August 23, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 258

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Pak imposes sanctions on Mumbai attack terrorist

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international, Page 7

Rise in COVID cases as expected New Delhi, Aug 22 (AGENCIES): One of India’s most highly regarded clinical scientists has warned against making projections of how many COVID-19 cases India could have in the next one month and two months or attempt to predict when the country will reach its peak, reports The Wire.

Prof Gagandeep Kang, who won the Infosys Prize in 2016 and is the first Indian woman to be elected a fellow of Britain’s Royal Society in its 360 year history, said projections need to take onboard the impact of the different mitigation efforts that have been made and which needed sophisticated models to do this. She is working on such a model but it will be at least a couple of weeks before its ready and able to make reliable projections.

Kang said the 3 million total cases India has crossed today and the rate of increase, which is just short of 70,000 per day, is “completely expected”.

Given India’s population of 1.38 billion “this is what the trajectory will be”. More importantly, she added “We should expect this to continue for a while”.

Petrol prices hiked again

Prof Gagandeep Kang (File)

She said it’s hard to put a date or timeframe on when the country as a whole will reach its peak. This is because the disease is best seen in terms of the different locations, cities, regions where it’s happening and each of those has its own epidemic curve and each curve behaves differently depending upon the circumstances, the age profile, the mitigating factors, etc.

She also made a point of mentioning that antigen negative tests need to be followed up by a RT-PCR tests but this “is not being done”. She said health authorities were not making the requisite efforts to find out how much infection the antigen negative results are missing. As the ICMR itself accepts in its June 14 advisory, perhaps as many

as 50% of antigen negative results could be incorrect.

On India’s mortality rate, which is 40 per million as of August 22, Kang said while it’s possible but underreported. Kang said she did not accept it’s under-reported by a factor of 5.29 as an article in The Hindu by Hemant Shewade and Giridara Gopal Parameswaran suggested.

However, she did accept that the quantum of under-reporting “could increase” as the incidence of the disease shifts from metropolises like Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai to tier 2 and tier 3 towns and then, further, into rural India.

On chances of being re-infected with COVID19, she said while it was very unlikely for someone who has recovered from COVID-19 to be re-infected after 4-5 months; it was still unknown if it could happen after a year.

Finally, Kang said there are several reasons, which are actually hypotheses, why India’s mortality rate (even if you believe its under-reported and multiply it by 2 or 3) is significantly lower than mortality rates in

Europe and America. One reason/hypothesis is the age profile of the Indian population. 90% are under 60 and 83% under 50. The median age is 28-29. In Europe it’s in the mid or late 40s.

A second reason/hypothesis is that Indians have been subjected to more viruses and infections than people in Europe and America and, therefore, have acquired innate immunity.

A third reason/hypotheses she mentioned is genetic.

The virus reacts differently to different blood groups.

Finally, in response to a question about how long the immunity conferred by an infection will last, Kang said this is something that is being found out about every day. She said COVID-19 is a new disease and there’s a lot that remains to be known about it. One of the “don’t knows” is how long the immunity from infection will last.

In response to a question, she said it’s possible that this could also have implications for the efficacy of a vaccine. It may only be effective for a limited period and, like the flu jab in Europe, it might be necessary to have it every year.

Nagaland COVID-19 tally 3635

D I M A P U R , AUG 2 2 COVID-19 STATUS AS ON august 22, 2020 ACTIVE CASES (NPN): State-run oil marAsymp- Symptomatic RecovMiTotal keting companies (OMCs) District Death tomatic ered grated Cases increased the price of petrol Mild Moderate for the third day in a row Dimapur 824 20 1 993 1850 9* 3 on Saturday. According to Kiphire 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 IOCL website, petrol prices Kohima 0 0 559 1021 460 0 2 were raised by 16 paise in 0 0 3 4 1 0 0 Delhi to Rs 81.35 a litre. Longleng Mokokchung 0 0 17 19 2 0 0 After the rate revision, petrol Mon 0 0 190 265 73 0 2 price in Dimapur stood at Rs. 86.67 per litre while in Peren 0 0 265 266 1 0 0 the state capital Kohima a Phek 0 0 31 31 0 0 0 litre of petrol was retailing Tuensang 0 0 45 50 5 0 0 at Rs. 87.57. Diesel prices, Wokha 0 0 17 21 4 0 0 however, continued to re0 0 46 107 0 0 main steady for 23 days in a Zunheboto 61 Total 20 1 2166 3635 1432 9 7 row, just like it was for petrol prices in July. Petrol prices *1 death is Covid-19 positive but not due to Covid-19 were kept on hold since June to 3,635 cases.

29, while diesel prices were For the first time, the revised irregularly. Petrol recovered cases exceeded prices were revised on Authe active cases, the Health gust 16 after a long pause. department said in its weekD I M A P U R , AUG 2 2 ly bulletin, adding, the re(NPN): Nagaland registered covery rate increased to 57% 16 fresh COVID-19 positive from 36% as on August 21.

The Health departcases on Saturday-- 12 in D I M A P U R , AUG 2 2 Kohima, 2 in Tuensang, 1 ment also informed that (NPN): NSCN (I-M) through each in Wokha and Long- the positivity rate was at its MIP has informed that the “law and order team”, leng-- taking the state’s tally 6.4% as against India’s rate initiated by the ministry of kilo affairs, GPRN to enforce surveillance over illicit trade and business has been suspended till further order.

MIP said that no person is authorised to deal in such case without the knowledge of the kilo ministry. Strict action would be taken against any person who defy the order that, it added.

Recovery exceeds active caseload

NSCN (I-M) suspends ‘law and order team’

of 8.6%. As on August 22, there were 1,453 active cases, 2166 recovered, 9 deaths and 7 migrated.

As per the severity of symptoms, 1,432 active cases were asymptomatic, 20 mild and 1 moderate case. Further, out of the 3,635 positive cases, the distribution across various categories of people include 1,579 cases from the Armed Forces, 1,204 cases of Returnees, 240 cases of Frontline Workers and 612 cases of Traced Contacts.

The department said that 82% of the confirmed cases were males, where armed forces contribute the maximum number of cases.

Meanwhile, a total of 34,569 samples have been sent for testing through RT-PCR and results of 33,157 samples have been received. In addition, a total of 21,856 samples have been sent for testing on Truenat.

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

DC orders independent inquiry into Aug 22 doctor assault case

Correspondent

D I M A P U R , AUG 2 2 (NPN): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur, R. Soundararajan has ordered an independent inquiry into the alleged assault of a doctor by IRB personnel on August 21 night. Following the charter of demands submitted by Nagaland Inservice Doctors Association, Dimapur Unit, DC directed N. Zubenthung Ngullie SDO (C) Sadar to carry out an independent enquiry on the alleged assault on Dr Atoka Wotsa, pathologist of Covid-19 sample collection centre Chumukedima Dimapur by IRB Personnel and submit the report on or before August 25, 2020.

NIDA unit demands action: Nagaland In-service Doctors Association, Dimapur Unit has condemned the “brutal act” meted out to its bonafide member Dr. Atoka Wotsa while on duty, allegedly by IRB personnel on August 21 night. In this regard, the unit submitted a 3-point charter of demand to the DC Dimapur through its representative Dr. T. Temsu and Dr. Heto Swu. The demand includes immediate suspension of the

K O HI M A , A UG 2 2 (NPN): A gainst the backdrop of the writ petition filed in the Supreme Court by the state government, seeking cessation of powers and functions of Nagaland Lokayukta, justice Uma Nath Singh, the coordinating officer of the Lokayukta has said that the Lokayukta will submit its reply to the Supreme Court with evidence.

When contacted, the officer claimed that the facts were distorted and therefore Lokayukta will respond to Supreme Court with enough evidence.

It may be mentioned that the state government had approached the Supreme Court to arbitrate the actions of State Lokayukta, who it claimed to have made several “arbitrary demands”.

In this regard, a threeJudge Bench of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian sought a response from the Lokayukta within two weeks time.

India’s COVID19 cases race past 30 lakh NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (PTI): India’s COVID-19 tally hurtled past the 30-lakh mark on Saturday night, just 16 days after it crossed 20 lakh, while the total number of recoveries too surged to 22.71 lakh, according to data from states and union territories.

Union health ministry data updated on Saturday 8 am showed a record single-day spike of 69,874 infections, taking the country’s COVID-19 caseload to 29,75,701, while the death toll due to the disease climbed to 55,794 with 945 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours. However, by night, a PTI tally showed India’s COVID-19 caseload at 30,37,657, death toll at 56,762 and recoveries at 22,71,054. The tally has been compiled as per information provided by the states and union territories.

“I’m thinking of the new normal- not going to crowded places on Sunday.”

K Y M C

kyu Sangtam and the programme concluded with prayer by NWHD president Sungsabeni Jamio.

NCD said that the court of civil judge (Sr. division) Dimapur has inclined to set aside the injunction order dated 09/07/2020 in the interest of justice.

Newly inducted office bearers of the Naga Council Dimapur. (NCD)

D I M A P U R , AUG 2 2 (NPN): A new team of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) office bearers for the tenure 2020-2025 was installed at Naga Council Conference hall, Dimapur on August 22, 2020 while another faction has reminded that the matter was still in court.

NCD general secretary Thsapongkyu Sangtam informed that 30 new councillors took oath during the installation programme.

The new NCD team

for 2020-2025 include K Ghokheto Chophy (Sumi) president; Etsungmomo Kikon (Lotha) vice-president (adm); GK Rengma (Rengma) vice-president (council bench); Thsapongkyu Sangtam (Sangtam) general secretary; Ponghok Phom (Phom) joint secretary; Gangang-Pou (Rongmei) joint secretary; M Sapong Chang (Chang) finance secretary; Luola-O Usou (Angami) treasurer.

At the programme, search/selection commis-

sion report was announced

by TL Merry, chairman of selection commission for NCD new office bearers 2020-2025 tenure.

Short speeches were delivered by outgoing president T Bangerloba and incoming president K Ghokheto Chophy. Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur associate pastor Yanbemo Lotha prayed for new team of office bearers and councillors.

Vote of thanks was proposed by Thsapong-

sports, Page 8

Lokayukta to reply in SC with evidence

New NCD team installed amidst conflict

This is it!

Sevilla win sixth Europa League title

Councillors reject

Meanwhile, the new councillors have accused the selection commission of “forcefully” giving the report, which they “outrightly rejected”.

In a press release, Vekhosayi Nyekha, on behalf of the new councillors, said that the selection commission’s constitution and existence was disputed and awaiting judgement from the Court of law. He said that the Court has fixed September 10, 2020 for hearing implying that the matter was sub-judice.

Health care workers hold placards as a mark of protest. (Social media)

personnel’s involved within 24 hours and proceed action for termination, failing which the medical fraternity will take its own course of action, impartial Judicial enquiry into the incident and to bear the medical expenses incurred during the course of treatment and compensation of the damaged property.

Organisations flay

Several organisations have condemned the alleged physical assault on Dr. Atoka Wotsa.

IMA branch: Indian Medical Association (IMA) Dimapur Branch through its honorary president Dr. D.R. Sharma strongly condemned the

brutal assault on Dr Atoka Wotsa and requested the state government to bring the perpetrators of such a heinous crime to justice.

IMA Dimapur Branch said its members stood with Dr Atoka Wotsa and his family at this hour of crisis.

PAN: Strongly condemning the “act of aggression and brutality” meted out to one of its colleagues, the Pathologist Association of Nagaland (PAN) demanded immediate action from the concerned authority. PAN president Dr. T. Temsu stated that such actions cannot be tolerated and should not be repeated in the near future.

(Cont’d on p-6)

Centre asks states not to put restrictions on inter-state movement of people, goods NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (PTI): The Central government has asked all states to ensure that there should be no restrictions on interstate and intra-state movement of persons and goods during the ongoing unlocking process.

In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said there were reports that local level restrictions on movement were being imposed by various districts and states.

Drawing attention to the Unlock 3 guidelines, nion Home Secretary said such restrictions are creating problems in inter-state movement of goods and services and are impacting supply chains, resulting in disruption in economic activity and employment.

The unlock guidelines

India to have COVID-19 vaccine by 2020 end NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (IANS); Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan said that the country will have a vaccine against the deadly coronavirus by the end of the year.

Speaking to reporters here, he said that a Covid-19 vaccine is likely in the next 4-5 months. “I hope that if everything goes well, India will have access to a coronavirus vaccine by the end of 2020,” he tweeted later.

The Ministry said that one of the three Covid-19 vaccine candidates has entered the third phase of the pre-clinical human trial. According to V.K. Paul, head of the national task force on Covid-19, the vaccine candidate entering the third phase has yielded encouraging results in the initial phases of (More on p-5) its trial.

clearly state that there shall be no restrictions on interstate and intra-state movement of persons and goods, he said in the letter.

The guidelines also stated that no separate permission, approval or epermit will be required for movement of persons and goods for cross land border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries.

The home secretary said restrictions amount to violation of guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs under provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The letter requested that no restrictions be imposed and it should be ensured that the unlock guidelines are followed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had first announced lockdown with effect from March 25 to combat the coronavirus

pandemic which was subsequently extended till May 31.

Since June 1, the unlock process began with the opening up industrial activities and offices across the country.

The Centre on July 29 issued Unlock 3.0 guidelines-the third phase of lifting of coronavirusrelated restrictions across the country, giving relief to inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods.

It may be mentioned that the government of Nagaland, in pursuance to the Central government’s ‘Unlock 3’ guidelines and after assessing the situation across the state, on July 31, 2020 issued a single consolidated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be strictly implemented across the state with effect from August 1 till August 31.

Endangered Madagascan moon moth spotted in Noklak D I M A P U R , AUG 2 2 (NPN): An endangered moth-- Madagascan moon moth or comet moth native to the rain forests of Madagascar-- was spotted in Noklak district on August 21 during the dedicatory programme of newly constructed office chamber of deputy commissioner, Noklak.

According to DIPR, Madagascan moon moths are spotted occasionally in the region, which also have an Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot rich in flora and fauna. Although endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, the Madagascan moon moth is bred in captivity.

