June 19, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 193

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Napoli win sixth Italian Cup title

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sports, Page 12

nagalandpostofficial

Ibobi-led SPF urges Gov to hold floor test

Correspondent/Agencies

IMPHAL, JUN 18: The fast-paced political development in Manipur has overtaken the attention of the recent Indo-China border scrimmage as the newlyformed Secular Progressive Front (SPF) led by Congress has gone all out to oust the Biren Singh-led BJP government. The Congress stepped up efforts on Thursday and urged Governor Najma Heptulla to convene a special assembly session for taking up a no-confidence motion.

A delegation of the newly-formed Secular Progressive Front (SPF) led by the Congress met the governor and requested her to call the special assembly session “at the shortest possible time”.

After submitting a letter to the governor, chief of the National People’s Party (NPP) Thangmilen Kipgen told reporters that they also requested her to invite the newly-formed SPF under the leadership of Congress leader O Ibobi Singh to form the new government in the state.

The memorandum mentioned that letters of

ANCSU, NU agree on 6th Sem exam DIMAPUR, JUN 18 (NPN): Since the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) have not given any guideline to promote the final year students, the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) and Nagaland University (NU) have agreed that NU alone promoting the final year students without conducting exams could nullify such degree certificate beyond the state of Nagaland.

In a press release, ANCSU president Vimeyiekho Vitso and general secretary Imnameren N Jamir said that the union and the university have “mutually agreed” that the state government should, therefore, ensure the safe return and stay of students to their respective institution districts.

According to ANCSU, this was decided at a meeting convened by NU Controller of Examination at the University Headquarters, Lumami on June 16, 2020.

After ensuring the safe return and stay of the students within a stipulated time, the union said NU would notify the exam routine (minimum 20 days ahead from the date of exam commencement).

N. Biren Singh (File)

O. Ibobi Singh (File)

support from all members of the SPF, including Congress, NPP, All India Trinamool Congress and Independent MLAs have been enclosed for the governor’s perusal. So far there is no word from the Raj Bhavan on the issue.

In addition to the four NPP ministers, including former deputy CM Y Joykumar Singh, three BJP MLAs (resigned on June 17), lone AITC legislator and an Independent had withdrawn support on Wednesday.

According to a bulletin issued by M Ramani Devi, Secretary of the Assembly, the Speaker has accepted the resignation of the three BJP MLAs-- T Thangzalam Haokip, Soibam Subhaschandra Singh and Samuel Jendai Kamamei-- from membership of the assembly. With this the effective strength of the

house has been reduced to 49. Earlier, 7 Congress MLAs who had defected to BJP were barred from attending the house as per the High Court order while another Congress MLA who had joined the BJP and became a minister was disqualified by the Supreme Court on March 18, 2020.

The newly for med Secular Progressive Front (SPF) now has 26 MLAs comprising of- Congress 20, NPP-4, TMC-1 and Independent-1. On the other hand the BJP-coalition has a total of 23 MLAs-18 BJP (including speaker), NPF-4 and LJP-1.

Meanwhile, four of the seven Congress MLAs facing disqualification after they had defected to BJP reportedly returned to the parent organization on Thursday.

Cab to discuss doctors’ regularization issue Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 18 (NPN): Amidst growing opposition to its earlier decision to regularize doctors who were recently appointed on contingency basis, the State cabinet is expected to review it during a meeting here on Friday.

When contacted, leader of opposition TR Zeliang said before taking any decision, the cabinet should have discussed the issue of regularisation in detail and its likely consequences on National Health Mission (NHM) doctors or on the doctors serving in the department on contractual basis as some of them had been rendering their service for almost 10 years.

He clarified that the cabinet can appoint more doctors, if required. However, for regularisation, he said advertisements should have been issued so that unemployed doctors, NHM, private practitioners and

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doctors on contract could have applied and thus no one would have been deprived of the opportunity.

In the advertisement, Zeliang pointed out that besides the other posts, the post for 27 doctors was mentioned for a period of 12 months as contingency plan. This may have been the reason why NHM employees and those on contract did not apply.

The opposition leader went on to state that the government should now make its stand clear and explain to the newly recruited 27 doctors that their appointment was purely based on a contingency plan, adding the government should also revoke its decision.

Interestingly, some cabinet ministers expressed the view that the posts for regularisation should be requisitioned to Nagaland Public Service Commission so that issue could end there.

It may be recalled that the National Health Mission Employees Association Nagaland which went on a indefinite total cease work from June 14, had decided to temporarily withdraw the agitation for 15 days with effect from June 16 following assurances by Health minister S. Pangnyu Phom to address their issue.

JIC report: The cabinet is also likely to discuss the Judicial Inquiry Committee (JIC) report on the Tuensang fiasco and decide the future course of action.

It was learnt that the three-member JIC submitted its report on Wednesday without seeking extension of time. The JIC was formed following a representation submitted by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization to initiate disciplinary action against those official involved in the deliberate violation of the standard operation procedures and related matters.

HC intervenes, asks Speaker to abide by court directives

Seven Congress MLAs, who had crossed over to the BJP, are facing anti-defection cases under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution in the Speaker’s tribunal as well as in the High Court of Manipur.

The Speaker’s tribunal, which had earlier said that it would hear the disqualification cases of the seven Congress MLAs on June 22 advanced it and heard the matter during the day.

But, the high court directed the Speaker not to pronounce any order on the pending disqualification cases of defector Congress MLAs till Friday.

The court order said, “it is clear that the order/judgement reserved today by the Hon’ble Speaker, shall not be pronounced by him till tomorrow (June 19).”

The Congress during the day expressed its anger against Speaker Y Khemchandra Singh by serving a notice for his removal.

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Nagaland COVID tally now 195 Nagaland COVID-19 STATUS as ON June 18, 2020 COVID HOSPITAL

Total Cases

Dimapur DH AR Hospital Dimapur Kiphire DH Kohima NHAK Kohima Chedema Longleng DH Mokokchung IMDH Mon DH Peren CHC Jalukie Phek DH Tuensang DH Wokha DH Zunheboto DH State Total

120 7 0 18 13 0 0 23 8 0 6 0 0 195

Active Cases RecovAsympered tomatic cases 32 88 3 4 0 0 16 2 5 8 0 0 0 0 23 0 6 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 86 109

Symptomatic cases Critical Mild Moderate Severe ICU (without ICU (with ICU (OnOxygen) Oxygen) Ventilator) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B. Distribution of Cases by domicile district0 Kohima 8

Dimapur 29

Mokokchung 0

Phek 1

Active cases: 86 Recovered: 109 DIMAPUR, JUN 18 (NPN): With 6 more patients-- four from Dimapur and two from Peren district-- having recovered from COVID-19 in Nagaland, the active cases in the state has come down to 86 with 56% recovery rate.

Further, in a late night development, two fresh cases were reported from Mon district quarantine

Zunheboto 1

Tuensang 11

Mon 47

Wokha Kiphire 8 4

centre. With this the state’s tally stood at 195-- 86 active and 109 recovered cases.

The six recovered patients have been shifted to their respective COVID care centres while the positive cases were shifted to the COVID-19 hospital for treatment.

As per the severity of symptoms, all the 86 active cases were asymptomatic.

Results of 978 waited: Till date, a total of 7670 COVID-19 suspected samples were sent for testing and results of 6692 samples

of the vote to be declared elected. Thus, five new members – India, Ireland, Mexico, Norway and Kenya – will join the UNSC on January 1, 2021 for a two-year term replacing Indonesia, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Belgium and Germany.

As per rules, five nonpermanent members out of 10 are elected each year for two years. There are already five non-permanent members-- Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam –elected last year. The five permanent Members are France, Russia, the UK, the US and China.

India’s election was welcomed by the US State Department, which looked forward to working together on issues of international peace and security, “a natural extension of the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership”.

Tirumurti described In-

Longleng 0

Peren 84

Others 2

Total 195

were received while the results of 978 samples were awaited.

Out of the 7670 samples, 5010 samples were sent to BSL-3 lab at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) for testing till today, and the result of 4,169 samples have been received, and out of which 137 samples had tested positive.

Currently a total of 7969 persons were presently under facility quarantine and 1709 persons under home quarantine.

Rengma Fee issue: ANPSA urges govt Shops to open from p.m. in Kma Hoho backs to assist lower income section D7a.m.-4 IMAPUR, JUN 18 Shops and comdelimitation D I M A P U R , J U N 1 8 ment, arranging transporta- (NPN): mercial establishments in (NPN): All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA) Thursday informed that private schools would not be able to give fee waiver as many parents who can pay fees were also not paying and they had many added expenditure.

Instead ANPSA suggested that the government could help low income parents without affecting staff salary by directly transferring money to the needy parents through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). In a statement, the association claimed that even with full fees, many schools were unable to pay staff salaries or meet the running expenditure.

It claimed there had been added expenditure for schools due to online classes like taking internet connection, purchasing (Cont’d on p-8) computers and other equip-

DIMAPUR, JUN 18 (NPN): Rengma Hoho (RH) has affirmed its support for implementation of delimitation in Nagaland, saying it was a timely exercise as per the constitution of India.

In a representation addressed to the chairman, Delimitation Commission of India, the RH president Kenyuseng Tep asserted that any attempt to derail the delimitation issue in would be devoid of constitutional provision and tantamount to injustice of equality in re-adjustment of Assembly seats in Nagaland.

RH stated that some districts in Nagaland have been “enjoying numerous seats under the manipulated 1972 delimitation” depriving some communities including Rengma tribe of assembly seats.

tion for teachers, providing printouts to students, following safety norms, etc.

Even after the schools reopen, ANPSA pointed out there would be lot of safety guidelines due to COVID-19, which would increase the running cost of schools though they had no means of increasing fees mid-year to meet these expenditures, which would only add to the burden of schools.

