April 6, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 120

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

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Besides NHAK, biosafety lab likely in Dmu

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 5 (NPN): Minister of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) S. Pangnyu Phom on Sunday said that the state government has plans to also setup a COVID-19 testing laboratory in Dimapur in addition to the proposed bio safety laboratory at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima.

In a telephonic interview to Nagaland Post, Pangnyu said the state government considered Dimapur as a primary concern because of its size and dense population and also being the gateway to Nagaland and for which extra focus was being made to fight COVID-19 pandemic. Pangnyu reiterated that the state has been putting all efforts to ensure that the state should at least have a testing laboratory for COVID-19.

He said any failure to check and contain COVID-19 in Dimapur could spur its spread to other parts of the state.

While admitting that there was much more to be done, Pangnyu was optimistic that the doctors were giving their best to fight the deadly pandemic.

Pangnyu has also appealed to all health professionals, particularly retired doctors, to volunteer and help those in the

DRDO designs full body disinfection chamber, spl mask NEW DELHI, APR 5 (PTI): Joining efforts to fight COVID-19, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed a full-body disinfection chamber and a special face protection mask for healthcare professionals, officials said. The special chamber called ‘PSE’ has been designed by Vehicle Research Development Establishment, Ahmednagar, a DRDO Lab. The walk through enclosure is designed for personnel decontamination, one person at a time. It is a portable system equipped with sanitiser and soap dispenser, officials said. The decontamination is started using a foot pedal at the entry.

(Full report on p-5)

DC Dimapur warns

DIMAPUR, APR 5 (NPN): Taking serious note of a voice message that had gone viral on social media, where the person had purportedly quoted the deputy commissioner Dimapur, the DC Anoop Kinchi clarified that no such orders, as stated in the voice message, were issued. In a press note, Kinchi warned that stern action would be initiated against those spreading such rumours in social media.

This is it!

“That’s all we can eat till lockdown ends. If you want better, then go to the relief camp.”

K Y M C

S. Pangnyu Phom (NP)

frontline combating COVID-19 across the state.

Meanwhile, with ‘Nil’ report of COVID-19 in the state, the authorities are mulling to step up efforts through proactive measures that could include an outreach to conduct a greater degree of screening.

Of all North Eastern states, only Nagaland, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tripura have recorded ‘Nil’ report on COVID19 cases. The news of setting up of a Bio Safe Laboratory in the state (one each at Kohima and Dimapur) will enhance not only the current efforts to contain spread of COVID-19 but would also prove a boon against other viral pandemic diseases such as Ebola, Chikungunya, Den-

gue, Nipah, Zika, MERS-CoV, SARS, Hantavirus etc.

While setting up Bio Safety labs, protection for laboratory personnel, the environment and the local community must be considered and ensured. The protections required by these types of activities are defined as bio safety levels. Biological safety levels are ranked from one to four and are selected based on the agents or organisms on which the research or work is being conducted. Each level up builds on the previous level, adding constraints and barriers.

The four levels include: Biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) is suitable for work with wellcharacterized agents which do not cause disease in healthy humans. Biosafety level-2 is almost similar to Biosafety level 1 except with additional precautions such as specific training for lab personnel handling pathogenic agents and under supervision of scientists with advance training.

Access is limited when work is being conducted and extreme precautions taken with contaminated items. Biosafety level 3(BSL-3): is appropriate for work involving microbes which can cause serious and potentially lethal disease via the inhalation route. Here,

the precautions undertaken in BSL-1 and BSL-2 labs are followed including additional measures such as lab assistant are provided with solid-front protective clothing and cannot be worn outside but discarded and destroyed after use.

Also the lab assistants are provided medical surveillance and relevant immunisation to reduce risk from unnoticed infection. Biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) is the highest level of biosafety precautions, and is appropriate for work with agents that could easily be aerosol-transmitted within the laboratory and cause severe to fatal disease in humans for which there are no available vaccines or treatments such as presently, the Covid-19 (Coronavirus). In a protectivesuit laboratory, all work must be done in a class II biosafety cabinet by personnel wearing a positive pressure suit.

In order to exit the BSL-4 laboratory, personnel must pass through a chemical shower for decontamination, then a room for removing the positivepressure suit, followed by a personal shower. Entry into the BSL-4 laboratory is restricted to trained and authorized individuals, and all persons entering and exiting the laboratory must be recorded.

Decision on reopening schools, colleges to be taken on Apr 14: MHRD NEW DELHI, APR 5 (PTI): Centre will take a decision on reopening of schools and colleges on April 14 after reviewing the coronavirus situation in the country, Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said on Sunday.

The 21-day nationwide lockdown ends on April 14.

There have been indications from the government that the lockdown may not be extended.

In an interview to PTI, he said the safety of students and teachers is of utmost importance to the government and that his ministry is prepared to ensure there is no academic loss to students if educational institutions needed to remain shut beyond April 14, when the ongoing 21-day lockdown is slated to end. “It is difficult to take a decision at the moment. We will review the situation on April 14

and depending upon the circumstances, a decision will be taken on whether schools and colleges can be reopened now or have to be closed for some more time,” Pokhriyal said when asked about his Ministry’s postlockdown plan.

“There are 34 crore students in the country, more than America’s population.

They are our biggest treasure. Safety of students and teachers is of utmost importance to the government,” he added. Classes in schools and colleges were suspended and exams postponed even before the lockdown was announced on March 24, which came into effect from the next day. There are over 800 universities, 40,000 colleges and 12,000 standalone Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), besides 1.5 lakh schools in the country.

“The classes are already being conducted on-

line using various government platforms like Swayam and Diksha. The platforms are being widely accessed by students. We are prepared to ensure there is no academic loss to students if need arises to keep schools, colleges closed beyond April 14. I am regularly reviewing the plan of action being followed by schools and colleges during the lockdown,” he said.

The government also announced earlier this week that the Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct pending exams for class 10 and 12 only in those 29 subjects which are crucial for promotion and admission to higher educational institutions. “All students upto class 8 have been promoted. For class 9 and 11 students, schools have been asked to grade them as per their performance in internal assessment...” it said.

Covid-19: Assam-26 cases; NE-30 NORTHEAST, PAGE 7

COVID-19 cases in India climb to 3,922; death toll as on Apr 5 at 107 NEW DELHI, APR 5 (AGENCIES): Over 500 novel coronavirus cases have been reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of cases past the 3,900 mark, the Health Ministry said on Sunday evening.

The death toll has increased to 107 and 304 patients have recovered from the highly contagious disease. One had migrated to another country, it said.

Out of the total confirmed Covid19 cases, 65 are foreign nationals. Active cases in the country rose to 3,219. Delhi has the highest number of cases at 503 followed by Maharashtra (490), Tamil Nadu (485) and Kerala (306).

Delhi has been the worst-hit state from the deadly virus, reporting 503 positive cases and 7 deaths. “274 districts across the country have been affected due to coronavirus till date,” informed Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry.

“We are chasing the virus rather than the other way around and India’s strategy continues to be preventive. We rather be over prepared,” Lav Agarwal said at Sunday’s press briefing.

Addressing the spread of this highly contagious virus, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that so far, there has been no evidence of Covid-19 virus being airborne.

More than 1,000 people who attended the religious held by Islamic group Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi last month have tested positive, the government said on Saturday.

Modi dials Sonia, ex-Presidents to discuss COVID-19

NEW DELHI, APR 5 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday called two former Presidents, Pranab Mukherjee and Pratibha Patil and all senior opposition leaders of the country including former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Devegowda, to discuss the coronavirus outbreak in the country, sources told NDTV. The other leaders he called included Congress’s Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi Party’s Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool chief and Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik, south leaders KCR, MK Stalin, and ally Parkash Singh Badal.

Sources said the PM’s outreach was part of the wider consultations being held on the modalities of lifting the lockdown, whenever that happens.

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON APRIL 5, 2020 NORTH EAST

CONFIRMED

RECOVERED DEATH

Nagaland

Nil

Nil

Nil

Assam

26

Nil

Nil

Manipur

2

Nil

Nil

Mizoram

1

Nil

Nil

Arunachal Pradesh

1

Nil

Nil

3922

304

107

India

No COVID-19 case in Nagaland so far DIMAPUR, APR 5 (NPN): Nagaland continued to have zero cases of COVID-19 as 45 out of the 47 samples sent for testing have tested negative till 5 pm on Sunday, while results of two samples were still awaited.

In an update on COVID-19 status in the State provided by principal secretary home Abhijit Sinha, it was also mentioned that the Health & Family Welfare department has till date, designated four hospitals as COVID-19 hospitals – Chedema Ayush Hospital, District Hospital Dimapur, TB Hospital, Mokokchung and District Hospital Tuensang – till now with a total bed capacity of 210.

He claimed that preparations were underway for designating another five hospitals as COVID-19 hospitals, which would increase the bed capacity by another 260.

The number of quarantine facilities in the State is right now 43 with 1,264 beds.

The principal secretary said efforts were also being made through various means to find out all those people from Nagaland who had attended the religious congregation at Nizamuddin, New Delhi and have not yet reported or been contacted by the administration.

(Cont’d on p-5)

MCD clarifies on Markaz issue NCD appeals to DIMAPUR, APR 5 (NPN): Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD) has clarified that, as per Tablighi Jammat (Preaching Group), only one person from Nagaland went to Markaz at Nizamuddin in Delhi to attend the congregation of March 7 and 8 and returned to Dimapur on March 12.

And upon receiving the information, the council claimed in a statement that it had immediately traced him out and handed him over to medical authorities, adding that later his family too was put under quarantine and all had tested negative for COVID-19.

In a statement, MCD working president A. Rahman said two more persons from New Market who actually went to Delhi’s Nizamuddin for business purposes were also identified and handed over to the authorities, besides being put under quarantine at the facilities in Dimapur. The duo too tested negative for

COVID-19, it claimed.

Clarifying to a letter circulated on social media and signed by Old Showuba Village Council, Dimapur chairman Keron Janger on Sunday that had a list of 10 people returning from a religious gathering in Guwahati on March 20, the council claimed that all of them had been put in home quarantine.

According to the council, this group had been in Tabliq Jammat at Narangi in Guwahati since February 10 and, on competition of 40 days, returned on March 21.

The members in the group were also checked at Dimapur railway station and had gone to their respective villages, it added.

This group was in Guwahati for the entire 40 days period before their arrival on March 21, the statement specified.

Admitting that due to the Tablighi/Nizamuddin issue there was a growing

Dimapur citizens

DIMAPUR, APR 5 (NPN): Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has appealed to the public to comply with directives being issued by the state government and the district administration from time to time. NCD general secretary Thsapongkyu Sangtam pointed out that most people were following the directives issued by the authorities.

With the lockdown being relaxed from April 6, NCD urged public to buy essential items only from their respective colonies or village shops and to remain social distancing while shopping.

While appreciating the hard work and sacrifices by medical fraternity and policemen, NCD expressed pain over the April 3 assault on a doctor by STF personnel.

NCD hoped and prayed that such incidents do not recur particularly between medical and police personnel who were virtually running the (Cont’d on p-5) country during such crisis.

Palm Sunday observed without Church service Govt calls for trained volunteers under AMS Staff Reporter/Correspondent phant entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem before DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, his crucifixion. Christians APR 5 (NPN): It was prob- across the world celebrate ably for the first time since the day by carrying out proChristianity dawned on cessions, organising special Naga soil that churches services and distributing across Nagaland wore a de- palm leaves. serted look on a Palm SunSpeaking to Nagaland day. As the believers were Post, Nagaland Baptist encouraged to observe the Church Council (NBCC) holy day with their family general secretary Rev Zelmembers at their respective hou Keyho clarified that the homes because of the ongo- council did not issue any ing nationwide lockdown in directive to Baptist churches view of the COVID-19 pan- across the State regarding to demic, churches remained observance of Palm Sunday, empty on Sunday.

Good Friday and Easter However, the lockdown Sunday. However, though did not dampen the spirits of no formal church services believers as they found ways were held to mark the occato celebrate the beginning of sion to adhere to the social the Holy Week. Many deco- distancing norm, he said rated their homes with palm it was left to the wisdom leaves and organised special of the churches how best services and held feasts with to observe the special octheir family members. casions under the present Palm Sunday, also circumstances. known as Passion Sunday, On the occasion of commemorates the trium- Palm Sunday, Keyho re-

marked that though Palm Sunday was an important day in the Christian calendar, believers were unable to come together for community worshipping this time for “our own good and protect ourselves” from COVID-19 pandemic.

He however said the good news was that Christians could still worship, have meaningful family prayer time and listen to the words proclaimed through live-streaming by the pastors. He said Christians in such times should not lose heart because true worship and celebration, which “our Almighty God desires from us comes from the heart”.

Explaining the significance of Palm Sunday that signifies victory, triumph, peace and salvation, Keyho called upon all Christians to pray that God would calm “our” troubled hearts and impart His peace and

continue to protect “us and give us victory over our fear”. He urged the believers during this uncertain moment to cry to God to save them from the attack of coronavirus and restore normal life once again. He also asked them to pray that God establishes His Kingdom in such a situation and calm this unprecedented storm in the history of mankind.

While the churches remained empty, many church leaders opted to reach out to their members through the help of modern technology and encouraged members to hold “devotional services” at their respective homes with their families.

Some churches resorted to live streaming on popular social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, while others utilised steaming option available on YouTube.

DIMAPUR, APR 5 (NPN): State Home commissioner, Abhijit Sinha has called for the utilization of the service of volunteers trained under Aapda Mitra Scheme (AMS) to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, a DIPR report stated.

In view of the gravity and magnitude of the

challenge to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Sinha said the government has considered utilizing the service of the volunteers.

