11 Feb 2022

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 66

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

West warns of ‘dangerous moment’ as Russia holds drills

FOLLOW US ON

@Nagaland_Post

INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

Rally against shifting Dhansiripar sub-division Sets February 28 deadline to modify govt notification Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 10 (NPN): Thousands of people participated at the rally organised by Joint Coordination Committee of Villages for Dimapur (JCCV) at Dhansiripar Government High School Ground on Thursday against the State government’s decision to shift Dhansiripar subdivision to newly-created Chümoukedima district. Participants were seen with placards that read “No one can snatch away my rights”, “Boycott for inclusion under Chumukedima”, “Force creates hatred and division”, “This is about tyranny & freedom” etc. The participants later marched to SDO (C) office and submitted a memorandum to the State government and addressed to the chief secretary. The memorandum de-

State logs 44 fresh Covid-19 cases DIMAPUR, FEB 10 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday recorded 44 fresh Covid-19 positive cases while no deaths were reported in the past 24 hours. Of the fresh cases, 21 were from Kohima, 18 in Dimapur, three in Peren and one each in Mokokchung and Tuensang, taking the total caseload to 35082. P T I : I n d i a l o g ge d 67,084 new Covid infections, taking the country's total tally of Covid cases to 4,24,78,060, while active cases declined to 7,90,789, the Health ministry said. The death toll rose to 5,06,520 with 1,241 fresh fatalities.

People taking out rally at Dhansiripar on Thursday. (NP) manded that the government should immediately modify/ rectify the December 20, 2021 notification and should not disturb the status of listed villages, towns, colonies and communities and placed under the administrative jurisdiction of Dimapur DC. The memorandum also set February 28 as the deadline for the government to make necessary modification/rectification in the notification, failing which, JCCV threatened to resort to more severe steps till its demand was achieved. The memorandum was jointly signed by JCCV con-

vener Lughozhe K Swu, co-convener and head GB Tsithrongse Sangtam, secretary Devendra Rana and executive member Joybolal Khemprai. Interacting with media persons after submission of the memorandum, JCCV spokesperson K Naben said further course of action would be decided by JCCV if the government failed to respond to the demand. Earlier, addressing the gathering, Naben claimed that all the 45 recognised and unrecognised villages under the sub-division were against the government’s

Venüzo retains CWA Championship title

nagalandpostofficial

Watch us on YouTube

move, which he termed as “undemocratic” and “forcible amalgamation”. He alleged that barring two or three villages, a huge majority of the villages were not approached for their opinion regarding shifting of the sub-division from Dimapur to Chümoukedima. He said several village councils and unions from Dhansiripar sub-division had approached and submitted memorandums and open letters to the State government expressing their desire to be under the administrative area of Dimapur. He regretted that the

government had maintained silence on the issue since day one. Acknowledging that the decision to organise a rally was not right due to Covid-19 pandemic, he said they were compelled to hold it to show their resentment against the State government’s decision. In his speech, SemaDimasa Union Dhansiripar sub-division unit president Vekuto Swu said JCCV and its members would fight till the end against the decision. He urged the government to listen to the opinion of the people, while lamenting the government’s alleged “divide and rule policy”. He also accused the government of still not being able to resolve the inter-district boundary issue between Dimapur and Peren, besides questioning its motive of creating new districts without even properly demarcating earlier district borders. He urged chief minister Neiphiu Rio to look into the concerns of the 45 villages, irrespective of the decision taken in the State cabinet.

SPORTS, PAGE 12

PMO monitoring DimapurKohima new BG line project

DIMAPUR, FEB 10 (NPN): Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) chief administrative officer-1, HS Yadav Thursday informed that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was “very keenly” monitoring the Dimapur-Kohima New BG Line project, which was “going at a smooth pace”. According to DIPR, Yadav said this during a review meeting of the Dimapur-Kohima New BG Line project with the chief secretary J Alam, and other senior officials at the chief secretary’s conference Hall, Kohima on Thursday. Yadav informed that the Phase-I of the project from Dhansiri to Shukhovi has been completed and trains would start to ply on the route soon. He also informed that Phase-II (28km) from Shukhovi to Pherima was under construction and expected to be completed by July 2023. While the phaseIII (38km) from Pherima to Zubza was expected to be completed by March 2026, (Cont’d on p-8) Yadav said. Further, he stat-