The statement said drivers and handymen of school buses, staff of canteens, hostels, maintenance staff of schools, etc, were all being paid despite the schools buses not running, canteens and hostels closed and schools shut.

Under the circumstances, ANPSA warned that survival of private schools in the State were at stake. (Full text on p-6)

India elected to UNSC with overwhelming majority DoSE issue notice on

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (AGENCIES/PTI): In a oneof-its-kind election for the UN Security Council, India sailed through with an overwhelming number of votes while in a big upset, Canada lost its bid (Cont’d on p-8) to Norway and Ireland.

One election between Djibouti and Kenya went down to the second round in which the latter emerged triumphant. “India will become member of UNSC at a critical juncture. We are confident that in the Covid and post-Covid world, India will continue to provide leadership and a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system,’’ said India’s Permanent Representative to the UN T S Tirumurti.

India got 184 out of 192 votes with China and Pakistan siding with the sole nominee “Staying in quarantine from the Asia Pacific group. reminds me of my hostel Even though a country is the days. Even if food is good, only candidate from its group, all we do is complain.” it still has to get two-thirds

This is it!

What could happen in the next few says is a possibility that if the BJP cannot retrieve power, then the assembly could be placed under suspended animation and president’s rule imposed to enable the BJP to buy time.

While Congress-led SPF has confidently staked claim to form the next Manipur government, sources close to chief minister Biren Singh have informed that many Congress MLAs are in touch with the BJP. Congress has refuted this news, stating all its MLAs support it. Amid this major political upheaval, Manipur’s lone Rajya Sabha seat is to go to polls on Friday.

On June 19, election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat is scheduled and if it goes as per the current strength of the respective coalitions, the SPF is a clear winner. The BJP has fielded Manipur’s titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba while the Congress has fielded veteran T Mangi Babu for the Rajya Sabha election.

T h u s, i n M a n i p u r while the Congress-led SPF may have the numbers, the BJP-led coalition has the advantage.

China brushes aside attack on Indian troops

nagalandpostofficial

dia’s election as recognition of Prime Miniter Narendra Modi’s global role. “His strong engagement across countries and across regions has clearly found resonance,” he said.

Among the five new elected members, India has served the maximum of seven terms while Mexico and Norway have served four terms each while Ireland and Kenya have served thrice and twice, respectively.

India’s last two trysts with UNSC elections have been mixed. It won the 201112 elections by a similarly wide margin but had lost badly to Japan when contesting for the 1996-97 term. In the immediate term, India will seek more transparency, consultations and coordination in UNSC and the UN Secretariat.

The US on Thursday congratulated India on the successful election to the UN Security Council and said it looks forward to working with

New Delhi for a more stable, secure, and prosperous world.

“Hearty congratulations to India’s successful election to the @UN Security Council. The United States looks forward to working with India for a more stable, secure, and prosperous world,” US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster tweeted.

His remarks came hours after India’s overwhelming election as a non-permanent member for a two-year term, beginning January 1, 2021.

In an unprecedented election where envoys from the 192 member-states voted wearing masks and in adherence to the strict socialdistancing norms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India, the endorsed candidate from the Asia-Pacific States, won 184 votes out of the 192 ballots cast in the election for the five non-permanent seats of the Security Council, the world organisation’s most powerful organ.

safe use of internet

DIMAPUR, JUN 18 (NPN): State department of school education (DoSE) has directed the heads of institutions of all schools (both government and private) functioning within Nagaland to take necessary steps to make children and parents aware about the safe use of internet and online threats by the means of SMS, online teaching and other means, which were being used to reach out to children.

The department has noted that with the introduction of online teaching by different institutions in the light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, children spend more time on the internet, often unsupervised and are vulnerable to being targeted online by unwanted elements. The department said there were reports about possibility of online exploitation of children and increase in activity related to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

In a public notice, principal director school education, Shanavas C, informed that IEC materials on safe online learning were available in the official website of the department https://education. nagaland.gov.in for necessary action.

Further, taking note of a few schools sharing personal information of students such as Aadhaar Number in school WhatsApp groups in violation of provisions of the IT Act, 2000, DoSE has, therefore, advised all responsible to be cautious in this regard so that the interests of students were not jeopardized.

Kohima, except for some few, have now been allowed to open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday to Saturday) with immediate effect.

Informing this in a statement, deputy commissioner Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie said the decision was made after consultations with members of the District Task Force, Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KCCI) KCCI and Kohima Municipal Council (KMC). However, the following establishments have been restricted to open till further orders-- all shops selling second-hand items, all barber shops and salons, all tea stalls and hotels.

Further, restaurants and fast food stalls will be allowed for takeaway/deliveries only and no customer shall be allowed inside.

Shops selling fish, chickens and fowls, pork, beef, mutton etc. shall not be allowed to open in the main markets. All such shops are advised to operate inside the colonies. (Cont’d on p-3)

Autos, taxis to ply after govt approval

DIMAPUR, JUN 18 (NPN): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur Anoop Kinchi, has informed that plying of autorickshaws and taxis in Dimapur would be permitted only after receiving approval from the state government.

According to a DIPR report, DC held a meeting with the representatives of All Nagaland Taxis Association (ANTA) and Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers Union (DDADU) in the official chamber of DC Dimapur on June 18, 2020.

At the meeting, DC clarified that the Dimapur District Task Force recommendation pertaining to plying of autorickshaws and taxis has been forwarded to the government.

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2

KTCCI felicitates toppers and best performing schools in Kiphire

DIMAPUR: Kiphire Town Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KTCCI) felicitated state toppers of HSLC/HSSLC and the best performing schools of Kiphire town on June 17.

A press release by KTCCI secretary Tsalichum S. Sangtam stated that, short programme was held at Hopongkyu Memorial Kiphire with state toppers from Kiphire town along with stake holders and the awardee schools.

KTCCI chairman C. S Litingse acknowledged the sincerity of the parents and students and also appreciated the selfless efforts of the school management and teaching fraternity for outstanding performance in the recent exams conducted by NBSE. USBLA Kiphire secretary Dr. Apise, while sanctifying the occasion also appreciated the suc-

Toppers with KTCCI officials at the felicitation programme held on June 17.

cessful candidates, parents, teachers and the schools for their hard work and dedication. Success stories

were shared by all the three toppers and a prayer was led by USBYE youth secretary Throngethsi and Rev.

Imdang Meren pastor Ao Baptist Church, Kiphire.

KTCCI acknowledged Chumliba. R and Ayushi Pathak of Loyola Hr. Sec. School Kiphire for securing top 1st rank and top 8th rank respectively in HSSLC exam (arts stream) 2020 and also Sumit Sahu of Saramati View Modern School Kiphire for securing top 9th rank in HSLC. KTCCI also felicitated six best performing schools namely Loyola Hr. Sec. School, Saramati View Modern School, Good Shepherd School, El Beth School, Agape School and Govt. High School Yanghpi Kiphire town.

KTCCI further distributed face mask to all invitees and also presented certificates and a cash of Rs.10, 000/- each to toppers and certificates with cash to the six best performing schools of Kiphire.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

NLA committee invites petition

Dimapur: Committee on Petition (CoP) of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) under the chairmanship of Dr. Chumben Murry, MLA, on June 16 has informed individuals, associations or institutions to send petitions relating to redressal of public grievances to the office of the secretary, NLA. According to DIPR report, public may send petitions in English or Nagamese duly signed by the petitioner/petitioners with date and countersigned by an MLA, addressed to the commissioner secretary, assembly secretariat. Petitions should be in respectful and in temperate language.

Petitions may relate to: A bill which has been published under Rule 64 or which has been introduced in the house; Any matter connected with the business pending before the House; and any matter of general public interest provided that it is not one: which falls within the cognizance of a court of law having jurisdiction in any part of India or a court of inquiry or a statutory tribunal or author-

ity or a quasi judicial body or a Commission; which should ordinarily be raised in parliament or any other state legislature; which can be raised on a substantive motion or resolution; or for which remedy is available under the law including rules, regulations, bye-laws made by the central or state government or an authority to whom power to make such rules, regulations etc is delegated; Anonymous petitions and petitions raising individual grievances or trivial matters are liable to be summarily rejected; Representations/petitions which falls in the following category will not be considered by the committee but shall be filed on receipt in the committee on petition branch, assembly secretariat: Anonymous letter or letters in which names or addresses of senders are not given or are illegible; and endorsement copies of letters addressed to the authorities or other officers in the assembly secretariat other than the speaker or the house unless there is specific request on such a copy praying for redress of the grievances.

NPGN/NNC (N/A) kilo kilonser clarifies

Dimapur: NPGN/NNC (N/A) kilo kilonser, Shikaho Ayemi while referring to news item “NPGN/NNC (N/A) Sangtam region holds meeting” published on June 18 has clarified that there is no person by the name of T. Lentsoth as chairman of Sangtam region. The kilo kilonser has also asked Kiyelhou Wokhami, who has been terminated from the organisation, not to further comment on “Framework Agreement” signed between Government of India and NSCN (I-M).

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Children with special needs under Dimapur district received smart phones from Samagra Shiksha Nagaland to help them in learning from their school as well as to access online classes. (DIPR)

Power outage in Medziphema area

DIMAPUR: Power department has informed there would be power shutdown in Medziphema, Pherima, Piphema and surrounding

villages from 6 a.m to 10 a.m on June 19 and June 20.

In a press release, executive engineer electrical

DC-534

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

MRS. VEKHOTSOLU (AKHONE) SARAH (21-04-1977 – 13-06-2020) We the bereaved family members would like to convey our heartfelt and profound gratitude to one and all who stood by us spiritually, physically, financially and morally at the sudden demise on 13-06-2020.

