjai Colony New Jalukie.

It further added that village authority could not rescue any items on time due to nationwide lockdown on COVID-19 pandemic, and further requested concerned authority to provide relief assistance for victim’s families on humanitarian ground at the earliest.

It stated that the families were in dire need of assistance at this crucial period.

ments shall be made for the staff to commute to the office. HoDs of those departments providing essential services have been directed to initiate similar measures for the clerical staff.

DC Tuensang order on exemptions: Deputy commissioner (DC), Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant has issued an order that the following items/activities under Tuensang district jurisdiction are exempted from the purview of the lock down with regard to COVID-19 prevention: Agencies engaged in the procurement of agriculture products including MSP operations; Shops of fertilizers; Farming operations by farmers and farm workers in the field; Intra state movement of harvester and sowing related machines like combined harvester and other agriculture/horticulture implements; DC also permitted the vehicular movement of angawadi workers under Tuensang district to facilitate their functionaries to collect foodstuff from respective ICDS project offices. All anganwadi workers are to adhere to all directives/ notifications issued by the government in view of outbreak of COVID-19 and to strictly comply by the safety measures and systematically distribute the foodstuff and to avoid gathering of large numbers of workers/AWC functionaries.

GBUD cautions public: GB union Dimapur (GBUD), sadar, president M Y Ngullie and vice-president W Kholie Kapfo cautioned the public to refrain from harassing and intimidating doctors, nurses and medical staff who are giving their best service to people in order to contain the fight against COVID-19. GBUD requested the public to act in a responsible manner towards people dealing in pharmacies and essential commodities and to strictly adhere and follow the norms given by the district administration/law enforcing agencies for the safety of everyone. Meanwhile, GBs and colony authorities have been informed to check unruly behaviour of the public in

GPRN/NSCN condolence

DIMAPUR: GPRN/ NSCN and the RAO of United Sangtam Region (USR), GPRN/NSCN, Ritsa Sangtam expressed grief at the untimely demise of Achoba Sangtam, leacy, son of Akali Sangtam of Kiphere village, United Sangtam Region (USR), GPRN/NSCN who passed away after a brief illness on April 1.

A condolence message from GPRN/NSCN through its MIP stated that Achoba Sangtam who joined the national service in 2012 had served the nation wholeheartedly with a commitment for the cause of the Naga National movement.

MIP stated that he will be remembered by the Naga people. GPRN/ NSCN further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members and pray the Almighty would grant solace and comfort.

their own respective colony areas so as to maintain social discipline and avoid unwanted artificial man-made situation. Further, the union requested colony GBs and council authorities especially those colonies bordering neighbouring states to monitor and check the inflow of people from trespassing within their jurisdiction and report the matter to the police department if such entry was taking place.

NCC offers helping hand: National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered helping hand to civilian authorities by extending services of cadets under “exercise NCC yogdan”. According to PRO (Defence), it has issued guidelines for temporary employment of its cadets to augment relief efforts and functioning of various agencies involved in combating the pandemic.

Tasks envisaged for NCC cadets include, manning of helpline/call centres, distribution of relief materials/ medicines/ food/essential commodities, community assistance; data management and queue and traffic management. According to the guidelines, cadets should not be employed in handling of law and order situation or for active military duties or at hot spots. Meanwhile, senior division volunteer cadets above 18 years of age will be employed in small cohesive groups of eight to 20 under the supervision of permanent instructor staff or/and an associate NCC officer. Further, for employment of volunteer cadets, state governments/district administration has to send the requisition through state NCC directorates wherein, details will be coordinated at directorate/group headquarters/unit level with state government/local civil authority. It also stated that before the cadets are deployed for the duty, ground conditions and laid down requirements were to be ensured.

CHS urges citizens to stay at home: Chümoukedima Hindu Society (CHS) has directed all the Hindu community within Chümoukedima jurisdiction to stay at home and maintain social distancing during the

lockdown period. A press release from CHS president Kishan Sharma and working president, Pinto M Ghosh stated that unless very urgent and unavoidable, people should not venture out.

CHS stated that it would try to ensure that atleast some necessities of life are reached out to the needy. In this regard, CHS would like to appeal the well-wishers and other concerned sources to step forward to voluntarily contribute in cash or kind at this crucial time.

CHS, further informed that that if anyone is in need of help or would like to contribute may contact at 76288 59113/82579 07961/87875 41729/9170058 16174.

Kiphire DTF meeting held: District task force (COVID-19) Kiphire held its meeting at DPDB hall Kiphire under the chairmanship of DC, Kiphire Sarita Yadav on April 1. According to DIPR report, additional SP Erie stated that as of now, temporary check points have been erected through local arrangements in all the entry/exit points and village guards are patrolling 24x7, so that people coming from Myanmar or going out from the Kiphire district have been totally restricted.

He said the border has been sealed. Zisaji Presidency College Kiphire, Government Higher Secondary School Kiphire have been selected as isolation centre.

Religious gatherings have been prohibited while the church pastors would be allowed to visit the houses for a child naming ceremony or conduct funeral programme.

Gathering in the funeral should not be more 20 people. For the forthcoming Good Friday, mass gathering have been prohibited while pastors will be allowed to share God’s messages/ prayer to the public on Good Friday and Easter Sunday at several locations in the colonies. The members decided to extend shopping day to Saturday as it coincides with Good Friday. Members from chamber of commerce briefing on food stock said that more essential commodities will be available by Monday.

DC requested KDCC to direct all shopkeepers main-

tain same price for essential food items. It was also decided that donors who wish to give out to the needy public should inform the administration beforehand and they have been advised to buy the essential food items from Dimapur, and not from the stock of Kiphire district.

Chairperson also requested Supply department to furnish details on food item already distributed to public for March and stock record for April 2020. Rural Development department was directed to give indicative outlines to villagers on money, which the government is going to give to facilitate quarantine.

DoH&FW informs on free fuel for emergency: Directorate of Health & Family Welfare has informed that the Reliance Industries Ltd under its corporate responsibility has decided to offer free fuel to emergency service vehicles strictly for the following purpose: For carrying COVID-19 patients to and from designated quarantine and dedicated COVID- 19 Hospitals or Isolation facilities; For carrying people who have been advised quarantine at designated quarantine or Isolation facilities.

According to DIPR report, free fuel will be issued by Reliance Retail Outlets only to emergency service vehicles driver/crew on production of authorization letter issued only by the following authorized government authorities: District administration officer identified by the deputy commissioner of the district; Chief medical officer of the district; district police administration identified by the superintendent of Police of the district.

NB: The authorization letter shall be valid for one time fill and shall be retained at Reliance Retail Outlets; The authorized government authorities shall issue authorization letter in duplicate (original for Reliance Retail Outlets and duplicate copy as office record); The fuel quantity capped at up to 50 (Fifty) litres maximum per vehicle per day or any quantity up to 50 (Fifty) litres maximum; The free fuel gesture will be from March 30 till April 14, 2020.

news in Brief DC Kohima directs meat shops in Kohima: Deputy commissioner Kohima Gregory Thejawelie has directed all meat shops under Kohima district to sell meat only through home delivery method as prescribed by the Kohima Municipal Council. Opening of meat shops and selling of meat to the public from the shop is banned till further order. DC also informed that necessary requirements of foodgrains have been dispatched to the wards and colonies as identified by the respective wards/colonies chairmen on April 1 and 2 at Kohima relief distribution center, local ground. All the outpost officers, sector magistrates, ward and colony chairmen under Kohima district are to monitor the system of foodgrains distribution keeping in mind the social distancing in their respective wards and colonies.

DC Mkg appeals retired medical fraternity to volunteer: Deputy commissioner (DC) Mokokchung, Limawapang Jamir has appealed to all retired personnel of the medical fraternity such as medical doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, radiographers, pharmacists etc as well as medical students in the final year and PG students who are at home to consider volunteering and lend a helping hand in service of the people of Mokokchung. DC requested the mentioned who would like to volunteer for humanitarian services to provide details, such as name, age/gender, technical qualifications and present address to WhatsApp at 7630007954/8131836575.

WSKH condoles late Atomu Wotsa DIMAPUR: Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH) has condoled the demise of Atomu Wotsa former member of Dimapur Municipal Council who passed away on April 1. In a condolence message, S. Vihuto Yeptho, president, WSKH who was a colleague of late Atomu as member of DMC described Atomu as a energetic leader known by many. On his death the Naga society has lost a leader who had worked selflessly for his people. WSKH conveyed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members and pray for eternal solace of the departed soul.

3

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

Community kitchen, donations for the needy during lockdown

People availing the free meal which is served following (3rd from Left) Mhathung Yanthan with health workers CRPF personnel handing over food packet to a needy DCO member with the basic requirements for quarantined proper sanitisation procedure. (NP) and district administration. person during lockdown. persons at Youth Hostel, Dimapur.

ADC and administrator Mokokchung Municipal Council W. Manpai Phom and NPSU members with village guards and council members during distribution of masks Hand sanitiser being measured out to be distributed to the needy of the constituency.

Imkumeren, president MTLT (middle) along with others. (NP) on Thursday. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: In a bit to help combat novel coronavirus (COVID-19), many legislators, churches and civil agencies continue taking initiatives to help the needy during the period of lockdown.

MTBA opens a COVID-19 community kitchen: Mokokchung Town Baptist Church (MTBA) together with the district administration has opened a COVID19 community kitchen.

The kitchen will provide free meal for stranded labourers, migrant workers, daily wage earners and for those people in need of food.

The kitchen started from Thursday, where more than 70 persons availed the free meal. Persons that availed free meals included sweepers, cobblers, barbers etc.

Talking to the pastor of MTBA Rev Ponen Longchar, he said that the church was fully sponsoring the meal and further extended invitation to those unable to afford one square meal a day during this lockdown. He also added that proper sanitization and social distancing measures were followed during the meal.

He further added that the kitchen will be opened every day from 11 a.m to 1 p.m with expectations of more people joining in from Friday. For those in need, the helpline numbers are 8837310159/9436439033/9 774616981. (Correspondent)

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is Assam a potential crisis zone of the north east for coronavirus?

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

A B C

Mhathung Yanthan donates to Sanis block health units: Advisor of Horticulture & Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan, donated masks, gloves and hand sanitizers to health units under Sanis block, Wokha for COVID-19 preparedness.

Zhaleo Rio donates masks and sanitisers: Advisor of Sericulture, Excise and Minority Affairs, Zhaleo Rio donated hand sanitisers and masks to all the 9 wards of Medziphema town. A press release from media secretary 5 Ghaspani-II A/C Thejangukho Yalietsu stated that, president of NFPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/C and also in-charge of the distribution expressed that, with shortage of supplies everywhere, the distributed kits will not suffice the whole population but is an attempt to help the poorer section in the society.

