April 9, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 123

DIMAPUR, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Mizoram gets COVID-19 testing lab

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northeast, Page 7

Situation like ‘social emergency’: PM Lockdown unlikely to end in one go; PM to interact with CMs NEW DELHI, APR 8 (PTI): Dashing hopes of a complete exit from the ongoing lockdown in one go, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the country is facing a “social emergency” like situation as well as serious economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed a sharp spike in the infections.

After an interaction with Modi via video conference, several political leaders said the lockdown might not be lifted completely after April 14 and they were told by the prime minister that the pre-corona and postcorona life won’t be the same. “The situation in the country is akin to a social emergency...it has necessitated tough decisions and we must continue to remain vigilant,” the prime minister told the leaders, according to an official statement. He asserted that his government’s priority is to “save each and every life”.

ASTD urges Dimapur citizens not to panic

DIMAPUR, APR 8 (NPN): Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) has appealed to the general public of Dimapur town not to panic and cause havoc or spread rumours, but strictly adhere to the guidelines and directives issued by the district administration and government advisories issued from time to time.

ASTD president L Wati Jamir and secretary K Mar Lemtur has also called on public to remain united to educate and advise each other to overcome the pandemic crisis. It also urged upon all to follow social distancing and other protocols during the lockdown including to stay home and be saved.

It also acknowledged and appreciated the sincerity dedication and sacrificial services rendered by frontline doctors, nurses, medical teams and police personnel in combating the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two weeks. ASTD also said it was disheartened to witness people thronging grocery and forming long queues outside stores to indulge in panic buying, causing huge chaos and not maintaining social distancing as per the guidelines and directives of government.

This is it!

“Looks like the minister is happy that the face mask is masking what he is saying.”

K Y M C

Narendra Modi interacts with floor leaders of the opposition and other parties via video conference, Wednesday. (PTI)

“The present situation is an epoch changing event in mankind’s history and we must evolve to counter its impact,” Modi said.

A number of states also indicated extension of the lockdown, at least in the areas identified as hotspots of the deadly virus spread.

Interacting with floor leaders of opposition and other parties in Parliament via video conference, Prime Minister Modi said states, district administrations and experts have suggested extension of the ongoing lockdown beyond April 14 to contain the spread of the virus.

Modi told the leaders that the country is facing “serious economic challenges as a result of COVID-

19, and the government is committed to overcoming them.”

After the meeting, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said around 80 per cent of political parties suggested extension of the lockdown. The leaders were told by the prime minister he is receiving requests for extending lockdown and will talk to chief ministers and experts before taking a decision in the nation’s best interest, Azad said. Modi is scheduled to interact with all chief ministers on April 11.

“Prime Minister Modi made it clear that lockdown is not being lifted and also that the life pre-corona and post-corona will not be same,” Biju Janata Dal

nagalandpostofficial

leader Pinaki Misra told PTI. Separately, Uttarakhand and Goa joined several other states to favour extending the lockdown, while Punjab Government said it will take a call on April 10 on whether to extend the ongoing curfew in the state beyond April 14. Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa told PTI his government is in favour of lifting the lockdown in districts which have remained free of the infection, subject to approval from the Centre.

In his daily briefing, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said states have been asked to focus on surveillance and contact tracing as well as on building hospital infrastructure. “We working with a twin approach -- focusing on social distancing and then implementing containment measures,” he said.

The Supreme Court also asked the government to issue directions for facilitating COVID-19 tests in government or private labs for free of cost. As per the latest update from the ICMR, more than 1.2 lakh tests have been conducted so far across the country.

nagalandpostofficial

NH appeals for peace in Naga areas of Myanmar DIMAPUR, APR 8 (NPN): Naga Hoho has appealed for peace in Naga Self-Administered Zone (SAZ) in Sagaing Region of Myanmar, where a joint military operation was purportedly launched by the government of Myanmar and India amidst the world combating COVID-19 pandemic. NH informed that Nagas at SAZ villages had been appealing to both the governments for ‘peace, tranquillity and development in the field of education, healthcare and socio economy in Naga hills’ and not war.

Extending solidarity with Naga brethren, NH urged both India and Myanmar governments to suspend military operations as these have only made people live in trauma and fear due to years of war and conflict. NH reiterated that due to COVID 19 pandemic, the UN secretary general had called on armed groups across the world for a global ceasefire. NH said this was supported by many ambassadors worldwide.

“This same spirit must also apply to India and Myanmar government as well,” NH maintained.

Need to focus on border areas: Pangnyu

S Pangnyu Phom (File)

To void rush, H&FW suggests relaxing timing for shoppers DIMAPUR, APR 8 (NPN): Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) minister, S Pangnyu Phom, who held a review meeting on COVID-19 Wednesday, has asked the department officials to give more focus on the areas bordering other states as the situation was very vulnerable at this stage.

According to Information, Education & Communication (IEC) state bureau, Pangnyu insisted that quarantine mea-

sures should be implemented more strictly in those areas. He also discussed about strengthening of doctors in district level for temporary adjustments and allocations of manpower.

Further, the minister advised the department to resume the construction work of Medical College in Kohima starting April 9 and to come up with a system to manage the labour. Phom also asked the department to obtain special permission from the district administration in order to purchase essential materials for the ongoing construction.

At the meeting, the principal director H&FW, Dr. Vizolie Z Soukhrie, said that activities at the district level were implemented in a more disciplined manner with the full support of the community. PD appealed to the government to wait for two more weeks before resuming daily activities.

He also clarified that the sample taken for testing of COVID-19 virus was transported in a special medium

called “viral transport medium” wherein the virus was not expected to die for at least 48 hours therefore it was potent for testing effectively. “So far the cases of testing have been reported within 20 hours so the misconception of negative cases should not be there,” he said.

Meanwhile, the department has appealed for relaxing the timing for marketing, saying social distancing was not being maintained during rush for shopping in limited time and all efforts becomes useless.

The department said it was necessary to relax the time in order to avoid crowding.

Shelters migrant labourers: Dimapur district administration has set up relief camps and shelters for more than 350 migrant labourers, all of whom are also being provided food along with 8,000 daily wagers and other needy people by the administration and civil society organisations, principal secretary (home) Abhijit Sinha stated.

NY records 731 new COVID-19 deaths in 1 day international, Page 6

COVID-19 death toll stands at 172; cases rise to 5,521 NEW DELHI, APR 8 (PTI): The total number of coronavirus cases in the country rose to 5,274 on Wednesday, registering an increase of 485 cases in the last 24 hours, while the death toll stood at 149, the Union Health Ministry said.

However, a PTI tally of figures reported by various states as on Wednesday evening showed at least 5,521 cases and 172 deaths while 500 were discharged.

According to the ministry, the number of active COVID-19 cases is 4,714 and as many as 410 people were cured and discharged and one had migrated. The total number of cases include 71 foreign nationals.

status REPORT AS ON APRIL 8, 2020 North East Nagaland Assam Manipur Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh Tripura India World

Confirmed Nil 27 2 1 1 1 5521 14,41,128

As many as 25 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Sixteen people died Maharashtra, two each in Delhi, West Bengal, Haryana and Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh.

Maharashtra has re-

Recovered Death Nil Nil Nil Nil 1 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 500 172 3,07,819 82,992

ported the most coronavirus deaths at 64, followed

by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh at 13 each and Delhi at 9. Telangana, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have reported seven fatalities each.

Nagaland: 61 samples test negative; results of 4 awaited

DIMAPUR, APR 8 (NPN): Principal Secretary, Home, Abhijit Sinha Wednesday informed that a total of 65 samples of suspected COVID-19 cases were sent for testing from the State till 5 p.m. of April 8, of which results of 61 samples had been received and all were negative. Results of remaining four samples were awaited.

Further, 5,126 individuals have signed up in ncovid-19 Nagaland app, where 3,616 have self-declared their details.

Those who have entered the State after March 6 have been asked to self-register in

the app with their full details. The number of persons presently under home quarantine stands at 1,314, while 25 are at quarantine facilities.

Sinha said that availability of food grains, fuel and other essential commodities across the State continues to remain normal as per reports received from district administrations.

And as the lockdown entered the 15th day, the State government acknowledged the continued cooperation extended to it by everyone.

Punish those hoarding, black Official data on foreigners marketing essentials: MHA in Nagaland fluctuates

NEW DELHI, APR 8 (PTI): The Centre has asked the states and the union territories to invoke a stringent law to punish those indulging in hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities.

In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and union territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), under the Disaster Management Act, has allowed manufacture or production, transport and other related supply-chain activities in respect of essential goods like foodstuff, medicines and medical equipment during the 21-day lockdown.

However, there are reports of loss of production due to various factors, especially because of the reduction in labour supply.

“In this situation, the possibility of inventory building/hoarding and black marketing, profiteering, and speculative trading, and the resulting price rise of essential goods cannot be ruled out,” he said.

Bhalla asked the state governments and the UT administrations to take urgent steps to ensure availability of these essential goods, by invoking provisions of the Essential Commodities (EC) Act, 1955.

These measures include fixing of stock limits, capping of prices, enhancing production, inspection of accounts of dealers and other such actions, he said.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 8 (NPN): Of late, the official data, issued by the Health & Family Welfare department, on the number of foreigners in the state had been fluctuating.

The state government, since March 18, had imposed total restriction on entry of foreigners (domestic and international) in view of the COVID19 pandemic. Several organizations had also expressed apprehension over the rise in number of foreigners post the lockdown in the state.

As reported in Nagaland Post on March 18, over 300 foreign tourists from US, Europe and South East Asian countries visited Nagaland from January 1, 2020 till March 16, 2020.

According to data available with Nagaland Post, 177 registered tourists visited the state in January, 144 in the month of February and 62 in March (till March 16). Though the data had

shown only those people who had travelled by air or train to the state, there were no record of tourists that travelled into the state by road.

As on March 24, the official data had mentioned that there were only 5 foreigners in the state. On March 25, the number increased to 6 and on April 2 the number rose to 20.

However, on April 8 H&FW department bulletin, it indicated an increase by 12 (32 foreigners). It said that Dimapur had 23 foreigners, Kohima-7, Phek-1 and Mokokchung-1.

The department maintained that the foreigners were unable to leave the state due to the lockdown and were under surveillance.

H&FW said that most of them arrived Nagaland before the lockdown and were unable to leave the state, while some arrived by road and railway.

H&FW said some were traced after collecting information from the Intelligence Bureau

Lockdown leaves Nagas at inter-state border helpless KU laments price crisis Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 8 (NPN): After the centre ordered states to seal their borders in compliance with the nationwide 21-day total lockdown, Nagas living in Kania Tokbi basti and Mohon basti in Karbi Anglong (Assam) find themselves isolated as they have been totally dependent upon Dimapur markets for buying essential items including medical and banking facilities.

Some elderly residents of two villages told Nagaland Post Wednesday that police personnel manning the interstate border check gates refused to allow them to enter Nagaland.

They disclosed that even a female who had prior appointment with a medical doctor in Dimapur, was not allowed to enter Dimapur.

The two also wanted the

Inter-State police check point at Dellai Gate. (NP File)

district administration in Dimapur to intervene so that Nagas living along the border can be allowed to enter Dimapur on humanitarian ground so as to enable them to buy essential items.

The situation was worsening said one young man. He said most residents were daily wage earners and pensioners, now forced to live only on salt and rice.

He said plight of Nagas living on the border areas was being ignored by the district authorities in Dimapur.

The youth said: “I would like to remind the state government that we are also Nagas and we cast our votes in Nagaland. When we need essential items, we cannot travel to Manja or Diphu because most of us do not have vehicles and

both the places are quite far, moreover, at such times, movement in Assam is also strictly restricted”.

Also speaking to Nagaland Post about the plight, Vihepu Yepthomi, ex-MLA (Dimapur-III), who now resides at Kania Tokbi, said: “some kind of a distribution centre should be set up as online food deliveries do not cover the areas”. Another

colony member disclosed that Nagaland police personnel were uncompromising in barring them from entering Nagaland. He said most go to the nearest grocery shop (Tinali sub-jail junction) to buy their requirement but were told by police that once they enter Dimapur, they will not be allowed to return back to Assam side. One elderly man claimed that they were reluctant to cross the Dillai check gate as police personnel deployed there were extremely strict.

Hundreds of Nagas from different tribes reside at Mohon basti. “They assume we are from Assam even though we have Nagaland Aadhaar cards and Nagaland voter IDs. They ask us to bring proof from the village council but we do not have a working village council as we live in between two states”, rued an elderly man.

amid COVID-19 pandemic

DIMAPUR, APR 8 (NPN): Konyak Union (KU) through its media cell has alleged that people in Mon district were made to pay much higher price for various items owing to “uncontrolled existence of black market in Assam”.

KU said the present crisis was not confined to the pandemic alone, adding that the pandemic itself was also creating social disorder due to “uncontrolled abnormal price rise.”

KU said prices have inflated by 35% due to escalations in Assam and cited parimal rice which has shot up to Rs.37 per kg within a week after lockdown as against Rs.27 per kg prelockdown period.

It claimed that the rise in price was due to existence of “numerous and unac-

counted black market” in the neighbouring Assam that was causing “drastic artificial inflation.”