Though we are unable to mention everyone, we would like to give our special thanks to: 1. Neiba Kronu, Minister Planning & Co-ordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs 2. Er. Zale Neikha, Advisor Youth Resource and Sports 3. Doctors and Nurses of Bethel Medical Centre 4. Chakhesang Baptist Church, Minister Hill, Kohima 5. Leshemi Baptist Church 6. Leshemi Welfare Union, Kohima 7. Khulazu Basa Union, Kohima 8. Kuzhami Union Kohima 9. Leshemi Village Council 10. Khulazu Basa Village Council 11. Lewoza Village Council 12. Leshemi Women Society 13. Zuketsa Area Public Organization, Kohima 14. P.S and PA of Planning Minister 15. New Minister Hill Prayer Cell 16. Bowe Society, Kohima 17. NDPP Phek Region 18. NDPP 16th A/C Pfutsero 19. NDPP Leshemi Unit 20. NDPP Zuketsa Unit Loving Husband, Son, Daughters & Relatives K-1103

division Chumukedima Kasho Chishi informed that the shutdown has been necessitated for line maintenance works.

Assam Rifles launch operations on illegal activities

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles has launched operations as part of the ongoing crackdown to prevent illegal activities in various parts of the state.

Assam Rifles on June 17 seized IMFL in general area Kushiabil, Dimapur.

According to PRO HQ IGAR (N), based on specific intelligence regarding consignment of contraband, troops of Assam Rifles apprehended Tokiyo Sumi, age 24 year, r/o Kushiabil village. Recoveries assorted liquor amounting to Rs 2, 20, 000/-. The apprehended individual along with seized liquor was handed over to East police station, Dimapur for further investigation.

Assam Rifles in anoth-

er operation apprehended three drug peddlers near Chedema village in Kohima district on June 16. The apprehended individuals have been identified as Neikuo Toshi, age 30 years, r/o Lower T Khel; Seyiekhrielie Zao, age 33 years, r/o Jail Colony and Theja Mere, age 31 years, r/o Lower Bayavu Hill, Kohima district. During the operation the troops also recovered one point 22 mm pistol, two point 22 mm rounds of ammunition and approximately 15 gms of brown sugar amounting to Rs. 1,50,000/-. The apprehended persons along with recovered items have been handed over to North Police Station, Kohima for further investigations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Condolence by NDPP president

DIMAPUR: NDPP has expressed sorrow at the untimely demise of late Pokoi Khiam, NDPP president, 56 Noklak A/C on June 18 after a brief illness. A condolence message by NDPP president, Chingwang Konyak stated that, late Pokoi Khiam, who also served as the vice president of Nokhu Village Public Organisation had been actively involved with the NDPP from the very inception of the party till date and performed his duties as the president of the NDPP, 56th Noklak A/C with utmost sincerity, dedication and commitment.

NDPP president on his own and on behalf of all rank and file of the NDPP conveyed condolences to the Themshao Khiam, wife of the deceased and pray that Almighty God grant the departed soul rest in peace.

NDPP Tuensang region president, L. Tochi Chang along with all rank and file also condoled the deceased and pray that God grant strength and courage to the bereaved family.

ENPO, USLP condolence

DIMAPUR: ENPO has expressed deep sadness over the demise of late Tsilongthsingshu, mother of Seopi Sangtam, president of United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) on June 17 at Old Monger village Kiphire district. ENPO conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

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tam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) general secretary P. Achumse Sangtam stated that late Tsilongthsingshu was a humble, loving, caring, and a prayer warrior with a strong personality who dedicated her life for the welfare of society.

USLP conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and pray that the departed soul rest in peace.

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We, the bereaved family members of Shri. L. LANGKHANG would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all individuals, neighbors, organizations, friends and well wishers who stood by us physically, financially, morally and spiritually at his sudden demise on 11/JUNE/2020.

We convey our special thanks to: 1 Commandant N.A.P Battalion P.T.S. Wazirabad Delhi 2 Commandant 3rd N.A.P Tuensang 3 Company Commander B Coy 3rd N.A.P. Delhi 4 Company Commander F Coy 3rd N.A.P Noklak 5 R.O 3rd N.A.P.Tuensang 6 All ranks & files of N.A.P Delhi and 3rd N.A.P Battalion Tuensang 7 N.A.P Fellowship Delhi 8 Police Baptist Church Tuensang 9 Khiamniungan Baptist Church Chumoukedima 10 Khiamniungan Baptist Church Chumoukedima Women Dept.

11 Khiamniungan Baptist Church Dimapur 12 Khiamniungan Baptist Church Diphupar B 13 Eastern Nagaland Students ’Union Delhi 14 E.N.P.O D&F Coy 7th N.A.P.Delhi 15 Sumi Welfare 3rd N.A.P Delhi 16 Chang Union Delhi 17 Yimchunger Union Delhi 18 Unit Canteen 3rd N.A.P 19 Ward-11 Chumoukedima 20 Khiamniungan Union Dimapur 21 Khiamniungan Union Chumoukedima 22 Khiamniungan Covid 19 Task Force Dimapur 23 Kudongshe Paopung Hoikam Dimapur 24 Shri.P.Longon Ex Minister 25 Dr. Mukem Commandant 11th N.A.P (I R) 26 Shri. Kedi Kense & Family Nagaland House Delhi We deeply regret and apologise for our inability to thank each and every one individually, but please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude and it’s our sincere prayers that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Son & Family members DP-2815

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nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Due to COVID pandemic should services of newly appointed Doctors be regularised?

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

A B C

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

Community dissemination on preventive measures at Bhandari

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

80% 20% 0%

Next poll

Q: S h o u l d I n d i a p u t

WEATHER FORECAST June 19

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Occasional rain and a t-storm 32 25 Aizawl

Occasional rain and a t-storm 27 21

Guwahati A stray a.m. t-storm; cloudy

30 25

An afternoon t-storm or two

29 21

Itanagar A t-storm around in the p.m.

26 23

Imphal Shillong

Cloudy, a t-storm in spots

23 19

Kohima

Mostly cloudy with a t-storm

25 19

Dimapur A t-storm around in the p.m.

30 24

Mostly cloudy with a t-storm

27 20

Tuensang A morning t-storm in the area

20 16

Mkg

A stray afternoon t-storm

25 22

Zunheboto A heavy afternoon t-storm

24 18

Wokha

Area coordinator disseminating awareness to a group DC Wokha Orenthung Lotha along with police personnel of people to curb and contain spread of COVID-19. and members of DBAA on June 17. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Community cadres of Suphayan and Hayiyan villages under Bhandari block, Wokha, disseminated to the community on taking preventive measures to curb and contain the spread of COVID-19.

A press release from NSRLM Bhandari block, Wokha, area coordinator (SISD) Chichanthung Shitiri stated that, the cadres cascaded Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for training along with several bulletins and pamphlets to the SHG members.

Kumchelan VLO, president of the Suphayan village,

conducted and presided over separate awareness sessions-cum-trainings on COVID-19 prevention that comprised of non-SHGs members and vulnerable groups such as the migrant workers.

Area coordinators actively gave awareness sessions by translating the messages received in the form of pamphlets from MORD, by literally translating the messages from script to audio format for easier dissemination via WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Area coordinators also conducted virtual

Northeast

COVID-19 has highlighted the need to have robust healthcare system: Khandu

Itanagar, Jun 18 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of a robust healthcare system and self-sufficiency.

He was speaking at a meeting with representatives of political parties and community-based organisations for discussing “the way forward” in the post unlock 1.0 period. “ We a s Te a m A r unachal are committed to seriously work in these two directions,” the chief minister said.

The meeting aimed at finalising standard operating procedures (SoPs) for the post June 30 period by seeking suggestions of all stakeholders as asked by Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi in a video conference on Tuesday last, they said.

The meeting was attended by leaders of political parties like the BJP, Congress, PPA, NPP and the JDU, and communitybased organisations such as the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF) and

Pema Khandu

the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU).

After threadbare discussions on re-opening of educational institutions, guidelines for return of stranded people, procurement of labourers, quarantine facilities and sample testing, Khandu said that schools will not reopen before August.

The government will review the prevailing situation in July and decide after receiving guidelines from the Union Human Resources Ministry, the chief minister said.

Colleges under Rajiv Gandhi University will reopen as per directives of the University Grant Commission (UGC), he said.

About 14,000 stranded

4 BRTF personnel test COVID19 positive in Arunachal

Itanagar, Jun 18 (PTI): The number of novel coronavirus cases in Arunachal Pradesh has crossed the 100-mark with four Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) personnel testing positive for the infection, a senior health official said on Thursday.

The four new cases have taken the virus count in the northeastern state to 103, of which 93 are active cases and ten persons have recovered, he said.

The fresh cases have been reported from quarantine centres in Lower Dibang Valley, Namsai, Tirap and Lower Siang districts. The patients are asymptomatic and have been admitted to COVID-19 care centres of the BRTF, State Surveillance Officer, Dr L Jampa, said. The new patients had recently returned to Arunachal Pradesh from other states, he said.

The infected person from Lower Dibang Valley K Y M C

had returned from Uttar Pradesh while the one from Namsai had come back from Tamil Nadu.

The new patient from Tirap had returned from Kerala while the one from Lower Siang district had come back from Chandigarh, Jampa said.

A total of three persons were discharged from COVID-19 care centres on Wednesday after their samples tested negative for the coronavirus in two consecutive tests, he said, adding they have been advised 14days home quarantine.

Of the 93 active cases in the state, 58 are from Changlang, nine from East Siang, eight from Capital Complex comprising Itanagar and Naharlagun, four from West Kameng, three each from Lower Dibang Valley and Tirap, two each from Lohit and Namsai and one each from Longding, Lower Siang, Tawang and West Siang districts.

people have returned to the state who have been put under institutional quarantine. They were placed under home quarantine only when they tested negative for two consecutive times as per the prevailing SoPs, Khandu said.

He said that a timeline will be set for people wanting to return to the northeastern state from across the country.

Those returning after the timeline will have to bear a minimum cost of institutional quarantine.

However, the state government will continue to bear the expenses of the swab test. At present, all expenses of institutional quarantine and tests are borne by the state government.

