Nagaland Post
Watch us on YouTube
www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXX No. 208
DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Man City beat Liverpool 4-0
Follow us on @Nagaland_Post
sports, Page 12
nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial
Recovered patients test positive in Mon
Paiwang Konyak during the meeting with Mon district officials on Friday. (NP)
Correspondents
KOHIMA/MON, JUL 3 (NPN): Two persons from Mon district have tested positive for COVID-19 again even after they had recovered from the contagion and were discharged from District Hospital Dimapur. The duo were sent to Mon on June 23 along with 18 other recovered patients after their re-test results turned negative in Dimapur, minister Transport, Civil Aviation, Railways, and Land Resources, P. Paiwang Konyak informed Nagaland Post. The recovered returnees were however segregated and kept at a separate quarantine block. Though they were recovered patients, Paiwang said as per Mon district Stan-
DCCI reminds district admin to reopen markets DIMAPUR, JUL 3 (NPN): Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Friday reminded the district administration to take immediate steps for reopening of Hong Kong Market, New Market, Millennium Building Market and Hazi Park Market. In a press release, DCCI president Akashe K Zhimomi and public grievances cell convenor Omega Yepthomi said the traders sanitized and disinfected the markets after District Task Force during its last meeting mutually agreed to open the four major markets. Stating that traders of those markets were undergoing untold sufferings and immense economic hardships, the DCCI has urged the district administration to look into the genuine plight of those traders and issue notice for reopening markets immediately. It also appealed to the administration to extend relief measures and assistance to mitigate the suffering of the affected business community. Further, DCCI urged both DMC and private building owners to exempt or waive off rent of commercial buildings and rooms on humanitarian grounds.
This is it!
“There’s swine flu but no avian flu now so poultry meat is safe.” K Y M C
dard Operating Procedure (SOP), the duo were still kept at the quarantine centre upon arrival on June 24. As per the SOP, every returnee to the district, whether recovered or negative etc. have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine, he said. They are released only after their results turn negative-- under the ‘Negative Test Policy’ of the district, where returnees have to further undergo two test and confirm that they are free from the virus. Based on this policy, the two returnees were again tested on the 10th day (July 3) and their results turned out positive, Paiwang stated. The first test by TrueNat showed positive thereafter a second test was conducted using the confirmatory kit,
which also turned out to be positive, Paiwang informed. Even after recovery, he said both the patients still carried the viral load.
Lockdown extended
Following report of three more frontline workers (police personnel) testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, Mon district administration has extend the total lockdown in the district till July 12. This was conveyed at a joint meeting attended by minister Paiwang Konyak, district administration and police officials at DC’s conference hall, Mon. The objective of extending the lockdown was to carry out effective contact tracing. The frontline workers had tested negative
in their first test, but in the second test the results were positive. Earlier, nine frontline workers in Mon district had tested positive for COVID. With this the tally rose to 12 frontline workers alone in Mon district being infected. Mon DC and SP test negative: With the second consecutive test turning out to be negative, Mon deputy commissioner (DC) and superintendent of police (SP) resumed office on Friday. Confirming this to Nagaland Post, deputy commissioner Mon, Thavaseelan K said on receiving the negative test report on Friday morning, he and the SP attended the meeting convened by transport and civil aviation and land resources minister P Paiwang Konyak. He said currently there were 41 active COVID-19 cases at Mon COVID Care Centre out of which 12 were frontline workers. He said the first batch of 23 persons’ samples was sent to ICMR, Dibrugarh as per protocol. Meanwhile, the Mon DC has also issued a series of orders notifying mandatory use of face masks, maintaining social distance
and spitting in public places and warned that violators would be imposed a fine of Rs 200 per offence. Households and business establishments were also directed to collect their used personal protective equipment (PPE) and incinerate them at a convenient place within their compound or at a designated place in their wards identified by the respective ward authorities. In another order, the DIC directed that with a view to contain possible transmission and spread of the virus, all persons engaged in wet markets/ slaughter houses within the jurisdiction of Mon town should collect all waste fluids at a designated place and sanitise the same. He warned that violators would be penalised with a fine of Rs 500 per offence. Further, the DC asked the teachers conducting tuition for students at their private residences during the lockdown period to immediately stop the practice as it was in total contravention of the lockdown rules and regulations, and warned that anyone found violating the order would be punished as per the provision of law.