The male has a wingspan of 20 cm and a tail span of 15 cm making it one of the world’s largest silk moths. The female lays from 120-170 eggs and after hatching, the larvae feeds for

Madagascan moon moth (DIPR)

approximately two months before pupating. The cocoon has numerous holes to keep the pupa from drowning in the daily rains of natural habitat. The adult moths cannot feed and only lives for 4-5 days.

The Moth is nocturnal and does not flying at day time. Male and female can be easily distinguished; females have broader and rounder wings and much shorter tail and males wear long and plumose ones.

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state

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Should social media o u t l e t s b e b ro u g h t under regulations?

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

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

A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

60% 40% 0%

Next poll

Q: Is it time for the state

govt to withdraw C OV I D - 1 9 c e s s o n petrol and diesel?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST august 23

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Cloudy with a thunderstorm

32 24

Aizawl

A shower and t-storm around 29 20

Guwahati Rather cloudy with a t-storm Imphal

An afternoon thunderstorm

33 25 31 21

Itanagar Partly sunny, a stray t-storm

30 23

Shillong

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

24 18

Kohima

Mostly cloudy, heavy t-storms 24 19

Dimapur A p.m. t-storm in spots Mkg

Couple of thunderstorms

32 24 26 20

Tuensang Cloudy with a thunderstorm

21 16

A t-storm around in the a.m.

26 21

Zunheboto Mostly cloudy with a t-storm

24 18

Wokha

Water quality monitoring & surveillance training

TICCI elects DIMAPUR: Tribal Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TICCI) Nagaland Chapter held its first executive committee on August 18 at Walo Complex in K. Station Village.

A release by TICCI stated that the house elected its convenor, Akuto A Tuccu as the president and Khesheto Kiho as general secretary along with six other members.

Trainees along with PHED officials, urban division Dimapur.

DIMAPUR: Water quality monitoring and surveillance training for grass root level workers was held Saturday at the office of subdivisional officer, PHED maintenance Urban Division Dimapur.

A press release by the department informed that resource person, state chemist PHED, Roland Kikon, spoke on water

quality standards and on the importance of drinking safe water.

He also explained how water can be physically, chemically and biologically contaminated and that excessive contamination can cause health problems.

Kikon also gave a detailed description of the chemical contaminations that found in water.

PTCSU raises poor telecom network issue

DIMAPUR: Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union (PTCSU) has expressed dismay over poor telecom network at Phek town adding that it has adversely affected the online classes and examinations.

In a press release, Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union president, Surhoveyi Khesoh and press secretary, Diezekho Vadeo stated that the government and the public are putting all efforts to bring quality education in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic.

Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union then said, “education courses cannot be compromised nor jeopardized ignorantly

just because of weak network connectivity”.

Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union said the manager, proprietor in-charge of Phek Town Jio/Airtel service provider was “best known for such failure and negligence”.

Phek Town Chakhesang Students’ Union claimed that despite repeated reminders, the service providers have not improve the quality adding that such delay has put the students’ career at risk.

Further, the union has asked the state government to take note of the issue and deliver justice to the students.

Born : 30/03/1959 – Died : 31/07/2020

DP-3563

Loving Husband, Children, Grandchildren & Relatives.

DIMAPUR: Tongtein Longchar of Class 12, Delhi Public School (DPS), Dimapur was adjudged as one of the winners (senior 1 category) in the public speaking competition organized by the Noble Youth International Model United Nations.

A press release by the school informed that 150 participants representing 15 countries from across the globe participated in the competition.

It said the preliminary round consisted of recorded video submissions on given topics from August 1-10.The second round of the competition was conducted online for twodays, on August 11 and 12, wherein each selected participant had to deliver extempore speech on two topics.

DIMAPUR: Department of School Education (DoSE) has sought suggestions from school teachers and principals from all over the country on how to take the implementation process of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 forward.

According to DIPR report, the department has sought suggestions on each theme of the NEP related to school education, through a question answer process. It said the questions are framed in such a manner that teachers can relate to them from their experience as teachers and classroom transactions.

The report stated that each question also gives reference to the paragraph of NEP to which it refers to, so as to enable teachers to read the same for better understanding of

the policy, before uploading suggestions. It said all suggestions received shall be examined by a team of experts from NCERT. The report further stated that for gathering further information, if required, teachers whose suggestions are found useful for incorporating in National Curriculum framework or in the Implementation Plan shall be individually contacted.

Teachers and Principals have been asked to register their details through the link – http:// innovateindia.mygov.in/ nep2020. The date for uploading suggestions by teachers has been set from August 24-31.

KBC holds convocation ceremony DIMAPUR: Kohima Bible College (KBC) held its convocation ceremony on August 18 at the College Chapel.

A press release by KBC informed that 12 students out of 62 students from different parts of India, Nepal, and Myanmar, from non-containment areas of Kohima Town attended the convocation.

In his address, Kohima Bible College principal, Rev. Zotuo Kiewhuo challenged the graduates to be deeply committed to Jesus, to be full of the Spirit and the wisdom of God in their daily life so that they would be able to transform the world.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

OF LATE MR. MISHAK JEMU 23/08/2019

Time slips by and life goes on, but memories of special people never fade.

They always walk beside us unseen, unheard, but always near.

They always remain alive in our hearts.

There are no goodbyes for us.

Wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts.

One day we will remember you with wonder not grief.

Molhou Zhasa 23.08.2019

"ONE SHORT SLEEP PAST, WE WAKE ETERNALLY AND DEATH SHALL BE NO MORE; DEATH, THOU SHALT DIE." John Donne You asked for so little, and gave so much.

We miss you dearly.

DP-3557

DP-3547

IN FOND REMEMBRANCE OF

LATE WALA THONG

(NSUNYU VILLAGE) ON 1 DEATH ANNIVERSARY 23rd August 2020 ST

20th May 1925 – 20th August 2020 We, the family of Late Marsosang Jamir (Unger), would like to offer our heartfelt gratitude to the many relatives, friends, neighbors and well wishers for your emotional, financial and physical support given to us at his sudden demise.

Your support and prayers at this difficult time was very much appreciated and of great comfort to all the family members. May our Almighty God bless each and everyone of you and your family.

Loving Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, In-laws and Relatives.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Beloved Eja, A year has passed since you left us to be with the Lord eternally but the memories of your love and cares still linger in our hearts and echo in our lives.

You are deeply missed each day yet the prayers you prayed for us continue to be our strength and keep us going in our lives.

13/04/1994 to 20/08/2020 We the bereaved family of Lt. Y. Tomuku (Kiumukam) Pungro Village would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who stood by us physically, financially and spiritually during his prolonged illness till his demise.

We convey our special thanks to : 1. Pungro Village Council 2. Pungro Village Baptist Church 3. Yimchungrü Baptist Church Chumukedima We deeply regret our inability to mention each and every one of you who also provided emotional and practical support for us at this difficult time, but it is our sincere prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving wife, sons, daughters & grandchildren DP-3558

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Forever in our hearts, Your loving Children, Grand-children and Family members

"He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust."

Psalms 91:2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Shri. Lt. K.C. Ashau Phom Born: 15/03/1949 – Died: 15/08/2020

Our beloved mother

VULHOLI JIMOMI

(Wife of Late Meshekhu Chishi of Hevishe village) 07.08.1932 – 11.08.2020

She was a woman and a mother who was able to live through every landmark in strength, wisdom, faith and prayer.

To meet her end in sound health and mind, to never become a burden to anybody were her earnest prayers, and so she died.

For this, we glorify the name of our ever-loving, ever-gracious Father.

It is with immense joy and gratitude, we humbly acknowledge all people of God, who, from near and far, consoled and supported us in manifold ways, even in this difficult time of the pandemic.

GOD BLESS!

Loving, Children, in-laws, grandchildren & great grandchildren

Loving wife, children & grandchildren



Loving Wife, Children & Family Members

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:21

DP-3560

DoSE seeks suggestions to implement NEP 2020

1 st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

DP-3561

We the bereaved family members of Lt. M. Tainla Longkumer (wife of Rev. C. Bendang Jamir, Akhoya) wish to acknowledge each and everyone who stood and supported us physically, morally, spiritually and financially throughout the course of her illness and sad demise at Baptist Hospital Bangalore on 31st July 2020.

Although her body could not be brought to Nagaland, she was buried at Christian Cemetery Bangalore.

She was gentle, patient, wise, bold and full of love. She left behind her husband, two sons, one daughter and four grandchildren.

It is our humble prayer that our Almighty God Bless you all abundantly.

We convey special thanks to:1. Baptist Hospital Bangalore, Doctors, nurses, staff and Mrs. Alemla Chaplain.

2. Bangalore Ao Prayer Fellowship.

3. Ao Union Bangalore.

4. Ao Students' Union Bangalore.

5. Naga Christian Fellowship Bangalore.

6. Khristar Arogo Bangalore.

7. Rev. Dr. Bendangyapang, Pastor Bangalore.

8. Mr. & Mrs. Atsung Jamir, Bangalore.

9. Mr. & Mrs. Temsu Jamir, Bangalore.

10. Mr. & Mrs. Imti Walling, Bangalore.

11. E.T. Sunup IAS, Chairman GCYM Mission Board, Kohima.

12. Local Dialect Baptist Church GCYM, Dimapur.

13. Akhoya Fellowship Mokokchung.

14. Clark Theological College, Aolichen.

15. Akhoya Fellowship Dimapur.

16. Akhoya Union Dimapur.

17. Akhoya Theological Fellowship.

18. Akhoya Baptist Church.

19. Changtongya Town Baptist Church.

20. Changtongya Yimsen Baptist Church.

21. Set Free Church Dimapur.

22. Nagamese Baptist Churches Association Dimapur.

23. Nagaland Christian Ministry Association Dimapur.

24. J. Ezekiel Missionary, Kanpur.

25. Namsang Area Baptist Churches and Pastors Fellowship, Arunachal Pradesh.

Naga student wins global competition

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

K Y M C

C h e m i s t DW S M , Tzutipokla Longkumer conducted hands on training of the field testing kit and all the trainees were taught how to test the water step by step giving a detailed description of the procedure to follow and the contents of the FTK. The training was sponsored

by Sanitation & WSSO, PHED Nagaland.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

K-1327

2

We the bereaved family members of Lt. K. C. Ashau Phom would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, friends, relatives and well wishers who comforted and supported us through prayers, physically, and financially at the demise of our beloved father on 15th August 2020.

We cannot repay the noble deeds you all have done to us and we regret our inability to appreciate every individual, however it is our sincere prayer that Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

DP-3564

Loving wife, children, grand children, in-laws and relatives.

LATE ANGANGCHO SANGTAM Born on: 01/07/1959 Died on: 14/08/2020 We the bereaved family members would like to express our profound and heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, relatives, friends and well wishers who stood by us and comforted us physically, spiritually, morally and financially at the demise of our beloved Father Late Angangcho Sangtam.

We would like to convey our special thanks to: 1. Tsithrongse Baptist Church 2. Tsithrongse Village Council 3. Tsithrongse Village, Head GB 4. Youth Dept, Tsithrongse Baptist Church 5. Women Dept, Tsithrongse Baptist Church 6. Tsithrongse Village Tsungdi Club 7. Shri Azheto Zhimomi, MLA 8. Mangakhi Village Union, Dimapur 9. NHHDC Ltd 10. Lhoulalie Zumu, Kohima 11. Chang Baptist Church Diphupar ‘B’ 12. Hakchang Union Dimapur We are unable to repay your overwhelming gesture, but it is our sincere prayer that the Lord Almighty bless you all abundantly.

Loving wife, daughters, grandchildren, in laws, family members & relatives.

DP-3555 K Y M C

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

KMSS to launch pol party; Akhil Gogoi CM candidate

been expanded, an official source in the district said.

“Tackling Covid requires alertness to evolving scenarios,” the control room stated, while asserting that the surveillance team was regularly monitoring COVID situation in the district.

Meanwhile, the death toll due to COVID-19 in the state rose to 22 as two persons died in the last 24 hours.

One of the deceased was a personnel of the 1st IRB from Churachandpur who died late yesterday evening at a COVID care facility at Meitram in Imphal West district.

He was the third deceased victim of the pandemic among security personnel in the state after a policeman and one BSF died due to the disease.

A 70-year-old woman from Thoubal district also succumbed to the disease at JNIMS hospital today.

A release of the COVID-19 Common Control Room of the state gover nment infor med that 194 patients were discharged on Saturday, taking the total recovered case in the state to 3455, including 517 CAPF. The state now has 1655 active cases, out of which 816 are CAPF personnel. The recovery rate in the state also rose to 67.32%

Gangtok, Aug 22 (PTI): Sikkim Health Minister Dr M K Sharma tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.

The minister himself announced the news of his testing positive for COVID19 in a brief Facebook post.

“I, Dr MK Sharma, Health Minister of Sikkim, would like to inform all the Sikkimese people that I developed symptoms of COVID-19 and got myself tested today and the results have come as positive,” he said.

Sharma said that he was doing fine and confined himself in isolation.

Urging his friends and supporters not to panic, the Health Minister urged all those people who have in contact with him in recent days to self-isolate themselves and get tested for COVID-19.

Sikkim till Friday has reported 1,336 COVID-19 cases of which 499 are active cases, as 834 patients have recovered from the disease and three persons have died.

Active COVID-19 cases breach 1000 mark; one more die in M’laya

AASU’s stand on govt’s job scheme vindicated by MP

The new outfit will be a non-compromising political force, KMSS said.

GUWAHATI, AUG 22 (PTI): The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) on Saturday announced that it will launch a political party to fight the Assam elections in 2021, and its jailed leader Akhil Gogoi will be the chief ministerial candidate.

Addressing a press conference here, the KMSS leadership said the proposed party’s name will be announced by Gogoi once he is released from jail.

“We have prepared ourselves to form a new political party. It will be a regional party. People from all tribes, caste, community, religion and language will be a part of this

party,” KMSS president Bhasco De Saikia said.

The new outfit will be a non-compromising political force and it will not be named after KMSS’ earlier venture Gana Mukti Sangram-Asom, but a new name will be given, he added.

“Because of our noncompromising position, Akhil Gogoi is still in jail.

By October, we hope Akhil Gogoi will be released.

We trust the country’s judiciary. He will announce the name of the party after coming out of jail.

The name of the party is finalised already,” Saikia said.

