June 13, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 187

DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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Dimapur CSOs highlight burden carried by COVID Team Dimapur Also some returnees lodged in paid quarantine centres were refusing to pay their bills beyond the stipulated 14-day period. They also mentioned of growing unrest among returnees and their parents that has threatened frontline workers, especially the medical teams.

They cautioned that if this was not addressed urgently, then a law and order problem could take place.

The signatories also cautioned that unless returnees who have completed the mandatory 14 day quarantine were released for home quarantine, it would overwhelm frontline workers, accommodation and logistics.

They have termed it as “distressing” another government directive to compile a list of all those found negative for COVID-19 and sent to DC who will then forward it to the chief secretary for approval to release.

The signatories pointed out that since Dimapur has nearly 70 quarantine centres including paid hotels , how could the medical team be

expected to collect such information from the length and breadth of the district to be sent to DC Dimapur and then to Kohima? They said this only showed how higher authorities have failed to appreciate the ground situation faced by frontline workers by imposing “normal bureaucratic procedure” at a time when frontline workers are expected to make immediate decisions. They said when other CSOs raise their voices, the government promptly attends to them but CSOs of Dimapur have been maintaining silence despite the huge responsibility placed on them but cautioned that this should not be treated as weakness.

The signatories said that as per SOP, all COVID19 positive cases and asymptomatic were to be sent to Peren and Mon districts.

However, even if it was against the SOP, they said the conscience of Team Dimapur did not permit it to send such patients to their own districts knowing the practical difficulties in Peren and (Cont’d on p-7) Mon.

Trump to finalise order on police reform

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

India’s COVID-19 tally nears 3 lakh NEW DELHI, JUN 12 (PTI): Nationwide COVID19 tally neared the 3-lakh mark on Friday with a record number of over 10,000 new cases getting detected across states and union territories.

In its morning 8 AM update, the ministry said the total number of confirmed cases has reached 2,978,535 and the death toll has mounted to 8,498, after record numbers of 10,956 cases and 396 fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours.

However, a PTI tally of figures announced by states and UTs till 9.40 PM showed the overall case count having risen to 2,98,382 and the toll to 8,743.

Centre directs states: Centre has asked states to pay special attention on emerging epicentres of cases and to focus on containment, testing and tracing, upgrading health infrastructure, clinical management and community engagement for effective management of COVID-19.

Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi may hold a fresh round of consultation with chief ministers next week in the backdrop of the rising number of cases in the country.

international, Page 9

Nagaland COVID-19 tally now 156 Nagaland COVID-19 STATUS as ON June 12, 2020 COVID HOSPITAL

AsympRecovtomatic ered cases

Symptomatic cases Critical TOTAL Mild Moderate Severe ICU (without ICU (with ICU (OnCASES Oxygen) Oxygen) Ventilator) 0 0 0 0 0 0 117

Dimapur, Jun 12 (NPN): A joint meeting held at Hotel Saramati Friday here between Empowered Group Dimapur District COVID-19 headed by Y Kikheto Sema and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of Dimapur wherein the management of COVID-19 and returnees at various quarantine centres in Dimapur were deliberated.

According to a joint statement issued by the attendees and CSOs of Dimapur, the state government had been aware that Dimapur would be receiving almost all returnees of which 50% were Dimapurbased and that with Peren and Mon, a total of 75% of returnees would be retained in Dimapur. Also, the government also knew that COVID-19 positive cases would be detected after arrival of returnees coming from Red Zone areas.

Despite all these, the CSOs maintained that they continued to extend full support and cooperation with the government and did not raise any objection

regarding preparedness and facilities that should have been accorded to Dimapur but lamented that this had been taken for granted.

The meeting noted that since most of the returnees were Dimapur-based the government should accord top priority to Dimapur district besides distribution of TrueNat testing machines and BSL-3 laboratory. The signatories also pointed out that while Dimapur was struggling with testing of Chennai returnees, COVID19 cases were being detected even from Haryana returnees. They said testing of Goa, Rajasthan, Bengaluru returnees including huge number arriving by rail, road and flight were yet to be initiated. The signatories said at the present rate, testing of all returnees will take months.

Furthermore, the signatories pointed out that 700 returnees have “overstayed the mandatory 14 days of institutional quarantine” ranging from 14 to 27 days without their swab samples being collected for testing.

CPO against delimitation based on 2001 census

Restricted vehicular People’s movement from 9 pm-5 am prohibited State govt creates 53 posts of specialists doctors, others movement in Dmu today Buses, trucks

D IMAPUR , J UN 1 2 (NPN): Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) Friday affirmed that it was against the re-initiation of the delimitation exercise in Nagaland on the basis of the “faulty, archaic, non workable and also obsolete Census of the year 2001.”

In a representation addressed to the chairperson Delimitation Commission of India, CPO president Mikha Kenye and CPO committee on delimitation convenor Theja Therieh said that 2001 census population figures had “considerable and absurd inaccuracies” having the potentials of upsetting the balance between various tribes and tribal areas.

CPO stated that imposing Census 2001 for delimitation would “inevitably” destroy the whole purpose of the delimitation, which was “basically intended” to bring about equitable distribution of people’s representation and developmental activities in the state.

It said the delimitation exercise based on such figures would be highly controversial and would cause serious damage to the developmental activities, tribal parity and socio-economic condition of the weaker districts. (Full text on p-6)

This is it!

“I would feel more assured if you wore face mask and surgical gloves.”

K Y M C

DIMAPUR, JUN 12 (NPN): In view of the arrival of a special train from Kerala via Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on June 13 morning, the Dimapur district authorities-- police and district administrationhave ordered restriction of vehicular movement along designated routes.

Commissioner of police (CP) R. Tetseo, in an order on Friday, informed that vehicular movement will be restricted one hour prior to the arrival and four hours after the arrival along the designated routes-Dimapur Railway station to Agri Expo (via Traffic Control ZoneI-hotel Theja Fort {through under the fly over}- Burma Camp Jn.Veterinary Jn.-Old Dhansiri bridge-Purana Bazaar Jn.TK Service to Agri Expo.

The restriction would be imposed depending on the arrival of the train.

In another order, DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi said vehicular restrictions would be enforced where movement of returnees will take place. However shops will remain open for the convenience of the public.

Over 900 to arrive today A special train from Kerala via Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to arrive Dimapur on June 13 with around 966 persons. Another special train from Delhi with around 1000 persons is scheduled to arrive Dimapur on June 16.

As per information received 206 persons arrived in Nagaland on June 12-- 10 from Guwahati and 26 from Imphal by Alliance Air, 115 from New Delhi, 2 from Dibrugarh, 9 from Delhi and 16 from Jorhat by train. 22 from Assam, 2 from Kolkata and 4 from Bangalore by private cars.

NEW DELHI, JUN 12 (PTI): Movement of people will remain prohibited across the country from 9 pm to 5 am during the ongoing ‘Unlock 1’, but there are no restrictions on plying of buses with passengers and goods trucks on highways, the Centre said on Friday.

In a communication to all states, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also said that the purpose of restricting movement of individuals during the night was primarily intended at preventing congregation of people and ensuring social distancing, but not hampering supply chains and logistics.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued guidelines prohibiting movement of people between 9 pm and 5 am throughout the country, except for essential activities, he said.

MHA has noticed that some states and union ter-

can ply on highways: MHA

ritories (UTs) are restricting movement of people and vehicles on highways between 9 pm and 5 am, which is hindering their smooth passage, Bhalla said.

“I would like to clarify that the purpose of restricting movement of individuals, except for essential activities, between 9 pm and 5 am, is primarily intended to prevent congregation of persons and to ensure social distancing,” he said.

“The restriction does not apply to instances of loading/unloading of goods (as part of supply chains and logistics); buses carrying persons and trucks and goods carriers plying on state and national highways; or persons travelling to their destinations after disem-

Dimapur DH

81

36

AR Hospital Dimapur

4

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Kiphire DH

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Kohima NHAK

13

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

15

Kohima Chedema

7

6

0

0

0

0

0

0

13

Longleng DH

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Mokokchung IMDH

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Mon DH

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Peren CHC Jalukie

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

Phek DH

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Tuensang DH

0

5

0

0

0

0

0

0

5

Wokha DH

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Zunheboto DH

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

State Total

107

49

0

0

0

0

0

0

156

107 active and 49 recovered cases D IMAPUR , J UN 1 2 (NPN): Nine more COVID19 cases were confirmed on Friday taking the state’s total tally to 107 active cases and 49 recovered. As per the official release, the state’s tally stood at 156 at 3 p.m. on June 12.

Health minister S. Pangnyu Phom informed that the 9 COVID positive cases were reported out of 251

barking from buses, trains and flights,” Bhalla said.

The Union home secretary said, accordingly, states and UTs are advised not to prevent such movement. Necessary instructions to this effect should be issued to district and local authorities, he said.

The nationwide lockdown was first announced

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 for 21 days in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The lockdown was first extended till May 3 and then again till May 17.

It was further extended till May 31.

The lockdown is now restricted only to containment zones across the country and will continue till June 30. A large number of social, economic, religious and sports activities are currently allowed to function, under what the MHA has termed as ‘Unlock 1’.

samples tested at NHAK. They included- 6 from Dimapur QC, 2 from Kohima QC and 1 from Peren QC. All the COVID-19 positive patients have been shifted to the designated COVID hospitals for treatment.

Meanwhile, in a late night development, three more positive cases were reported from Dimapur (numbers not added to the state tally). If the three are confirmed then the tally will rise to 159 COVID cases.

Results of 1298 awaited: Till date a total 5703 COVID-19 suspected sam-

D IMAPUR , J UN 1 2 (NPN): The state cabinet on June 11 approved the creation of 53 posts of specialists doctors for 11 district hospitals.

Informing this to media persons, High Powered Committee (HPC) spokesperson and minister, Neiba Kronu said that the cabinet also approved the creation of the post of director (Medical Education & Radiation Safety), 5 posts of Zonal Leprosy Officer for Longleng, Kiphire, Peren, Phek and Zunheboto, encadrement of two posts of district vector borne officer to be manned by medical doctors for Tuensang and Zunheboto into the cadre of the Nagaland Health Service, as and when the present incumbents vacate the posts.

The cabinet also decided to create 143 posts of staff nurse to be deployed in

State incurred Rs 8.68 crore to manage QCs Government not successful in Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 12 (NPN): The State government has spent a staggering Rs 8.68 crore in managing quarantine centres (QCs) from Day-one till June 12.

This was stated by IT&C, S&T adviser and High Powered Committee (HPC) spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon during a press conference at civil secretariat conference hall here on Friday.

Kikon mentioned that the State government through the district task forces (DTFs) had hired caterers in all QCs, adding the government had been incurring expenses of feeding the returnees at these centres. “DTFs should address issues regarding food quality and other complaints, if any, so that the caterers could be asked to do the needful as they are paid,” he remarked.

Rs 1.65 cr spent on transportation: Kikon informed newsmen that the State government had facilitated return of citizens of Nagaland stranded in different parts of the country through two modes of transportation – special buses and trains. And so far, he said the government had spent Rs 1.

65 crore approximately in hiring 32 buses to bring in Naga citizens from 13 States and nine special trains.

As per war room records, around 12,300 people had returned to Nagaland since May 14 on transport arranged by the State government. The figure includes 1,800 from other North-eastern States, 800 by flights and 300 through E-passes.

Kikon said the HPC led by chief minister Neiphiu Rio held a video conference with DCs, SPs and chief medical officers of all

districts to take stock of the situation.

He said Rio took part in a webinar with Union development of North-eastern region (DoNER) minister Jitendra Singh on Friday during which the chief minister apprised the Central minister about the proposal of the State government to initiate e-offices so that all file tracking management could be done electronically.

Kikon said the chief minister also reminded Singh of the submissions made regarding an airport in Kohima and the Trans Nagaland Highway (Foot-hill road) and urged him to take them up on priority basis.

Meanwhile, planning & coordination minister Neiba Kronu, who is also one of the HPC spokesperson, acknowledged the sacrifices made by all frontline workers in taking care of the COVID patients.

To queries on complaints of some COVID-19 positive patients demanding test report to be shown to them, mission director of National Health Mission Dr Kevichusa Medikhru said sample reports did not come in a printed format unlike other tests whose reports were given on print.

He said since the tests were done in huge numbers, it was not possible to take out every report on print, adding that there were no such protocols either that their status should not be shared with the patients.

He said COVID test reports came with coded numbers and information were accordingly passed for further action. On revision of standard operating procedure, principal secretary home Abhijit Sinha said opinions from all DTFs would be taken before any decision is made by HPC.

4

containing spread of virus : NPF

D IMAPUR , J UN 1 2 (NPN): Alleging that the state government was still not successful in controlling the spread of coronavirus , Naga People’s Front (NPF) Friday asked whose negligence was it that the virus “spreading like wildfire” and putting many lives at risk?

NPF press bureau maintained that many of the positive cases may have contracted the virus from the quarantine centre itself.

It further said if the government was well prepared then by now it should be clear that virus could be controlled.

NPF said the government cannot shy away from its responsibilities and should “activate its brain and heads with true spirit and work out to protect its people.” NPF also demand-

ed that the PDA government divulge “on what ground the already negative and recovered cases be sealed under the quarantine centres for how many days.”

It said it was a “real harassment” to lock returnees under the quarantine centres for long if they were safe enough. NPF has, therefore, urged the government to work on a realistic SOP for the whole of the Naga people. It also asked how many days would the government would require to set up the BSL-3 laboratory in Dimapur?.

NPF said Nags had high expectations that the present situation would be normalised after the setting up of high powered committee with chief minister as chairman and deputy chief minister as co-chairman.

(Cont’d on p-8)

ples were sent for testing, out of which 4405 were received and results of 1298 were awaited, a Health department bulletin stated.

Further, out of 342 samples tested by TrueNat, 305 were negative and 1 positive while results of 36 were awaited. It was also informed that a total of 59 samples were sent for retest, out of which 10 turned out to be positive and 49 negative.

Currently, a total of 6922 persons are being kept at the facility quarantine and 8190 have been out of home quarantine.

all the district hospitals.

Further, the cabinet also approved the age condonation of 28 staff nurses under Health & Family Welfare department and fresh appointment be made against the sanctioned post.

It also decided to regularize 19 serving contract medical officers under H&FW department and also of 27 existing medical officers who have been engaged by the department for a period of one year.

Kronu maintained that the cabinet, in view of the prevailing situation and to further strengthen the manpower of the Health department, directed that the approval was “in one-time relaxation of laid down rules and procedures for recruitment, regularization and condonation of age” and which shall not be treated as a precedent.

LH dismayed over meeting decision on delimitation D IMAPUR , J UN 1 2 (NPN): Lotha Hoho (LH) has expressed dismay that the meeting of 14 tribes of Nagaland, which was held at APO Hall Kohima on June 12, 2020 to deliberate on the delimitation process in the State, was conducted in a manner that defied all democratic norms.

In a press release, LH chairman Er. Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary S Abenthung Ngullie said that the meeting was convened “shoddily” as the tribal bodies were not intimated properly. The hoho also said that the meeting did not follow the convention of proposing a seasonal chairman and secretary.

As the meeting began, LH said the “apparently pre-arranged chairperson” (Cont’d on p-7) K Y M C

state

2

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Agri deptt holds trg & co-ordination meeting ATMA Wokha block conducts

Director Agriculture, M. Ben Yanthan along with other officials during the release of the 1st edition 2020 success stories of Sub Mission on Agriculture Mechanisation (NP).

Correspondent KO H I M A , J U N. 1 2 (NPN): The department of Agriculture, government of Nagaland organised a one-day training and coordination meeting at the directorate of agriculture conference hall Kohima on Thursday.

Addressing the programme, director of Agriculture, M. Ben Yanthan said time has come to review, rethink, revitalise and interventions both in policy and execution perspectives. He challenged the gathering and pointed

out that post COVlD-19 pandemic, people are expecting the agriculture department to play a major role in the development of economy of the state including livelihood and employment issues.

Yanthan said despite their efforts, hard work and the resources available, there seems to be no tangible results to be quantified and documented on a large scale. He reminded that the contribution of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is gradually declining say-

ing that their interventions might have been too little or fragmented to see visible results. He opined that the reason might be because of unresponsive or progressive farmers constrained by geo-physical limitations with limited natural resources and also due to absence of proper and effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism led to poor projection of the results.

The director stated that with the new objectives and challenges, the department will adopt a convergence approach to

SEOC COVID issues reports

DIMAPUR: State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) COVID-19 Control room Kohima has issued the report on law & order across the state of Nagaland as on June 11, 2020.

According to DIPR report, joint secretary to the government of Nagaland, Hiazu Meru stated that there was one bound down.

The report stated that, shops for food grains, groceries, medicine and milk were opened in all the Districts of Nagaland and that there was no report of shortage of food grains, groceries, milk or medicine in the state.

The report stated that, there was no restriction on movement of essential service providers like electricity, telecom facilities, medical facilities etc and personnel/workers in manufacturing units and commercial vehicles for distribution of essential commodities and e-commerce.

It is also reported that, the state government have been organised suitable arrangements to providing food and shelter to migrant workers affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. The report stated that at present there are one active relief camps and one active food camps.

their present activities of clusters and schemes by creating compulsorily a ‘Model Farming Village or Area’, one in each district. “Need-based and result-oriented activities or schemes will be implemented in the other villages or farms in convergence mode which is expected to lead to higher production & productivity of food grains and area expansion, fulfilling twin objectives of food and nutritional security and making farming commercially attractive especially for the educated youths, bolster link between farming and other sectors of economy”, he stated.

Yanthan stated that Nagaland is an agrarian state where 70% of the population is engaged in agricultural activities and encouraged the farmers to change their mind set by way of showing the right technologies so as to make farming more remunerative. He called upon the gathering to sit together, discuss, plan out strategies and put right thing into implementation on the ground.

Director also encouraged the agriculture officials to rededicate them-

selves and be a part of the mission to reach the target vision “Food for all” by 2025 to ensure food security.

Yanthan informed that new Agriculture produce and Livestock Model Act (promotion and felicitation) had already been approved and notified by the government of Nagaland and the contract Farming Act (promotion and felicitation) is under process.

He advised the Agriculture experts to encourage and convince the farmers to adopt the right technology, so that sufficient agriculture production is made available for trade and marketing and also for the development of Agriculture in Nagaland and towards uplifting the livelihood of the farmers.

The director also released the first edition 2020 success stories of Sub Mission on Agriculture Mechanisation (SMAM).

Training on record keeping, accounting and audit related matters was also presented by Sr. AO, A.G. Nagaland, Haridasan T K. The training was attended by SARS, IETC, DAOs and SDAOs from various districts.

demonstration and field day

Participants of demonstration on vaccination of poultry at wokha village.

