Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXII No. 81
DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00
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SPORTS, PAGE 12
Worldwide protests against Russian invasion
Putin calls on Ukraine army to overthrow leadership; ready to send delegation for talks
(L) Russian protesters take to the streets to denounce their government's attacks on Ukraine and call for an end to war. (R) People take part in a protest in Times Square in New York City. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called on the Ukrainian army to overthrow the government whose leaders he described as “terrorists” and “a gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis”. The Kremlin on Friday said that President Putin was ready to send a delegation to Belarus for talks with Ukraine, as Russian forces approached Kyiv on Vladimir Putin the second day of Moscow’s invasion. Meanwhile, President Putin accused “Ukrainian nationalists” of deploying heavy weapons in residential areas of major cities to provoke Russian military, a claim that could fuel fears Moscow is creating pretexts for justifying civilian casualties. (Cont’d on p-9)
NEW YORK/ MOSCOW, FEB 25 (AGENCIES/REUTERS): The streets of several major cities across the globe transformed into seas of blue and yellow Ukrainian flags. Protesters have demanded action from their local leaders regarding the Russian invasion into Ukraine, which has already claimed dozens of lives. In Russia itself, protesters defied an official warning that explicitly threatened criminal prosecution and even jail time for those calling for or taking part in protests. (Read more on p-9)
The earliest known protest occurred outside Russia’s embassy in Washington. Protesters also marched to the White House to demand action from President Joe Biden. A giant flag was carried through Manhattan’s Times Square by a crowd of several hundred protesters. In London, hundreds of demonstrators, many of them Ukrainian and some weeping, gathered outside Downing Street, home to the prime minister, urging Britain to do more. “We need help, we need someone to support us,” said one.
Pulse polio drive on Feb 27
DAABPF firm against lifting NLTP Act
DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Along with the rest of the country, Nagaland will launch Intensive Pulse Polio immunization on February 27, 2022. State Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department has informed that polio drops would be administered to 1,51,458 children from 0-5 years throughout the state. In a press release, state immunization officer Dr. Ritu Thurr stated that polio drops would be administered in 2206 polio booths to be manned by 9096 health personnel and 441 supervisors along with vaccines and other logistics. The department stated that special focus would be given to migrant population with an aim to prevent importation of Polio cases.
State logs 5 fresh Covid-19 cases
DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Nagaland on Friday recorded five fresh Covid-19 positive cases while no deaths were reported during the day. Of the fresh cases, three were from Dimapur and two from Kohima, taking the total caseload to 35395. PTI: I n d i a l o g ge d 13,166 new infections, taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,28,94,345, while the death toll climbed to 5,13,226 with 302 fresh fatalities.
This is it!
“Why think of lifting dry law after all these years? It's the best business after extortion.” K Y M C
DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Taking note of the reports about the state government mulling to partially lift liquor prohibition, Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Pastors Fellowship (DAABPF) has said that the legislators should not even ponder to revoke the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act of 1989 with any other reason or reasons. In an open letter to the state government, DAABPF president pastor Temsü Jamir and secretary pastor Marnungba Longkumer said that they would stand firm against such imprudent contemplation by the government, and gave clear “prophetic warning” against any such “barefaced disastrous decisions”.
“Ukraine is too small and the pressure is too big.” In Paris, the City Hall was also lit up in support of Ukraine. Marches also took place throughout the city. In Madrid, Oscarwinning Spanish actor JaUkrainian President Volodymyr vier Bardem, nominated for Zelensky on Friday called on the another Academy Award Europeans with “combat experience” this year, joined about a to take up arms and defend Ukraine hundred protesters outside against invading Russian forces, addthe Russian embassy. "It is ing the West was too slow to help his an invasion. ... It violates country. Ukraine's fundamental right Zelensky dramatic call for help to territorial sovereignty, V Zelensky came as Russian forces were approachinternational law, and many other things," Bardem said. ing the Ukrainian capital, with some units reportedly (Cont’d on p-8) reaching the city's northern suburbs. (Cont’d on p-9)
Ukraine president’s call for help from Europeans with ‘combat experience’
Reminding that the churches, in 1987, led the fight for the total prohibition in Nagaland, DAABPF said tears, sweats, fasting and prayers of the churches paid the price to slay the monstrous flow of alcohol in Nagaland. “We have cursed it in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and made vows before God, the forum said, asserting that the churches of Nagaland will never leave their stand under any circumstances. While stating that there were voices of vague analyses from several quarters, giving their maxim as “liquor prohibition was a flawed act”, DAABPF said they were surprised to see even well-respected indi-
Hundreds arrested as shocked Russians protest Ukraine attack
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viduals voicing in favour of lifting up the prohibition. It said arguments based on the consumption of spurious liquor, loss of revenues, illegal trades and many other reasons were non-justifiable. Pointing out that the Baptist churches, in particular, have been blamed for the failure to implement the NLTP Act, DAABPF, however, said it was a total failure on the part of the government. As manufacturing and trading liquor, and bootlegging of local rice liquor were prohibited under the NLTP Act, DAABPF therefore said that the government should clean hands and restrain from backdoor lobbying against the act.