Legislators of Zunheboto district donates: Advisor of Tourism, Art and Culture, Khehovi Yepthomi on behalf of the five (5) legislators from Zunheboto district, Kaito. G. Aye, Pukhayi Sumi, Tokugha Sukhalu and Kazheto Kinimi visited Zunheboto town, to access the preparedness of the district in the event of a possible outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in the district.

He met with the district task force for COVID-19 at the deputy commissioner Peter Lichamo’s residence for an urgent meeting and interaction. He also visited the isolation ward in the district hospital. Further he handed over cash donation of Rupees five Lakhs from

the five legislators, each donating a sum of one lakh rupees. Apart from that he also donated locally made face masks and 20 litres of hand sanitisers.

MTLT donation drive and distribution: Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) undertook the initiative of distributing free essential items to those people who could not afford a decent meal and facing hardships during this lockdown.

The move by the MTLT started after they initiated a donation drive which saw overwhelming response from people near and far, even from abroad. With that collected amount, the MTLT after seeking permission from the district administration distributed the essential items including rice, daal, atta/maida, oil etc to the poor on April 2.

The essential items were handed over to the ward authorities and youth associations of respective wards within the town. (Correspondent) NPSU distributes masks to village guards and council members: New Pangsha Students’ Union (NPSU) distributed mask made by the union to the village guards and council members who are working at the check post at New Pangsha village on April 2.

NPSU led by its president, P. Nyukshing Lam shared awareness on COVID-19 and how they should be cautious on maintaining hygiene while working for the betterment of the common people.

ESW outreach activities: Department of ExServicemen Welfare (ESW), ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken the initiative to mobilise services of ex-servicemen (ESM) community to assist the state and district administration, wherever required.

According to PRO (Defence) the Rajya Sainik Boards, Zila Sainik Boards have been assisting in identifying and mobilising maximum ESM volunteers to assist the state and district administration in performing public outreach activities such as contact tracing, community surveillance, management of quarantine facilities or any such tasks assigned to them.

173 BN CRPF distributes food items: 173 CRPF battalion, airfield Dimapur distributed food packets, face masks and sanitisers to the needy in Dimapur city while water was also distributed to the needy in villages through water tanker.

DCO & LBCD donates basic needs: Dungphi Chokae Okho (DCO) donated some basic needs for the quarantine at Youth Hostel while Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur (LBCD) contributed 1 lakh towards Dimapur district administration relief fund. Eight Naga youths were dropped at youth hostel for quarantine.

Gorkha Samaj of Borlengri-1 distributes food items: Gorkha Samaj of Borlengri-1 distributed food items to the poor and needy at their door step during the lockdown on March 30.

Sanitary workers and other agencies conduct sanitisation drives

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A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

89% 11% 0%

Next poll

Q: Are public adhering

to directives on current lockdown in Nagaland?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

Sanitary workers spraying disinfectant at Zunheboto town area, TST and TTC fumigating key areas in the town on Home Guards volunteers disinfecting various areas around Mokokchung town on March 31. (NP) Wednesday.

March 30 at Tseminyu town. (DIPR)

WEATHER FORECAST April 3

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A stray morning thunderstorm 37 23 Aizawl

A strong morning thunderstorm 28 15

Guwahati Hazy sun Imphal

A t-storm around in the a.m.

32 18 31 14

Itanagar Hazy sun

27 17

Shillong Hazy sun

23 14

Kohima

Partly sunny with a t-storm

Dimapur Hazy sun

25 14 32 17

A thunderstorm in spots

27 14

Tuensang A t-storm in spots; cooler

17 11

Mkg Wokha

Hazy sun

25 17

Zunheboto Mostly cloudy and not as warm 23 12

K Y M C

CHS members along with police personnel during the sanitisation programme.

DIMAPUR: In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, various societies and councils have been conducting sanitisation and disinfection drives in a bit to combat the spread of the disease.

Zunheboto town disinfected by sanitary workers: As assigned by Zunheboto Town Council for town maintenance, 13 sanitary workers cleaned the town area and emptied garbage from designated pickup points on daily basis. Sanitary workers engaged in disinfecting the town as of April 1, has disinfected the entire Zunheboto town area. Taking precautionary measures, the

Members of HS & HYC extending voluntary services by conducting sanitisation drive.

sanitary worker use personal protective equipments provided by Urban Development.

TST fumigates Tseminyu town: Tseminyu surveillance team (TST) on COVID-19 in collaboration with Tseminyu Town Council (TTC), conducted sanitization of key public places at Tseminyu town by process of fumigation on March 30.

MMC disinfects Mokokchung town: Disinfection drive was carried out at the Mokokchung town on March 31. The drive was carried out under the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC)

and Home Guards volunteers.

CHS conducts sanitisation programme: Members of Chümoukedima Hindu society (CHS) conducted sanitisation programme at Diphupar Police Station as precaution and preparedness in the eventuality COVID-19 outbreak.

HS & HYC joint sanitisation initiative: As part of the ongoing sanitisation initiative drive, Hindu Society (HS) and Hindu Yuva Chümoukedima (HYC) have been extending voluntary services to Police Station, Mosque, Lotha Baptist Church and bazaar areas.

K Y M C

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 117 Dimapur, FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

COVID threat on NE

B

y accident or fate, the sudden spurt in number of confirmed COVID 19 cases in India raised discomforting about the sense of social and religious responsibility. This was highlighted after several hundred followers of the Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic reformist group, had a large gathering of more than 3,000 people on 13 March in Nizamuddin, Delhi. Those who attended included foreign nationals from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, and Malaysia. Nizamuddin in Delhi has now become a hot spot for the deadly virus. Months after the outbreak was finally declared in January in Wuhan, it spread to nearby Asian counties. By mid-February , there was apprehension that the Jamaat conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia could be a recipe for spread of the virus. However the conference went ahead from February 27 to March1,2020 and it led to spread of the virus to half a dozen nations. The Jamaat meet at Nizamuddin took place on March 14 even after the government of India had already sounded a high alert by February end with several advisories against mass congregation. As pointed out in this column several days ago, Assam is the most vulnerable in the north east, due to its large population, constant migration and also being the transit point for all north eastern states. This proved true on April 1 when 12 persons who had attended the Jamaat in Delhi were tested positive for COVID 19 and taking the total till April 1, to 13.

Muslims across India who had participated in the Islamic congregation are testing positive for Covid19 - from as far as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with ten already dead, including the Jamaat’s Kashmir head. The fact that the sudden spurt was precipitated by mass congregation, first at the Jamaat conference in Malaysia from February 27 to March 1,2020 where a gathering of 16,000 became the pandemic’s largest known vector in Southeast Asia. Three weeks later, participants in the 16,000-strong gathering of the world’s biggest Islamic missionary movement had spread the coronavirus to half a dozen nations, creating the largest known viral vector in Southeast Asia. The participants then held another Jamaat conference in Nizamuddin on March 13. The Delhi government on March 13, prohibited any gathering of more than 200 people under the Epidemic Diseases Act. Moreover, they also directed people coming from any Covid-19 affected country to self-isolate.

Members of the Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin violated both these directions apparently, due to misplaced notion of faith over fact. What is a matter of concern in the north east, remains the fact that the spurt in COVID 19 cases in Assam will pose serious threats on neighbouring states. There is a limit to the effectiveness of the lockdown, which is enforced on roads and streets but not on border areas that are porous. The reality of migration of people within and beyond Assam poses stiff challenge on the authorities. The immigrants in Assam have easy ingress and egress to other states in the region. They can melt among the thousands among their community in a matter of days through porous borders. This is a likely possibility which states have to address to prevent the virus entering through the backdoor.

DailyDevotion The Glory That’s Unsurpassed

…the Lord Jesus…has sent me that you may receive your sight… —Acts 9:17 When Paul received his sight, he also received spiritual insight into the Person of Jesus Christ. His entire life and preaching from that point on were totally consumed with nothing but Jesus Christ— “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Paul never again allowed anything to attract and hold the attention of his mind and soul except the face of Jesus Christ.

We must learn to maintain a strong degree of character in our lives, even to the level that has been revealed in our vision of Jesus Christ.

The lasting characteristic of a spiritual man is the ability to understand correctly the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life, and the ability to explain the purposes of God to others. The overruling passion of his life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you see this quality in a person, you get the feeling that he is truly a man after God’s own heart (see Acts 13:22).

Never allow anything to divert you from your insight into Jesus Christ. It is the true test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual means that other things have a growing fascination for you.

Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit’s vision, Gazing on the Crucified.

Quotes

It’s not the honors and not the titles and not the power that is of ultimate importance. It’s what resides inside. ~ Fred Rogers

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

Post-mortem

Word of God: Beam of light in dark paths

W

here do I begin?

Of late, we’re bombarded with un-sort-able information on Covid-19 such as research findings, updates on the affected countries, number of deaths in a single day, invention of drugs for Coronavirus, government orders, travel advisories, precautionary measures, medical advices, sermons, prophecies, etc., some of which are very helpful and many are rumors too. God only knows the intention of the post masters but I believe that, all information are being forwarded for our awareness and prevention.

Even rumors have made us wiser, more cautious, and vigilant! Yet, amid this incessant flow of information, we’re kindled with apprehension, fear, and confusion not only about the pandemic but also for our daily needs? The government is doing its best; the medical fraternity is dealing with the issue on war-footing but our doubts are not fully cleared; our fears are not totally gone!

Human’s best efforts are liable to face unintentional flaws. One who was tested Covid-19 positive turned out negative on second test in Assam just a couple of

days ago; many who have been screened across the country could be carriers of the virus after all not all machines are perfect and human inadequacy is just a part of life. We’re also so confused right now!

There’s no consensus on whether we should go to church or pray at home?

Individuals may make their own choice but to be in the same boat is just impossible? Then who will teach us the right path? Where do we go from here? Where do we turn to for guidance?

The Word of God in Psalm 119:105 gives us a sense of direction in a situation such as this: “Your Word, O God, is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” God’s Word is the light that helps us follow the right path.

In the words of Warren Wiersbe, the ancient world did not have lights such as we have today, the people carried little clay dishes containing oil, and the light illuminated the path only one step ahead. We do not see the whole route at one time, for we walk by faith when we follow the Word. We’re at a dark moment right now; and our future is cloudy too; only God’s light—the Word—

can guide us aright.

The Word of God is Relevant: The Bible is not only “The window through which we can look into eternity (Dwight), but also a constant guide for our day to day living especially such as today.

Preparedness at all level is extremely vital; however, God stands supreme in every situation. Without God, even treatment with the right drug could go wrong or the right treatment could be at the wrong time: God’s own Word reminds us, “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1). God is not our last resort; we don’t turn to him when all means fail. He is the God over space and time. Verses from the Word of God such as 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 91, Isaiah 26:20; 30:21, Jeremiah 17:14, etc. are being repeatedly sent by many people. They’re indeed reassuring! The apostle Paul admonished young Timothy to preach the Word “in season and out of season.” In fact, there’s no season to preach or not to preach the Word.