D I M A P U R : AT M A Wokha block conducted demonstration on vaccination of poultry and field day on backyard Vanaraja farming at Wokha village on June 11 with SRF, KVK Wokha, Dr. Zuchamo Tungoe as resource person.

A press release from ATMA Wokha stated that

FGN condolence

news in Brief

DIMAPUR: Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has expressed grief over the demise of ‘Lt. Col.’ Neikhrolo, son of Lhitsürü, Mesulumi village of 13th Bn. 5th B’de. S/C Naga Army who passed away on June 10.

In a condolence message, commander in chief, ‘gen.’ Tavecho Lala, FGN stated that late Neikhrolo joined national defence service on May 25, 1966 (Naga army No. 14655) and served as a chaplain of 13th Bn. Naga Army and faithfully served the nation till his last breath. Further, FGN said that his untimely demise was a great loss for the Naga army and his sacrifices for the nation will remain alive in the history of the nation.

FGN conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and relatives and prayed that God grant peace and solace as his soul rests in peace.

ADC Noklak informs: Additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Noklak, M. Chaitanya Prasad in a circular informed all concerned members of SDPDB Noklak that the meeting of SDPDB would be held on June 17, 11 a.m. at KTC hall, ADC office complex Noklak.

All concerned members have been asked to attend the meeting.

NPGN/NNC (NA) supports: National People’s Government of Nagaland (NPGN) NNC (NA) chairman UT-1 has extended support and cooperation to national tatar hoho June 3 decision. NPGN/NNC (NA) chairman, Mughaka Yeptho along with “national workers” of UT-1 has also extended support to acting president, Mhathung and general secretary, Kiyelho Wokhami.

Northeast

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha seat tacharjee said.

The veteran politician was the only candidate to file his papers for the election.

He had filed his nomination on Monday and it was found valid after scrutiny on June 10, Bhattacharjee said.

Mukut Mithi of the Congress is the incumbent Rajya Sabha MP from the northeast state. His tenure will end on June 23.

Rebia, who represented the state in the Rajya Sabha for two consecutive terms from 1996 to 2002 and again from 2002 to 2008 as a Congress member, had also served the state as an Assembly speaker and a cabinet minister.

The Election Commission had on June 2 issued notification for holding election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat in

Rly coaches converted as QC in 20 NFR stations: CPRO

3 left in fray for lone Rajya Sabha seat in Mizoram

Itanagar, Jun 12 (PTI): BJP nominee Nabam Rebia won the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday in the absence of any contestants, an official of the state election office said.

Rebia was declared winner after the time for withdrawal of nominations ended on Friday as there was no other candidate in the fray, Joint Chief Electoral Officer D J Bhat-

Guwahati, Jun 12 (PTI): Altogether 315 railway coaches converted as quarantine facility for COVID--19 patients by Northeast Frontier Railway are ready for placement at 20 stations in the zone, a NFR spokesman said on Friday.

The railway stations for placement of the converted coaches as and when such requests are received are Agartala, Alipurduar Junction, Ambasa, Badarpur, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Kamakhya, Katihar, Lumding, New Bongaigaon, New Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri, New Tinsukia, Rangapara North, Rangiya, Silchar, Mariani, Murkongselek, New Alipurduar and Siliguri, he said.

The coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the COVID Care centres as per guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), said NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Subhanan Chanda.

These coaches can be used in areas where the K Y M C

states have exhausted the facilities and need to augment capacities for isolation of both suspects and confirmed COVID cases, Chanda said.

These facilities are part of the integrated COVID plan developed

by MoHFW and NITI Aayog, he said, adding that out of 215 stations identified across the country, Indian Railways will provide healthcare facilities in 85 stations.

In other 130 stations, the CPRO said states are to request COVID care coaches only if they agree to provide staff and essential medicines.

As per the guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , state governments would send the requisition to railways, which will make the allocation of these coaches to the state/union territories.

So far 60 coaches have been requisitioned in Telangana for Secunderabad, Kachiguda and Adilabad locations, while 10 coaches have been requisitioned in Delhi, the railway official said.

Aizawl, Jun 12 (PTI): Three candidates are left in the fray for election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Mizoram after end of the last date for withdrawal of candidature on Friday, an assembly official said..

State assembly commissioner and secretary, H. Lalrinawma, told PTI that none of the contesting candidates from the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), opposition parties- Congress and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) have withdrawn their nomination.

Election to the only Rajya Sabha seat in Mizoram will be held simultaneously with other states on June 19.

Counting will be held from 5 pm the same day.

The ruling MNF has fielded former party youth wing president K. Vanlalvena against main opposition ZPM nominee B. Lalchhanzoa and Congress candidate Dr. Lallianchhunga.

K. Vanlalvena, who is now the party national core committee member, had unsuccessfully contested the assembly bypolls to Aizawl North-III seat in November, 2015 and lost to Congress candidate Lal Thanzara.

Arunachal Pradesh along with other states.

The 60-member Arunachal Pradesh assembly has 41 BJP MLAs, seven of the JD(U), four each of the Congress and National Peoples Party (NPP), one of Peoples Party of Arunachal one and three Independents.

The JD(U) and the NPP are supporting the Pema Khandu-led BJP government.

the resource person encouraged farmers to take up backyard poultry keeping so as to enhance their daily earnings.

He shared on different types of breeds for backyard poultry purpose, to take up low cost scientific BYP shed model by using local available

materials and also on how to improve the methods of backyard poultry production system, importance of vaccination and disease management.

Altogether, 15 farmers participated in the programme along with block BTT convenor and two ATMA officials.

NSCN (R) issues directives

DIMAPUR: NSCN/GPRN (Reformation) Ao region has informed that all matters pertaining to Ao region will now be dealt directly through the supervisor and secretary. In a press release, NSCN (R) MIP informed that “anybody dealing without the knowledge of the officials concerned will be doing so at their own risk which shall be treated as null and void”. Fir any enquiries one has been asked to reach out to supervisor (7085807466) and secretary (9366127821).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born : 21-12-1972 – Died : 06-06-2020 We, the bereaved family of Lt. SUPONGCHILA (LONGSA) express our heartfelt and deepest gratitude to all individual and well wishers who stood by us at the demise of our beloved mother.

We deeply regret our inability to mention each and every individual but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God may bless you abundantly.

Loving husband, children and relatives DP-2727

Forever in our hearts

5 Death Anniversary of th

Mrs. Arlyne C. Yanthan

DP-2735

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

In life, we loved you dearly, in death, we love you still.

For you hold a place in our hearts, no one else will ever fill..

The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind.

Your value stays constant seen or unseen and as you live in the silence between our thoughts, you will forever be our hardest goodbye.

YOURS BELOVED FAMILY DP-2733 Rev. C. Yanthan

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

LT. NEIHU KIEWHUO

Ex Pastor, Baptist Church Chiephobozou Town 02-09-1929 to 05-06-2020 We, the family members of LT. NEIHU KIEWHUO would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all the individuals, churches, friends and relatives who upheld us in their prayers and also through material, moral, financial and physical support during the brief illness and sad demise of our beloved father.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Baptist Church Chiephobozou Town 9. Christian Revival Church, 2. Koinonia Baptist Church, Kohima Chiephobozou 3. Koinonia Prayer Centre, Tsiesema 10. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio 4. Paraciezie Baptist Church, Kohima and Staff 5. Terogonyu Baptist Church and 11. NDPP Northern-2 Angami Prayer Centre 12. Model Colony, Chiephobozou 6. Northern Angami Prayer Centre, 13. Brotherhood Clan Nerhema 14. Doctors and Nurses of Bethel 7. Chathe Prayer Centre Hospital, Nagaland : Kohima 8. St. Dominic’s Church, Chiephobozou 15. Doctors and Nurses of GNRC, Guwahati We regret our inability to thank each and every one individually but pray that our Almighty God continue to bless you all abundantly.

Loving children, grandchildren, great grand-children and in-laws K-1081

Born : 18-05-1968 – Death : 13-06-2019

LATE IMCHAWAPANG

It's been a year since you left us but your memories are still very much alive in our hearts and will always be.

You have always kept the family tied with love, care and affection. We pray to Almighty that He gives you eternal peace in return.

"Blessed are those who mourned, for they will be comforted" Mathew 5:4 DP-2713

Loving Wife, Children and Relatives K Y M C

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Nagaland continues to step up preparedness as COVID-19 cases rise

DIMAPUR: In view of the rising COVID cases rising each day in the state, Nagaland has been taking preparedness level in various districts by holding meetings, visits, issuing new directives and many other activities so as to contain the spread of COVID-19. Various government agencies and NGOs have been working tirelessly in the fight against the deadly virus since the inception of the lockdown till the present day.

Kohima district

KIPHIRE DISTRICT

Tuensang district

Former MLA Kropol Vitsu, SAPO leaders and others with the frontline workers at Minister V. Khashiho Sangtam briefing the elders at PHC L. Khumo with Tuensang DTF for COVID-19 members during the meeting on June Khuzama TB Hospital (COVID isolation block), Friday. (NP) Sitimi on June 11. (DIPR) 11. (DIPR)

Inspection at COVID-19 isolation block & inter-state gate

A team of Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) along with former MLA, Kropol Vitsu Friday inspected the preparedness of the Tuberculosis (TB) Hospital which has been converted into COVID-19 isolation block.

The team also inspected the inter-state check gate at Khuzama Village under Kohima district.

The 20-bedded TB Hospital Khuzama has been converted into COVID-19 isolation block for patients with mild symptoms as Plan C in case of overflow of COVID-19 positive patients at the two COVID19 hospitals at Chedema AYUSH Hospital and Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).

During the visit, senior medical officer, Dr Mezhünuo Angami informed that the hospital had two, sufficient health workers, 300 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), 100 N95 masks and other facilities to take care of the patients with mild symptoms.

Dr Mezhünuo informed that the hospital has stopped admitting TB patients and that only the outpatient department (OPD) section of the hospital was operational.

She informed that medical staffs and health workers are screening returnees from Manipur and directing them to different quarantine centres in Kohima.

Dr Mezhünuo also

highlighted the issue of land encroachment, to which the former MLA assured to take up the problem of encroachment of hospital land and staff quarters with the government.

The team also visited Khuzama check gate and interacted with the officials, police personnel and medical staff deployed at the check gate.

During the visit, Vitsu extended financial support towards the COVID-19 activities of the villages under Southern AngamiII assembly constitution, SAPO, office of SDO(C) Jakhama, Medical staff and Police manning Khuzama Check Gate. (Correspondent)

Developmental works on standstill; investment on COVID-19: Khashiho

Minister for geology & mining, soil and water conservation, V. Khashiho Sangtam said the government has put all developmental works to a standstill, and hugely invested towards the pandemic COVID-19 pandemic.

According to DIPR report, the minister during his visit to Primary Health Centre (PHC) Sitimi on June 11 said efforts have been taken to provide safe transportation, safe quarantining of around 18,000 returnees which include students, workers, travelers, patients under treatment outside the state. Khashiho also cautioned that if any village refuses to allow entry of returnees then the government may derecognize the defaulting village. He then urged the public to cooperate with the government in facilitating the returnees.

The minister also donated automatic hands free sanitizers and cash to the medical officer PHC Sitimi.

Tuensang DTF meeting held with L. Khumo

Advisor of Fisheries, Evaluation, Economic and Statistics, L. Khumo held a meeting with the Tuensang District Task Force (DTF) for COVID-19 at DC bungalow on June 11.

According to DIPR report, the advisor while appreciating the effort of

DTF for COVID-19 holds meeting

DC & chairman DTF Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant with Tuensang DTF for COVID-19 during a meeting at DC’s conference hall Tuensang on June 12. (DIPR)

Tuensang District Task Force for COVID 19 in a meeting on Friday resolved to conduct two confirmatory test for negative and three confirmatory Medical officials and others during the dedication of TrueNat Covid-19 testing machine at Wokha.

TrueNat machine dedicated

Stranded migrant workers maintaining social distance to receive ration on Friday.

F&CS distributes ration to stranded migrants

Department of Food and Civil Supplies (F&CS) Longleng on Friday distributed ration to stranded migrant workers/labourers from other states of India residing in Longleng town. The distribution was carried out in the presence of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Longleng, M. Shayung Phom at local ground, Longleng Town, stated a DIPR report.

Q.: If IPL is played without spectators, will it rob the contest of its appeal?

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

A B C

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

71% 29% 0%

Next poll

Q: Is it safe for worshippers

to attend church services if they reopen on June 14,2020?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST June 13

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Cloudy with a thunderstorm

31 26

Aizawl

Mostly cloudy with a t-storm 30 20

Guwahati Some rain and a thunderstorm 32 25 Imphal

Some rain and a thunderstorm 30 21

Itanagar Clouds and a t-storm in spots 30 22 Shillong

Cloudy, a t-storm in spots

23 18

Kohima

Mostly cloudy with t-storms

25 19

Dimapur A thunderstorm in spots Mkg

30 24

Mostly cloudy with a t-storm 27 20

Tuensang A shower and t-storm around

31 16

An afternoon t-storm or two

26 21

Zunheboto Rather cloudy with a t-storm

25 18

Wokha

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DoH&FW to conduct survey on mental health

DIMAPUR: The Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Nagaland would be carrying out an online survey to assess the mental health status of people in Nagaland during COVID19 pandemic.

According to DIPR report, the survey takes about five minutes to complete. The prevalence of insomnia, anxiety, depression, somatisation (anxiety causing physical problem) and phobia (COVID-19 related) will be assessed.

This survey will help the department to strategize future intervention measures.

Any person in Nagaland over the age of 16 years is eligible to participate in the survey. Frontline workers are strongly encouraged to participate in the study.

To participate in the study, one may go to the website of department of health and family welfare at nagahealth.nagaland.gov.in or one can also directly click on the link given: https:// nagahealth.nagaland.gov. in/mcntal-hcalth-survey/.

The link will also be shared in various social media platforms. The survey closes on June 30.

the frontline workers for the tireless contribution to contain the fight. CMO Tuensang, Dr. Moa also reported on the completion of the installation of the TrueNat at Tuensang District Hospital which will be functional at the earliest.

WOKHA district

LONGLENG DISTRICT

nagalandpost.com Poll

Tuensang DTF fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic also donated a sum of Rs. 2 lakh to Tuensang DTF. The house discussed on the forthcoming challenges and strategies to deal with the global pandemic.

He also appreciated

A dedication programme for TrueNat Covid-19 testing machine was held Friday at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital Wokha. A press release by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Wokha office informed that the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Wokha and District Task Force (DTF) chairman, Orenthung Lotha, highlighted the features of the TrueNat machine and termed it as “user friendly”. He also highlighted the need to test all the returnees and medical staff on COVID19 duty in the district. Dr. Nzanthung Lotha (pathologist) informed that the machine was installed on June 7 and has become functional after registration from ICMR. He informed that so far 17 samples have been taken to be tested through TrueNat machine. Rev. Abemo Jungio, Pastor Wokha Town Baptist Church dedicated the machine.

NTCP Zbto conducts enforcement drive on tobacco products at Pughoboto town

NTCP team along with SDPO and OC during the enforcement drive.

Dimapur: National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) Zunheboto team conducted an “enforcement drive” on tobacco products under the leadership of SDPO Tizhisie Poja and OC, K Solo in an around Pughoboto town.

A press release from COVID-India media reporter, Bombo K Yeptho stated that NGOs and GBs

took the initiative to apprehend shops selling tobacco products along with NTCP officials.

The team conducted the drive following DC’s notification released on May 19, stating that no tobacco products should be sold in an around Zunheboto district as it could lead to community spread of COVID-19 in the dis-

trict as people consuming tobacco products would spit anywhere.

Meanwhile, around 10 shops selling tobacco products were penalised.

The seized products were then burnt by the police and team. The team said that it would further continue to conduct the enforcement drive all over the district.

UVC issues travel advisory Dimapur: Usütomi Village Council (UVC) has informed that the road from Doyang Bridge to Usütomi village will remain closed for two weeks starting June 12 due to ongoing road maintenance and construction of culvert. Therefore, travel-

lers have been advised to take the Shena Old Village road from Y junction Usütomi while travelling towards Zunheboto and Saptiqa-Shena Old Village road while travelling towards Kohima. UVC has regretted the inconvenience.

for positive returnees before sending them off from the quarantine facilities.

According to DIPR report, the meeting was held at the Conference Hall

of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tuensang office under the chairmanship of DC and chairman, DTF Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant.

MON DISTRICT

Total lockdown enforced at Mon town

In view of the impending arrival of the returnees from Dimapur and proposed testing of the returnees in the quarantine centres, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mon, Thavaseelan K has enforced a total lockdown at Mon Town from June 12-15.

According to DIPR following guidelines are to be followed during the lockdown period: Movement of public is strictly prohibited except on medical emergencies; all shops will remain closed except pharmacies; movement of private vehicles are strictly prohibited; office of DC, SP, Banks, Fire and Emergency Services, Health & family Welfare, Power, PHED, Treasuries & Accounts, PWD (R&B), Para Military Forces are exempted from the purview of this order; movement of essential commodities and goods vehicles is permitted.

Meanwhile, the DC has informed that the total lockdown is enforced with a view to facilitate to transportation of people to various quarantine centres in Mon district and collection of throat/nasal swab for COVID-19 testing. The DC informed that any person found violating this order will be penalised under relevant provision of the law.

MTLT demands uninterrupted power supply DIMAPUR: Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) in two separate letters to power department has demanded uninterrupted power supply in Mokokchung Town.

In the letters addressed to executive engineer department of power (transmission), Mokokchung division and executive engineer electrical transmission Mokokchung, MTLT highlighted the “immense hardships” faced by the citizens of Mokokchung town due to the “frequent load shedding” during the past few months.

MTLT appreciated the power department for replacing low-tension wires with high-tension electric lines. During the “developmental works”, MTLT said the people “tolerated the frequent power-cuts”.

However, MTLT claimed that the town was still facing irregular power-cuts despite replacement of electric lines.

Stating that supply of uninterrupted power was not only a duty for the power department but also a legitimate demand of the people, MTLT has asked the department to take immediate remedial actions.

Governor Ravi urged to ensure Bharat Gandhi’s safe return

DIMAPUR: Three individuals have requested Governor of Nagaland, R.N. Ravi to ensure Bharat Gandhi’s safe return to Delhi or Lucknow in the “security of central security forces”.

In a letter addressed to Governor, Bharat Jhunjhunwala (economist), Sandeep Pandey, (vice president of Socialist Party-India) and Trib-

huvanesh Yadav (Voters Party International) said Bharat Gandhi was arrested on March 13, 2020 from a “cadre meeting” of VPI in Dimapur.

The signatories said though Bharat Gandhi was granted bail on May 11 by Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, he was “unable to move out because of security reasons”.