The Union (KU) has appealed to the state government to intervene and take up the issue with Assam government or central government.

KU through its media cell also appealed to all business agencies/individuals to abstain from taking advantage of current pandemic.

The Union has also made a strong appeal on the minister and advisor in-charge of Mon district to immediately take up necessary measures in controlling price rise of essential commodities.

It also called upon all the civil society organisations to voice out grievances.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

Preventive measures and advisories against COVID-19 Dimapur district

Kohima district

(L-R): 1st batch of announcement team ready to move out from DC Dimapur office on April 8. DC Dimapur inspecting the colonies in Nagaland border on April 8. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: District administrations, civil bodies and NGOs have been taking all preventive measures against the outbreak of COVID-19 in the state by ensuring that lockdown is being well carried out. In Dimapur, announcements are being made for public awareness in various localities. Other preventive measures are being conducted

by DMC, while borders are being sealed and strictly monitored.

Announcements for public awareness being carried out in Dimapur: To create wider public awareness about COVID 19 amongst the public and also to make them aware about the directives and guidelines issued by the district administration and Police Dimapur, announcements in the colonies and villages within Dimapur district started since April 4 and are still continuing.

According to DIPR report, several government vehicles have been requisitioned by the district administration for carrying out announcement duties with the help of DPRO Dimapur. DPRO Dimapur Lolano Patton informed that besides the department’s resources, PA system from private sources were also taken on hire basis and currently 5 (five) vehicles have been pressed into service for carrying out announcements simultane-

ously at different locations , villages and Highway stretch by the announcers.

Till April 7 evening, announcement has been made in 90 colonies at Dimapur and also in several villages where announcement has been done in 192 strategic junctions /locations DPRO informed. She further informed that hard copy of the announcement points was translated into Ao and Angami dialects through the initiative of Naga Council Dimapur and handed over to the chairmen of Indisen village, Aoyimti village, Aoyikum, Nuton Basti Ao Khel, Angami Signal and Kuda village for dissemination in their respective villages/ colonies. Translation into Sumi, Lotha, Nagamese and Hindi was done by DPRO Dimapur staff for announcement, she informed.

DC Dimapur inspects entry points: To review the colonies in the Nagaland border, deputy commissioner Dimapur Anoop Kinchi along with SDO (C) Zubenthung Ngullie and other officials inspected all the entry points on April 8. According to DIPR report, the entry points visited were Dutu Colony, LRC, Nuton Basti, River Belt, Duncan Basti, Lingrijan, Aokong and Dillai Gate. Interacting with the village council members, Anoop asked them for ensur-

ing proper sealing of all the entry points as a preventive measure to fight COVID-19.

He also advised them for devising mechanism to ensure that people on the other side of the border gets essential commodities and medicines .Further he instructed them to restrict movement of people and also to maintain social distancing.

DC Dimapur visits customer service points: For the benefit of the general public, the SBI has informed that products and services such as saving bank account, flexi recurring deposit a/c, special term deposit account, fund transfer (a/c to a/c), tatkhal money remittance, card based transactions, Aadhaar enabled payment transactions, Atal Pention Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Aadhaar seeding, loan repayment and mini statement will be available at customer service points.

According to DIPR report, cash deposit/withdrawal up to Rs. 20,000 per day, deposit in loan A/C upto Rs. 20,000/-, remittance up to Rs. 20,000/- IMPS remittance up to Rs. 5000/- (Max. Rs. 25,000/-per month and AEPS and card based tax up to Rs. 10,000/- will be allowed. Customers were also informed that pass book is issued at the link branch

and kiosk operator has no authority to issue passbook and pass were also to be updated at link branch or Swayam machine. The customers were also reminded to always demand for computer printout receipts/statements for all the financial transactions. DC Dimapur instructed the bank officials to refill all the ATMs and also to make sure that social distancing is being maintained by the customers. DC Dimapur personally visited the customer service points on April 8 to ensure availability of cash and to monitor whether social distancing is being maintained.

DMC sanitising town areas in Dimapur: Dimapur Municipal Council is carrying out sanitising of all public places, police stations, and designated quarantine areas in Dimapur town on a daily basis. Dr. Sentimoa Longkumer, VAS, Dimapur Municipal Council who is in-charge of sanitising operation informed that trucks carrying essential commodities are properly sanitised at the state entry gates in coordination with personnel of fire department before being allowed to enter into Dimapur. He said, the Dimapur Municipal Council is providing the standard chemical approved by the World Health Organisation. Presently there are 4 designated quarantine places within the

jurisdiction - DDSC Stadium, Youth Hostel and boys and girls hostel complex of State Sports Hostel. Dimapur District Sports Council stadium has 230 people taking shelter in the facility. DDSC vice president, Tsenthungo Nyamo who is overseeing the facility in the stadium said that along with the security provided by the police and administration, SEWAK and PHED are supplying water in tankers and food is being provided by various NGOs on roster basis through district administration. Medical department is taking care of all medical needs at the facility. Tsenthungo said, more or less, quarantine at facility at DDSC stadium has become a relief camp as those kept at the stadium consist of beggars, destitute, homeless and some migrant labourers who have nowhere go at such a time.

Lockdown enforcement in Western Sumi area: Village authorities, especially along the interstate boundary under Western Sumi, have been keeping strict vigil in enforcing ban on movement of vehicles and public. Informing this in a press release, president of Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH), stated that volunteers, led by Western Sumi Hoho, WSKH and Western Sumi Youth Front have been enforcing lockdown effectively as counterparts on the other side of the border are also being equally responsive in respecting the order of lockdown.

Volunteers were carrying out duty as per guidelines given by the administrative authority. Denizens of Western Sumi will extend utmost cooperation to the government in the fight against COVID-19, and that, so far there was no report of untoward incidents in the border areas as of yet.

Wokha district

Sorenpeni, CHO Pongidong HWC sensitizing the ASHAs & health workers on COVID-19.

dh&fw Wokha training for health workers on covid-19: Department of Health and Family Welfare (DH&FW) Wokha have been conducting trainings on COVID-19 for health workers star ting from March 23. A press release

from CMO office district media officer Wokha stated that, first phase of training was conducted by Dr. N. Thungbemo Patton, district surveillance officer (DSO) Wokha and Dr. Khesheli Awomi, epidemiologist IDSP for medical officers,

news in Brief DC Dimapur informs farming section: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur Anoop Khinchi has informed that all agencies engaged in farming operations and other agriculture related activities under Dimapur district are exempted from the lockdown.

Movement of farmers and other persons involved in agricultural activities should not be restricted in the colonies/villages.

Medical board examination postponed: Chief medical officer (CMO) Kohima Dr. Vezokholu Theyo has informed all heads of department that the medical board examination for confirmation of service, invalidation, commutation, pension etc for grade-III and grade IV has been postponed to be held on May 7, in view of the COVID-19 health emergency.

Wokha DPDB meeting postponed: Deputy commissioner & vice chairman DPDB Wokha Orenthung Lotha informed all DPDB members that the monthly DPDB meeting for the month of April has been postponed till further order in view of the global scenario regarding COVID-19.

nurses, pharmacists, staff and administrative officials. In the second phase, trainings were conducted at all the primary health centres and community health centres by DSO, MO and district epidemiologist. In district hospital, GNMs At-

KVYO executives salute police personnel on duty at high school junction in Kohima on April 8. (NP)

Correspondent KOHIMA, APR 8 (NPN): Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) lauded the administrators, Police, District Disaster Management Agency, Kohima

Municipal Council and all the frontline workers who are tirelessly disposing their duties during COVID-19 lockdown period in Kohima on Wednesday.

KVYO extended utmost support to them in

executing the administrative guidelines and directives for the safety of all.

Further, KVYO urged everyone to cooperate with those agencies who were risking their life for public safety.

Longleng district Prayer meeting on COVID-19 held at Longleng: Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA), Lempong, Longleng led by the executive secretary Tialemba Phom visited DC office, Longleng and conducted prayer meeting with the district administration, Police, government office and civil societies on April 8 at the office complex.

According to DIPR report, DC Longleng Shayung Phom highlighted the overall prevailing situation of the district to contain the spread of COVID-19.

He also highlighted the cooperation and support extended by the government agencies, the PPC, PSC, Phomla Hoichem, churches and financial assistance given by the societies and individuals in combating COVID-19.

Tialemba Phom lauded the responsibilities and consolidated effort and pointed out that it was a time to

DC Longleng M. Shayung Phom speaking during the prayer meeting organised by the PBCA, Longleng at DC office complex on April 8. (DIPR)

unite and combat against the Coronavirus. He asserted that the people of Nagaland must be thankful to God because so far no one has been infected by the COVID-19. Pichano Kikon EAC Yachem and Ihoilung Chuilo EAC, Longleng highlighted various activities carried out by the district task force on COVID-19, the district administration, police, VGs, medical department &

other government agencies and the civil societies.

They also updated contribution and assistance of the individual and organization. Vice president of Phom People’s Council, Longdang Tenjem Phom also informed about the coordination and joint effort of the government and civil societies. It may be mentioned that medical consignment for Longleng district arrived on April 8.

Mon district hungbeni and Grace Kikon gave training to the hospital staff while Dr. Nzanthung also took sessions on sample collection for laboratory technicians.

At village level, community health officers and block ASHA coordinators and community health officers are sensitizing the ASHAs on the disease using the platform of social media, personal phone calls and block meetings.

Meanwhile, ASHAs are conducting home visits creating awareness on importance of hand washing, social distancing and use of face masks. Echungbeni Tsanglao, district community mobilizer and Mhonlumi, block ASHA coordinator gave COVID-19 training to urban ASHAs at CMO conference hall on April 1.

Training for medical officers’ in-charge of quarantine facility and isolation ward was also conducted on April 3 at District Hospital.

P Paiwang Konyak holds review meeting and inspects check gate: Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Railways, Land Resources, P Paiwang Konyak who is also assigned to monitor COVID-19 in Mon district, called for review meeting with ADC Tizit, SDPO Tizit, commandant & dy. commandant 6th NAP Tizit, and student organisations at ADC office Tizit on April 8. Minister also visited the Nagaland Police check gate at the boundary with Assam in Tizit, visited community health centre (CHC) Tizit, anti quarantine room at Lapalampong, Tizit and discussed with medical officer (MO) regarding current situation. He also donated 1 lakh to administration, 50,000 to Police, another 50,000 to Tizit Area Students’ Union and 50,000 to MO to purchase personal protection equipment (PPE) for Tizit CHC. Rations and other

Tuensang district

Kiphire district

DC Tuensang advisory to health care institutions: Deputy commissioner, Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant has notified advisory to all health care institutions (this includes all public health institutions with medical officer like PHC, CHC, District Hospital, and all public sector undertakings and also private health establishments like hospitals, nursing homes, clinics etc.) under Tuensang district jurisdiction should mandatorily submit daily report (including NIL report) by 3 p.m of any patient presenting with fever and cough and shortness of breath. According to DIPR report, this is aimed to screen the COVID-19 like symptoms for testing. The daily reporting format may be send through WhatsApp 9612724367 or email to dmotuensang@ gmail.com with the following detail daily reporting format for COVID-19 Surveillance: Name of health institution, date, name of patient, patient mobile No, address, presenting symptoms: Fever, cough and shortness of breath.

DC Kiphire informs FPS to distribute foodgrains: Deputy commissioner Kiphire Sarita Yadav informed the FPS both in rural & urban to distribute the foodgrains to all the beneficiaries under PHH & AAY in the Kiphire district targeted public distribution system Free Of Cost for a period of three months (April, May and June) 2020 and ensure that foodgrains of the said scheme should reach out all the beneficiaries at the right time. According to DIPR report, she also informed that if any FPS was found selling/diversion or misusing the allocation mean for free distribution should be penalised by cancellation of license and action to be taken as laid down in Essential Commodities Act 1955. She also mentioned that while distributing the foodgrains to the beneficiaries, counter signed by ADS and district administration for this scheme and to submit record as soon as distribution of foodgrains is completed.

essential commodities are being supplied by Assam and offloaded at the Nagaland Police check gate, wherein students’ organisation (TASU) is taking initiative to bring essential commodities from Assam. Minister encouraged the district administration, Police, Medical team, and NGOs to successfully implement the lockdown, and also work out the mechanism to be placed after the lockdown is lifted up. He shared his opinion to the members that lockdown must continue even after April 14 because it was the only option to prevent the deathly virus from entering Mon district.

DC Mon directives for transportation of essential commodities: Deputy commissioner Mon, Thavaseelan K has issued the following directives with regard to the transportation of essential commodities from Assam to Mon HQ and beyond.

According to DIPR report, the directives are: The trucks carrying essential commodities are permitted to enter till the Police Check Posts at Naginimora and Tizit; Trucks will be sanitized at the Naginimora and Tizit Check Posts by the respective town councils; Truck drivers and the handymen coming from Assam will remain seated inside the cabin of the truck, except for exigencies, during the unloading and loading process. Mon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in co-ordination with district administration will be responsible for the following activities: Arrangement of trucks to transport the commodities from Tizit to Mon HQ and other sub-divisions except Naginimora, Tizit

Paiwang along with other district officials at the Nagaland Police check gate in Tizit.

and Tobu; Arrangement of labourers for unloading and loading of commodities at Tizit Check Post; Co-ordination between the various stakeholders.