All intellectual prepa-

60 new cases take Arunachal’s COVID-19 tally to 3,126 Itanagar, Aug 22 (PTI): Sixty more people, including 14 security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, raising the state’s tally to 3,126, a health department official said on Saturday.

Of the new cases, 14 were reported from the Capital Complex region, 11 from Changlang, 10 from West Kameng, five from East Siang and four each from East Kameng and Namsai.

Three fresh cases each were detected in West Siang and Tawang, two each in Papumpare, Lower Siang and Pakke Kessang districts, State Surveillance Officer Dr L Jampa said.

“Fourteen paramilitary personnel five from East Siang, three each from West Kameng, East Kameng and Tawang districts - are among the new patients,” he said.

Barring three, all of them are asymptomatic and have been shifted to COVID Care Centres, he said.

Thirty-two people were discharged from hospitals on Friday, taking the total number of recoveries to 2,125 in the state.

Arunachal Pradesh has 996 active cases at present, while five patients have died due to COVID-19 so far, he said. West Kameng district has the highest number of active cases at 165, followed by the Capital Complex region at 128, Lohit at 98, East Siang and Changlang at 94 each, Upper Subansiri at 90, Jampa said.

The Capital Complex region comprises Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa towns.

A total of 1,655 people, including 647 security personnel, have tested positive for the infection in the state since August 1, the official said.

The recovery rate in the state currently stands at 67.97 per cent, and 1,343 people have been cured of COVID-19 since the beginning of this month, Jampa said.

3 1993 out of 5132 COVID cases Sikkim Health Over Rs 89.43L fine from Minister tests lockdown violators in Mnp in Manipur locally transmitted positive for COVID Corrrespondent Earlier, the complete Correspondent veillance team has also northeast

ration for the new party such as the work agenda and the constitution is ready, he said.

“The work agenda will be known as ‘Asombasir Jatiya Karmahuchi’ and it will be for the future modern Assamese society.

We will send the constitution and the agenda to all district committees and our sister organisations.

Then we will make these public and seek the peoples’ opinion on them,” he said.

When asked if Gogoi will fight the polls, Saikia said: “Yes, Akhil Gogoi will fight the polls in 2021.

Akhil Gogoi will be our CM candidate.”

Shillong, Aug 22: Another COVID-19 patient died in Meghalaya taking the number of fatalities to seven, even as active cases crossed 1000 mark with 93 new COVID-19 cases reported on Saturday. The active cases currently stand at to 1,035.

Director of Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War informed that a 58year-old man Ram Bashan Rai from Shillong died of COVID-19 late Friday night at Civil Hospital Shillong.

He said the patient was diagnosed with SARI and was referred from private-r un Woodland Hospital to Civil Hospital, Shillong.

“Cause of death for the 58-year-old male was acute respiratory disorder syndrome due to COVID19 and he also had underlying ailments, including diabetes and hypertension," Dr. War said.

IMPHAL, AUG 22: The tally of locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in Manipur rose to 1993 on Saturday as 60 of the 83 new cases detected in the past 24 hours have no recent travel history.

An official data of the state health department showed detection of 83 new cases during testing of 3,238 samples in the past 24 hours (from 5pm of August 21 till 5 pm of August 22).

The state has so far tested 1,28,468 samples altogether, out of which 5,132 positive cases were detected.

Of the 61 new cases detected among the general populace, 60 have no significant travel history during investigation, officials of the state health department said.

Including the latest positive cases, the total number of locally transmitted cases rose to 1993.

Imphal West district with 34 of the 60 locally transmitted cases is the district with the highest locally transmitted cases.

Considering the alarming rise in the locally transmitted cases in the district, state health authorities have expanded the sample collection teams by deputing 25 more doctors.

The district sur-

Out of these new cases, War said 66, including 45 civilians and 21 personnel from the armed forces and paramilitary forces, were detected in East Khasi Hills district, the most affected COVID-19 district in the State.

Furthermore, he informed that new cases detected from other districts include- ten in West Khasi Hills, nine (five civilians and four personnel from armed forces and paramilitary forces) in West Garo Hills, four in East Jaintia Hills, besides two each in North Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi.

"Twenty more patients, which includes 15 (12 personnel from armed force and paramilitary forces and three civilians) three in West Garo Hills (two civilians and one armed forces and para military forces) in East Khasi Hills, besides one each in Ri-Bhoi and East Jaintia Hills recovered

from the viral infection, taking the number of recoveries to 769," War said.

Giving a breakup of active COVID 19 cases in district wise, War informed East Khasi Hills recorded 662 (419 civilians and 243 personnel from armed forces and paramilitary), 215 in West Garo Hills, 93 in Ri-Bhoi, 28 in West Khasi Hills, four in South West Garo Hills, three in West Jaintia Hills, two in South Garo Hills, one in South West Khasi Hills, besides 12 each in North Garo Hills and East Jaintia Hills.

Of the 72,409 swab samples sent for testing till date, 70019 tested negative while the outcome of 579 samples were awaited, the medical official said.

A total of 23,221 citizens were tested through random sampling out of which 397 tested positive till date, the medical official added.

Dr M K Sharma

GUWAHATI, Aug 22 (AGENCIES): The All Assam Students’ Union, which has been advocating jobs for locals, on Friday said its stand has been vindicated after the Madhya Pradesh government announced that government jobs would only be given to “the children of the state”, reports The telegraph.

AASU chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjya on Friday told The Telegraph that jobs for locals has been one of their key demands in view of unemployment in the state. Assam last year had around 17 lakh educated unemployed people. The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy is likely to add around 4 lakh more to the list, sources said.

“The move by the Madhya Pradesh government shows our demand is justified. We have to see when the BJP-led Assam government and the Centre realise that we need to secure the future of our people first,” Bhattacharjya said.

IMPHAL, Aug 22: Manipur police have collected a fine of over Rs 89.43 lakh in its continuing crack down on violators of COVID-19 lockdown and curfew since March 24 last .

A fine of Rs 89,43,250 was collected from 74,836 persons for violating the standard operating procedures (SOP) of the lockdown set by the state government.

A total of 51,833 vehicles were detained during the period from March 23 till Saturday, a police source said. The total amount collected as fine included Rs 40,00 collected from 206 persons detained and released later after warning, it said. State police department has been cracking down on violators of lockdown in the state since March 24, the day the nationwide lockdown was announced.

The police also penalised those not wearing face masks in public places and not maintaining social distancing, the police said.

Like other states of the country, Manipur imposed complete lockdown in the entire state since March 24 last.

Even as the Centre started unlocking, the state government re-imposed complete lockdown in the whole of the state since July 23 last considering the surge in COVID-19 cases with locally transmitted cases.

lockdown was for a period of two weeks. Later, it was extended till August 15 and it was extended further till August 31.

On the advice of the state government, each district administration has also lifted the curfew during the day time since August 16 while promulgating the night curfew from 5pm till 6am. Since lifting of day time curfew, there was a marked increase in the traffic volume across the streets of the state even as petrol retail outlets were restricted from opening.

Traffic congestions were also witnessed on the streets capital city of Imphal. Apart from traffic congestions, collection of fees at parking was also witnessed in the last few days.

The collection of parking fees were suspended since the very day of commencement of the nationwide lockdown.

Interestingly, even as more people came out for work, most of the localities across the capital banned entry of outsiders in their respective localities.

To enforce the restriction, members of local youth clubs were detained their members at entry points of their locality to check entry of outsiders.

However, there was no restriction to residents moving out of their locality posing a big question on the restriction to entry of nonresidents of the locality.

Tripura govt mulls assembly session in open due to pandemic Agartala, Aug 22 (PTI): The Tripura government is considering to hold the monsoon assembly session under the open sky in a park here in view of the pandemic situation, State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath said on Saturday.

Nath, who visited Heritage Park here during the day, said the session is scheduled in the third week of September and it will be difficult to maintain social distancing in the assembly house.

“It will not be right to hold the session in the assembly house ... Assembly sessions in many states were held outside the assembly building with restrictions.

The Tripura government is also planning to hold the monsoon session outside the assembly house so that all precautionary measures can be taken properly, he told reporters.

The five-day budget session which began on March 20 was cut short to two days due to the out-

Ratan Lal Nath

break of coronavirus. The session was called off soon after the budget was passed in the assembly.

It is mandatory to organize assembly session within a gap of six months, the law minister said adding he is visiting the park to see if it will be possible to hold the assembly session there.

“However, the final decision on holding the assembly session in the open is yet to be taken ...

States like Assam had held their assembly sessions with 50 per cent of the total legislator strength to maintain social distancing, Nath added.

Tripura orders probe into dispute with Mizoram over boundary issue 6-year-old boy mauled by leopard

AGARTALA, AUG 22 (AGENCIES): Days after Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma raised a 10-year old dispute between Tripura and Mizoram over people living in a bordering village between both states, Tripura’s BJPIPFT government has ordered an enquiry into the issue, reports The Indian Express.

Out of around 640 people living in Phuldungsai, a small village perched atop the lush green Jampui hill range that crisscrossed the Tripura-Mizoram inter-state boundary in Kanchanpur sub-division, 212 Km from Agartala, 130 have featured their names in electoral rolls of both Tripura and Mizoram. The issue is nearly a decade old, according to sources, and two survey attempts to demarcate the boundary earlier ended inconclusive.

The enquir y order comes shortly before Mizoram’s village council polls scheduled on August 27.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, Tripura revenue

minister Narendra Chandra Debbarma said, “We are aware of the issue. We have asked concerned higher officials to hold an investigation into the matter and submit report”.

He said the boundary dispute was left unattended for over a decade and it’s high time his government did something about it. The minister also said there are reports of similar encroachments at Kawnpui, another bordering village close by at Jampui.

“We have instructed officials to conduct the enquiry in a holistic manner and submit report on all encroachments the boundary between Tripura and Mizoram in Jampui Hills”, Debbarma informed.

Asked about his take on it, Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti said if there is a duplication of voters in voter lists of both Tripura and Mizoram, the issue would be taken up between the office of Tripura CEO and CEO of Mizoram.

“The electoral roll revi-

sion process is underway.

If there is any discrepancy, it will surely be sorted out.

Besides, we have this software from ECI called ERO Net. It is already in use and when applied across the country, issues like these can be easily resolved”, the official said.

A source in the North Tripura district administration informed this publication that the state government has asked them to collect details of 130 persons living in Phulgungsei, and submit report.

Earlier on August 17, Kanchanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Chandni Chandran wrote a letter North Tripura District Magistrate on assembly election of Mizoram and inclusion of Phuldungsai in part 37 of Mizoram’s ST-reserved Hacchek constituency.

“On careful scrutiny of pat 37 of Hacchek ST constituency of Mizoram, the following points have been observed: 1. Phuldungsai VC has been added as part of constituency as Zampui Phuldungsai, 2. 130 voters in

the electoral roll of Zampui Phuldungsai are residents of Tripura. They are present in electoral rolls of Tripura, in ROR of Phuldungsai Village Council and avail ration facility from Phuldungsai ration shop under Kanchanpur sub-division”, she wrote in her letter, available with this correspondent.

Terming the issue as ‘problematic’, the SDM mentioned in her letter that a PWD road leading to Kawnpui, another village in the chain of 12 tribal hamlets in Jampui Hills, is regarded as the boundary between Tripura and Mizoram in Phuldungsai, where the eastern side belongs to Mizoram and the western side is in Tripura.

“Traditionally, Phuldungsai VC as a while (despite eastern side falling in Mizoram) has been accepted as a part of Tripura. Hence, the inclusion of the VC and its residents in Mizoram electoral rolls seems to be problematic”, the official wrote and urged her higher official to urgently demarcate the exact boundary,

incorporating entire Phuldungsai village in Tripura.

Mizoram’s Hacchek (ST) constituency, where parts of Phuldungsai was shown listed, comes under jurisdiction of the state’s Mamit district.

Mamit District Collector Dr. Lalrozama earlier told this publication, “While I am not immediately aware of any communication from Tripura on this issue, I believe the electoral rolls have been prepared in connection with village council polls in Mizoram. As far as Phuldungsai is concerned, one part of the village comes under Tripura and another in Mizoram. A road that goes through the village connects the two states”.

The issue was raised by Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma. He wrote on social media four days back that he had spoken to Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb and SDM of Kanchanpur about reports of Tripura territory being taken away by ‘a neighbouring state’ and demanded that the issue had to be dealt with firmly.

Guwahati, Aug 22 (IANS): A six-year-old boy was mauled to death by a leopard in Maligaon, on the outskirts of Assam's main city of Guwahati, sources and local people said on Saturday.

"The leopard dragged Shivam Kumar by grabbing his neck when the child was playing with his friends outside his home at Adingiri (in Maligaon) on Friday. The leopard let the boy go and disappeared in the hills after the people chased the animal and raised a hue and cry." eyewitnesses told the media.

The child was immediately taken to a hospital, where the doctors declared him "brought dead".

Forest officials refused to talk to the media about the incident.

Maligaon, headquarters of the North East Frontier Railways and a place prone to humanleopard conflicts, comes in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation area, which encircles several big hills

and seven reserve forest areas.

Earlier also several people were injured after being attacked by leopards in Maligaon and the adjoining areas.

Wi l d l i f e a c t iv i s t s said that the habitats of leopards and other wild animals have been shrinking over the decades due to encroachment by the people leading to mananimal conflict.

There have also been incidents in the recent past when angry mobs killed leopards and other wild animals.

Wildlife activist Mu-

bina Akhtar said that the hills are where the leopards live but people have been encroaching upon their habitats.

"There are seven reserve forest areas adjoining Guwahati city. The forest department has neither demarcated them properly nor has it put up any signs or notice boards, resulting in encroachment of forest land," Akhtar told IANS over phone.

She said : "Since 2010, men and wild animal conflicts are rising in Guwahati areas. However, authorities are doing nothing to stop such incidents."

Dear Alia Longchar, Happy 1st birthday, on your special day we wish you only smiles and joy. May each minutes of your life be filled with happiness and may this birthday be just perfect for you.

With lots of love from Ako, Moa Jamir & Akum Jamir.