What Paul meant to say was that, the Word of God is relevant at all time, and

that it has to be boldly declared at favorable times as well as unfavorable times.

This trying situation has prompted many people to turn to the Word of God to find richer meaning in it. Some could be hearing some parts of God’s Word for the first time. Blessed are those who hear God’s Word and take it as lamp to their feet and light to their path!

The Word of God is Infallible: I really do not know if it’s God himself who has sent this pestilence in the form of Coronavirus, but I’m very sure, it’s not without his knowledge.

If it were not his will, he would have stopped it! But, no matter what, God can turn this horrific situation into something good for humanity. All we need to do at this perplexing time is to stay focused: focused on the Word of God. I believe in science, and I believe in prophecy, but anything inconsistent with the Word of God is questionable.

God has everything written in his Word what he wants us to know and follow. The Scripture references (mentioned above) are from the living God through his prophets. What God has declared will come to

pass. Some are happening today! Many of what I’ve stated here could be wrong or simply half-truth, but the Word of God cannot be wrong. Therefore, it is worth turning to the Word of God for courage, strength, and find a sense of direction during this confusing moment. People may doubt our opinion but nobody can doubt God’s Word, because God’s Word is infallible. If Biblical authority is our doctrine, this is the time that we practice it.

The Word of God is Reliable: We need not be bogged down by threats and warnings although fear is a part of human life. It is said, “80% of our fears don’t happen; 12% may happen or may not happen; only 8% really happen (Anon). In my opinion, there are two kinds of fear: you fear evil and run away from it, but you fear God and run to him. Therefore, fear is not totally bad! When we cannot do anything about our situation, one thing we can do is, leave the situation to God and seek his guidance from his Word. Then we can experience “peaceful anxiety” – peace in the midst of anxiety. Fear

prompts us to turn to God and find solace. It’s Ok not to be OK sometimes; every experience in life teach us something new to become a better person, to live in a better way, doing better things. Now, we’re very sure that, what is happening to world right now is not totally strange because God has foretold us in his Word. The phenomena of the last days are seen and heard more often than ever and they’re beyond human control.

At this chaotic situation we can turn to the Word of God and humbly seek guidance how to live each day and move forward. If need be, God’s Word can also prepare us to face death boldly and go with much hope for a better life beyond this planet! God’s Word is relevant, infallible, and reliable today. Even as we spend time at home for a couple of Sundays and beyond for family devotions and prayers, let the Word of God be a lamp to our feet as individuals and a light to our path in our corporate life as we move ahead towards uncertain days!

Chekrovei Cho-o, Naharbari, East Dimapur

Total lockdown, what next God’s method in the past included quarantine, social distancing

E

veryone should appreciate our State Government for the total lockdown of Dimapur for 3 days in the nick of time. The Central Govt. have sanctioned Rs. 500 each for 3 months to women having Jan Dhan bank accounts, free ration to ration card holders and free LPG refills to valid women for three months. Also, Rs. 1000 have been provided to poor senior citizens, widows and disabled. It is still not known whether the Centre have disbursed it or, it’s lying with the State Govt. and yet to be disbursed. In both case, migrant workers and those who don’t have bank accounts but live hand to mouth are excluded. Our State government is doing its best in getting the much needed medical supplies and also gave grant to VDB to fight the pandemic. Hope all the VDB put it to good use for the needy, for humanity.

What other concrete steps our State Govt./District Administration is planning to tackle the pandemic will be highly appreciated if it can inform in advance in our newspaper and news channel as the various guidelines and social distancing measure are totally being neglected by the ignorant and illiterate public.

There is also the high danger that after the 3 days lockdown in Dimapur, people may throng out to the streets in higher number than before due to fear of another sudden total lockdown and panic buy.

Whether helpful or not, I would like to share some suggestions: • Allow only 1 person per vehicle, except in the case of patient seeking medical attention.

• Allow a maximum of, say 5 - 10 vehicles to travel in a particular direction and the next vehicle in that direction to wait for 15-20 minutes till it is allowed to travel.

If time interval between the last vehicle and present vehicle is in the time duration prescribed, allow it to travel without waiting. Exemption to medical case.

• Allow only 1 pedestrian for men and 2 for women. Similarly, if a large number, say 20 pedestrians, have walked by in a particular direction; the other pedestrian in that direction to wait for 10 minutes before allowing to move again.

H

• In all the above, soaving said in the previous write to menstruating and post-natal situa- priest would still enforce another cial distancing to be strictly up that the religious whatsapp tion that required quarantine from our seven days of isolation to make sure adhered and only person which should circulate more concern today. However, we note the the person was not a danger to the attending to basic needs be realistic messages than over-spiritual- fact that there were such methods as society (13:4-6). allowed. Exception to all ization and creating insecure feeling in quarantine in the Bible to bring the 3. Wearing mask and distancing medical case. the people, I would like to complete ‘unclean’ to clean. The word ‘unclean’ oneself for the sake of the neighbours: • All the above should be in the relaxation time the statements with these few more is a comprehensive word that included The infected person was to wear mask, given by the State govern- words. I acknowledge, some religious sickness, sin, and the unhygienic. In isolate from the society and shout “Unment/respective District leaders do give helpful advice in their Leviticus Chps. 11 to 13 we see some clean, unclean!” In today’s language Administration. After the whatsapp messages but more others of those people experiencing natural the infected person would declare prescribed time, total lock- are with unrealistic, world negating and biological phenomena like men- himself ‘COVID-19 positive, positive’ and threatening messages. God did struation and child birth, and also and thus warn the other people not to down to follow suit.

• Law enforcers to be give many regulations relating to the every article contaminated by the dead come close to him (13:45-46). put at all the main and crucial hygiene to the Israelites, even to bury bodies were quarantined (11:35).

With these, only three of many 2. Social distancing we observe junctions and walkways(like their faeces. In this write up I would more let me remind the readers saying the railway bazaar crossing like to reiterate the Biblical models today was taken care by the method of that this world of science still follow areas) to strictly enforce the of dealing with sickness and health quarantine but importantly by isolat- God’s eternal wisdom in dealing with by reminding the readers that God’s ing the infected person. The leper was directive. sickness and health. They still guide us • For vehicles, all method is with wisdom and life giv- kept aloof from the society for 7 days. how we should take care of ourselves After this period of isolation the priest registration number to be ing results.

1. The need to quarantine the who apparently was the only health and still love our neighbours. recorded and stored in a Ezamo Murry, Model Village central database via app or infected person: Let us leave out for a officer that time examined the person. moment the kind of quarantine related When the person tested negative the Dimapur sms to know if the vehicle is coming out frequently.

Accordingly, action can be taken.

• As some have sug‘We are humans first then patriots’ gested, confining a particular area to the grocery stores he God of Abraham, WC, NNPGs, comprising GBs, elders, village head- and authority to control and pharmacies of that area Issac and Jacob is of seven Naga political men/chieftains/councils the raging seas, winds, would be highly helpful as a living God. He groups, would like to ex- to stay alert and follow the pestilences, diseases and the locals can help in the has, thus far, shielded the press profound gratitude advice of medical profes- death. Let us seek the Lord. government social distanc- Naga people from the ca- and solidarity to health sionals.

“God bless our land and ing rule. tastrophe the entire hu- care workers in Nagaland, The magnitude of in- people” • Prescribe a maximum man race is reeling under. in particular and across the fections and death from N. Kitovi Zhimomi, of how much a person can The world is grappling world in general, for don- Asia to Europe to America Convener WC, & ATO buy to last for certain num- with the pandemic never ning the warrior’s mantle and to the rest of the world KILONSER, GPRN/ ber of days with a sample experienced before. Our in the battle against the is so devastating and wideNSCN; Zhopra Vero, size of 6 in a family; to Neighbourhood is in panic pandemic. This is war of spread, it is killing people Co-Convener WC & discourage panic buying mode. Is it not the God of a different kind and the regardless of international Kedallo, NNC/FGN; Y and ensure everyone gets Moses, Joshua, Daniel, doctors, nurses and staff, boundaries, nationalities, Wangtin Naga, Co-Contheir share.

Shadrach, Meshech and who are at the forefront race, creed religion or sta• Those arrogant de- Abednego, the God of night and day, risking their tus. It is shutting down vener WC & President, faulters not to be allowed miracles, who is fighting very lives are the real he- economies, erasing trillions NSCN (Reformation); Hozheto Chophy, Coto buy or move on, but send our battle? He is enabling roes. We salute the brave of dollars, forcing the rich Convener WC & Ato back. If they are adamant, the Government of the day, medical personnel on the and the poor; enemies and Kilonser, NNC/NPGN; book them and fine them the Naga people prepare ground. friends; the foolish and the Kiumukam Yimchunas per relevant section of physically, mentally and WC, NNPG leaders wise to look beyond their the law. spiritually to resist entry of also extends appreciation demography, national flags ger, Co-Convener WC • If total lockdown to COVID-19 into our land. to Nagaland Government and constitutions. & President NNC/ persist, what is the State The virus has proven just and various law enforcTo the Naga people, GDRN; Toshi Walling, government plan to tackle how inadequate, unpre- ing agencies working in spread across Indian states, Co-Convener WC, & the plight of the needy, both pared and limited human- tandem to ensure that the Myanmar and around the Gen. Secy NNC (Parent in urban and rural areas. ity is with all its knowledge, dreaded virus is kept at bay. world, WC, NNPGs is Body); Isak Sumi, Co• Online delivery ser- wealth and weapons. At At this time we appeal to all convinced that only God Convener, WC & Gen. vice is of topmost priority in this hour of great distress, Naga town/colony/sector Almighty has the power Secy, GPRN/NSCN(K) a total lockdown situation.

How can the government and the service provider make it to reach one and all.

How to cater to those who don’t have bank accounts/ have exhausted all their hard earned savings?

Lockdown for our own safety and protection is welcomed but total lockdown affects the very poor and Sir, The Janata Dal United (JDU) Nagaland, would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Nagaland marginalized section of our society. I believe our entire Post for going digital, making it as the first print media to go electronic. It is indeed a milestone in the field State Government machin- of Nagaland Press development. Nagaland Post has been doing yeoman service in the field of news coverage. ery with its able and wise Further, it has also been labouring tirelessly, disseminating the daily happenings around, both locally and globleaders will come up with ally since 3rd December 1990. The impartiality of the esteem daily is well-renown and its leadership in news concrete plans to take us quality is unflinching.

The JDU Nagaland, while once again, expressing good wishes to all the rank and file led by the dynamic through this lockdown for coronavirus pandemic; bet- Geoffrey Yaden, encourage the team to continue with the spirit of ‘news sans favouritism’ so as to let the people of Nagaland avail candid news coverage without any disruption. ter than other states.