‘COVID-19 affecting global peace & security’ international, Page 9
NPF medical cell predicts ‘grim COVID-19 situation’ in Nagaland DIMAPUR, JUL 3 (NPN): NPF Medical Cell in-charge Dr. Chumben Murry MLA in a communiqué has predicted that Nagaland was headed for a “grim COVID19 situation” unless glaring missteps in containing coronavirus was not corrected. Dr. Murry listed out some of the missteps which could lead to the grim scenario such as—erroneous judgement and actions” of state machineries; lack of adherence to SOPs by “high risk groups” especially returnees and general public and how some of the returnees were infected during quarantine period when protocols were ignored. In particular, Dr. Murry said Peren and Mon districts “are in grave situation” even as the state authorities were trying to contain a similar spread to other districts. NPF Medical Cell said so far, COVID-19 cases among returnees showed it has gone to Stage-II (local transmission from person to person and with travel history). However, he said unless people take care of health and hygiene, COVID-19
in Nagaland could go to Stage-III (when the disease is contracted from the community and the virus has spread so much that the source is untraceable). Dr. Murry said the NPF was deeply concerned about the crisis since the party including its legislature and as part of district legislators’ teams on COVID-19 have been giving their opinions about their observations which also included constructive write-ups of the leader of the party legislature. He said in spite of initial “grave erroneous judgment”, the frontline workers have sacrificed and done their job. Dr. Murry also said the role of the frontline workers was very important when the virus was at Stage-I (appearance of the disease through people with a travel history, with everyone contained, their sources traced, and no local spread from those affected). Dr. Murry maintained that strategy for returnees was not well planned neither was the concept of quarantine properly communicated or perceived,
as a result of which, the primary objective of containment failed. A s N a g a l a n d wa s headed towards the “grim scenario”, Dr. Murry said the need of the hour was for the general public to become frontline workers, as a civic duty, to protect themselves and others. In this regard, Dr. Murry listed eight points for those involved with COVID-19 including the general public as means to widen the anti-COVID strategy: 1. Those involved with COVID-19 should spread more awareness through IEC materials on mission mode to properly sensitize lower rank of frontline workers; 2. General public must impose further lockdown at least for the next 28 days with strict adherence to social distancing, wearing of masks and hand sanitisation;3.properly dispose of wrappings on commodities handled; wash hands and change clothes after returning from outside and before mingling with family members; (Cont’d on p-8)
Cabinet gives nod to SSB: Mmhonlumo State govt orders total State COVID tally rises to 539
Mmhonlumo Kikon (File) Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUL 3 (NPN): In yet another move towards fructifying the much-cherished Staff Selection Board (SSB), the State cabinet gave its formal approval during a meeting held at the civil secretariat here on Friday. This comes after chief minister Neiphiu Rio gave an assurance to Naga Students’ Federation on June 15 of setting up the board within a month. Interacting with Nagaland Post at his office chamber later, High Powered Committee (HPC) spokesperson and adviser
Mmhonlumo Kikon said the decision was taken considering the future of Naga youth and the appeals. He asserted that the cabinet decision also slowed the State government’s sincerity to address the unemployment issue. He added that rules and regulations governing SSB would be released soon.
State ready to test 1200 samples a day With BSL-2 in Dimapur now functional, along with the operationalisation of BSL-3 lab at Kohima and availability of TrueNat machines in all districts, Kikon declared that Nagaland could now conduct 1,200 sample tests per day. He said the newly-inaugurated BSL-2 had the capacity to carry out 150 sample tests per day. He also clarified that there was no community transmission in the State so far. Admitting that there could have been certain
hiccups, he appealed to the citizens not to panic and claimed that the government had been persistent and proactive in contact tracing, adding that the surveillance teams were doing an excellent job even as areas where positive cases had been found had been declared as containment zones. Kikon also informed that 3,42,000 people had been screened till date at all entry points of road, airways and railways in the State, adding screening was going on vigorously at all check gates and would be continued. NSF welcomes cabinet decision: Naga Students’ Federation has expressed joy at the State cabinet finally approving setting up of Staff Selection Board (NSSB) and thus realising the long-cherished dream of thousands of aspiring youth to have equal job opportunities with merit becoming the norm for selection.
ban on dog meat, trade
Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUL 3 (NPN): In a significant move that would bring much joy to dog lovers but dismay from dog meat lovers; the state cabinet Friday banned commercial import and trading of dogs, dog markets and sale of dogs in the State. Informing this to Nagaland Post, High Powered Committee (HPC) spokesperson and adviser Mmhonlumo Kikon said the decision was taken in response to a letter written months back by Maneka Gandhi BJP MP and former union minister. He said the decision was kept pending due to the current pandemic. State chief secretary Temjen Toy, in a tweet, also announced the ban on commercial import and trading of dogs, dog markets and also the sale of dog meat, both cooked and uncooked. Mokokchung police file case: Meanwhile, Mokokchung police has filed a suo-moto case at Mangkolemba police station over reports about a shootat-sight incident of a dog that reportedly took place at Changki village. In a press note, SP Mokokchung Vishal said police arrested those involved in the alleged shooting incident. SP said it was a clear violation of the DC’s order that warned of legal action against any village authorities, wards, individuals/group acting in contravention to Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act. Further, the SP disclosed a 12 Bore SSBL was used to shoot the dog and a the arm and the empty shell were seized and under police custody for further (Cont’d on p-8) investigation.