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 258 Dimapur, SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

Sensationalising death

W

hile the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make news with over 30 lakh cases and over 56,000 deaths as on August 22, another news that continues to hog the limelight is the case pertaining to the death by suspected suicide, of Bollywood film star Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR), whose body was found hanging in his Bandra residence at Mumbai on June 14. His death put an end to a promising career but has opened up a can of worms. Mumbai police recorded it as an accidental death. Soon after, the late actor’s family alleged that Rhea Chakraborty, the late Sushant’s girlfriend, had abetted his alleged suicide. Mumbai Police still had not registered any case since The Mumbai Police also said that the evidence, statements and the crime scene, all pointed towards a suicide, which is why no FIR was registered and there was no accused in the case. What the Mumbai police had to do but did not, post the Autopsy report was to file an FIR with the charge of abetment, if it felt that there was more to the case. On the other hand, Bihar Police has filed FIR under Rajeev Nagar Police Station (Patna) based on a written complaint filed by Sushant Singh Rajput’s father K.K. Singh. The family of SSR strongly denied death as due to suicide and have expressed no confidence in the Mumbai police and so have demanded a CBI probe. The media, especially the electronic media is ploughing the tragedy with so much speculations that it has taken the form of a continuing public cacophony around the tragedy of an untimely death. The untimely and tragic death of SSR has not only sent shockwaves among celebrities and his fans but also led to raging debates revolving around nepotism in the Hindi film industry. Bollywood starlet Kangana Ranaut in a video, talked on subjects ranging from Sushant’s death by suicide by making allegations against journalists and blaming Bollywood’s ‘movie mafia’ in particular, for pushing SSR into committing suicide. The case had already been engulfed by politics when the ruling Maharastra coalition (SS-NCP-INC) headed

by Uddhav Thackeray and the NDA government in Bihar under Nitish Kumar- took on opposite sides.

Also the case has led to a tussle for turf between the Mumbai Police and Bihar Police. The Supreme Court has tipped the scales for CBI probe and in a way, given the Nitish Kumar government a shot in the arm. The Maharashtra government has been resisting CBI probe despite having filed no FIR till date.

Transfer of the SSR case to CBI may have ended the unnecessary tug-of-war between the police of Bihar and Maharashtra but the moot point is but the moot point is whether it will serve the purpose or will it end as another unsolved case like other CBI probes?. The common demand for CBI probe also indicates lack of confidence in the ability of state police probes. Regardless of the outcome of the CBI probe, the relentless media cycle accompanying the case is just the latest example of the sensationalism that underpins Indian media and public life, where perspective and balance are wilfully forgotten and mental health grossly misunderstood.

DailyDevotion “I Indeed. . . But He”

I indeed baptize you with water…but He…will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

—Matthew 3:11 Have I ever come to the point in my life where I can say, “I indeed…but He…”? Until that moment comes, I will never know what the baptism of the Holy Spirit means. I indeed am at the end, and I cannot do anything more— but Hebegins right there— He does the things that no one else can ever do. Am I prepared for His coming? Jesus cannot come and do His work in me as long as there is anything blocking the way, whether it is something good or bad. When He comes to me, am I prepared for Him to drag every wrong thing I have ever done into the light? That is exactly where He comes. Wherever I know I am unclean is where He will put His feet and stand, and wherever I think I am clean is where He will remove His feet and walk away.

Repentance does not cause a sense of sin— it causes a sense of inexpressible unworthiness. When I repent, I realize that I am absolutely helpless, and I know that through and through I am not worthy even to carry His sandals. Have I repented like that, or do I have a lingering thought of possibly trying to defend my actions? The reason God cannot come into my life is that I am not at the point of complete repentance.

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John is not speaking here of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience, but as a work performed by Jesus Christ. “He will baptize you….” The only experience that those who are baptized with the Holy Spirit are ever conscious of is the experience of sensing their absolute unworthiness.

“I indeed” was this in the past, “but He” came and something miraculous happened. Get to the end of yourself where you can do nothing, but where He does everything.

Quotes

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

Post-mortem

New Delhi’s changing dynamics vis-a-vis geopolitics A report titled ‘Energy Futures in Asia’ published by the United States’ Department of Defense in 2004 analysed the energy security and energy vulnerabilities of India and China and their energy demand that might influence strategic development in Asia. The United States under Obama administration acknowledged that the 21st Century will be an era of South and East Asia prompting shifting of attention from the Atlantic to the Pacific through its rebalancing policy called “Pivot to Asia”. After a brief period of intermission, President Trump picked up where Obama left and passed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) in 2018. The ARIA seeks to promote security and economic interests and values of the United States and envisage recommitting itself to the allies and strategic partner and sustained partnership in Asia.

Brian Harding and Kim Mai Tran observed that Southeast Asia region could pip European Union and Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2050 at the current annual growth rate of about five percent. Besides, the Southeast Asia

T

market is being admired as one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the world, attracting trading opportunities and deepening diplomatic engagements in the coming decades. It also offers the platform for ‘advancement of democracy and human rights’ with the region being a hotspot of young but diverse states accompanied by weak economic and political foundations. Rise of middle class (approx. 350 million people by 2050) is an added advantage of the region.

P r a s h a n t h Pa r a m e s wa r a n i n h i s “ASEAN’s role in a US Indo-Pacific Strategy” underlines the importance of Southeast Asian region which is strategically placed at the right centre of the Indian Ocean in connecting with the Pacific Ocean, a sub-region of a broader Indo-Pacific strategic environment. With the South China Sea hosting close to one third of global shipping passes and the presence of some of the world’s busiest waterways, the Southeast Asia is undoubtedly a new stage of power play of big economies.

Trump’s anti-globalism rhetoric and his commitment to ‘Make America Great Again’ had been con-

strued as a suiting development for other geopolitical players to intervene the world affairs, especially China. The gradual degeneration of American presence, particularly in Southeast Asia created space for aggressive Chinese intrusion into critical areas facilitating Beijing to “expand its statedriven economic model and reorder the region in its favour”.

In what could be seen as reaction to President Xi Jinping’s overreach and in an attempt to re-establish trust with its allies and partners as part of Washington’s counter narratives to Beijing’s model of global order, the US Department of Defense as an extension of ARIA brought out “IndoPacific Strategy Report” which mapped US’ interests and future course of actions in the region. Freedom and openness in a rule-based order share centrality to the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Washington’s reliance on New Delhi in this security-centric re-entry into East and South Asia is conspicuous by the use of the term ‘Indo-Pacific’.

In the words of Dingding Chen, India has been vocal about the concept of Indo-Pacific Strategy as such align with New Delhi’s

ambition in expanding its presence and interests in Southeast Asia in line with its Act East Policy while taking its political, economic and military relationship with the nation-states of the region to a new high.

Both the United States and India therefore confluence on the need for cooperation in this region.

Against the backdrop of the increasing concentration of major powers in Indo-Pacific region, Southeast Asia posit itself as strategically sensitive expanse and the securing of which is vital to the advancement of interests by nations party to the twenty-first century geopolitical play. Simultaneously, New Delhi has been prodded to, though indecisively, assume a leadership role in regional security forums. Prominent of which are Quadrilateral security dialogue (commonly called as Quad), Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORAC).

Nevertheless, the much dubbed ‘internal disturbance’ along the porous frontiers has been a continuous irritation in the way of New Delhi’s progressive presence in its geopolitical ventures. Most analysts

Pay for news to avoid paid news

he country is once again witness to another round of grand spectacle being played out incessantly almost every day now in the name of news. Yes, most of you perhaps guessed it right. The reference here is to the relentless daily updates (if not minuteby-minute and hourly) being provided by the news channels for almost two months now on every little development pertaining to Sushant Singh Rajput’s unfortunate death/ alleged suicide in Mumbai on June 14. Perhaps not a single day passed in the last two months when a news channel did not provide any update to its viewers.

And not just news updates. Most of these so-called national news channels have also started almost a parallel probe into the case, converted their news studios into some kind of a kangaroo court, interrogating people and pronouncing verdicts, condemning “accused” left and right, carrying two hoots for privacy of individuals or even respecting the due processes of law, little realising that all these would have little bearing on the final outcome of the case. The prime objective of all these is too obvious – continue arousing viewers’ interest and passion, and sustain them by whatever means possible, even if that means resorting to conducts that often border on the bizarre. The end result of this has been that many countrymen are now transfixed by the case and many seems to have even given their verdict against the perceived accused, oblivious to other more pressing issues confronting the country.

And mind you, this is not an isolated case. One recalls how the Sheena Bora murder case was pursued by these same news channels in a similar manner, as also the kind of coverage on Big B’s recent hospitalisation due to COVID-19 infection, with a few even providing updates on his morning potty. To such levels of absurdity some of these news channels have stooped in the name of news!! The coverage on COVID-19 thus far hasn’t been any encouraging either. With “experts” being roped in and all sorts of predictions being made, unfortunately the focus has been more towards creating panic among the people instead of educating them thoroughly on the pandemic.

Of course, one can’t have anything against news chan-

nels reporting on any issue.

After all, that’s what they are supposed to and is their primary job. However, the problem is in them trying to “create” news even when it doesn’t exist or build a narrative or sit on judgements, and even becoming a tool for propaganda. Instead of moderating the discussion, news anchors yelling at their guests and heckling them, giving more time to those in sync with their views, taking position on every issue and asking viewers point blank what they should think, instead of allowing them to decide, are clear symptoms of the deep-rooted rot. All these definitely can’t be passed off as journalism for sure. It’s like providing an opinion piece alongside every news item in a newspaper with the editor telling his or her reader how to read the news or what stand to take on the subject. The news channels can be passing on information to their viewers to help form opinions, but they definitely can’t be sermonising and asking them what to listen to or what stand to take. It’s akin to doubting the intelligence of their viewers.

In their sheer brazenness, some news anchors and reporters of certain news channels seem to have even forgotten not only the basic rules of journalism but also human conduct.

They have forgotten that they can ask questions but cannot interrogate or force someone to answer them or behave like bullies and moral policemen, that they aren’t law-enforcing agencies and nor can they usurp their roles, including that of investigating agencies and courts and, finally, can’t behave like paparazzi chasing their subjects down the street.

Bottomline is they can’t be behaving as if they are a law unto themselves. Yes, “lapses” on the part of government machineries should be exposed and reported, but definitely there are better ways of doing that, and without howling or intruding into someone’s privacy.

The outcome is that this kind of news presentation has lowered the entire profession of journalism and those associated with in the public eye and brought it into serious disrepute, thereby doing the biggest disservice to it.

Unfortunately, through such conducts, some of these news channels have converted the entire gamut of news gathering and dissemination and “investigative journalism” into some

kind of a TV reality show. But news cannot supplement or complement entertainment as it’s a serious business.

Actually, the root of all these can be traced to the strange, if not utterly flawed, revenue model that has been worked out by these channels and pursued aggressively. May be unknown to many, all news channels in this country are free-to-air, meaning viewers needn’t pay them for tuning in. The money they pay actually goes to their dish or cable TV operator, and not to the news channels. This is unlike a newspaper whose readers pay its publisher, a portion of which goes to the hawker and distributor. Hence, they have the liberty to change the newspapers they subscribe to.

It’s a different matter that even newspapers have started moving towards and relying heavily on advertisement-driven revenue model today instead of being dependent entirely on subscription. However, the basic model hasn’t undergone change. But that’s another topic that would be discussed some other time.

N ow, b e c a u s e t h e s e news channels are free-to-air, they sustain themselves only through advertisement revenue. And this is again dependent on viewership – the thumb rule being more the viewers, better the advertisement revenue. There are certain tools for measuring viewership, but even these are not accurate, if not manipulative. This should help one understand why the news channels conduct themselves in the manner they are currently. They try every trick in the trade to draw viewers’ attention and desperately try to hold on to them. And, being free-to-air, some of them even think that they don’t have any moral or social obligation. Actually, anything that comes free is not always worth. It holds true for every product and news is no exception. Thus, news too should command a price, if not a premium, for ensuring quality. It’s too serious a business to be allowed to be determined by market forces, including the corporate, or left in their hands completely.

Paying for news is much better than having to contend with paid news. No wonder, some prominent digital news platforms too are gradually moving towards subscriptionbased revenue model like the print media.

Anirban Choudhury, Guwahati

O

subscribed to the hypothesis that scrapping of Article 370 was from the angle of security front as contrasted with development concern.

New Delhi exulted confidence in divided opinions on that matter by the world leaders, in some ways.

With the northwestern border almost secure, atleast in theory, the attention then shift to Northeastern frontier which is dotted with volatile security arrangement and intra and international crimes running along the unfenced border. Containment of extremism (in the parlance of mainstream dialogue) in Nagaland would mean an end to insurgency and its collateral cost in whole of the Northeastern region.

This perceived supposition, when accomplished, shall serve New Delhi its two objectives: (a) a peaceful Northeastern region could be employed as a buffer zone in the conduct of commerce with the economically diverse Southeast Asian nations and further east in circumventing China’s ascendancy, (b) the China factor in dealing with the affairs of the Northeastern states shall naturally cease to exist, opening a wide array of opportunities for New Delhi to hold a tight

grip on its eastern frontier and gaining the confidence of relatively young democracies of South and Southeast Asia in posturing its image as an emerging and reliable regional power.

These twin foundational structures of New Delhi’s regional ambition are believed to have been the cause of recent inroads into the Naga Political conundrum. Gathering of information, especially of the innocent government employees, at an unprecedented volume is surely a concern. Could it be for the purpose of gagging of voices of dissent or towards surveillance of its citizens, either way, it signalled existence of trust deficit between the state and the centre, and between the political groups and New Delhi. In case of the former, invoking Article 356 of the Constitution is imminent whereupon voice of the people is at the whims of the Parliament. In such case scenario, we have seen that re-alignment of constitutional provisions along with territorial demarcation have been set as precedents, if the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir alluded us to some hints.

(To be continued) Nukhosa Chüzho, Kohima

In safe hands

ne categorical fact that people, irrespective of diverse age groups, come into accord with regard to music is that it generates a far-fetched impact upon their lives in more than one way. Its influence doesn’t end there but goes further by enhancing the environment that surrounds them.

To compute its persuasion would be an almost unattainable undertaking as it has transformed millions of lives across the globe.