For Tizit sub-division, the following arrangements will be implemented in co-ordination with district administration: The essential commodities will be unloaded from the truck coming from Assam at Tizit Area Students’ Union (TASU) office building; the villages in Tizit sub-division will coordinate with the Tizit Area Students’ Union (TASU) in transporting the essential commodities to their respective villages. Arrangement of labourers for unloading and loading of essential commodities: The Tizit Area Students’Union (TASU) will also be responsible for the basic needs of the drivers and handymen coming from Assam during the unloading process.

Fo r N a g i n i m o r a sub-division, the following arrangements will be implemented in co-ordination with the district administration: The shop-

keepers will make necessary arrangements for transportation of essential commodities from Police Check Post, Naginimora to their respective shops via trucks/other vehicles; Shopkeepers of Naginimora sub-division will also be responsible for the basic needs of the drivers and handymen coming from Assam, during the unloading process; Shopkeepers of Naginimora sub-division will also be responsible for arrangement of labourers for unloading and loading of essential commodities. All concerned are directed to strictly maintain social distancing norms and observe all preventive measures notified by the government.

These directives are issued after extensive consultation between the district administration, office of the chief medical officer, Mon, Mon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Tizit Area Students’ Union (TASU) and other stakeholders.

Non-compliance with this notice will attract penal action as per the relevant provisions of law.

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

Lockdown: Various agencies and organisations extend help

DIMAPUR: Government agencies, public and civil bodies continue to extend helping hand towards alleviating the difficulties being faced by the poor and needy people in view of nationwide lockdown against COVID-19.

Many needy persons and families are being benefitted through contributions and donations made by various agencies.

Dimapur District

Church staff and members of BEC, Darogapathar with the Members of Gorkha bodies with others during the LCD members with the stranded students with the essential food items for needy families on Wednesday. distribution in various areas of Dimapur. essential food commodities.

Chatteswary Durgabari member with CCC chairman with the bags of rice during the relief distribution.

Youth wing members with the needy people and Employees of SIB Dimapur in front of the bank premises DCPO along with the proprietors of Children Home with essential commodities at Lotha Colony, Dimapur. to distribute bread for the needy. the supply items from district administration.

BEC Darogapathar distributes essential commodities: Believers Eastern Church (BEC), Darogapathar village in Dimapur distributed essential commodities such as rice, pulses, cooking oil, salt etc to needy families on Wednesday.

According to the church pastor, Ekon Lotha, members of the church that comprise of people from different tribes and communities contributed money to raise fund for the charity work. He said a total of 35 families were benefitted through the distribution programme conducted in the church premises. Pastor Ekon informed that the churches under Diocese of Dimapur, Believers Eastern Church are extending help to the needy families by way of distributing food items in their respective areas.

DDGIF, GYCD and GHMSS distribute food items to needy: Dimapur District Gorkha Indigenous Forum (DDGIF) led by Sanjay Pandey, member, Gorkha Youth Club Dimapur (GYCD) led by president Shiva Sumar BK and Gorkha Hindu Milan Sewa Sangh (GHMSS) led by president Tek Bahadur BK distributed food items in Lhomithi village, Signal Rana Colony, Lhomithi Colony, Khermahal and Walford. A joint press release from DDGIF and GYCD stated that, distribution was done in the presence of Bishnu Bhattacharjee NPF president central minority wings, Uttam Chetri GB Nepali Bosti, Om bahadur Rana GB Signal Rana Colony, and Dil bahadur Sunar.

Chatteswary Durgabari distributes relief: Chatteswary Durgabari distributed food relief in Chatteswary

VWS Viswema donates to eldery people and widows: Vikehie Welfare Society (VWS), Viswema extended help to needy people by distributing rice and masks at Viswema village, Kohima on April 8.

A press release from VWS Viswema publicity wing

Colony on April 8. A press release from Chatteswary Colony Council chairman Heshito Sema stated that, 150 families received twelve bags of rice from the administration which was contributed by Chatteswary Durgabari.

Each family received 4 kgs each of rice relief.

South Indian Bank Dimapur distributes bread: Employees of South Indian Bank (SIB) Dimapur distributed packets of bread in front of ATM premises as solidarity towards fight against COVID-19 on April 7. A press release from SBI branch manager Abel Joseph Aloor stated that, founder and director of Peace Channel, Rev. Fr. Anto inaugurated the distribution programme.

CCI Children Home receives essential food items: District administration Dimapur supplied essential food items to Child Care Institute (CCI) Children Home, Dimapur. A press release from district child protection officer (DCPO), Pikato E Tuccu extended gratitude to the district administration for the same.

NCNJMC distributes relief to poor & needy: Naga Colony Noor Jame Masjid Committee (NCNJMC), Burma Camp, Dimapur, on April 8 distributed essential commodities to more than 700 identified poor and needy families in the colony and its adjoining colonies. A press release by NCNJMC stated that, the team was led by the committee secretary, M.D Sultan Ali, and accompanied

by United North Block (UNB), Naga Colony, GB, Toshi Ozukum. They distributed essential food items like rice, dal, oil, potatoes and onions.

Kohima District

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is the health of the people more important the wealth of the nation?

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

A B C

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

100% 0% 0%

Next poll

Q: Are public in general,

seriously adhering to measures against COVID19?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST April 9

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy and hot; a p.m. t-storm

38 23

An afternoon thunderstorm

31 16

Aizawl

Guwahati A p.m. t-storm in spots

35 17

A t-storm around in the p.m.

31 12

Itanagar An afternoon thunderstorm

27 18

Shillong

An afternoon thunderstorm

24 14

Kohima

An afternoon thunderstorm

26 13

Dimapur An afternoon thunderstorm

33 18

Imphal

Mkg

A p.m. t-storm in spots

25 13

Tuensang A t-storm around in the p.m.

18 10

A t-storm around in the p.m.

26 18

Zunheboto A t-storm around in the p.m.

22 12

Wokha

K Y M C

Bags of rice grain sponsored by VWS which were doled out to needy elderly and widows.

stated that, VWS officials led by its chairman Eyosa Kikhi handed over 1150 kgs of rice and masks to 282 elderly persons and widows of the village at Viswema community hall.

CAN itinerary for the Holy Week: Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) has requested all Catholic families, priests, clergies and nuns working in the Diocese of Kohima to offer prayers during the Holy Eucharistic celebration for healing of the sick especially

by COVID-19 pandemic.

A press release from CAN president Johnny Ru-

angmei asked that believers pray for wisdom of God to dawn upon the leaders of Nagaland and the world in the fight against COVID-19.

It further requested Catholic community to sing “The old rugged cross” at 4 p.m on Good Friday on the terraces or wherever family members can gather. It also requested all parishes in the Diocese of Kohima to ring the church bell at 3 p.m for 40 minutes, symbolizing the 40 days of passion of the Lord.

The release added that on Easter Sunday, all families are requested to sing, “Halleluiah He is risen” at 9 a.m and all parishes of Diocese of Kohima to ring the church bell symbolizing the triumph of Christ over sin and death.

Tuensang District

Zunheboto District

Shamator town receives relief through COVID-19 Rice-for-Needy: Additional deputy commissioner Shamator, Lankonsen contributed cash amount of Rs. 10,000/- and Chamber of Commerce (CoC) Shamator also contributed 11 quintals of rice during the nationwide lockdown in aid of COVID-19 Rice-for-Needy of Shamator town.

A press release from CoC president Thsantong and general secretary, Bensokiu stated that, the contribution could reach to a total of 1497 kgs to needy people in the entire ward/colony under Shamator town in the first phase from April 6 to 7, with a subsidy of 45, per kilogram as per the need assessment prepared and forwarded to the CoC office by the respective ward/colony office bearers. The CoC appreciated the efforts made towards the fight against COVID-19 by the ADC and during its second phase will reach out to stranded students. CoC also appealed individuals to come forward and help needy people or any well-wishers can also directly contribute towards COVID-19 Rice-for-Needy.

Zunheboto legislators donate: Advisor of F&CS, LM&CP and Taxes, Pukhayi Sumi and advisor of School Education, K.T. Sukhalu visited Zunheboto district and met with district task force and civil societies to assess the preparedness and arrangements that have been made in the district.

A press release from NDPP Zunheboto region media cell stated that, Pukhayi Sumi visited his home constituency Aghunato on April 8 and donated an amount of Rs. 50,000/- towards Aghunato community health centre, along with sanitizers, face masks and medicines. K.T Sukhalu of 35Zunheboto A/C inspected the isolation and quarantine facilities located at District Hospital Zunheboto and also the storage facilities of Civil Supplies department on April 7.

He donated hand sanitizers to the District Hospital and the Police department and expressed satisfaction on the arrangements.

On behalf of the government of Nagaland, he thanked the district administration, Medical fraternity, Police department and all the civil societies involved. NDPP Zunheboto region conveyed appreciation to both the legislators for their official duties.

Toshi Ozukum (4th from left) and M.D Sultan Ali (3rd from AVC member with the bags of rice to be given to right) with other committee members on Wednesday. villagers at wholesale rate in Aoyimkum.

ACID distributes essentials to domestic workers: Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) Dimapur also extended helping hand towards COVID-19 cause on April 8. A press release from ACID sister Pramila stated that, ACID-cum-NDWM distributed food items at Island and Lake View Colony. The essentials were mainly given to domestic workers in the form of rice, dal, oil, salt and vegetables.

LDC helps stranded students of DCC Dimapur: Lions Club of Dimapur (LCD) has donated to needy and stranded students on April 8 at Discipleship Christian College (DCC), Dimapur. A press release from LCD president Narottam Jha stated that, 17 students from DCC

who could not go home received assistance from LCD. There were also 6 male students from outside Dimapur who were stranded.

NDPP youth wing Dimapur donates: NDPP youth wing Dimapur region reached out to needy people of Lotha Colony, Dimapur on April 8. A press release from NDPP youth wing Dimapur general secretary Amos Humtsoe stated that rice and potato were distributed to needy.

AVC Dimapur helps the needy: Aoyimkum Village Council (AVC) Dimapur contributed towards the needy people during the lockdown period to combat COVID-19 on April 8. A press release from AVC Dimapur stated that, rice was given to the villagers at wholesale rate.

Peren District

Wokha District

CISF personnel with the distribution vehicle carrying essential food grains for the needy.

District administration officials distributing essential CISF Unit DHEP Doyang provides food grains: CISF Unit DHEP, Doyang (NL), Wokha extended help to the items to wage labourers. (DIPR)

Ration distributed to jobless labourers in Tening: District administration of Peren led by Rhosietho Nguori and Tumben P. Tsanglao, additional deputy commissioner (ADC) and extra assistant commissioner (EAC) supplied ration to 19 jobless labourers due to nationwide lockdown at Tening on April 8. According to DIPR report, the wage workers are from Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh stranded in Tening sub-division.

needy people of the area by distributing food grains for their livelihood with the contribution of unit personnel.

A press release from CISF Unit DHEP Doyang stated that, with the help of the United Baptist Church, Doyang identification of the needy people was carried out.

With their help and coordination, the CISF distributed food grains to about 45 families which included rice, dal & tea leaf. Biscuit packets were distributed among the children of the villages.

Megovizo Rino, a five-year old boy from Jotsoma village donated his savings towards COVID-19 relief at Kohima Relief Distribution Centre, local ground on April 8. (DIPR)

Three brothers, namely Dr Keliihol Tase, Sweyiekhüto Tase and Medolekho Tase had planted 500 rhododendron trees last year, which are in full bloom this April. (MD, Rhododendron Park Jakhama.)

K Y M C

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 123 Dimapur, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

Defection defies detection

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verything today in the world has been submerged by the plethora of COVID-19 news etc, as media is continues to focus all attention on the virus. One that had escaped focus was the order of the division bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Rohinton Nariman who on March 18, restrained Manipur minister and political turncoat Shyamkumar from entering the assembly and had also stripped him from remaining a minister. This stunning development practically reduced the former Congress member-turned BJP minister into a political nobody. The order came after the assembly Speaker Singh failed to decide on the disqualification petition on grounds of defection pending against Shyamkumar within the four-week period stipulated by the Supreme Court. The order left the turncoat with no option but to resign as legislator after eight days on March 26.

Shyamkumar, who won as a Congress candidate from Andro in the 2017 assembly election, immediately switched sides to join Manipur’s first Bharatiya Janata Party-led government headed by N Biren Singh. Incidentally, Shyamkumar’s resignation came two days prior to the verdict on his disqualification case pending before the Manipur assembly Speaker’s tribunal. This game of entertaining political turncoats and rewarding them with ministerial berth is not unknown and popular with the BJP in its determination to grab power by depriving its sworn foe, the Congress. It may be recalled, that in the 2017 Manipur assembly election, the sitting Congress won 28 of the 60 assembly seats to become the single-largest party in the state, followed by the BJP , which won 21 seats. By the evening of March 12, 2017- after results were declared- the day after the election results were announced—the BJP managed to woo the NPP and NPF which won four seats each including support from the LJP, Trinamool and an independent having one seat each. The next day, the state governor Najma Heptullah, asked the Congress’s Okram Ibobi Singh, the incumbent chief minister, to submit his resignation and then invited the BJP-led coalition to form the government and prove their majority on the floor of the house “as soon as possible.” That “soon as possible” came two days later but before which, Biren Singh was sworn-in as chief minister and the Congress defector made a minister.