Five-day institutional quarantine will be mandatory for the returnees followed by RT-PCR testing to be done twice.

This will be applicable to all returnees, including government officials of all ranks, he said.

Essential service providers will also need to follow the SoPs, Khandu said.

sessions to community cadres, using online platform. These sessions included a live or recorded online awareness sessions on various topics.

DBAA Wokha: Don Bosco Alumni Association (DBAA) Wokha unit provided essential food items to returnees staying at the quarantine centres on June 17 under the theme, “Mission Humanity”.

According to DIPR report, the association also donated cash amount of Rs. 30,000/- (thirty thousand) each for Bhandari quarantine centre and Sanis quarantine centre,

CTC and LBCD release books

DIMAPUR: Clark Centre for Peace Research and Action (CCPRA), Clark Theological College (CTC) released its 11th series of publication titled “Christian response to human trafficking: Biblical, theological, ethical, ministerial, NGOs, and legal perspectives” on June 17 by College Principal Rev. Dr. Marnungsang Pongener.

A press release by CTC director professor L. Imsutoshi Jaimr stated that, all the articles were compiled and edited by Dr. Sangtemkala, assoc. professor and HoD of Christian Theological, CTC. The book is an outcome of the national seminar organized by CCPRA in the year 2017 where

papers were presented by different scholars addressing the issue.

The book comprises of a keynote address and 9 (nine) articles contributed by different scholars that will enable the readers to see the dehumanizing reality of human trafficking in the society.

The articles represent a wide range of lived experiences and expertise that directly deals with questions relating to human trafficking, its causes and effects and how the church, institutions, organization and Christians should respond to this variegated crime.

For more information, interested persons may contact CCPRA programme coordinator at 8732010380.

Handbook for PWDs

LBCD: A comprehensive handbook for Persons with Disability (PWD) titled “Legitimate rights of disabilities and PARIVAARNCPO milestones” was released on June 15.

A release by the author, Akum Ezung stated handbook was released by Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur (LBCD) pastor, Thenjamo Tsanglao.

The release claimed that the handbook would enhance many ideas to transform disabilities legitimate rights and its legal perceptions. It said the contents are “volume of penetrating the rights and entitlement of disabilities up to the new draft rules of 2016” provided by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

Rs. 20,000/- (twenty thousand) for the health care workers, Rs. 20, 000/(twenty thousand) each for the Police personnel and SDRF (Home Guards) and Rs. 5000/- (five thousand) for the caretakers COVID kitchen. The cash amount was handed over to the deputy commissioner, SP and chief medical officer.

Deputy commissioner, Wokha Orenthung Lotha, expressed gratitude to the DBS alumni association for the contribution extended towards the frontline workers during COVID-19 Task Force Mon led by DC Mon, Thavaseelan K, launched the such time of crisis. clappia app for the management of quarantine centres under Mon in the NIC video conference room, DC office on June 18, in the presence of SP, Empowered Group and civil societies. (DIPR)

D&S Judge Phek convicts two

DIMAPUR: Court of District and Session Judge on June 17 has convicted two persons for “illegally possessing and transporting” 450 kg of ganja and awarded the duo 15 years of rigorous imprisonment. A press release by government pleader cum public prosecutor, Samuel Ritse, informed that Session Judge Phek, Mezivolu T Therieh also imposed a fine of Rs. two lakh each to the convicts under NDPS Act. The release stated that the two accused person namely Khapelo Sarah and Vecukho Rhakho was arrested by police after a huge quantity of ganja was found from the house of accused Khapelo at Lewoza Village on May 30, 2018.

Delhi Naga citizens assist departure of returnees

Shops to open from 7a.m.-4 p.m. in Kma

(From p-1) Shops located at the markets mentioned below: BOC- T. Khel Market, Mao Market; Town-Max Bazaar (New NST area), Blue Market (New NST area), Razou Point Market; High School- Peraciezie Market.

It also stated that shops at the road levels may be allowed open subject to maintenance of all safety protocols and strict supervision by KMC & KCCI. Dos and Don’ts: 1. Multi-brand & single brand stores shall use all precautionary measures like masks, sanitizers, thermal screening, safety kits etc. They shall entertain only minimum number of customers at a time.

2. Public are advised to have a pre-planned/prepared list of shopping in advance to avoid crowding during marketing.

3. Proper social distancing should be maintained at all times.

4. Shopkeepers shall mandatorily keep hand sanitizer/hand wash in all shops/complexes.

5. Customers without masks should not be entertained by shopkeepers.

6. Shopkeepers shall mandatorily wear masks/ gloves to serve the customer.

7. All shopkeepers should compulsorily maintain limited entry of customers in their respective shops as per the size of the shop for social distancing, at all times.

8. KMC & KCCI shall ensure that proper and visible board displaying all the rules and norms must be kept in every shop/complex/malls.

9. The use of masks in public places is mandatory.

Defaulters shall be strictly punished as per law.

10. Any shop/commercial establishment not strictly Aizawl, Jun 18 (PTI): following orders shall be penalized and the concerned Nine more people have shop/commercial establishment shall be closed. tested positive for COVID19 in Mizoram, taking the northeastern state’s tally to 130, Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana said on Thursday.

S o u t h M i z o r a m ’s Lawngtlai and Siaha districts have reported four new cases each while one case was reported from Lunglei district, he said.

Of the new cases, four each had returned from Delhi and Haryana while one had come back from Maharashtra, the minister added.

Meanwhile, eight more people have recovered from the disease and will be discharged from the state-run Zoram Medical College on Friday, he said. With this development, the number of active cases stands at 121 while nine people have been cured of the disease so far, the minister added.

9 fresh COVID19 cases in Mizoram

Returnees before leaving Delhi for Nagaland on the Delhi-Dimapur Shramik Special.

DIMAPUR: Delhi Naga citizens assisted in the departure of returnees from the super express special train-the Delhi-Dimapur Shramik Special provided by the Delhi Division of the NFR Indian Railways, which had brought back 582 passengers on June 16 morning to Dimapur, covering a distance of 2147 kilometers from Delhi to Dimapur.

A press release from Delhi Eastern Naga Students Union (DENSU) president Yangtikhum Sangtam and general secretary, Metba K. Phom stated that, the journey was made possible with the involvement of officials and staff of Nagaland House Delhi, elders of Naga community in Delhi, the

DAAT COVID Relief Committee, various Naga student bodies and individuals. Release also stated that Delhi Sikh Gurudwara managing committee provided lunch for the entire community on the day of the journey.

Naga elders in Delhi also arranged food hampers for the journey, while Delhi government, Delhi Police,

NDMC and DDA facilitated the medical screening and identification of the passengers and also provided packed dinner. Railway Protection Force provided security in the train while the government Railway Police of Lucknow and Patna division ensured adequate security arrangement within its jurisdiction.

DC-533

relations with China on cold storage for killing of 20 soldiers?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

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State/Northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

K Y M C

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northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

developments in Manipur has Assam well fire continues; environment monitored toPolitical do with the leadership : Meghalaya CM

GUWAHATI, JUN 18 (PTI): With gas continuing to flow out uncontrollably and the blaze still raging at a natural gas well of Oil India Limited (OIL) at Baghjan in Assam, an environment impact assessment study is in progress along with monitoring of air quality and noise level, the PSU said.

Well number 5 has been spewing gas uncontrollably since May 27 and it caught fire on June 9, killing two of OIL’s firefighters at the site.

The public sector undertaking said the environment impact assessment (EIA) study is in progress

by M/s ERM India Pvt. Limited, a NABET accredited consultant, to carry out an environmental and ecological survey within the vicinity of the gas well in Tinsukia district, including Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and MaguriMotapung Beel.

Mentioning that there will be a study by the energy, environment and climate change organisation TERI on air quality and noise level, the OIL said in a press release that arrangements for placing the equipment for monitoring are underway by a TERI team.

A joint team from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and

Well number 5 has been spewing gas uncontrollably since May 27.

North East Institute of SciTalking about assis- transit. ence and Technology, Jorhat tance from the Army, the Civil work is in proghad reached Tinsukia on release said 15 trucks loaded ress for digging/ extension Wednesday to study tremor with materials for Bailey of the second 12,000 KL report using seismological Bridge mobilised from 3 water reservoir, debris laytechnique.

Corps at Misamari, Tez- down and kill pump area, Installation of five seis- pur have reached Baghjan besides fabrication of other mometer stations is to com- and preliminary work has infrastructure required for mence on Thursday and a started. well capping operation. recce will be conducted for Fabrication of 10 heat Though there is no fire additional site under guid- shields for Army personnel in the periphery of the well ance of district authorities, has been completed and site at present, the company the oil exploration major fabrication of additional has declared an area up to said. such shields is in progress 1.5 km radius as “red zone” As part of the prepara- at OIL’s engineering work- to avoid any untoward intion for capping the well, shop, while erection of heat cident and damage to the OIL said a team from M/s shield in front of the debris people.

SPA, Mumbai visited the area is in progress, it said.

For relief and rehabilisite on Wednesday to assess Regarding mobilisation tation of the affected people the area for placing Breath- of equipment from ONGC, and property, a survey has ing Air Cascade system for it said vehicles carrying been initiated by the comthe safety of the personnel second load mobilised from mittee constituted by the working during the well ONGC, Rajamundry and district administration for capping operation.

ONGC, Vadodara are in assessment of damage for

Rajya Sabha poll: Mizoram’s lone seat poised for triangular fight Aizawl, Jun 18 (PTI): The stage is set for Rajya Sabha election to Mizoram’s lone seat, which will witness a triangular contest on Friday.

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has fielded the party’s national core committee member K Kanlalvena as the candidate for the biennial election, while the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the Congress nominated B Lalchhanzova and Dr. Lallianchhunga respectively.

Lalchhanzova is the ZPM’s general secretary (frontal in-charge) while Lallianchhunga is the spokesperson and media

department chairman of the state Congress.