Issued by the Publicity Wing, JDU Nagaland.

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

WC, NNPGs solidarity statement

T

Reader’s Post

JD-U applauds NP for going digital

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

Two evacuaees from Nizamuddin died: Kejriwal

Government launches ‘Aarogya Setu’ COVID-19 tracker app

N E W D E L H I , A P R demic in the country.

2 (AGENCIES): Indian Aarogya Setu (which government has officially translates from Sanskrit to launched its COVID-19 ‘A bridge of health’) app tracking app, Aarogya Setu, essentially helps users in for Android and iOS users. identifying whether they are The app has been developed at risk of coronavirus infecby the National Informatics tion, by checking if they Centre that comes under have been in contact with the Ministry of Electronics a COVID-19 infected indiand Information Technol- vidual, even unknowingly. ogy. According to the app’s According to The Next description, it is aimed at Web, which first spotted the “augmenting” efforts to app, Aarogya Setu is using “proactively” inform the government database of citizens about the “best prac- infected people to function. tices and relevant advisories There is, however, no clarity pertaining to the contain- from the government around ment of COVID-19.” Both this. The COVID-19 tracker union and state govern- app currently supports 11 ments have launched a host languages, including Hindi of coronavirus-related apps and English and requires Arvind Kejriwal (File) over the last few weeks to Bluetooth and Location acminister said.

You can imagine how dan- curb the spread of the pan- cess to function.

The virus has not start- gerous the situation is (due ed spreading among the to coronavirus). people so far in the national During the conference, capital, he added.

Kejriwal also invoked the A total of 2,943 people, conversation between Viincluding 1,810 from the dura and Yudhistira -- two (From p-1) As extension of the lockdown period could lead to Markaz, have been quaran- central characters in the shortage of food supplies, he said food grains had been tined by the government, epic Mahabharata -- on how Kejriwal said, adding that animals, who remain inside stocked and rice supplied under Antyodaya Anna Yojana 21,307 have been directed their burrows, could survive (AAY) and Primary Household (PHH) by food & civil supplies department had been kept in reserve. for self quarantine at their a raging forest fire.

Necessary information provided by the administration homes.

"Similarly, if you (Deland doctors were also being circulated through social media The chief minister ap- hiites) stay home, you will pealed to Delhiites to stay remain healthy," Kejriwal and posters around the villages.

Declaring that the committee was prepared and indoors and follow the on- said. going 21-day lockdown.

The chief minister fur- willing to cooperate and work alongside the government He said, "Yesterday, US ther announced that the throughout this fight against the pandemic, Mepfüo urged President Donald Trump Delhi government will give every individual to obey the instructions issued by the govhas given a statement that Rs 5,000 to autorickshaw, ernment and not to venture out, unless unavoidable.

He said the village was grateful to both the police and around 1 lakh to 2.5 lakh gramin-sewa and e-rickshaw Americans may loss their drivers hit by the ongoing traffic police personnel for being very brave and putting their lives to risk for the safety of the public. lives due to coronavirus. lockdown.

says COVID-19 cases may shoot up

NEW DELHI, APR 2 (PTI): Two people evacuated from Nizamuddin Markaz have died due to coronavirus on Thursday, taking the total number of deaths to four in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

In a digital press conference, he said of the 2,346 people evacuated from the Markaz, which has emerged as a major hotspot for COVID-19, 108 have so far tested positive for coronavirus.

However, the number may shoot up in the coming days as the government has decide to test all those who were evacuated from the Markaz, the chief minister said.

A total of 219 coronavirus cases have been reported so far in the national capital including four deaths while six people have been discharged and on has left the country, he said.

According to Kejriwal, there are 208 active COVID19 cases in Delhi who are admitted to different hospitals and 202 of them are in a stable condition.

The figure includes 51 people who had foreign travel history and 29 of their family members, the chief

Kohima village gears up to face COVID-19 pandemic

5

9k Tablighi Jamaat members, primary contacts quarantined in country: MHA NEW DELHI, APR 2 (PTI): About 9,000 Tablighi Jamaat members and their primary contacts have been quarantined till now in the country after the government undertook “massive efforts” as part of steps to check the spread of the novel coronavirus, a senior home ministry official said on Thursday.

Punya Salila Srivastava, a joint secretary in the Union Home Ministry, also told reporters during a daily briefing that out of about 2,000 such Tablighi Jamaat members in Delhi, 1,804 have been shifted to quarantine centres while 334 symptomatic persons admitted to hospitals.

She said among the ones in Delhi, 250 are foreigners.

“The home ministry along with states and union territories launched a massive effort and about 9,000 Tablighi Jammat workers and their primary contacts were identified and quarantined. Among these, 1,306 people are foreigners,” Srivastava said during the briefing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21day lockdown from March 25 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that has claimed live and infected people.

She said the Ministry

Punya Salila Srivastava

of Home Affairs (MHA) is constantly reviewing the ongoing lockdown in the country and added that the home secretary (Ajay Bhalla) has written to states and union territories that “the lockdown measures should be implemented in letter and spirit”.

The home secretary has said in his communication that the violation of lockdown measures is a punishable offence under the disaster management Act and the Indian Penal Code, Srivastava said.

The home secretary has also said in his communication that public authorities in all states should ensure that these provisions of law are “widely circulated” for awareness of the public so that the lockdown is effective, she said.

Srivastava said as correct information supply is “very important” during disasters and fake news

CWC demands more testing for coronavirus Lockdown: Newly-elected Rajya Asks GOVERNMENT to set up task force for reviving economy Sabha members to wait for oath

Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, A K Antony and Mallikarjun Kharge at one of the Congress Working Committee meetings. (File)

NEW DELHI, APR 2 (PTI): The Congress Working Committee on Thursday demanded more testing for coronavirus and called upon the government to immediately set up a task force of experts for suggesting measures to revive the economy.

At a meeting of the CWC, the party’s highest decision making body, held through video conferencing, it was also suggested that the government immediately come out with ‘financial action plan 2’ to help those affected due to the 21-day countrywide lockdown.

The CWC accused the government of not giving

any serious thought to the deteriorating economic situation in the country, even as it said the government has erred in adopting the policy of limited testing for COVID-19.

It called for more testing for coronavirus and said extensive testing in many countries had led to containment of the spread of the deadly virus.

Suggesting various measures, the CWC said the government should focus on containment of the virus by extensive testing, medical treatment to the infected persons, and substantial enhancement of the capacity, infrastructure and

human resources to fight the epidemic.

It said the government should focus on livelihood support to the poor people, especially daily wage earners, migrant workers, casual and temporary workers, laid-off workers, selfemployed people, farmers, tenant farmers and landless agricultural workers.

Besides, it said it has to ensure maintenance of supply of goods and services so that people locked down in their homes can access their daily household need items.

The CWC called upon the government to take steps to re-start the engines of economic growth.

SC takes cognisance of condition of children protection homes NEW DELHI, APR 2 (PTI): The Supreme Court has taken cognisance on its own on the condition of children protection homes across the country amid the coronavirus outbreak which has so far claimed 50 lives in India.

A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Deepak Gupta would hear through video-conferencing on Friday a suo motu (on its own) case titled ‘In Re Contagion of COVID 19 Virus in Children Protection Homes’ The top court had on March 16 taken suo motu cognisance of overcrowding of prisons across the country and said that it was difficult for jail inmates to maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

It had also considered

Supreme Court of India

the aspect of preventing spread of COVID-19 in juveniles homes across the country.

On March 23, the apex court had directed all the states and Union Territories to constitute high-level committees to consider releasing on parole or interim bail prisoners and undertrials for offences entailing up to seven-year jail term to decongest prisons in the wake

of COVID-19.

Separately, the top court had taken note of non-availability of mid-day meals to children as schools across the country have been shut due to coronavirus.

It had taken suo motu cognisance in the matter and issued notices to states and union territories asking them how children were being provided mid-day meals amid shutdown of schools.

The committee also called for making adequate and comprehensive preparations for immediate harvesting and procurement of wheat and other rabi crops at minimum support price.

“The CWC is of the opinion that the government has not given any thought whatsoever to the deteriorating economic situation. This does not brook any delay.

“The CWC demands that the government should immediately appoint an Economic Task Force consisting of world renowned economists to suggest three plans: an emergency plan within one week; a short to medium term plan within one month; and a medium to long term plan within three months in order to protect and revive the economy,” the CWC statement read out

by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said.

AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “On containment and treatment, the government has erred in adopting a strategy of limited testing. A lockdown or any other kind of restrictions is futile unless it is accompanied by extensive testing.”

“The flawed strategy must be revised and testing must be scaled up urgently,” he said.

NEW DELHI, APR 2 (AGENCIES): Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday put on hold the oath taking of 37 newly-elected/re-elected members in the wake of lockdown due to Covid-19.

Prominent among those elected unopposed to the House from 10 states who have to wait for oath taking include Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Sharad Pawar, Ramdas Athawale, Prem Chand Gupta, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Deependra Singh Hooda, Thambi Durai, GK Vasan, Tiruchy Siva, K. Keshava Rao and Dinesh Trivedi.

A Member elected to Rajya Sabha is entitled to

until he has subscribed the Oath or Affirmation.

In view of the present lockdown in the country, neither the Rajya Sabha nor any of its committees is likely to meet till the lockdown period is over.

Further, as per the relevant provisions of the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act 1954, a newly-elected member is entitled to all facilities, perks and privileges that are available to Members of Parliament from the date of commencement of his term of office which is the date of notification of his election to the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Nothing wrong CM asking for donations: NPCC (From p-1) collectors or whoever have benefited from the government and public during the last seventeen years, to come forward in this time of need.” Therie opined that the CM’s appeal for donation, was meant to all who have benefited under his government. “The budget belongs to them as it no longer percolates down to the districts and divisions,” he stated.

“For the rest of us, we will contribute and donate whatever is possible to stranded subjects and fight back COVID-19 socially,” he said. Expressing concern for safety of the family members of healthcare workers,

‘Secret’ file in social media causes stigma DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): A supposed confidential report that went viral on social media on March 31, revealing names of persons from North East, whose mobile numbers were tracked by mobile towers for moving near the ‘hot spot’ zone of Nizamuddin in old Delhi has caused deep resentment.

The report marked ‘SECRET’ contained mobile numbers of subscribers from the north east, as per data from service providers from March 14 to March 21.

The leak has caused immense trauma among those, whose names found mention as per their registered mobile numbers.

Complaints were lodged with police to institute a probe by the Cyber Crime unit so as expose and book those involved for posting the ‘SECRET’

make and subscribe the prescribed oath or affirmation and take his seat in the House only upon the commencement of his term of office under the relevant provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951.

However, the Constitution (Article 99) and Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha do not prescribe any time limit within which a newlyelected Member has to subscribe Oath or Affirmation, a Secretariat release said.