He informed that the volunteers would be responsible for providing services such as relief related works like providing medicines, food, clothing

and other items to the disabled, elderly and needy persons and also generation of awareness among the people to adopt measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

He added that if necessary, the volunteers may be suitably trained to tackle the pandemic.

Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi along with his family and others light candles in support of the clarion call made by PM Modi to show “solidarity and confidence in the collective (Cont’d on p-5) fight” against Covid-19 at Raj Bhavan Kohima on Sunday. (Raj Bhavan) K Y M C

state

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Orders, information and appeals in regard to COVID-19

Personnel of 12 IRB with a volunteer on duty along the Assam-Nagaland border on April 4. (DIPR)

Zhaleo Rio with medical staff at CHC Medziphema during inspection for preparedness on April 4.

DIMAPUR: Due to the prevailing situation at the possible outbreak of COVID-19 into Nagaland state, the Assam-Nagaland border has been sealed.

Various orders, information, appeals and visitations are being made by government agencies to safeguard the welfare of public in the state. Meanwhile, public organisations have also been making appeals and taking measures for protection of the people.

Assam-Nagaland border sealed: Additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Bhandari, Tiameren Chang on April 4 has issued a directive that the Assam-Nagaland border stretch under Bhandari sub-division shall remain totally sealed, entry or exit from any routes including footpaths until further order. According to DIPR report, the order further

galuru only to entertain on issue related to COVID19. Committee members are: Mughato Kiba convener 8951820724; Pongkyuse Sangtam coconvener 9686989630; Apong Quinker fincance secretar y 8217303968; Zakietuo Noudi member 8147597131; Nuthipru Nienu member 8553520551; Manpa Konyak member 9148809928. Any of these executives can be reached out for any assistance related to COVID-19 lockdown.

DC Tuensang informs on free counselling services: Deputy commissioner, Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant has informed that to support the holistic wellbeing of persons under quarantine facility/home observation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the All Nagaland Counselors Association (ANCA) will

stated that punitive punishment shall be taken against any person violating the same. Directive was also issued to the village councils in the inter-state border area villages, to strictly monitor movement of people and to extend fullest cooperation to the district administration and to the police for effective implementation of the order.

Zhaleo Rio inspects preparedness for COVID19: Advisor of Sericulture, Excise & Minority Affairs, GoN, Zhaleo Rio visited CHC Medziphema on April 4 to inspect the preparedness for COVID-19.

A press release from NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/C media secretary, Thejangukho Yalietsu stated that, Zhaleo interacted with doctors and was updated about the preparations, isolation wards, etc. while the hospital authority lamented on acute shortage of requisite

protective kits.

NDPP Zunheboto appeals: Zunheboto district has received three consignments of medical equipments as per report received, however immediate delivery of additional ventilator, portable ventilators-ray machine, regulators and thermal scanners for District Hospital and check posts is a priority. A press release from NDPP Zunheboto region media and community has therefore appealed to the government to look into the needs and provide the same at the earliest.

NDPP Zunheboto region also extended gratitude to chief minister for assigning minister G.Kaito Aye & advisor Khehovi Yeptho to Zunheboto district for monitoring and implementing effective measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19. NDPP Zunheboto region also

conveyed appreciation to medical fraternity in the district under the CMO Dr. Khehokhu Chishi and Dy. CMO Dr. Akaho Awomi.

The release stated that due to their tireless efforts quarantine facilities have been arranged in 12 (twelve) towns within the district and isolation facilities have been earmarked at 15 (fifteen) locations in the district.

NSUB & ENSUB form Naga Task Force Bengaluru: Naga Students Union Bengaluru (NSUB) held a joint meeting with Eastern Naga Students Union Bengaluru (ENSUB) on April 1 and formed a committee “Naga Task Force Bengaluru” to tackle the COVID-19 related issues. A press release from NSUB president Mughato Kiba and general secretary, Paul N. Rengma stated that, the committee is to help all the Nagas in Ben-

be rendering free telephonic counselling services.

Therefore, any person requiring telephonic counselling service may send request message through WhatsApp to the number 7005251298 with the following details: name, age/ gender, place of calling and presenting problem or reason in brief. Timing for counselling will be as follows: Client at quarantine facility 10 a.m to 5 p.m; Client in home quarantine 6 a.m to 9 p.m. The service is voluntary and strict confidentiality of the client will be maintained.

DC Mon notifies on permits for movement: Deputy commissioner (DC), Mon Thavaseelan K has notified that in the interest of public health and safety and with an aim to prevent and contain spread of COVID-19, the following directives have been issued: Public move-

ment permit will be issued for each household under Mon town; Only 1 (one) person from a household will be permitted to go out for purchase of essential commodities, medicines and visit ATM only on the production of this permit in original; Shopkeepers shall sell the essential commodities to customers only on the production of this permit in original; This permit will not be issued to home quarantine households until completion of the quarantine period.

MALT appeals to Social Welfare department: Mangkolemba Ao Youth Organization (MALT) has appealed department of Social Welfare to implement the process of supplying food grain, particularly rice instead of other commodities like biscuits, playthings etc. which are being normally supplied for Mangkolemba sub-divi-

sion. An appeal by MALT president I. Tia Jamir and secretary Alangchang stated that, rice being one of the staple food, supply of this item in place of other provisions would be more beneficial. MALT urged the concerned department for implementation of this process until such time the nationwide lockdown is relaxed and situation become stable. MALT further expressed its appreciation and gratitude to the additional deputy commissioner Mangkolemba and his team for successfully implementing the lockdown so far and tackling the situation effectively. The organization also thanked the security personnel, medical staff, ASHAs, anganwadi workers, all ward chairman & GBs, volunteers and Mangkolemba Baptist Church for their service in the fight against COVID-19.

Condemnations on alleged assault of doctor Guidelines for farming sector during lockdown

DIMAPUR: Various organisations have strongly condemned the assault on Dr. Nosezol (Sezo), senior medical officer Medziphema and COVID-19 quarantine officer allegedly by personnel of the Special Task Force (STF) on April 3, while he was returning home after work on COVID-19 preparedness.

NPDA: Nagaland Private Doctors Association (NPDA) has strongly condemned the shocking act of brutality saying this act of unprovoked brutality on a doctor display total disregard for law and caregivers. NPDA appealed the competent authorities to take swift action for justice and to safeguard the welfare of the health professionals during COVID-19 pandemic.

IAP Nagaland: Indian Academy Pediatrics (IAP) Nagaland state branch has strongly condemned the brutality and demanded for appropriate action at the earliest. IAP Nagaland said in these difficult times when the health professional are on the frontline of defence against COVID-19, such decadent behaviour by the police personnel was demoralizing.

KOGSN: Kohima Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society of Nagaland (KOGSN) has strongly condemned the assault of its colleague even after he identified himself as a doctor.

KOGSN has called upon the law enforcing authority to take on the matter vehemently and also ensure that all healthcare providers were given assurance of security in a time of uncertain crisis. KOGSN said the need of the hour was to address the issue with fervor and urgency.

KGOF: Kidima Gazetted Officers’ Forum (KGOF) vehemently condemned the inhumane act and brutal assault meted out to one of its member Dr. Nosezol Sezo. A condemnation by KGOF strongly expressed its anguish and disappointment over the attitude of security personnel for their “arrogance and high-handedness” upon a health worker at

this situation. KGOF earnestly appealed to the competent authority to take disciplinary action against the culprit(s) at the earliest so as to avoid any such untoward incident in future.

RCK: Rotetso Clan Kidima (RCK) village in a condemnation note demanded immediate and prompt disciplinary action on the erring security personnel involved in this incident either by suspension or termination from service without further delay.

At the same time, RCK also conveyed appreciation to DGP Nagaland, T. J. Longkumer for tendering apology on behalf of his personnel and also requested him to expedite the inquiry/ investigation on time bound manner and deliver justice at the earliest.

CYO: Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO) has vehemently condemned the assault and is extremely angered by the provoking and impolite high-handedness of the police personnel. CYO in a condemnation while acknowledging the wisdom and timely intervention of the director general of Police also demanded that the erring police personnel be booked and terminated from the service immediately. CYO also appealed the law enforcing authority to meticulously brief the personnel before they are deployed and to maintain the right norms/protocols and local ethos besides their own, further which if any such incident occurs the CYO will not remain a silent spectator.

TKC and TYC Kidima: Temi Khel Council (TKC) and Temi Youth Club (TYC) Kidima in a condemnation note questioned the authority whether there was any order to check/manhandle/check the mask of medical doctor who was returning from official duty, if not why did they assault him and damaged his car even after disclosing his identity. The two bodies requested the concerned authority to disclose the names of police personnel and commander-incharge involved in the barbaric act. It asked that the service of the erring personnel involved in

the act be immediately terminated and order be published publicly to ensure that no such atrocities were committed in the near future. If the authority fails to respond accordingly, the two bodies stated that it would determine its future course of action as deemed fit.

CCCPO: Chumoukedima Circle Chakhroma Public Organisation (CCCPO) has strongly condemned the unwarranted physical assault and brutality meted out on Dr. Nosezol Seso. CCCPO has urged upon the concerned authority to bring out the truth and punish the guilty and also compensate the victimized doctor for damage caused on his physical self and property.

TNAI Dimapur unit: Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) Dimapur unit in a condemnation stated that the medical fraternity were first in line of the frontline defense against COVID-19, working overtime and risking their lives every single day, while striving to save the lives of others.

TNAI Dimapur unit requested the authorities and the general public to acknowledge their services by showing respect to their profession.

OBASS Nagaland Chapter: Old Boys Association of Sainik Schools (OBASS), Nagaland Chapter has strongly condemned the heinous and barbaric crime committed by a group of unscrupulous elements. Association appeals to the police and administration to immediately book the culprits and bring to justice without delay.

ASTD: Ao SensoTelongjem Dimapur (ASTD) in a condemnation has appealed to the concerned authority to take appropriate action against the erring personal(s) as per provision of law. ASTD further requested the general public of Dimapur to adhere to the guidelines and directives adopted and issued by the state government as well as district administration for prevention and safety at large.

CAKYO: Chakhro Angami Kuda Youth Organisation (CAKYO) in a condemnation

has strongly demanded immediate action from the highest office of the police department of Nagaland, to institute an investigation team headed by a third party in the rank not less than a commissioner and the culprit should not be let free.

CAKYO also asked for immediate termination of the guilty with full details of personnel to the public without bias or partiality. It also added that victim’s medical expenses should be meted out and to replace the damaged car with a new car.

CAKYO further stated that police security should be provided to all doctors and medical professionals on duty as they are prone to such brutality in the hands of police, as long as lockdown continues.

SAYO: Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) has expressed shock over the brutal assault to one of its bonafide member Dr. Nosezol Sezo. SAYO stated that it strongly condemns the barbaric act and further appealed the authority to take appropriate action against the erring personal according to the law.

EDBA: East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) vehemently condemned the dastardly act and termed it as high degree of indiscipline which cannot be tolerated in any way. EDBA in a condemnation note has called for immediate action to book and punish those erring personnel without any exemption.

It warned of future action if justice is not brought about immediately.

KCDA: Kidima Community Dimapur Area (KCDA) in a condemnation note stated that, it was outraged by the indignation of the police personnel towards Dr. Sezo as attack on a doctor by another frontline worker shows one’s frustration. KCDA has demanded that the authority take stern action against the perpetrators and call for immediate suspension of the personnel involved.

KDCA also demanded for appropriate financial compensation for the medical expense and damage to the vehicle at the earliest.

DIMAPUR: Agricultural and allied activities exempted from lockdown; Veterinary hospitals; Agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations; ‘Mandis’ operated by the agriculture produce market committee or as notified by the state government; Farming operations by farmers and farm workers in the field; Custom hiring centres (CHC) related to farm machinery; Manufacturing and packaging units of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds; Intra and inter-state movement of harvesting and sowing related machines like combined harvester and other agriculture/ horticulture implements. These exemptions will facilitate unhindered activities related to agriculture and farming so as to ensure essential supplies and farmers do not face any difficulty during the lockdown. Necessary directions to the concerned ministries/ department of states and UTs have been issued for implementation during lockdown. Based on the policy directions of GoI, various ministries/departments of state governments issued implementation guidelines to facilitate continuation of activities related to agriculture and allied sectors.

Advisory for farmers, harvesting & threshing of crops: Amidst the threat of COVID-19 spread, the rabi crops are approaching maturity. Farmers are to follow precautions and safety measures to be taken to prevent the disease spread. Simple measures include social distancing, maintaining personal hygiene by washing of hands with soap, wearing of face mask, protective clothing and cleaning of implements and machinery. Workers are to follow safety measures and social distancing at each and every step in the entire process of field operations; Harvesting of wheat is approaching in several northern states through combine harvesters and their movement within state and between states has been permitted. Precautions and safety measures of workers engaged in repair, maintenance and harvesting operation is to be ensured; Mustard is the second important rabi crop, manual harvesting is in progress and threshing is due wherever already harvested; Harvesting of lentil, maize and chillies is in

progress and gram is fast approaching; Sugarcane harvesting is at peak and is also time for manual planting in the north; Measures of personal hygiene and social distancing to be followed by those engaged in harvesting of all field crops, fruits, vegetables, eggs and fishes before, during and after executing the field operation; In case of manual field operations of harvesting/ picking, accomplish the operation in 4-5 feet spaced strips assigning one strip to one person. This will ensure adequate spacing between the engaged labours; All the persons engaged should use masks and ensure hand washing with shop at reasonable intervals; Maintain safe distance of 3-4 feet during rest, taking of meals, transfer of produce at collection point, loading/unloading; Stagger the field operations wherever possible and avoid engaging more number of persons on the same day; Engage only familiar persons to the extent possible and after reasonable enquiry as to avoid the entry of any suspect or likely carrier during field activity; Prefer mechanized operations over the manual wherever feasible. Only the essential numbers of persons should be allowed to accompany the machine; All machines should be sanitized at the entry point and at regular intervals. All transport vehicles, gunny bags or other packaging material should also be sanitized; The collection of the produce may be done in small heaps spaced at 3-4 feets and field level processing should be assigned to 1-2 persons/heap to avoid crowding; Proper sanitation and cleanliness of threshers for harvested maize and groundnut is to be maintained especially when machines are shared and used by farmer groups. Copious washing of machine parts frequently touched with soap is advised.