In the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, the MNF has 27 members, ZPM seven, Congress five and the BJP has one MLA. Polling will be held at the Assembly secretariat between 9 am and 4 pm on Friday.

Assembly commissioner and secretary H Lalrinawma, who is also the returning officer for Rajya Sabha polls, said counting will be held on the same day, possibly from 5 pm, after receiving permission from the Election Commission.

He said that polling

will be held observing social distancing norms as per the Election Commission’s directive to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We have sent a written appeal to all legislators to wear face masks and hand gloves before coming to the polling centre,” Lalrinawma said on Thursday.

He said thermal scanning will be done to all electors near the entrance of the polling centre as a safety protocol.

There will be two medical teams at the Assembly secretariat where an isolation room has been set up in case anyone falls sick during the polling.

compensation.

About the impact on oil/ gas production, the OIL said, “Due to stoppage/ blockades, there was production loss of 406 MT of crude oil and 0.64 MMSCM of natural gas as reported on 17-06-2020. Operations were disrupted in 31 oil wells and 5 gas wells.

“Cumulative production loss since May 27 due to bandhs and blockades is 6,538 MT crude oil and 8.61 MMSCM of natural gas,” the release said.

At present five inquiries are taking place to find out the facts -- a three-member probe by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, a one-member probe by the Assam government and an internal five-member inquiry by the OIL. Besides, two more crucial independent investigations of technical nature are being carried out by Directorate General Of Mines Safety (DGMS) and Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD).

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had also ordered the Additional Principal Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) to conduct a study on the effects of the explosion on the environment and ecology of the surrounding areas, including on flora and fauna in the adjacent DibruSaikhowa National Park.

Mizoram comes up with music video challenges to soothe Covid-19 patients

AIZAWL, JUN 18 ( AGENCIES): In Mizoram, the Covid-19 medical team of Lawngtlai district hospital, headed by Dr. Elsadai Lalbersiama adopted an innovative technique to create an interesting and fun-filled atmosphere for Covid-19 patients, reports The Northeast Today.

The technique involves engagement in short musical performance and creating videos, which are later shared among the doctors, nurses, and patients.

Doctor Lalbersiama said that the challenge has shown a way to connect with the patients and boost their physical and mental health during the present tough time.

Medium intensity quake in NE

Shillong, Jun 18 (PTI): A medium intensity earthquake measuring 5 rocked the north eastern states on Thursday, officials said. The tremor took place at 7.30 pm and was tracked at a depth of 80 km from the earth’s surface at a place in Champai district of Mizoram, an official at the Regional Seismic Centre here told PTI. The tremor was felt in Shillong and all major cities in the north east, the official said. The state police said there was no immediate report of any damages in Meghalaya.

Indo-China tension puts spotlight on NE rail project

When completed, the 26.15kms railway project will be the railhead nearest to the Arunachal Pradesh-China border.

GUWAHATI, JUN 18 ( AGENCIES): The muchdelayed 26.15kms railway project connecting Murkongselek in Assam and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh finds itself in the spotlight against the backdrop of the border standoff with China in Ladakh, reports the telegraph.

The project was sanctioned in 2012 but, according to a senior railway official, is stuck since 2017 because of problems over compensation for land earmarked for acquisition. Many have now called for an early resolution of the issue because monetary considerations “cannot come in the way of national security and national interest”. Land had been acquired in two batches in 2017 — 1.79km in Dhemaji district of Assam and 6.6km in Pasighat — but the process has been stuck since then. When completed, the project will be

the railhead nearest to the Arunachal Pradesh-China border. Many people and politicians of the region believe that the rail connectivity could be used to ferry soldiers and artillery should tensions with China escalate as rail is a smoother mode of communication in such cases than roads.

Pasighat, which has an advance landing ground for mobilising troops, is between 300km and 450km from the China border.

Any skirmish with China revives memories of the 1962 war when Chinese troops had overrun several towns, including Arunachal’s Bomdila, sparking panic and a mass exodus as far away as Tezpur in Assam. Tezpur is 150km from Bomdila.

The brief 1962 war, from October 20 to November 21, had exposed India’s deficiencies that had mostly to do with lack of

preparedness and problems over transporting soldiers and war equipment to the border. People of the region, including Pasighat in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh and Murkongselek in Dhemaji district of Assam, don’t want a repeat of such a situation.

Then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had in his address to the nation on All India Radio said on November 20, 1962: “Huge Chinese armies have been marching in the northern part of NEFA (then Arunachal Pradesh). We have had reverses at Walong, Se La and today Bomdila, a small town in NEFA, has also fallen. We shall not rest till the invader goes out of India or is pushed out. I want to make that clear to all of you, and, especially our countrymen in Assam, to whom our heart goes out at this moment.”

The Chinese withdraw

on their own but have been claming Arunachal Pradesh to be part of South Tibet. China had in 2017 even renamed six places in Arunachal Pradesh on its official map.Schoolteachers and freelance writers Litem Eshi of Pasighat and Vinod Kumar Singh from Silapathar in Dhemaji district told The Telegraph on Wednesday that monetary compensation should not come in the way of national security and national interest.

“This railway track will serve two objectives.

People in eastern Arunachal Pradesh will benefit from this railway project. Defence personnel will also benefit as it will make movement of men and machines that much easier. The issue should be resolved at the earliest,” Eshi, 38, said.

“Compared to the massive (infrastructure) development in the border areas of China, we have a long way to go. They have built highways along the border. Our state, on the other hand, got connected with the railways only in 2014,” he added. “We need to be well-prepared to meet any eventuality. We cannot allow a repeat of 1962. We lost the war mainly because of communication issues.”

Singh echoed Eshi.

“This project needs to be given the right push, especially after what is happening in the Galwan Valley (in Ladakh). More so because we keep hearing reports of incursions by Chinese troops along the Line of Actual

Control in the frontier state (Arunachal),” the Assam resident said.

An AASU leader from Silapathar in Dhemaji district, Deven Deka, said any project that benefits the region and national security should be completed at the earliest.

According to railway sources, it will take at least three years to complete the project once the land acquisition issues are resolved.

East Siang de puty commissioner Kinny Singh told this correspondent on Wednesday that she was in a meeting and would revert as soon as possible. A text message with queries related to compensation was yet to be answered till late on

Correspondent SHILLONG, JUN 18: Meghalaya chief minister and National People’s Party (NPP) national president, Conrad Sangma on Thursday ruled out that the political development in Manipur will not have any impact in Meghalaya.

Four NPP cabinet ministers -- Y Joykumar, L Jayantakumar, Letpao Haokip and N Kayisii -submitted their resignation letters to the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday and extended support to the opposition Congress to form the Secular Progressive Front government.

While the NPP with four MLAs is part of the BJP-led government in Manipur, the BJP with only two legislators is part of the NPP-led government in Meghalaya.

“The situation which is unfolding in Manipur has to do with the leadership and triggered by the resignation of three BJP legislators from the primary membership of the BJP,” Sangma told journalists.

“It is more of an individual-based centric issue which will not have any impact in the state of Meghalaya. We have already discussed with all our partners here (Meghalaya) on

Conrad Sangma Wednesday night. During those issues that led to its the discussion, I apprised building up. Let’s see as we them about the situation are discussing and trying to and assured everybody that resolve,” the NPP president the Manipur situation will said. not have any impact,” he Stating there are alasserted. ways concerns in coalition Asked what triggered and it is never simple and his four NPP legislators easy, the Meghalaya Chief to withdraw support to Minister however stressed the BJP-led government, as he said, “It is important Sangma said, “There had there should be continuous been concerns regarding dialogue, discussion and the leadership of the Chief continuous process through Minister in Manipur such as which we will resolve small taking away portfolios from issues before it becomes some of the NPP ministers big.” besides some interference Whether the NP P was also there. would send party leaders “.. We have taken up to visit Manipur, the NPP this issue at the Central president said that two leadership of the BJP earlier general secretaries at the but whatever the case may national level, one from be, since we have decided Mizoram and another from to work together, we con- Nagaland have been retinued. But I am not here quested to visit Manipur to blame anybody. Maybe and submit a report on the we were not able to resolve political situation there.

Polling for lone Meghalaya Rajya Sabha seat on Friday S hillong, J un 1 8 (AGENCIES): Polling for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Meghalaya will be held on Friday with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Dr. Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi poised to win the elections despite Opposition Congress putting up a straight fight through its candidate Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem.

The lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) legislator, Adelbert Nongrum, however, has declared to abstain from voting.

Nevertheless, six political parties’ including an Independent legislator supporting the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government have reaffirmed their support to Dr. Kharlukhi who is the consensus candidate of the ruling alliance.

“All political parties and legislators supporting the MDA government have expressed their support for Dr Kharlukhi. Once again we are thankful to all the MDA partners and we are confident of winning the Rajya Sabha election,” Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.

T h e M DA h a s 4 1 members including two BJP members in the 60-members House Meghalaya Assembly.

The opposition Congress has 19 members.

Sangma, who is also the NPP national president, termed Nongrum’s decision

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT 11 NAP (IR) BATTALION

RÜZAPHEMA : NAGALAND NO.11 NAP (IR) BN/RO-14/20-21/1119 Dt. Rzpma. the 17th June, '2020 To, Shri. :- Lithungo Odyuo Regtl. :- NO.111630 Rank :- Constable (GD) S/O :- Rankho Lotha Vill. :- New Riphyim P.O/PS :- Wokha Dist. :- Wokha Sub:- CALLING NOTICE Whereas, you have been found absent from bonafide Govt. duty w.e.f.

31/07/19 (FN) without any leave or permission from the competent authority till date.