NAGALAND COVID-19 STATUS AS ON july 3, 2020 District Dimapur Kiphire Kohima Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang Wokha Zunheboto Total
Asymptomatic cases 29 0 73 0 1 41 136 8 20 0 3 311
DIMAPUR, JUL 3 (NPN): Nagaland on Friday registered four fresh COVID-19 positive cases while 31 more recovered from the virus, taking the state’s total tally to 539 cases-311 active and 228 recovered. In a tweet, Health minister S. Pangnyu Phom said that the positive cases were detected from among the 259 samples. He said that 3 cases were from Mon quarantine centre and 1 from Kohima QC. All the positive persons have been taken to their respective COVID hospitals for treatment. As per the severity of
Present Naga Council Dimapur accused of clinging to office
DTAH serve notice on NCD office bearers to quit CSOs, CAKU ask NCD to uphold constitution Dimapur, Jul 3 (NPN): Dimapur Tribal Apex Hoho (DTAH) representing fourteen (14) tribe presidents, has reacted to the vehement criticisms made by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) against it, as published in the local dailies on July 3. The outgoing NCD team has come under attack from the constituent units under the DTAH who have expressed total objection to the manner in which the transition of the new NCD team was being delayed by the outgoing NCD team of office bearers. While reminding that NCD had tendered an apology at the joint meeting held on March 10,2020, DTAH said its 14 tribe presidents have rejected the statement of NCD published on July 3,2020 as “unfounded, unconstitutional , hence devoid of any merit in its entirety.” Dimapur Tribal Apex Hoho reminded that the tenure of the
present Naga Council Dimapur office bearers had ended on March 6, 2020 but two months prior to expiry of term, the present NCD had asked all constituent units (tribal hohos) to nominate two members as councillors for the succeeding tenure vide letter dated January 27, 2020. Subsequently, DTAH said on submission of the names of new members as councillors by all tribal hohos, it was presumed that the new executive of NCD was constituted to carry on its activities. However, DTAH said on February 11,2020 the present NCD held a meeting and allegedly extended its tenure by another three months till May 30,2020 without any prior consultation with the constituent units of tribal hohos. As a consequence of the present NCD’s “unconstitutional extension” for three more months,
DTAH said all its constituent units submitted a representation dated February 21,2020 in opposing the impugned extension which did not have the mandate of Dimapurbased tribal hohos. Further DTAH said it further urged upon NCD to revoke its resolution made on February 11,2020. Then on March 10,2020 DTAH said NCD convened a joint meeting of all tribal hohos (DTAH) wherein it accepted its omission of NCD constitutional mandate and sincerely apologized to DTAH for resolving to extend the tenure till May 30, 2020 done without intimation or consent of DTAH. At the March 10 meeting, DTAH said the house after prolonged deliberation and after considering logistic inconveniences on the part of NCD, resolved to extend its tenure till March 31,2020 and requested the present incumbent NCD to (Cont’d on p-8)
With regard to the election/ selection of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) office bearers for the tenure 2020-2025, the Dimapurbased civil society organisations (CSOs)—Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Dimapur Urban Chairman Councils Federation and GB Dimapur Sardar— have suggested that selection/nomination/election should be under the purview of NCD constitution for setting up of the office bearers “without any biased favouritism or nepotism.” In a joint statement, GB Dimapur Sardar president MY Ngullie, DUCCF president Tsenthungo Nyamo and NWHD president Sungsabeni Jamio and DNSU president Sedevilie Angami said they have resolved to uphold the integrity of the constitution and would not accept any unconstitutional induction of office bearers for any post.
CSOs also affirmed to uphold the integrity of NCD constitution in any given situation as NCD was the only organization that maintained the unity of the Nagas even before the formation of any other civil society organisations. CAKU: Chakhro Angami Kuda Union (CAKU) has affirmed that any unconstitutional induction of office bearers for any post would not be accepted at any cost. In a letter to the NCD president, the CAKU general secretary Thejangulie Angami stated that the union held a meeting on June 27, 2020 and thoroughly deliberated over the “present selection/ nomination/election” for the new NCD office bearers. CAKU has, however, suggested that selection/nomination/ election of office bearers should be done as per the prevailing constitution of NCD “without any bias, favoritism or nepotism” in order to avoid any constitutional crisis.
Recovered 157 0 48 0 0 0 17 1 5 0 0 228
Total Cases 186 0 121 0 1 41 153 9 25 0 3 539
symptoms, all 311 active cases were asymptomatic, principal secretary Home, Abhijit Sinha stated in his daily briefing. Further, out of the 31 recovered cases-- 10 each were from Peren, Dimapur and Kohima while 1 was from Phek district. Till July 3, a total of 12,875 samples were tested and results of 12,088 received. Out of the 12,875 samples, 8259 were received at the BSL-3 lab (NHAK) and BSL-2 lab (CIHSR) and a total of 8213 samples were tested, out of which 425 tested positive.
State Police arrest Richard Humtsoe DIMAPUR, JUL 3 (NPN): State police on Friday night arrested the “chairman of Indian Human Rights Council” Nagaland unit, S. Richard Humtsoe near Peducha (Lalmati police post) on Friday night in connection with a cybercrime case. He was earlier issued a summon in connection with a cybercrime case following complaints of his activities on social media. Later, a separate case was filed against him with regard another post on social media and his bail plea was rejected, police said. Upon receiving information of his whereabouts, a police team was dispatched to nab him. However, after a long pursuit, he was arrested from Lalmati police post, police sources added. He was reportedly remanded to police custody. K Y M C