The Congress had filed an application of disqualification against Shyamkumar but Speaker Khemchand did not take any action, after which a writ petition was filed. Singh was also suspended from the party for six years. There are growing instances where opposition members have been appointed ministers in the government while still retaining the membership of their original parties in the legislature. The Anti Defection Law is in need of further amendment to ensure that anti-party activities include hiding in resorts or being corralled in hide outs to destabilise a government. A vote against a party government should not result in disqualification provided the rebel has not joined another party. Also, the anti-defection law does not specify a timeframe for Speakers to decide on defection proceedings. When the politics demanded, Speakers were either quick to pass judgment on defection proceedings or delayed acting on them for years on end. The game of arithmetical calculation of suspending some so as to disqualify others,should also be done away with. Unless the law is further reviewed and amended the scoundrels will always find a loophole.

DailyDevotion His Resurrection Destiny

Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory? —Luke 24:26 Our Lord’s Cross is the gateway into His life. His resurrection means that He has the power to convey His life to me. When I was born again, I received the very life of the risen Lord from Jesus Himself.

Christ’s resurrection destiny— His foreordained purpose— was to bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God. We never have exactly the same relationship to God that the Son of God has, but we are brought by the Son into the relation of sonship. When our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life— a life He had never lived before He was God Incarnate. He rose to a life that had never been before. And what His resurrection means for us is that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we will have a body like His glorious body, but we can know here and now the power and effectiveness of His resurrection and can “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Paul’s determined purpose was to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).

Jesus prayed, “…as You have given Him authority over all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” (John 17:2). The term Holy Spirit is actually another name for the experience of eternal life working in human beings here and now. The Holy Spirit is the deity of God who continues to apply the power of the atonement by the Cross of Christ to our lives. Thank God for the glorious and majestic truth that His Spirit can work the very nature of Jesus into us, if we will only obey Him.

Quotes

Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health. ~ Carl Jung

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

Post-mortem

Need of the hour to fight against COVID-19

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he COVID-19 pandemic has brought the global community together as one big family with a common goal which is to find a way out of this deadly threat on a war-footing. Being part of this global community and concern for the well-being of everyone, I would first of all like to congratulate and salute the government (both central as well as state), medical fraternity including the doctors, nurses, etc., the administrative officers including village councils, police and para-military personnel, various organizations, the media, wholesalers, retailers, transport sectors supplying essential commodities and also some concerned individuals who are working round the clock despite a high level of exposure and threat from this pandemic. We, who are inside the safety of our homes must take time to ponder and appreciate the

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immense sacrifices that these individuals are making so that we can remain safe and sound while at the same time, continue to receive the essential goods for our families unhindered despite all the odds.

At this crucial juncture, when everyone is fighting against a common unseen enemy and every government and organization has come out with a common agenda of lockdown to save our society from this global pandemic, it becomes our moral responsibility to give our unflinching support towards this cause and to also have genuine concern for everyone around us.

We have to shed all personal and individual differences aside for a while and unite our efforts to give our best for the society.

In this regard, I have seen certain anomalies taking place among the denizens of Dimapur which I find is quite unreasonable and

unfortunate at this crucial point of time. Some of the people are making undue rush for commodities during peak hours and thus making the task of wholesalers and retailers arduous and painstaking. We have to understand one key element of the lockdown and that is to maintain social distancing between individuals.

However, we are so much blinded by our selfish rush for commodities that we forget this key necessity and thereby we are putting everyone at a high risk situation.

Here I would like to urge all the people not to make a mad rush for buying essential commodities as the government is making all arrangements to ensure that the people of the state should get essential commodities and also door to door delivery services are also in place which can be availed by the citizens without exposing themselves

and others to undue risks.

Another issue that we must take into consideration is that Dimapur being the only business hub and commercial gateway of Nagaland and Manipur caters not only to the citizens of Dimapur alone but also to the citizens of other districts as well as Manipur for which wholesalers are having a trying and difficult time which we must all understand and thus cooperate with them. In this regard it will be wise if, according to the administration’s directives, only those with wholesale permits go to the wholesalers for purchasing essential goods in bulk for individual sectors, colonies, villages and organisations and only during the stipulated timings while individual households should purchase from retailers within their own colonies, wards or villages as time stipulated by the administration. Since these directives are not followed

In search of life and health

n unseen enemy killer, known as COVID-19, has invaded our world today. In a short span of time, it has overrun almost all the countries claiming thousands’ lives. Casualty is going to be very extensive. It is reported that more than 1.3 million people have been injured (infected) so far. Rich and poor has no distinction before this enemy. Surprisingly, animals and other creatures are left untouched.

Shockingly, this enemy doesn’t come alone. It comes along with its hosts of conglomerated forces of lockdown, economic breakdown, domestic violence, jobs losses, poverty, hunger, famine, pestilence, violence, anger, boredom, hackers, thieves, lawbreakers and a lot more. They are going to kill more people than the COVID-19.

As this enemy killer is advancing aggressively, countries are fighting back with all they can. But sadly, all the world’s sophisticated war weapons are once again proved to be useless against this enemy. This time, the Doctors and health workers are in the frontline. The Army, the police and the para military forces are rolling out from their barracks without their usual automatic assault rifles. Politicians and world leaders are in distress. The world is witnessing that security is no longer found

in the war weapons which they once thought to be.

Will the world win a victory over this dreaded pandemic? Where does it come from?

For how long will this enemy ravage the world? Should the world be waiting for a vaccine that can save some lives somehow? Will there be a vaccine that can destroy its’ hosts of conglomerated forces? If not, who the world does think to go to? Is there anyone who has the power to destroy all these ferocious forces? In other word, where do we find life and health in a difficult time such as this one?

A time is coming when a piece of bread can buy a bag of gold. Surely, all the accumulated wealth of the rich will be made useless again.

The rich will buy a cylinder of oxygen and ventilators but certainly not breathe. Surely, they will buy medicines but not healing. At that time they will begin to look for the one who can give life and health and not wealth any more. But, will it not be too late for the world by then?

While the world is reeling under this pandemic, God is taking His time to heal the earth. The world of greed must stop its’ work for a while in order to give rest to the earth. The atmosphere must be refreshed and renewed. The activities of sexual immorality must be put

on a hold that the world may witness the beauty of sanity once again. It is time for God to save the world by deterring mankind from going beyond the limit. What is it meant to us? It means: 1. It is time for us to humble ourselves and remain quiet for a while before the Maker of heaven and earth.

2. It is time to listen to what God has to say to you and me and the world at large.

3. It is time not to engage in debauchery anymore.

4. It is time for everyone to take a concrete resolution not to abuse and misuse the earth anymore. We have indeed marred the earth because of greed.

5. We are supposed to be the stewards of God’s earth, because the earth is His and not ours (cf. Ps. 24:1-2).

6. It is time to say good bye to greed, sexual immorality, domestic violence, economic exploitation, social discrimination, political oppression and suppression, evil practices, law breaking, hatred, jealousy, deceit, so on and so forth.

Let us shun them all. They are none other than rebellion against God. 7. It is time to return to God from the path of sin. Only then it will go well with us and our world. In such trying time, nothing is more precious and desirable than life and health.

The world after COVID-19 on Nagaland perspective

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It can be found only when we diligently seek for it. Surely, it is found in God’s word. For God’s word has the power to give life and health. “They (God’s Words) are not just idle words for you — they are your life. By them you will live long in the land . . .” (Deut 32:47 NIV). In another place it is also written, “for they (God’s Words) are life to those who find them and health to their whole being.”

(Prov 4:22 CJB). It is true that in the God’s word alone we can find life and health.

Let us also believe in God’s promise to His children (we all are His children) in the book of Exodus 15:26.

“He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, (the rebels) for I am the LORD, who heals you.” (NIV). In time like this, let us run to him “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6 NIV). He will solve the problem. Remember, it is he who gives life and takes away, who sends diseases and heals, who creates and destroys.

God, who restores everything is there near you. Take a chance to receive life and health. May God Bless you all.

Rev. Seksim Kasar

spreading misinformation and rumours through social media platforms like facebook, whatsapp, instagrams, etc. but stand united with the government and the authorities and try to logically educate everyone near us.

Let us not speculate and jump to unnecessary conclusions in this dire situation but be wise and reasonable and take care of our family and society by staying at home and supporting the lockdown for the general benefit and well being of the entire country and the global community at large. We should also continually pray for all those who are on the field fighting against this traumatic disease including the doctors, nurses, paramedics, health workers and the rest who are and who will always be our guardian angels.

Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema, President NPP Nagaland State

Revelation from the spirit of Christ

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agas are to fast and pray for all nations for 3 days – 10th to 12th April 2020 to destroy the spirit of death in the land, and on Easter Sunday celebrate the feast of love for the victory over the spirit of death, through the Risen Saviour Jesus Christ. Isaiah 26:20-21 -Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by.21 See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins.

The earth will disclose the bloodshed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer. Deliverance of Israel Isaiah 27: 1-2 In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword, his fierce, great and powerful sword. John 21:1517 Jesus Reinstates Peter…… Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Luke 24:46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. 2 king 20:1-6…….I, the Lord the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you. Matthew 17:21 (NKJV) However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Phelutso Angami, Senior Pastor, Hindi/Nagamese Church NCRC Dimapur

Reader’s Post

the birds and the movement of animals. Humanity must come together to win and conquer this pandemic and we shall live a better life. Kuknalim! At this time of crisis, I take deep concern for humanity, challenging myself on Sir, what I can do for mankind.

It is very unfortunate that we Nagas always want to be special In my conversation with my and take advantage of everything and anything under the Sun. fellow friends, industry experts These days, I see lots of vehicle with COVID-19 passes roaming and through reading and ana- about without official (only driver) or with full passenger as if golyzing the writings of different ing to picnic (so how can they maintain social distancing in that people across the globe, I pen situation?). Actually those vehicles with passes should come out down my thoughts and bring only with the designated official for performing duties. So strict this out. directives should be given to the pass holders not to misuse it and Here are some of the people create unwanted situations. who helped me in the process: Even public should respect and obey the official orders because Rozelle Mero, Interior Designer it is for our good that the govt. is taking so many necessary steps and Social Worker, Dimapur; but public are also showing a damn care attitude for this deadly Kili Sumi: Law student, Ben- pandemic disease because there is no positive cases so far in the galuru; Sunep Imsong: Bank- state. But once we get it then it will spread like wildfire which will er, HSBC, Bengaluru; Tutu K be a big disaster for a small state like Nagaland. So let’s believe in Jamir: Counselor and Writer, the dictum, “Prevention is better than cure”.

Dimapur; X Chophika Sumi: N. T. Thamlong Phom, Signal Angami, Dimapur Political worker, Dimapur; Achin Hangsing: Teacher and Youth Advocate, Kohima; Wetso-u Kapfo: Customer Consultant, Delhi; Sir, Dr. Kaholi Zhimomi: Christian Whereas, being of assistance to needful people in this kind of Historian, Bengaluru; Menule extreme distress by sufficed groups or individuals has to a greater Chirhah: Student and Creator, extend benefitted needy sections in meeting their needs.

Kohima; Khyothunglo Kikon: However, ameliorating the requisite people at the expense of Student and Youth Ambassador, our embraced media has deemed unfortunate in minds of needy Shillong; Bendangkala Kichu: people where in exchanged bag of ration for other person’s publicCommunity leader, Bengaluru; ity has become the trend. Let us be modest by keeping aside our Vituonuo Valerie: Software En- media oriented devices and be of clean service to humanity for gineer, Kohima.

“When you give someone in need, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” Matthew 6:3.

(Concluded) Kuzote Lohe H. Kaboto Kibami, Fellowship Colony 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.

(From previous issue) I is used to diagnose the disease and accelerate the development of the vaccine. We need to ensure that the lockdown goes hand in hand with maximum testing, maximum isolation like South Korea, citizen trust like Singapore where selfemployed quarantine residents are given 70USD a day along with free medical treatment.

History is repeating itself and we are in the middle of the battle in a big war. It is not the time to play a blame game or a condemnation game which we seem to always do. Our neighbors or the world are not going to come to rescue us because they are also in the war, it’s not us versus them, it’s Humanity versus the Virus.

The global community needs the highest degree of trust, we cannot lock down every single business or diplomat operation.

We need our doctors, scientists, economists, journalists, engineers, inventors to exchange information to fight the pandemic. Billionaire philanthropist Jack Ma recently launched the global online platform to exchange ideas and lessons to help combat the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Hospitals and medical personnel around the world are giving out information about their experiences of how they are

fighting the pandemic. We need to listen to the local experts before making a decision, because the strategy that applies in New York may not work in Kohima.

History tells us that every pandemic brings a new world and a new life. So is this an opportunity for us to reform, reorganize, reestablish ourself and our society into a new Nagaland? Should our government start forming a Special Medical Force rather than a Special Military Force?.

It’s a time for every single human to take responsibility.