And whereas, your failure to respond on 3 (Three) consecutive Calling Notices served to you vide this office Letter of even No. Dated (1) 02/09/19, (2) 11/09/19 and (3) 23/09/19, your failure to respond on the subsequent "Show Cause" dated 04/10/2019 within 30 (thirty) days and failure to report back for duty within 7 (seven) Days Notice published in Nagaland Post dated 22/11/2019 is found to be tantamount to negation of relevant conduct rules and applicable laws.

Now therefore, the undersigned directs you to report back within 15 (fifteen) days from the publication of this 'Calling Notice'.

Upon failure to report within the stipulated timeframe, Departmental Enquiry will be conducted against you ex-parte with appointment of Inquiry Officer/Presenting Officer to inquire into the charges framed and you will be 'Dismissed /Terminated' from service consequent upon the findings of the Departmental Enquiry.

Commandant 11 NAP (IR) Battalion Rüzaphema, Nagaland DP-2819

to abstain from voting as his “individual decision”.

The KHNAM legislator said his decision to desist from voting is in protest against the lone NPP Lok Sabha member Agatha Sangma’s voting in favour of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act. “Nongrum has taken his individual stand and we respect his stand, but the decision to support Dr Kharlukhi was unanimous and we are confident of victory on June 19,” the Chief Minister reiterated.

The lone Rajya Sabha seat from Meghalaya fell vacant after the term of Congress leader, Wansuk Syiem expired on April 12 this year.

Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Assembly, Dr. Mukul Sangma has said that the lone Rajya Sabha seat allotted to the state was of utmost importance even as he observed that it was a testing time for the state’s Regd. No. 307/8

legislators.

The veteran Congress legislator also mentioned the differing stands of the Congress and the National People’s Party (NPP) on the contentious CAA, with the latter having voted in its favour in Parliament, and said that the state legislators would be demonstrating their stand during the voting on Friday.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor said all steps are being taken to ensure that necessary safeguards as per protocol are in place.

“All COVID-19 containment arrangements in the polling station are being supervised by a senior nodal medical health officer deputed by the state government on the request of Election Commission of India to chief secretaries,” Kharkongor said, adding that his focus is to conduct the Rajya Sabha poll in a

AFFIDAVIT

Dated : 22/03/2018

I, Shri K Yenso, S/o Khole resident of Tamkong Village, PO/PS Tobu District Mon in the state of Nagaland do hereby solemnly declared and affirmed as under.

1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India and a native of (KONYAK) Naga Tribe.

2. That my name was erroneously/mistakenly entered as K Henshu Konyak in Service book, K Yenso Ky in Service ID Card and Y Yenso Ky in GPF Passbook.

3. Henceforth I would like to declare that the name Shri K Yenso, K Henshu Konyak, K Yenso Ky and Y Yenso Ky is the same and one person.

4. That let this affidavit be handed over to the appropriate authority concerned for necessary clarification and acceptance thereof.

That the statements made in the above mentioned paragraph 1 to 4 are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

DEPONENT Solemnly declared and affirmed before me by the deponent on this 22nd March 2018 at Mon. Magistrate Mon : Nagaland DP-2806

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT 11 NAP (IR) BATTALION

RÜZAPHEMA : NAGALAND NO.11 NAP (IR) BN/RO-14/20-21/1120 Dt. Rzpma. the 17th June, '2020 To, Shri. :- Rajan Singh Regtl. :- NO.132 Rank :- NCE (Cook) S/O :- Ram Pravesh Singh Vill. :- Fuiwariya P.O/PS :- Chori Chora Nagara Dist. :- Gorakhpur State :- Uttar Pradesh Sub:- CALLING NOTICE Whereas, you have been found absent from bonafide Govt. duty w.e.f.

28/11/19 (FN) without any leave or permission from the competent authority till date.

And whereas, your failure to respond on 3 (Three) consecutive Calling Notices served to you vide this office Letter of even No. Dated (1) 03/01/20, (2) 23/01/20 and (3) 06/02/20, your failure to respond on the subsequent "Show Cause" Dated 17/02/2020 within 30 (thirty) days and failure to report back for duty within 7 (seven) Days Notice published in Nagaland Post dated 15/03/2020 is found to be tantamount to negation of relevant conduct rules and applicable laws.

Now therefore, the undersigned directs you to report back within 15 (fifteen) days from the publication of this 'Calling Notice'.

Upon failure to report within the stipulated timeframe, Departmental Enquiry will be instituted against you ex-parte with appointment of Inquiry Officer/Presenting Officer to inquire into the charges so framed and you will be 'Dismissed /Terminated' from service consequent upon the findings of the Departmental Enquiry.

Commandant 11 NAP (IR) Battalion DP-2826 Rüzaphema, Nagaland

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

Indian business returning to normal: PM increased. When compared to last year, wheat procurement is 11 per cent more which means farmers are also getting more money.”

“India has come out of past crises and it will come out of this one as well,” he said. “Indian success, growth is guaranteed. We can become self-reliant,” he added.

“Just until a few weeks back, we used to import N-95 face masks, corona testing kids, personal protective equipment (PPE), and ventilators. But now India is meeting its demand through Make in India.

Soon we will become exporters of important medical products,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed on self-reliance, which means cutting down on imports and turning into an export-surplus nation.

He asked India Inc and corporate leaders to keep morale high. “We can achieve these goals. We can become self-reliant. We have to make a self-reliant India,” he said. “ India Inc and the corporate world has a chance to change the course of history and fate of India.

We should not let this opportunity go. Let’s take India forward, make India self-reliant.”

Modi pitched for reversing import dependence in sectors such as coal and exploiting domestically available resources to turn into a net exporter.

“Self-reliant India means lesser dependence on imports. Self-reliant India means saving thousands of crores of rupees spent on imports and using them for welfare of the poor.

“Self-reliant India means creating an India that doesn’t need to import by exploiting domestic resources. What we import today, we will be the biggest exporter of the same commodity tomorrow,” he said.

He was referring to India having the world’s fourth-largest reserves yet it is the second biggest coal importer in the world.

The commercial mining of coal will make India self-sufficient in energy.

“India will fight corona and will also win,” he said adding “we have to convert this crisis into an opportunity.”

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China’s claim over Galwan Valley ‘exaggerated, untenable’: MEA

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said business activity in India is fast returning to normal levels with consumption and demand approaching pre-COVID levels as visible in macro data on power, fuel and other consumption.

India faced a recessionlike scenario after a national lockdown was imposed on March 25 to curb spread of coronavirus. The lockdown, that has continued in various phases into June, albeit with significant easing of restrictions, resulted in the severe disruption of industrial production and consumer spending, with GDP growth forecast to contract sharply.

With the easing of lockdown conditions, business activity was fast returning to normal levels, Modi said.

Speaking at the launch of commercial coal mining, he said “consumption and demand are fast approaching pre-COVID levels”.

He cited spurt in power generation and consumption as well as demand for petroleum products during

the last week of May and first week of June to buttress his point.

E-way bills have seen about 200 per cent rise when compared with April.

Also, road and highway toll collection in June has reached 70 per cent of the pre-COVID levels of February, while railway freight tariff in May has seen an improvement of 26 per cent over April. Digital transactions too have witnessed a rise in both volume and value terms.

“These indicators point to Indian economy fast preparing to bounce back,” he said adding, “India has come out of big crises in the past and it will

Sisodia takes over health min after Jain tests Covid +ve

Centre targets 6L rapid COVID tests Public mood towards China turns the clock to 1962 in Delhi; to add 500 ventilators

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (IANS): Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia will now also take over the affairs of Health Ministry as Health Minister Satyendar Jain is hospitalised with coronavirus infection.

Sisodia will now be responsible for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus in the national capital.

Jain however will continue to be a minister without portfolio.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Without taking care of your health, you were engaged in public service 24 hours a day. Take care and get well soon.”

With this, the Chief Minister has entrusted the responsibility of all his departments to Sisodia.

Jain was admitted to a hospital after suffering from high fever. He has had the corona test twice so far. The second report on Wednesday evening showed him corona positive.

So far, four MLAs of Aam Aadmi Party, including Jain, have tested positive for the virus.

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): The Centre plans to conduct six lakh rapid antigen COVID-19 tests in Delhi at 169 new facilities, where 50,000 kits have already been supplied, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Thursday.

He also said the Central government is going to provide 500 additional ventilators and 650 ambulances to hospitals in Delhi, which has seen a spike in number of coronavirus cases over the past few days.

“From today onwards, 169 testing centres will be operational in Delhi where rapid antigen methodology will be used. We have targeted to conduct six lakh tests.

People living in containment zones and relatives of the positive cases can go for test at any of these centres,” Reddy told reporters here.

The Union Minister of State for Home also said that as of now 50,000 rapid testing kits procured from South Korea have been sent to these 169 testing centres.

He said Delhi currently has 431 ventilators and the

Narendra Modi come out of the present one as well.”

The back-breaking lockdown has led international rating agencies and analysts to forecast a contraction in Indian economy in the fiscal ending March 31, 2021 and sharp recovery in the following financial year.

So far, the government as well as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not put an estimate of growth for 2020-21 fiscal.

Modi said the rural economy is also picking up speed. “Area under sowing of the Kharif crop is 13 per cent more than last year.

This year wheat production and procurement has also

central government will provide 500 more to hospitals in the city. Similarly, the Centre will provide 650 ambulances to add to the 350 that the city already has, he said.

“Because of the (coronavirus) situation, people of Delhi were gripped in tension. So, the Central government took the matter seriously,” he said.

Reddy said that following a directive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah, the Centre and the Delhi government took certain decisions for the benefit of the people of the national capital.

The ministry had on Wednesday said that a total of 16,618 test samples were collected in Delhi on June 15 and 16, while till June 14, the daily collection varied between 4,000-4,500.

In order to improve contact-mapping in containment zones in the city, health surveys have been started and out of a total population of 2,30,466 in

242 containment zones, 1,77,692 people were surveyed between June 15 and 16. The remaining will be covered by June 20, it had said.

Home minister Amit Shah had a series of meetings with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior officials over the past four days to strengthen Delhi’s health infrastructure.