Rain in NE states likely till Feb 28
DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorm and lightning in North Eastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh till February 28. Meghalaya was likely to witness isolated hailstorm during the next 24 hours, while isolated heavy rainfall or snowfall has been forecasted in Arunachal Pradesh on February 26. IMD has warned of a cyclonic circulation forming over south Andaman Sea and its neighbouring areas on February 27. This will, IMD bulletin added, subsequently trigger a low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal (Cont’d on p-8) and adjoining areas.
INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9
Even after its removal, Centre can re-impose AFSPA, says Rio Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEB 25 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio Friday asserted that the Centre can re-impose the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 even after its removal in the event of continued existence of insurgency and recruitment of cadres. The chief minister said this during Sekrenyie festival the celebration of Angami community at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama here on Friday organized by Angami Public Organization (APO). Stating that AFSPA was introduced in 1958 due to insurgency in the state, Rio said the demand for removal of AFSPA by Nagas grew after the Oting incident, adding that the state legislative assembly passed a resolution demanding repeal of the Act. Rio, however, said that the Union home minister Amit Shah clearly conveyed that AFSPA could be re-
Neiphiu Rio speaking at the Sekrenyie festival.
moved, but the state should own responsibility for the consequences post removal of the Act. He said if the Act was withdrawn, Nagaland police should operate in place of Armed forces. Rio also said that the state will not progress as long as multiple illegal taxations and extortion continued. Justifying the formation of the opposition-less government (united democratic alliance) in the state, Rio said the move was to push for Naga political solution, adding it was “partially successful”. On the occasion, Rio stated that God blessed the Angamis abun-
dantly among the various tribes and urged the community members to come in unity and strengthen their bond and friendship. He said that Sekrenyi festival was known for purification and sanctification, which was observed for good health of the community. Rio also said that the festival was one celebration where an individual showcases one’s culture and traditions through attires, cuisines and sharing stories of ancestors by upholding the values of better understanding and maintaining tranquillity with fellow beings. He also stressed on the need to preserve identity, tradition and culture. The programme was chaired by APO president, Razouvoto Chatsu, and Rev. Mekhale Yhoshu read the scripture and gave the invocation. A host of legislators, officials and leaders from Angami frontal organisations also attended the celebration.
CNTC urges govt to heed demand of Dimasas DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Taking up the issue raised earlier by Sumis and Dimasas of Dhansiripar who are demanding not to be placed under the new Chümoukedima district, Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has asked the State government to hold wider consultations before demarcating boundaries of new districts. Welcoming the creation of new districts to accelerate development, CNTC however noted that the government’s “hasty move” to determine and integrate existing demarcation of Dhansiripar sub-division and some areas of Sumi villages with long-standing boundary problem with Peren district and placed under Chümoukedima dis-
trict, without considering the detailed analysis and views of all stakeholders,has only led to a public outcry. It said such important administrative rearrangements should be thoroughly studied before implementation as it could lead to serious repercussions and even social unrest. According CNTC the “forceful amalgamation” was tantamount to injustice which hurt the sentiments of people in the disputed areas and also the Dimasas, who are the earliest settlers in the plains of Dimapur as evident by the stone monoliths of Kachari Rajbari at Dimapur. CNTC said it was genuinely pleading through all democratic means to restore Dimasas back to Dimapur district as even the name “Dimapur” had been derived
from a Dimasa word. Hence, clubbing Dimasas under the newly-created district other than Dimapur was a forceful attempt to break their lineage with the place, CNTC said. It also said that creation of new districts should not alienate any section of people, but rather allow them to happily accept what was fair, just and without any bias. Noting that the fragmentation had led to fervent appeals from Dimasas of Dhansiripar area, CNTC said this must be looked into at the earliest before more social unrest took place. It said as there was border dispute between Dimapur and Peren districts too, which was a long-pending one and had even turned volatile, the government should take prompt measures in this regard.