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Assam gas well fire: OIL prepares ‘Roadmap’ Guwahati, Jun 12 (IANS): A ‘roadmap’ has been chalked out to douse Assam’s oil well fire, which continues to blaze for the fourth day on Friday and has till now claimed two lives, the stateowned Oil India Ltd (OIL) announced.

An OIL release said that a “Roadmap” for the well control operation by experts’ team from Singapore based M/s Alert, along with ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation), Crisis Management Team and V.P. Mahawar, Ex-Director (Onshore) of ONGC has been prepared to put out the inferno and plug the 17-day long leakage of gas and oil condensate in an OIL’s oil well in Tinsukia district.

It also added that a high discharge water pump was placed at the site while suitable place for stacking of materials and equipment was being mobilised from ONGC to be used for the control operation has been identified.

Engineers accompanied by experts from Singapore firm and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) further intensified their efforts to tame the blaze. At least two fire fighters of OIL were killed and four others including one from ONGC were

Left Democratic Manch activists hold placards during a protest over the blowout and fire in Baghjan oil field at Chandmari in Guwahati, Friday. (PTI) injured near the oil well blowout site on Wednesday. The inferno was so intense that it could be seen from as far as 10 km away.

People on social media said they could see it from their window and it gave them “Chernobyl-like” vibe.

Around 7,000 people were evacuated and sheltered in 12 relief camps while the inferno completely and partially burnt more than 35 houses. The OIL has lost over 467 MT of crude oil production from 59 producing wells due to blockades by the local people and various students’ organisations in two districts of Assam.

OIL was forced to

stop its operations in three drilling locations and nine work-over locations spread over the areas of Baghjan (Dighal tarrnag), Barekuri, Dhakual, North Balijan, Bozaloni, Borhapjan, Jorajan and Naharkatiya in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts.

The state-owned OIL has also given financial aid of Rs 30,000 to each of the affected families.

The Singapore-based emergency management firm has been trying to plug the leakage of gas and oil condensate for more than two weeks. The state government has also sought the Indian Air Force’s help.

An OIL spokesman

said that the fire has been controlled in a 1.5 km radius area but it is still raging as the “uncontrollable” natural gas is being fed by the well’s oil. Local people said that the inferno has left a trail of devastation in the adjoining areas, including a famous lake. Farmlands with standing crops, as well as ponds and wetlands in the adjoining villages have also been badly affected and the threat is growing with every passing day.

Experts, environmentalists and wildlife activists are worried as the DibruSaikhowa National Park, known for its feral horses, is less than 2 km away from the OIL’s well site.

M’laya doc held for molesting women Correspondent Shillong, Jun 12: Meghalaya police on Friday arrested a doctor allegedly for molesting two women at North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) hospital, police said.

The accused, Dr. Jhutan Chowdhury is a senior resident doctor with the hospital’s medicine department.

The two victims had on Thursday morning gone to the hospital for a checkup at the hospital where Dr. Chowdhury, allegedly molested them.

“We have arrested the doctor based on a police complaint lodged by their family members,” Claudia Lyngwa, the district police chief of East Khasi Hills, said. She said investigation is on.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

6 arrested for supplying drugs to quarantined persons in Mizoram AI Z AW L , J UN 1 2 (IANS): Mizoram police have booked six youths for supplying liquor and drugs to people lodged in COVID-19 quarantine centres, officials said on Friday.

According to a senior official of Mizoram Home Department, a 22-year-old youth, currently under home quarantine in Aizawl reportedly gave his ATM card to his friends who after withdrawing cash from an ATM bought locally made liquor and secretly gave them to the quarantined person.

Mizoram Police subsequently identified the three youths involved in the incident and their swab samples were tested negative. “Criminal cases under the IPC (Indian Penal

Code) and Mizoram (Containment and Prevention of Covid-19) Ordinance, 2020 have been registered against the four accused persons for their unlawful and negligent acts which can spread infection of the dreaded virus endangering the safety of others. The accused persons are currently under quarantine facilities.

Arrest could not be made yet. Mizoram Police is pursuing the matter and stern legal actions would be taken against them,” the official said.

He said that in another incident, a person tried to secretly supply drugs from outside to another person currently quarantined in Khatla East community quarantine centre. Mizoram Police identified a 33-year-old man, who on

interrogation confessed to his crime.

Swab samples collected from the accused had been tested using RTPCR and results came out negative. “However, he had since been put under quarantine facility and as such though arrest could not be made yet stern action would also be taken against him and his friend in the Khatla East Community Quarantine Centre,” the official added.

Mizoram earlier this week become the fifth northeastern state after Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Nagaland with total positive cases in three digits. Of the 104 COVID-19 cases, 103 are active cases and one patient recovered from the disease and was discharged from hospital.

Lone KHNAM legislator undecided on RS polls in M’laya

Correspondent

Shillong, Jun 12: -Meghalaya’s lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) legislator Adlebert Nongrum on Friday said he is yet to decide on whether to exercise his franchise or abstain from voting in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls

slated on June 19.

“I have nothing personal against Dr. W.R. Kharlukhi, the candidate of the NPP (National People’s Party) but against the party which voted in favour of CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) in the Lok Sabha whereas in Meghalaya the same so called NPP is demanding implementation

of Inner Line Permit (ILP),” Nongrum said.

“As of now, I do not know whether I will cast my vote or not on June 19.

I want Kharlukhi to make a public statement and make his stand clear whether he will stand in the interest of the indigenous people of Meghalaya,” the KHNAM legislator said. Nongrum,

who is supporting the ruling NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, said that he had raised Kharlukhi’s candidature vis-à-vis the NPP voting in favour of CAA in the Lok Sabha with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and even during the MDA meeting in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.

AASU protests against failure Meghalaya Cabinet approves 6 held for violating SOPs in Manipur to revive CCI plant at Bokajan hike on public transport Correspondent

AASU members staging a protest.

BOKAJAN, JUN 12: The Karbi Anglong district unit of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Tuesday staged a demonstration in front of the Cement Corporation of India (CCI) plant at Bokajan, expressing concern over the repeated failure of the Corporation to revive the long neglected and over exploited cement plant which is now on the brink of closure. The students’ body also demanded 100 percent local recruitment and to instil other development projects under CSR in the locality.

The CCI plant at Bokajan was commissioned in the year 1977 with a production capacity of 600 MT/day. Former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

laid its foundation in 1971.

Meanwhile, in 1998, the industry was declared sick and subjected under Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstructing (BIFR). The provisions of the BIFR Act 1985 covers only for 7 years.

However, following good revenues from the plant, the Centre decided to keep the plant running.

As many as eight sick units of the CCI were shut down in 2005, but the Bokajan unit had been consistently posting profit. The other two profit-making units of the CCI are at Rajbon in Himachal Pradesh and Tandur in Andhra Pradesh. In the past 40 years, the Bokajan plant has accumulated over Rs 90 crore in profit alone.

It is worth mentioning

that the Centre allotted Rs 140 crore for mega expansion of Bokajan Plant with an aim to double its production in the year 2007, but execution began four years later. A Bangalore base construction company - M/S Promec was engaged to execute the expansion project in the year 2011.

The plan included setting up of two grinding units; one each at Lakhimpur and Silchar, besides a pollution control device and a modified crane here in Bokajan. It was supposed to be completed by August, 2013. However, much to our surprise, less than 20 per cent of the revival project has been executed till date and the construction company retired over stalemate at insisting on 60 per cent payment for completion of civil and technical works.

In a statement, Bedanta Saikia, Organisation Secretary, AASU strongly condemned the alleged conspiracy of the Delhi lobby to derail the expansion project towards reviving the ailing plant. The student body also forwarded a memorandum to the Prime Minister through SDO(C), Bokajan pressing for the early execution of the expansion project in the general interest of public.

Correspondent

Shillong, Jun 12: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Friday approved increase of passenger fares in public transportation and vehicles with seven seats or more, however, there would be no hike in local taxis fares.

Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong told reporters that the taxi fare has been fixed at Rs 26 for 1 Km, and Rs 13 for another 1 km (Rs 26 + Rs 13).

Similarly, fares of auto rickshaws were also increased in January to Rs. 14 per person per Km and then the fare would be Rs 6 for every subsequent Km. He said the Cabinet also approved that in public transport, state carriages and mini buses, the fares would increase from Rs. 1.05 per person per Km to Rs. 1.80 per person per Km. “For vehicles with seven seats or more (SumoMahindra Max and others), the fare has been increased from Rs. 2.05 per person per Km to Rs. 3.60 per person per Km,” Tynsong informed, adding that the state cabinet has approved the fares with immediate effect. “The rate is still reasonable so question of enhancement does not arise,” he further asserted.

However, the fares of

Govt offices to become e-offices from 2022: Khandu Itanagar, Jun 12 ( P TI ) : A l l A r u n a c h a l Pradesh government offices will function as e-Offices from 2022, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said here on Friday.

Joining an online workshop on e-Office for North Eastern states here, Khandu said that the process for digitalization of governance in the state began in 2016 through a cabinet decision, which has been appreciated by the people as transparency and accountability of the departments has been made possible.

“Taking a cue from our Prime Ministers call for Digital India, we have already rolled out e-Office since August 2016. When India celebrates its 75th Independence Day in 2022, we hope to enrol all departments on digital platform,” he said during the work-

shop, which was chaired by DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh, a communique from the CMO said.

Khandu welcomed the initiative of the DoNER Ministry to push e-Office in the North East and asserted it is the only way out to curb corruption and red-tapism in governance.

He further said with global pandemic due to Covid-19, effort should be on to minimize the human to human interface as far as possible to contain the spread of virus. He stressed on universalization of use of e-Office across the state in all offices in a concerted manner.

K h a n d u , h oweve r, requested the Centre for consideration of high implementing cost per user and other inevitable costs required towards the implementation of e-Office.

He drew the attention of the ministry towards the difficult terrains and extreme weather conditions of the region that hampers network connectivity, especially in rural areas.

Highlighting the steps taken by the state government in rolling out e-Offices, the chief minister informed that as on date, 11 offices under the Civil Secretariat and five other government establishments have been on-boarded.

The offices includes Administrative Reforms, General Administration, Depar tment of IT and Communication, Transport, Rural Works Dept, Water Resources Dept, Health and Family Welfare, Home, Secretariat Administration, Personnel, Industry and Skill Development (all in the Civil Secretariat) and Itanagar Municipal Corporation,

Smart City Itanagar, Deputy Commissioner (Capital region), Staff Selection Board and State Council for Higher and Technical Education.

More than 1000 officers and officials of Civil Secretariat have been trained to use the E-Office.

“Remaining offices under Secretariat and 22 Directorates will be on-boarded in a time bound manner within one month while in the second phase remaining 45 departments will be onboarded in 3 months,” the chief minister added.

Meanwhile, Khandu expressed gratitude to the DoNER Minister and the Secretary for accepting his proposal to utilize all funds under the North East Special Infrastructure Development (NESID) and NEC schemes in ramping up the healthcare sector for the next two years.

Prestone Tynsong local taxis would remain unchanged as taxi fares were hiked in January this year.

“Few days back, members from the local taxi association came requesting for a taxi fare hike. When we looked at the January revised rate we found that the present fare of local taxis is quite okay and reasonable.

So the question of enhancing the fares again does not arise,” Tynsong added.

The Cabinet also approved a draft Motor Vehicles Accident Tribunal in consonance with a Supreme Court and Delhi High court order. Tynsong said that issues relating to accident claims from insurance companies would be settled through the tribunal instead of approaching the Courts.

The decision of the tribunal would be final under the ambit of the Motor Vehicle Act, he further informed.

IMPHAL, Jun 12: Six inmates of a community quarantine centre in Manipur’s Bishnupur district were sent to jail on Friday as authorities of Manipur government has initiated stern action against violation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by the inmates of the quarantine centres.

The six inmates sent to the jail were; Philem Suranjoy (25), Wahengbam Samson Singh (23), Thiyam Inderjit Singh (30), Konjengbam Nganba Singh (25), Sashi Khangembam (26) and Salam Jonny Singh (28).

The 6 inmates were Delhi retur nees among around 100 inmates of a community quarantine centre at SK Women’s College at Nambol of Bishnupur district. They were in the centre since May 30 and were about to complete their 14-days quarantine period.

A team of Nambol police picked them on Friday morning following a complaint lodged by SDO of Nambol sub-division of Bishnupur district in connection with a scuffle at the quarantine centre.

The scuffle was reported late last night around 9.30 pm. Reports said that two volunteers of the quarantine centre and one inmate were

Meghalaya needs to return to normalcy in a proper manner : CM Correspondent Shillong, Jun 12: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday said the State needs to return to normalcy in a proper manner while reviewing the prevailing health challenge being faced globally, including the state.

“We need to come back to normalcy in a proper manner. In the process, the challenge and the risks will go up, but we have to take all precautionary measures to minimize the risks,” Sangma said in his video conference with deputy commissioners across the State.

He also informed the officials on measures being taken to improve health infrastructure in the State, “We have planned a way forward with focus

on behavioural change by ensuring that a system is in place to monitor and take care of the elderly, people with different health conditions, and children,” he said.

“As Government, we are firm that our health infrastructure has to be strengthened. Our focus will remain towards building necessary infrastructure, including better facilities for the medical staff,” the Chief Minister further added.

“The COVID19 situation has shown us that technology can play a key role in improving governance. Change of mindset and investment in E- office is crucial,” Sangma tweeted after the virtual interaction with Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh.

injured in the melee.

Reports said that the scuffle happened when some inmates started physically attacking the volunteers following a heated argument of untimely demand for extra food after dinner time.

The SDO, in his complaint, alleged that the inmates under the influence of intoxicants physically assaulted one volunteer causing injuries on his neck and chest while the volunteers were discharging duty of serving food to the inmates.

The inmates further ransacked equipment at the control room of the quarantine centre, he added.

A police source said that the six inmates were picked up and sent to Shajiwa Central Jail in Imphal East district. Legal actions will be initiated against them under the relevant provisions of the National Disaster Act. In the backdrop of alleged rampant violation of SOP by inmates at various quarantine centres, state chief minister N Biren Singh had warned of stern action against mischievous and undisciplined inmates of quarantine centres a few days ago.

Informing that they would be jailed under relevant provisions of the National Disaster Act, Singh had added that a special cell

which can lodge 90 inmates has been reserved at Sajiwa central jail.

In yet another case of violation of SOP at a quarantine centre in the state, a 23-year-old youth was arrested Friday afternoon for allegedly trying to supply heroin (No. 4) to the inmate(s) of a community quarantine centre in Thoubal district, a report said.

Police on duty at a community quarantine centre at Kodompokpi of the district detected a small quantity of suspected Heroin powder packed in a black colour polythene bag while checking items the youth carried to hand over to an inmate of the centre.

Police checked the bag after the youth repeatedly insisted them to allow him enter and meet the inmate he identified as Laishram Kishan Singh (23).

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSION JUDGE WOKHA : NAGALAND

S/C No. 42/2020 NOTICE NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late Nzehungo Lotha has been applied by Smti. Monhamoni Lotha, W/o.

Lt. Nzehungo Lotha, R/o H/No..., Wokha, Nagaland for possession of; Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before 5/7/2020.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this day the 5/6/2020.

Sd/- District & Session Judge Wokha : Nagaland WC-150

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSION JUDGE WOKHA : NAGALAND

S/C No. 46/2020 NOTICE NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late Mhonchumo Lotha has been applied by Smti. Sentinaro, W/o Lt. Mhonchumo Lotha, R/o H/No..., Wokha, Nagaland for possession of; Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before 5/7/2020.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this day the 5/6/2020.

Sd/- District & Session Judge Wokha : Nagaland WC-149

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

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security forces open fire Delhi Covid situation horrific: SC slams AAP Nepal on Indians; 1 killed, 2 injured

New Delhi, Jun 12 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Friday slammed the Delhi government calling its patient care during Covid-19 pandemic horrendous, horrific and pathetic.

The top court also cited news reports showing deplorable condition of medical wards in Delhi, where dead bodies were not only in wards, but were also found in lobby and waiting areas.

The observation came from a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S.K. Kaul and M.R. Shah, which suo moto took cognizance of the ill-treatment being meted out to Covid patients in hospitals and also the undignified way in which bodies of Covid patients were being handled.

The bench minced no words in slamming the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government for its handling of dead bodies, terming it “very sorry state of affairs”.

The court noted that Covid patients were treated worse than animals with dead bodies being found in garbage.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said there was a case in Delhi where dead bodies were found alongside patients, who were under-

A notice board restricts bodies for cremation to that of COVID-19 victims at the Punjabi Bagh crematorium in New Delhi, Friday. (PTI) going treatment. Mehta contended that showing no respect to a dead body is also an offence under the Indian Penal Code. Justice Shah questioned Mehta, “So what have you done?”

The bench added that patients are crying in pain and there is nobody to attend to them. “One video from LNJP hospital showed how badly the dead bodies are being treated. There is absolutely no respect for the dead bodies too”, said the bench.

The bench noted that there is no adherence to Centre’s guidelines either, and that the hospitals are not giving due care to the dead bodies. The court criticized the Delhi government, noting that more than 2,000 beds are vacant, as nobody wants to go to these hospitals. The bench told advocate Chirag Shroff, representing Delhi government, patients are in a pathetic condition in the hospitals.

It regretted that in some cases, families of the de-

ceased aren’t even informed about the deaths and last rites also happen with no information to them.

The bench reproached the government for patients being placed alongside stacks of dead bodies in the hospitals. The bench noted that patients’ families aren’t even informed about deaths and in some cases, families haven’t been able to attend the last rites.

The bench noted that there is a problem with the way the pandemic was being

fought in the national capital. “The number of tests conducted is low in Delhi compared to Chennai and Mumbai...Why are tests so less in Delhi?” the bench said. “Nobody should be denied testing on technical reasons...simplify procedure so more and more can test for Covid,” said the bench.

The top court pointed out that it is the duty of the state to conduct testing so that more people know about their health status.

The top court also noted that the situation is grim even in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and sought report from four states.

The Supreme Court reiterated that hospitals across the country are not taking proper care of Covid-19 deceased. The bench -- taking into consideration the spike in cases in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu -- issued notices to their chief secretaries and asked them to bring on record relevant statistics on patient management system, number of patients, availability of beds and doctors.

The court also sought response from the Centre and listed the matter for further hearing next week.

Kathmandu, Jun 12 (PTI): An Indian national was killed and two others were injured on Friday when Nepal’s Armed Police Force personnel opened fire at a group of Indians, who, they claimed, forcibly tried to enter into the Nepalese territory after crossing the southern border during lockdown.

Nepal’s Additional Inspector General of Police of the Armed Police Force Narayan Babu Thapa told PTI that the incident occurred when a group of 25-30 Indians, who were trying to enter Nepal from the Indo-Nepal border in Sarlahi district, attacked the Nepalese security personnel at Narayanpur area of Parsa Rural Municipality.