Looking at the current milieu in Nagaland, music has a big place. There is a natural inclination to music and this innate proclivity is the product of two evenly alike key factors; that is, inborn and cultural weight. For this reason, the people in our domain, irrespective of gender, age, occupation, community, or geographical location, tend to believe that life becomes one-sided in the absence of music. This credence that we hold with much affection has a sphere of influence owing to the plain piece of evidence that music brings life in its entirety.

There is, of late, a great interest in classical music in which classical guitar has held a place in the revival.

Alongside the development, a menacing matter is in attendance as in delving into the inner issues; it has indicated that a sensitive case is involved for it basically points to the fact that the Nagas become irresistible to shortcut. We want to do things our way and that way is an easy way. It is a familiar adage that anything that comes so easily vanishes in the like manner.

To understand its polyphonic form; it requires consistent engagement with the instrument for a good number of years and this has been one of the major reasons for abstaining from the classic six-stringed instrument among the musically inclined people. Conscious of this demand, they switch their spotlight to an easier course and manage to cherry pick the musical gadget that deems fit to the demands of the popular culture of the day. A huge compromise is made in trying to find the middle ground. In other phrasing, it demands discipline.

Doesn’t it require discipline in any other disciplines if one is to thrive in one’s area of interest? Hence, the enthusiasts

who realise the dearth in the popular way of life simply turn their back and take an imperative shift.

With this reading, I have come to an understanding that having mere information in music is insufficient if one is to go beyond the conventional setting. Unfolding the depth would require serious learners to procure both the studious and practical knowledge.

Theory and practice are two of a kind that is indivisible. Without theory; practice has no base and in the absence of practice; theory is dormant.

Among scores of musical devices, the classical guitar is one such instrument which is intricately carved. Being polyphonic in its form; it produces harmony and melody simultaneously.

It takes an enormous amount of quantitative and qualitative time for a novice to attain the state of a guitarist in its true sense. The proper meaning of this terminology, however, is being distorted time and again and the title is tagged at random to any player too soon.

The great towering giant of the guitar, Andres Segovia said, “The Guitar is the most unpredictable and least reliable musical instrument in existence... and also the sweetest, the warmest, the most delicate, whose melancholic voice awakes in our soul exquisite reveries.”

This very unpredictable fundamental nature reminds us that the guitar is a practically complex musical instrument.

If you have the guitar in your hand then that’s a great occupation but a greater accountability is implicated as well. It is not wise to snip the responsibility involved to attaining that criterion that has been fixed at a higher scale. You are solely accountable to fulfil that benchmark as a mini universe in itself is in your hand.

Those who have refused to go along with the easier path will begin to benefit from the provision that music generates. There is a true sense of delight as the novice proceeds further. The deeper the learner immerses the greater the degree of contentment. Hope the musical community in our setting finds its definitive meaning and can safely say in harmony, “it is in safe hands.”

Bito Lohe

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Cleanliness is our duty

Just as many of us feared, Dimapur has ranked the top 8 dirtiest city in the under 10 lakh population category in the recently announced Swachh Survekshan survey. While the district administration in particular and the state at large cannot absolve themselves of the blame and responsibilities, there is still a lot left desired from the public in general. We still need to develop a sense of belonging. The business community in particular has to start cleaning their immediate surroundings as it the crowded market places that are eyesores. Hope we all play our part the government pulls up its socks.

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

national/state

‘India to have covid-19 vaccine by 2020 end’

New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS/PTI): Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan said on Saturday that the country will have a vaccine against the deadly coronavirus by the end of the year.

Speaking to reporters here, he said that a Covid19 vaccine is likely in the next 4-5 months.

“I hope that if everything goes well, India will have access to a coronavirus vaccine by the end of 2020,” the minister tweeted later.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that one of the three Covid19 vaccine candidates has entered the third phase of the pre-clinical human trial.

According to V.K. Paul, head of the national task force on Covid-19, the vaccine candidate entering the third phase has yielded encouraging results in the initial phases of its trial.

Paul said that the other two vaccines are currently in Phase-I or II of their preclinical trials.

However, they did not reveal the names of the vaccines while sharing the status of their testing phase.

While the officials did not reveal the names of the vaccine candidates while

Amid leadership debate, CWC to meet on Monday NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (PTI): Amid a debate over the leadership issue, top Congress leaders will meet here through video-conferencing on Monday and are likely to discuss the matter.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, will meet at 11 am on Monday, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said on Saturday.

“A meeting of the Congress Working Committee will be held on Monday, the 24th August, 2020 at 11 a.m. via video conferencing,” he said in a tweet.

All permanent and special invitees to the CWC have been invited to the meeting, where the leadership issue is also likely to be discussed, besides the current political situation in the country.

There has been a clamour within a section of Congressmen for Rahul Gandhi to take over as the president of the grand old party again.

The CWC meet comes close on the heels of Congress president Sonia Gandhi completing a year as the interim party chief, a post she accepted last year after her son Rahul Gandhi stepped down.

India crosses crucial milestone of testing over 10 lakh people in a day

Harsh Vardhan (File)

speaking about their testing phase, it could be gathered that the vaccine entering the third phase is Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, jointly developed with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

India currently has three vaccine candidates for Covid-19 -- ChAdOx1, developed by Oxford University and manufactured jointly by the Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune, and AstraZeneca; Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, jointly developed with the Indian Council of Medical Research; and the third is ZycovD by Zydus Cadila.

The SII had earlier said of starting the Phase 2 trial of its Covid-19 vaccine

this week.

It added that it has shortlisted 10 centres across India to host Phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials.

Meanwhile, Zydus Cadila administered the second dose of its Covid-19 vaccine a few days ago.

The developments on the vaccine came a day after the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration met five domestic vaccine manufacturers to review the clinical trial stages of these candidates. The manufacturers included two whose products are not yet in the clinical trial stage in India.

Zydus Cadila had stated in the review meeting that it may be able to launch the vaccine by next year.

Bihar records highest-ever recovery rate at 78.05 pc Patna, Aug 22 (PTI): With over 3,000 patients cured of coronavirus in Bihar on Friday, the state registered its highest ever recovery rate at 78.05 per cent, according to a bulletin issued by the health department.

However, 14 persons died of COVID-19 on the same day and the state’s tally of positive cases increased to 1.17 lakh with 2,461 fresh cases, the bulletin said.

As many as 3,678 coronavirus patients recovered on Friday taking the total number of recoveries to 91,841.

Information and Public Relations Departments secretary Anupam Kumar said that the state’s recovery rate is around four per cent more than the national average recovery rate of 74.30 per cent.

The positivity rate is also declining, he said.

The states recovery rate, which has been hovering between 62 to 66 per cent in the past 45 days, had crossed the70 per cent mark on August 17 by registering a recovery rate of 71.94 per cent, the bulletin said.

The eastern state had registered a recovery rate of 78 per cent on June 27 and June 28 respectively.

“Since then, it has been improving every day due to the large number of COVID-19 patients getting cured daily,” official sources said.

The number of people recovering has been hovering between 3,600 to 4,100 in past five days while the number of fresh cases varied between 2,400 to 2,800 during the same period.

The state has tested 1,12,422 samples in past 24 hours, while 22.28 lakh tests have been conducted in the state so far, the bulletin said.

Of the 2,461 fresh cases reported in past 24 hours, Patna accounted for the highest number of 308 cases, followed by Muzaffarpur (161), East Champaran (139), Madhubani (134), Araria (116), Katihar and Saran (103 each).

There are 25,241 active cases in the state and 588 deaths have been reported so far.

Of the 14 deaths, six were reported from Saran district, followed by four in Begusarai, two in Gaya and one each in Khagaria and Madhubani districts, it said.

Patna, which had recorded the highest number of 116 COVID-19 deaths, did not witness any casualty on Friday.

State

Covid-19 quarantine souvenir and sermons released in Dimapur

Souvenir book ‘Mitsa’ released at DABA, Dimapur.

DIMAPUR: A Souvenir book called Mitsa (Fort) along with e- spiritual sermons on COVID-19 quarantine ministry published and prepared by the Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Churches & Dimapur Based Ao Civil Societies were released at Dimapur Ao Baptist Church with a dedicatory prayer pronounced by Rev. I.Wati, Pastor, DABA on Saturday.

The contents of the souvenir include activities

and contributions made by the people during the 20 days quarantine period at Dimapur Government College.

It also many ‘Thank You’ letters and testimonies written by guests in three quarantine centres in Dimapur Govt College.

The quarantine centres were managed by the Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Churches and Dimapur Based Ao Civil Societies from June 1 to 20.

The e-Sermons were prayerfully prepared by pastors in respective Ao Churches in Dimapur area and delivered electronically during the quarantine period. “We have selectively compiled these spiritual sermons both in English and Nagamese so that it may also be useful for other quarantine centers, ” Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Churches and Dimapur based Ao civil societies stated, informing that the e-sermons on Covid-19 quarantine ministry are available with DABA Associate pastor, Toshi Longkumer free of cost The Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Churches and Dimapur Based Ao Civil Societies said it reaffirmed its commitment to continuously render all possible service and support to the government and medical fraternity in the war against Covid-19.

India has crossed a significant milestone of testing more than 10 lakh samples for COVID-19 in a day, taking the cumulative tests to more than 3.4 crore, while the caseload neared the 30 lakh-mark.

As has been reported from states and Union Territories (UTs), which have pushed ahead with aggressive testing, there is a commensurate decline in the positivity rate, the Union Health Ministry said in a statement.

“Although higher number of tests will initially lead to a rise in the positivity rate, it will eventually lower when combined with other measures such as prompt isolation, efficient tracking, and timely effective and clinical management,” the ministry said.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said, “Keeping to its promise of exponentially increasing daily COVID-19 tests, India has crossed a significant milestone of testing more than 10 lakh samples in a day.”

With 10,23,836 tests done on Friday, India has achieved its resolve to test 10 lakh samples daily, he said.

Pak violates ceasefire along IB in J-K

The number of daily tests has been increasing in a steep climb. The average daily tests during the past three weeks also strongly depict the progress made in enhancement of COVID19 tests across the country, Vardhan said.

A cumulative total of 3,44,91,073 samples have been tested up to August 21 with 10,23,836 samples being tested on Friday, the highest done in a day so far, Lokesh Sharma, scientist and media coordinator at the ICMR said.

Of the total of 10,23,836 samples tested on Friday, around 3.8 lakh samples were tested through rapid-antigen tests, sources said.

The cumulative tests conducted so far have reached 3,44,91,073 of which around 28 per cent samples were tested through rapid-antigen tests, they said.

“In a testament to the determined, focussed, consistent and coordinated efforts of the Centre and the state and UT governments, India has conducted 1 million tests in a span of 24 hours. With 10,23,836 tests done on Friday, India has

achieved its resolve to test 10 lakh samples daily,” the ministry said.

Combined with enhanced testing, policy decisions of the Centre, states and UTs have facilitated easy testing across the country. This has boosted the daily testing capacity, it said.

Enhanced diagnostic lab network has also led to this achievement, the ministry said, adding that as on date the country has a strong network of 1,511 labs, comprising 983 in the government sector and 528 private labs.

With a record singleday spike of 69,874 infections, India’s COVID-19 tally increased to 29,75,701, while the death toll climbed to 55,794 with 945 fatalities being reported in a span of 24-hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The recoveries have surged to 22,22,577 pushing the recovery rate to 74.69 per cent on Saturday, according to the health ministry data.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate has declined to 1.87 per cent, it said.

India is third in terms of caseload after the US and Brazil.

NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (PTI): India should tap the huge potential in the digital gaming arena by developing games inspired from its culture and folk tales, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, while asserting that the focus should be on use of technology and innovation, besides manufacturing quality products that meet global standards.

At a meeting to discuss ways to boost toy manufacturing in the country, Modi said toys can be an excellent medium to further the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”, according to an official statement.

“We must look at ways India’s civilisational greatness can be showcased through the toys that are made in our country. A vibrant toys sector will further our dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said in a tweet.

Modi said he had an extensive meeting on ways to boost toy manufacturing and added that the country’s focus would be to support the sector and create toys that ensure physical fitness and a holistic personality development.

“I urge start-ups and youngsters to focus on in-

Narendra Modi (File)

novations in the toys sector.

Educational institutions can organise Hackathons on this as well. Another area that we want to focus on is creating toys that are environment friendly,” the prime minister said in another tweet.

The statement quoted Modi as saying that toys aligned with the Indian culture and ethos should be used as pedagogical tools across all anganwadi centres and schools for an all-round development of children.

He also stressed on the need to organise hackathons for innovations in toy technology and design.

Laying emphasis on the fast-growing digital gaming arena, Modi said India should tap the huge potential in this area and lead the international digital gaming sector by developing games that are inspired from Indian culture and folk tales.

ISIS operative held in Delhi, major strike averted: police

Jammu, Aug 22 (PTI): Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing and mortar shelling along the International Border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday.

The ceasefire violation in the Border Out Post Karol Mathna area of Hiranagar sector started at 11.30 pm on Friday, prompting strong and effective retaliation by the Border Security Force (BSF), they said.

The cross-border firing between the two sides continued throughout the night and ended at 4.40 am on Saturday, officials said.

There was no report of any casualty or damage on the Indian side, they said.

However, the firing caused panic among border residents who were forced to spend the night in underground bunkers for their safety.

Pakistan has been frequently targeting forward posts and villages in Hiranagar sector of Jammu and Kashmir to stall the construction work being undertaken by BSF to strengthen the counterinfiltration grid, officials added.

New Delhi, Aug 22 (PTI): A major terror strike was averted with the arrest of a suspected operative of the ISIS, armed with two pressure cooker IEDS, from central Delhi’s Ridge Road area following a brief exchange of fire, Delhi Police officials said on Saturday.

Mustakeem Khan, alias Abu Yusuf, a resident of a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Balarampur district, who was under watch for over a year, planned to carry out a “lone wolf ” strike at a high footfall area in the national capital, said P S Kushwah, DCP (Special Cell).

Khan, who was on a motorcycle, was caught on Friday night after a brief exchange of fire on the section of the Ridge Road between Dhaula Kuan and Karol Bagh. The two IEDS he was found with were “fully ready” and just needed to be activated with a timer, police said.

Security was stepped up in the national capital and in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh following the arrest.