We need writers to write more, orators to address more, our youths and millennials to be more responsible using every available social platform in Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc to be more vocal and send a message to the government, not to condemn but to cooperate, not to criticize but to coordinate in our fight, only then can we redefine our future. Supporting the actions, encouraging the talents and appreciating the moves of the government, frontline personnel and regular citizens will be a great motivating factor for all of us.

Along this path through the future, let us trust our ingenuity, give a little more hope and share a little more love. Our earth is healing itself as we can see from clearer skies, the sound of

religiously, there is a huge rush in the main markets which puts everyone at high risk. Also we must avoid hoarding goods at our homes and think about others also.

Mahatma Gandhi had quite rightly said that the world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed, which is very apt to our present situation. Our greed should not let our fellow human beings suffer. Let us all learn the essence of being satisfied and help our brethren in need.

Instead, every individual should shed aside one’s individual differences and try to reach out to their neighbours and near and dear ones who may be suffering due to the lockdown. This is in fact the right time to come together as one family and practice the concept of ‘Each One Reach One.’ Lastly, I would urge everyone not to panic but be optimistic in our endeavours. We must avoid

Blatant misuse of car passes and disobedient public

Attention or Service?

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

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Koregaon: SC asks activists to Docs, nurses have to be protected: SC to centre Bhima surrender to jail authorities in a week

NEW DELHI, APR 8 (PTI): Doctors and healthcare professionals are “warriors” in fight against coronavirus and have to be protected, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday even as the Centre assured that it is doing its best by providing them personal protective equipment (PPE) and other facilities.

The apex court suggested that the government should create a mechanism to solicit suggestions from people about how to go ahead on the issues related to COVID-19, including on providing treatment, regulatory mechanism for people working from home and also on lockdown.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Ravindra Bhat, hearing through video-conferencing three petitions seeking protective kits for doctors and healthcare workers amid coronavirus pandemic, was informed by the Centre that PPE kits and other requisite things are being arranged and it is taking steps in this regard.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who made it clear that he was not opposing the prayers made in these petitions, told the bench that doctors and healthcare professionals are “corona warriors” and government

File photo of health professionals in protective suits.

is ensuring their protection and safety along with their family members.

He also denied reports about salary cut of doctors and staffs of hospitals and said the Centre would write to all the states that no salary should be deducted for purchase of PPEs and masks.

“If anybody is doing something like this (salary cut of doctors and staffs), we will send police,” Mehta told the bench, adding, “as an institutional response, we are doing this”.

“The government and police will walk extra mile to

protect doctors,” Mehta said and added that to ensure safety of family members, doctors are being housed in hotels also.

During the hearing, the bench observed, “Why do you not create a mechanism at district level where nodal officers can be appointed to get suggestions from all persons?”. Responding to the query, Mehta said that they have a central control room which has officials from ministries of health, home and Ayush.

He said such control rooms are also there at state level and they are dealing

with calls having suggestions and complaints.

“They (doctors and healthcare professionals) are warriors. They have to be protected,” the bench observed, adding, “You have to think how to start production. Service sector is working from home. Their well being and mental health is also important”.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for one of the petitioners, told the bench that he appreciate the stand of the Solicitor General but doctors are afraid and if medical professionals would not come forward,

ZGKD condemns Assam Police of killing innocent youth

PM to interact with CMs on Saturday

from two directions without any provocation and opened fire at them indiscriminately.” Consequently, one of them was shot dead, who has since been identified as Viloto Zhimo from Zhekiye village, while his three friends managed to flee.

Clarifying to the news item published in the local dailies, ZGKD alleged that Assam Police personnel, instead of detaining and questioning the youth, took law into their own hands by killing the innocent civilians.

The union alleged that the policemen even placed weapon beside the victim’s body, clicked photos and then upload it on social media that went viral. Hence, the question of exchange of fire as claimed by Khatkhati SDPO did not arise, it added.

NEW DELHI, APR 8 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers of all states on April 11 to discuss various issues related to the coronavirus outbreak including the lockdown, official sources said on Wednesday.

A number of state governments as well as experts have been requesting the central government to extend the 21-day nationwide coronavirus lockdown that was imposed from March 25. Sources in the government have said that the Centre is going through the requests from states and experts on extending the lockdown. This is for the second time the prime minister will interact with the chief ministers via video link after the lockdown was imposed.

During an interaction with floor leaders of various political parties, who have representation in Parliament, on Wednesday, Modi said the situation in the country is akin to a ‘social emergency’ which has necessitated tough decisions.

According to an official statement, he said states, district administrations and experts have suggested extension of the lockdown to contain the spread of the virus. During his April 2 interaction with chief ministers, Modi had pitched for a “staggered” exit from the ongoing lockdown.

DIMAPUR, APR 8 (NPN): Zhekiye Village Union Dimapur (ZGKD) has accused Assam Police of killing a youth from the village cold blooded on April 4.

Terming the killing as barbaric and condemning it, the union requested the competent authorities to look into the matter in order to avoid future such incidents.

In a statement issued through its chairman Ghuvishe Zhimomi and secretary Hutoka Chishi, the union claimed that four youth had visited the Assam-Nagaland border area to collect some green leafy items from the jungle due to shortage of vegetables owing to the ongoing national lockdown.

However, on their way back home on foot around 7:30 pm, Assam Police personnel “ambushed them

It also termed the SDPO’s claim, that the victim was killed in an encounter, as totally baseless and fabricated to save their own skin.

ZGKD asserted that the victim did not possess any weapon and was only carrying a bag of green leaves, torch light and his personal mobile phone at the time of the incident.

“The victim was an innocent civilian, educated unemployed youth who had completed M.Com from Guwahati University. He was neither underground nor he belonged to any armed group/gangster as falsely alleged by Assam Police,” the union clarified.

Accusing Assam Police of violating human rights, ZGKD said every Indian citizen had the right to move freely throughout the country.

NDPP conveys condolence DIMAPUR: Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has expressed shock and sadness at demise of Keduvepa Vese, president NDPP 19th- Phek Assembly Constituency, on April 8 at Phek town after a prolonged illness. A condolence by NDPP president Chingwang Konyak stated that, late Keduvepa was one of the pioneer members of the NDPP and was a part of the NDPP organisation right from its inception having played an instrumental role in the establishment of the party in Phek District.

Chingwang further added that Vesse was an able leader who was loved and respected by the masses and personally known to him as a reliable party man.

Stating that NDPP in particular and Phek district in general has lost a visionary leader, the NDPP rank and file conveyed heartfelt condolences and prayers to Vemedolu Vese, the children and family members.

It also prayed that the departed soul rest in eternal peace and God grant solace to the bereaved family.

Govt plans ‘larger force’ to replace frontline workers

NEW DELHI, APR 8 (PTI): Asserting that India faces a significantly higher threat from COVID-19 pandemic, the government has decided to create a “larger force” to replace frontline workers engaged in various works to tackle the pandemic and its exponential increase.

These workers will be provided necessary training online. “... As all are aware, India faces a significantly higher threat from COVID19 pandemic. It will be pertinent to take note of the fact that India’s first line of workers is already engaged in COVID relief and doing commendable job”.

“However, a larger force will be needed to replace the first line and to tackle the exponential or

geometric increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the subsequent stages of the pandemic,” according to a Personnel Ministry order.

The order, however, did not elaborate in what context the country was facing higher threat.

Accordingly, to take care of the training needs of the frontline workers, the launch of the integrated government online training (iGOT) platform has been fast-forwarded, and a version of iGOT fitted to these needs has been launched, it said.

“The platform will provide the training modules on flexitime and on site basis so that the COVID response can be delivered at scale for the workforce needed to tackle the pandemic,” said the order.

things would collapse.

Rohatgi also pointed out to the reports about corona positive patients escaping from hospitals.

Mehta said police pickets have been placed in all the hospitals to ensure that people, who should not be mixing with others, should not leave the hospital.

One of the petitions has highlighted the urgent need to provide WHOgraded protective gear to doctors, nurses and medical staff who are treating coronavirus patients across the country.

One of the pleas filed

by Nagpur-based Jerryl Banait, who is a doctor by profession, has said that the Centre should ensure that World Health Organizationgraded protective gear, including hazmat suits, PPE, starch apparels, medical masks, goggles, face shield, respirators and head covers, is made available to all health workers like doctors, nurses, ward boys, medical and para-medical professionals who are attending COVID-19 patients.

Another petition filed by advocate Amit Sahni has sought a direction to the Centre and state governments to resolve the issue of shortage of PPE kits for healthcare professionals to combat coronavirus.

extend the time granted to surrender for one week,” the bench ordered.

The top court also made clear that there shall not be any further extension of time for surrendering.

Earlier in the day, the bench reserved order on the plea of the activists after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the probe agency, said that this was only a mechanism to buy time and both the accused are facing serious charges.

The counsel for the accused said however that they are old, having ailments, and they be granted more time to surrender. The apex court on March 16 had rejected anticipatory bail pleas of the activists, observing that it cannot be said no prima facie case is made out. It had granted three weeks time to them to surrender themselves to the jail.

Earlier, the apex court, while dismissing the anticipatory bail pleas of Navlakha and Teltumbde, had said their petitions cannot be maintained in view of the bar contained in 43D(4) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

Section 43D(4) of the UAPA bars grant of anticipatory bail to a person

accused of having committed an offence punishable under this Act. “The special leave petitions are, accordingly, dismissed. However, since the protection has been enjoyed by the petitioners approximately for one-anda-half years, three weeks time from today is granted to them to surrender. The petitioners shall surrender their passport forthwith with the investigation agency/officer,” the bench had said.

Navlakha and Teltumbde had approached the apex court challenging the decision of the Bombay High Court by which it had refused to grant them anticipatory bail in the case.

The top court had on March 6 extended till March 16 the interim protection from arrest granted to both the activists. The high court, while refusing to grant anticipatory bail to Navlakha and Teltumbde on February 14, had extended their interim protection from arrest for a period of four weeks to enable them to approach the apex court.

It had refused to grant them anticipatory bail saying, “On perusal of all the material on record, it can be seen that there is prima facie evidence showing complicity of applicants (Navlakha and Teltumbde) in the crime.”

SC asks approved labs to conduct free COVID-19 tests NEW DELHI, APR 8 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that COVID-19 tests in approved government labs or private laboratories should be conducted free of cost and the Centre should immediately issue directions in this regard.

The top court said the private hospitals including laboratories have an important role to play in containing the scale of the pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Ravindra Bhat, which heard the matter via video conferencing, said that tests relating to COVID-19 or coronavirus must be carried out in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by WHO or ICMR. “We, thus, issue following interim directions to the respondents: (i)The tests relating to COVID19 whether in approved Government Laboratories or approved private Laboratories shall be free of cost.

The respondents (Centre and other authorities) shall issue necessary direction in this regard immediately. (ii) Tests relating to COVID19 must be carried out in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by WHO or ICMR,” the bench said.

The top court said that even before the COVID-19

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE NAGALAND :: KOHIMA

Dated Kohima the 7th April 2020

PRESS RELEASE No: DHFW/COVID-19/2019-20/81-82 : The Department of Health & Family Welfare would like to thank everyone for using the “Self-Declaration nCOVID-19 Nagaland App (Android)”. We are glad to inform all concerned that Self-Declaration nCOVID-19 Nagaland App Version 3.0 has been released and is available to download from the link given below: https://nagahealth.nagaland.gov.in/ncovid-19-app/ Please uninstall the old version of the App before installing the new version.

Log in with the registered mobile number and need not re-enter the declaration details. On the App Dashboard, go to Home Quarantine, report daily health status till date followed by the remaining days of the quarantine period daily.

Phone GPS has to be mandatorily enabled to submit the daily health status successfully.

Please note that failure to comply to the above instructions will attract penal provision under relevant Acts & Regulations.

DC-372

NEW DELHI, APR 8 (PTI): The Supreme Court Wednesday directed civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde to surrender to jail authorities within a week in the Bhima Koregaon violence case saying the time will not be extended now as the courts are functioning in Maharashtra.

The activists, who were directed by the apex court on March 16 to surrender within three weeks, moved the plea seeking extension of time on the ground that going to jail during ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is “virtually a death sentence”.

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said the accused should have honoured its decision of dismissal of the anticipatory bail and the direction to surrender themselves within three weeks. “Though we expected that the accused would surrender, honouring the order of this court, they have not done so. We are told that in Bombay, the courts are functioning. It would have been appropriate for the accused to surrender as the courts are open and not totally closed.

“However, since the petitioners have enjoyed the protection for long, by way of last opportunity, we

Supreme Court of India

was declared a pandemic by WHO on March 11, it had spread in several countries and as of now, more than 200 countries are suffering from this pandemic.

“The number of patients suffering from COVID-19 is rapidly increasing Worldwide with death toll rising rapidly.

In our country, in spite of various measures taken by the Government of India and different State Government/Union Territory the number of patients and death caused by it is increasing day by day,” the bench said, adding that India has

a very large population.

The top court issued directions on a PIL filed by advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi seeking a direction to the Centre and authorities to provide free of cost testing facility for COVID-19 to all citizens in the country.