Post-harvest, storage and marketing of farm produce: While performing drying, threshing, winnowing, cleaning, grading, sorting and packaging operations at the farm level, wearing of protective face mask may help against aerosols and dust particles to prevent respiratory difficulties; Ensure proper drying prior to storage of harvested grains, millets, pulses at farm/ home and do not use reuse previous seasons jute bags to prevent pest

infestation. Use treated and dried gunnies after soaking in 5% neem solution; Adequate pre-cautions to be taken for storage of produce at the farm in jute bags that are made available in sufficient numbers to farmers or in nearby cold storages/ godowns/warehouses, if needed for better price realization; Adequate personal safety measures to be taken for loading and transporting of farm produce and while participating in sale at market yards/ auction platforms; Seed producer farmers are permitted to transport to seed companies with supporting documents and to follow precautions while receiving payments; Seed processing/packaging plants and transportation of seed from seed producing states to growing states (South to north) is essential to make available seed for ensuing kharif crops eg. SSG seed for green fodder for sowing in April in north comes from southern states; Precautions to be followed for direct marketing/supply of vegetables such as tomato, cauliflower, green leafy vegetables, cucumbers and other cucurbits from farms Standing field crops: The temperature in most of the wheat growing areas is still below longterm average and likely to delay wheat harvesting by at least 10-15 days beyond April 10, therefore, farmers can delay wheat harvesting till April 20 without incurring any significant loss, which gives enough time to manage logistics for procurement and announcement of dates; Rabi paddy in grain filling stage in southern states is widely affected due to neck blast incidence, adequate pre-cautions to be taken while spraying of recommended fungicide by contract sprayers/farmers; In case of any unseasonal rain at harvesting stage in paddy, spray 5% salt solution to prevent seed germination; In horticultural crops at fruiting stage such as mango, while carrying out field operations related to nutrient sprays and crop protection adequate precautions in handling of inputs, mixing, delivery and washing of equipment is to be undertaken; In summer pulses in rice fallows, whitefly management with proper safety measures may be taken up to prevent yellow mosaic virus incidence.

3

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Reliefs and donations continue during nationwide lockdown

Officials of ADC Meluri sub-division with the donation amount given by Yitachu, Migrant labourers, daily wage earners and stranded students receiving the relief DC M. Shayung Phom giving free ration to a stranded MLA in Meluri. materials. (DIPR) student in Longleng on Sunday. (DIPR)

Public during the distribution of food ration by district administration. (DIPR)

Daily wage earners and stranded labourers avail ration in Satakha.

Doctors from VCJ distributing hand sanitizers.

Anganwadi workers distributing take home ration for EAC Tening Tumben P. Tsanglao with the stranded students at Azalilong village on Wage earners and labourers collecting their share of food grains from the KTBL lactating mothers, pregnant women and children.

April 5. (DIPR) on April 4. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Public leaders, government agencies and civil organisations continue to reach out to needy people during the nationwide lockdown period to combat against the deadly COVID-19. Help is given to the most genuine and needy people who are unable to sustain their livelihood during these difficult times.

Yitachu MLA donates to Meluri sub-division: Yitachu, MLA 20 A/C Meluri has donated towards alleviating the problems faced by public in Meluri sub-division which borders with Myanmar and is devoid of medical facilities till date. A press release from ADC Meluri Chubatemjen stated that, officers and staff of office of ADC Meluri and all members of COVID-19 committee and public have extended gratitude to Yitachu, for his generous contribution and assistance towards containment of COVID-19 at Meluri sub-division.

Eshak Konyak MLA donates towards COVID-19: Eshak Konyak, MLA 47 A/C Aboi donated a sum of Rupees three lakhs and ten thousand to ADC Aboi Ajit Kumar Ranjan and EAC Aboi in the presence of KU, KNSK, AASU, ATSU, 13 nagalandpost.com Poll union presidents and public leaders of Aboi town at his Q.: Is China hiding facts a b o u t C O V I D - 1 9 residence, towards the fight against COVID-19. A press casualties ? release from Konyak Union 100% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (KU) branch Aboi president 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

A B C

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Pangao Konyak and general secretary, Phongnyei Changkhu stated that, MLA instructed for the donation to be given to the genuine poor households of Aboi town. Eshak also advised to strictly follow directives of the medical experts, KU Aboi and administration.

Wokha district administration & DDMA provides relief: Wokha district administration and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) distributed emergency relief like rice and pulses to migrant workers/labourers, and daily wage earners whose livelihood income were affected by the lockdown in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. According to DIPR report, distribution was carried out at town hall Wokha on April 5, under the supervision of district administration, Police, Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industries, officials from ADS and district project associate, DPA (DDMA) Wokha. 458 (four hundred and fifty eight) migrant workers, daily wage earners and 14 (fourteen) stranded students were provided relief. District administration also informed that relief materials will be distributed in all the sub-divisions, wards, colonies and villages in the district in coordination with the concerned authorities/councils in the coming days.

Longleng district administration provides free ration to stranded students: Alongside with providing essential commodities to the public, the Longleng district administration has identified 21 stranded students

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B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

86% 0% 14%

Next poll

Q: W i l l d o m e s t i c a n d

international travel by plane after end of lockdown spur COVID 19 infection?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST April 6

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hot with hazy sunshine

39 21

Aizawl

Hazy sun

Guwahati Hazy sunshine and hot Imphal

Hazy sunshine

Itanagar A morning shower; hazy sun

31 16

Water supplier Kilem giving free water supply to residents’ mostly non-local families at Middle Penli Ward in Mokokchung town. (NP)

36 16

Correspondent

31 12 30 16

Shillong

Hazy sunshine

25 12

Kohima

Hazy sun

26 12

Dimapur Hazy sunshine

34 16

Hazy sun

27 12

Tuensang Cooler with hazy sun

18 8

Hazy sun

26 16

Zunheboto Hazy sun

24 10

Mkg Wokha

K Y M C

preparation got exhausted and due to lockdown was not able to procure. He added that the college would be able to prepare more hand sanitizers and distribute to the villagers as well as health workers to contain the spread of the deadly COVID-19.

Anganwadi centres render nutritional support: In compliance with directives from Ministry of Women and Child Development, and in view of prevailing COVID19 situation, department of Social Welfare, Nagaland, rendered nutritional support to children of ages 0-6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers in form of “take home ration” through respective Anganwadi centres throughout the state.

Tening administration distributes food to stranded students: Extra assistant commissioner (EAC), Tumben P. Tsanglao on April 5 distributed food stuff to 19 stranded students in Rani Gaindinliu Gurukulum Hostel at Azalilong village. According to DIPR report, five students from Assam and two from Nagaland were among the stranded.

KTBL provides food grains to wage earners and labourers: Kiphire Town Baptist Lithro (KTBL) has also reached out to the daily wage earners and labourers during the ongoing lockdown period. According to DIPR report, the KTBL distributed 5 kgs of food grains to 610 beneficiaries in all the eleven ward of Kiphire town on April 4.

Mkg comes up with noble initiatives for residents

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from various schools under Longleng town. According to DIPR report, the administration provided free ration and other essential commodities at DC’s office complex by the deputy commissioner Longleng M. Shayung Phom and ADC Longleng D. Robin on Sunday. The 21 students are 9 from Yingli College, 2 from Vision Vale School, 5 from GMS Longleng, 3 from Good Shepherd School and 2 from GHSS, Longleng.

2nd phase of ration distribution to public in Longleng: Public of Medical ward, Shauli ward and Nyangching ward availed free ration/essential commodities provided by the district administration on Sunday at Lempong junction Longleng.

Rations distributed to needy labourers in Satakha: Under the initiative of ADC Satakha and with the contributions from well wishers, the town GBs distributed rations to about 150 daily wagers and 28 stranded migrant labourers in Satakha town.

VCJ donates hand sanitizers: Veterinary College Jalukie (VCJ), donated hand sanitizers to Jalukie villagers and district administration. A press release from dean, VCJ, Dr. Capt. G D Rao, stated that, college faculty prepared hand sanitizer as per the World Health Organisation formulation and distributed to villagers in the presence of ADC and EAC, Jalukie, on April 4 and to local administrative officials on March 28. Dr. Capt.

G D Rao lamented that raw materials required for the

MOKOKCHUNG, APR 5 (NPN): In these extraordinary and trying times of lockdown, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people from various walks of life have been facing untold hardships, due to the scar-

city of basic amenities. The hardest hit is the daily wage earners, mostly comprising of the legal migrant labourers, who do not have equal opportunities as the local few for basic amenities like food, water and shelter.

At such a unique circumstance, AEO and a dea-

con of MTBA, Alemtemsu Longkumer of Penli Ward, came up with the philanthropic notion, to forgo rent of 14 of his tenants, till the crisis was over.

This was followed by the COVID-19 community kitchen, an initiative of the Mokokchung Town

Baptist Church (MTBA) in collaboration with the district administration, to provide free meals to the hungry from 11 a.m to 1 p.m daily at the MTBA church premises.

Then, there is also the “home delivery system app”, innovated by Ato A Longkumer & Trail Hounds and adopted by the district administration, functioning affectively under the supervision of EAC Sentilong.

M o r e ove r, t h e Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem, with the active permission from the district administration, has been doing the rounds, in providing immediate rations to most downtrodden families, in the 18 wards of the town.

Then came along another philanthropist, an entrepreneur and daily water supplier who simply want to be known just by his first name Kilem has been providing water free of cost to residents, comprising of more than 40 non-local families of Middle Penli Ward, Mokokchung.

Leader of opposition, T R Zeliang donated cash amount of Rs. 1 Lakh and PPEs to DC Peren, Sentiwapang Aier to use in the fight against possible spread of COVID-19 in the district on April 1. (DIPR)

Sanitisation and fumigation in Tening and Nsong including bank, hospitals, police station, garbage points and drainage is underway. The sprayers along with disinfectants were provided by SDAO (Agri) on April 1. (DIPR) K Y M C

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 120 Dimapur, MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

More needs to be done

A

t a time when the need of the hour was for close and co-ordinated working relationship among frontline soldiers engaged in combating the COVID-19, the incident in Dimapur on April 3 was shocking and unwarranted. So far, the statements on media alleged that a doctor working as part of the Dimapur district COVID-19 team, was accosted and beaten up by some Special Task Force(STF) personnel on duty at Purana Bazar at around 11.30 p.m..

The spate of immediate condemnations from various organisations followed thick and fast. The entire nation including Nagaland are currently on lockdown and Dimapur also under curfew so as to prevent mass gathering and ensure social distancing. Such incidents can be avoided if those on COVID-19 duty understand that they have to act with restraint. Be that as it may, it is hoped that in future, such matters are handled with sensitivity by parties involved and action taken as per the rule of law. The fight against COVID-19 especially in Dimapur, is crucial, as commented earlier in this column. Being the district which has the highest population and also the most densely populated ; no effort should be spared to ensure that COVID-19 does not make its presence felt. An outbreak in the district could spell huge problems for the entire district and the state. The authorities have planned well and credit must go to all those involved in the day-to-day management and monitoring of the measures to combat COVID-19. While appreciating the efforts, it must also be mentioned that the ground reality paints a picture of certain drawbacks. This newspaper had interacted with some of those involved in the combat against COVID-19. Some were from the medical fraternity. They were firmly committed though they were concerned over need of protective gear and adequate manpower to ensure continuous engagement. On the other hand, the other frontline soldiers- police- were performing long duration duties that extended from six to eight hours shifts. In addition, some who were interviewed, were also concerned that they did not receive the necessary kits such as sufficient masks and sanitising liquid even as they were involved with large number of people while enforcing the lockdown. Some of the police on duty had also disclosed that they had to hitch-hike to work and back on non-police vehicles. These are minor flaws observed which the authorities have to urgently address. The other big picture is that so far, the anti-COVID-19 measures included disclosure of travel from other places or exhibiting symptoms that warrant self-quarantine in case of other ailments but not COVID-19 or being in contact with COVID-19 infected persons. This method is largely dependent upon the cooperation of public. Perhaps the next step would be to compel wider screening of persons having any ailment similar to COVID-19 symptoms. Unless the dragnet of screening is widened, the chances of the virus escaping detection will increase. This leaves little option but for people with fever or cough to come out in numbers for undertaking stricter screening and even undertaking swab tests. For this, the state will have to provide sufficient number of screening kits and centres and for collection of swabs. The fight against COVID-19 is a long drawn and the worst may not be over yet even after the 21-day lockdown ends. This is to be noted if the second wave of mutated COVID-19 emerges.

DailyDevotion His Agony and Our Access

Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples….”Stay here and watch with Me.” —Matthew 26:36, 38 We can never fully comprehend Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, but at least we don’t have to misunderstand it. It is the agony of God and man in one Person, coming face to face with sin. We cannot learn about Gethsemane through personal experience.