Khan had planned to strike in the national capital on August 15, but could not do so due to heavy security arrangements, Kushwah said. “Khan was to come to Delhi around August 15 to carry out terror strikes… Now, he felt the security could be lax so he

GSKS celebrates 29th Bhasha Diwas

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the prudent leadership, CAO and members of NSCN (IM) UT-1 Dimapur for the swift action in recovering the mobile phone which was stolen from my shop at broad daylight. I further appreciate their needful service rendered to me. Words are insufficient to extend my gratitude but apparently our Creator will reward for the help shown to me.

Delhi Police with an alleged ISIS operative (C) after arresting him last night following an exchange of fire and recovery of IEDs from Ridge Road area, in New Delhi, Saturday. (PTI)

could come here. But he was nabbed,” he told reporters.

He planned to use the pressure cooker IEDS in a heavy footfall area of the city, the police official said.

“After planting IEDs, his plan was to wait for fresh instructions and then the next plan was to carry out fidayeen attacks. But he was not told about when and where the strike was to be carried out. A terror strike has been averted due to this operation,” Kushwah added.

Khan was under the watch of the security agencies for the last year, the police official told reporters.

“We had been conducting surveillance on him through sources. We also found he was in touch with ISIS and directly in touch

NOTE OF APPRECIATION

DIMAPUR: Marking the recognition day of Nepali language, Gorkha Sahitya Kala Sanstha (GSKS) Kohima under the aegis of Gorkha Public Panchayat Kohima (GPPK) celebrated the 29th Bhasha Diwas on August 20 at GPPK Hall in Chandmari.

A press release by GSKS publicity cell stated that on the occasion, GPPK president Santu Thapa recalled the sacrifice of those visionary Gorkhas who had fought to provide Nepali language in the Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

T h e o c c a s i o n wa s marked by lighting of lamp in remembrance of the former leaders; welcome address was delivered by GSKSK cultural secretary Bharat Baraily and significance of the day was shared

by GSKSK assistant treasurer Pramila Thapa.

5 India should lead digital gaming sector: PM Modi

Rahul Ahmed Shangrila Market

DP-3567

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Alisopur Suro Union would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every individual, churches and organizations, who lent a helping hand to support us financially, materially, physically and spiritually in the days leading to Lt. Vitsali Sangtam's untimely demise in Chennai. Among many others, we would like to especially akcnowledge the following: - Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai.

- Naga Christian Fellowship, Chennai, lead by Pastor Wapang and team.

- Miss Yangzila, PRO, Apollo Hospital.

- Naga Students in Chennai and many more.

With the prevailing situation, they had selflessly taken care of him throughout his treatment, until his burial.

We will not be able to pay off every acts of charity, but may the Almighty God reward you for your selfless actions.

DP-3556

S. Nukshiba Sangtam President Alisopur Suro Union Nagaland

with its commanders.”

Giving details, he said Khan was first handled by Yusuf-al Hindi who was killed in Syria. After that he was handled by Abu Huzefa, a Pakistani, who was killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan. Later, another handler instructed him to carry out “lone wolf ” strikes, the police official said.

“It is for the same purpose that he had come to Delhi. Besides two pressure cookers IEDs, we also recovered a sophisticated pistol, four cartridges, and the motorcycle. We suspect the motorcycle could be a

stolen one,” he added The suspected ISIS terrorist had also prepared a fidayeen vest for a suicide attack and had tested smaller devices near the burial ground in his village, police said. Investigations are on to find when he made the pressure cooker IEDs or whether someone gave them to him.

A bomb disposal team of the National Security Guard (NSG) reached the spot along with a robot to help pick up a bomb or an IED and a TCV (total containment vessel) vehicle used to defuse a bomb in a controlled environment.

No. 12023/2/2020-Admn.I

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi-110 067 VACANCY NOTICE-01/2020 The NIHFW is an autonomous Institute funded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is an apex Technical Institute for promoting Health and Family Welfare Programmes in the country through Education and Training, Research and Evaluation, Consultancy, Advisory and Specialized Services.

Applications are invited from the Citizens of India for the following post on deputation basis: S. Name of Scale of Pay No of Mode of No. Post Posts Recruitment 1 Deputy Pay Band–3 01 Deputation Director Rs.15600-39100-Grade Pay Rs.7600 (one) (Admn) (pre-revised)/Pay Level-12 For details, including Hindi version of this advertisement, please visit Institute's website: "www.nihfw.org." Last Date for receipt of completed applications is 24.09.2020 Director davp 17153/11/0005/2021

APPRECIATION

The Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) would like to thank Dr. Roland Lotha, who has contributed essential items to the NTCA community within Dimapur district. The NTCA community further acknowledges the philanthropic deed of Dr. Roland Lotha. Association further wishes him the best in his future endeavour.

NTCA Media Cell

DP-3565

KITAMI UNION DIMAPUR (FELICITATION)

The Kitami Union Dimapur (KUD) extend our heartiest congratulations to Er. Nitovi A. Wotsa on being promoted to the rank of Superintending Engineer (E), Dimapur under Power Department.

The KUD is immensely proud of your achievement, we pray that Almighty God bless and guide you to greater heights.

ISAK SWU PRESIDENT, KUD

JOHN SUMI GEN. SECRETARY, KUD

DP-3554

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

national/state

Six J&K parties take pledge to restore Article 370

SRINAGAR, AUG 22 (PTI): Making clear there can be “nothing about us without us” in Jammu and Kashmir, six mainstream political parties on Saturday termed the abrogation of special status of the erstwhile state as a “spitefully shortsighted” and “grossly unconstitutional” move and pledged a combined effort for restoration of the preAugust 5 position of last year. Taking a dig at the statement, the BJP said the leaders were “day-dreaming” and asserted that the restoration of special status is “next to impossible”.

Earlier today, a resolution termed ‘Gupkar Declaration-II’ was circulated in the media. It was signed by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, J&K Congress chief G A Mir, Peoples’ Conference leader Sajjad Lone, state CPM leader M Y Tarigami and Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference senior vice-president

Leaders from various political parties of Jammu and Kashmir.

Muzaffar Shah.

This is the first combined statement issued by the political parties after more than a year.

Acknowledging the difficulties in bringing out a resolution of all political parties, it said the signatories to the Gupkar Declaration-I, signed on August 4, 2019, “have barely managed to establish basic level of communication with each other” in the face of a series of prohibitive and punitive curbs

imposed by the government, aimed at impeding all social and political interactions.

The limited confabulations held within the constraints imposed have resulted in this unanimous resolution, it said.

These leaders had met on the eve of August 5, 2019 at the Gupkar residence of Abdullah and a statement, also known as ‘Gupkar Declaration’, had asked people to maintain calm and peace and urged the Centre not to

alter the constitutional status of the erstwhile state.

However, the very next day the government moved a resolution in Parliament and announced abrogation of Article 370, a provision giving edge in residency and jobs to local people, and also bifurcated it into two union territories — Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

“We all reiterate that we are bound, wholly, by the contents of the Gupkar Declaration and will unwav-

Babri issue: SC sets new deadline for verdict on cases against Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti NEW DELHI, AUG 22 (AGENCIES): Supreme Court has set a new deadline of September 30 for a CBI court to deliver its verdict in the Babri Masjid demolition case, in which senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti face criminal charges as accused.

A bench headed by Justice Rohinton F Nariman extended the previous deadline upon a request by special Ayodhya judge, who had submitted a progress report along with an application to give him some more time to wrap up the trial.

“Having read the report of Mr. Surendra Kumar Yadav, learned Special Judge, and considering that the proceedings are at the fag end, we grant one month’s time, i.e., till 30th September, 2020, to complete the proceedings in-

cluding delivery of judgment,” said the bench in its order on August 19.

The last order in this regard had come in May when the bench had directed the CBI court to deliver the judgment

by August 31, 2020 after taking note of a similar request by the special judge.

The bench had said the judge should take advantage of video-conferencing to complete the evidence in the trial and wind up the case within the slotted time.

The apex court has been issuing directives to ensure the trial is concluded within a stipulated time frame. In April 2017, the court had described the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya as “crimes which shake the secular fabric of the Constitution of India”, as it put Advani and others on a joint trial with ‘kar sevaks’ in

Crossword

the 1992 case under various charges, including criminal conspiracy to pull down the disputed structure. It gave the CBI court in Lucknow two years to deliver its judgment.

In July last year, the Supreme Court had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to give an extension of tenure to Judge Yadav, who was scheduled to retire on September 30, so that he could complete the trial in the nearly 28-year-old cases. At that time, the court also gave the judge nine more months to finish the trial. But in May, the trial judge wrote again, citing constraints due to the nation-wide Covid-19 lockdown.

This time, the bench gave Judge Yadav time till August 31, and suggested he should also use video-conferencing to record statements of witnesses and accused.

eringly adhere to it. We are committed to strive for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, the Constitution of J&K and the restoration of the state and any division of the state is unacceptable to us. We unanimously reiterate that there can be ‘nothing about us without us’,” Gupkar Resolution-II said.

The national and regional political parties termed the changes made in the state in August last year as “unfortunate” which have unrecognizably changed the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi.

BJP reacts: Responding to the statement, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina said the Kashmir-based politicians are “day-dreaming” about the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution which is “next to impossible”.

He claimed the controversial Articles were like a “wall of hatred” which did nothing except “dig-

(From p-1) SDA: Sumi Doctors Association (SDA) has expressed deep shock and pain over the “brutal assault” meted out to one of its bona fide member Dr. Atoka Wotsa while he was returning after performing his mandated duty.

In a press release, SDA president Dr. K. Vikato Kinimmi general secretary Dr. Kheshika Yeptho said that while the doctors were risking their lives on the call of duty it was “very disturbing” to experience the trauma of harassment and assault meted out to the member of medical fraternity while on the line of duty by those in uniform who were “supposed to protect us while performing our duties even during odd hours.”

SDA said the degree of assault and the dent on the vehicle bonnet bore testimony to the “evil intent of the rogue IRB personnel.”

The association urged the concerned authority to award exemplary punishment to the

No. 9663 Yesterday’s solution No. 9662

Su doku

No. 4282 Yesterday’s solution No. 4281

KAKURO

No. 3306 Yesterday’s solution No. 3305

ging an ocean of misunderstandings” and retarding the growth and development of the erstwhile state.

He added that “the restoration of Articles 370 & 35(a) is next to impossible.”

“Due to these Articles, J&K has suffered for decades and they gave rise to terrorism, separatism and flared up the Pakistani agenda and as such, they won’t be restored at any cost,” he said.

“Kashmir-based leaders are doing nothing except daydreaming as they are feeling restless to return to the corridors of power to enjoy all luxuries for themselves and their near and dear ones,” Raina said, addressing party workers at Sialsui village of Kalakote in Rajouri district.

He alleged that due to the pre-370 arrangements, more than one lakh people lost their lives in J&K because these “pseudo-leaders were carrying on their duties with the hidden agenda of Pakistan”.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

Row over Ayush secy asking nonHindi doctors to leave meeting C H E NNA I , AU G 2 2 (AGENCIES): DMK leader and Lok Sabha member Kanimozhi on Saturday demanded the suspension of AYUSH secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha for allegedly asking non-Hindi speaking doctors to leave a training session.

In a tweet, Kanimozhi said, “The statement of Secretary of the Union Ministry of AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha that non-Hindi speaking participants could leave during a Ministry’s training session speaks volumes about the Hindi domination being imposed. This is highly condemnable.”

She said: “Govt should place the Secretary under suspension and initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings. How long is this attitude of excluding non-Hindi speakers to be tolerated?”

Agreeing with Kanimozhi, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, “Not knowing English is understandable, but this arrogance of asking those who don’t

Organisations flay

erring personnel to serve as a deterrent in the future.

CPO: Chakhroma Public Organization (CPO) through a press release issued by its president Vichütuolie Mere said it was “extremely unfortunate” to witness such kind of brutality again to the medical fraternity at critical times like this when they were working so hard to fight the pandemic.

Stating that the act committed by police personnel was highly objectionable, the CPO said it strongly condemned the incident in the highest manner.

CPO affirmed that it stood with Dr Atako Wotsa and appealed to the authorities to immediately bring those responsible to book and punish them as per the law.

IDANSB: Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch (IDANSB) condemned the “barbaric unwarranted action of the IRB personnel”.

In a press release, IDANSB president Dr. Kaketo Yepthomi said doctors have been the vic-

Across 1. Woven fabric (5) 6. American cattle farm (5) 9. Musical performance (7) 10. Coach (5) 11. Eye covering (5) 12. Peeks (5) 13. Month (7) 15. Container (3) 17. Second-hand (4) 18. Holiday at sea (6) 19. Bathroom fitting (5) 20. Of tribes (6) 22. Row (4) 24. Heavy-hearted (3) 25. Expert (3,4) 26. Winter sportsman (5) 27. Steer with this (5) 28. Sponge (5) 29. Senior pupil (7) 30. Boy’s name (5) 31. Drinking tube (5) Down 2. Song words (6) 3. Three-legged stand (6) 4. Farmyard bird (3) 5. Frogman (5) 6. Harmony, agreement (7) 7. Unfortunately (4) 8. Prickly plant (6) 12. Danger, jeopardy (5) 13. Expels (5) 14. Lukewarm (5) 15. Shinbone (5) 16. Facial hair (5) 18. Tree (5) 19. Arrears of work (7) 21. Somewhat (6) 22. Frustrate (6) 23. Mystery (6) 25. Satan (5) 26. House type (4) 28. Lettuce (3)

tim of police brutality in the state time and again, but the medical fraternity in the spirit of humanity had been tolerant and just.

IDANSB said that the physical assault on doctors by uniform personnel has become a habit and cannot be tolerated anymore.

IDANSB appealed to the government to look into the matter with utmost seriousness and take immediate action by suspending the personnel involved in the incident.

After the last two unfortunate incidents of police brutality against doctors, IDANSB said the government assured the medical fraternity that remedial measures would be taken so no such untoward incident would happen.

NNF: Expressing shock over the assault on a medical doctor, the Nagaland NGOs Forum (NNF) vehemently condemned the behaviors of the law enforcing personnel terrorizing people and taking the law into

know Hindi to leave and insisting on speaking in Hindi is totally unacceptable.”

In a tweet in Tamil, DMK chief MK Stalin also called for action against the secretary, urging the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.