Offline classes for pre-primary from Mar 1 Centre asks states, UTs to allow relaxation of Covid curbs DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): With offline classes for pre-primary students to begin from March 1, the state government has said that attendance of any student for the physical/offline classes shall be with parental consent. In an order, state chief secretary said that schools would have to seek prior consent of the parents for the attendance of any child/ student for the physical/offline classes, and for those children/students the consent is not given, the present system of online teaching by
the schools for such child/ student shall be continued. The order also stated that schools are allowed to conduct physical/offline classes with up to 50% attendance. All teachers and non-teaching staff are to be fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against Covid-19, and if not vaccinated then the person should have been tested negative for through either RT-PCR or TrueNat or CBNAAT once in every 15 days, and further subject to adherence to all SOP. Further, face covers/ masks are to be mandato-
rily worn by teachers, nonteaching staff, employees and all concerned including children above six years. However, for children five years and below masks may not be insisted as advised as per the revised comprehensive guidelines for management of COVID-19 in Children. As informed earlier, schools have been asked to prepare alternate day routine-- e.g. Monday, Wednesday, Friday for UKG, and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday for LKG etc. (To read full details log on www.nagalandpost.com)
NEW DELHI, FEB 25 (PTI): Union Home Ministry on Friday asked states and union territories to consider relaxing Covid curbs for social, sports, entertainment, academic and religious events as well as night curfew hours in view of the substantial decline in the number of cases. Issuing COVID-19 guidelines for March, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also suggested the implementation of a risk assessment based approach on the opening of economic activities as sug-
Continue to enforce CAB Relax night curfew hours Open economic activities Continue testing and surveillance gested by the Union Health Ministry recently. “Accordingly, after a careful analysis of the local situation, relaxation in various activities may be considered, such as social, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious,
festival related gatherings; night curfew; operations of public transport; shopping complexes, cinema halls, gyms, spas, restaurants and bars; opening of schools, colleges, offices, and other commercial activities,” the communication said. In the guidelines, sent to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, the home secretary also emphasised that the wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, hand hygiene and ventilation in closed spaces, as mandated in the National Directives for COVID Man-
agement, should continue to be enforced. He said states and UTs should continue with testing and surveillance, clinical management, vaccination and implementation of Covid appropriate behaviour for managing COVID-19. “I would, therefore, urge you to take necessary action in line with the aforesaid Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advisory, dated 18th February, 2022 and for the enforcement of COVID Appropriate Behaviour,” Bhalla said.
Those against NPF are against Nagas : Dr. Shürhozelie Azo asks NPGs not to interfere in state politics DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): NPF president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu said NPF party belonged to Naga people and that every Naga was its member. Addressing an election rally at Shajouba under 48Mao Assembly constituency in Manipur for NPF candidate Losii Dikho, he said that NPF was committed to the issues of Nagas and Naga political issue was its priority. He said it was a political party for every Naga as it was formed with the ob-
(L) Dr. Shürho and Dr Pfoze
jective of bringing an early solution to the Naga issue, adding that taking it to all Naga-inhabited areas was the
best achievement and joyous moment for all Naga people. He asserted that anyone going against the party’s official candidates would be going against the party and also mean going against Nagas. While citing reports of involvement of Naga national groups favouring certain candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections in Manipur, Dr. Shürhozelie said he did not believe that national workers would favour any particular political party or candidate as they would never stoop so low and
DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Senior NPF leader and legislator, Khuzoluzo Azo Nienu urged the Naga political groups to not interfere in state politics and leave it to the politicians, a press note issued by the NPF youth wing stated. Addressing the rally at 48 Mao assembly constituency, Azo pointed out that had this regional ‘Cock party’ (NPF) not been born, Naga political struggle/issue would have died long back and the Naga political groups of today would just be mere “extortion group or terrorist groups”. He reminded that the oldest regional ‘Cock party’ formed in October (Cont’d on p-8) 21, 1963 was the blood line and the
therefore, they should not be maligned. Shürhozelie regretted that Nagas had forgotten the sacrifices made by four NPF MLAs of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly who had resigned in protest against the anti-tribal Bill passed by the then Ibobi-led Congress government. He said no political party would allow its sitting MLAs to resign from the Assembly but, he claimed that NPF took the extreme step only in the interest of Naga people.
roots of the people, and said that the party was formed to up hold the Naga political struggle. “Thats why I always say this party was formed out of our forefathers sweat, blood and tears,” he said. Therefore, Azo said any Naga group going against the NPF would be like going against himself and his own policies or going against its own parents. Azo, therefore, urged the national workers to not interfere in state politics.“Naga political groups have no right to interfere in State politics nor do they have any right to decide your future. We the electorates must be bold enough to decide your own future and not allow others to decide out future,” he said. K Y M C