“After they were stopped at the border area by the forward base of the Armed Police Force, who were deployed to enforce the lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, dozens of others joined them and pelted stones on the security personnel.

“They even snatched weapons from one of our security men. After firing 10 rounds of bullets in the air,

An injured villager is shifted to a hospital after indiscriminate firing by the Nepal police near Saitmarhi district of Bihar, Friday. (PTI) our personnel had to open fire in self-defence in which one person was killed and two others were injured,” Thapa said.

The Indian nationals, who came from Bihar’s Sitamarhi, were trying to enter Nepal despite the lockdown and even used force against the police personnel, the senior officer said.

The incident took

place some 75 metres inside the Nepalese territory from the no-man’s land, Thapa added.

Following the incident, the Nepalese security personnel held consultation with their counterparts from the Indian side and the situation has now returned to normalcy, the officer said, adding “we are further investigating the matter”.

97-yr-old Chennai man beats coronavirus Amit Shah urged to intervene into non-payment of NDMC docs

A 97-year-old man shows a victory sign after being recovered from coronavirus infection at Nayati Hospital in Agra, Friday. (PTI)

C h e nna i , J u n 1 2 (IANS): A 97-year-old Chennai man successfully fought against coronavirus and has returned home, said a private hospital here on Friday.

In a statement issued here, Kauvery Hospital said 97-year-sold Krishna Murti, one of the oldest Covid-19

survivors till date was admitted on May 30. He presented himself with symptoms of fever, cough and mild breathlessness.

The patient also had other health ailments such as hypertension and coronary heart disease, which complicated his health condition, the hospital said. His

daily diet included high protein vegetable meals. Shortly after admission, the patient’s fever reduced and his breathing also improved.

After a few days, he also started having his own meals and was able to move around on his own. At the isolation ward he was highly spirited and jubilant. He used to cheer the other patients and advise them to be positive.

The patient was discharged after his test reports came back negative for Covid-19, the hospital said.

“Taking his case as an example, we wish to tell people not to give in to fear and lose hope. The fatality rate of Covid-19 is very low and we urge people to be positive and safe during these challenging times,” Vijayalakshmi Balakrishnan, Senior Consultant – Infectious Diseases, said.

New Delhi, Jun 11 (PTI): The Delhi Medical Association has sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah into alleged non-payment of salaries of resident doctors at various health facilities under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, including the Kasturba Hospital and Hindu Rao Hospital.

Resident doctors of NDMC’s 450-bedded Kasturba Hospital had on Wednesday threatened mass resignation if the authorities did not release their three months salary.

Recently, resident doctors of Hindu Rao Hospital had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention in getting their salary released.

“Delhi Medical Association (DMA) is deeply concerned on the issue of

TN govt junks anglicised versions of Tamil names of cities; Coimbatore is now ‘Koyampuththoor’

The textile city of Coimbatore will henceforth be called Koyampuththoor Chennai, Jun 12 (PTI): Anglicised versions of Tamil names of 1,000 plus localities in the state, including cities and villages, are now set to precisely reflect the Tamil spelling and pronunciation of such names with the government coming up with new spellings in English.

The move has been welcomed

by Tamil lovers, but has also drawn flak from netizens, who questioned the need for it amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

So, the textile city of Coimbatore will henceforth be called Koyampuththoor, Vellore as Veeloor and Dindigul as Thindukkal, among others with the issuance of a Government Order.

As per the order, made available to the media now and dated April 1, the names reflecting the new English spelling were picked after a high-level expert committee considered the suggestions of District Collectors who had recommended a list of anglicised names

that needed a Tamil makeover.

An official said the change in English spelling for 1,018 places in Tamil Nadu was a painstaking task that stretched to about two long years.

“The anglicised versions do not reflect the original Tamil names. Englishmen could not pronounce Tamil names and they anglicised it to suit them.

What is the need to have such names even now ? The fresh spellings in English will match the way the names are written and pronounced in Tamil,” he said.

While several took to social media to say that the new spellings were confusing, others, especially Tamil writers, welcomed the move, saying it has brought back the real Tamil names.

Many questioned the need for the exercise when the state was “struggling” to prevent spread of coronavirus while over 1,500 fresh positive cases emerged day in and day out. The social media posts on

the new English spelling for Tamil names also saw hilarious moments when some users placed the photograph of an actress alongside that of a man in a woman’s attire to underscore that the old name was attractive and popular and the new one was out of place in the present day context.

People also pointed out that though the spelling and pronunciation of localities/cities differed in English, it had never been an issue for the people who usually stuck to the Tamil version.

Some suggested that the spellings be made easier for the ordinary people, while others said the new names were fit for a spelling bee contest. In Coimbatore, users started an online petition to retain the old name, while other suggested that a simple ‘Kovai’ would do.

Tamil Culture Minister K Pandiarajan said there were some errors in respect of English spelling of quite a few places and this will be addressed.

According to the GO, the present spelling ‘Villupuram’ will become ‘Vizhuppuram’ and Tiruvarur shall henceforth be Thiruvaroor.

Also, the southern port city of Tuticorin would reflect the Tamil name for the city ‘Thooththukkudi.’

Similarly, Pudukkottai, Dharmapuri and Ariyalur would soon be written as Puthukkottai, Tharumapuri and Ariyaloor.

In Chennai, 94 localities have been given a phonetic makeover to match Tamil pronunciations and spellings and the old city areas of Egmore and Saidapet shall now be written ‘Ezhumboor’ and ‘Saithapettai.’

non-payment of the salaries of resident doctors of Kasturba Hospital, Hindu Rao Hospital and other hospitals and dispensaries under North Delhi Municipal Corporation who have been working selflessly and tirelessly in this highly stressful times of COVID pandemic for the last three months,” the DMA letter to Shah said.

In our selfless service to the nation in fighting COVID-19 on front lines, our doctors, without caring for even their lives, are not only taking risks for themselves but also for their families and trying their every bit so that they serve the society, the letter said. “... request you to look into the matter and intervene on urgent basis so that our fellow colleagues get the salary of last months

along with the arrears at the earliest so that they can perform their duties relentlessly without any stress,” the letter said.

Sunil Kumar, president

of the RDA of Kasturba Hospital said, “Authorities have assured to release salary for only one month, in next one week.”

“We have demanded

that we want our salaries for all three months, and have already given an ultimatum of June 16, beyond which we will have to go for mass resignation,” he added.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAGALAND: KOHIMA-797004

NO. DTE/ ESTT-2/12/2018-19/

Dt. Kohima, the 12th June, 2020

PRESS RELEASE The Directorate of Technical Education, Nagaland has already uploaded in the website www.dtenagaland.org.in the list of the NSEE-2020 applications received through Online/ email by this office till 11th June 2020.

Candidates are informed to check their names in the said website and if any candidate names are not found, may re-submit the same on or before 15th June 2020 in the email address given below: tenagaland&gmail.com/ dtenagaland@gmail.com /dir.techedu-ngl@nic.in No form fees are required if already paid by the candidates.

NO. DTE/ ESTT-2/12/2018-19/ DC-515

(Er. Arjun Singh) Director Dt. Kohima, the th May, 2020.

Issued by DIPR

6

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXX NO. 187 DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Shying away from facts

D

espite one of the harshest lockdowns in the world which began on March 25, COVID-19 cases in India are inching towards the 3-lakh mark as on June 12,2020. The country has been recording close to 10,000 cases for the last 10 days, and it has added nearly 90,000 or nearly one-third cases of the total tally. However, despite clear indications of community transmission, the government of India is still reluctant to admit that community transmission is taking place. The reluctance has surprised many health experts since the total cases reported even on May 10 had already crossed 63,500, and the nature of spread in most cases was through droplet transmission and contact with contaminated surfaces. In contrast, when the total number of cases in the US was just 60 on February 26, it confirmed community spread following the detection in California of the first case with no travel history or contact with a known positive case. The country’s premier health authoritythe Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR)- has been flip-flopping over the issue. On March 28, the Health Ministry acknowledged that there was “limited community transmission” of the novel coronavirus in India. On April 9, the ICMR and Health Ministry researchers - some of them are national task force members for COVID-19 - in a journal paper, provided evidence suggesting the prevalence of community transmission in 36 districts across 15 States. However on June 11, the ICMR denied that community transmission has taken place in India. In another recent indication of community transmission, the preliminary result of government’s nationwide survey of asymptomatic people has found that Covid-19 might be prevailing in 15-30% of population in hotspot or highload districts. According to noted epidemiologist and former principal of Christian Medical College Vellore Dr.Jayaprakash Muliyil, who is also member of the ICMR-constituted sub-group on epidemiology and surveillance; trying to control or eradicating coronavirus now is out of question, so the approach should be to slow it down. He said presently, contact tracing won’t be of much help because tracing everyone at this stage will be difficult. Among 130 districts under several states the prominent metros such as -Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have been declared as Red Zones (districts with higher coronavirus case load or have a high growth rate of the virus). On June 11, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also declared that community spread has already taken place in Guwahati. Earlier, Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain had also admitted the likelihood of community transmission in the state where COVID cases have been showing spikes.

Epidemiologists and health experts were of the view that community transmission has been evident right from April. The central government’s repeated and continuing denial of community transmission of coronavirus is futile and counterproductive to slowing down the rise in cases, epidemiologists and health experts say. Dr Jacob John, a prominent virologist pointed out that even by the ICMR’s own data showing that less than one percent - 0.73% - of cases across 83 districts showed evidence of past exposure to confirmed cases, was evidence of community transmission. Medical experts say the truth of community transmission is not something that should even be up for debate at this point. The question that needs to be asked is why is the government of India not admitting that community transmission has taken place? This would only make the fight against coronavirus difficult as public will lose trust on the government.

DailyDevotion Getting There (2)

They said to Him, “Rabbi…where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” —John 1:38-39

Where our self-interest sleeps and the real interest is awakened. “They…remained with Him that day….” That is about all some of us ever do. We stay with Him a short time, only to wake up to our own realities of life. Our selfinterest rises up and our abiding with Him is past. Yet there is no circumstance of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus.

“You are Simon….You shall be called Cephas” (John 1:42).

God writes our new name only on those places in our lives where He has erased our pride, self-sufficiency, and selfinterest. Some of us have our new name written only in certain spots, like spiritual measles. And in those areas of our lives we look all right. When we are in our best spiritual mood, you would think we were the highest quality saints.

But don’t dare look at us when we are not in that mood. A true disciple is one who has his new name written all over him— self-interest, pride, and self-sufficiency have been completely erased.

Pride is the sin of making “self” our god. And some of us today do this, not like the Pharisee, but like the tax collector (see Luke 18:9-14). For you to say, “Oh, I’m no saint,” is acceptable by human standards of pride, but it is unconscious blasphemy against God. You defy God to make you a saint, as if to say, “I am too weak and hopeless and outside the reach of the atonement by the Cross of Christ.”

Why aren’t you a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not believe that God can make you into one. You say it would be all right if God saved you and took you straight to heaven. That is exactly what He will do!

And not only do we make our home with Him, but Jesus said of His Father and Himself, “…We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). Put no conditions on your life— let Jesus be everything to you, and He will take you home with Him not only for a day, but for eternity.

Quotes

Each day is the scholar of yesterday. ~ Publilius Syrus

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Post-mortem

CPO representation to Delimitation Commission of India I

n view of the recent disturbing and unsettling developments, unfolding in the sphere of “Constituency Re-adjustment”, by setting at motion the process of Delimitation in the State of Nagaland, has therefore, made it incumbent upon our Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) to raise serious reservations and ardent objections against the State action.

The process of delimitation in the State of Nagaland has a long chequered history and our objections today holds credibility and finds support from the historical factual developmental timeline that precedes the present day position and situation. A narration of the same would thus be inevitable, for a lucid and proper appreciation of the grievances as would be raised by us, by way of this representation, against the action of re-initiation of the delimitation exercise in the State of Nagaland on the basis of the faulty, archaic, non workable and also obsolete Census of the year 2001.

(I) That the CPO is a public spirited body espousing the interest and cause of the tribal people of Nagaland, especially the Chakhesang tribe of Nagaland. Chakhesang tribe is one of the major tribes out of the 16 recognized tribes in Nagaland. Chakhesang Public Organization is the apex body for the whole Chakhesang tribe and the legal representative of the tribe which all the while has been working towards the fostering of unity and peace, promotion of socio-economic development, preservation of rich cultural heritage and developing a cordial relationship with all communities as enshrined in its constitution. The CPO has consistently endeavoured towards building peaceful co-existence among the citizens and conflict resolution by building mutual trust, understanding and good will. In view of the complexities of the various cultural and traditional diversities with multi-linguistic groups, the organization plays a pivotal role in bringing people from various Naga tribes towards a common understanding among the likeminded tribes. Towards this the organization initiated the formation of ‘Naga Hoho’ which is the apex organisation of the Naga Tribes irrespective of the independent entity of each tribe. The organization is the first Naga Tribal body to initiate the proposal of ceasefire between the Naga national groups and the Government of India for a negotiated political settlement during the visit of the then Prime Minister Sri H.D. Deve Gowda in 1996 to Kohima. Hence, the Chakhesang Public Organisation is a mass based Civil Society representing the tribal people of Nagaland with unreserved mandate of the people of Nagaland.

(II) That the CPO had filed a petition by way of a Public Interest Litigation being numbered as PIL No. 67 of 2006 before the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court concerning

and ventilating certain question of great public importance and relevance concerning with the issues of protecting and organizing the unique and special identity of the hill people of the State of Nagaland. The said petition had been moved praying for a judicial review by the Hon’ble Court in the matters relating to the delimitation exercise in respect of the Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Nagaland on the basis of 2001 Census.

The said 2001 census population figures, published by the Registrar General of India in respect of Nagaland had considerable and absurd inaccuracies and therefore has the potentials of upsetting the balance between various tribes and tribal areas by including the floating population, illegal migrants etc. Thus, the delimitation exercise based on such figures would be highly controversial and would cause serious damage to the developmental activities, tribal parity and socio-economic condition of the weaker districts. Further imposing Census 2001 for delimitation by the Government of India will inevitably destroy the whole purpose of the delimitation which is basically intended to bring about equitable distribution of people’s representation and developmental activities in the State.

(III) That CPO had prayed in the concerned PIL that the delimitation exercise in the respect of the Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in Nagaland on the basis of the 2001 Census may be dispensed with by the Delimitation Commission and the existing constituencies carved out may remain unaltered on the account of the sensitivity and complication involved in the delimitation exercise owing to the peculiarity and the uniqueness of the inhabitants and the geographical entity of the State of Nagaland. Further, the multi lingual districts inhabited by one or more tribe having their own distinct languages and traditional tribal land with distinct boundaries would hamper the delicate law and order situation and if the delimitation process would have been allowed to carry out on the basis of the 2001 census.

Thus the process of the delimitation according to the 2001 Census was prayed to be seriously reviewed in the context of the above facts and prayed that it will be most sagacious on the part of the Government of India to reciprocate with the decision of the then popularly elected State Government and the Civil Societies who had rejected the 2001 census and thus keep the delimitation process in abeyance till further decision is arrived at to conduct responsive and correct census.

(IV) That the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court in the Public Interest Litigation Case No. 67 of 2006 ( Chakesang Public Organisation & Others –Vs- Union of India & Others) expressing anxious concern over the contentions

Table- I Comparative Statement of Election District-wise population of 1991 & 2001 District 1991 cen- 2001 Census Actual growth Population growth sus (as recorded) rate % Mon 149699 259604 109905 73.42 Tuensang 117022 187080 70058 58.87 Mokokchung 158376 227230 68854 43.48 Zunheboto 78468 130296 51828 66.05 Wokha 82612 161098 78486 95.00 Dimapur 177952 308382 130430 73.30 Kohima 153124 222027 68903 44.99 Phek 102156 148246 46090 45.11 Peren 56505 92339 35834 63.42 Pughoboto 17750 24613 6863 38.66 Longleng 67703 121585 53882 79.58 Kiphere 48181 106136 57955 120.29 NAGALAND 1209548 1988636 779088 64.41 Source: Census of India 2001

of CPO and also being prima facie satisfied that Census of 2001 is fraught with anomalies and aberration and that the same also registers abnormal growth of population, the High Court was pleased to stay/restrain the process of delimitation in the State of Nagaland by passing of such interlocutory order.

(V) That pursuant to such High Court restrain order and the grounds urged before the Hon’ble Full Bench of Gauhati High Court in due course of the proceedings, as against the advancement of the process of the delimitation, on the basis of Census 2001, the Parliamentary SubCommittee finally and after persistent effort took up the matter with a serious view and in due course finally the Delimitation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008 (No.1 of 2008) came to be passed, followed by the process of Delimitation being stalled and the State of Nagaland had been exempted from the delimitation exercise with immediate effect and until further orders.

A reading of the said order Dated- 08.02.2008 would go to unfailingly show that the relevant factors taken into consideration for such stalling of Delimitation, was an acceptance by the Union of our contentions about the faulty Census of 2001.

(VI) The intricacies within the fabric of the tribal identities co-existing in the state is unique to this State of Nagaland and a Delimitation based on the 2001 faulty Census would cause a mayhem into this delicate framework of the Naga Tribal Societies. We thus state at the cost of reiterating that in fact recognising the same pursuant to the interlocutory order passed by the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court restraining Delimitation, the Delimitation Amendment Ordinance, 2008 had been passed. Further thereafter having regard to the factors heavily weighing against Delimitation on the basis of 2001 Census, the Presidential Notification Dated- 08.02.2020 of suspending Delimitation was passed.

(VII) The argument against the 2001 Census as was aired at that relevant time were that :- while analyzing the 2001 census published by the Registrar General of India, alarming record of population in several districts have been detected which is apparently done with the intention to get more Assembly seats at the expense of other districts.

It may be harsh to admit that the much exaggerated and abnormal entries of population in some election districts is nothing but to meet the greed of those whose intention is purely to snatch more Assembly seats and gain political mileage, the consequence of which, if not rectified will create disparity and injustice to the tribal identity. Our reservation and grievance are based on the empirical facts, which is presented in the table-I & II below:Table II Percentage of child population in the age group of 0-6 years and percentage of decadal population growth ( district-wise) 1991-2001.

S l . District No.

Percentage of child population in the age group of 0-6 years 2001 Nagaland 14.09 1 Mon 14.43 2 Tuensang 13.75 3 Mokokchung 10.06 4 Zunheboto 15.88 5 Wokha 13.16 6 Dimapur 14.85 7 Kohima 14.29 8 Phek 17.74 Source: Census of India 2001

Percentage of decadal population growth from 1991-2001 64.41 73.42 78.10 43.48 61.00 95.01 73.30 49.96 45.12 (To be concluded)

Theja Therieh, convenor, Committee on Delimitation, CPO and Mikha Kenye, president CPO

Protective Thinking: The unwelcome delimitation, part-I

T

he Union Government decision to set up Delimitation Commission 2020 to redraw the assembly and parliamentary constituencies of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has received a mixed reaction from these states and one union territory.