Condemning Kotecha for his act, Stalin said it was shameful on the part of the secretary to act in an “uncultured” and “uncivilised” manner. Stalin said a doubt has arisen in the minds of the people of Tamil Nadu whether Kotecha was given a two-year service extension only to insult their language.

Stalin, the Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, said Kotecha has also threatened the delegates of the training session from the state.

MDMK leader Vaiko and PMK founder S Ramadoss also condemned Kotecha. The virtual training session for master trainers was organised by the Ministry of AYUSH.

their own hands.

In a representation addressed to the deputy chief minister, NNF president Dr.Y Hesheto Chishi and general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe appealed to initiate prompt investigation into the incident and “bring the culprits to an unbiased justice without delay.”

NMDA: Nagaland Medical Dealers Association (NMDA) through its joint secretary Arijit Sharma urged the police and administration to look into the matter and serve justice to the victim doctor by punishing the culprits as per law.

NMDA also appealed to the responsible authority to ensure that no such brutal incidents take place in future.

NMDA pointed that this was not the first time when a doctor had been assaulted by the men in uniform.

It said that repeating of such incidents would “create utter fear in the hearts of those COVID-19 Warriors who are on duty.”

Foreigners made ‘scapegoat’ over FOR SALE BUILDING Covid: Court on Islamic sect event AtRCC Kevijau Colony,

M U M B A I , A U G 2 2 their tourist visa conditions Dimapur (AGENCIES): The foreign by attending the Tablighi Contact No. : 7005440064 nationals who attended a Jamaat congregation.

8968700176 DP-3568 religious event at Delhi’s Nizamuddin in March were LAND FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE “virtually” persecuted and Padumpukhuri, Dimapur NAGA UNITED VILLAGE blamed for spreading coro- At Area : Any size available Near Youth Harvest navirus as part of a proPrice : Rs. 290 per sq. ft. paganda, the Aurangabad Dry land Rs. 230 per sq.

No Filling Required bench of the Bombay High ft. (Negotiable) No Broker Court observed, dismissing Contact : 8974571416 Contact Nos : 9862128679 cases filed against 29 foreign- DP-3489 8014690505 9612448446 DP-3453 ers. It also commented that they were made “scapegoat” by political governments.

Hundreds of people both foreigners and locals Seithekima ‘C’ Co-Operative, - were tested positive for Chumukedima coronavirus after they had either attended the Tablighi Opp. EAC Office Jamaat event or had come in 250 Meters from 4 lane road. contact with the followers of Area 250 x 180 @ 160 Sq. feet (Negotiable) the Islamic sect. Visa violation cases were registered (No Brokers) against the foreign nationals who had attended the Contact. 7005105465 / 9856245022 congregation. The event had AFFIDAVIT turned out to be the biggest No. 2496 Date: 21-08-2020 coronavirus cluster in the Regd.

I, Shrimati Neisonuo Kuotsu Angami, D/o Kenny Kuotsu Angami, aged about 5 years resident of H No. NMH C/142, New Minister's Hill Colony, Kohima, Nagaland country. hereby solemnly affirm on oath and declare as under “There was big propa- do 1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India, belonging to Angami Naga ganda in print media and 2. That I am also known as Neisonuo Kuotsu Neisonuo Kuotsu Angami & Neisonuo Kuotsu refers to one and the electronic media against the 3. That same person, that is myself foreigners who had come 4. That henceforth I shall be known/ called as Neisonuo Kuotsu Angami for all official purposes, future references and correspondences. to Markaz Delhi and an 5. my That this affidavit shall be used as a piece of evidence of the fact and proof as mentioned above and also to be used for any rectification if need arises in attempt was made to create a picture that these foreign- 6. future.

That the above statements are true.

DEPONENT ers were responsible for Notary Public K-1324B spreading COVID-19 virus in India. There was virtually IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE persecution against these WOKHA : NAGALAND S/C No. 59/2020 foreigners,” the court said NOTICE in its order.

“A political govern- NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN ment tries to find the scape- FOR SUCCESSION ACT 1925. goat when there is panWhereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession demic or calamity and the Certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late Likham Kachari has been circumstances show that applied by Smti. Phyobeno, W/o. Lt. Likham Kachari, R/o, H/No.., Wokha, there is probability that these Nagaland for possession of; 1. SBI A/C No. 11766548273 foreigners were chosen to 2. PPO No. 18421 make them scapegoats,” it Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the added. administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/ The 29 foreign nation- he so desire appear in this court on or before 20/09/2020.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this day the 20/08/2020. als were booked under variSd/- District & Sessions Judge, Wokha : Nagaland ous provisions for violating WC-198

LAND FOR SALE

K-1330

6

INTERNATIONAL

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

Pak imposes sanctions on Mumbai attack terrorist

Islamabad, Aug 22 (Agencies): Pakistan has imposed severe financial curbs on global terrorist, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, over a decade after he masterminded the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in which over 160 Indians had died and 300 had been injured.

The cash-starved nation that has been ignoring for years India’s demand to bring the chief conspirators of the ghastly attack to justice, is reportedly trying to wriggle out of the Grey List of the terrorist-financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force or FATF. In 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists had launched a coordinated attack on Mumbai, indiscriminately shooting at innocent civilians at several locations. 9 had been killed by the security forces in operations that stretched for several hours; one - Ajmal Kasab - had been caught alive and was executed in 2012 following a court trial.

Lakhvi was briefly jailed by Pakistan but later released on bail despite India furnishing evidence of his involvement. Another mastermind Hafiz Saeed had also remained under

Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi

house arrest before being set free.

“Freeze, without delay and without prior notice, the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of these individuals, undertakings and entities,” a Pakistani executive order against Lakhvi read.

The terrorist will also be banned from travelling abroad. The Paris-based FATF had put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 for not taking concrete action to arrest terror financing in the country. It had asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019, but the deadline was extended later due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive

by October, the body could push the Imran Khan-led country onto the “Black List” along with North Korea and Iran.

Earlier this month, the Pakistani Parliament had cleared four bills linked to the conditions set up by the FATF. News Agency PTI has quoted a report from Pakistan daily The News that in compliance with the new terror list issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently, the government has put sanctions on key figures of terror outfits such as the Jamaat-udDawa (JuD), JeM, Taliban, Daesh, Haqqani Group, al-Qaeda, and others.

The paper reported that Saeed, Masood Azhar, Mullah Fazlullah (alias Mullah Radio), Muhammad Yahya Mujahid, Abdul Hakeem Murad, wanted by Interpol, Noor Wali Mehsud, Fazal Raheem Shah of Uzbekistan Liberation Movement, Taliban leaders Jalaluddin Haqqani, Khalil Ahmad Haqqani, Yahya Haqqani, and Ibrahim and his associates are on the list.

US has no right to restore sanctions: Iran

T e h r a n, Au g 2 2 (IANS): Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the US has “no right” to restore all the pre2015 UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Zarif made the remarks in a letter to the rotating chairman of the UN Security Council (UNSC), reports Xinhua news agency.

“The Dispute Resolution Mechanism is only open to the actual JCPOA participants,” Zarif said in the letter which was written on Thursday and made public by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

US officials have recently claimed to remain a “participant” in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by force of UNSC Resolution 2231, with the intention of initiating the JCPOA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism and re-imposing UNSC sanctions on Iran.

Zarif added that the US has violated both the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 by withdrawing from it, unilaterally reimposing sanctions on Iran, “and even punishing those complying with the resolution”.

On the contrary, Iran has showed good faith in

continuing “full implementation” of the JCPOA for “a full year” after the US withdrawal in 2018 and only applied “remedial measures” afterwards.

Zarif asked the UNSC to prevent the US from “unilaterally and unlawfully abusing the Dispute Resolution Mechanism”.

Z a r i f ’s s t a t e m e n t comes after France, Germany and the UK said that they will not support the US in seeking to reimpose sanctions on Iran.

A year after the US’ unilateral exit, Iran stopped implementing some of its commitments under the deal and set a 60-day deadline for the Europeans to help the Islamic republic reap the economic benefits of the deal.

The two developments came after the US’ draft resolution failed to get the required nine votes in favour at the UN Security Council on August 14 to extend the arms embargo against Iran.

Besides the US, only the Dominican Republic voted in favour of the draft.

China and Russia voted against the text, and the remaining 11 Security Council members, including the European allies of the US, abstained.

7

Brazil is returning to normal from Covid-19, says Bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro

B r a s i l i a , Au g 2 2 (IANS): Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said that the country is “returning to normal” following the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In an online post on Friday, Bolsonaro, who had tested positive for the virus last month, said that 131,010 formal jobs were created in July, the first positive result since March, reports Xinhua news agency.

“In July 2020, the country presented a positive balance of 131,010 new jobs. The great highlight was

the processing industry, especially the manufacturing of food products and civil construction.

“Brazil is returning to normal,” he added.

The government has predicted that the labour market will continue to present positive data in the coming months.

“The positive result of July is certainly the first of many,” said Bruno Bianco, the special secretary of Social Security and Labour at the Ministry of Economy.

“There is a successive and significant improve-

ment in the employment record and everything indicates that it will continue to be positive, and even more positive. We are seeing sectors improving and staying afloat, which is important for economic recovery. Improvement has certainly only just started and we will continue to surprise,” he said.

The labour market has been hit hard by the pandemic, and in the first seven months of this year, Brazil reported 8.91 million layoffs.

Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths, just after the US. As of Saturday, the total number of cases in the country stood at 3,532,330, while the death toll increased to 113,358.

It is also the country with the maximum amount of infections and fatalities in Latin America.

Sao Paulo, the most populated state in the country and the epicentre of the pandemic, has registered over 736,000 confirmed cases and 28,155 deaths, followed by Bahia, Ceara and Rio de Janeiro.

to detain 47 ‘Sputnik-V’ roll-out plan prompts virus mutation worries ‘EU to work to save Iran nuke deal’ Turkey military personnel

Josep Borrell

of the Joint Commission of the JCPOA will take place in Vienna, Austria on September 1, attended by delegates of China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and Iran.

Earlier on Thursday, the US sent a letter to the UN Security Council requesting to initiate the “snapback” mechanism, which allows a participant to the deal to seek the reimposition against Iran of the multilateral sanctions lifted in 2015 in accordance with Resolution 2231, ad-

opted by the UN Security Council.

Borrell claimed in a statement on Thursday night that the US had lost ground to trigger the “snapback” mechanism as it withdrew from the agreement in 2018.

“As coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission I will continue to do everything possible to ensure the preservation and full implementation of the JCPOA by all,” said Borrell, underlining that the agreement remains a key pillar of the global non-proliferation architecture, contributing to regional security.

The JCPOA was inked

by Iran in July 2015 with the UK, China, France, Germany, Russia and the UK, together with the EU. US President Donald Trump, withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8, 2018, and unilaterally reimposed sanctions on Tehran, despite objections from the international community.

over failed coup

An k a r a , A u g 2 2 (IANS): Turkish prosecutors on Saturday ordered the detention of 47 military personnel over their suspected links to a network believed to be behind the failed 2016 coup attempt.

Police launched simultaneous operations in 40 provinces across the country to catch the suspects upon the order of the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Izmir.

Police have already detained 36 of the suspects, it said.

On Tuesday, a large operation was conducted in 70 provinces to detain 141 military personnel over their suspected connections with the network headed by the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen. The Turkish government blames Gulen and his network for masterminding the coup bid in July 2016, in which 250 people were killed, and has been pushing for his extradition.

Lo n d o n, Au g 2 2 (Agencies): Russia’s plan to roll-out its “Sputnik-V” Covid-19 vaccine even before full trials show how well it works is prompting concern among virus experts, who warn a partially effective shot may encourage the novel coronavirus to mutate.

Viruses, including the pandemic SARS-CoV-2, are known for their ability to mutate all the time - and often this has little or no impact on the risk posed to people. But some scientists are worried that adding “evolutionary pressure” to the pathogen by deploying what might not be a fully protective vaccine could make things worse.

“Less than complete protection could provide a selection pressure that drives the virus to evade what antibody there is, creating strains that then evade all vaccine responses,” said Ian Jones, a virology professor at Britain’s Reading Uni-

versity.

“In that sense, a poor vaccine is worse than no vaccine.”

Sputnik-V’s developers, as well as financial backers and Russian authorities, say the vaccine is safe and that two months of small-scale human trials have shown that it works.

But the results of those trials have not been made public, and many Western scientists are sceptical, warning against its use until all internationally approved testing and regulatory hurdles have been passed.

Russia said on Thursday it plans to begin a largescale efficacy trial of the vaccine in a total of 40,000 people, but will also begin

California fires claim 6 lives; threaten thousands of homes

Santa Cruz, Aug 22 (Agencies): Skydarkening wildfires that took at least six lives and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes blazed throughout California on Friday as firefighting resources strained under the vastness of the infernos authorities were trying to control.

Three major complexes encompassing dozens of fires chewed through a combined 780 square miles (2,020 square kilometers) K Y M C

of forests, canyons and rural areas flanking San Francisco on three sides.

S t a t ew i d e, n e a r ly 12,000 firefighters are battling blazes that have scorched more than 1,200 square miles (3,120 square kilometers) in California, said Daniel Berlant, assistant deputy director for the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.

Crews from Oregon, Idaho and Arizona have arrived to relieve local

firefighters, he said, with engines on their way from as far away as Maryland and New Jersey.

Tens of thousands of homes were threatened by flames that drove through dense and bone-dry trees and brush. Many of the fires were sparked by lightning strikes from brief thunderstorms — nearly 12,000 since last weekend — as a high-pressure area over the West brought a dangerous mix of tripledigit weather and mon-

to quit battling fires on their own, saying that just causes more problems for professionals.

“We had last night three separate rescues that pulled our vital, very few resources away,” he said.

The ferocity of the fires was astonishing so early in the fire season, which historically has seen the largest and deadliest blazes when gusty, dry winds blow in the fall.

But the death toll already had reached at least

six since the majority of blazes started less than a week ago, with four deaths claimed by fires burning in wine country north of San Francisco.

The bodies of three people were found in a home that burned in Napa, Henry Wofford, spokesman for the Napa County Sheriff ’s Office, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

In Solano County Sheriff Thomas A. Ferrara reported the death of a male resident there.

viruses like HIV, but added: “There are many potential downsides of using a vaccine that doesn’t work.