Gethsemane and Calvary represent something totally unique— they are the gateway into life for us. It was not death on the cross that Jesus agonized over in Gethsemane. In fact, He stated very emphatically that He came with the purpose of dying. His concern here was that He might not get through this struggle as the Son of Man. He was confident of getting through it as the Son of God— Satan could not touch Him there. But Satan’s assault was that our Lord would come through for us on His own solely as the Son of Man. If Jesus had done that, He could not have been our Savior (see Hebrews 9:11-15). Read the record of His agony in Gethsemane in light of His earlier wilderness temptation— “…the devil…departed from Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). In Gethsemane, Satan came back and was overthrown again. Satan’s final assault against our Lord as the Son of Man was in Gethsemane. The agony in Gethsemane was the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling His destiny as the Savior of the world. The veil is pulled back here to reveal all that it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of God. His agony was the basis for the simplicity of our salvation. The Cross of Christ was a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign that our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human race. Because of what the Son of Man went through, every human being has been provided with a way of access into the very presence of God.

Quotes

It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Post-mortem

Covid19 exposes inhuman realities

T

he world is slipping into a crisis for the lockdown, World Bank (WB) and the UN say.

About 11 million people would be in severe poverty, WB says. The UN says it requires 10 percent of world GDP to rejuvenate economy.

Giving a call to match the corona pandemic, UN secretary general Antonio Gueterres says that it is the most challenging crisis since World War II, a human crisis and attacking societies at the core.

The world’s industry, transport, travel, agriculture and finance are sinking. The major powers are more into politics than addressing the issues. Large sections of the workers across the board from Canada and US to Europe and Asia are losing jobs and those in jobs are suffering heavy pay cuts. Many international airlines and companies resorted to large lay-off of workers.

The hospitality industry is facing a grim situation as domestic, national and international meets are being cancelled and corporate resorting to expenditure cut. The putting off of Wimbledon tennis tournament, Tokyo Olympics and many such events are playing havoc. It may have longer term

impact as many organisations are switching over to video meetings, including world and national leaders. This would weigh heavily against businesses that thrived on face-toface interaction.

India is no exception.

Manufacturing activity in March came down to a fourmonth low. It is at 51.8 in the Purchasing Managers’ Index.

The falling global demand is hitting exports. Significant trouble is seen in the new export orders and future activity indices, an indication of reducing global demand and domestic activities.

Realty is to be worst hit as the labourers left the metros.

They are not expected to return soon. It has also hit realty sales as inventories remain incomplete. Online merchants are jittery as sales and cash flows dry up.

India was least impacted by the 2007-08 sub-prime Lehman meltdown. But this time it is one of the most severely hit. The most prominent The GST collections increased mere 4 percent amikd falling activities.

The insurance sector remains a beneficiary. It has once again increased premium without any rhyme or reason.

The claims have also seen a fall. Entire insurance sector is resorting to unethical practices.

The regulator unfortunately remains mum.

But state governments in particular are in a mess.

Their fiscal deficits touch Rs 55.24 lakh crore. Some like Rajasthan announced fiveShivaji day salary cut, Maharashtra 50 percent wage cut from the top and Telangana cuts 75 percent wages from the chief minister to the lowest citing financial crisis. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has written to the centre for help else the state employees could not be paid next month’s wages.

The private sector is not lagging behind. Airlines, taxi services have announced 25 percent wage cuts, many hotels either laid off or quietly asked employees to go home.

Many other sectors including the small and medium businesses facing closure of activities and loss of production are asking their employees to leave jobs. Since they are not officially any roll, they have nothing to fall back upon.

This has witnessed massive reverse exodus to villages.

All over India, from Delhi,

Palm Sunday 2020

A day to connect ourselves to God in love

T

oday the whole Christina world celebrates Palm Sunday that commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with a tinge of sorrow and sadness. It may be the first time that a priest celebrates Palm Sunday without a community and community celebrates the same from home. The whole world is reeling under the heavy yoke of Corona Virus that is taking the lives of hundreds of people day by day all over the world. All of us ask the questions why??

Yes, dear friends, we ask the questions why?? The disciples too asked the same question why, when Jesus told the Apostles that he is going to Jerusalem to be handed over to be crucified. They would have been happy to stay with the triumphant Christ, each at his left and right. In fact with the celebration of the Psalm Sunday we enter into the Holy Week, during which we celebrate the great events of our faith, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. The apostles, however, were afraid and found it difficult to understand that the world was to be delivered or salvation is be obtained through the Passion and cross of Christ. In fact the life of Jesus was a pilgrimage that ended in Jerusalem. It started in Bethlehem, moved day by day to its destiny, Jerusalem. In his pilgrim journey he accomplished what he was sent for or for what he came into the world – to proclaim the kingdom of God, which ultimately was accomplished on the cross. Jesus’ passion and death was not an ordinary death. It was an accomplishment of His Father’s plan for the redemption of human kind. To prove his identity and plan, he healed the sick, raised the dead, forgave sins, multiplied bread, calmed the sea, comforted the sorrowful and preached about the kingdom and its values. Finally he ended up giving his life on the cross after prolonged suffering and pain.

This year, in the weeks leading up to Easter, we have come face-toface with suffering in a very tangible and quite extraordinary way. The daily updates on the spread of the virus and ever-changing protective measures have made us all, very personally and tangibly, a part of the overwhelming Mystery of the Cross, of suffering. Today our thoughts and feelings are steered by uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and worries for the future. Jesus was also afraid of suffering and was in mortal danger. He pleaded with the Father to remove the cup, if it was possible and his will. He submitted himself totally to his Father’s will.

His love for His Father, whom He called Abba, or Papa, in prayer, and the love for humanity was stronger than the fear of suffering and death. With his love, He gave us access to the divine “wellspring” from which we can draw insight and confidence. God is our refuge in all situations, from Him comes the power of love, which endures everything and casts out all fears and anxieties.

In order to be able to draw from this spring, we, like the apostles, need prayer. Jesus admonishes as he did with the Apostles to remain awake and to pray so that

we may pass the test. Help and salvation come to us through prayer. The salvation that we hope to obtain and will receive, as paradoxical as it may seem, requires the cross. The cross is the greatest symbol of what Jesus achieved; it is the central symbol of our faith too. Christ was victorious over evil through His death on the cross. He transformed death into resurrection with the power of divine love. That is the Good News from the cross.

Since the Resurrection of Jesus, a divine, transformative power is inherent in our suffering as long as its connection to the cross of Christ remains intact. For Jesus, the cross was “His moment”, the moment He had been born into this world to experience. We, too, need to see this moment, today, as our “moment” to show our love for God, whose love for us is boundless.

This year as we ourselves feel the cross so acutely, we should direct our attention even more towards the cross of Christ and grasp and accept our cross more firmly in our hands. The more difficult the cross is to bear, the more love we need to feel. And so, even if the current crisis requires many small sacrifices from us and also brings with it great suffering for some, we should not just get lost in our own wounds, but share our cross with the millions of other people who have always lived and continue to live in emergency and crisis situations. Today we are called to pray for the salvation of the world with renewed fervour and pure hearts, practice charity and bear our cross in faith. This is the only way evil can be annihilated and the “ruler of this world” be ousted. We shall be victorious in the sign of the cross.

Let us also take refuge in Our Lady, the Mother who was given to us by Jesus from the cross, by faithfully praying her “corona”, the rosary, every day. She spoke these uniquely tender and comforting words to St. Juan Diego in Guadalupe five hundred years ago, in 1531: “Listen and let it penetrate your heart, my dearest, smallest son: Nothing should frighten you, nothing aggrieve you. Your heart should not be troubled. Do not fear this illness or any other illness or sorrow. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow, under my protection?

Am I not your fountain of joy? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crook of my arms? Are you not on my lap? Do you require more than this?” Yes, her immaculate mother’s heart, which suffered at the foot of the cross together with Our Lord, shall in the end triumph over evil.

On this Palm Sunday when we celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, let us resolve to bear the cross of Christ with joy in our hearts. In the passion, suffering and death of Christ, there is the hidden power of God, and the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24) which we can appropriates for ourselves through love. Per crucem ad lucem – through the cross to the light. I wish you all a sacred and blessed Holy Week and Easter.

Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil Bishop of Kohima, Nagaland

Mumbai, Ahmdabad, Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur, Kochi and other places, migrant workers having lost jobs and uncertain conditions preferred to walk down thousands of kilometer to reach their homes. Bengali workers in Kerala are reportedly walked over 2400 km to reach destinaSarkar tions in West Bengal.

As the lockdown closed trains, airlines, buses, millions walked the highways through Rajasthan, UP, MP, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat and Maharshtra to reach their homes.

Those in Delhi, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida swarmed the highways with their family members, small children and little belongings. On the way they received brutal police treatment almost in any state Odisha or UP and suffered chemical spray at Bareilly and untold miseries.

The country has never seen such march to villages since independence, except for a brief period after MNREGA was enacted in 2005. Unprecedented lockdown caused panic across the country.

Some questioned the reverse migration despite supposed free food being served by Delhi government. They forget

that the migrant labourers are not beggars. They are self respecting people. Many of them have small land holdings. Many are average farmers, who lost and livelihood. Many of them from higher social echelon but impoverished.

Experts say that it is a misconception that they don’t want to live on dole. They forsake free meals. They also do not accept gifts, writes Lt Gen AK Mishra, vice chancellor of a university in Jabalpur in MP, citing an instance of how someone tried to give a family some food items and biscuits walking down their way to MP home. The lady with bags on her head told the benefactor, “Sir we have enough. Please give it to someone who needs it”. They are not greedy.

Most leaving the cities say they don’t have income, can’t pay rent, purchase food grain and are unable to live in hostile metros, where nobody cares for them. Officially, they are 55 percent of the population or 80 crore.

According to statistics of Delhi government, such workers number 55 lakh, 8 lakh of them women in Delhi. The lockdown has brought into fore the abysmal conditions more than half of the country’s

people live. Are they god’s forsaken child?

Another exposure across the nations are the failure of health care systems including the richest US or EU. The expensive medicare insurances have failed the people there.

The lockdown in those countries are stated to be admission of failure of an expensive system, almost all over G20 that is based on high taxation, cess, fees, tolls, bank charges, arbitrary deductions (as particularly in the EU and US by banks).

France one of the worst hit by corona was hit through 2019 series of violent protests against an oppressive bankisation and hi-tax system.

Corona virus has exposed this economic and social malaise causing miseries to the people being deprived of their incomes. It calls for more caring governance across the continents.

That is the concern of the UN and WB. It is easy to call for mopping up 10 percent of world GDP for a revival.

That is the most difficult task.

World has to be humane to be humane, is the message of corona virus. No economy can thrive without the touch of humanity.

Is Nagaland really free of coronavirus ?

W

hen almost the whole world is on lockdown, due to the ravaging coronavirus (CORONA VIRUS DISEASE of 2019 - COVID-19), why is there not a single Positive case of Coronavirus in Nagaland?

Is Nagaland so healthy and a health paradise? Or is it that we do not know whether we are sick!

Yes, in the olden Naga days the cases of Stroke, Cardiac arrest, blood vessel rupture and consequent internal hemorrhage and the like, were taken as victims of the devil; and it was taken as a taboo to join the mourning family.

The victim’s family also suffered from social stigma and could not venture out for many days. It was so because we did not know why these sudden attacks happened because we did not have doctors, we did not know what Medical Science was; we did not know why these attacks occur. Now we know that these are common ailments and the affected victim or the bereaved family members are never a forbidden lot. Not only these diseases; but we did not even know what is cancer, diabetes, kidney stone, etc etc.

In the same way and after six decades (fifty seven years) of statehood, are we still not conscious

of our sickness? Are our blood samples all negative of coronavirus because the samples reach the Testing laboratory after the virus are all dead? Are the blood samples really tested to ensure the negativity or positivity from coronavirus? Is it not possible that there can be many COVID-19 patients in Nagaland; but we are unable to identify the patients: like in the olden Naga days? Are our health workers not competent to manage laboratories, to carry out the needed tests or are the govt authorities not concerned with the welfare of its people?

Is it not a shame that we do not have a fully equipped laboratory in Nagaland after six decades of statehood? Let us not forget that in the North east India Nagaland is the oldest state; after only Assam. Our leaders must bow down their heads in shame for the present state of affairs in Nagaland: the backwardness in all fronts, the lack of all basic facilities. It is also given to understand that the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) for the year 2019-20 is exhausted: we do not know for what purpose. The writer is from Wokha and it is to inform the readers that the District Hospital (Motsuo Memorial District

Hospital), Wokha, does not even have an X Ray machine. Will the Nagaland H&FW deptt immediately install the X-Ray machine, in the District Hospital? Will the Nagas continue to remain silent spectators? All concerned Nagas should pause for a thought on this issue.

Without much deliberation and emphasis it is strongly urged that the Nagaland state govt immediately set up a Master Laboratory, in the state, which should be manned by experts like pathologists, epidemiologists, radiologists, all kinds Laboratory technicians etc with all instruments/equipments.

The laboratory is needed not only for coronavirus; but for all tests for all time to come. Today it is coronavirus, tomorrow another epidemic or pandemic can break out; so shall we keep sending the samples outside for tests?

We better wake up and install immediately a Master Laboratory of our own. If money is the reason, divert all other funds and give priority to the setting up of a master laboratory. This is a long delayed necessity and I am sure that all right thinking Nagas should agree with this view.

Er. Mhondamo Ovung, Wokha

Reader’s Post Sir,

Defeating the very purpose

The brutal attack on a dutiful physician while returning from an arduous duty by the ill-disciplined cops is highly condemnable. The medical professionals, who are under Hippocratic oath are also human beings, much like any of us and they would rather prefer to stay at home, away from the danger of the infectious virus. But their jobs require them to be at the frontline, braving all dangers that could befall them at this crucial juncture.