A new member is, however, not entitled to sit, participate and vote in the House or in a Committee

file on social media. The complainants disclosed that the document was on social media on March 31 after the incubation period (March 14 till March 28) had ended.

This has resulted in many who have completed self-quarantine and with no symptoms whatsoever, being ‘summoned’ by health authorities. All those who arrived Dimapur, had reported on arrival and also submitted required forms.

When asked about the issue, the state health authorities informed that as per rules, all those who returned after March 6 were requested to contact respective health authorities on arrival and fill up forms and also to self-quarantine for 14 days.

If symptoms appear within 2 to 14 days, then blood test is done to prove or disprove COVID-19.

Therie said that in other states, accommodation were being arranged for medical teams.

He said health workers must first be well protected at all costs with the latest equipment, then only with their courage and confidence, others can be protected.

Asserting that one cannot be over confident with the latest PPE alone, Therie said testing kits should be used for every patient in question. Therie said he was relieved to learn that the first and second consignments of supplies had already reached. He further said that money should not be the obstacle to protect the people from the current pandemic.

or rumour mongering can create panic, the home secretary had requested his counterpart in the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry for creation of a web portal where people can verify the factual position, news and information vis-avis COVID-19.

The I&B Ministry, she said, has created a special unit headed by a director general-level officer and people can write to it at pibfactcheck@gmail.com to clear their doubts about any unverified news.

The Press Information Bureau’s COVID-19 Fact Check Unit (FCU) became operational on Thursday and the unit is headed by the bureau’s director general, Nitin Wakankar, a statement issued by the PIB said.

The home secretary has also asked chief secretaries that they establish such a mechanism at the state level too, Srivastava said.

Fire incidents in Kohima, Wokha DIMAPUR, APR 2 (NPN): Jungle fire at Nagaland University (NU) campus Meriema, Kohima and Wokha Town Council (WTC) garbage dumping area, Merapani Road, Wokha on Thursday was contained due to swift response by fire and emergency services (F&ES) personnel.

According to F&ES department, the fire incident in Kohima destroyed a few acres stretch of forest, but the cause of fire was not known.

A quick response team mobilised from fire station Kohima North brought the fire under control and prevented from spreading further.

At Wokha, on receiving information of jungle fire, a quick response team from fire station Wokha was mobilised and two WTPs were pressed into action.

F&WS depar tment stated that the fire occurred due to garbage burning at the dumping site that spread further to the adjoining forest/jungle. However, timely response by fire team averted any eventuality and contained the fire from spreading to the adjoining forest and villages. There were no reports of any casualties in both the incidents.

State Govt releases `75L to DCs...

(From p-1) The DCs also stated that availability of essential commodities in the districts continued to remain normal.

Rio stressed on the importance and necessity of home delivery services, especially of LPG cylinders, in order to avoid crowding and maintain social distancing at this crucial juncture.

He asked the law-enforcing agencies to allow movement of people in villages, keeping in mind the importance

of sowing season. However, people coming from outside to the villages should be stopped and kept for quarantine, he added.

Enquiring about the wellbeing of migrant workers, if any, he asked the authorities concerned to support and protect them in the form of giving shelter and other essential commodities.

The chief minister suggested that districts like Kohima and Dimapur should have colony markets for

shopping in order to avoid crowding and maintain social distancing. He thanked tribal hohos, NGOs and other civil society organisations for actively supporting and helping the government in all possible ways. The chief secretary asked all the DCs to compile the actual number of migrant workers and daily wage earners in their respective districts and find out how many of them had been availing shelter and food. This was stated in a DIPR release.

Air India suspends contract of around 200 employees

NEW DELHI, APR 2 (PTI): Air India on Thursday temporarily suspended the contracts of around 200 employees, including pilots, who were re-employed after retirement, as all domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended in the country till April 14 to curb the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, a senior official said.

“Since almost all the planes have been grounded and the carrier’s revenues have taken a significant fall during the last few weeks, the airline has decided to temporarily suspend the contract of around 200 employees, including pilots, who were re-employed after their retirement,” said the official. The national carrier has already cut the allowances of all employees, except cabin crew, by 10 per cent for the next three months in order to save money amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

international

6

COVID-19: world braces for 1mn cases

New Delhi, Apr 2 (IANS): With new coronavirus cases set to breach the 1-million mark, the world is witnessing an “exponential growth” which is a bad sign as the number of deaths has more than doubled in the past week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Thursday.

According to latest data from Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE), there were 9.56 lakh cases globally, with over 48,000 deaths in 180 countries.

“As we enter the fourth month since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic I’m deeply concerned about the rapid escalation and global spread of infection,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a virtual media conference on Thursday.

“Over the past five weeks, we have witnessed a near exponential growth in the number of new cases, reaching almost every country,” he added.

“As we enter the fourth month since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am deeply concerned about the

A coronavirus patient is transferred from a hospital to a home for the elderly by members of the medical staff of Klinicare in Brussels, Wednesday. (AP/PTI) rapid escalation and global proaching 500,000 and the toll to 13,155. spread of infection,” he death toll swelled to 30,000 But that was the lowest said during the virtual news on Wednesday, reports Xin- daily tally of fatalities since conference. hua.

March 26.

As per the CSSE data, Spain became the third In France, 509 more the highest number of cases country with the highest COVID-19 patients died in in the world was recorded number of cases at 104,118, the past 24 hours, bringing in the US at 216,515, while after the US and Italy the death tally to 4,032 on Italy accounted for the larg- (110,574).

Wednesday, said General est death toll at 13,155.

In Italy, a further 727 Director of Health Jerome The pandemic was deaths from COVID-19 Salomon. showing no sign of abat- were reported in the 24 The cumulative numing in Europe, where the hours from Tuesday to ber of infection cases in the confirmed cases were ap- Wednesday, taking the death country rose to 57,763.

Across the Atlantic, the US became the first nation with more than 200,000 COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, according to a new tally from Johns Hopkins University.

It has recorded a total of 5,119 deaths.

Meanwhile, UN agencies continued to help countries contain the virus and limit its social-economic impact.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it has provided $78.8 million in responses to the pandemic.

It includes $75 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), with the rest coming from country-based, pooled funds.

Programs in 15 countries have been supported through these funds and additional countries were being identified under the global CERF allocation of $60 million -- one of the largest ever made.

So far, according to the OCHA, close to $374 million in donor funds have been made available for the global plan.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

Duterte orders police to shoot quarantine violators Manila, Apr 2 (IANS): Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered police officers to shoot those who violate the strict quarantine imposed in the country over the coronavirus pandemic.

“I will not hesitate.

My orders are to the police and military that if there is trouble or the situation arises that people fight and your lives are on the line, shoot them dead. Do you understand?” Efe news quoted the President as saying on Wednesday night in a televised speech.

The closure of much of the country, including Manila, and strict quarantine and confinement regulations have prevented millions who subsist day by day in the capital’s poorest neighbourhoods from finding a way to earn a living.

Duterte accused leftwing civil groups of instigating the protest.

“Remember, you leftists: You are not the government. Do not go around causing trouble and riots because I will order you detained until this COVID (outbreak ends),” the Presi-

Rodrigo Duterte dent said. Duterte was grant- viral on the social media, ed special executive powers where the hashtag #Oustfrom Congress last week to Duterte (expel Duterte) has deal with the disease. been trending since WednesThe law includes a pro- day night. “We are seriously vision of 200 billion pesos alarmed that the President’s ($4 billion) to distribute words will translate to worse among 18 million disad- and more brutal forms of vantaged households in the human rights violations, country, where 16 percent of repression, and State viothe population lives below lence in the days to come,” the poverty line. human rights organization However, aid is blocked Karapatan said. because the government still Student group CEGP produces a “consolidated said one “cannot expect the database” of beneficiaries. people to just remain silent “Just wait for the de- if their stomachs are churnlivery even if it’s delayed, it ing,” adding that the governwill arrive and you will not ment “cannot clutch unto go hungry. You will not die his fascistic and militaristic of hunger,” Duterte said. schemes because he will On thursday, human not win against a hungerrights defenders and civil stricken nation filled with groups denounced the Presi- disgust and anger against his dent’s remarks, which went incompetent regime”.

Spain sees record rise in Post-coronavirus world will be even more digital: Guterres unemployment amid lockdown Madrid, Apr 2 (IANS): New data has revealed that almost 900,000 people in Spain have lost their jobs since the country imposed strict measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic, another sign of the economic impact of the outbreak in Europe’s second worst-hit country.

The data shows 898,822 people have now lost their jobs since the start of the lockdown, including about 550,000 temporary workers, the BBC reported citing the data as saying.

Spain’s official unemployment figure rose to 3.5 million, the highest level since April 2017.

March’s figure was

the highest monthly rise in unemployment ever recorded in the country, which already had one of the eurozone’s highest jobless rates.

The country has also banned all but essential outings and shut most businesses in mid-March.

“This is an absolutely unprecedented situation,” the BBC quoted Labour Minister Yolanda Daz as saying at a news conference.

The tourism and construction sectors were the hardest hit.

Meanwhile, 10,003 people in Spain have died from the coronavirus as 950 new deaths were reported in

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

K Y M C

the last 24 hours, another daily record, the Health Ministry said.

The number of confirmed cases rose to 104,118, while the death toll stood at 9,387.

Italy currently accounts for the maximum number of coronavirus deaths globally at 13,155, while the infections were 110,574.

Italy was the first in the West to impose stringent measures to curb the virus, and the government has warned it could be hit by a “severe” recession.

Meanwhile, the US accounts for the highest number of cases in the world at 216,722, while 5,157 deaths were recorded.

U n i t e d Nat i o ns, Apr 2 (IANS): The postcoronavirus world will be different and much more digital than before, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“One thing that’s clear is that we’re seeing the mass digitalization of human relations with the crisis, and that will have an inevitable impact,” Guterres told Efe news in a telephonic interview.

“The future will be much more digital than the past. This is going to provide a major impetus for the development of artificial intelligence, for the development of all the cyberspace activities,” he added.

The flip side, he cautioned, was that there would

be a much greater need to create “regulation and other mechanisms so all that development of the digital world is done for the benefit of humanity and that the risks that exist, and are well known, can be avoided”.

“One of the risks, naturally, is that this illness will create societal control mechanisms that can help dictatorships, which naturally we have to try to avoid in the future,” Guterres said.

Another impact of the fight against the coronavirus, at least in the short term, is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the confinement measures and the abrupt halt to economic activity in many parts of the globe.

In that regard, Guterres

No. 9542 Yesterday’s solution No. 9541

No. 4161 Yesterday’s solution No. 4160

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said the world must “use this opportunity to provide a very strong push toward sustainable development” and toward meeting the established climate targets, although he stressed that no virus can solve the climate crisis.

In the current battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the UN SecretaryGeneral said what has most concerned him is the lack of coordination he has seen among countries.