“We find prima facie substance in the submission of petitioner that at this time of national calamity permitting private labs to charge Rs 4,500 for screening and confirmation test of COVID-19 may not be within means of a large part of population of this country and no person be

deprived to undergo the COVID-19 test due to nonpayment of capped amount of Rs 4,500,” the bench said in its order.

It noted the Centre’s submission that government laboratories are conducting the COVID-19 tests free of cost.

The top court said that the private hospitals including laboratories have an important role to play in containing the scale of pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis.

“We thus are satisfied that the petitioner has made out a case for issuing a direction to the respondents to issue necessary direction to accredited private Labs to conduct free of cost COVID-19 test,” the bench said.

It said that tests relating to COVID-19 must be carried out in National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited Labs or any agencies approved by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA NIHOKHU

(Ministry of Human Resource Development, Dept. of Education, Govt. of India)

Dimapur District, Nagaland – 797103 E-mail: jnv_dmp @ rediffmail.com

JNVST 2020 POSTPONED Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test 2020 for Class VI (JNVST 2020) scheduled to be held on 11 th April 2020 is postponed due to administrative reason. Rescheduled date will be communicated. For further information kindly visit website : www.navodaya.gov.in Principal JNV, Nihokhu, Dimapur DC-373

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE NAGALAND :: KOHIMA

Dated Kohima, the 07th April 2020

ADVERTISEMENT

No: DHFW/COVID-19/2019-20/79-80 : In pursuant to Cabinet decision vide Memorandum No: CAB-2/2013 Dt 31st March 2020, applications are invited for filling of existing vacancies of the 28 posts of Medical Officer/ Junior Specialist on contingency basis for a period of 12 months.

• The Terms & Conditions and Prescribed Format of Application can be downloaded from the link given below: https://nagahealth.nagaland.gov.in/ wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Application-Form-for-MO-and-Jr-Specialist. pdf NB: No Application Forms will be issued from the office.

• Last Date of Submission of Application 15th April 2020 through email to:pddhfw@gmail.com

(DR. VIZOLIE Z SUOKHRIE) Principal Director Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland :: Kohima DC-371

(DR. VIZOLIE Z SUOKHRIE) Principal Director Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland::Kohima

international

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NY records 731 new COVID-19 deaths in 1 day

NEW YORK, APR 8 (AP): New York state recorded 731 new coronavirus deaths, marking its biggest singleday jump, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.

The state’s death toll since the beginning of the outbreak last month grew to 5,489.

The alarming surge in deaths comes even as new hospital admissions have dropped on average over several days, a possible harbinger of the outbreak finally leveling off.

Cuomo said the death tally is a “lagging indicator” that reflects the loss of critically ill people hospitalized earlier.

“That’s 731 people who we lost. Behind every one of those numbers is an individual. There’s a family, there’s a mother, there’s a father, there’s a sister, there’s a brother. So a lot of pain again today for many New Yorkers,” Cuomo said at a briefing at the state Capitol.

The state has been recording more than 500 new deaths a day since late last week. The number of confirmed cases — which does not include infected people who have not been tested — is close to 139,000 statewide.

While Cuomo said New York could be reaching a “plateau” in hospitalizations, he warned that gains are dependent on people continuing to practice social distancing.

A patient is transferred from Elmhurst Hospital Center to a waiting ambulance during the current coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, New York. (AP/PTI) “This is a projection,” he said. “It still depends on what we do, and what we do will affect those numbers.”

More people have now died from the coronavirus in New York City than perished in the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

At least 3,202 people have been killed in the city by the virus, according to a new count released by city health officials Tuesday.

The deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil killed 2,753 people in the city and 2,977 overall, when hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near

Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001.

The coronavirus has again made New York ground zero in a national tragedy and the center of a crisis that is reshaping Americans’ lives, liberties and fears.

The coronavirus death toll has mounted over the course of just a few weeks.

The city recorded its first on March 13, less than two weeks after confirming its first infection.

New York City is conducting its own count of fatalities, separate from the state’s, and its tally was announced prior to Cuomo’s release of the new state

fatality numbers.

A crew member of a Navy hospital ship sent to New York City for the coronavirus outbreak has tested positive for the disease.

The USNS Comfort crew member tested positive Monday and was being isolated, the Navy said in a prepared statement. The positive test will not affect the hospital ship’s mission to receive patients, according to the Navy.

The Comfort has treated about 40 non-COVID-19 patients since arriving in the city last week. But President Donald Trump said Monday he’d allow coronavirus patients aboard the ship.

Though the Comfort has 1,000 beds, Cuomo said the transition to handling coronavirus patients will reduce the ship’s capacity to 500 beds.

New York City is looking into burying coronavirus victims in temporary graves if makeshift morgues are overwhelmed, but Mayor Bill de Blasio said “we’re nowhere near that now.”

The mayor said Monday that officials are exploring the possibility of temporary burials on Hart Island, a one-mile, limited access strip off the Bronx that has long served as the city’s potter’s field. De Blasio told TV station NY1 that under such a contingency plan, bodies of COVID-19 victims would be buried individually so families could later reclaim them.

“There will never, ever be anything like mass graves or mass internment in New York City, ever,” de Blasio said.

The city was forced to address the issue of temporary burials Monday after a lawmaker incorrectly tweeted that the city would use a park for that purpose.

The city’s 2008 Pandemic Influenza Surge Plan states that Hart Island would be used as a temporary burial site in the event the death toll reaches the tens of thousands and if other storage, such as the refrigerator trucks parked outside hospitals, is full.

(AP)

Sanders drops out of White House race

Washington, Apr 8 (PTI): Senator Bernie Sanders on Wednesday dropped out of the White House race, paving the way for former vice president Joe Biden to become the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party and take on President Donald Trump in November presidential elections.

“Today I am suspending my campaign. But while the campaign ends, the struggle for justice continues on,” Sanders, 78, said. The announcement from the Vermont Senator was expected as he had not

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done well in the recent Democratic primaries against Biden, 77, who has now taken a substantial lead over him after winning a series of key Democratic presidential primaries. Sanders is scheduled to address his supporters shortly.

“Sanders’s withdrawal from the race concludes a quest for the White House that began five years ago in relative obscurity but ultimately elevated him as a champion of the working class, a standard-bearer of American liberalism and the leader of a self-styled political revolution,”

The New York Times commented.

Reacting to the development, President Trump thanked Senator Elizabeth Warren for Sanders dropping out of the presidential race.

“Bernie Sanders is OUT! Thank you to Elizabeth Warren.

If not for her, Bernie would have won almost every state on Super Tuesday! This ended just like the Democrats & the DNC wanted, same as the Crooked Hillary fiasco.

The Bernie people should come to the Republican Party, TRADE!” he said in a tweet. “Wow, Bernie is

unwilling to give up his delegates, and wants more of them! What’s that all about? Can’t see AOC plus 3 supporting Sleepy Joe!” Trump said in separate tweets, taking a jibe at Biden.

Meanwhile, Biden also took to Twitter and said: “Together we will defeat Donald Trump. But we will also address the climate crisis. We will make college affordable. And we will make health care available to all. We will not just rebuild this nation – we’ll transform it. And I’m asking you to join me.

No. 9548 Yesterday’s solution No. 9547

No. 4167 Yesterday’s solution No. 4166

No. 3192 Yesterday’s solution No. 3191

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

Donald Trump lambasts WHO; calls it ‘China centric’

New Delhi/Washington, April 8 (IANS): US President Donald Trump’s accusation against the World Health Organization (WHO) that it is biased in favour of China and is responsible for misleading the world about novel coronavirus has triggered a furore about the global health bodys role in spreading the pandemic.

President Trump on Tuesday rebuked the global body in a tweet saying, “The WHO really blew it. For some reason, funded largely by the United States, yet very China centric. We will be giving that a good look.

Fortunately I rejected their advice on keeping our borders open to China early on.

Why did they give us such a faulty recommendation?”

In 18 hours, the tweet garnered 405K likes, 103K retweets and around 69K responses.

Tedros Adhanom, the first non-doctor (his doctorate is because of Ph.D.) Director-General of WHO, has been at the centre of public ire for urging countries not to close borders to foreigners from China on February 2.

By then, China already had over 20,000 cases of the dreaded infection.

Though Taiwan on December 31, 2019, had warned the WHO that coronavirus was transmitting from human-to-human, the WHO two weeks later, on January 14, tweeted that preliminary investigations

conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of humanto-human transmission of novel coronavirus (2019nCoV) identified in Wuhan, China. Amid the confusion and indecisiveness, Tedros met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and commended China for “setting a new standard for outbreak control and for its openness to sharing information.”

But he didn’t utter a word about the reports in the global press, The New York Times for example, about how China was silencing and arresting critics over the coronavirus outbreak.

It was a month after the warning of Taiwan that the

WHO chief decided to declare the contagion a public health emergency. By that time, the confirmed cases of the infection had increased ten times with around 8,000 people testing positive across 18 countries.

At the Munich Security Conference on February 20, Tedros praised China once again, saying that China had bought the world time.

With huge number of people succumbing to the disease in Europe and the US, the WHO has now drawn flak from the US administration.

Tedros is accused of being loyal to China since the days when he was health minister of Ethiopia, seeking Chinese investments in his country.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT With profound sadness and regret we would like to inform the sudden demise of our beloved Mrs R. NZANBENI MERRY, wife of Late L. R. LOTHA, after a brief illness on 4th April 2020 at her residence in NST Colony near City Tower, Dimapur.

During our moment of grief, many people from far and near came to offer their condolences and extended their support to us physically as well as financially braving the total lockdown in the city.

Born on : 04.10.1957 We would like to thank and Died on : 04.04.2020 appreciate Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur pastoral staff, NST Colony youth, Church friends and families residing in the colony, well wishers and Metro Hospital doctors and nurses for all the help and prayers they have shown us during this difficult time.

It is our humble prayer that the God Almighty bless you in abundance.

DP-2232

-Family Members and Relatives.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We, the bereaved family members of Mr. Khehuto Zhimomi and Mrs. Hukhuli of Satakha Town B/Khel, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to each and every individual who stood and supported us through spiritually, mentally, physically and financially at the sudden demise of our beloved son on 04th April 2020.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Sir ZHEITO CHOPHY (Candidate, 36 AC, Satakha) 2. Mr. TITO YEPTHOMI (D.D.A.U President) Provided free Ambulance 3. Mr. ATOKITO SUMI (Former President all Sumi Students’ Union S.K.K) 4. Mr. TOKHEVI CHOPHY 5. Mr. SHOKUM LIMF 6. Mr. ATOBO SWU 7. Mr. GHUVISHE (Zhekiye Welfare Chairman, Dimapur) 8. Mr. VIHEPU V. Aghyito (Council Member of Diphupar Village) 9. Mr. AYUNG (N.S.C.N (IM) KILONSER) 10. Sumi Baptist Church, Diphupar 11. S. Hotovi Baptist Church 12. Asst. Pastor JACOB ACHUMI (SBCD) 13. REV. AHOKHE AWOMI, Home Evangelist (SBCD) 14. REV. AVITO CHOPHY, Valley View Baptist Church, Dimapur 15. B/Khel Satakha Prayer Fellowship (STBC) 16. Zhekiye Ghami Kuqhakulu Dimapur 17. Zhekiye Baptist Church 18. Mrs.& Mr. GHUKHUI ZHIMOMI (Candidate, 36 AC, Satakha) 19. Dr. V. AKASHE 20. Mrs. & Mr. T INAVI ZHIMO (Diphupar) 21. Mr. & Mrs. Nitoli Wotsa and Family Members, Sematilla 22. Satakhami Union Dimapur 23. Friends, Relatives, Neighbours and Well Wishers.

We deeply regret our inability to thank everyone personally. However it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly AMEN. Loving mom, dad, brother-in-law, sisters, brothers, nephew and relatives.

DP-2231

Late VILOTO ZHIMO BORN: 04/07/1988 – DIED: 04/04/2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, the bereaved family of Late Ruulakhono Keishing (Ngano) would like to express our profound gratitude to all the individual and well wishers who stood by us spiritually, financially, physically and materially during the prolonged illness and untimely demise of our beloved on 5th April 2020.

We sincerely convey our special thanks to : 1. Mr. Krulhuto Nagi 2. Mrs. Viravono Peseyie 3. Mr. Avihulie Peseyie 4. Kuda Village, Dimapur 5. Baptist Revival Church, Kuda 6. Tangkhul Baptist Church, Kuda 7. Tangkhul Baptist Church (Youth) 8. Tangkhul Baptist Church (Gahar Nao Long) Born : 02.03.1969 9. Tangkhul Baptist Church (Women Society) Died : 05.04.2020 10. Ngasan Society, Dimapur 11. Kevijau Colony 12. Nepali Baptist Church, Kuda 'A' Khel.

We regret our inability to mention each and every one individually; however it is our humble prayer that Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Husband, Children and Family Members DP-2228 K Y M C

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

Mizoram gets COVID-19 testing lab

Aizawl, Apr 8 (IANS): After Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura, another Northeastern state, Mizoram have also set up a COVID-19 sample testing laboratory at the Zoram Medical College and Hospital in Aizawl, officials said here on Wednesday.