The official order from both the Office of the Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner clearly exempts the Medical Professionals, besides other from the preview of the lockdown. But the ill-educated and rogue cops simply chose to bash up the doctor and damage his vehicle, thereby defying the very exemption order of their superiors.

When the Special Task Force (STF) was recently set up with all the modern equipments, it was anticipated that they will fill up the void which our state needed for a long time for an elite force, drawing the best from all the police units. But the STF personnel on duty on the fateful night have proved that merit had not been considered while selecting police personnel to fill up this elite force.

The head of Nagaland Police should overhaul the whole STF hierarchy and select educated, sober and personnel with clean background to fill up the rank and file of SPECIAL TASK FORCE or else, the very purpose of setting up STF with the present brutes in its set up has defeated the very purpose of setting up STF. Kahoto Zhimomi, Dimapur

Sir,

The true colour of a religion?

The recent outbreak of Coronavirus on the face of the earth has activated different religions of the world (and its believers) to do selfless charitable works especially for the needy human beings (and even doing good works beyond the man-made religion/denomination boundaries). “For if you love those who love you, what rewards have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Source: The Holy Bible). Is it not the time to do good works by going even beyond one’s own religion’s boundary.

Under the Nagaland State scenario, different religions and its believers are also voluntarily starting to help those suffering people who have been caught unaware in the present crisis. The total number of population in Nagaland was 19,78,502 (2011 census), which may be divided religion-wise as follows: (1). Hindus-1,73,118 (8.75%); (2). Islam - 47,484 (2.47 %); (3). Christian -17, 39, 696 (87.93 %); (4). Sikh-1975 (0.10 %); (5). Buddhist -6,726 (0.34 %); (6). Jain - 2,572 (0.13 %); and others-5,539 (0.28 %). In a time like this, helping only those needy people who comes within the purview of one’s own religion/denomination will not reflect well for that particular religion/denomination.

The poor believers of different religions in Nagaland and elsewhere have been contributing for the enrichment of their respective treasuries for the past many years. Now, it is time for different religions to extent assistance to its needy members; and (if possible) even to other fellow human beings who are practicing another religion/ denomination.

Toshi Ao, Dimapur

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

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

5

Rate of doubling of COVID-19 cases 4.1 days: Govt

Crime branch team visits Markaz

briefing that the government has started the procurement of PPEs from other countries too.

“Parallelly around the world wherever the PPE is available we have started procurement from them too. The good news is that a number of philanthropic organisations are making efforts to enhance our supplies. We have dispatched materials also. Even today, in a video conference, we asked states to rationally use PPE so that no shortage arises,” he said.

Clarifying whether coronavirus is airborne or not, an ICMR official said at the briefing, “We need to understand that in science whoever does experiments some will have a ‘for opinion and some against’ but we need to take a balanced, evidence-based approach.”

“For example, if it was an air-borne infection then in a family whoever has a contact they all should come positive because they are

Forensics and crime branch officials arrive at Nizamuddin Markaz to conduct investigation to curb the spread of coronavirus, in New Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

says without Tablighi Jamaat incident it would have been 7.4 days

Lav Agarwal

However, a PTI tally of figures reported by states directly showed at least 106 deaths, while the number of confirmed cases had reached 3,624. Of the total, 284 have been cured and discharged.

There has been a lag in the Union Health Ministry figures, compared to the numbers announced by different states, which officials attribute to procedural delays in assigning the cases to individual states.

On the shortage of personal protective equipment, Agarwal told reporters at the

living in same surrounding as the patient and the family is breathing the same air.

When someone is admitted in hospital, other patient would have got exposure (if it was air borne) but that is not the case,” said Raman R Gangakhedkar, head of epidemiology and communicable diseases at ICMR. On the question of rapid antibody test, Gangakhedkar said test kits should be available by Wednesday.

Agarwal said Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba held a meeting with district magistrates, superintendent of police, chief medical officers, state and district surveillance officers, state health secretaries and district health secretaries and chief secretaries on Sunday on COVID-19.

District officials shared the strategies adopted by them to combat the pandemic like how they delineated containment and buffer zone, how they carried out door-to-door survey

through special teams, how through telemedicine and call centres people who had come from outside were monitored.

The districts from where many cases were reported like Agra, Bhilwada, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Pathan Mitha, East Delhi also shared their experiences and strategies.

The main points that came out were proactive and ruthless containment implementation at field level and preparedness to the extent of being over prepared to handle cases at any stage, Agarwal said.

All DMs were instructed that pharma units making devices and medicines must run seamlessly, he said.

The district officials also shared how they monitored the elderly population of their areas through ringfencing. They also shared their experience on how hospitals and hotels are being used as isolation facilities, Agarwal added.

Centre amends mining law 5 terrorists, 3 soldiers killed in exempts activities from green clearance Jammu & Kashmir LoC gunfight

Representational image

S R I NAG A R , A P R 5 (IANS): Two more soldiers injured in the antiinfiltration operation along the Line of control (LoC) in J&K’s Keran sector on Sunday have succumbed, defence sources said.

Earlier, five terrorists and an Indian Army soldier were killed when the Army intercepted a group of heavily armed infiltrating terrorists in Rungdori Behak area of Keran sector.

Defence spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia told IANS two more soldiers injured in this operation have succumbed to critical inju-

ries. He said the operation is still on in the area.

The security forces have killed nine terrorists in Kashmir during the last 24 hours. Four terrorists belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were killed yesterday in an encounter with the security forces in Kulgam district.

“Over the past 24 hours, Indian security forces have eliminated nine terrorists in J&K,” a defence source said.

Among the nine, four Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed at Batpura area of South Kashmir on

DRDO designs full body disinfection chamber, spl mask

NEW DELHI, APR 5 (PTI): Joining efforts to fight COVID-19, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed a full-body disinfection chamber and a special face protection mask for healthcare professionals, officials said.

The special chamber called ‘PSE’ has been designed by Vehicle Research Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar, a DRDO Laboratory.

The walk through enclosure is designed for personnel decontamination, one person at a time. It is a portable system equipped with sanitiser and soap dispenser, officials said.

The decontamination is started using a foot pedal at the entry. On entering the chamber, electricallyoperated pump creates a disinfectant mist of hypo sodium chloride for disinfecting, the DRDO said in a statement.

The mist spray is calibrated for an operation of 25 seconds and stops automatically indicating completion of operation. As per procedure, personnel undergoing disinfection will need to keep their eyes closed while inside the chamber, it said.

The system consists of roof mounted and bottom tanks with a total of 700 litres capacity. Approximately 650 personnel can pass through the chamber for disinfection until the refill is required, the DRDO

said. The system has seethrough glass panels on side walls for monitoring purpose and is fitted with lights for illumination during night-time operations, it added.

This system can be used for disinfection of personnel at the areas of controlled ingress and egress such as entry and exit to hospitals, malls, office buildings and critical installations, officials said. Also, Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, and Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh, have developed face protection mask for healthcare professionals handling COVID-19 patients, the DRDO added.

Its light weight construction makes it convenient for comfortable wear for long duration. This design uses commonly available A4 size Over-Head Projection (OHP) film for face protection, it said.

One thousand face shields are being produced daily in TBRL and provided to Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, it said.

Similarly, 100 are produced at RCI and these have been handed over to Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Hyderabad. A demand of 10,000 shields has been received from PGIMER and ESIC hospitals based on successful user trials, the DRDO added.

Saturday. They were involved in the killing of civilians.

The four Hizbul Mujahideen militants, according to the sources, were killed in day-long encounter.

“On specific intelligence, a joint operation by the CRPF and the SOG (Special Operations Group) Kulgam was launched in Kulgam. In a day-long encounter four hardcore militants of the HM group have been killed and large cache of arms and ammunition has been recovered from them,” the defence source said.

This group was allegedly involved in the recent incidents of civilian killings.

Militants killed in the Kulgam Encounter are identified as Aijaz Ahmed Naiko (Moosa) from Kulgam, active since 2018; Shahid Ahmed Malik (Kulgam) and active since 2019; Waqar Farooq from Kulgam and missing since last month; and M. Ashraf Malik (Sadam) from Anantnag.

NEW DELHI, APR 5 (PTI): Removal of sand deposits from agricultural fields after floods will not require green clearance now, with the Centre amending the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. In its notification, the Ministry of Environment has said that extraction of ordinary clay or sand by manual mining, by the ‘kumhars’ (potter) to prepare earthen pots, extraction of clay or sand by manual mining by earthen tile makers shall be exempted from the condition of acquiring environmental clearance.

“The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is in the receipt of representations for waiver of requirement of prior environmental clearance for borrowing of ordinary earth for roads; and manual extraction of lime shells (dead shell) etc., within inter tidal zone by the traditional community,” the ministry said while making amendments in mineral laws.

It said exemption from the requirement of envi-

ronmental clearance shall also be given to “Removal of sand deposits on agricultural fields after flood by farmers. Customary extraction of sand and ordinary earth from sources situated in Gram Panchayat for personal use or community work in villages.

“Community works, like, de-silting of village ponds or tanks, construction of village roads, ponds or bunds undertaken in MGNRE scheme and Guarantee Schemes, other Government sponsored schemes and community efforts. Extraction or sourcing or borrowing of ordinary earth for linear projects such as roads, pipelines, etc. Dredging and de-silting of dams, reservoirs, weirs, barrages, river and canals for the purpose of their maintenance, upkeep and disaster management.”

Digging of wells for irrigation or drinking water purposes and digging of foundation for buildings and excavation of ordinary earth or clay for plugging of any breach caused in canal, nallah, drain, water body, etc.

NEW DELHI, APR 5 (IANS): A Delhi Police Crime Branch team is making the rounds of Tablighi Jamaat headquarters in Nizamuddin area to look for evidence against Maulana Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi, who has claimed to be in quarantine.

On the other hand, Shamli police in Uttar Pradesh is monitoring through a drone the farmhouse of Maulana Saad in Uttar Pradesh, though Delhi Police have not got in touch with its counterparts in UP. According to sources in Delhi Police, Joy Tirkey, Deputy Commissioner of Police, himself visited the Tablighi Jamaat headquar-

ters to collect evidences.

He was accompanied by several ACP and inspector level officers. This is the first time in the history of Markaz Nizamuddin that such a large posse of police visited the Tablighi Jamaat headquarters.

Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Maulana Saad and six others for holding a religious congregation in Nizamudding allegedly in violation of the lockdown orders and not maintaining social distancing to contain the spread of Covid-19. After the case was lodged, Maulana “diappeared”, claiming to be in self-isolation and only communicated through his lawyer and son.

According to sources, Delhi Police videographed the whole area during its visit on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, Shamli police, speaking to IANS,on Sunday, said that Delhi police have not contacted them for information on Maulana Saad.

A police officer in Shamli, who did not wish to be identified, said, “Maulana Saad has not been seen coming or going to his farmhouse in recent days. We are monitoring through drone the entire area. We are collecting the footage and will investigate it. Some people have been seen on the roofs.

If there is any gathering, we will take action.”

No COVID-19 case in Nagaland so far (From p-1) He once again appealed to anyone presently in Nagaland and had attended the religious congregation but not yet been contacted by district authorities to immediately contact the State Level Control Room on COVID-19, whose numbers are 0370-2291120 and 2291122. He urged such individuals to contact the control room and provide their full details for getting examined and screened for COVID-19 by the respective district and medical authorities. Referring to the incident involving a doctor on duty and the police in Dimapur late on Friday night, Sinha assured that the entire matter was being looked into with utmost seriousness. An enquiry was on to find the guilty and corrective measures had been taken so as to ensure that such unfortunate incidents did not recur, he added.

Mentioning that the entire medical fraternity, along with the police and all frontline workers, were battling united the threat of COVID-19, he appealed to everyone to continue the fight with the same dedication and spirit of unity and cooperation that everyone had been showing right from the time the threat emerged.

Sinha claimed that the availability of essential goods and commodities continued to be normal across the State, even as he urged everyone to stay at home and continue adhering to all the lockdown measures.

Palm Sunday observed without Church service

(From p-1) Some churches reached out to their members by circulating Palm Sunday sermons through popular messaging app Whatsapp, while others played sermons on loud speakers. “I am sad that unlike in the past I could not go to church today, but I had a wonderful time observing the special day with my family this morning. It was a special moment for us,” remarked Diana Sekhose.

A local church leader said it was a difficult time for the churches and believers, but stressed that it was important for all to keep the faith alive through constant prayer and fellowship with God. Alo Kenny, who is a Sunday school teacher, said, “Instead of lamenting over our inability to go to the church, every follower of Christ must build a church within him or her. Physical church is worthless if the church inside us is not filled by the spirit of God.” With the nationwide lockdown likely to end on April 14, Christians across the State and country will be spending the ensuing Good Friday and Easter Sunday indoors.

The empty church pews will bear a stark resemblance to the empty tombs this Good Friday. However, believers remain hopeful to celebrate the joyous resurrection of Christ There were apprehen- in their respective churches next year. sions about adverse affect on the electricity grid due to the blackout among the people which were dispelled (From p-1) concern among the citizens in Dimapur, including the Muslim community, MCD, by the Ministry of Power on however, said if everyone acted as responsible citizens, then at least the panic could be Saturday saying these are misplaced. The govern- curbed, besides prevent developing hatred against any particular community.

The council appealed to Tablighi Jammat members of Nagaland to kindly and volment on Saturday sought untarily do the needful if anyone of them had attended Nizamuddin or any other religious to assuage fears of electricity grid instability due to congregations in the last one month. simultaneous switching on and off of most lights in the country, saying adequate protocols are in place to handle the variation in demand without causing any damage to appliances.