He refrained from questioning the responses of individual governments - “for me, it’s very difficult to analyze the measures of each country” - but criticized the fact that each one is acting of its own accord and without “coordination

at the global level”.

Guterres said the global community must realize that the coronavirus thus far has mainly affected wealthier countries like China, where the virus originated last December, South Korea, the European nations and the US but that this current situation will change.

“We’re seeing its entry into the (Southern Hemisphere) and particularly into Africa, and the capacity of those countries’ health systems to respond is very, very limited,” he warned.

The UN chief said this would be “an absolutely unbearable tragedy from all perspectives, including from a moral standpoint”.

Developed countries must show solidarity and

Australia begin testing COVID19 vaccines

Trump says not to issue national stay-at-home order

C an b e r r a , A p r 2 (IANS): Researchers from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) on Thursday announced that they have begun testing vaccines for the novel coronavirus.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization said that it has commenced the first stage of testing at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, 75 km southwest of Melbourne, reports Xinhua news agency.

The trials are expected to take three months and will be conducted on ferrets to determine if either of the two vaccines were safe and effective.

“Beginning vaccine candidate testing at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization is a critical milestone in the fight against COVID19, made possible by collaboration both within Australia and across the globe,” Larry Marshall, the Chief Executive of the CSIRO, said in a statement.

“CSIRO researchers are working around-theclock to combat this disease which is affecting so many -- whether it’s at the AAHL or at our state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing facility -- we will keep working until this viral enemy is defeated,” he added.

Even if the vaccines were found to be effective and safe, it could take 12 to 18 months for them to be rolled out around the world.

WASHINGTON, APR 2 (IANS): US President Donald Trump has said that he will not issue a national stay-at-home order even as coronavirus cases are still surging in the country.

Trump told reporters on Wednesday at a White House Coronavirus Task Force news briefing that he does not intend to do so because different states have different levels of COVID-19 cases, Xinhua reported.

“States are different and I understand that the governor of Florida, great Governor Ron DeSantis issued one today and that’s good, that’s great. But there are some states that are different. There are some states that don’t have much of a problem,” he said.

Initially hesitant to issue a statewide stay-at-home order, DeSantis bowed to pressure and joined a slew of other states in directing residents to “limit move-

not forget that it’s in their own interests to eradicate the illness worldwide due to the risk of it returning to their territories.

Referring to the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic and strategies to mitigate the damage, the UN Secretary-General called for “direct support” for families and small and medium-sized businesses.

Furthermore, he said the world cannot return to the former status quo once the recession wass over.

His remarks come as the global number of confirmed cases increased to 937,567, according to the latest update by the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE).

ments and all personal interactions outside the home” to those that are necessary. Georgia, Mississippi and Nevada followed suit on the same day.

“You have to look -you have to give a little flexibility. If you have a state in the Midwest, or if Alaska for example doesn’t have a problem, it’s awfully tough to say close it down.

We have to have a little bit of flexibility,” Trump said at the briefing.

Stay-at-home orders issued across the nation now cover at least 294 million people in at least 37 states, 74 counties, 14 cities, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to calculations by a leading US media outlet.

The US now leads the world with more than 200,000 confirmed cases, with the death toll rising to 4,757, showed the latest data from Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

We are deeply shocked and saddened to know that our friend, Dr. Weprenyi Mero, Rtd. Additional Director of V & AH, Govt. of Nagaland, is no more with us today. He was a God fearing officer and doer of good deeds. He had done a remarkable job of Bible translation into Kuzhami dialect and was Chairman of the Deacon Board in Kuzhami Baptist Church Kohima till date. His legacy shall remain in our society. May His Soul Rest in Peace.

DP-2217

From: Shri. Nguzonyi Wetsah & Friends K Y M C

northeast

Nizamuddin event accounts for most COVID-19 cases in NE late on April 1 night, around 10.25 pm.

The other nine who tested negative are in a government designated quarantine facility, the handout informed.

Another handout of the control room declared the 31 persons who were in the same flight with the infected patient who his returned from Delhi to Imphal as“high risk.”

After attending an earlier part of the even, the patient returned to Imphal on March 11 by an Air India flight. The handout provided only the names of the passengers while requesting them to call COVID-19 Common Control Room (no. 1800-345-3818) immediately and provides their details.

Following confirmation of the person infected by the disease, authorities of the state government have taken up appropriate containment measures and surveillance activities in the patient’s locality.

Thoubal district administration sealed the locality

of the patient by imposing blanket ban on the entry and exit of people in the locality with immediate effect from Thursday morning.

As many as 12 persons – 10 members and two domestic workers – of the patient’s family were immediately picked up by a team of doctors from RIMS hospital and their samples sent for test, official source said.

All the 12 persons have been put at a government designated quarantine centre, awaiting their test results, the source said.

Following confirmation of the test, Thoubal district administration has sealed the locality where the COVID-19 patient hailed from and banned entry and exit of population from the containment area.

The DC sealed the area for containment under the Manipur Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulation, 2020. It further ordered closure of all schools, offices and public gathering of any type, vehicular movement in the area.

The authority has also initiated active surveillance of COVID-19 cases in the area. State police have also started tracing people who the patient had met after his return to Imphal after the religious event. (Correspondent) Arunachal man who attended Nizamuddin event tests positive for COVID19, first case in state A 31-year-old man, who attended a congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West, tested positive for COVID-19 in Lohit district on Thursday, making it the first case of coronavirus in Arunachal Pradesh, health officials said.

The swab sample of the man, a resident of Medo area in the district, was sent for testing to the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) at Dibrugarh in Assam and the report came back as positive, Health Secretary P Prathiban said.

The man attended the congregation in Nizamuddin on March 13, officials said.

The district health au-

Meghalaya food minister admits food shortage Correspondent

Shillong, Apr 2: Meghalaya Food and Civil Supplies minister, James Sangma on Thursday acknowledged “shortage” of essential commodities in some districts in the wake of the nation-wide lockdown.

Sangma however said that the government has adopted various measures to meet the State’s requirement.

“It has not been easy for everyone in the past few days. There is a shortage of essential food items in the open market, and this shortage is due to the panic buying caused by the announcement of the lockdown,” he told journalists.

Sangma said that Price Monitoring Cell has been constituted in each district headquarters to stem unscrupulous people from taking advantage of the situation and overcharge the prices of essential items.

“The supply officers are also monitoring the

James Sangma

market at the district level by way of surprise raids to ensure no hoarding of essential items at this crucial time,” he said.

Sangma also warned of stern action taken against any hoarders under section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and section 3 of the Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies and Essential Commodities Act 1980.

Stating that the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under the National Food Security Act is more or less streamlined

Monthly allowance to teachers who lost jobs in Tripura Agartala, Apr 1 (PTI): Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Wednesday said his government has decided to provide an allowance of Rs 35,000 per month to 8,882 teachers who lost their jobs after their recruitment process was termed faulty by the Supreme Court.

The terms of employment of these teachers were expired on Tuesday, he said.

“Of the 10,323 teachers, many of them managed to get other jobs and at present, there are 8,882 whose terms of employment were expired on March 31, 2020.

“These teachers will get the monthly allowance of Rs 35,000,” Deb said.

He said the state government has filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court, seeking permission to recruit them in non-teaching category.

The petition was filed through an e-mail amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the chief minister said.

Deb assured them that his government will try its best to solve their problems, and the teachers will continue to get the allowance until the apex court gives its verdict.

“Yesterday was the last day of their job but the state govt had filed a petition before the Supreme Court through an email for

providing appointments to 8,882 ad-hoc teachers in permanent non-teaching posts.

“We hope that the apex court will soon pronounce its verdict to resolve the problem of the ad-hoc teachers,” Deb said.

A total of 10,323 undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate teachers were appointed in different phases since 2010. The recruitment process was challenged in the Tripura High Court which terminated their services, saying that the recruitment was faulty.

The then Left Front government moved the Supreme Court against the order but it upheld the high court verdict in March 2017.

The teachers were pronounced to retire after December 31, 2017 as per the apex court verdict, after which they were inducted on ad-hoc basis.

After the BJP-IPFT government came to power in March 2018, it again appealed to the Supreme Court, and the court granted them one-time final extension till March 31, 2020.

State education minister Ratan Lal Nath said the apex court made it clear that they cannot be recruited in posts of teachers, so the state government made a plea to the apex court to recruit them in non-teaching and nontechnical posts.

to ensure steady supply of essential items, the Food and Civil Supply minister said, the state government has accorded Rs 26, 38, 75, 500 for a quantity of 1, 17, 278 quintals for two months under the ‘Open Market Sale Scheme’ to be procured from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns.

Under this scheme, the rice will be lifted from F C I g o d ow n s b y t h e Deputy Commissioners of respective districts and made available to the open market.

However, he said that the government is coordinating with the FCI with regards to the location from where the government can lift this food grain.

Sangma said that the government has also taken up with National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited for allocation of 5, 553.64 quintals of pulses (specifically masoor dal), which will be distributed

Himanta Sarma visits COVID-19 facilities

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, Apr 2 (PTI): Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday visited Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) here to check the condition of a patient, with suspected symptoms of COVID-19.

After visiting the hospital, which has been turned into an exclusive COVID-19 facility, the minister said in a twitter post that the test result of the patient is awaited.

Assam has reported three new cases of COVID19 on Thursday in Goalpara, taking the total to 16, with all the three persons having attended a congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West, he said in a separate tweet.

On Wednesday night, the health minister along with Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika, had visited Sonarpur civil hospital, another dedicated novel coronavirus facility - where three COVID-19 positive patients are being treated.

amongst the TPDS at one kilogram for free for three months.

The Food minister also said that each NFSA beneficiary would be getting an additional five kilogram of rice per beneficiary for free for the months of April to June under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

“This is over and above the five kilograms they are entitled to every month,” Sangma said, adding that each beneficiary will get one free gas cylinder for three months starting from April under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

To stabilize the open market procurement of rice and other essential food items, Sangma said Deputy Commissioners have been given the “freedom to issue authorization letters and curfew passes” to retail shops to procure their food grain stock and other items from Assam to tackle the shortage in the open market to a large extent.

thority has kept the patient at a special isolation room in the Tezu Zonel Hospital and all his family members are also in a quarantine facility, Prathiban said.

The swab samples of the family members would be collected and sent for testing, he added.

Six more persons who attended the congregation were located in Namsai district and have tested negative for COVID-19, State Surveillance Officer (Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme) L Jampa said.

The patient reached Medo on March 18 after attending the congregation.

He left Nizamuddin on March 16 and since March 24 he was under home quarantine and did not show any symptom of coronavirus infection even after 16 days, officials said.

The police are on job to trace all the persons who came in contact with the infected man, Lohit district SP Wangdi Thungon said.