Several stake holders ranging from political parties in oppositions to NGOs have openly stated their reason to oppose the delimitation exercise in their respective states primarily citing the issue of its timing and absence of accurate census. This article shall discuss why the delimitation exercise is not welcome by those who oppose it while at the same time it is welcomed by some stake holders, and why Central government wants to go ahead with delimitation in haste.

Opposition in Assam Staunchly opposing delimitation exercise, Assam former Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi and other senior Congress leaders have mentioned that, while the next census will be carried out in 2021 what is the use of carrying the exercise now based on 2011 census.

This is nothing but an attempt to divert from real issues.

Cited in the Economic Times (1st March 2020), the leader of the opposition party in the Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia argued that there is no change in the state. The National Register of Citizens exercise is yet to be completed and there will be further complication due to delimitation.

Opposition in Manipur Three time Chief Minister and present Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh said, the Congress will never support the delimitation plan. It is also a bit confusing that the BJP- led coalition Government in Manipur has not spoken a word. He further explained that the government should not turn a blind eye to the inevitable fall out. He further added that his party will never support Central government to carry out delimitation move at a time when people are struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Okram Joy, another veteran politician, also questioned Central government urgency to launch delimitation now when the government had frozen the 2011 Census and that there would not be delimitation until 2026 (Cited in The Hindu, 28th May 2020).

He also stressed that due to 200 increase in the

population of the hill district of Senapati and just 2 increase in Imphal valley, around four assembly constituency seats may be given to the hill districts and fears that valley districts will see a decrease in its assembly seats.

Opposition in the UT of J&K With respect of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the situation seems chaotic as the reasons for oppositions to delimitation exercise vary from party to party. The National Conference (NC), whose three MPs including Farooq Abdullah were nominated as members of the Delimitation Commission by Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, on 28.05.2020, rejected the whole process on 29.05.2020. The NC stated that they will not participate in Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation Commission.

The NC spokesperson said participating in the Delimitation Commission will be tantamount to accepting the events of August 5, 2019, which the NC is unwilling to do. Whereas the Reconciliations, Returns & Rehabilitation of Migrants, a Delhi based-NGO of the Kashmiri Pandits, has urged the centre to stop the delimitation process in Jammu and Kashmir since 2011 census is used for the

purpose which would keep the pandits out from the process. More than two lakhs Kashmiri pandits are not enrolled in the electoral roll of Kashmir.

The NGO maintained that the delimitation should start after completing the domicile process of the Kashmiri Pandits to give appropriate figure of their population, especially for those who are enrolled in their respective parliamentary constituencies as specified in their domicile certificates.

Opposition in Nagaland Unlike their counterparts, Nagaland reason for opposition the delimitation is quite unique in their own unique way (as the people in Nagaland generally considered themselves to be unique). Several factors, which most Nagaland political parties as well as some tribal organizations took as their justification for their opposition to the delimitation exercise, are worrisome as they reveal the old mentality of a tribalist. In other words, state actors appear more worried to see decrease in their district assembly constituencies that will no doubt reduce their share of fish and loaves post-delimitation. NDPP, through its press statement dated 08.03.2020, pointed out the Naga political talk

which, allegedly, is at its advanced stage of inking a final settlement, along with other reasons like tribal equity, dynamics of district representation, consultations with the apex tribal bodies, and mass based organizations, etc. as the reason for their opposition. Yet, these are not really the case here. Rather, what is really required in Nagaland at this point in time is political honesty from all political parties to prevent manipulation of electoral rolls and ensure the Census is accurate so that the Delimitation Commission can table a fair report upon which the government can act on the recommendations.

Certainly, the assertion of carrying out delimitation, even when notification is issued for 2021 census, to some reasonable degree sounds reasonable because delimitation based on past census of 2001 may not give the best approximation of the ground reality. On the other hand, however, the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) and the Nagaland Unit of the Janata Dal United (JD-U) have welcomed the delimitation. Nevertheless, the true color of any political party will be revealed once the delimitation exercise starts.

Pakinrichapbo, Advocate, Samziuram village, Peren district

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Problems of educational system during pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has put the education system in the state in shambles. The closure of physical classrooms has compelled the educational institutes to switch over to virtual classrooms. However, the disadvantaged sections of the society who doesn’t have or little access to the technology are deprived of the right to education. In the process, the purpose of the right to education has been defeated. Inclusive growth and progress of all should be the paradigm. In view of this, the policy makers of the state need to review the current decision and bring about a practical solution until such time normal class is resumed.

Temjen Imchen, Mokokchung

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.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Defence minister reviews Indo-China border situation

New Delhi, Jun 12 (IANS): Amid reported deescalation of troops from stand-off positions, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday held a review meeting with Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs to gauge the ground situation on the Line of Actual Control and what needs to be done, sources said.

This is the second review meeting the Defence Minister held within a week’s span. The first one was on June 8, two days after a Lt General-level meeting between the Indian Army and Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The second one took place on Friday, two days after a Major General-level meeting between India and Chinese military.

“Latest assessments on Line of Actual Control ground situation done after military talks,” said a source in the ministry. General Rawat briefed the Minister about the troop deployments at the stand-off sites in eastern Ladakh.

Rajnath Singh also took a review of ground situation across the entire LAC, including Arunachal Pradesh. He also discussed about ongoing infrastructure work at the LAC. On Thursday, India’s

Rajnath Singh (File)

Ministry of External Affairs said that India and China have agreed for early resolution of ongoing face-off at the LAC. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: “It was agreed that an early resolution of the situation would be in keeping with the guidance of the leaders.”

“The two sides are, therefore, maintaining their military and diplomatic engagements to peacefully resolve the situation at the earliest as also to ensure peace and tranquillity in the border areas. This is essential for the further development of Indian-China bilateral relations.”

Both sides have had discussions at military and diplomatic levels on the face-off. At the level of militaries, the Corps Commanders of India and China met at Chushul-Moldo region on June 6 and again on June 10,

talks happened at the Major General level.

According to a source, the “meeting ended on a positive trajectory and more similar meetings between both the country forces’ delegates will take place”.

“Major General-level talks took place at ChushulMoldo on Wednesday about ongoing de-escalation and Pangong stand-off situation was discussed,” said a senior government officer, adding that the during the meeting, discussion took place for further de-escalation in Ladakh.

“More talks at different levels in days to come for complete de-induction and withdrawal of additional troop deployment close to Line of Actual Control,” the official said.

On Wednesday in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that both sides are taking steps to ease the situation along the borders.

“Recently the diplomatic and military channels of China and India held effective communication on the situation along the border and reached positive consensus. The two sides are following this consensus to take actions to ease the situation along the borders,” the spokesperson said.

7

national/state Didi urges people not to overcrowd Ko l kat a , J u n 1 2 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday urged people to avoid crowded places and maintain social-distancing guidelines as India witnessed a record spike in the total number of coronavirus cases in the past 24-hours touching almost 11,000.

“I would urge you all to avoid overcrowding in buses. I request the private sector to operate from home as much as possible and allow relaxation in reporting time. We’ve ensured no one is marked late in government offices,” the Chief Minister tweeted requesting people to visit public places only when urgent.

She asked people to always wear masks and stay safe during these pandemic times.

“It speaks volumes about the culture and indomitable spirit of the people of Bengal, how we’ve been dealing with the aftermath of the twin crises of a natural disaster and a global pandemic. Bengal will definitely emerge stronger and united out of this,” she said.

On behalf of her government, she also thanked all the relief workers, police, medical fraternity and civil society organisations who have been at the forefront tackling the crises.

DNA of tolerance has disappeared in India, US: Rahul New Delhi, Jun 12 (IANS): Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi during his conversation with Professor of Diplomacy at Harvard’s Kennedy School, Nicholas Burns, said that the India-US partnership works because both are tolerant nations, but sadly the DNA of tolerance has disappeared in both the countries.

Speaking to the former Ambassador of NATO, Rahul Gandhi said: “I think why our partnership works is because we are tolerant nations. You mentioned an immigrant nation, and we are a very very tolerant nation.”

“We are supposed to be open but surprisingly that open DNA is disappearing. I say this with sadness that I don’t see the level of tolerance that I used to see.

I don’t see it in the US and I don’t see it in India,” the Congress leader said.

Gandhi was responding to Burns, when he described the killing of George Floyd as “horrible” and said that people in the US were protesting over his killing.

Floyd died after a police officer pressed his knee against his neck in Minneapolis on May 25 and despite Floyd’s plea to let him go he was kept in that position until he lost consciousness and later was declared dead in a hospital.

His last words “I can’t breathe” have been a rallying cry for the protesters

Rahul Gandhi and Nicholas Burns

who have launched demonstrations in various parts of the US. The issue has also led to serious debate in the American society about racial discrimination.

Burns said: “We are protesting and that is our right. And millions of Americans are protesting for our rights the way you have in India. And India and US shares many traits as we both have liberated ourselves from British in different years.”

Burns further said that he on many occasions admired the Indian society.

“Country sometimes have to go through the political debate like who are we? At the core what kind of nation are we? We are an immigrant nation, we are tolerant nation,” the Harvard Professor said.

Burns also admitted that US is in “deep political and existential” crisis that has “gripped us all”.

“In the US we have a problem of race of mistreatment of African American,

since the first ship of slaves arrived in 1619,” Burns said, adding that the US adopted the idea of protesting in nonviolent way as was taught by Mahatma Gandhi.

Burns also referred to the American Civil War that fought slavery. “Our greatest, I think American of the last 100 years is Martin Luther King Junior.

He fought battles peaceful, nonviolent battles. His of course, you know his ideal was Mahatma Gandhi. He modelled his movement after Gandhi’s movement to liberate India from British rule,” he said.

“Peaceful non-violence.

King Junior led us to become a better country. We elected an African-American President Barack Obama, a man I deeply respect. And yet you see racial debate come back now. You see African Americans mistreated this horrible murder of George Floyd, this young AfricanAmerican man by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We have millions of Ameri-

cans trying to protest peacefully, as is our right as is your right in India and yet the President treats them all like terrorists,” Burns said.

Burns further told Rahul Gandhi that he has identified the central issue at least for the US. “And the silver lining here is, the good news is that we have people demonstrating all across the country, in every major city in the US this week peacefully, on behalf of tolerance, inclusion, minority rights, all these essential issues at the core of our democracy.”

“And I think one of the advantages that we democracies have, say over an authoritarian country like China, is that we can correct ourselves. As a selfcorrective part of our national DNA, and India and the US,” he opined.

He also stressed that like all democracies, we resolve this at the ballot box in free and fair elections. “We do not turn to violence. We do this peacefully. That’s the Indian tradition that we love about India from your founding. Yeah, the 1930s, the protest movement, the Salt March all the way to 1947 and 48. So I take... that I can’t comment on your country because I don’t know it nearly as well, obviously, but my country I think we’ll be back. We will be back, we will strengthen our democracy,” the Harvard Professor said.

Dimapur CSOs highlight burden No action against pvt firms for Rajasthan Cong MLAs stay overnight carried by COVID Team Dimapur non-payment of full wages: SC at resort to thwart ‘poaching bid’ itive asymptomatic to their respective districts “may not be practicable” for the government. Therefore, they have suggested another COVID-19 hospital for Dimapur, and preferably CIHSR in order to accommodate more cases.

With regard to the mistake made in sending one COVID-19 positive returnee to Peren, the signatories have said this was clarified and due apologies expressed to the affected.

They have appealed to NGOs of Peren district to be considerate to Team Dimapur since it is shouldering a huge task and working tirelessly round the clock to facilitate all returnees to their homes, adding that the issue also be put to rest once and for all. They also appealed to the state government to not take any disciplinary action against any frontline workers as the incident was an unintentional mistake done with no mala fide intention.

T h e m e e t i n g wa s attended by Y. Kikheto Sema, APC & dist i/c for COVID activities; W Honje Konyak, secretary F&CS; Anoop Khinchi, DC Dimapur; R.Tetseo Commissioner of Police Dimapur; CMO Dimapur; Dr. K. Zhimomi president Western Sumi Hoho, Naga Council Dimapur; chairman CFD Rev. Moses Murry, vice chairman CFD, DDGBA, DDVCCA, GBUD, DUCCF, president NWHD, DENSU, DNSU and others.

New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and states not to take any coercive action till July end against private companies, which have failed to pay full wages to their employees during the coronavirus-induced lockdown period.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M R Shah said industries and employees need each other and they should sit together to arrive at a settlement on the issue of payment of wages.

The bench, which passed an order in the matter, asked the state governments to facilitate such settlement process and file its report with the labour commissioners concerned.

It also asked the Centre to file an additional affidavit within four weeks with regard to the legality of Ministry of Home Affairs’ March 29 circular which had mandated payment of full wages during the lockdown period.

The bench posted the petitions filed by various companies against the March 29 circular, for further hearing in last week of July.

The apex court asked the Centre and state governments to circulate its order through labour departments to facilitate the settlement process.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in its March 29 circular, had asked all employers to make payment

of wages to their workers without any deduction for the period their establishments were under closure during the lockdown to contain COVID-19.

The Secretary (Labour & Employment) had also written to chief secretaries of states to advise employers not to terminate employees from their jobs or reduce their wages amid the challenging situation of the pandemic.

Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, had earlier told the court that as the people were migrating after the lockdown, the government came out with the notification to ensure that the workers are paid to help them in staying put at workplaces.

The top law officer had referred to the provisions of the National Disaster Management Act to argue the validity of the March 29 circular. The Centre had also filed an affidavit justifying its March 29 direction saying that the employers claiming incapacity in paying salaries must be directed to furnish their audited balance sheets and accounts in the court.

The government had said that the March 29 directive was a “temporary measure to mitigate the financial hardship” of employees and workers, especially contractual and casual, during the lockdown period and the directions have been revoked by the authority with effect from May 18.

AICC GS Avinash Pandey, party’s RS candidate KC Venugopal, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and Randeep Surjewala show victory sign in Jaipur. (PTI)

Jaipur, Jun 12 (PTI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and nearly 100 Congress and independent MLAs stayed overnight at a resort on the DelhiJaipur highway, amid allegations that the BJP was trying to poach ruling party legislators ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.

The MLAs held discussions on Thursday for the June 19 Rajya Sabha polls.

Party sources said the MLAs have been asked to stay at the resort amid poaching threat.

Chief Minister Gehlot, who on Wednesday alleged poaching attempts on the Congress legislators, is looking after the arrangements at the resort.

what has delimitation exercise to do with the Naga issue as long as Nagaland was a State within the Union of India? It stated that if Nagaland Tribes were so genuinely serious in Naga issue, then the political approach should be a choice between elections or settlement, but not delimitation. LH said that one should not demean the sacrosanct Naga movement with a domestic affair like delimitation.

In the light of the above, LH said that the hoho along with some tribes “do not subscribe to the decision taken today.”

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a question of whether a tribe chose delimitation or solution first implying as if the government of India was asking tribal hohos to choose one from the other.

According to LH, the issue of delimitation was “only a kitchen arrangement” to bring about proportionate representation of people to the State Assembly for equal opportunity of development. It said that delimitation was due from 2002, but was differed until further order for Nagaland along with Manipur, Assam and Arunachal.

The hoho questioned

has fielded two candidates, while BJP’s two candidates have filed nominations.

In the assembly of 200, the Congress has 107 MLAs, including six those who defected to the party from the BSP last year. The party enjoys the support of 12 of the 13 Independent MLAs in the state. The BJP has 72 MLAs and enjoys the support of three Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MLAs. The Congress has more than enough majority for the victory of both of its candidates.

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LH dismayed over meeting...

(From p-1) came out with a prepared draft representation to the governor, which was not read out, but “simply” asked the presidents/chairmen of tribal hohos to say whether they opt for solution first or delimitation first. “This, for the Lothas, is an insult to all right thinking citizens of a democratic society,” LH said, adding that in democracy any decision before arriving at must be deliberated threadbare before finalising any decision.

The hoho said that in defiance of democratic value the meeting was called only to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to

“Eight-ten MLAs returned last night for personal and health reasons and they will come back today.

Rest of the MLAs, around 100, stayed in the resort last night,” Rajasthan government chief whip Mahesh Joshi said on Friday.

A meeting of Congress Rajya Sabha candidates KC Venugopal and Neeraj Dangi with the MLAs will be held on Friday at the resort in the presence of other senior party leaders. For three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan, the Congress

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quarantine followed by 14 days home quarantine.

The signatories also said those who have not been tested but completed 14 days in quarantine without any symptoms should be allowed to go for home quarantine on condition that they will tested for COVID-19 at a later stage.

They also said BSL-2 laboratory set up at CISHR be made operational at the earliest and the BSL-3 laboratory in Kohima should accord priority for testing samples from Dimapur since 50% of the returnees are from Dimapur.

Also, returnees at paid quarantines, who remain beyond the 14 days, should be compensated by the government.

The signatories agreed to continue to bear the burden of other districts needing support, provided the government took early and right decisions.

They said the government was taxing Team Dimapur and the frontlines workers with supplementary protocols beyond ICMR guidelines.

They said such supplementary protocols be done away with and frontline workers empowered to release/despatch returnees who are tested negative for COVID-19 or who have completed the mandatory 14-day quarantine without any symptoms.

Since maximum number of returnees are from Peren and Mon districts, the signatories felt that shifting the COVID-19 pos-

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(From p-1) The signatories said the government ought to be clear whether SOP was to be followed strictly in letter and in spirit and whether those two districts were ready to receive their patients.

The signatories further expressed appreciation to the efforts of frontline workers, organisations, Empowered Group Dimapur, civil administration, police, medical team etc.

They said the extra effort made by the medical team in screening almost all returnees reflected their efficiency as it had contributed to the rising number of recovery cases.

In the light of the above, the meeting resolved the following: As on June 12, around 3300 returnees are lodged at various quarantine centres awaiting confirmation of COVID19 tests which excludes returnees from ten other districts currently at the transit quarantine centre in Dimapur. The signatories demanded that the government should provide at least 50% of TrueNat testing machines to Dimapur with sufficient medical personnel to facilitate and expedite testing for timely release of returnees so that fresh batch of returnees could be accommodated.

In case the government was unable to accede to the demands, then it should follow the guidelines of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for 14 days institutional

8

SC asks RBI to clarify on loan interest during moratorium New Delhi, Jun 12 (Agencies): The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to hold a detailed joint meeting in the next three days to clear the air on whether the deferment of loan interest in place to help borrowers through their financial crisis during the national lockdown will lead to accrual of further interest once the freeze is lifted after August 31.

A Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S.K. Kaul and M.R. Shah said the court is trying to strike a balance between the interests of the banks and the borrowers.

“We are trying to balance. Whether there can be a system worked out... Our concern in these proceedings is only whether the interest that has been deferred will be added to charges payable later and whether there will be interest on the interest,” Justice Kaul addressed lawyers representing the parties.

The court said, unlike what the RBI apprehends in its response, it is not considering a complete waiver

of interest but is only concerned that postponement of interest shouldn’t accrue further interest on it.

The court listed the case for June 17 to hear the outcome of the meeting between the RBI and the Finance Ministry.

Earlier, the RBI had filed an affidavit in court saying it does not consider it prudent or appropriate to go for a forced waiver of interest, risking the financial viability of the banks it is mandated to regulate and putting the interests of the depositors in jeopardy.

“If the RBI reply goes much beyond the query posed by us, there will be a lot of opinions on it. Efforts will be made to sway it one way or another,” the Bench remarked. The court is hearing a petition filed by Gajendra Sharma challenging the charging of interest rate on loans even during the three-month moratorium period declared amid the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown. The RBI had recently extended the moratorium till August 31.

The central banker, in its affidavit, had said its regulatory package intro-

duced amid the pandemic lockdown was “in its essence in the nature of a moratorium deferment and cannot be construed to be a waiver”.

“Banks are commercial entities that intermediate between depositors and borrowers. They are expected to run on viable commercial considerations,” the affidavit had said. It had reasoned that banks were custodians of the depositors’ money.

Central to the challenge in the petition was the RBI notification of March 27.

“The interest charged during moratorium period would be added up into the EMIs at the end of threemonth forbearance. It will have to be paid in one go or be equally divided in all future EMIs. The monthly bill for customers will increase… In the present scenario, when all the means of livelihood has been curtailed by the Government of India by imposition of lockdown and the petitioner has no way to earn a livelihood, the imposition of interest will defeat the very purpose of permitting moratorium on loans,” the petition has contended.

business/state

Panic after driver of Manipurbound truck found unconscious Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 12 (NPN): Driver of a Manipur-bound truck was found unconscious near Dairy Farm, Phesama here on Friday morning leading to panic in the colony.

According to colony residents, the truck broke down and then the driver also fell unconscious, following the authority concerned was informed around 7 am.

H o w e ve r, a n a m bulance with driver and handyman arrived around 11 am without wearing any protective gear because of which they could not take the patient away. Thereafter another team of medical

staff and police personnel in PPE suit came arrived around 12 noon and took away the patient to Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK). When enquired during a press conference later, mission director of National Health Mission Dr Kevichusa Medikhru revealed that as per hospital authority the driver reportedly had suffered a mild haemorrhage and showed signs of internal bleeding because of which he fell unconscious.

Br ushing aside r umours that the driver was a COVID patient, Medikhru said nonetheless his sample had been collected and was now undergoing treatment at NHAK.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur saturDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Fuel prices hiked again DIMAPUR, JUN 12 (PTI): State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) Friday hiked petrol price by 57 paise per litre and diesel by 59 paise per litre. Fuel prices have now risen for the sixth day in a row with petrol prices increasing by Rs 3.31 per litre and diesel by Rs 3.42 per litre.

After Friday’s rate revision, petrol price in Dimapur rose to Rs.79.99 per litre while diesel price increase to Rs.71.24 per litre.

In the state capital Kohima, petrol price stood at Rs.80.85 per litre and diesel was retailing at Rs.71.91 per litre on Friday. Rates have been increased across the country and vary in each state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or value added tax.

DoSE set uniform fee structure for govt schools

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 12 (NPN): Considering the disparity in admission fees in government schools, the department of school education (DoSE) has come up with a uniform fee structure for all government schools from classes 9 to 12.

According to documents made available to Nagaland Post, the department directed the government schools functioning to comply with the fee structure for classes 9 to 23 with immediate effect, besides asking all heads of the government schools to ensure that the amount collected were utilised strictly for the purpose for which it had been collected. DoSE further directed that accounts of receipts and expenditure should be maintained properly, which would be subjected to audit by the department. The department also notified that no admission/exam fee would be collected up to class 8, except for paying to SCERT /NBSE as per Right to Education Act, 2009. Class 11/12 students from Arts and Commerce streams opting computer/IP subjects would pay laboratory fee of Rs 300 in addition to the fixed rate. Further, schools providing uniforms, T-shirts, neck tie, belt, etc, would get the rates approved by the respective SMDCs, while SCERT/ NBSE fee would be changed in accordance with notifications being issued by respective boards. The fee structure would be implemented from the start of 2020 academic session for classes 11 and from 2021 for classes 9, 10 and 12.

Government holds back full IIP data for April Jama masjid Dimapur to remain closed

New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI): The government on Friday held back the release of complete data of index of industrial production for April, saying it is not appropriate to compare the IIP data with earlier months due to COVID19 lockdown.

An official statement showed that the IIP - which measures factory output in the country - stood at 56.3 points in April, 2020 compared to 126 in the same month a year ago. “In view of the preventive measures and announcement of nationwide lockdown by the government to contain spread of COVID-19 pandemic, majority of the industrial sector establishments were not operating from the end of March, 2020 onwards.”

DIMAPUR, JUN 12 (NPN): Even as the government allowed opening of religious places, the Idgah committee Dimapur has informed that it has decided to keep Jama Masjid closed till an “acceptable, well defined and operational procedure was charted for resuming prayers”.

In a press release, com-

mittee president Sanawar Sheikh, vice president Hasnain Reza Quarashi and general secretary AK Tapadar appealed all the masjid committees to understand the bigger cause behind the decision and extend cooperation.

Idgah committee Dimapur expressed belief that as government extended understanding, the citizens

must also reciprocate with responsible social and religious behaviour.

It stated that religious practices should not in any way be a hindrance to national aspiration and well being. The committee members maintained lessening the burden of frontline workers was their primary responsibility as dutiful citizens.

Criticism of state govt blown out of proportion: NPP unit Government not successful in containing...

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No. 4211 Yesterday’s solution No. 4210

No. 3236 Yesterday’s solution No. 3235

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NPF also suggested procurement of more testing kits and compulsory rapid test done on all the returnees to ensure safety before releasing them from the quarantine centres.

NPF also said that departments like social welfare, food and civil supplies and disaster management should be fully involved as frontliners and distribute free and nutritious rice under those departments.

Apart from the district hospitals, NPF said all PHC and dispensaries in each village should be well equipped and the medical attendants must be compulsorily stationed. It further said that

positive patients needed to be given a proper care both medically and psychologically. NPF also suggested that state government should have better coordination with all the tribal hohos and Churches and brief them on difficulties and initiatives of the government from time to time.

Meanwhile, NPF has appealed to the citizen of Nagaland especially the returnees to strictly follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the government. It also urged the government not to change the SOP frequently and adhere to the SOP effectively and sincerely.

GST Council halves interest on delayed filing of returns NEW DELHI, Jun 12 (PTI): In a relief to small taxpayers with turnover up to Rs.5 crore, the GST Council on Friday halved the interest on delayed filing of GST returns for February, March and April to 9%, provided the returns are filed

by September 2020.

Also, the deadline for filing returns for May, June and July has been extended till September, without any interest or late fee, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said after a meeting of the council.

Sitharaman said no late fee will be levied for delayed filing of GST returns by registered entities with nil liability between July 2017 to January 2020.

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period. The GST Council - the apex decision making body of the indirect tax regime - discussed the impact of COVID-19, she said.

Inverted duty structure hitting GST collections was discussed, she said, adding the panel was looking at correction of duty inversion in footwear, fertiliser and textiles.

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DP-2700

No. 9592 Yesterday’s solution No. 9591

(From p-1) However, it said, instead “more loopholes” were visible with more complaints from various quarters and positive cases increasing day by day.

Meanwhile, NPF has suggested that since COVID19 was a medical related issues, the government should involve maximum number of professionals having desired medical knowledge and that the medical department be given independent charges in handling the cases instead of involving the bureaucrats. NPF said the district administration should confine to assist the medical department.

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fice in September 2019, an internal investigation was carried out to find out the exact cause.

Thereafter, the party claimed to have discovered the malicious intention of one of the party’s poll incharges who spearheaded and took the entire responsibility of the constituency whereby a former intending candidate was fielded without seeking approval from the party’s then State president or any senior member of the party.

NPP wondered what motivated the PDA government to later appoint that candidate as chairman of Nagaland Hotels Limited.

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DP-2735

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sub-standard accommodation facilities.

NPP urged the government, especially the Dimapur district administration, to work out a plan to ensure that the general public was not unduly affected during the arrival of trains from outside the State. It called for localised restriction of public movement around the periphery of the railway station and its suburbs as there was no logic in total restriction.

Referring to the party’s loss in the by-poll to 26 Aolengden Assembly constituency, NPP Nagaland said after its new office-bearers assumed of-

DP-2725

Crossword

ment, which is against the benefit and welfare of the general public,” the statement emphasised.

Citing Tuensang and Peren fiascos where the government was caught on the wrong foot, NPP alleged mismanagement in quarantine centres. There have been reports from many quarantine centres that a majority of the inmates had not been tested till date despite having completed 18 days of their stay, it added.

The party also referred to reports of inmates complaining about half-cooked and poor quality food being served to them, besides

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partments concerned ever since COVID-19 pandemic reached Nagaland, NPP however asserted that as a matured political party it was firm in its endeavour to fight any corruption and mismanagement of public funds.

Stating that it was its bounden right and duty to bring to fore any anomaly detected in the government’s policies, especially in management of the current crisis, the party clarified that it was not directly against the government.

“We are against the wrong implementation of the policies and steps undertaken by the govern-

DP-2734

DIMAPUR, JUN 12 (NPN): Perhaps wanting to put an end to the war of words with NDPP, NPP Nagaland unit said its criticism of the State government had been blown out of proportion and negatively viewed.

In a statement, the party clarified that its intention of criticising the negligence and mismanagement of the government was not prejudicial to any individual or party, and nor was it its intention to defame or cause harm to any individual, party or organisation.

Reiterating that it had always appreciated the de-

Trump to finalise order on police reform Washington, Jun 12 (PTI): President Donald Trump has said that an executive order that will “encourage” police departments to meet the “current professional standards for the use of force” is being finalised as pressure mounts for changes to law enforcement practices after nationwide protests over the brutal killing of AfricanAmerican George Floyd while in police custody.

Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis on May 25 when a white police officer pinned him to the ground and knelt on his neck while he gasped for breath.

“What happened two weeks ago was a disgrace when you see that. What happened on numerous occasions over the last two weeks -- people were killed. A number of people were killed and it was very, very terrible and very, very unfair. A number of them were police officers. It was a very unfair situation. We don’t want to see that,” Trump said during a round table in Dallas, Texas.

He said he wanted people to “work together” on solutions to racial inequality. “We’re working to

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Donald Trump (File)

finalise an executive order that will encourage police departments nationwide to meet the most current professional standards for the use of force, including tactics for de-escalation,” Trump said at a roundtable with law enforcement in Dallas.

However, he offered few details about the executive order.

“Every child should be able to grow up in a safe community, free from violence and fear. They’ve taken a lot of the police protection away in Chicago, and they have great, great police in Chicago,” he said.

Noting that Americans are good and virtuous

people, the president said that they have to work together to confront bigotry and prejudice wherever they appear.

“But we’ll make no progress and heal no wounds by falsely labeling tens of millions of decent Americans as racists or bigots. We have to get everybody together. We have to be on the same path. If we don’t do that, we have problems. We’ll do that.

We’ll do it. I think we’re going to do it very easily,” he said.

The United States, he said, has the greatest potential.

“We have the greatest country in the world.

But we get off subject. We

start thinking about things that don’t matter or don’t matter much. The important things, we don’t even discuss. But we’re here to discuss some very important things,” he said.

Politicians, he alleged, make false charges, and they’re trying to distract from their own failed records.

“They have some very bad records. These are usually the ones that cause the problems or can’t solve the problems. These are the same politicians who shipped our jobs away and took tremendous advantage of all Americans,” he said.

The United States has been swept by protests since Floyd’s custodial death on May 25 in Minneapolis.

Trump also said he would not consider activists’ calls to defund the police.

“We’ll take care of our police. We’re not defunding police. If anything, we’re going the other route. We’re going to make sure that our police are well-trained, perfectly trained, they have the best equipment,” he said, adding that he preferred “dominating the streets with compassion.”

Four killed Controversial national anthem in Kabul law takes effect in Hong Kong mosque blast Kabul, Jun 12 (IANS): Four people were killed and several others injured when a blast ripped through a mosque in Kabul, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said.

The blast took place at the Sher Shah Suri Mosque in the capital city’s Kart-eChar area, reports TOLO News.

Among the four killed was the imam of the mosque, Azizullah Mofleh, according to the Ministry.

The explosives were placed inside the mosque, it added.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Friday’s attack comes after an IED blast in Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque in downtown Kabul on June 2 in which the imam of the mosque, Mohammad Ayaz Niazi, was killed.

The June 2 attack follows a bombing claimed by the Islamic State against a television station’s minibus in central Kabul on May 30, killing a scribe and the driver.

Hong Kong, Jun 12 (IANS): The controversial law, which can bring up to three years in prison to those who insult China’s “March of Volunteers” national anthem, took effect in Hong Kong on Friday, after it was signed by the city’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam. “I am pleased that the National Anthem Ordinance will be gazetted and come into effect tomorrow, signifying the fulfilment of the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR and reflecting the spirit of ‘one country, two systems’,” CGTN quoted Lam as saying on Thursday after the signing.

“Like the national flag and the national emblem, the national anthem is the symbol and sign of the nation. As an inalienable part of China, the HKSAR is duty-bound to preserve the dignity of the national anthem through legislation,” she said.

Hoping that the public will respect the national anthem of their own volition, Lam said the promotion of the national anthem is of paramount importance to let the younger genera-

Protesters hold flags in a shopping mall during a protest in Hong Kong on Friday.

tion understand the history and spirit of the national anthem.

“The Education Bureau will update its learning and teaching resources and issue directions to schools through circulars to support schools in teaching students,” Lam said.

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council had passed the national anthem bill on June 4 with an overwhelming majority.

Sources quoted anonymously by public Hong Kong radio broadcasting RTHK explained that the former British colony police have been trained in how

to apply it and that internal guidelines “suggest that the legislation would be used only against those who deliberately insult” the anthem, reports Efe news.

Those who do so risk not only imprisonment of up to three years, but also to fines of up to HK$50,000 ($6,451).

Opposition deputies, as well as thousands of protesters, have expressed their opposition to this new law, which they consider violates freedom of expression, as well as not considering it the proper way to get people to respect the Chinese national anthem.

8 mass graves found in western Libya: UN Filipinos defy quarantine; protest against Duterte

statement on Thursday.

“International law requires that the authorities conduct prompt, effective and transparent investigations into all alleged cases of unlawful deaths.”

The UN-backed government accused the rival eastern-based army of committing war crimes in Tarhuna, the city that used to be the main operation centre for the eastern-based army that is located some 90 km south of the capital Tripoli, reports Xinhua

A protester holds a cake with slogans during an anti-terror bill rally at the University of the Philippines in Manila, Philippines on Friday. (AP/PTI)

requires the signature of the president.

The law expands the range of crimes attributable to terrorism, such as

“threatening or inciting to commit terrorist acts”, punishable by 12 years in prison, a provision that according to legal experts

Scientists looking at TB, polio vaccines to ward off coronavirus

Islamabad, Jun 12 (IANS): The desert locust situation in Pakistan was fast deteriorating and swarms have found a new corridor from Afghan­istan to attack agricultural fields in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was reported on Friday.

Crop losses have been reported in several areas of Khyber Pakht­unk­h­wa, particularly in Dera Ismail Khan district, from where these loc­ust swarms were entering Punjab thereby posing a serious threat to the food basket of the country, said the Dawn news report.

Winding up the debate on locu­sts in the National Assembly on Thursday, Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhr Imam said the government was keeping a vigil on the movement of swarms of desert locusts entering Pakistan from four countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti via Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iran.

H e s a i d t h a t n ew swarms of des­e rt locusts would enter Baloc­h istan from Iran over the next two weeks, adding that the

province was already the worst-hit with its 33 districts already invaded by insects.

In Balochistan, he said, ground operation against locusts had been carried out over 85,000 hectares by ground teams and aerial sprays had been carried out over 500 hectares.

The Minister added that the federal government was in close coordination with the Food and Agri­­c­ ulture Organisation (FAO) which was keeping Pakistan informed on a daily basis on the movement of locust swarms in the region.

Dr Cirillo is leading a trial of the tuberculosis vaccine, called bacillus Calmette-Guérin and known by the shorthand BCG. The BCG vaccine, he said, is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has a lengthy record of being used safely.

Another group of scientists, according to report, have proposed using the polio vaccine to slow the COVID-19.

“Vaccines developed against TB (tuberculosis) and polio have already been

used in millions of people and could offer a low-risk way to rev up the body’s first line of defence — the innate immune system — against a broad array of pathogens, including the coronavirus,” the group said.

Pakistani-American Azra Raza, a professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, told the daily that BCG can improve people’s ability to fight off other pathogens, even for patients who are given the vaccine for another approved use, against bladder cancer.

OFFICE OF THE

MOAYIMTI SENSO MUNGDANG

P.O. MANGKOLEMBA - 798604 ; MOKOKCHUNG : NAGALAND

FELICITATION

With immense Pride and Joy, the Moayimti Senso Mungdang do hereby, convey our Heartfelt Congratulations to all the students of Moayimti who Successfully Passed the HSLC & HSSLC Examinations 2020.

We sincerely Congratulate the following daughters for their exemplary performances – 1. Miss Sangerbenla Tzudir, D/o. Mr & Mrs. S Walu Tzudir, for securing 4th Topper in the HSSLC (Science) Examination 2020; from Holy Cross H.S. School, Dimapur.

2. Miss Tiasola Tzudir, D/o. Mr & Mrs. K Zulu Tzudir of St. John’s School Merhülietsa, Kohima for securing Distinction Marks in 5 (five) Subjects in the HSLC Exam 2020.

3. Miss Ochibenla, D/o. Mr & Mrs. Bendangyanger Pongen for securing Distinction Marks in 4 (four) Subjects in the HSLC Exam 2020.

We further pray for Greater Success in all your Future Endeavours.

(M TOSHI PONGEN) President

(N ACHIBA OZUKUM) Secretary

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Zouba Semchir, Ungma would like to congratulate and acknowledge Shri A. I. Asang Jamir, son of Late Alemmeren Jamir on being promoted to Additional Chief Engineer, PWD (Mechanical), Kohima.

The Zouba Semchir wishes you the best as you take up greater responsibility and position.