Several states shot off letters to power utilities to take steps to deal with the possibility of a sudden drop in electricity demand, which has already dipped 25.82 per cent to 125.11 GW on April 4 from 168.66 GW on the same day last year, mainly due to the lockdown, which shut down most businesses.

Power System Operation Corp Ltd, the agency responsible for managing electricity grid, had said the lighting load of household consumes may be no more than 12-13 GW. “Unlike normal operation, this reduction in load of the order of 12-13 GW would happen in 2-4 minutes and recover nine minutes later. “This sharp reduction in load and recovery, which is unprecedented, will need to be handled through hydro and gas resources,” it had said.

PM’s 9-minute lights-out call goes well without disrupting electricity grid

MCD clarifies on Markaz issue

People come out in their balcony and light lamps amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, APR 5 (PTI): A nine-minute lights-out event on Sunday evening went off well without any disruption in the electricity grid after the government and utilities put in place elaborate plans to deal with the sudden drop and then a quick spurt in demand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged people to switch off the lights at their homes and light up lamps, candles or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm on Sunday to display the country’s “collective resolve” to defeat coronavirus.

Power Minster R K Singh told PTI, “The power supply ramp down and ramp up - they (officials) handled very smoothly, and I along with my senior officials -- power secretary, POSCO CMD -- were personally monitoring the

situation from National Monitoring Centre in the ministry. I congratulate all the engineers of NLDC, RLDC and SLDCs for handling the situation very efficiently especially in huge response to the Prime Minister’s call”. The power consumption went down from 117GW to 85.30GW within the spin of around four minutes leading up to 9PM. That means this was much more than anticipated fall of 12GW, the minister said.

The ramp up was very smooth at around 110 GW after the dip in demand during light-out, he said, adding that no incident of any power failure reported. He also lauded power gencos NTPC and NHPC for rising up to the occasion. Also, there was good contribution from Hydro power sector, Singh added.

DC-368

NEW DELHI, APR 5 (PTI): The rate of doubling of COVID-19 cases in India is at present 4.1 days but if the cases linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation would not have happened, it would have been 7.4 days, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

“If the Tablighi Jamaat incident had not taken place and we compare the rate of doubling - that is in how many days the cases have doubled, we will see that currently it is about 4.1 days (including Jamaat cases) and if the incident had not taken place and additional cases had not come then the doubling rate would have been around 7.4 days,” Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said.

Agarwal said 472 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths have been reported since Saturday. The total coronavirus cases stand at 3,374 and the death toll is now 79. He said 267 people have recovered.

Drone used to map Shamli farmhouse of Jamaat chief

international

6

Trump warns of ‘toughest’ weeks ahead

NEW YORK, APRIL 5 (IANS): US president Donald Trump warned Americans that the country is headed into a few brutal weeks ahead where “there will be a lot of death”, and also circled back to his riff on reopening the economy as the coronavirus death toll surged past 8,400, overwhelming the domestic health care system.

“There will be a lot of death, unfortunately. There will be death”, Trump said at a White House briefing on Saturday.

“This country was not designed to be closed. The cure cannot be worse than the problem”, Trump said even as the country’s top infectious diseases experts pleaded with Americans to strictly follow social distancing guidelines in place from March 16.

“This is the moment to do everything that you can listed on the presidential guidelines,” Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus coordinator, urged Americans as the country’s caseload climbed to more than 300,000.

“This is the moment to not be going to the grocery store, not be going to the pharmacy, and keeping your

US death toll surges past 8,400

President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House. (AP/PTI) family safe. That means is using, New York’s peak everybody doing the six feet toll of 855 deaths on a single distancing, washing your day is likely around April hands”, she said.

10. As on date, New York America’s foremost is facing a shortage of more medical leaders on the US than 60,000 hospital beds to coronavirus task force are handle that projected peak clear that “physical separ- load and is falling short of ateness” is the most crucial at least 11,000 intensive behaviour needed to blunt care unit beds. It’s what the alarming curve of the New York governor Andrew virus spread in the US. Cuomo is calling the “battle The next two weeks are at the top of the mountain”, “incredibly important”, Birx referring to the steep bell cautioned. The worst hit shaped curve of the predicfrom the outbreak is likely tive model. in the coming 7-10 days, New York and New especially in the country’s Jersey are reporting 35 pertop two hotspots of New cent of their tests are posiYork and New Jersey. tive. Louisiana follows close Based on the predictive behind with a 26 per cent models the US government positive rate. Michigan,

Connecticut, Indiana, Georgia and Illinois are at 15 per cent while Colorado, Washington DC, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are all at 13 per cent. Detroit and Pennsylvania are also beginning to look “concerning”, according to Birx.

“As sobering and a difficult as this is, what we are doing is making a difference,” Fauci said. But even as Fauci urged Americans to be patient and let mitigation efforts work, Trump said: “Mitigation does work. But again, we’re not going to destroy our country.”

Fauci returned to his earlier note of caution that America will see deaths continue to go up in the coming week or two. That, he said, “is really a cascading of events where you see new cases, hospitalisation, intensive care and deaths.”

Effective mitigation, Fauci said, tracks back to the number of new cases.

“We’re going to pay close attention to that.”

Fauci remains hopeful that the social mitigation measures currently in place in the US will be able to blunt the attack rate.

Even as Trump kept coming back to strategies that could put the country

back to work, Fauci emphasised how countries which followed a strict mitigation succeeded in blunting the curve.

“Washington got hit really early and they put in a strong mitigation program.

They’re still down there on the charts, doing well”, he said as Trump looked on.

Fauci has for long focused him messaging around what he calls the “two opposing forces” of the virus’ path across societies and social distancing measures.

“The virus wants to do what the virus wants to do.

Viruses transmit from people to people. When people are separated from each other, virus does not transmit. It doesn’t go anywhere.

“As sobering and a difficult as this is, what we are doing is making a difference,” Fauci said.

According to Fauci, the “ultimate solution” to a virus that might keep coming back is a vaccine and that, he has said, will take 12-18 months.

The Trump administration estimates that coronavirus will kill 100,000-200,000 people in America even with full mitigation measures in place.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Spain overtakes Italy in number of COVID-19 cases M A DRID, A PRI L 5 (IANS): The overall number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Spain has increased to 126,168, overtaking Italy’s tally of 124,632, making it the worst-affected European nation in terms of infections.

The tally placed Spain first in Europe and second only to the US worldwide in terms of confirmed cases. The US was currently the highest with a total of 312,076 cases, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at the Washingtonbased Johns Hopkins University.

The CSSE update showed that Italy had the highest number of deaths in the world at 15,362, followed

by Spain in the second place with 11,947 fatalities.

Despite the grim figures, a glimmer of hope seems to appear in Europe’s battle against the virus, with some positive changes occurring, Xinhua news agency reported.

Spain reported 809 new deaths between Friday and Saturday, 123 fewer than the 932 deaths registered between Thursday and Fri-

Spain reported 809 new deaths between Friday and Saturday, 123 fewer than between Thursday and Friday. day. fatalities has constantly been The single-day increase decreasing” from a high of of 7,026 new cases on Satur- 969 deaths on March 27, day was also down from the Borrelli pointed out.

7,472 recorded on Friday.

France, despite a spike Italy also reported its in death toll because of first decline in the number the inclusion of the deaths of patients in intensive care linked to COVID-19 in nursunits. ing homes, started to see a “The number of pa- slowdown in the number tients in intensive care has of patients requiring life decreased by 74 individuals,” support.

Civil Protection Department It dropped to 2.6 per Chief Angelo Borrelli said cent on Saturday from 4 per on Saturday. cent on Friday.

“It is the first negative COVID-19 cases in number since we began Portugal on Saturday passed managing the emergency,” the 10,000 mark, reaching he added.

10,524. But the number of Saturday’s death toll infected people appears to of 681 also continued the be decreasing in recent days, declining trend. according to the country’s “The number of daily public health experts.

Prince Charles’s office dismisses Germany, France accuse US of ‘wild west’ approach on face masks Indian minister’s ayurveda claim L o n d o n, A p r i l 5 (IANS): The office of UK’s Prince Charles has dismissed a claim made by an Indian Union Minister that the British heir to the throne was cured of COVID-19 through ayurveda and homeopathy treatment from a Bengaluru-based holistic resort. The office said he had only followed the medical advice of the NHS and “nothing more”.

Speaking to the media, a Clarence House spokesman said that “this information is incorrect”, adding that the Prince of Wales “followed the medical advice of the National Health

Prince Charles Service in the UK and nothing more”. On Thursday, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik claimed: “I got a call from Dr. (Isaac) Mathai, who runs the SOUKYA ayurveda

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

K Y M C

resort in Bengaluru. He told me that his treatment of Prince Charles through ayurveda and homeopathy has been successful.”

Naik added that a special task force put together by his Ministry would study the medicinal formulations used

by Dr. Mathai to treat the heir to the British throne.

Prince Charles was diagnosed for coronavirus late last month.

He spent seven days self-isolating in Scotland after testing positive and displaying mild symptoms.

The Duchess of Cornwall was tested but did not have the virus.

Washington/Lon“This is no way to don, April 5 (IANS): treat trans-Atlantic partners.

Germany and France have Even in times of global crisis accused the US of confiscatthere should be no wild west ing thousands of protective methods,” the minister was face masks and protective quoted as saying in media gear meant for their counreports. The German media tries, calling it “an act of reports said the masks had modern piracy”. been made by a Chinese About 200,000 N95 producer for the US commasks were diverted to pany 3M. the US as they were being The US firm issued a transferred between planes statement, saying: “3M has in Thailand, according to no evidence to suggest 3M the Berlin authorities, The products have been seized.

Guardian reported.

3M has no record of any Berlin Interior Minister order of respirators from Andreas Geisel said that US China for the Berlin police. officials intercepted a shipWe cannot speculate where ment of 200,000 face masks this report originated.” in Bangkok intended for use during the coronavirus US officials have been accused of intercepting a There is an acute shortpandemic in Germany. age of face masks and surgishipment of 200,000 face masks in Bangkok.

No. 9545 Yesterday’s solution No. 9544

No. 4164 Yesterday’s solution No. 4163

No. 3190 Yesterday’s solution No. 3189

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cal gear in the US which is battling the surge in corona positive cases.

The US neared 3 lakh positive cases on Saturday as officials scrambled for protective medical gear. The death toll crossed 7,000, most being reported from New York City.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this week: “We understand that the needs in the US are very extensive, but it’s the same in Canada, so we have to work together.”

French leaders have also accused the US of buying up medical protective gear including face masks in China that had been meant for France.

Seoul church to face legal action for holding service Seoul, April 5 (IANS): The Seoul city government said on Sunday that it will take legal action against a Protestant church for breaking the South Korean capital’s administrative order not to hold mass gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Sarang Jeil Church conducted a service for the second consecutive Sunday. It had been banned by the city government from hosting mass events after it violated precautionary measures for containing COVID-19 during its service on March 22, reports Yonhap News Agency.

As part of the South Korean government’s social distancing drive, churches are advised to check the temperatures of their followers and to maintain a distance of 2 metres during services, among other quarantine measures.

Sarang Jeil Church flouted those guidelines last month and ignored the government’s order against offline services on Sunday.

But a church official explained that only preregistered followers were allowed to attend the service, and they were kept at least 1 metre apart from one another.

The government’s initial social distancing drive had been scheduled to end Sunday, but it extended the campaign by two more weeks on Saturday, said the Yonhap news Agency report.

President Moon Jae-in took to social media to plead with religious groups to comply with social distanc-

Sarang Jeil Church in northern Seoul. ing recommendations.

South Korea continued to see a decline in new coronavirus cases on Sunday, but Seoul and the surrounding areas reported a continued rise in virus infections due to cluster transmission and imported cases.

The 81 new cases of COVID-19, detected Satur-

day and slightly down from 94 new cases a day earlier, brought the country’s total cases to 10,237 and marked the 24th consecutive day that new infections have hovered around 100 or fewer additional cases, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

25th Wedding Anniversary

M. Toshi Pongen and Mrs. Bendangkokla Imchen Dearest Mom and Dad. Today the 6th of April, 2020 is the milestone for the 25 years of successful marriage of your unity together, that brought us to this wonderful world, which reminds us of God's blessing.

May the Lord God fill your days with joy and happiness.

With love and prayer Sons - Achang and Sanen.

DP-2219 K Y M C

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Covid-19: Assam-26 cases; NE-30

Guwahati/Agartala, Apr 5 (IANS): With a 57-year-old ex-BSF jawan tested positive for coronavirus from northeast on Sunday, the total number of cases in this region went up to 30, including 26 in Assam, ministers and officials said.

“One more Covid-19 positive case from Cachar District (in southern Assam) has been confirmed, taking the total count in Assam to 26. The patient took part in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi,” Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a tweet.

Of the 30 positive cases in four northeastern states - Assam (26), Manipur (2), Mizoram (1) and Arunachal Pradesh (1) -- 27, took part in Delhi congregation, while a Manipuri girl and a Mizoram man had tested positive last month after they returned from the UK and the Netherlands, respectively.

Another 52-year-old Assam trader of Kamrup (Metro) district also infected with the nCoV as his swab samples tested positive.The latest positive case for nCoV in Assam is that of the former BSF jawan, who voluntarily retired from service in 2007 to do the religious activity, now being treated in Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

Besides, 30 positive cases in the northeastern

SHGs in Arunachal manufacture masks for workers I ta nag a r , A p r 5 (PTI): Self-help groups in an Arunachal Pradesh district have come forward during the coronavirus pandemic by stiching masks for frontline workers, a senior official said.

Keeping in mind shortage of protective gear in the markets, nearly 100 women members of self-help groups (SHGs) in Changlang district are on the job to prepare three-layered reusable masks to be distributed among sanitary workers and police personnel, at a nominal price.