Shah had also visited national capital’s LNJP hospital on Monday and took stock of its healthcare facilities and gave necessary instructions for further improvement.

On Wednesday, the home ministry announced that the price for the COVID-19 test in Delhi has been fixed at Rs 2,400, as suggested by a high-level committee set up by the home minister on Sunday.

The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in Delhi has breached the 45,000-mark, while the virus has claimed about 1,400 lives in the city.

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS): The mood in India has turned completely against China following the incidents in Ladakh with an overwhelming number of people, more than 93 per cent, in favour of severing all trade ties with China, according to an IANS CVoter Snap Poll.

The public mood is anti-China and even the BJP/ NDA supporters are dead against normal ties/trade ties with China, the survey shows. It is not just that voters supporting the Opposition are in this strident mood, but the BJP supporters are also very negative towards China.

Given the sweeping nature of the anti-China sentiments cutting across socio-economic groups, the

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): India has trashed China’s claim of sovereignty over the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, the site of a violent cross-border clash, saying such “exaggerated” and “untenable” claims are contrary to the understanding reached during a highlevel military dialogue on June 6.

The Chinese military on Thursday said the Galwan Valley has always been a part of China. In a sharp reaction to the claim by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava referred to an agreement reached between Chinese and Indian militaries on “disengagement” during the Lt General-level talks on June 6.

“Making exaggerated and untenable claims is contrary to this understanding,” he said in a statement issued at around 1 am.

The Galwan Valley was the site of the violent clash between the two militaries on Monday evening in which a colonel and 19

Modi government will have to do a tightrope walk to chalk out the future foreign policies with regard to China, keeping an ear to the ground, especially with its own supporters in favour of cutting off trade and business ties.

In a previous survey, 70 per cent of Indians were of the view that Covid 19 is a China hatched conspiracy.

That strong distrust has only been strengthened now with the latest developments, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash with the Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night.

Yashwant Deshmukh, Founder of CVoter, said, “China’s trustworthiness has been damaged. The 18 meetings in 6 years between

Anurag Srivastava other Indian Army personnel were killed. It was the biggest confrontation along the Line of Actual Control between the two forces after their clashes in Nathu La in 1967 when India lost around 80 soldiers and China lost over 300 PLA personnel.

In a telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar too talked about the need for implementation of the decisions taken at the June 6 meeting.

“As we have conveyed earlier today, External Affairs Minister and the State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China had a phone conversation on recent de-

the top leaders of India and China had to some extent improved relations. But with these developments, the mood towards China has gone back to 1962 days. It will take a long time to recover this trust.”

India and China had gone to war in 1962.

The question posed in the survey was given the tremendous amount of tension on the India-China border and many Indian soldiers getting killed in a bloody clash on Monday night, should India continue its trade relations with China?

As many as 93.4 per cent of the respondents said yes, India should snap trade ties with China.

An even higher, 97.9 per cent of BJP/NDA supporters want snapping of

velopments in Ladakh,” Srivastava said.

“Both sides have agreed that the overall situation should be handled in a responsible manner and that the understandings reached between Senior Commanders on 6th June should be implemented sincerely.

Making exaggerated and untenable claims is contrary to this understanding,” he said. In the telephonic talks, Jaishankar delivered a strong message to Wang saying the “unprecedented” incident in the Galwan Valley will have a “serious impact” on the bilateral relationship and held the “pre-meditated” action by Chinese Army directly responsible for the violence.

The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488km-long LAC. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India contests it.

Prior to the clashes, both sides have been asserting that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

trade ties while 88.3 per cent, a much lower number, of Opposition supporters are towards this tilt.

Interestingly, more women than men are in an anti-China mood as 97.5 per cent women favour this against 89.7 per cent men.

The only exception is the middle age group (45-60 years) which are more cautious as only 69.8 per cent favour a cut in trade ties while those in higher education category, at 63.4 per cent, want this approach.

Ditto for the higher income group where the numbers are lower at 66.9 per cent.

Across the socio economic groups, there is a strong mood against China.

As many as 96.7 per cent Muslims favour strong action against China.

Ntl capital sizzles at 46.4 degrees, no respite before weekend New Delhi, June 18 (IANS): The mercury in some parts of the national capital touched 46 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

Ayanagar area recorded the temperature of 46.4 degrees Celsius, followed by 45.1 in Pusa, 44.2 in Palam and 42.2 in Lodhi Road. On May 26,

Delhi had recorded the hottest day of the season after the temperature soared to 47.6 degrees Celsius in Palam area.

The above-normal temperatures in Delhi-NCR region will continue till June 20, after which it is likely to dip, the weather bureau said.

Meanwhile, the monsoon is also likely to reach the city three to four

days earlier than the usual date of June 27.Dr Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of IMD’s Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, said that the monsoon will cover most parts of North-West India during June 21-25. It will cover western UP and Uttarakhand during June 21-22 and Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi June 22-23.

Indian and Chinese armies hold Major Shah favours unified Delhi- 2 militants killed in J&K encounters General-level talks for third straight day NCR strategy for COVID-19

Indian, Chinese armies hold Major General-level talks for third straight day.

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): Indian and Chinese militaries held Major General-level dialogue on Thursday for the third consecutive day on disengagement of troops as well as restoration of normalcy in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, official sources said.

Galwan Valley was the site of a violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops on Monday evening that resulted in the death of a colonel and 19 other Indian Army soldiers. Around 18 Indian

Army soldiers also sustained serious injuries in the clash.

The talks between the two sides near Galwan Valley ended in a stalemate on Tuesday as well as Wednesday, the sources said.

On Wednesday, the two sides discussed ways to implement the disengagement of troops from the region as agreed to during a high-level military dialogue on June 6.

Sending a strong message to China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi

on Wednesday said India wants peace but is capable of giving befitting reply if instigated.

The clash in Galwan Valley is the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while the death toll on the Chinese side was over 300.

The two armies were engaged in a standoff in Galwan and several other areas of the eastern Ladakh since May 5 when the two sides clashed on the bank of the Pangong Tso. After the standoff began, the Indian military leadership decided that Indian troops will adopt a firm approach in dealing with the aggressive posturing by the Chinese troops in all disputed areas of Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie.

The trigger for the face-off was China’s stiff opposition to India laying a key road in the Finger area around the Pangong Tso Lake besides construction of another road connecting the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Galwan Valley.

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday favoured a unified strategy for Delhi and NCR to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and said the suburbs like Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad can’t be separated from the national capital in this battle.

Shah conveyed this message at a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior officials to review the COVID-19 situation in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), amidst increasing number of COVID-19 cases in these urban centres.

“In view of the structure of Delhi-NCR region, all concerned bodies need to unite and work on a common strategy against the coronavirus pandemic.

In this context, I met with Delhi Chief Minister and senior officials of Center and Delhi-NCR today to discuss how to evolve a strategy as soon as possible,” Shah tweeted.

Authorities in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi imposed border restrictions on different times during the COVID-19 lockdown, leading to inconvenience to many and complaints about difficulty in access-

ing medical services during the pandemic. According to a home ministry source Shah said all authorities concerned in Delhi-NCR need to come together in this fight given how closely these cities are linked. “The home minister favoured a unified strategy for Delhi-NCR to tackle the coronavirus,” the source said. Shah said there is a need to scale-up testing for COVID-19 and provide treatment to those found positive. The home minister also suggested that the NCR districts can consider adopting Rs 2,400 charge fixed for COVID-19 test in Delhi, besides the new rapid antigen methodology being implemented in the national capital from Thursday.

A home ministry statement said Shah also told the meeting that an expert committee decided the rates for COVID-19 beds and treatment in Delhi, and these could be applied to hospitals in the NCR cities after consultations. He said it would be better to conduct COVID-19 testing through the new rapid antigen methodology approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) which will ramp up the testing capacity and help in early diagnosis and treatment.

An Army vehicle arrives at the spot of encounter with militants at Pampore in Pulwama District of South Kashmir, Thursday, June 18. (PTI) S R I NAG A R , J U N 1 8 (PTI): Two militants were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Pulwama and Shopian districts in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Meej in Pampore area of Pulwama, in South Kashmir, this morning after receiving spe-

cific information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

He said the operation turned into an encounter after militants fired upon the search party, inviting a retaliation.

One militant has been killed so far, the official said, adding the operation was still in progress.

While the police official gave no further details,

an Army spokesman said, the militants entered a nearby mosque to take refuge.

Meanwhile, in the second anti-militancy operation of the day, security forces killed a militant at MunandBandpava area of Shopian, also in south Kashmir, the police official said.

He said the identity and group affiliation of both the slain militants was being ascertained.

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 193 Dimapur, FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

Correcting the drift

W

hen the National Health Mission Employees Association Nagaland (NEAN) threw the dice on the table and launched an indefinite cease work in response to the cabinet decision which “empowered” the Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW) to have a free hand to appoint scores of doctors on contractual and controversial “one time basis, it also exposed the grave misstep in the entire process. The appointments were not the main issue but the manner in which established rules and procedures were tossed aside under the pretext of acute shortage of doctors during the current pandemic. The decision to appoint several doctors as class –I gazetted officers under contingency and that too regularising the services even when some had not even submitted their joining reports had caused a huge uproar. The government took the stand in defence, that the service rules and conditions between NHM employees and those under the state DoHFW were totally different. True, NHM employees are on contractual basis and paid through the central NHM scheme. Since they have been appointed on contractual basis, the NHM employees do not enjoy pay parity with state employees under DoHFW nor other benefits etc. Though this is a fact, yet when the DoHFW regularised the services of contractual employees, it seemed grossly unfair and unjust. Most NHM employees that included doctors of various fields, nurses, technicians have been rendering more than ten years service to the state. It was understandable that the stand of the NHM employees- equal pay for equal work- was based on the same kind of work done by them in comparison with those under DoHFW. Perhaps, NEAN would not have agitated but for the fact that the appointment brought only disappointment. It is now a matter of debate as to what was going on in the minds of decision makers in allowing the controversial regularisation clause to prevail. The Nagaland Junior Doctors Association(NJDA) and the Nagaland Medical Students Association(NMSA) have also taken up the issue and demanded revocation of the cabinet decision on the issue of appointment without NPSC and regularisation without rule. The NJDA has also pointed out that there has been some misconception that the 27 posts of Medical Officers were not created for the pandemic but were existing sanctioned post vacancies. It has described as “unethical” the regularisation of the 27 posts of MOs and also to re-advertise them for open and fair recruitment. It has also demanded that all the 36 MO posts advertised as contingency should be withheld till due diligence and consensus is arrived at. The NMSA has claimed that there are more than enough qualified doctors who can be employed and if so then there is need to create enough posts and have it advertised to meet the present shortage for the pandemic. Another issue that NJDA has raised was on the Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) who have to clear the Medical Council of India eligibility test before being eligible to practise. This is a logical demand which the state also needs to apply its mind, if there is inclination to ensure transparency and accountability. It these began after the NEAN agitation and hopefully, better sense would prevail instead of resorting to whims and fancies.