Review meeting at Chief Secretary's conference hall on Thursday. (DIPR)

ed that the 82.50km long line would have eight stations and 20 tunnels covering a total length of 29.30km. The meeting also discussed various issues related to the project and how the government could supplement in the smooth conduct of the works being executed. State chief secretary J Alam expressed appreciation to the railways for taking up the much-needed project, which he said would benefit the people of the state. He said that proper instructions have been given to the respective deputy commissioners to ensure that the project was implemented smoothly. Alam assured all necessary support from the state ma-

chinery so the project was completed on time. He also instructed the state PWD and railways to conduct joint survey on the connecting roads to the stations and to work out the solutions at the earliest. Alam opined that the railway stations should have a Naga traditional touch in its architecture and designs so the travellers, both local and tourist, could have a glimpse of Nagaland from the station itself. The meeting was attended by home commissioner, commissioner Nagaland, commissioner & secretary transport, secretary works & housing and other senior officials both from the state and railways.

Overall Covid-19 situation optimistic: Govt Manipur election dates rescheduled NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (PTI): The overall COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country is optimistic and improving even as some states, including Kerala and Mizoram, are still reporting high positivity rates and are of concern, the government said on Thursday. Urging people not to lower their guard, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr. VK Paul said even though a consistent decline in coronavirus infections and daily positivity rate has been noted across all states, nearly 40 districts are still reporting an increase in weekly cases. “The overall COVID-19 pandemic situation in

the country is optimistic and cases seem to be settling, but if we look at it closely, then at state and district levels, there are data of concern,” he said at a press conference, adding that the contraction of the pandemic is apparently consistent. The daily positivity in Kerala is 29.57%, Mizoram has 26.5% positivity, Himachal has 11.79% positivity, 12% in Arunachal Pradesh and 17% in Sikkim, so these are points of concern, Paul said. “So we are clearly passing through a transition towards improvement, but this is not the time for us to be less vigilant. We cannot

lower our guard. Covid appropriate behaviour has to be taken as the ‘new normal' and that includes wearing masks, ventilated environment, social distancing and general discipline…,”he said. Health Ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal said on January 24, the daily positivity rate was recorded at 20.75%, which has now decreased to 4.44%, which indicates decreased spread of infection. About the vaccine coverage, the government said 96 per cent of India's adults have been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 78 per cent are fully vaccinated.

New rules for foreign arrivals

NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (AGENCIES): The government on Thursday revised guidelines for international arrivals, removing the category of ‘at risk’ countriesintroduced when the Omicron Covid variant emerged - and also recommending self-monitoring of 14 days for symptoms against the current seven days of home quarantine. The new guidelines will come into effect from February 14, the Union Health Ministry said. (Cont’d on p-8)

Correspondent

IMPHAL, FEB 10: Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday rescheduled poll dates for the twophase elections to Manipur Legislative Assembly. As per an ECI release, the first phase of polls, which was earlier scheduled on February 27 (Sunday), has been deferred by a day and the polling will now be held on February 28 (Monday). The second phase of the polling will be held on March 5 (Saturday) instead of March 3 (Thursday) as announced earlier. The ECI rescheduled the poll dates in the backdrop of demands for rescheduling

the first phase poll date that falls on Sunday. Having considered inputs, representations, past precedents, logistics, ground situation and all facts and circumstance, the commission decided to revise the polling dates, the release stated. ECI however did not mention any change in the dates for filing of nominations, last date of withdrawal of candidatures and others. Sources said one reason for rescheduling the polls was the demand made by some Christian organisations not to hold election on a Sunday. February 27, the earlier announced date for phase one of the polls, is a Sunday and Christians go

to church to offer prayers that day. The release stated that commission had visited Manipur on February 7 and 8 to review the preparedness and held interaction with political parties, chief secretary, DGP and other government officers, DG Assam Rifles and other law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has so far seized 15,826.58 gram of gold worth Rs 7.71 crore. DRI also seized 15,86,800 cigarette sticks worth Rs 3.1736 crore on February 6. IT department has also seized a total of Rs 1.475 crore in cash so far.

Over 60 pc polling in first phase of UP polls Oppn-less govt not for Naga political solution, says TNR LU C K N OW, F E B 1 0 (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of polling held Thursday across 58 assembly constituencies in 11 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Polling closed at 6 pm following a one-hour extension because of COVID-19 protocols. The day passed off peacefully with minor technical snags in EVMs at some places, election officials said. Additional chief election officer BD Ram Tiwari said, “There were reports of a technical error in EVMs at some places.” Those EVMs

This is it!

