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Vol XXX No. 209
DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Impact of green spaces on mental well-being
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Sunday Post Supplement
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NPF, NPCC slam govt’s reply to Governor Govt has humiliated Governor: NPFLP Govt reply an insult to public: NPCC
DIMAPUR, JUL 4 (NPN): NPF Legislature Party (NPFLP) hit out at the state government’s reply to the Governor’s letter by terming it as an “unsavoury response” and “nothing but an assorted collection of distorted facts and figures to deceive the Governor and the Nagas at large.” NPFLP said, after taking charge on August 1, 2019, Governor R.N. Ravi’s observation revealed the precarious law and order situation prevailing in the state, which cannot be merely dubbed as a study that “does not appear to be factual.” It pointed out that Ravi, a 1976-batch IPS officer and former Deputy National Security Advisor served the nation in various capacities and was not a schoolboy to not understand the basic parameters of identifying law and order situation in the State. NPF noted with disappointment that the state government had dismissed the findings of “a man of such calibre” merely as one that “does not appear to be factual”. NPF said the state government had also humiliated Ravi in public domain in the state, regional and national media. “This is display of political shrewdness of the cheapest standard,” it added. NPFLP demanded to know
No flights to Kolkata from 6 cities till July19
KO L K ATA , J U L 4 (AGENCIES): Flights from six cities- Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai and Ahmedabad - will not land in Kolkata for two weeks starting Monday, airport authorities said on Saturday as the West Bengal government stepped up measures to contain the coronavirus. “It is informed that no flights shall operate to Kolkata from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai & Ahmedabad from 6th to 19th July 2020 or till further order whichever is earlier. Inconvenience caused is regretted,” Kolkata airport authority said in a tweet. The state also wanted flights from other cities in the country reduced to one flight a week per airline. The Civil Aviation Ministry has not responded to that request yet.
NSCN (I-M) reduces tax
DIMAPUR, JUL 4 (NPN): In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown due to lockdown, NSCN (I-M), through its MIP has informed that “the 5% tax payable to the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) shall henceforth be reduced to 3% with immediate effect.”
This is it!
“I’m over 60 but you’re only 55 so I’ll stay. Less crowd is also better for social distancing.” K Y M C
as to what had prevented the chief minister and his cabinet, at the June 19 meeting with the Governor, from telling the him that the end result of his observation was not ‘factual’? It said when the issue could have been clarified officially at the June 19 meeting, was it necessary for the government to “publicly humiliate the Governor” by challenging the factuality of his observation in public domain through I&PR department? NPFLP said as evident and noted by the Governor, there has been steady down-slide in all parameters of development in Nagaland under the present day government. It said these were due to alleged siphoning off huge amount of funds meant for road connectivity, healthcare, education infrastructures etc. by diverting them to various nonfunctional projects. While the economy of the state continued to be in doldrums, NPFLP said the state’s financial position was kept under wraps for reasons best known to those at the helm of power. Taking a jibe at the government’s refusal to disclose the actual financial position of the state, NPFLP said this was probably the much-hyped catchphrase on transparency and account(Cont’d on p-8) ability.
Congress said the state government’s reply to the Governor’s letter (addressed to the chief minister) was “an insult to the public” when it claimed that “law and order is normal”. In a statement, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K. Therie reiterated that since the regional party came to power, the writ of the state government has been “surrendered” to parallel self-styled governments . Claiming that self styled governments are more feared that the state government he said social media reflected this when people were afraid to criticise the self styled governments but not the state government. He said was no security to life and property where entrepreneurs, contractors and suppliers became prey to well armed predators who got their weapons from state armouries. Therie cited a response of the chief minister, to a starred question on the floor of the assembly in 2012, that 44,550 rounds of ammunition and 152 arms were lost from police custody. He opined that the figure could be much higher as “uncontrolled factional wars escalated in the following period.” On the police report, Therie agreed that factional clashes have
come down because of the understanding among all factions but not because of the government’s control over law and order. Therie also said “illegal collections” have increased many fold as all nine self-styled governments agree to collect money through understanding. He said the self styled governments “sit together in state police check gates and collect their shares” openly. They also collect monthly and annual tax on wholesale to retail sales by going from shop to shop. On the police report on arrests, Therie said though these figures may be true, yet many of those arrested by Assam Rifles and Police were released even before reaching police stations on orders “ given from political leaders”. He said some cadres detained under NSA for one year, were released with no further case. He said public know how many were killed, murdered, assassinated, kidnapped, ransom paid including killing of some entrepreneurs in broad daylight. Therie said factions sometimes claim responsibility for crimes but cases are registered “against unknown persons”. He said in Dimapur, killings went on regularly for over ten years but cases registered against unknown persons.