The move was initiated when on the persuasion of the district administration, Bordumsa Mahila Mandal, headed by Pisilu Singpho agreed to provide 500 masks to the administration at a nominal cost of Rs 40 per mask, Changlang deputy commissioner R K Sharma said. The self-help group has a capacity of making 150 masks per day and so far it has supplied 700 masks to various agencies, Sharma said.

COVID-19: Ambanis donates Rs 1 cr to Meghalaya’s CMRF Correspondent

Police use drone cameras to keep an eye on the movements of vehicles and people in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, at Fancy Bazaar in Guwahati, Saturday. (PTI)

region, four persons from Assam and two people from Tripura, who attended the congregation, have tested positive for COVID-19 and they are in northern India hospitals.

Sarma told the media in Guwahati that out of the 1,529 people’s swab samples, including 812 Nizamuddin attendees, collected so far -- 1,308 have tested negative, 26 tested positive and remaining test reports are awaited. Quoting central government communications, Sarma had earlier said that over 550 to 600 people from Assam had attended the Tablighi meet.

“I am very angry and frustrated as despite our

repeated appeals, none of the participants reported to the authority. Why are you hiding your cases?” Sarma told the reporters.

The minister along with other ministers met Tablighi Jamaat leaders in Guwahati on Saturday and requested them to share the complete list of attendees to test their samples or to provide quarantine.

In Agartala, Tripura Health Secretary Debashish Basu said that two people from Tripura, who had participated in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation, have tested positive for novel coronavirus and now they are in a quarantine center at Bikaner in Rajasthan.

“Eleven people from Tripura’s Boxanagar areas (western Tripura) attended the Tablighi Jamaat event.

After attending the meet all the eleven people went to Rajasthan. The officials of Rajasthan government verbally informed us that two of the eleven people have tested positive for novel coronavirus,” Basu told the media.

According to different official sources, at least 800 people from several northeastern states, mostly from Assam, had either attended or were in vicinity of the Tablighi congregation, forcing all seven states to launch an all-out search to identify and test these persons.

SHILLONG, APR 5: Billionaire Mukesh Ambai, his wife Anita Ambani and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has donated Rs 1 crore to the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to combat COVID19.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma has thanked Mukesh-Nita Ambani and Reliance Industries Ltd for the donation.

“Thank you Mukesh Ambani ji, Nita Ambani ji & Reliance Industries Limited for your generous donation of Rs. 1 Crore towards the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma tweeted. “Donations from responsible corporate citizens will go a long way in championing our fight against COVID2019,” the Meghalaya chief minister added. Earlier, the RIL donated Rs 500 crore to PM’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM CARES), besides Rs 5 crore each to the governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat to support their fights against COVID19.

“RIL also continues its 24×7, multi-pronged, onthe-ground effort to do its bit to ensure the nation remains prepared, fed, supplied, safe, connected and motivated to fight and win against COVID-19. RIL stated.

7

Lockdown: Mizoram celebrates Palm Sunday behind closed doors Aizawl, Apr 5 (PTI): For the Christian believers across the world, Palm Sunday is a significant day that marks the beginning of holy week that culminates with Easter Sunday.

But this year it is being celebrated without a congregation due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Mizoram is no exception.

Children from all churches in Mizoram, accompanied by their teachers in Sunday school, would take out Palm Sunday processions early morning carrying palm leaves, and the chant of Hossana would echo across cities, towns and villages.

For the first time the Christians in the state, like their counterparts elsewhere in the world, could not visit churches and remained indoors due to the ongoing lockdown to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

Although Palm Sunday was observed within closed doors as churches are closed across the state, its sanctity as an important day was visible among the people as in the past,” Synod moderator Rev R. Lalchangliana of the Presbyterian church said.

As decided by the respective local churches, programmes of the Palm Sunday celebration this time were chalked out by each lo-

cal or village level task force, involving local or village council and Young Mizo Association (YMA).

The programmes were arranged in such a manner as to involve every household to celebrate the occasion from their respective houses.

We chalked out the programmes to ensure that every household takes part in the celebration by chanting Hossana together at a time from their houses, Malsawmkima Ralte, a YMA leader of Luangmual Vengthlang said.

As morning set in, the states anthem (religious song) Ro min rel sak ang che reverberated from the public information centres in various localities.

People came out to the porches, verandahs or roof tops of their houses carrying palm leaves while some carried pieces of cloths in place of palm leaf.

Once the anthem stopped, a preacher of each locality asked the people to chant Hossana and shout at their top voices to commemorate the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

The chanting of Hossana was followed by a short sermon by the preacher on a public address system from the public information centre.

Speaking on the par-

ticipation of people, R. Lalchangliana said, It give me immense joy at the response of the people even as Palm Sunday processions and church services could not be held. My heart melted and tears rolled down my cheek when I heard people from all walks of life, irrespective of denominations, chanting Hossana in one voice in this time of crisis.

Lalchangliana, who heads Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee, a conglomerate of 15 major churches in the state, also thanked the churches for joining hands together in celebrating Palm Sunday.

Commenting on the event, sports minister Robert Romawia Royte said, While it is painful to see all churches closed and no processions by children on Palm Sunday, the celebration on the other hand is indicative of the adaptive, discipline and law-abiding culture of our people.

Mizoram Law Commission chairman Lala Khobung also appreciated the manner in which Palm Sunday was celebrated by the people.

The Mizo people are law-abiding citizens. It is a great thing that Palm Sunday is celebrated by respective households by strictly observing social distancing norms, he said.

10 Nizamuddin returnees Himanta meets Tablighi Jamaat leaders; 1 killed in police firing near tested negative in Tripura seeks list of attendees from Assam Assam-Nagaland border

Ag a rta l a , A p r 5 (PTI): Ten residents of Mumbai, who had come to Tripura after attending the Tablighi Jamat congregation in Delhis Nizamuddin last month, were tested negative for coronavirus, officials said on Sunday.

Thousands of people across the country and abroad had attended the religious event between March 13 and 15 after the Delhi government had promulgated orders prohibiting gatherings or more than 200 persons. Many of the attendees later tested positive for COVID-19 and six of them died in Telangana.

The 10 residents of Mumbai were staying in a house at Beterban on the outskirts of Agartala since March 18, State Nodal Officer for coronavirus Deep Debbarma said.

“Acting on a tip-off, a team of police and health department officials visited the house and put 16 people – 10 residents of Mumbai and six other occupants of the house – in quarantine.

Their swabs were tested in Agartala Government Medical College and all of them were found to be COVID-19 negative,” Debbarma told PTI. Altogether 50 people, who attended the Tablighi Jamat congregation, were tested in Tripura and it was found that none of them was infected by novel coronavirus.

Two persons from Tripura were tested positive for COVID-19 at Bikaner in Rajasthan where they had gone travellers.

“11-people from Sipahijala district visited Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi on March 5. They went to Bikaner from Delhi. After they were tested there, two of them were found to be coronavirus positive,” state Health Secretary Debasish Basu said.

A total of 4782 persons are under home quarantine and 128 are in facility quarantine in Tripura. The health department has so far tested 191 samples which came negative.

G u wa h at i , A p r 5 (PTI): Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has met Tablighi Jamaat leaders here and urged them to hand over the list of all the people from the state who had attended the outfit’s event in Delhi.

A total of 26 COVID19 cases have been reported in Assam and all barring one are related to the Tablighi Jamaat event organised in the national capital’s Nizamuddin area in March.

“In view of situation arising out of the Nizamuddin Markaj event, we met Guwahati Lakhtokia Masjid leaders where HQ of Tablighi Jamaat is situated on Saturday to request them to share list of all who visited Markaz for it’s important to quarantine them,” Sarma said in a tweet on Sunday.

The state health minister on Saturday asked the imams and amirs of mosques to submit the names of people in their areas who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event and warned of action if they fail

to do so by Sunday.

“Nizamuddin is an evolving story with several cases having connection with the congregation but we have not got the desired cooperation from the mosques,” Sarma had said.

Terming the situation “very serious”, Sarma appealed to all those who attended the Jamaat congregation to call helpline number 104 or contact health workers so that their samples could be tested and their contacts traced.

Altogether, 1,529 samples have been tested so far, with 812 of them having links to the Nizamuddin event, he said.

The number of coronavirus positive cases is swelling as the disease is spreading due to the infection caused by Nizamuddin returnees “from Silchar in Barak Valley to Lakhimpur in upper Assam, Morigaon in central Assam to Kamrup and Nalbari in lower Assam”, the minister said.

Of the 26 COVID-19 cases in the state, Golaghat

district has reported the highest with nine followed

by Nalbari and Morigaon with four each, Goalpara with three, Cachar with two and Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, Lakhimpur and South Salmara with one each, health officials said.

Sarma, while visiting Golaghat Civil hospital on Friday, assured the isolated coronavirus patients that they are not being targeted and urged them to cooperate with healthcare providers.

“This virus can infect any community and due to an unfortunate situation, it infected people of a certain community. A community must not think that they are being targeted. No one has such intentions. Tomorrow I, too, may get infected... anybody can be. “England’s crown prince and prime minister have been infected.

Anybody who tests positive should not think they are being targeted. Doctors have been told to explain to these patients about the infection to dispel their misconceptions,” the minister said.

Weapon recovered

B o k a ja n, A p r 5 (AGENCIES): In a major development amid the unprecedented corona pandemic, the Khatkhati police have shot dead an unidentified gunmen in a exchange of fire at the Lalmati area of Karagoan along the interstate AssamNagaland border here late Saturday evening.

As reported, “The Khatkhati police laid an ambush in the Lalmati area of Karagaon based on specific information regarding the movement of a gang of armed miscreants in the area.

The gang opened fire on encountering the police team and we had to retaliate. In the ensuing

exchange of fire, our police team managed to knock down one however others escaped under cover of darkness,” Bokajan SDPO John Das informed.

“The injured bullet riddled man was immediately shifted to Bokajan Civil Hospital but was pronounced dead by the attending doctor. A 7.65 pistol and a mobile phone have been seized from possession of the slain miscreant. We are yet to ascertain the identity of the person and further investigation are on,” The SDPO added.

It needs to be mentioned here that, an established businessman of the Khatkhati locality was shot dead by a gang of armed robbers at his residence back in June, 2019.

The gang decamped away with cash including jewellery and the licensed pistol of the businessman.

The incident has since then remained a mystery as police are yet to make any breakthrough in the case.

Warne inspires Assam Excise to manufacture hand sanitisers Intensified COVID-19 containment measures in Manipur for 1 week

G u wa h at i , A p r 5 (PTI): Cricket legend Shane Warne has inspired generations to swing the ball in the game of cricket, but he had never thought that some day he would motivate Assam’s Excise department to rope in liquor companies to manufacture alohol-based hand sanitisers for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the state Health department informed that there was an acute shortage of hand sanitisers and protective masks, the Excise department came out with an idea to engage the liquor manufacturers to produce it, as medical grade sanitisers contain 70 per cent alcohol.

“In this regard, the Excise department took a cue from the laudable initiative taken by the Australian cricket legend Shane Warne owned liquor company, which stopped manufacturing gin and started producing hand sanitisers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Assam Excise minister Parimal Suklabaidya told PTI here.

Last month, Shane

Shane Warne (File)

Warne had announced that his firm ‘SevenZeroEight Gin’ started producing medical grade hand sanitisers, having 70 per cent alcohol, for two Western Australian hospitals.

The worldwide crisis caused by COVID-19 has paralysed normal life in the country and Assam is no exception, the minister said.

“There was a big demand for hand sanitisers, but the state has been witnessing a shortage of quality sanitisers,” In order to make quality hand sanitisers

available to the public free of cost, the Health department had requested the Excise department to explore the possibility of involving the liquor companies to produce ethanol-based sanitisers based on the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Following a series of discussions, the liquor manufacturing companies in Assam have undertaken a project of producing ethanol-based high quality hand sanitisers in various locations of the state.

We have tied up with 11 liquor firms and instructed them to produce five crore bottles of 200 ml,” the minister said.

Excise Commissioner Rakesh Kumar informed that under this initiative, the liquor makers have also agreed to supply two lakh litres of hand sanitisers to the Health department free of cost under their CSR schemes and the supply has already begun.

“As per the agreement, they will supply an estimated 20 lakh litres of sanitisers at a nominal cost on a no-profit basis in different sizes such as 180 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml, 500 ml and 600 ml.

The cost of a 200 ml pet bottle is Rs 16 only,” he added. Meanwhile, Barak Valley-based Surma Distillery has already dispatched 50 cartons of hand sanitisers to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, which has been turned into a dedicated COVID-19 facility.

The other firms are Pragati Liquor Industries, Rooby Spirits, Aroma India, Spray Bottles, North East

Distilleries, Seven Sister Trade & Distilleries, Centenary Distilleries, Associated Alcohol & Beverages Company, Brahmaputra Biochem and Radiant Manufacturers.

The Excise minister’s PRO Shailendra Pandey said that the sanitiser bottles will be sent to neighbouring Manipur and Nagaland, besides catering to Assam’s demand. The Excise department is also distributing the sanitisers free of cost among the poor people in slums across Assam, he added.

“The free distribution of sanitisers in this time of crisis will ensure proper hygiene and sanitisation of the people from the economically backward section.

“We are also distributing the sanitisers free of cost to police, media and other frontline warriors,” Pandey said. Suklabaidya said, in addition to making sanitisers, the Excise department has swung into action by intensifying its enforcement drives across the state to prevent distillation and trade of illicit and spurious liquor.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 5: Containment measures against the spread of pandemic COVID-19 in Manipur will be intensified for the next one week. The state government through the district magistrate of each district has issued orders regarding intensifying measures against the spread of the pandemic in the state.