Sd/Mr. Lanunungsang Jamir, Tatar, Ungma

Sd/Mr. Supongmar Jamir, Tatar, Ungma

CHUKITONG TSUNGIKI EKHÜNG CHUKITONG, WOKHA: NAGALAND

FELICITATION

The Chukitong Tsungiki Ekhüng (CTE) heartily congratulates our esteemed member Shri. S. Mhonchan Lotha, on his recent promotion to the post of Joint Director/District Education Officer under the Department of School Education, Government of Nagaland.

CTE further wishes him success in all his future endeavours.

Renphamo Ezung H. Wotsenthung Chairman, CTE Secretary, CTE

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Pakistan locust situation worsening

75,00,000 people and killed more than 4,20,000 across the world. The US is the worst affected country with over 2.02 million cases and more than 1,13,000 deaths.

The COVID-19, which originated in China’s Wuhan city in December last year, has also battered the world economy with the International Monetary Fund saying that the global economy is bound to suffer a “severe recession”.

Scientists are racing against time to find a vaccine or medicine for its treatment.

DP-2731

Washington, Jun 12 (PTI): Researchers in the US are looking at the possibility of using tuberculosis and polio vaccines in providing protection from the deadly coronavirus, according to a media report.

Tests are underway to see if the tuberculosis vaccine can slow the novel coronavirus, The Washington Post reported.

“This is the only vaccine in the world that can be given to combat COVID-19 right now,” Jeffrey D Cirillo, a professor of microbial Science Center, was quoted Hopkins Coronavirus Repathogenesis and immunol- as saying by the Post. source Center, the conAccording to Johns tagion has infected over ogy at Texas A&M Health

seeks to punish dissent, since any protest against terrorism could be classified as terrorism. government.

The norm also extends up to 24 days - from the current three - the time that a terrorism suspect can be detained; creates a committee of law enforcement officers to issue arrest warrants for terrorism, rather than a court; and gives free access to espionage and access to the private data of any suspect.

The demonstration was baptized “Gran Mananita”, a term of SpanishMexican heritage that is used in the Philippines to refer to a morning birthday party, since Friday marled the 122nd anniversary of the independence of the country from the Spanish colony. For this reason, many protesters donned hats and brought with them balloons, cakes and bouquets. In a televised message to mark Independence Day, Duterte urged Filipinos to “fight together against COVID-19” and demonstrate “the same bravery and nobility” as those of the heroes who fought for the country’s independence.

MKC-144

Tripoli, Jun 12 (IANS): The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday said that at least eight mass graves have been discovered over the past few days in western Libya, where the UN-backed government and the easternbased army fought for over a year.

“UNSMIL notes with horror reports on the discovery of at least eight mass graves in past days, the majority of them in Tarhuna,” the UNSMIL said in a

Manila, Jun 12 (IANS): Thousands of people defied the COVID-19 quarantine in Philippines on Friday to protest against the repressive measures of the Rodrigo Duterte government, especially its controversial anti-terrorism law.

Thousands of Filipinos, mostly university students, congregated on the campus of the University of the Philippines in Manila, despite the numerous police controls in the surroundings to restrict access and the warning the authorities issued on the eve imposing limits of meetings to 10 people during the quarantine, reports Efe news.

In order not to violate the quarantine, the protesters were organized in lines, wearing masks and keeping away from society, with posters that cried out “Activism is not terrorism”, “Outside Duterte” or “Dissent is not a crime” in repudiation of the anti-terrorism law already approved in Congress and that only

FELICITATION

We congratulate Shri. K. Yisanbemo Kikon on his recent appointment as President, District Congress Committee (DCC) Wokha.

We also thank and acknowledge Shri. K. Therie, President, NPCC under whose able guidance and visionary leadership we are privileged to serve the people of Nagaland.

WC-151

A member of security forces stands at the reported site of a mass grave in Tarhuna on June 11.

news agency.

On Wednesday, Interior Minister of the UNbacked government Fathi Bashagha had confirmed the discovery of the mass graves in Tarhuna.

But he did not specify the exact number of graves.

There was no comment on the development from the east-based army, which has been retreating in recent weeks in its military campaign against the troops of the UN-backed government.

Also on Wednesday, the warring sides in the country began engaging in a new round of ceasefire talks, after heavy fighting around the central city of Sirte.

The east-based army has been fighting the UNbacked government troops for more than a year aiming to take control of Tripoli and topple the UN-backed government.

The fighting has killed and injured hundreds of civilians and displaced more than 150,000 others.

Aben Ngullie Sacheo Murry President, 37 Tyui ACCC President, 38 Wokha ACCC Zanbemo Erui Longshi Odyuo President, 39 Sanis ACCC President, 40 Bhandari ACCC

Infotainment

‘Axone’: Humour with a quiet comment “A xone” (film streaming on Netflix); Cast: Sayani Gupta, Lin Laishram, Rohan Joshi, Lanuakum Ao, Tenzin Dalha, Asenla Jamir, Dolly Ahluwalia, Vinay Pathak, Adil Hussain; Direction: Nicholas Kharkongor; Rating: * * * (three stars) Nicholas Kharkongor’s film talks of racial discrimination that people of the Northeast face in mainland India, but never loses its sense of humour as it gets going. The film makes its point with understated firmness, without getting too in-your-face about it. It deals with the stereotypes, labels, bias and prejudices that northeasterners routinely fend against, setting up its premise around a single incident.

“Axone” (pronounced aakhuni) refers to a special dish from the region, which becomes the moot point that drives the plot, as well as a symbol of the film’s comment. The story takes off in the South Delhi locality of Humayunpur, where a group of friends are planning a surprise wedding gift for Minam (Asenla Jamir).

Leading the charge are Minam’s roommates Upasna (Sayani Gupta), Chanbi (Lin Laishram), along with Zorem (Tenzin Dalha), and the surprise they have

planned is the special Naga dish axone -- fermented soya bean paste served with pork and dried fish.

Axone, which broadly translates to ‘strong smell’, is typified by its odor, especially while being prepared.

It takes a sort of acquired taste to savour, which is not really the hallmark of their North Indian landlady (Dolly Ahluwalia), who take umbrage at the permeating smell as they start preparing the dish. That is where the group’s adventures start, adamant as they are to cook a special wedding gift for their friend.

In a volatile city as Delhi, racial tension has led to brutal fallout over reasons far less innocuous than an objectionable smell. However, director Kharkongor’s

purpose was obviously never to delve into the darker recesses of racism. He prefers looking at the malady with nonchalance.

The plight of the friends is therefore seen through the lens of humour, which ranges from subtle wit to hilarity. There is an element of irony that Kharkongor’s storytelling quietly imparts, in all that the group has to go through to simply prepare a dish that many of their neighbours have a problem with just because it smells foul to them.

Kharkongor packs in the standard ideas that one would associate with segregation of northeasterners.

Vulgar comments are passed at the girls. The standard jibe of “tum sab ki shaklein ek jaisi hoti hai (you all look

Actress Sharon Stone was once struck by lightning

A

ctress Sharon Stone recalled the time when she got struck by lightning while ironing, and “thrown across her kitchen”.

“I was filling the iron with water. I had one hand on the faucet, one hand on the iron and the well got hit with lightning and the lightning came up through the water. I got picked up and thrown across the kitchen, and I hit the refrigerator,” Stone told Brett Goldstein

Hina suggests against using alcohol-based sanitiser to wipe phones

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ctress Hina Khan feels wiping phones using alcohol-based sanitiser is not a good idea.

Hina posted an Instagram video showing how her beau Rocky Jaiswal damaged his phone by applying sanitiser. She later went out with her brother and Rocky to buy a new phone.

“So this is what happened to the screen. The glue came off and the screen popped out from one side completely. No alcohol based sanitisers on your phones,” Hina captioned one of the videos.

She even posted a picture of Rocky, who’s seen flaunting his new phone.

“Wipe your cell phones with a napkin soaked in warm water. Samjhe Rocky Jaiswal. Finally you bought a new cell phone after ages,” Hina wrote.

On the professional front, Hina will be sharing screen space with Kushal Tandon in the web show “Unlock: The Haunted App”.

(IANS) K Y M C

on his podcast “Films to Be Buried With”, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

She added: “I was like, ‘Whoa!’”

Stone, who was in an “altered state”, said her mother was around and she woke her up.

She continued: “My mother was standing there, and my mother just belted me across the face and brought me to. I was in such an altered state.”

The actress needed

an EXG (electrocardiogram) done every day for 10 days after the incident took place.

“I had to go get EKGs every single day for 10 days.

It was so crazy,” she said This is not the first time she had a brush with death.

Stone faced a health issue in 2001 after she suffered a stroke. The actress had a bleak chance of survival as she did not seek treatment right away.

Stone urged women to visit the hospital if they experience a “really bad headache”.

“If you have a really bad headache, you need to go to the hospital. I didn’t get to the hospital until day three or four of my stroke.

Most people die. I had a one per cent chance of living by the time I got surgery -- and they wouldn’t know for a month if I would live.

No one told me -- I read it in a magazine.”

(IANS)

alike)” invariably finds its way into their story, as well as the expected joke about slit eyes.

You would expect the film to move solely on these lines. Where Kharkongor makes a fascinating departure is keeping his protagonists from the Northeast real. There are no black and white characters here, and neither is the film trying to evoke sympathy for the group. Rather, if the idea was to simply hold a mirror at society and spark off a thought process among the audience, the filmmaker makes it work both ways.

His film captures flaws in his protagonists from the Northeast, too.

It is interesting, after all, to note Upasna’s inadvertently comic struggle

Parineeti shares her version of ‘Band Baajaa Baaraat’

B

o l ly wo o d a c t r e s s Parineeti Chopra has shared her version of “Band Baaja Baaraat” in a new post on social media.

Parineeti shared a sizzling photograph of herself on Instagram. In the image, she is seen sporting a black lacy corset paired with highwaisted pants, holding a jacket and wearing a peaked cap. “’Band Baaja Baaraat’ (my version),” she captioned the image.

The actress, who was last seen on the big screen in the film “Jabariya Jodi”, currently has three films in the pipeline -- “Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar”, the Hindi remake of Hollywood film “The Girl On The Train” and “Saina”.

The release of her film “Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar”, which was set to open on March 20, was pushed due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the country. The film also stars her “Ishaqzaade” co-star Arjun Kapoor.

(IANS)

One should accept the way you look: Bhumi Pednekar

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ctress Bhumi Pednekar says self-acceptance and selflove played key roles in her weight-loss journey.

Along with carving her space in Bollywood with strong roles, she also found fame with her dramatic weight gain and loss for her debut film “Dum Laga Ke Haisha”.

Asked to share a fitness tip, the actress said: “Selfacceptance and self-love is the key to any weight-loss journey. The first thing I would tell anyone who

asks me about my weight loss is that you should first come to terms with your body, especially at a time like now where you have so many filters that can help in changing the way you look.

One shouldn’t stop using them but one should accept the way you look.”

“You should also be disciplined. In my case, I never used to miss the gym no matter what and not eat anything after 7.30 p.m.,” she added. Opening up about her favourite character till date, Bhumi said: “I

can’t decide on my favourite character. From the eight films I have done so far, if I were to choose the most fun characters I have played last year, they would be ‘Saand Ki Aankh’ and ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’.”

Bhumi also revealed her love for poker and teen patti. “One thing people don’t know about me is that I love playing poker and teen patti with family during Diwali. I really enjoy it,” she said during a Helo live session.

(IANS)

with the name of an African neighbour. Interestingly, Upasana herself faces as a hint of racism within the group because she is a Nepali and not from the Northeast. Bendang (Lanuakum Ao), one of the boys of the group, calls their ‘desi’ friend Shiv (Rohan Joshi) a “f****ng Indian” during an argument. Yet, Bendang proves his inherent love for things that are Indian, too, when he strums the guitar and croons “Uthe sabke kadam”, labouring to get the pronunciations right.

Perhaps to sustain an overall bonhomie, Kharkongor packs his screenplay with a few extra characters of characters and sub plots that have no relevance.

Zorem’s past and present love tracks with Minam and Upasna only add to melodrama. Similarly the Chanbi-Bendang subtext seems merely there to highlight a streak of racism northeasterners are prone to face in the streets. Although dramatically executed, the track fails to add to the overall plot.

An overall impressive cast makes the film enjoyable. Rohan Joshi as the hilarious Shiv is worth a special mention and Adil Hussain’s cameo, with absolutely no dialogues, adds to the humour.

(IANS)

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels reunite for new project

“D

umb And Dumber” co-stars and friends, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, are all set to team up for a new project.

Daniels will be narrating the audiobook of Carrey’s new novel, “Memoirs And Misinformation”.

Carrey wrote the book in collaboration with novelist Dana Vachon, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

Through the book, Carrey and Vachon narrate a story about acting, Hollywood, agents, celebrity, privilege, friendship, romance, and addiction to relevance.

Talking about the re-

cording of the audiobook, Daniels said: “First off, I had no idea Jim knew so many big words, but he did write it with someone else so maybe that’s where they came from. Whatever I was expecting, this wasn’t it. What a wild ride. Some of it’s true, some of it might have been, some of it can’t possibly be and yet all of it reads like Jim had grabbed me by the hand and said, ‘Let’s jump’. Which is what working with him was like.

Say a prayer, flap your arms and hope we fly.”

“He’s always been a walking, talking creative adventure and ‘Memoirs And Misinformation’ is no dif-

ferent. In Hollywood speak, it’s Alice In Wonderland meets Hunter S. Thompson.

Only it’s not. Because it’s Jim,” he added.

Carrey announced the news of Daniels serving as narrator through a post on his Twitter handle.

“Couldn’t be more delighted that my friend @Jeff_Daniels found the time to narrate my novel ‘Memoirs And Misinformation’,” he wrote.

Carrey’s book was originally set to be published on May 5 but was pushed by two months.

The audiobook will be published on July 7.

(IANS)

Ridley Scott working on ‘Gladiator’ sequel

L

egendary filmmaker Ridley Scott is working on a sequel of his 2000 blockbuster “Gladiator”, but is finding it hard to crack a story for the follow-up.

In an inter view to comicBook.com, Doug Wick, one of the producers associated with the 2000 film, shared that the director is attempting to make a follow-up film, reports dailymail.co.uk.

“Ridley would love to do it. It’s really all about getting something on paper.

Everyone (involved with the original) loves the movie too much to ever consider cheaply exploiting it and making something that’s a shadow of it,” Scott said.

“It’s just really a clear creative problem, working on a script, and if we can ever get it to a place -- Ridley’s working on it, it’s really just a question of whether we can get it to a place where it feels worthy to make it. It’s a real challenge,” he added.

The lead character

Maximus Decimus Meridius, played by Russell Crowe, was dead at the end of the film, but that hasn’t hampered the plans for the sequel.

Last year, producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald said a sequel would be set 25 to 30 years

Adah Sharma’s important message while feeding stray animals

22-yr-old Mumbai rapper KIDSHOT talks of his hip-hop trek in new song

ctress Adah Sharma has been feeding stray animals near her house here. She says “coronavirus or no coronavirus, the animals are still hungry”.

“I have my earliest memories of feeding animals. My mother being an animal lover I think I get it from her. Corona or no corona, the animals are still hungry so yes, we get out of our home to feed them,” she said. She ensures wearing a mask and taking precautions.

“The animals need food just like us. They need to be fed as well. We all share the planet. Let’s all stand for one another,” she said.

Adah has also shared a video on Instagram that shows her feeding a stray cat, and also speaking to the animal. She explains goes on to say that coronavirus does not spread through cats and dogs.

She shared a few don’ts about feeding stray animals: “Do not feed strays in the middle of the road. The roads are empty and they seem to have lost their sense of traffic.”

(IANS)

per Flow or Chopper Rap. And slowly, as I discovered rappers like Tech N9ne, Twista, Eminem, Twisted Insane, and I knew this is what exactly I was meant for,” he said.

The artiste, who began rapping at the age of 14, contributed to the Netflix series “Gabru: Hip Hop Revolution” for two tracks and wrote a few of the show’s dialogues.

He has previously collaborated with artistes such as Raftaar and KR$NA.

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IDSHOT, a 22year old rapper from Mumbai, has unveiled “Bhot kuch”, which sheds light on his journey within the Indian independent hip-hop music world.

This track talks of determination to never give up on his passion for rap music despite all odds.

KIDSHOT, who was born Rahul Khadtare, is known for his energetic and signature ‘chopper flow’.

“Whenever I used to write and rap, I automatically used to rap fast, which is also called Chop-

after the original.

“We’re working with Ridley. That’s one we wouldn’t touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate. We’re working with an amazing writer as well, Peter Craig,” Laurie said to Hey U Guys.

Her husband Parkes

added: “It picks up the story 30 years later (or)25 years later.”

“Gladiator” was a global box-office success, and garnered an impressive 11 Oscar nominations. It ended up with five wins including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.

Happy 7th Anniversary

This Journey of 7 years with 7 amazing men has been so much beautiful with the inspirations you all give us from your music and the path you've shown us that true love first begins with loving ourselves. Happy 7th Anniversary to our BTS. We Purple You. From ARMYS of OT7 (GC) Admin: TUTU

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K Y M C

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sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Liverpool crush Blackburn 6-0 in friendly Lisbon set to host final stages of CL

Players of Liverpool and Blackburn vie for the ball during a friendly football match.

L o n d o n, J u n 1 2 (Agencies): Takumi Minamino was among the goalscorers as Liverpool stepped up their preparations for the Premier League restart with a 6-0 friendly win over Blackburn.

The Japanese forward was in good form as Jurgen Klopp’s side recorded a comprehensive victory

at Anfield on Thursday afternoon.

Minamino had already created a goal for Naby Keita before he swept home a Sadio Mane cross to give the Reds a 3-0 halftime lead.

Mane had opened the scoring early on, following up to finish after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot had been saved by Rovers

keeper Christian Walton.

Keita stabbed home the second after being squared the ball by Minamino, who was played through by James Milner following slick build-up play started from the back

by Virgil van Dijk.

Blackburn struggled to make chances, striker Sam Gallagher denied by Alisson before Joel Mat-

Playing in empty stadiums will be IPL’s last resort, says BCCI

NEW DELHI, Jun 12 (Agencies): The Indian Premier League (IPL) could be played behind closed doors as last resort, if that is the only way to save this year’s Twenty20 tournament from falling victim to the coronavirus epidemic, a senior cricket board official said.

The tournament had been scheduled to begin in late March but was indefinitely postponed following the outbreak.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) stands to lose $525 million in revenue if it cannot stage the 2020 edition of the franchise-based league and BCCI president

Sourav Ganguly assured members this week that they were exploring “all possible options”.

“If it can be with spectators, we’d ideally want that,” BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal told Reuters by telephone.

“But if we have to stage it in empty stadiums and there’s no other choice, we might go for that. We’ll try and work out depending on the situation at that point in time. But before anything else, we have to have a window available and a clear-cut directive from the government (to go ahead).”