Nagaland COVID-19 tally now 563 NAGALAND COVID-19 STATUS AS ON july 4, 2020 District Dimapur Kiphire Kohima Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang Wokha Zunheboto Total
Asymptomatic cases 29 0 75 0 1 42 157 8 20 0 3 335
DIMAPUR, JUL 4 (NPN): Nagaland COVID-19 tally rose to 563 on Sunday after 24 fresh cases were reported from across the state. In a tweet, state Health & Family Welfare minister, S. Pangnyu Phom Saturday informed that the COVID positive cases were detected from 426 samples that were tested. Out of the 426, the minister said that 21 positive cases were reported from Peren district, 2 from Kohima district and 1 from
Recovered
Total Cases
157 0 48 0 0 0 17 1 5 0 0 228
186 0 123 0 1 42 174 9 25 0 3 563
Mon district. All the positive persons have been shifted to the designated COVID-19 hospitals for medical treatment. With this the state’s tally, as on July 4, stood at 563 cases-- 335 active and 228 recovered. As per the severity of symptoms, all the 335 active cases were asymptomatic. In his daily briefing, principal secretary Home, Abhijit Sinha informed that a total of 6858 samples were tested by TrueNat, out
of which 166 samples tested positive and sent for confirmation by RT-PCR. He also informed that 6469 samples had tested negative and result of 223 samples were awaited. Till date, he said a total of 13,014 samples have been sent for testing by RT-PTR. Results of 12,628 samples have been received. Out of the total of 13,014 samples sent-8344 were tested at BSL-3 lab (NHAK) where 447 samples tested positive and at BSL-2 lab (CIHSR) 511 samples were tested, out of which 2 tested positive. In addition, a total of 6,858 samples have been tested by TrueNat, out of which 166 samples have been tested positive and sent for confirmation by RTPCR. Further, 6,469 samples have tested negative. Meanwhile, a total of 4,062 persons are presently under Facility Quarantine.”
Protesters seek to ‘defame’ heroes: Trump
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All road projects should resume: Rio DIMAPUR, JUL 4 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio Saturday directed responsible departments, to ensure that road construction agencies in the state resume all road projects that have been stalled. He said this while addressing the state officials during the state level meeting on monsoon preparedness at the Secretariat conference hall, Kohima Since most of the migrant labourers engaged in road projects have left the state due to COVID-19 pandemic, Rio asked the responsible construction agencies to bring back the skilled labourers and workers to start work after following all provisions of the state SOP for COVID19. He also emphasized on providing training to local manpower already available here, so that their services could be used for handing various kinds of machineries and equipment. The objective of the meeting was to take stock of preparedness level in view of the monsoon season and also to take preventive measures in the event of any eventuality thereby averting the loss of lives and properties from the fury of natural calamities. Rio asked the
Neiphiu Rio during the state level meeting on monsoon preparedness.
concerned departments to jointly inspect the roads, to ensure that the drainages were free from being clogged particularly during monsoon and also to take appropriate preventive action wherever necessary. He also stressed on the need for advance placement of funds to the concerned authority in the district so as to take preventive measures without delay. At the meeting, OSD Nagaland State Disaster management Authority, Johny Ruangmai gave a briefing on ‘monsoon preparedness’ with reference to previous year’s experiences and how the NSDMA and other line departments had responded to the situations. NPWD engineer-inchief, Er. Limatongdang Jamir gave a power point presentation the status of all the district roads. He said with the onset of monsoon,
roads connecting inter-districts, towns and villages in all the 24 divisions of the state were being affected by landslides, mudslides, subsidence etc. However, he said with the active participation and concerted efforts of the department, damaged roads have been connected and restored for traffic in all the districts with the help of machineries. Urban Development and Home Guards & Civil Defence departments also gave power point presentation regarding monsoon preparedness. During the meeting, the preparedness of Agri and Allied departments, and Food & Civil Supplies department, for ensuring availability of essential food items and commodities, were also deliberated. The meeting was also attended by cabinet ministers, advisors, chief secretary and other senior officials.
Total lockdown in Peren India registers highest single-day dist extended till July 11 spike of nearly 23k COVID cases
DIMAPUR, JUL 4 (NPN): In view of the ongoing contact tracing exercise, the Peren district administration has further extended total lockdown for a period of six days (July 6-11, 2020) with immediate effect. In an order, the deputy commissioner (DC) Peren, Sentiwapang Aier, however, stated that, in addition to the permitted activities, veterinary services and fuel outlets would be allowed to operate by strictly adhering to all safety measures while providing services. Containment zone: In another order, DC Peren has declared Mhaikam village as containment zone with immediate effect following the detection of positive cases of COVID-19 from among those sent for home quarantine. DC has directed the responsible administrative officer/sub-divisional task force to ensure the containment of affected areas and demarcate by barricading the containment zone in order to prevent community spread of the virus. Further, DC stated that contact tracing and other medical protocols by the medical department would commence with immediate effect. On July 2, DC declared Dobashi colony, Jalukie Town and adjoining areas and ward number 5 under Tening Town as “containment zones” as precautionary to prevent community spread of COVID-19.