Mizoram Health and Family Welfare Department officials said that the Health Minister R. Lalthangliana announced that the newly installed COVID-19 testing laboratory has started functioning from Tuesday.

And, the first ones to be tested were the 14-member team of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers looking after the lone COVID-19 patient in the state.

The Health Minister said that the lone COVID-19 patient was being given the best care possible and was showing good progress. He also said that all other tests taken from Mizoram have turned out to be negative.

Lalthangliana also said that from now onwards, swab samples of suspected coronavirus patient need not be sent to Silchar Medical College in neighbouring southern Assam for testing anymore.

“The new test Lab in Mizoram had already procured 1,000 testing kits from

An ariel view of Zoram Medical College and Hospital in Aizawl.

Dibrugarh Medical College (in Assam). With new positive cases being identified recently in neighbouring states of Assam and Tripura, the Mizoram government has also stepped up its vigil along the state’s borders,” the Minister said.

According to the experts and health officials, the northeast region has 10 COVID-19 testing centres -six in Assam, one in Meghalaya, one in Tripura and two in Manipur, including one of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s(ICMR’s) Regional Medical Research Centre at Lahowal in Dibrugarh district.

Health officials in Aizawl said that the 50-yearold Mizo man, who had tested positive last month after he returned from the Netherlands, was still in the Intensive Care Unit of the Zoram Medical College and Hospital in Aizawl.

“His fever was moderately controlled and his condition was stable. The gentleman’s wife and two children swab samples had earlier tested negative and are staying at home,” the official said refusing to disclose their identity of the patient.

The Mizoram Police in a statement said that

following the recently held Muslim congregation of Tablighi Jaamat Markaz at Nizamuddin in New Delhi, the police have been on high alert in the state and immediately investigating whether there were any attendees from the state.

“After careful tracing work, there seems to be no evidence of any Muslims attending the conference from Mizoram till now. At the same time, alongwith the Village Level Task Forces, utmost effort is being made to screen and ensure that no person infected with Covid19 enters Mizoram,” the statement said.

Lockdown: doctor consultation through phone Itanagar, Apr 8 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prema Khandu on Wednesday said the state unit of Indian Medical Association in collaboration with the government has started offering a service to people who can consult doctors through telephones during the ongoing lockdown period. The service is being offered from 9 am to 5 pm every day and people can get access to doctors without visiting hospitals or clinics, the chief minister said in a social media post.

The “tele-consultation” system will connect callers to doctors who have agreed to provide their services free of cost during the lockdown period. People need to dial either of the two phone numbers- 0360-2292774 or 8010340000, and their calls will be diverted to the specialists concerned through interactive voice response system, the chief minister added. The facility has been introduced in the state from April 1. The service covers general medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatrics, Khandu said, adding that the state government has provided all the required logistics and support for the endeavour.

7

Govt employees in Manipur asked to surrender NFSA card Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 8: Detecting a good number of ineligible families availing benefits of National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in the state, Manipur government on Wednesday directed government employees possessing NFSA cards to surrender.

All government employees, who are ineligible but possessing NFSA cards, must surrender within seven days by contacting the offices of the deputy commissioners concerned through phone or e-mail within seven days from today (April 8, 2020). Disciplinary action will be initiated in case any of the government employees fail to surrender within the set deadline, the order cautioned the employees availing the benefit of the Act which is illegal.

India government enacted the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in July, 2013 which gives legal entitlement to receive highly subsidized food grains.

Under the Act, food grain is allocated at the rate 5 kg per person per month for priority household category and at the rate 35 kg per family per month for AAY families at highly subsidized

prices of Rs 1, Rs 2 and Rs 3 per kg for nutri-cereals, wheat and rice respectively.

Coverage under the Act is based on the population figures of Census, 2011.

The Act was extended in Manipur from April 2016.

A source in the state consumer affairs, food and public distribution indicated that 88.56% of rural and 85.75% of urban population of Manipur is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013. The source alleged that a number of ineligible government employees possessed the NFSA cards and obtained rice under the scheme at the cost of eligible households who have not been issued cards.

They must surrender the cards within the set seven-day deadline, failing which disciplinary action will be taken against them under CCS(CCA) rules, 1965 as adopted by the government along with action under section 52 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the order of the state home department stated.

The government action to delete ineligible government employees from the list of beneficiaries of the Act was to ensure outreach of government relief measures to the underprivileged people

of the state. In the backdrop of lockdown to check spread of COVID-19, the state government has declared various relied measures for the people, particularly for the poorer section badly hit by the continuous lockdown.

Meanwhile, state social welfare minister Nemcha Kipgen today announced that ex-gratia of Rs 500 under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) to be disbursed for the beneficiaries of old age pension schemes of the state.

Beneficiaries of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) will get the benefit offered to help them fight against COVID-19.

Kipgen informed that the total amount of Rs 309.87 lakh have been released by the Union ministry of rural development (NSAP section) for the Manipur state.

The funds will be released to the pensioners through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to the respective bank accounts of the beneficiaries, she asserted.

Former Mizoram Assembly 1st NE COVID-19 patient to be discharged speaker Hiphei dies at 82

Hiphei (File)

Aizawl, Apr 8 (PTI): Former Mizoram Assembly speaker and veteran politician Hiphei died at hospital here on Wednesday morning due to prolonged illness.

He was 82. The veteran leader died around 7:30 am at the Aizawl Civil Hospital, family sources said. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Hiphei, who is also called ‘father of the Mara tribe’ started his political career with Mara Freedom Party (MFP) in September 1963. Hiphei was elected to the state assembly from Tuipang constituency (Now Palak) as Independent in 1972 when Mizoram was Union territory and was made deputy speaker.

He won the state assembly elections seven times between 1972 and 2013 from Palak. He joined the Janata Party in 1978 and later switched over to Congress camp in 1984.

The veteran politician was elected to Rajya Sabha for two consecutive terms between 1990 and 2002. He was the Mizoram Assembly speaker for two terms from 1989 to 1990 and 2013 to 2018. Before the state assembly polls in November 2018, Hiphei resigned from his post, quit Congress and joined the BJP. He contested from Palak constituency on BJP ticket but lost to Congress nominee KT Rokhaw in the 2018 assembly polls.

IMPHAL, APR 8: The first COVID-19 patient in Northeast from Manipur is likely to discharge from the hospital where she is currently undergoing treatment on April 9 next.

The authority had already declared the 23-yearold girl who recently returned from UK via Delhi, Kolkata and Agratala completely recovered from the disease.

On the otherhand, swap samples of four suspected cases which returned on Wednesday turned out to be negative.

A 23-year-old girl from Churachandpur district who had history of returning from China through Myanmar was among the four individuals whose swap samples were tested for the virus on Wednesday.

All the four individuals tested negative for the contagious virus, a release of the COVID-19 Common Control Room of Manipur government stated today.

However, the girl will undergo her quarantine period at a government des-

1st COVID-19 case in NE

ignated quarantine centre in Churachandpur, the release added.

The girl was admitted at an isolation ward of RIMS yesterday after she was picked up from her native home at Singhat of Churachandpur district.

Reports said that the girl who stayed in China, the epicentre of the novel corona virus had allegedly entered into Manipur from Myanmar and reached her native village on April 6. Her family members were also in the government quarantine centre in Churachandpur district. She was the second individual who allegedly returned from China through Myanmar. The other girl

Chinese softshell turtle COVID-19: Former M’laya rescued in Arunachal Pradesh CM urges to combat price rise Correspondent

A Chinese softshell turtle was rescued by a few youths from Naharlagun. (PTI)

Itanagar, Apr 8 (PTI): A Chinese softshell turtle was rescued by a few youths from Naharlagun and was handed over to the Biological Park in Itanagar for rehabilitation.

The reptile was rescued from a stream in Pachin Colony on Tuesday. Biological Park curator Raya Flago thanked the youths for rescuing the reptile belonging to a vulnerable species and requested them to continue the noble work of saving the rich fauna of the state.

Biological Park veterinary officer Sorang Tadap said the turtle was found to be visibly healthy.

The Chinese softshell turtle belongs to the softshell family Trionychidae, which includes the American softshell turtle, Cantors giant softshell turtle and Florida softshell turtle, among many others.

The species prefer to spend most of their lives in water and are adapted to absorb oxygen through their skin and the lining of the throat when fully submerged.

These turtles are agile swimmers and good hunters and they would bite and scratch if touched. The Chinese softshell turtle prefers to eat while in water. They are carnivores and eat insects, worms and crustaceans.

S h i l lo n g, A p r 8 : Leader of Opposition in Meghalaya Assembly, Mukul Sangma on Wednesday asked the State government to provide general relief to the people as per the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to combat the price rise of essential commodities and shortage in supply in the wake of the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.

In a letter to Chief Secretary, M.S.Rao, Sangma said, “The spike in price of the essential commodities, particularly rice, is a matter of serious concern – poor families with limited cash in hand do not have money anymore and it is difficult to quantify such families in distress across the state.” “The MLAs’ sincere attempt to distribute rice out of the limited earmarked amount from SRWP (Special Rural Works Programme) is also confronted by non availability of rice in the go-downs of wholesale dealers/stockists and escalated pricing in the market,” the former Chief Minister pointed out. Referring to the slew of measures

announced by the central government to mitigate the plight of the poor due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown, the veteran Congress leader said, “It will be appropriate, therefore, if the assistance of providing of 5 kg of rice per person for 3 months and 1 kg of pulses per household can be implemented immediately.”

Urging the Meghalaya government to take up the matter with its Assam counterpart, the former Chief Minister said, “Inputs also indicate that the demandsupply gap of rice can be addressed to reasonable extent if milling of rice in Assam, in rice mills which were shut down, is allowed to resume with appropriate precautionary measures.”

Admitting that in the past there were difficulties faced by citizens with regard to supply of essential commodities, State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs MINISTER, James Sangma said the government has resolved the issues of availability and distribution and essential supplies and commodities are available in the market now.

reportedly hails from a village at Indo-Myanmar in Tengnoupal district.

On the other hand, the status update on COVID-19 said that 318 individuals were screened today and including them, a total of 1,88,530 individuals have been screened so far in the state.

Among the 318 individuals, 149 were screened at Mao gate bordering Nagaland and the remaining 169 were at Jiribam bordering Assam.

Two individuals were also put on quarantine today and with them a total of 295 individuals were on quarantine in the state. Among them, 188 have completed their quarantine period.

Among them 34 completed today.

Now, only 107 are in the government designated quarantine centre, the status update indicated.

In the state so far sample 197 including three sent today have been subjected to test for the virus. Except the two persons who had already tested positive, all other tested negative for the virus.

C. Bendang Chang, ex-chairman Borlingri-I Village Committee, Karbi Anglong Assam distributed relief package to more than 150 Nagas and Non-Naga household daily wage earners of Borolingri in the presence of Borolingri Village Committee, Village Defence Patry (VDP), Village Mahila and Youth Committee, Council Members of Church Area Borlingri-I village and village leaders.

The Mariani Ao Baptist Church lauded All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU) Mariani, Assam for providing meals to the needy affected during the COVID-19 lockdown. Secretary Mariani Ao Baptist Church Er Temsu Wathi Ao also informed that the Mariani Ao Baptist Church has donated a sum of Rs 20,000 as a goodwill gesture to help the needy.

Manipur University starts online classes Imphal, Apr 8 (PTI): With classes suspended due to COVID-19 outbreak, all the departments of Manipur University have started online teaching, but students residing in remote areas of the state are facing problems due to poor net connectivity while attending the classes, officials said.

Manipur University Registrar Prof WC Singh in an order on April 2 had asked students and teachers to download and install Zoom app or Zoom Cloud Meeting in their laptops or smartphones for online classes.

Students were told to provide their email ids to their respective departments.

Prof Basanta Sharma, Head of Physics department told PTI that teaching a science subject online is different from teaching an arts subject as you need to draw up diagrams and explain scientific theories by using mathematical formulas and calculations.

He also said the time slot given is 40 minutes but it often has to be extended to one hour due to technical issues particularly due to disruption in live streaming

and sound. Many students said that “poor net connectivity, particularly in rural and hill areas, is a hindrance in the interaction process.”

Prof O Mukher jee, Head of Chemistry department, said: “In chemistry and physics, online teaching cannot reach up to the level of satisfaction as in

humanities subject as these two particular subjects require explanation based on mathematical calculations, drawing symbols, molecular structure, formulas.”

Asistant Prof Sonia Wahengbam of Mass Communication and Journalism department, welcomed the online teaching system and

said: “it provides engagement to both teachers and students during this lockdown period.”

Wahengbam said a practical problem faced by students is limited data pack.

Most of the students run out of data, as online classes consume a lot of data, a second year student said.

OFFICE OF THE

HOVISHE VILLAGE COUNCIL NIULAND: NAGALAND.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, the Hovishe Village Council under Niuland Sub Division would like to thank the good work done towards our Village by S.D Jain Samaj Society Dimapur on 6th April 2020 on the occasion of Mahavir’s Birth Anniversary for distributing rice, dal, potatoes and mustard oil etc.., for each household and we also thank Shri Kikheto Chishi, Kilonser, (CAO, UT-I) NSCN (IM) for his kind initiative and contribution.

We sincerely acknowledge their kind help towards our Village.