India on Friday re-

ported a total of 297,535 coronavirus infections, surpassing the United Kingdom to become the fourth worst affected country in the world.

The pandemic also jeopardises this year’s Twenty20 World Cup with hosts Cricket Australia conceding the tour nament’s October-November schedule was under “very high risk”.

The BCCI has said it would consider slotting IPL in that window should the World Cup be postponed, but the International Cricket Council would not take a call on the fate of the flagship tournament until next month.

“Whatever decision has to happen should happen well in time,” Dhumal said.

“If that tournament is not happening, other boards can decide whether they want to have some bilateral tournament or something else to make up for the loss they have incurred because of the pandemic.”

ip made it 4-0 midway through the second half by tapping in a Roberto Firmino header, and Ki-Jana Hoever added a quickfire fifth before another youngster, Leighton Clarkson, rounded off the scoring with a fine late strike.

Ben Brereton came closest for the visitors in the second half, shooting just wide of substitute goal-

F1 cancels three races L ONDON , J u n 1 2 (Agencies): Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan joined the list of Formula One grand prix cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday but organisers said they were still aiming for a reduced season of 15-18 races.

The sport had already cancelled four races, including the showcase Monaco Grand Prix in May, with a revised and shortened provisional European schedule set to start in Austria without spectators on July 5.

The announcement, widely expected, blew a hole in the long-haul part of the season, with questions about the schedule after Italy’s Monza on September 6.

Races in Canada, Mexico, Texas and Brazil are uncertain due to the pandemic while Vietnam, also a street circuit, and China remain possibilities and Russia could host two races at Sochi.

The championship is due to end in Abu Dhabi in December after visiting Bahrain, which could host two races around different layouts.

keeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s post.

Klopp took the chance to utilise much of his firstteam squad, although it is understood that neither Mo Salah nor Andy Robertson were involved, while Firmino was one of seven second-half substitutes, setting up Matip for his goal.

A host of younger players featured after the break, with Jake Cain and Kelleher both given minutes along with Dutch defender Hoever and the diminutive midfielder Clarkson.

Liverpool are expected to play at least one more friendly before they resume their league campaign away at Everton a week on Sunday. The Reds are currently 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League, and need just six more points to be crowned champions for the first time since 1990.

They could be crowned league winners on Sunday by winning the match away to their local rivals, if reigning champions Manchester City lose to Arsenal on June 17, in one of the first two Premier League fixtures played following the coronavirusenforced break.

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Tyson Fury

pro until he was mid-20s, when he was a man. So I was learning as a young kid. If I had turned pro at 25, 26, then I’d have knocked all the people out who went the distance with me when I was a young boy.”

Fury said, “I’ve never been a stand-still man who lands big shots, because I’m a slick boxer. I’ve just knocked out the heaviest

puncher in boxing history. Andy Ruiz is not a big puncher but he knocked out Anthony Joshua. So I’d say I am a harder puncher than him. There’s people who have sparred both of us and quite a few of them have said it as well.”

“But it’s not about who can punch hardest it’s about the skill that goes behind it. I am still unbeaten in a 12-year profes-

sional career. I’m a force to be reckoned with,” added Fury.

Tyson Fury’s planned fights with Joshua are only due to take place after his third bout against Deontay Wilder, while Joshua is also set to take on Kubrat Pulev.

In addition, Dillian Whyte is the WBC’s mandatory challenger, and the governing body want him

to be played, with Juventus still due to host Lyon, Manchester City scheduled to play Real Madrid, Bayern Munich defending a 3-0 lead against Chelsea and Barcelona’s tie with Napoli poised at 1-1 from the first leg in Italy.

According to Bild, those matches could be played on the weekend of August 8 and 9 before the quarter-finalists move to the Portuguese capital.

Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Atalanta had all qualified just before the competition was suspended.

The Europa League faces a greater backlog, with only six of the last 16, first legs having been played, and none of the second legs.

Por tugal’s credentials to host a Champions League mini-tournament are boosted by the fact that it has not been as badly hit by the pandemic as other western European countries, while it has no clubs left in the competition.

The Portuguese top flight resumed at the start of this month, with matches being played behind closed doors.

Lisbon has several stadiums, including Benfica’s 65,000-capacity Estadio da Luz, which hosted the final of Euro 2004 and the Champions League in 2014, and the nearby 50,000-seater Estadio Jose Alvalade - home of Sporting - which was also used at Euro 2004 and for the UEFA Cup final in 2005.

Ramos, Real Madrid yet to discuss new contract

M a d r i d, J u n 1 2 (Agencies): Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid are yet to discuss a new contract for Los Blancos’ captain, but his agent insists there is no reason for anyone to panic.

Ramos joined Madrid in 2005 from Sevilla and has gone on to become a club icon, amassing almost 650 appearances and winning a host of titles.

Now 34, the Spain international is approaching the twilight of his career, but having played 25 of Madrid’s 27 La Liga games prior to the coronavirus hiatus, he is still seen as a key player for Zinedine Zidane.

Ramos’ deal expires in just over a year, during the summer of 2021, suggesting his long-term future could potentially lie elsewhere if Madrid opt not to extend their association.

But Ramos’ agent – his brother Rene – is convinced both parties want the centre-back to retire at Sergio Ramos the Santiago Bernabeu. that it will be the desire of “Football goes around Marca.

“Hopefully he will the club too. As of today, a lot but there are very good intentions on both retire at Real Madrid, it is we have not spoken about sides,” the agent told Radio his ream and I understand anything but there is no

I punch harder than Joshua, insists Tyson Fury L o n d o n, J u n 1 2 (Agencies): Tyson Fury has stoked the flames ahead of his planned double-header against Anthony Joshua by claiming he is a bigger puncher than his heavyweight rival.

It was confirmed by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, this week that the British duo have reached an agreement for two unification fights next year.

Joshua holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts after avenging his only career defeat against Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, meaning he has won 23 of his 24 career bouts - with 21 by knockout.

Fury’s stunning victory over Deontay Wilder in their February rematch to reclaim the WBC belt was also his 21st career knockout - although he reached that mark in seven more fights than Joshua.

Despite that, Fury says he agrees with Frank Warren’s suggestion that he is the more devastating puncher, telling Queensbury Promotions’ YouTube channel: “I turned pro at 19. As a child, I was boxing men. “[Joshua] never turned

Berlin, Jun 12 (Agencies): The final stages of this season’s interrupted Champions League will be played in Lisbon, with the final on August 22 or 23, German newspaper Bild reported on Friday.

An official announcement is expected when UEFA’s Executive Committee meets by videoconference on June 17.

Bild also reported that the closing stages of the Europa League are set to be moved to Germany, with matches being played in the region around Cologne, in the west of the country.

This season’s Champions League final was scheduled to take place in Istanbul at the end of May before the competition was suspended in mid-March in the last-16 stage because of the coronavirus pandemic which has ravaged Europe.

The Europa League final was scheduled for the Polish city of Gdansk.

In both competitions, all ties would be played as one-off matches from the quarter-finals onwards.

Usually the quarter-finals and semi-finals are staged over two legs.

Fo u r s e c o n d - l e g matches in the Champions League round of 16 are still

to be given a chance to win their belt before February 2021.

However, Fury - the current holder of the WBC belt - says he has little interest in taking on the likes of Whyte when he has fights against Wilder and Joshua on the horizon.

He told Queensbury Promotions’ YouTube channel, “I’m about fighting the biggest fights out there. Wilder, Joshua are the biggest fights out there.

Dillian Whyte is looking for a payday against me.

The last few fights I’ve got left, I want them to be the biggest possible. It won’t be an organisation dictating to Tyson Fury. Let’s face it: nobody’s ever dictated to the champ.”

“These low-profile fighters, they don’t mean anything to me. I’m a proud WBC champion, but I’m the lineal heavyweight champion, which trumps everything. I’ve completed boxing now. The belts are just pieces of leather with some fancy metal stuck on them. They mean a lot to an unknown champion, but not when you’ve been ruling the game for as long as I have.”

need to be alarmed. The moment the club considers it, we will begin to speak.”

Rene was recently quoted as saying his brother would stretch out his career as long as he could in order to play in Madrid’s redeveloped Santiago Bernabeu.

He told Onda Cero, “The chewing gum will be stretched as long as we can.

Playing at the new Bernabeu would be the perfect retirement for him. Physically, he’s fine and he’s climbing the walls [ahead of La Liga Santander returning].”

Rene has, however, suggested that some did not grasp the meaning of his comments.

“My words were misinterpreted,” he added.

“What I wanted to say is that he will play until he and the club consider that he is fit to play for Real Madrid.”

Ramos and Madrid will resume their 2019-20 La Liga season on Sunday away to Eibar, with Zidane’s side sat two points adrift of Clasico rivals Barcelona in the Spanish topflight table.

Simona Halep stands with Djokovic on US Open concerns New York, Jun 12 (Agencies): World No.2 Simona Halep has called for understanding from players after also admitting she is unsure whether she will play at the US Open as it stands.

Djokovic caused controversy in the tennis community after admitting that as things currently stand, he would rather skip America’s grand slam and focus on the French Open.

The Serbian star says the safety protocols necessary for the US Open to go ahead are “extreme” and that limiting players to only coach would make it virtually “impossible” for him to compete.

Now Romanian Halep has aligned with Djokovic and said the risk of travelling is a concern. “I definitely have strong concerns about going there with those conditions,” she told The New York Times via email.

“Not only because we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. But also because of the risk of travel, potential quarantine, and then the changes around the tournament.”

Djokovic received some

Simona Halep

backlash for his stance, especially from women’s World No.52 Danielle Collins in a passionate online response.

World No.1 Ash Barty also admitted she would have to weigh up the risk before travelling due to her team. This prompted Halep to ask for some understanding, claiming she understood some of the views from players wanting to play to earn some money.

But she stressed every player was in a different

position and it affected their view. “I know that financially the tournament and sponsors would like it to run. Also that many players are out of jobs right now, but I think it’s a very personal decision we have to make,” she said.

“It’s important to understand that everyone has individual needs and circumstances and we should do what’s best for our personal health and also think long term about our career.”

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12

sports

Sevilla win derby as La Liga returns

Players of Sevilla and Real Betis fight for the ball during their La Liga match.

M a d r i d, J u n 1 2 (Agencies): The Spanish league resumed Thursday with Sevilla defeating Real Betis 2-0 in the Seville derby.

The highly popular match between the southern rivals marked the league’s return three months after it was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Football had officially resumed in Spain on Wednesday with the second half of a second-division game that had been halted in December.

There were strict health guidelines in place as the topflight resumed, with ball

boys being asked to disinfect the ball every time it left the field and players being told to maintain a “safe distance” when talking to the referee.

Players were also asked to “minimize physical contact” during goal celebrations, though there were lots of hugging and plenty of contact between Sevilla players after forward Lucas Ocampos opened the scoring by converting a penalty in the 56th minute.

The same happened after midfielder Fernando added to the lead with a header in the 62nd.

Fans were not al lowed in the 43,000-capacity Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium but virtual crowds and pre-recorded chants from fans, similar to those in video games, were added to the television broadcast sent to the rest of the world.

Viewers in Spain were the only ones with the option of watching the original feed from the empty stadium.

The league has not ruled out having real fans back in the stands by the end of the season if Spain continues to gradually lift restrictions prompted by the pandemic.

80% of venues secured for Tokyo Games, says CEO Muto

People wearing protective face masks are seen in front of the Giant Olympic rings at the waterfront area at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo.

Tokyo, Jun 12 (Agencies): Tokyo 2020 organisers announced on Friday that 80% of the venues required to run a successful Olympics have been secured ahead of next year’s rearranged Games.

In the original plan for the Olympics, which were due to start next month, there were 43 venues, including eight new sites built for the Games.

The National Stadium, set to host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, is one of the venues that has been successfully secured for 2021.

In March, the Japanese government and the Inter national Olympic Committee made the unprecedented decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pan-

demic.

Since then, organisers have battled against an array of problems stemming from the postponement, including rising costs, athlete safety and securing the venues.

On Friday, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto announced that the majority of venues had been secured.

“We are hoping to use the same venues for the same sports next year,” he said.

“Adjustments still remain, but we are able to use 80% of the facilities that were originally supposed to be used last year, they can be used again.”

Muto added that the Athlete’s Village and Tokyo Big Sight, the planned media centre, were among the venues yet to be fully

secured.

“Regarding Tokyo Big Sight, to be used as the IPC (International Press Centre) and MPC (Main Press Centre), it is also Tokyoowned but many reservations have already been made by other users for next year,” he explained.

“Therefore, we are working together with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) in coordinating the schedule.”

The Athlete’s Village promises to be the most complicated venue to lock down as many of the apartments in the newly-built complex have already been sold to private buyers for use after the Games.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government are negotiating with the 11 construction companies involved in the village’s build and sale.

BCCI calls off Zimbabwe tour

New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI): The BCCI on Friday called off Indian cricket team’s short tour of Zimbabwe in August.

The announcement was on expected lines after Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Thursday that India’s limited overs tour in June-July was postponed indefinitely.

“The BCCI on Friday announced that the Indian Cricket Team will not travel to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe owing to the current threat of COVID-19,” said BCCI secetary Jay Shah.

Team India was scheduled to travel to the island nation from June 24 for three ODIs and as many T20Is and to Zimbabwe for a series comprising three ODIs starting August 22.

A round of applause was played in the 20th minute as part of the “applause to infinity” tribute that the league will promote in every game to honor those fighting the pandemic in Spain.

The streets around the Sánchez-Pizjuán were mostly empty as barriers were placed around the stadium to keep fans from gathering. More than 600 police officers and private security agents were summoned to work during the match.

Before the game, the video screens at the Sánchez-Pizjúan played videos of Sevilla fans singing the club’s anthem, a longstanding tradition when the supporters are in the stadium.

The loudspeakers played team songs after the match as well.

A moment of silence was observed before kickoff as the players stood around the midfield circle.

There were no handshakes and team photos before the match but players lined up at midfield without maintaining a safe distance.

Everyone except the coaches had to wear gloves and masks on the benches.

The victory kept Sevilla in third place with 50 points, six fewer than second-place Real Madrid, which returns to action on Sunday against Eibar. Barcelona, two points ahead of Madrid, resumes at Mallorca on Saturday.

Spurs’ Alli suspended for Man Utd clash L o n d o n, J u n 1 2 (Agencies): Dele Alli will miss Tottenham’s return to Premier League action against Manchester United next week after the FA handed him a onegame suspension for a social media post. The 24-year-old has also been fined £50,000.

The incident relates to a video posted on the player’s Snapchat account in February in which he appeared to mock an Asian man and joke about the coronavirus outbreak.

“In response to the FA decision, I would like to apologise again for any offence caused by my behaviour,” Alli said in a statement.

“It was an extremely poorly judged joke about a virus that has now affected us more than we could ever have imagined. I’m grateful that The FA has confirmed that my actions were not racist because I despise racism of any kind.”

“We all need to be mindful of the words and actions we use and how they can be perceived by others.”

Alli removed the video and issued an apology, saying the matter “isn’t something that should be joked about.”

India might play Aus in front of fans Canberra, Jun 12 (IANS): India might not have to tour Australia and play their matches in front of empty stands later this year after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said sports stadiums capable of seating 40,000 people will be allowed to host crowds of up to 10,000 from next month, in further relaxation of coronavirus restrictions.

The four Tests of the much-anticipated series will be played at Gabba, Adelaide Oval, MCG and the SCG respectively starting December 3, Cricket Australia (CA) had said recently.

“For outdoor venues up to 40,000 spectator capacity, ticketed and seated events will be able to be held in front of a crowd of no more than 25 per cent of capacity under Step 3,” a statement from the Prime Minister said as per on the official website, pm.gov.au.

“For outdoor venues of more than 40,000 spectator capacity, further advice is being sought from the AHPPC, with arrangements to be settled by the states and territories on a venue by venue basis,” it added.

The announcement was made following a meeting of the National Cabinet, which comprises the Prime Minister and state and territory leaders.

Morrison was joined by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Brendan Murphy who said that Australia’s response to COVID19 was in a “good place”.

As far as the T20 World Cup in Australia is concerned, slated to take place Down Under from October 18 to November 15, the ICC in its board meeting on Wednesday decided to ‘wait and watch’ before deciding on the fate of the showpiece event.

Australia pacer Kane Richardson has also backed the international body for taking time to make the decision.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Sports stars have played critical role in achieving govt’s efforts: Rijiju Mumbai, Jun 12 (IANS): Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday emphasised on the importance of being ‘atmanirbhar in the sporting ecosystem and felt one needs to develop a successful league culture to make sport a sustainable career opportunity.

“You have to be empowered to take care of yourself. The country has to be self-reliant. Whenever there are challenges, disasters or catastrophe, we need to ensure we emerge stronger. I have to ensure our athletes and coaches become stronger after lockdown,” Rijiju said during Indian table tennis player Mudit Dani’s online lockdown chat series ‘In The Sportlight’ on Friday.

“Sports stars motivate people immensely. In achieving the government’s efforts, our sports stars have played a very critical role,” he added.

The Minister further said leagues must be made successful in order to ensure viable and fruitful sporting careers for athletes at all levels.

“First of all, sport is a way of life but that is not enough. Sport has to be a career also. Sport has to give you respect, position, earning, comfort and recognition. So for that

Kiren Rijiju

when you have a flourishing league system in the country -- whether it is national or state level, it has to be successful.

“And to make the leagues successful, it has to be commercially viable.

That is why I am encouraging lots of leagues like our Indian Super League (football), Indian Premier League (cricket). Ultimate Table Tennis is also growing very well. I see great prospects for UTT. We now have a boxing league and wrestling league too (among others),” he said.

Rijiju also expressed his dream of making India a top country in the Olym-

pic medals tally. Stressing on the great cooperation from various stakeholders including IOA and National Sports Federations, the Sports Minister wants to make India one of the top-10 medal winning nations by 2028 Olympics.

“Although we have achieved some success in hockey and a few individual sports, we have not been able to make any successful impact in Olympic history.

I am talking about creating a sporting culture in India.

In days to come I want to ensure that not only our participation but our success rate also soars,” Rijiju concluded.

India remain at 108 in latest FIFA rankings

Zurich, Jun 12 (IANS): India have maintained their 108th spot in the latest FIFA world rankings revealed for the month of June. India have 1187 points and have not lost or gained any.

Belgium remain at the summit ahead of France and Brazil,

who complete the podium, while England and Uruguay continue to occupy fourth and fifth respectively. Lying in wait behind them are, in descending order, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Argentina and Colombia.

India are scheduled to take on

Asian champions Qatar at home on October 8 in their next 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying round game.

They will then take on Bangladesh away on November 12 and host Afghanistan on November 17.

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