A total of 58 samples were sent from the state for testing and 38 were found

Assam gov donates one month salary G u wa h at i , A p r 2 (PTI): Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Thursday donated his one month’s salary, amounting to Rs 3,50,000, to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

The governor’s principal private secretary S N Bhowmick handed over the cheque to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on behalf of Mukhi.

“Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi today contributed one month’s gross salary amounting to Rs 3,50,000 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support the Assam government’s relief operations against the coronavirus outbreak,” an official release said.

Mukhi also appealed to all to contribute generously to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for fighting against the deadly disease.

The governor urged people to follow social distancing.

Khandu says lockdown will end on April 15, then deletes tweet Ita nag a r , A p r 2 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said the nationwide lockdown will end on April 15, soon after he participated in a teleconference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but deleted the tweet minutes later, blaming it on an officer handling his Twitter account whose comprehension of Hindi was “limited”.

Modi chaired a meeting with the chief ministers of different states to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Completion of lockdown will end on April 15 next. But it doesnt mean free will to move out on streets. We all must be responsible in slowing down.

Lockdown and social distancing in (sic) the only way to fight #COVID19, he tweeted.

He deleted it minutes later and clarified, “The tweet with respect of lockdown period was uploaded by an officer whose comprehension in Hindi was limited. And therefore same was removed.”

Speculation was rife that the shutdown might be extended beyond April 15, especially after the exponential jump in the number of coronavirus cases after the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in the national capital.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu also indicated that

some restrictions will remain in place.

M ay n o t # 2 1 d ay sLockdownIndia go waste.

Even after lockdown, follow corona prevention safety measures like wearing mask, cleanliness, distancing etc. Being responsible will save us, he wrote in another tweet.

Tagging the prime minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Pema Khandu further said it was time to leverage technology to fight coronavirus and not compete to announce packages.

“It is for all of us to be realistic and practical.

The fight could go for any length and we cant predict how things will turn,” he wrote.

He said it is a war which cannot be left for health workers, policemen or the government alone to fight and that the situation warrants that people of all different ideologies unite to defeat the enemy of the mankind.

“War has just began (sic) now. We can never be contended (sic). Let us no mistake (sic). Every 24 hours we must be alert; unitedly, we must fight to defeat the outbreak of #COVID19,” Khandu said in another tweet.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu also thanked the prime minister for his “exemplary leadership” in tackling COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

negative till Wednesday, Jampa said.

Arunachal Police traces 12 more people who attended Nizamuddin event The Arunachal Pradesh Police on Thursday traced 12 more persons, who had attended a congregation in Delhis Nizamuddin West last month, an officer said.

The police traced the 12 persons after the news of first COVID-19 case was reported from Lohit district of the state on Thursday morning, the offficer said.

The 12 persons who went to the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi, stayed in the National Capital from March 2 to 4, left Delhi on March 5 by train and reached Naharlagun railway station, near here, on March 7, Capital SP Tumme Amo said.

Of the 12 persons, four were traced in Itanagar, two in Naharlagun, one in Nirjuli and another five from Laluk in Assams North Lakhimpur district, the SP said.

“The individuals have been traced and have been

taken to Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) for necessary tests to be conducted,” Amo said.

TRIHMS sources said that the 12 persons are kept in the isolation ward and their swab samples have been collected and would be sent for test. The state government had already designated TRIHMS as the specialized hospital to deal with COVID-19 cases.

Earlier the state government had traced seven persons, including the 31-yearold man who tested positive for COVID-19 at Tezu and another six from Namsai district who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West last month.

32 Nizamuddin attendees of Tripura quarantined A total of 32 people from Tripura attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin and all of them have now been quarantined along with their family members, an official said on Thursday.

The religious event held last month has become a key source for the spread of coronavirus and six of its attendees from Telangana died of COVID-19.

The 32 people who were present at the congregation and 40 members of their families were placed in a quarantine facility, Nodal officer for coronavirus in Tripura, Deep Debbarma said.

Of the 72 people, 33 were tested at the states lone COVID -19 examination centre in the Agartala Government Medical College and Hospital and the results were negative for all, he said.

The test results of the remaining 39 are yet to come, Debbarma told PTI. He said, altogether 141 people have so far been examined in the state for novel coronavirus infection and none of them was tested positive.

Debbarma said altogether 7,070 people are now in quarantine in Tripura and 1,646 people have completed their quarantine period.

Lockdown necessitated to save lives: Manipur CM Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 2: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Thursday reiterated government’s appealed to the people to stay at home and maintain social distancing stating that it was is key to combating the pandemic COVID-19.

Addressing people of the state, Singh said the lockdown was essential to save lives and appealed for support and cooperation towards the nationwide lockdown to combat the pandemic COVID-19.

“We all must comply with the guidelines and preventive measures laid down by the World Health Organisation (WHO), ministry of health and family welfare, government of India and medical experts to fight the deadly disease,” he said.

Asserting that his government has taken all necessary measures to provide

essential commodities and grocery items to the public, the chief minister said there was no shortage of essential items like groceries, fuel and medicines in the state.

He stated that out of the 10 persons from the state who participated in the Tablighi Jammat Congregation at Delhi in the second week of March, one has tested positive for COVID-19.

As a precautionary measure, the state government has started tracking the movements and contact tracing of the infected patient.

All the family members of the infected person have been sent to the quarantine centre at RIMS, Imphal, he added.

He further appealed to the people to be transparent about their travel history outside the state as the disease is highly contagious.

On the Centre’s relief measures for the nationwide lockdown to combat the disease, Singh said that around 20 crore women Jan Dhan account holders will get Rs 500 per month for next three months.

Around 13.62 crore families under MNREGA will get increased daily wage of Rs 202 instead of Rs 182. An ex-gratia of Rs 1000 will be provided to around three crore senior citizen, widows and disabled persons.

Under the Prime Minister Kisan Yojana scheme, front-load of Rs 2000 to the 8.7 crore farmers will be provided during the first week of April.

The chief minister expressed his happiness over the production of hand sanitizers, masks etc. by students of Manipur University, Dhanamanjuri University and local entrepreneurs.

Doctor abused by MLA in Assam’s Cachar district, inquiry underway Silchar, Apr 2 (PTI): The Cachar district administration has ordered an inquiry into the alleged incident of abuse and harassment of a doctor on duty

by Barkhola’s BJP MLA Kishore Nath, a National Health Mission (NHM) official said on Thursday.

The inquiry will be conducted by the in-charge of Barkhola primary health centre Dr M Singh, NHM’s media official Suman Choudhury said.

The Assam Branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal demanding action against the MLA for allegedly abusing doctor Sujit Singh.

The doctor has filed an FIR against the MLA, his guards and associates for abusing him in the hospital on March 28.

A v i d e o s h ow i n g that the doctor on duty in Borkhala Primary Health Centre being abused, humiliated and punched by the BJP MLA also went viral on social media on March 31.

The Officer-in-Charge of Barkhola police station, Surajit Choudhury confirmed that a case has been registered under various sections of the IPC on the same day.

Choudhury said that the police has started an investigation into the matter and no one has been

arrested so far.

The argument between the doctor and MLA along with his guards began over the treatment of a newborn baby.

During the argument, the MLA, his guards and supporters scolded, abused and humiliated him, the doctor alleged.

The parents of the baby had raised a hue and cry and called the MLA who used vulgar and objectionable words, he said.

The BJP MLA Kishore Nath, in turn, alleged that the doctor was in an inebriated condition and the FIR was filed against him three days after he met the doctor in the hospital.

Nath claimed the video has been sent to the media to tarnish his public image.

It is a political conspiracy against him, the MLA claimed.

Meanwhile, in another incident, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Bar nali Sharma suspended a gov-

ernment employee for making “highly irresponsible comment on Facebook”.

The employee had posted derogatory comments against a particular community for attending a religious congregation in New Delhi, an official said.

The deputy commissioner in an order said, being a government servant, he should not have commented on the social media.

“Prima facie, it appears to be highly irresponsible.

He has been placed under suspension with immediate effect,” the deputy commissioner said.

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Manipur reports 2nd COVID-19 case; case linked to Nizamuddin event IMPHAL/ ITANAGAR/ Ag a rta l a , A p r 2 (PTI): Manipur on Thursday reported second confirmed COVID-19 case; a 65-year-old man linked with recent Nijamuddin religious event tested for the disease.

The state reported its first novel corona virus case after a 23-year-old woman who had history of travel in United Kingdom tested positive for the disease on March 24 last.

The 65-year-old COVID-19 patient is currently treated at the dedicated COVID-19 treatment block at RIMS hospital, Imphal, a press handout from COVID-19 Common Control Room in its report to the chief minister’s secretariat said.

He second COVID positive patient was among 10 persons from Manipur who attended the religious conference at Delhi’s Nizamuddin. Of the ten, he was the only one to test positive.

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Women’s T20 WC delivers recordTokyo 2020 delay a blessing for Neeraj breaking fan engagement numbers

MUMBAI, APR 2 (AGENCIES): Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will have to wait another year before chasing India’s first Olympic track and field medal in Tokyo but the delay may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, the 22-year-old has told Reuters.

The Commonwealth and Asian Games champion, seen as one of India’s best medal prospects at the Games, spent the whole of 2019 recovering from an elbow operation on his throwing arm.

He only qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in January with a throw of 87.86 meters at a low-key meet in South Africa — his first competitive outing since September 2018.

But with the Tokyo Games put back by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Chopra will have more time to get himself into peak form.

“I was probably not 100% fit after the surgery I had,” he told Reuters from the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, where he is in quarantine after returning from a training camp in Turkey.

“So the goal will be to be even better prepared than I was for this year’s Games.

Willian says Chelsea story nearing end RIO DE JANEIRO, APR 2 (IANS): Brazilian midfielder Willian has revealed that he is likely to leave Chelsea this summer after seven years with the Premier League club.

Willian, whose contract with the Blues expires in June, said he is open to offers from other clubs after talks about a new deal broke down, reports Xinhua news agency.

“I have a beautiful story at Chelsea. I have a great relationship with the fans and everybody at the club.

But my contract is ending and it’s going to be difficult,” the 31-year-old was quoted as saying by Brazilian news service Uol. “Chelsea offered me (a contract of) two years.

I asked for three and they said it was impossible. I don’t know if they can change their mind but, with the end of my current contract, I’m free to negotiate with any team.”

Willian has made 329 first-team appearances for Chelsea since joining the London club from Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013.

Neeraj Chopra

“I had found very little time to work on my technique as I was concentrating more on rehab. I didn’t have much time to work on my throws as I started very late. Now I will try to solve the problems that I have noticed.”

Chopra, who had to rush home from Turkey after India started banning flights from Europe to contain the spread of the coronavirus two weeks ago, was not surprised when the Games were put back to July and August of 2021.

“Even before the decision was announced, it had occurred to me that because of the prevailing situation it is quite likely that the Olympics will get postponed,” he said.