May the good Lord bless them for their kind contribution.

(V. KATOHO HOLO) (KATOVI HOLO) Hd. GB Chairman

DP-2233

Correspondent

8

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

Premier League will cancel rest of Qatar denies allegations of FIFA WC bribes season, says Udinese chief Marino

DOHA, APR 8 (AGENCIES): The organisers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have strongly denied allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice that bribes were paid to secure votes for the hosting rights to the tournament. Suspicion and rumours have long surrounded both the 2010 vote

by FIFA’s executive to hand the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

Yet on Monday, for the first time, prosecutors set direct, formal allegations regarding both tournaments down in an indictment.

According to the prosecutors, representatives working for Russia and Qatar bribed FIFA executive committee officials to swing votes in the crucial hosting decisions of world football’s governing body. Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), rejected the charges.

“They are part of a long-standing case, the subject of which is not the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process.

“Despite years of false claims, evidence has never been produced to demonstrate that Qatar won the rights to host the FIFA World Cup 2022 unethically or by means that contravened FIFA’s strict bidding rules.

“The SC maintains that it strictly adhered to all rules and regulations for

Workers walk towards the construction site of the Lusail stadium which will be built for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup during a stadium tour in Doha, Qatar.

the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process and any claim to the contrary is baseless and will be fiercely contested.”

FIFA said in a statement it supported all investigations into “alleged acts of criminal wrongdoing” and noted it had been accorded victim status in the U.S. criminal proceedings.

“The FIFA Ethics Committee has already imposed sanctions, including life bans, on football officials mentioned in this process,” said a FIFA spokesman.

“So far as FIFA is concerned, should any acts of criminal wrongdoing by football officials be established, the individuals in question should be subject to penal sanctions.

“As the respective crim-

inal cases are ongoing we are not in a position to comment further for the time being.”

Although FIFA has reacted to previous media allegations about the Qatar bid process by insisting the tournament will be unaffected, the U.S allegations will lead to further questions over the hosting of the tournament, which is scheduled for November and December of 2022. The indictment states that the three South American members of FIFA’s 2010 executive Brazil’s Ricardo Teixeira, the late Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay and an unnamed co-conspirator - took bribes to vote for Qatar to host the 2022 tournament.

“Ricardo Teixeira, Nicolas Leoz and co-conspir-

Olympic qualification period suspended until December 1 M O N A C O, A P R 8 (IANS): World Athletics has announced that the qualification period for the Tokyo Olympic Games will be suspended from April 6 to November 30, 2020.

“Athletes who have already met the entry standard since the start of the qualification period in 2019 remain qualified and will be eligible for selection by their respective Member Federations and National Olympic Committees, together with the other athletes who will qualify within the extended qualification period,” World Athletics said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The end of the Olympic qualification periods are 31 May 2021 (for 50km race walk and marathon) and 29 June 2021 for all other events.”

Sebastian Coe

Commenting on the decision, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said:” I am grateful for the detailed work and feedback from our Athletes’ Commission and Council who believe suspending Olympic qualification during this period gives more certainty for athlete planning and preparation and is the best way to address fairness.”

World Athletics also

announced a temporary furlough, effective on Tuesday, for 50 per cent of its headquarter staff. All staff will continue to receive their full salary.

The strict self-isolation regulations in Monaco and France, where the majority of World Athletics’ headquarter staff are based, forced the organization to make this decision. The Monaco government will contribute 70 per cent of salaries to staff on furlough and World Athletics will pay the remainder.

“This decision, made possible by the Monaco Government, means we will focus only on business critical activities for the short term which will help us manage our cashflow effectively and protect jobs in the long term,” Coe said.

ator #1 were offered and received bribe payments in exchange for their votes in favour of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup,” reads the indictment.

Teixeira, the former son-in-law of long-time FIFA boss Joao Havelange and ex-head of the Brazilian soccer federation (CBF), was not immediately reachable for comment.

The DOJ also alleges that then FIFA vice-president Jack Warner was paid $5 million through various shell companies to vote for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup. Warner has been accused of a number of crimes in the long-running U.S probe and is fighting extradition from his homeland of Trinidad & Tobago.

Warner, who was not imme-

Southee, Devine win top honours at NZCPA awards

AUCKLAND, APR 8 (IANS): New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee and women’s team captain Sophie Devine won the top honours at the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) awards. Southee won the Players’ Cap award while Devine won the CPA Players’ award.

New Zealand Cricket Players Association board member and former player Rebecca Rolls announced the awards, stating that being recognised by your peers is the “ultimate accolade for any player” and this award is particularly relevant as it allows players “to recognise statistical outputs alongside those intangible aspects that contribute toward the team’s performance.”

Revised Tokyo 2020 qualification principles released

Olympic Rings near the new National Stadium in Tokyo Japan.

NEW DELHI, APR 8 (IANS): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has released revised Tokyo 2020 qualification principles according to which allocated quotas remain valid and International Federations (IFs) could extend the age eligibility criteria for the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games.

According to the revised rules, the new qualification period deadline is June 29, 2021, and the final entries deadline is July 5, 2021. IFs could now rede-

sign their own qualification processes that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Athletes and NOCs that have already obtained an Olympic qualification quota place will retain this despite the postponement of the Games.

In all, 57 per cent of the total athlete quota places have already been allocated so far, with approximately 5,000 athlete quota places still to be assigned.

“This principle en-

courages IFs to follow a like-for-like approach by replacing those lost opportunities for allocating quotas with the same number of events,” IOC said.

“A sport-specific balance needs to be found between protecting those athletes who were close to qualifying based on the previous 2020 deadlines and also ensuring the participation of the best athletes at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 by allowing the top performers of the 2021 season to qualify,” suggested

the world body.

Regarding the age limit concerns raised by the postponement, the IOC said the principle gives IFs the rights to extend the upper limit for those who meet the requirement in 2020 but not in 2021 and to review the eligibility for those who do not qualify for the 2020 Games due to lower limit restrictions.

The only exception will be if the IF establishes that the one-year relaxation of the upper age limit represents a safety and/or medical risk for athletes.

“Athlete health is the guiding principle in the scheduling of any remaining Olympic qualification events. With the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 until 2021, the IOC has urged that any such events be confirmed only once the COVID-19 impacts can be assessed, allowing fair access and appropriate preparation for all competing athletes and teams,” stated the IOC. The IOC and Tokyo 2020 had announced the Olympics would run from July 23 to August 8 next year with the Paralympics following from August 24 to September 5.

diately reachable for comment, has always denied any wrongdoing.

Alexei Sorokin, CEO of the local organising committee for Russia’s 2018 World Cup, told the Interfax news agency: “This is only the opinion of lawyers. We have repeatedly said that our bid was transparent.

“At the time we answered all questions, including from the investigation branch of FIFA and from the media, we handed over all needed documents. We have nothing to add to this and we will not respond to attempts to cast a shadow on our bid.” Asked if the Kremlin was aware of the U.S. indictment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We read the media reports. We don’t understand what they refer to.

“Russia received the right to host the World Cup completely legally. It is in no way linked to any bribes.

We reject this. And Russia hosted the best soccer World Cup in history, which we are proud of.”

The Qatar World Cup organisers have been fending off allegations of corruption ever since the tiny Gulf state was awarded the 2022 tournament.

In 2014, FIFA, then under the control of former President Sepp Blatter, cleared Russia and Qatar of wrongdoing in their bids to host the World Cup after an investigation.

LO N D O N, A P R 8 (AGENCIES): The Premier League will follow Belgium’s top tier and cancel the rest of its season, according to Udinese sporting director Pierpaolo Marino.

With Liver pool 25 points clear atop the table, the Premier League was suspended last month due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the league announced that its suspension would continue indefinitely.

Many leagues around the world have been brought to a standstill, with Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League having cancelled the rest of its campaign and awarded the title to leaders Club Brugge.

Marino, whose club are owned by Giampaolo Pozzo – the father of Watford owner Gino, believes England will do likewise.

“The Belgian Federation has already sanctioned the end of their league, despite the threats of sanctions from UEFA,” Marino told Sportitalia.

“In England, the Premier League is about to release a similar statement, because the situation there is becoming very, very serious. I frankly just hope we can enjoy football again after the coronavirus.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes, we need to get out of this danger zone. I

Pierpaolo Marino

am worried for the next seasons, not the old one.”

Marino could eventually be proven correct, as FA chairman Greg Clarke admitted on Tuesday that it may not be possible to complete the 2019-20 campaign.

“We are committed to finishing the professional football season as this resolves the issues of promotion and relegation together with title winners on merit,” Clarke told the FA’s official website.

“However, we may not be able to finish the season as football is not our priority, human life is, and we will do as the government directs as the pandemic unfolds.”

Should the Premier League season be ended prematurely there will be questions as to whether Liverpool will be declared champions, with Jurgen

Klopp’s side currently holding a near-unassailable lead.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin offered some good news for Reds fans on Tuesday, saying he can see “no way” Liverpool will be denied the title whether the season is completed or not.

“I see no way for Liverpool to stay untitled. If the championship resumes, they will almost certainly win it - theoretically, it has not yet reached the guaranteed level, but it is practically close,” the UEFA chief told Slovenian publication Ekipa.

“However, if it could not be played, it would also be necessary to announce the results in some way and find some key on how the champions should be determined. And, of course, again I do not see a scenario in which that would not be Liverpool,” Ceferin added.

Ronaldinho released from Paraguayan prison on bail

A S U N C I O N, A P R 8 (IANS): Ronaldinho will be allowed to leave jail after a Paraguayan judge granted his request for house arrest, prosecutors have said.

The Brazilian football great and his brother, Roberto Assis, have been held at a prison in Asuncion since March 6 for using fake passports.

The pair will be relocated to a hotel in the center of Asuncion after agreeing to pay $1.6 million in bail during a court hearing. Judges had rejected three previous bail requests by the brothers, reports Xinhua news agency.

“The bail amount was important,” prosecutor Osmar Legal told reporters on Tuesday. “They previously offered to use a house that was not even in their name as a guarantee.

Italian Olympic 800 metres finalist Sabia dies

ROME, APR 8 (AGENCIES): Twice Olympic 800 metres finalist Donato Sabia has died from COVID-19 at the age of 56, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said on Wednesday.

CONI said in a statement that Sabia had been in the intensive care unit of the San Carlo hospital on Potenza, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, for “a few days.”

Sabia finished fifth in the 800 metres at Los Angeles in 1984 and seventh in Seoul four years later. He won the gold medal in the same event at the European Indoor Championships in 1984.

According to CONI, he is the first Olympic finalist in the world to die from the virus.

The Italian athletics federation (FIDAL), which described him as “an extraordinarily talented athlete but, above all, a gentle person”, said that Sabia’s father had also died from COVID19 a few days earlier.

“It’s a tragedy within a tragedy,” said FIDAL president Alfio Giomi in a statement. “Donato was a person who you couldn’t not love.”

Now they have opened checking accounts in their name and deposited the amounts,” he added.

It is also reported that Ronaldinho and Assis will stay at the four-star Palmaroga Hotel while authorities continue to investigate the case.

The former Barcelona playmaker travelled with Assis to Paraguay on March 4 to participate in a children’s charity event and promote a new book.

They were arrested later that day for entering the country with false travel documents.

The pair have denied any wrongdoing and said they were presented with the passports as a “gift” upon arriving in Asuncion.

Ronaldinho retired from football in 2018 after a career that included spells at Gremio, Paris

Ronaldinho arrives at a hotel where he is to stay under house arrest in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday. (PTI)

Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Milan and Atletico Mineiro, among other clubs.

He was a part of the

Brazil team that won the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and was twice voted the FIFA world player of the year.

Stokes, Perry named Wisden’s leading cricketers of 2019

Ben Stokes

LONDON, APR 8 (IANS): England’s Ben Stokes and Ellyse Perry of Australia were on Wednesday named the Leading Cricketers of 2019 by Wisden Almanack.

Stokes became the first English cricketer after Andrew Flintoff since 2005 to win the award whereas Perry, the star Australian all-rounder, had won the award previously in 2016 and has thus become the first woman to claim the award twice.

Across the 2019 calendar, Stokes hit 821 Test runs at 45, including an Ashes hundred at Lord’s, and 719

Ellyse Perry

in ODIs at almost 60.

Perry, on the other hand, raised the bar a notch higher, scoring a century (plus 76 not out) in her only Test, and two more (both unbeaten) in ODIs, where she averaged 73. From six T20 international innings, she was dismissed once, averaging 150. On top of that were 21 one-day wickets at 13 apiece, and six in T20s.

Meanwhile, hard-hitting West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell was named T20 Leading Cricketer of 2019. Last year, Russell took 46 wickets and scored 1,080 runs in T20 matches.

Along with Perry, Wis-

den named Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne, Jofra Archer and Simon Harmer as the Five Cricketers of the Year.

T h e Wi s d e n F ive Cricketers of the Year in 2019 were Rory Burns, Tammy Beaumont, Jos Buttler, Virat Kohli, and Sam Curran. Kohli was also named the Leading Cricketer in the world the past three years, while India’s Smriti Mandhana was the Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2018. The first two Leading T20 Cricketer in the world awards were claimed by Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan.

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