The risk that it (the virus) would mutate is a theoretical risk.”

Scientists say similar evolutionary pressure to mutate is seen with bacterial pathogens, which - when faced with antibiotics designed to target them - can evolve and adapt to evade the drugs and develop resistance. Antibiotic resistance and the rise of superbugs, is described by the World Health Organization as one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development today.

Jones stressed that vaccine-induced viral mutations are “a rare outcome”, and the greater the efficacy of the vaccine in blocking a virus’ ability to enter cells and replicate there, the lower the risk of it having an opportunity to circulate and “learn” how to evade antibody defences.

KITHAGHA SEBTHONG FAMILY FELICITATION

Kithagha Subthong Family with immense pride and joy, extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Jichule Seb, D/o Late Inatha Seb of Nsunyu Village on being conferred with Doctorate Degree in Botany from Nagaland University, Lumami.

We sincerely pray to our Almighty God to continue to bless her with success in her future endeavours.

KITHAGHA SEBTHONG FAMILY K-1332

HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

L. Lanu Jamir

Zip Engineering & Innovation Centre Manufacture of electronic load controller for pico & micro hydro power Entrepreneurs Guild is proud to congratulate Mr. L. Lanu Jamir for his accomplishment and bringing great achievement for the Nagas by winning Millennium Alliance R6 & Covid19 Innovation Challenge.

We would also like to encourage him to continue his hard work and wishes him all the best for his future endeavors.

Kuknalim!!!

President General Secretary Entrepreneurs Guild Entrepreneurs Guild

DP-3562

A firefighter watches the fires spread through the Berryessa Estates neighborhood of unincorporated Napa County, Calif. (AP/PTI)

soonal moisture pulled from the south.

Some fires doubled in size within 24 hours, fire officials said.

And while some evacuations were lifted in the small city of Vacaville, between San Francisco and Sacramento, other areas expanded their evacuation areas.

The University of California, Santa Cruz, was evacuated, and a new fire burning near Yosemite National Park also prompted evacuations.

Santa Cr uz itself, a coastal city of 65,000, wasn’t affected. But Mayor Justin Cummings urged residents Thursday evening to be prepared to evacuate by gassing up their vehicles and packing important documents, medicines and other belongings.

“Prepare early so that you are ready to go at a moment’s notice,” Cummings said.

More than 64,000 people have been ordered to evacuate in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, which make up part of Silicon Valley and hug the coast south of San Francisco.

With firefighting resources tight, homes in remote, hard-to-get-to places burned unattended. Cal Fire Chief Mark Brunton pleaded with evacuees

administering it to people in high-risk groups.

“You want to make sure the vaccine is effective. We really don’t know that (about the Sputnik vaccine),” said Kathryn Edwards, a professor of paediatrics and vaccine expert in the infectious diseases division at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in the United States.

She said that the risk of what a vaccine might do to a virus - in terms of fighting it, blocking it, or forcing it to adapt - is “always a concern”. Dan Barouch, a specialist at Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, noted that mutation rates for coronaviruses are far lower than for

DEAR OBÜ/ABA, THANK YOU FOR TEACHING US HONESTY, RESPECT AND DIGNITY. INSTILLING IN US WISDOM AND HUMILITY. ABOVE ALL TEACHING US TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND FEAR THE LORD. WE PRAY THAT THE LORD ALMIGHTY GRANT YOU WISDOM AND GOOD HEALTH. DP-3551

Brussels, Aug 22 (IANS): Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has affirmed that the bloc will work to preserve the 2015 Iran nuclear deal after the US sought to reimpose sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

He made the remarks in a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday, the EU’s external action service (EEAS) said in a statement on Friday.

Speaking to Lavrov, Borrell reaffirmed his determination to continue to work with Russia, the other remaining participants of the deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the international community to preserve the agreement, reports Xinhua news agency.

The EU’s external action service announced on Friday that a meeting

“ HAPPY BIRTH DAY” LOVE AND PRAYERS WIFE, GRAND CHILDREN, DAUGHTERS-IN LAW, DAUGHTER AND SONS K Y M C

8

sports

Sevilla win sixth Europa League title

Sevilla players celebrate with trophy after winning the Europa League final soccer match against Inter Milan in Cologne, Germany on Friday. (AP/PTI)

Berlin, Aug 22 (IANS): Diego Carlos’s overheadkick goal helped Sevilla get past Inter Milan 3-2 following a fast-paced UEFA Europa League final in Cologne.

On Friday, the Spaniards turned the tides after Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring before a brace from Luuk de Jong made it 2-1. Inter equalised through

Diego Godin before the break while Diego Carlos smoothed the way for the win late in the second half, reports Xinhua news agency.

Both the sides started highly motivated into the encounter and needed no warm-up time as they exchanged attacks at both ends of the pitch. Hence, it took only five minutes

before the deadlock was broken as Diego Carlos fouled Lukaku inside the box to concede a penalty.

The Belgian international stepped up and made no mistake to record his 11th consecutive Europa League game with a goal.

Sevilla remained unimpressed and responded well as Jesus Navas had all time and space on the right-wing

Kim Clijsters pulls out of Western & Southern Open

Kim Clijsters

New York, Aug 22 (IANS): Former World No.1 Kim Clijsters has withdrawn from the ongoing Western & Southern Open.

“I’m grateful to Western & Southern Open for the opportunity to play the tournament once again,” Clijsters said in a statement as per the WTA website. “I

have great memories from playing in Cincinnati and was looking forward to being a part of the event this year. It’s disappointing to have to withdraw but after discussions with medical and my team, I need a little more recovery time.”

The former World No. 1 had received a wildcard for the tournament which

began this week and serves as a warm-up event for players ahead of the US Open which is slated to be held from August 31 to September 13.

The 37-year-old, who was due to play Jennifer Brady in the first round and will be replaced by a qualifier or lucky loser, is however optimistic about her chances to play in the US Open.

“I’m grateful to be able to stay in the “bubble” and continue to prepare with my team here at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” said the Belgian.

“I want to thank the Western & Southern Open team, the USTA and WTA for all their efforts in putting these events together they’ve worked really hard to create a great experience in a safe and healthy space for players,” she added.

to curl the ball into the path of Luuk de Jong, who nodded home the 1-1 equaliser in the 12th minute.

Inter Milan and Sevilla traded goal-scoring opportunities but it was the Spaniards who eventually bounced back at the halfhour mark when Dutchman De Jong headed home an Ever Banega’s set-piece.

It was a short-lived joy

Women’s wrestling national camp postponed New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS): The national camp for women’s wrestlers, that was scheduled to be held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Lucknow from September 1, has now been postponed.

SAI on Saturday said that new dates for the camp will be “intimated in due course”.

While no official reason has been given for the postponement, there had been questions on whether the camp can go forward after several wrestlers refused to confirm their participation.

Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat had pulled out of the camp, citing coronavirus scare.

Speaking to IANS, Vinesh had said she had requested the federation to let her train alone and be exempted from the camp.

for Sevilla though, as Inter restored parity only moments later after Marcelo Brozovic’s free-kick allowed Godin to head home the two-all draw at the far post.

Inter had to thank Samir Handanovic in the closing period of the first half as the 36-year old goalkeeper defused a dangerous effort from Lucas Ocampos before the half time.

After the restart, both teams focused on their defence during the break, thus goal-scoring opportunities were at a premium in the opening stages of the second half.

Lukaku had a shot on target at the hour mark but the Belgian international striker remained in the thick of things as he accidentally deflected Diego Carlos’s overhead kick into the wrong goal in the 76th minute.

Inter started an onslaught on Sevilla’s goal in the dying minutes of the game but for all that Sevilla’s well-positioned defense stood firm and protected the narrow lead to the final whistle, clinching a record sixth Europa League title.

“The squad deserves the title. We’ve been fighting all season and getting over the problems that we’ve encountered. This is also for the fans, who deserve to wake up happy everyday,” Sevilla’s team skipper Jesus Navas said.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

US Open title would not be diminished by pullouts: Serena

Serena Williams

New York, Aug 22 (Agencies): Serena Williams believes the withdrawal of some of the world’s top tennis players from this year’s U.S. Open amid the COVID-19 pandemic will not take the shine off a potential record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title for her.

Six of the top 10 women’s players, including defending champion Bianca Andreescu and world number 1 Ash Barty, have dropped out of the Aug. 31-September 13 U.S. Open, boosting Williams’ chance of winning the major for the first time since 2014.

“It still has to be tennis

that’s played, asterisks or not,” the six-time U.S. Open champion told reporters on Friday. “I think this whole year deserves an asterisk, because it’s such a special year - history we have never been through in this world.”

“I think we are living a future history lesson. I think regardless, there is always going to be some asterisk by it, because it’s never been done before. If you win, it was, like, wow, I was able to win in this crazy circumstance where there was no fans. It was just so sterile and weird, but I mentally came through. It might be a more mental test than

anything.” Williams, who has a history of blood clots and pulmonary embolisms, said she had concerns over travelling to New York and is living in a rented house instead of the official players’ hotel as a precaution.

“I have health issues and I don’t necessarily want to get sick, and if I do, I want the good version,” she said.

“I didn’t want to be in the hotel because I have lung issues and felt it was a big risk for me personally.

In a house, I can control more. I needed to put my mind at rest so that I could perform.”

IPL 13: de Villiers, Steyn join RCB squad Abu Dhabi, Aug 22 (IANS): South African cricketers AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Chris Morris joined their Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammates in Dubai on Saturday morning ahead of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The video of their arrival was shared by the RCB on their official Twitter handle. After arriving, de Villiers said: “I am very excited, very happy to be here. Travelling was bit different to normal but we have made it here with my South African friends and we are very happy to be back in the RCB family. I am looking forward to my COVID-19 test.”

“It’s been quite a while that we have played the game that we love. So yeah very challenging but we are very excited to get going, a little bit nervous too to be honest,” said Morris.

AB de Villiers

“It’s going to be interesting to play in the heat. We got here like 3 in the morning and it was steaming outside. Looking forward to what’s it going to be like in a few weeks,” said Steyn.

Dale Steyn

RCB’s squad, majorly Indian players, reached Dubai on Friday ahead of the season slated to begin from September 19 until November 10.

The franchise had on Thursday confirmed that

they are taking a contingent of 40 people with them to the UAE. Among these 40, 21 are players, 14 are part of the staff including coaches and physiotherapists. The remaining five are net bowlers.

Focussing on a good show in CWG, Asian Games: Nikhat Award will serve as a great motivation, says Rani Rampal

New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS): Boxer Nikhat Zareen, who was making the headlines in the early part of 2020, has grown past the disappointment of not making it to the Tokyo Olympics and is now focussed on putting out a “phenomenal” performance in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games slated to be held in 2022.

Nikhat and Mary Kom had been at loggerheads ever since the World Championships last year after the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) had hinted that there would be no trials between the two boxers for going to the Olympic Qualifiers and that the six-time World Champion would go for the Olympic Qualifiers, originally scheduled to be held in Wuhan, China and eventually took place in Amman, Jordan in March.

However, the duo participated in the trials in the national capital in December last year where Mary Kom defeated Nikhat 9-1.

“It is every athlete’s dream to represent his/her country in the Olympics.

Nikhat Zareen

Thus, when I did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, I was taken aback,” Nikhat told IANS in an exclusive interaction.

“But I took it in my stride, with a core belief that everything happens for a reason and instead of dwelling upon it, we should accept, learn and move forward. I decided to look ahead, focus on the future tournaments and prep myself for them.”

However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic,

the Tokyo Games got postponed by a year and will now be held in the summer of 2021.

During the lockdown period, the boxer - unable to carry out training sessions - worked on her fitness at her home and made sure she was in a positive frame of mind.

“Usually, my routine is packed with high intensity training sessions and daily visits to the boxing hall for practice. However, when

the lockdown began, I was finding it difficult to keep up with my regime since I had no equipment at home, and this was affecting my physical and mental health,” said Nikhat.

“In order to adapt to the situation and find ways of training with limited resources, I bought some equipment and started training at home. This ensured I remained consistent with my fitness and improved my game, making myself ready to hit the boxing ring again after normalcy returns.

“Once everything gets back to normal, I am confident of achieving my peak fitness level within a couple of months,” she added.

The 24-year-old insisted that as no tournaments are lined up this year, now she is working towards channeling all her efforts to improve her fitness and agility for the events which will be held in 2021.

“For now, I have my goal set for the CWG and Asian Games being held in the year 2022. I am already preparing myself to deliver a phenomenal performance

in these tournaments,” said Nikhat.

“Currently with no tournaments lined up for the year, I am channeling all my efforts towards improving my fitness and agility for all the tournaments that will be held in the year 2021.

“These tournaments will pave the way and hone my skills to better perform at the CWG and Asian Games, post which I will be dedicating my entire focus on the Olympics,” she added.

The boxer also talked about her association with Welspun and said: “Welspun has proved to be a colossal support to me in this journey. I am very grateful to them for their continuous aid and guidance that has been very crucial in helping me to achieve my dream of bringing laurels to the country.”

“With Welspun taking care of various aspects of my game, I am able to focus fully on my training and ensuring I give my hundred per cent in every tournament, no matter the scale,” she signed off.

New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS): Hockey India congratulated Indian women’s team captain Rani Rampal for being conferred with the highest sporting honour of the country, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The national governing body for hockey also congratulated Ajit Singh for being awarded the Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports, Romesh Pathania with the Dronacharya Award (Lifetime achievement) and Jude Felix with the Dronacharya Award as recognition for their contributions to Indian hockey over the years.

Hockey India also congratulated Deepika and Akashdeep Singh for being conferred with the Arjuna Award for their contribution to the nation at the international stage.

“It is a really proud moment for me and especially for my family. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

Rani Rampal

Award is one of the most prestigious awards that a sportsperson can receive, and I owe this to my coaches, teammates, friends and family for their constant support since the very beginning.

“It is an amazing feeling when your hard work is rewarded, and I believe

this award will serve as a great motivation for me and players like me to keep striving for bigger feats and make the country proud. I also would like to congratulate all the other award winners too,” said 25-year-old Rani, who is currently at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.

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