To ensure total lockdown for the next one week, all market including grocery shops and vegetable vendors will remain closed till April 12, 2020, an orders issued by the additional district magistrate in Imphal East district late this evening stated.

Medical shops, milk booths and newspapers will however be exempted from the closure, it added.

Similar orders were issued by the magistrate of other districts too. The order of Tamenglong district magistrate stated that the step has been taken to make the pre-

cautionary measures more stringent and in suppression of all orders issued in regard to precautionary measures taken up in connection with outbreak of the pandemic.

Authorities of Manipur government have been taking series of containment measures since the first COVID-19 infected patient was reported on March 24 last. The state registered its second COVID-19 case after a 65-year-old man who attended the religious congregation at Delhi was tested positive for the virus.

Apart from the two patients currently treating at government hospitals, said a release of state government’s COVID-19 Common Control Room stated that there are no other cases.

Mention may be made that the latest test of the first COVID-19 patient retuned negative as her health considerably improved. She is currently treated at JNIMS hospital where re-confirmation test would be done

on Monday. The second, 65-year-old man, is at RIMS hospital. The release informed that samples of 42 individuals - 20 at RIMS lab and 22 at JNIMS lab - were tested for the virus today with negative results.

With these 42, so far samples of 178 persons have been tested for COVID-19 with all negative for the virus except the two persons who were treated at government hospitals, the release said. The state government has also approved a discharge policy for individuals kept in quarantine centres for COVID-19. Under the policy, all high risk category inmates will be tested for COVID-19 before discharge and all the low risk category inmates will be discharge without testing for the disease. If symptom develops during home quarantine for another 14 days, testing will be done under the government’s discharge policy, the release of the control room stated.

8

India submits bid to host 2027 AFC Asian Cup

New Delhi, Apr 5 (PTI): India has submitted its bid documents for hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, a top official of the national federation confirmed on Sunday.

If India wins the bid, it will be the first time the country will host the continental showpiece event.

“We have already submitted our expression of interest to the AFC (Asian Football Confederation).

That is what’s required as of now,” All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das told PTI. Recently, the AFC had extended the deadline to lodge expression of interest by three months from March 31 to June 30 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The AFC had hoped to announce the tournament hosts as soon as possible to give them more time to prepare for the quadrennial continental championship, which was expanded to 24 teams for the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates,” the

AFC said.

The AFC is expected to announce the host country early next year.

Other than India, Saudi Arabia, which has won the continental title three times but never hosted the tournament, is only nation to have publicly announced their intention to launch a bid for 2027 Asian Cup. India had joined the race for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, alongside Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea, but pulled out early in October 2018.

Later, Thailand and

South Korea also pulled out leaving China the sole country to host the 2023 tournament.

South Korea, which is hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup, is also likely to join India in the bid for the men’s 2027 AFC Asian Cup. China will host the 2023 showpiece tournament in 10 cities.

Since successfully staging the men’s U-17 World Cup in 2017, India was to host the U-17 women’s World Cup this November but has been postponed to a later date due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.

India has also been awarded hosting rights for the 2022 Women’s AFC Asian Cup in 2022.

India had featured four times in the AFC Asian Cup and their best performance was a runners-up finish in 1964 when it was a roundrobin tournament without a final and competed among just four teams.

They failed to get past the group stage in 1984, 2011 and 2019.

sports

World T20 organisers hopeful despite clash with other sports

MELBOURNE, Apr 5 (Agencies): Organisers expect this year’s Twenty20 World Cup to be a success even if it has to vie with Australian rules football and rugby league for viewers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the head of the organising committee said on Sunday.

The October 18-November 15 tour nament was slotted into Australia’s sports calendar between the end of the football season and the beginning of summer cricket to draw maximum attention.

With both the Australian Football League and National Rugby League seasons suspended, they may now clash with the Twenty20 World Cup when they resume.

“In the event they have extended seasons...we still think the World Cup is a re-

I shouldn’t have gone to 2006 WC: Rooney on.

Wayne Rooney

L o nd o n , A p r 5 (Agencies): Wayne Rooney has conceded he should not have gone to the 2006 World Cup with England, after suffering a serious foot injury before the tournament.

England’s all-time

record goalscorer was a major doubt ahead of the finals in Germany that year after breaking three metatarsals while playing for Manchester United in a 3-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea the previous April.

Rooney was passed fit to play in England’s second Group B game against Trinidad and Tobago after making a quicker-thanexpected recovery - but he then tore a groin in team training and, rather than concede defeat, battled

Kobe Bryant inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

Washington, Apr 5 (IANS): Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and former International Basketball Federation (FIBA) secretary general Patrick Baumann are both to be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Memorial Hall of Fame.

Bryant and Baumann headlined a nine-person group announced on Saturday as this year’s class of enshrinees into the Hall of Fame, Xinhua news reports.

Bryant, 41, who died in a helicopter crash in California in January, played for 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA titles. He is considered one of the best basketball players of all time, and was part of the US team that won Olympic gold medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Baumann, 51, a former International Olympic Committee member, died after suffering a heart attack while attending the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Joining Bryant and Baumann in the Hall of Fame are threetime NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan, 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett,

Kobe Bryant

two-time NBA champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich, four-time Olympic medalist Tamika Catchings, three-time NCAA National

Championship coach Kim Mulkey, college basketball coach Barbara Stevens and Eddie Sutton, former Oklahoma State men’s coach.

He told the Sunday Times, “I hit it [the ball] from the halfway line, trying to strike the crossbar and felt my groin tear. I knew straight away.”

“I got one of the physios to work quietly on it every day. I was taking painkillers. I didn’t want to say anything because a lot of people had put a lot of work into getting me fit.

I didn’t report the injury until the tournament was over and there was a 6cm tear in my groin.”

Rooney’s World Cup ended with a red card in England’s quarter-final loss to Portugal.

He added, “Looking back, I should never have gone to that World Cup.” “If the Euros were going ahead this summer, I’d have said to Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford that if they were struggling in any way, not to push it. Of course it’s hindsight. Back then I was 20, it was my first World Cup and there was so much expectation on me.”

ally strong proposition that might not come here again for 10 or 20 years,” said Nick Hockley, CEO of the organising committee.

“People love a World Cup. Cricket is Australia’s national sport ... and T20 is the format that appeals to the broadest possible demographic,” he said.

“We’re very encouraged already by the take up in terms of ticket sales.”

The women’s tournament proved a big success, with hosts Australia beating India in the final to defend their title. The organisers expect the men’s tournament to replicate that success despite uncertainty around it.

ICC has maintained there is no change in its plans, and Hockley hoped they would not require any either. “We’re wanting to give ourselves the best possible chance of going ahead as planned, so there’s no imminent or quick decision,” he said.

“Hopefully it’s all resolved and we go ahead.

In the event that it isn’t completely resolved, we are looking at all the different scenarios. Which is only prudent,” he added.

Ronaldo on course to $1 billion in career earnings Lisbon, Apr 5 (IANS): Cristiano Ronaldo is en route to becoming first football player and third sportsman overall to cross $1 billion in career earnings. This is despite the fact that Ronaldo has reportedly agreed to a wage cut of nearly 4 million Euros with his club Juventus so as to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Forbes, the cut hardly puts a dent on the Portuguese captain’s annual earnings and he had earned a staggering $109 million last year. A further 30 percent wage cut is on the cards with the Serie A frozen due to the pandemic but Ronaldo could still earn an estimated $46 million annual paycheck. The earnings he receives from his sponsorship deals and his CR7 underwear line could help take his earnings this year close to the $100 million mark again. This would help take him past the $1 billion in total earnings over an 18-year career.

RCB burdened by title pressure, says Virat Kohli NEW DELHI, Apr 5 ( Ag e n c i e s ) : Roya l Challengers Bangalore (RCB) need to rediscover the joy of cricket if they are to end their Indian Premier League (IPL) title drought, captain Virat Kohli has said.

Star-studded Bangalore have reached three finals of the Twenty20 league but are one of only three existing franchises — along with Delhi and Punjab — not to have won the title.

“You go after something so badly, and it keeps running away from you,” Kohli told former England batsman and ex-RCB team mate Kevin Pietersen in an Instagram chat.

“It has just that added pressure in recent years.

We’ve just thought, ‘this is the season, this is the season’, and that’s blown us all over the place. I think we need to get that joy back,” Kohli said.

The India captain acknowledged that expectations were bound to be high from a team featuring some of the most destructive Twenty20 batsmen in cricket.

“When you have some of the biggest names to play

Virat Kohli

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Can’t remember the last time I had such a long break: Sindhu Hyderabad, Apr 5 (IANS): Reigning badminton world champion PV Sindhu said that she was mentally prepared to hear news of the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics before the International Olympic Committee made it official.

The unprecedented postponement was announced on March 25 but Sindhu said she was already doubtful before that of whether the Olympics would go through because of the rate at which the coronavirus pandemic was spreading.

“I was fine and prepared when I got to know about the Olympics being postponed. I was anyway not sure if the Olympics would happen this year because every other day a new country was getting affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In these circumstances, you couldn’t have done anything else. Life comes first,” Sindhu told Hindustan Times.

Sindhu and the rest of the Indian badminton players last played at the All England Championships before the Badminton World Fed-

PV Sindhu

eration announced that all future tournaments stand suspended. Sindhu said that the situation was not as dire as it is now when they were going to the United Kingdom for the tournament.

“But it all changed once we came back. The numbers increased, the situation became worse and now I can’t remember the last time I took such a long break - maybe never!” she said.

Sindhu said that she has not played badminton in this break. “I just do some exercises whenever I can. I have some equipment at home so I train for an hour-and-a-half; maybe do some jumps, some shadow

Lionel Messi is a genius, pure talent, says Kaka

Lionel Messi and Kaka

S au Pau lo, A p r 5 (IANS): Brazilian football great Kaka said that he leans towards Lionel Messi in the debate of who among the Argentine and his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world.

“I played with Cristiano and he’s really amazing, but I’ll go with Messi,” Kaka said when asked who he would pick out of Messi or Ronaldo during an Instagram Live Q&A for FIFA’s channel. “He’s a genius, a pure talent. The way he plays is incredible.”

The debate has been one of the defining characteristics of world football for over a decade. Kaka was

the last player to win the award before the pair started domination. He played with Ronaldo for five years at Real Madrid. He said the two players are among the greatest of all time in the history of football. “Cristiano is a machine. It’s not just the way he’s strong, powerful and fast; he’s strong mentally,” said Kaka.

“He always wants to win and play. To be the best.

For me, that’s the most incredible thing he has.

“In the history of sport, they [Messi and Cristiano] are definitely in the top five.

We are very lucky to have been able to see both of them.”

movements or things like that,” she said.

“Being confined to home is fine, except that you cannot do anything, which can get a bit boring. I don’t do much household chores but I make sure I help my mom in the kitchen.”

India is currently under a three-week lockdown until April 14 but Sindhu feels that the rate at which the number of infected cases are going up, she expects the lockdown to be extended. “As of now, I think the lockdown period will be extended because the numbers have been rising. We will have to wait and see.

Hopefully, the numbers will come down,” she said.

Badminton worlds to be rescheduled London, Apr 5 (IANS): The Badminton World Championships next year are set to be rescheduled because of a clash with the new dates for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said it was working with organisers in Spain’s Huelva to find a new time slot, after the 2020 Olympics were postponed until 2021.

It is not yet clear whether the World Championships will be held in 2021 or delayed until 2022.

“The BWF is aware of the need to reschedule the 2021 World Championships normally staged in August, with suitable alternatives being discussed with hosts Spain,” the BWF said in a statement.

The postponement of the Olympic Games has caused widespread disruption to the sporting calendar in 2021. World Athletics has already confirmed it will push back its World Championships to 2022.

‘Pay cut of players will hurt tax returns’

London, Apr 5 (IANS): England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) questioned the Premier League’s decision to slash players’ salaries by 30 per cent.

The PFA said that such a move could have a detrimental effect on the tax contributions which in turn could hurt the United Kingdom’s fight against coronavirus.

“The proposed 30 per cent salary deduction over a 12-month period equates to over 500m pound in wage reductions and a loss in tax contributions of over 200m

pound to the government.

What effect does this loss of earning to the government mean for the NHS? Was this considered in the Premier League proposal and did the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock factor this in when asking players to take a salary cut?” said the PFA in its statement on Sunday.

The PFA also said that the Premier League could increase its 20 millionPound figure that would go to charitable causes. It also said that a way has to be found for money to go into the lower tiers of English football and non-league

football in the long term.

“The EFL money is an advance. Importantly, it will aid cashflow in the immediate, but football needs to find a way to increase funding to the EFL and non-league clubs in the long-term,” said the PFA. “Many clubs require an increase in funding just to survive. We believe in our football pyramid and again stress the need for solidarity between all clubs. Going forward, we are working together to find a solution which will be continually reviewed in order to assess the circumstance of the COVID-19 crisis.”

for RCB, obviously there’s going to be much more attention on the team. Even with this team — myself, AB (de Villiers) and (Chris) Gayle has played recently for us as well — we’re always going to be more in focus. We’ve spoken about it,” Kohli said.

“We’ve reached three finals ... but those things are irrelevant till the time you don’t win that title.

Even when we’ve had the best team, we’ve just not been able to do it. That’s one of our main goals. We deserve to win the title,” Kohli said.

Their bid for a maiden IPL title will have to wait though, as the start of this year’s tournament has been put back to April 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dimapur District Football Referee Association (DDFRA) donated an amount of with another postponement Rs.10,000 to the Dimapur District Administration for COVID 19 care fund. The amount was handed over to SDO(C) Dimapur. seemingly inevitable.

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