“But it’s not too much of a problem because with the way things are in the world today it was necessary to postpone the Games. There was no point in carrying on with the Games or athletes going to participate in this situation.”

Chopra became only

the third man from India to win an athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games when he took title in April 2018 with a throw of 86.47.

After throwing 87.43 at the Doha Diamond League meeting the following month he claimed a personal best at the Asian Games in Jakarta soon afterwards, his gold medal winning throw of 88.06 also the IAAF’s sixth longest of the year.

Hailing from the state of Haryana, which is better

COVID-19: All tennis events further suspended till July 13

Barcelona could offer Griezmann to get Neymar back

LONDON, APR 2 (IANS): The suspension placed on men’s and women’s tennis has been further extended until July 13 due to the continuing outbreak of coronavirus.

The suspended tournaments include ATP events in Hertogenbosch, Stuttgart, London-Queen’s, Halle, Mallorca, Eastbourne, as well as the WTA events in Hertogenbosch, Nottingham, Birmingham, Berlin, Eastbourne and Bad Homburg, in addition to the Wimbledon Grand Slam, according to a joint statement from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) released on Wednesday.

The 2020 edition of the Wimbledon has been officially cancelled and will now be held from June 28 to July 11, 2021.

It marked the first time since 1945 -- during the Second World War -- that the Championships won’t take place in a tennis season and the first time it has been cancelled in the Open era.

“This was a decision that the WTA and our members did not take

lightly, however we remain vigilant in protecting the health and safety of our players, staff and fans,” WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said.

“While we share in the disappointment of the season’s further postponement, our priority remains to support each other during this unprecedented time and work together as a sport in preparation of our return to play,” he added.

“Health and safety remains the top priority as we navigate the challenges ahead in these unprecedented times, and we will do everything we can for the Tour to resume at the earliest opportunity once it is safe to do so,” ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi echoed.

LO N D O N, A P R 2 (IANS): Spanish soccer giants FC Barcelona could part ways with Antoine Griezmann in order to bring back Neymar from Paris Saint Germain, according to a Sky Sports report.

Barelona have long wanted to bring Brazil forward back into their fold after he left them to join French heavyweights PSG in 2018.

PSG value Neymar at €150m while Barca value Griezmann at €100m, says the report as quoted by ESPNFC. France World Cup winner Griezmann has not been at his best form in his first season in Spain and selling him could aid the Lionel Messi-led side fund their summer spending.

Barca seem determined to sell Griezmann even if PSG don’t agree to the deal, though the current market might prevent such hefty deals from happening, given how many clubs are struggling financially as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the report further said.

known for producing wrestlers and kabaddi players, Chopra studied videos of Jan Zelezny after deciding to pick up a javelin.

Zelezny’s throw of 98.48 in 1996 still stands as the world record and Chopra says he modelled his own throwing style and technique on the Czech’s.

“I have heard that javelin athletes peak after 2425 years of age,” he said. “ E v e n w h e n Ja n Zelezny did the world record he was about 2829. So this one year may prove to be more fruitful for me.”

While India is credited with Norman Pritchard’s sprint and hurdles silver medals from the 1900 Olympics before it gained independence from Britain, the world’s second-most populous nation considers itself never to have won an athletics medal at the Games.

“If people have hopes of a medal from me, that is not really so much pressure,” Chopra said.

“It is a good thing for an athlete that people have these expectations and they think he can do well and make history.

“That is fine, my job is to try live up to those expectations.”

Australian Women’s Cricket team squad. (File)

DUBAI, APR 2 (IANS): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday revealed record digital and broadcast viewing figures for the Womens T20 World Cup 2020, which has become one of the most watched womens’ sporting events in history.

ICC’s digital channels were in overdrive during the February 21 to March 8 event in Australia, with an astonishing 1.1 billion total video views, making it the most watched ICC women’s event ever and the second most successful ICC event after the Men’s World Cup 2019.

The figure was more than 20 times the video

views delivered in the previous edition played in the West Indies in 2018 and 10 times the previous most successful women’s cricket event, which was the Women’s World Cup in 2017.

The record-breaking trend continued via broadcast with the final of the event achieving record viewership in both India and Australia, after their teams played in front of 86,174 fans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on International Women’s Day. As India made the final of the event for the first time, fans watched 1.78 billion viewing minutes of live match action on TV of that game alone. The figure is 59

times more than the final of the previous edition in 2018 between Australia and England, and comprised 35 per cent of the overall viewership for the tournament.

The live average audience for the final in India was 9.02 million, higher than all matches of the 2018 tournament played in the West Indies. This figure is 154 per cent higher than the second most viewed match in the competition – the tournament opener between Australia and India on February 21. The overall viewing minutes across the whole event in India was 5.4 billion, almost three times more than the 2018 edition.

New WWE program slot launched on SONY network MUMBAI, APR 2 (IANS): Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) on Thursday announced the launch of a new primetime programming slot, ‘WWE Blockbusters @ 8pm, exclusively on SONY TEN 1 and SONY TEN 3 channels.

WWE Blockbusters will celebrate some of the most iconic matches in WWE history, honouring WWE Legends and showcasing the current WWE Superstars representing flagship brands – RAW, SmackDown and NXT. Airing seven days a week, the program will showcase the best of classic and current in-ring action invoking a sense of nostalgia and anticipation among fans of all ages through iconic moments throughout WWE history.

WWE Blockbusters will feature actionpacked programming from WWE’s archives including countdown shows, WWE Network Originals and documentaries; and will feature WWE Legends including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, The Rock, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Triple H and

many more.

The program will celebrate a WWE Legend each month with a dedicated segment showcasing their storied career, airing every Sunday, titled ‘WWE Legend of the Month’. The segment launches with The Rock as April’s ‘WWE Legend of the Month’ followed by The Undertaker, ‘WWE Legend of the Month’ in May. It will also feature

WWE Superstars from today with the best matches from RAW, SmackDown and NXT. Rajesh Kaul, Head Sports and Chief Revenue Officer - Distribution, Sony Pictures Networks India, said: “Apart from the weekly live events, the new expanded five-year deal with WWE, for the first time, gives Sony Sports access to WWE’s extensive video library which includes best

of classic action, iconic matches in WWE History, interviews with WWE legends, behind the scenes action and more. WWE has a dedicated fan base and is one of the most watched properties in India.”

“I am glad that the passionate fans of WWE in India can watch all the superstars like John Cena, The Rock and The Undertaker amongst others on our network.”

World Cup was won by the entire Tony Lewis of ‘DLS method’ If I fail, I will never come back Indian team: Gautam Gambhir fame passes away at 78 to you: Tendulkar to Azharuddin

NEW DELHI, APR 2 (IANS): Former India opener Gautam Gambhir on Thursday lashed out at those only celebrating M.S. Dhoni’s six to win the 2011 World Cup, saying it was won by the entire team and not just one hit. India lifted the World Cup on this day nine years ago.

“Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!” these were Ravi Shastri’s words after Dhoni led India to a win in the 2011 World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium with a humongous six off Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Kulasekara.

With that six, Dhoni had fulfilled the long-cherished dreams of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who had all the batting records to his name in international cricket except his hands at the World Cup trophy. The Master Blaster had waited 22 years to lift

Gautam Gambhir

the trophy and on April 2, 2011, his dream was finally fulfilled.

ESPNCricinfo, therefore, tweeted “the shot that sent millions of Indians into jubilation” with a photo of the moment.

Gambhir, in his reply, said: “Just a reminder @ ESPNcricinfo: #worldcup2011 was won by entire India, entire Indian team & all support staff. High time you hit your obsession for a SIX.” The stylish left-hander had scored 97 while Dhoni, who had promoted himself to No

4, smashed an unbeaten 91 as India won by six wickets.

The BJP lawmaker on Thursday also pledged to donate his two years’ salary towards Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) set up for fight against coronavirus pandemic.

He has already released Rs one crore out of his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) Fund towards the relief efforts amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Before that, the BJP MP had said that his foundation, Gautam Gambhir Foundation, was distributing food packets to poor people in his constituency in New Delhi. East Delhi has a large number of daily wage labourers and many were not able to make arrangements for their food due to the 21-day lockdown.

LO N D O N, A P R 2 (IANS): Tony Lewis, the man renowned for devising cricket’s Duckworth-Lewis rain rules, has died. He was 78.

In 1999, Lewis in conjunction with his fellow mathematician Frank Duckworth, devised the rule which was officially adopted by the ICC to help calculate fair run-chases in the event of overs being lost to rain during that summer’s World Cup, reports ESPNcricinfo.

In 2014, the name of Steven Stern, an Australian professor from Queensland, was added to what is now known as the “DLS” method or the DuckworthLewis-Stern method, after he took over and made adjustments to the rule by taking into consideration modern day scoring rates.

The DLS method was first employed in 2015 World Cup played in Australia and New Zealand.

The rule, has been

Tony Lewis

criticised by many, especially with the advent of T20 cricket when wickets in hand -- a less critical factor in the shorter format -were deemed to have been given too much weight for sides batting second.

“It is with much sadness that the ECB has learned of the passing of Tony Lewis MBE, aged 78,” read a statement from England and Wales Cricket Board. “Cricket is deeply indebted to both Tony and Frank’s contributions to the sport. We send our sincere condolences to Tony’s family,” it added.

NEW DELHI, APR 2 (IANS): It is no secret that the legendary Sachin Tendulkar started his career as a middle-order batsman and it was only when Navjot Singh Sindhu got injured in New Zealand that the little master got his first opportunity at the top of the innings in ODIs. And Tendulkar has revealed that he asked skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and manager Ajit Wadekar to give him one chance in Auckland.

Speaking on his personal app 100MB, Tendulkar said: “When I left the hotel in the morning, I didn’t know am going to open the batting. We reached the ground and Azhar and Wadekar Sir was there in the dressing room. They said Sidhu is unfit because he has sprained his neck. So, who do we open with and I said give me one chance. I am so confident I can go out

Sachin Tendulkar

Mohammad Azharuddin

and attack all those bowlers. “The first reaction was why do I want to open?

But i was confident I could do that. And it was not like I would slog upfront and come back, I would continue batting after that and play my normal game which is attacking.

“Till then, only once in 1992 World Cup, Mark Greatbatch had done that because the normal trend was to play off the first 15 overs as the ball was new.

You would see the shine off and then slowly look to accelerate and press the pedal as hard as you can in

the last 7 to 8 overs. So, I thought if I could go and press the pedal hard in the first 15 overs, it would put a lot of pressure on the opposition and I said if i fail I will never come back to you, but give me one chance. And it clicked.”

Tendulkar finished with 82 runs from 49 balls that included 15 boundaries and two sixes. And there was no looking back as he went on to play some classics at the top of the order for India as he finished his ODI career with 18,426 runs that included 49 hundreds and 96 fifties.

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