NEW DELHI, JUL 4 (PTI): India’s COVID-19 tally neared 6.5 lakh cases on Saturday with a record single-day spike of 22,771 new infections, even as the recovery rate further improved to 60.81 per cent.
The government said several people-centric measures taken as part of the “test, trace, treat” strategy have removed the impediments for COVID-19 testing. Facilitation of widespread testing by states or Union Territories has spurred the number of samples tested every day, the Union health ministry said. During the last 24 hours, 2,42,383 samples have been tested, pushing the cumulative number of tests to 95,40,132. While the COVID-19 tally climbed to 6,48,315, the death toll rose to 18,655 with 442 new fatalities, according to Union Health Ministry data. With a steady rise, the number of recoveries stands at 3,94,226 and one patient has migrated. There are 2,35,433 active cases of the novel coronavirus currently in the country, the updated data at 8 am showed. “Thus, around 60.81 per cent of patients have recovered so far,” an official said. The total number of confirmed cases also include foreigners.
DGP inaugurates new police post building at Dillai gate WHO discontinues HCQ, DIMAPUR, JUL 4 (NPN): Nagaland DGP, T.J. Longkumer Saturday called upon police personnel, particularly those posted along the border areas, to create a good image of the state police by being smart, efficient and polite, a DIPR report stated. Speaking at the inaugural of the new police post building at Dillai gate Dimapur, Longkumer went on to state that the first impression of Nagaland police would be created in the border areas. Citing the example of the 9th IR personnel, Longkumer said they were smart, disciplined and created the whole mood for operation, earning good reputation for Nagaland while on duty in Chhattisgarh. “You are here to give protection to the citizens and not to harass,” said Longkumer and cautioned
T.J Longkumer with officials after inaugurating the building. (DIPR)
that stern action would be initiated instances of harassment. He appealed that the new building should be made as “a house of respect “and to maintain the sanctity of it. Longkumer also congratulated the Commissioner Police Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo and DCP Zone-2, Aotula Imchen for ensuring early completion of the building within a
short period of time. He also expressed gratitude and appreciation to Team Dimapur including the medical fraternity, churches, civil societies, NGOs and individuals for rendering their selfless sacrifice in the fight against COVID-19. In his brief speech, state agriculture production commissioner (APC), and incharge of Dimapur district for COVID-19 activities, Y.
Kikheto Sema felt that with the new police post facility, the mindset, attitude and way of living of the people residing in the border areas also ought to change. He called upon the Nagas to have peaceful and cordial relations with the neighbouring state and encouraged them to love one another. “Let this place be clean and be a place of prayer desisting from drinking and smoking,” he requested the police personnel who would be manning the post. Kikheto Sema also donated a refrigerator on behalf of his family to be kept in the new police post building for the convenience of the police personnel. Commissioner Police Rothihu Tetseo, in his welcome address, noted that new Police post building at Dillai gate was important for Nagas and appealed all those living in the border ar-
eas to understand the importance and significance of it and also sought the support and cooperation of all. He informed that the construction work, which commenced on April 30 this year, was completed within a record time of 2 months with quality workmanship. Others who spoke on the occasion included EAC (Sardar) Bendang Longkumer, on behalf of the district administration; chairman Rilan village, John Kikon and chairman Aokong village. Hosts of police officials including IGP (Range), Limasunep Jamir; DIG (Trg & Border) Aotemsu and other rank and file of police, villagers from the bordering villages attended the inaugural function. ADCP (Crime) Relo Aye chaired the program while PBC pastor, Rev. Levi Rakho invoked the dedicatory prayer.
HIV drugs in COVID trials
GENEVA, JUL 4 (AGENCIES): World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that it was discontinuing its trials of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and combination HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 after they failed to reduce mortality. The Solidarity Trial was established by WHO to find an effective COVID-19 treatment for hospitalized patients. The setback came as the WHO also reported more than 200,000 new cases globally of the disease for the first time in a single day. The United States accounted for 53,213 of the total 212,326 new cases recorded on Friday, the WHO said. “These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ ritonavir produce little or no
reduction in the mortality of hospitalised COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect,” WHO said in a statement, referring to large multicountry trials that the agency is leading. WHO said the decision, taken on the recommendation of the trial’s international steering committee, does not affect other studies where those drugs are used for non-hospitalised patients or as a prophylaxis. Another branch of the WHO-led trial is looking at the potential effect of Gilead’s antiviral drug remdesivir on COVID-19. The European Commission on Friday gave remdesivir conditional approval for use after being shown to shorten hospital recovery times. K Y M C