were being replaced as the reports came in, he added. On Samajwadi Party's allegation that poor voters were not allowed to exercise their franchise in Dundukheda village in the Kairana assembly constituency, Tiwari said the district magistrate concerned was asked to look into the matter. Agra recorded 60.33 per cent polling, Aligarh 60.49 per cent, Baghpat 61.35 per cent, Bulandshahr 60.52 per cent, Gautam Buddh Nagar 56.73 per cent, Ghaziabad 54.77 per cent, Hapur 60.50 per cent, Mathura 63.28 per cent,

Meerut 60.91 per cent, Muzaffarnagar 65.34 per cent and Shamli 69.42 per cent, an EC report said. During 2017 assembly elections, 63.47 per cent polling was recorded in these constituencies, the report said. The electoral fate of 623 candidates was sealed in this phase of the elections which covered the Jatdominated belt of western Uttar Pradesh. In 2017, BJP had bagged 53 of the 58 seats in the region, while SP and BSP had got two seats each. One seat had gone to RLD.

DIMAPUR, FEB 10 (NPN): The Naga Rising (TNR) has alleged that the parties had come together in the State to form an opposition-less coalition government in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections scheduled next year and not due to any interest in Naga political solution as claimed. Mentioning that the talk was now on merger of NPF and NDPP ahead of the elections, TNR in a statement cautioned that a new dangerous path of money power and political immorality was unfolding

K Y M C

real intention of the NDPPBJP-NPF government. TNR said even after the unceremonious formation of UDA with the oft-repeated slogan “to facilitate the Naga political issue”, the ground reality did not measure up with the tall claims about finding “one solution without any further delay”. Hence, in the interest of Naga public, the group demanded to know how the opposition-less government had contributed to taking forward the Naga peace process and where did it stand today.

Trial run of new traffic signal system in Kohima Correspondent

“These days even we legislators need employment. That's why post of advisors is better than nothing.”

in Nagaland, while asserting that people could not be fooled any longer. According to TNR, it was clear from day one what drove the formation of the opposition-less government, adding that the narrative marketed to the people on the Naga political issue by the parties, including NDPP, BJP and NPF, was unconvincing and deceptive. Since unity and solution were offered as the main reasons for the formation of the opposition-less UDA, the group declared that the people of Nagaland had the right to know the

KOHIMA, FEB 10 (NPN): To study the feasibility of transition in traffic management from traditional to modern, the Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL) in collaboration with Kohima village youth organisation and Kohima traffic police Thursday initiated a pilot test of traffic lights—automated traffic management system (ATMS)— at PHQ junction and TCP gate junction here as part of

Trial run of automated traffic management system at PHQ junction. (NP)

Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), a smart city project. KSCDL senior IT consultant, Yanpvuo Kikon, said that the current response from the public

seemed confused, but added that with time they would be able to cope with the transition. He said that though people here do not have the habit of looking at traffic

lights while driving, they would get used to it with time and effort. After five-day test period, he said they would gather the data and improve the traffic management of Kohima. He said that traffic lights placed at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) junction and High School junction required redesign since the placement done by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) was not visible, adding that the position required modification.

“These places are crucial and needed more study and monitoring from the team,” said KSCDL associate analyst Ketusezo Rote. ATMS are installed to modernize traffic management instead of traffic personnel regulating traffic rules all day long. By using this technology, KSCDL hopes to improve traffic management in Kohima. Monitoring it would also provide valuable insight and analysis to plan and further improve traffic management.

It also wanted to know what measure/s had been taken by the UDA government to bring Naga political groups together on a common platform towards one solution as desired by Naga people. It reminded that holding consultative meetings, setting up of committees and passing of Assembly resolutions done under the present set of political leadership had been going on for decades in Nagaland without the desired outcome. Also, contrary to the main objective of unity, solution and peace, TNR

warned that the UDA government’s decision regarding creation of new districts could create a situation that would threaten peaceful coexistence. Mentioning that boundary demarcation had the potential to leading to more divisions and trust deficit in the community, the group demanded that, in keeping with its motto of unity, the government must thoroughly explore all options through dialogue to find an amicable solution for peaceful co-existence of different communities. (Cont’d on p-8)

Infection with one Covid variant doesn’t protect from others: ICMR NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (IANS): Infection by one variant does not provide protection from the other variants, Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said on Thursday Responding to a question, he said that as variants have emerged, re-infections have been seen. However, vaccination prevents severe disease and mortality, while following Covid Appropriate Behaviour prevents the infection.

NITI Aayog member, Health, Dr V.K. Paul, said: “It is a fact that the vaccine protection and natural immunity protection do not complete guarantee that one would not be re-infected again.” He said the issue is being constantly discussed across the world including India and this reality has to be accepted. On query of third doses for all, he said that all such decisions are taken based on the scientific need. K Y M C


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.