DailyDevotion Keep Recognizing Jesus …Peter…walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid… —Matthew 14:29-30 The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first.

He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.

We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances.

The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “…why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).

Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him. If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.

Quotes

We cannot live only for ourselves.

A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. ~ Herman Melville

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

Post-mortem

ANPSA central appeals for direct benefit transfer to needy parents

A

NPSA is a federation of independent Private schools who come together as a family.

We do not believe nor do we have any mandate to dictate to member schools on how to run their internal affairs.

Every private school is an autonomous entity whose autonomy is respected. We believe that it is because of this autonomy that private schools are doing very well in Nagaland.

Schools are already helping as many needy students as possible and although schools really want to help everyone, at this juncture private teachers and staff are the ones who need help the most as we are in a desperate situation. That is why no fee waivers can be given.

T h e r e m ay c o m e a time very soon when schools may have to decide to remain open or even close down or use school complexes for other purposes to repay the loans and for survival. Some schools may even have the need to sell off school properties. We may even have to lay off many of our staff (God forbid) which may add to the unemployment problems in the State. This will be a great loss for the Students and the State.

There are many students who already study in private schools either free or at concessional rates. But at this moment we are the ones who need help the most because of non payment of fees by even parents who can pay

the fees. We are able to absorb non payment of fees by parents only because of the sacrifice of the teachers, staff and schools.

No private enterprise may be helping the parents and students financially as much as private schools during this pandemic. You will not find discounts in grocery stores, or months of credit from anywhere without any assurance of payment. Instead of thanking us, we are seen as insensitive to the needs of the people.

With fee discounts, parents may save a few hundred rupees per month but teachers and staff will have to sacrifice thousands of rupees every month from their salaries. Many of these teachers and staff earn lesser than even the needy parents.

It may also be noted that many private school teachers earn less than daily wage earners. This is because private school fees in Nagaland are very low compared to other States. Teachers who were surviving on private tuitions are also suffering as private tuitions are no longer possible. The question today is not just about waiving of fees but more about whether teachers and school staff should get their salaries or not.

Why schools are in a desperate situation: In Nagaland, almost all Private schools are run by people who are passionate for education with missionary zeal without any

aid from the Government.

Nor are they run by large Corporations as in many other States. Unlike even our neighboring States such as Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam etc., Private Schools in Nagaland are not aided by anyone.

Private Schools are one of the enterprises that are working well in Nagaland, even comparable to the advanced States of the country. This is inspite of our school fees being one of the lowest in the country. Private Schools are second only to the Government in providing employment opportunities. We need to encourage the young generation to become educationists by becoming teachers or opening more private schools as good education is the only way to help our State.

However at this moment, many teachers and people who are running schools are demoralized.

The financial situation of every school is different. One size does not fit all. There are schools running on deficits for years and there are schools with huge loans. There are only a countable number of schools which may be standing on its feet now after many decades of sacrifice without the need of financial aid from outside sources. These sacrifices are sometimes not seen by the public.

When there is unemployment or poverty problem in the society, the Government is best able to

solve the problem and not private enterprises. Private enterprises have very limited capacity and today many have no capacity but rather need help themselves.

We cannot waive fees as many parents who can pay fees are also not paying and schools have a lot of added expenditure.

Even with full fees, many schools are unable to pay staff salaries or meet the running expenditure.

There has also been added expenditure for schools because of online classes such as internet connections, purchase of computers and other equipment, arranging transportation for teachers, providing print outs to students, following safety norms etc.

With this pandemic, even after schools open there will be a lot of safety guidelines due to Covid-19, which will lead to increased running expenditure of schools, but schools have no means of increasing fees in mid year to meet these expenditures. This will be an added burden for schools.

School buses are not running but drivers and handymen have to be paid, Hostels are not running but staff need salaries, canteens are closed but staff need help, schools maybe closed but maintenance staff have to be paid. Many hostels also have to pay rent. They also do not have the option to use the hostel for other purposes as they are reserved for the children.

It is because of all

these financial uncertainties that survival of private schools is at stake.

Some solutions for helping needy parents: Solution 1. One solution for helping low income parents without affecting staff salary is for the Government to directly transfer money to the needy parents through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Guidelines for Direct Benefit Transfer may be issued by the Government.

Government may identify low income parents and directly transfer a fixed amount to the Bank account of the low income parents for the education of their children.

Many of the Private School students in Nagaland are children of government servants who may be receiving salaries even at this time and they may not need help. Another large group may be the children of well to do parents who will not have a problem in paying a few hundreds or thousands in school fees.

We believe that the number of students who need help will be a few tens of thousands only. It will not be difficult for the Government to give them Direct Benefit Transfer of a few thousands, which will alleviate their suffering and save the private teachers and staff.

Solution 2: Government may give loans to Private Schools where the Government is the guarantor. But this is a much more complicated process

as all schools are different with different fee structures, staff salaries and expenditures. Identifying how much to give to each school is a major problem.

Also deciding how much fee waivers should be given for each school is another problem when there is uncertainty of how many parents will pay even the waived fees. Schools will also have to return these loans and without payment of fees by parents it is impossible to return the loans.

We believe Direct Benefit Transfer is the best solution to save parents, students, teachers, school staff, schools and education in our state. We also request all parents to kindly pay the school fees at the earliest. We thank all the parents who are coming forward to pay the school fees at this time. We look forward to a positive response from the Government.

Nini Sekhose, President, ANPSA Central; Father Jacob Charalel, Vice President, ANPSA Central; Pheluopfelie, Sr. Advisor, ANPSA Central; Bithungo Kikon, Ex Officio Advisor, ANPSA Central; Rev. M Savi, Advisor, ANPSA Central; P.J. Nathan, General Secretary, ANPSA Central; Abalie Medoze, Jt. Secretary, ANPSA Central; Leneno Disong, Treasurer, ANPSA Central and Ashuli Apil, Publicity Secretary, ANPSA Central

The delimitation exercise and its likely impact on the Nagas (From previous issue) 3. Census figure of 2001:- Another cogent reason for postponement was also that the population figure of Nagaland in the 2001 Census as published by the Register General of India. It is faulty and fraught with abnormalities. For instance, some sample figures shown below indicating abnormal growth in the last one decade:- Extract of 2001 census of NagalandThe Total Population- 1990056 2001 Census

Growth%

Dimapur- 3019024

73.66%

Mon - 260652

74.12%

Wokha - 161223

95.16 %

Longleng - 121581

79.58 %

Kiphire - 99877

107.30 %

Other district-figures too, do contain such abnormalities in varying degree requiring through revision of the whole state. Even some villages have shown growth rate more than hundred percent in 10 years which is unrealistic. The census report as a whole is misleading and has become highly controversial. Quite a few have gone to Court for cancellation /or review of the census as a whole.

In 2005 in the state Assembly, the Chief Minister Shri Neiphiu Rio, had initiated a Resolution urging the Govt of India and the Election commission for exemption/deferment of the delimitation exercise in Nagaland, quoting inter alia, the unreliability of the census figures of 2001 as an another cogent reason justifying the demanding for exemption from delimitation operation.

This was followed by a number DO letters to the then PM of India explaining the reasons for exemption/ postponement.

Protection of status Quo:- At last in 2006, the Delimitation Commission had agreed to maintain the status quo of protecting the existing number of seats in each district of Nagaland and perhaps to the disappointment of few districts like Wokha, Longleng, Kephire, Peren and Dimapur where increase in seats were expected on the basis of the census of 2001.

However, the state was directed to exercise readjustment of territorial constituencies within each district on the basis of 2001 Census figure keeping the variation of the population between each constituencies within 10-15% plus or minus.

As for the demand for conducting a fresh census by withdrawing the 2001 census report, the Former Delimitation Commission Chairman Shri. Kuldip Singh, a retired SC Judge, had informed me that it is outside the jurisdiction of the delimitation Commission and all representations and demands for review were forwarded to the central government for disposal as it deemed fit. As per the directive of the commission, while determining the readjustment of territorial boundary of each constituency beside the population criteria, other factors were taken into account. The contiguity of administrative unit, geographical features, tribal affinity and connectivity for public conveniences avoiding physical barrier like big rivers, hilly range or ravine and such other difficult barriers were considered. Accordingly, the final draft report was submitted to the Commission for necessary action.

What move will be appropriate now?- I personally feel that while the exercise may go on as directed by the State Election Commission dated 4th June 2020, on the basis of the Delimitation Commission Act 2002.

Nagaland should try once again for total exemption or another postponement. The State has more justifiable reasons now. The points listed during the earlier exercise are still relevant and valid, such as, unreliability of 2001 Census figures of Nagaland. That was a genuinely reasonable ground to demand for review of the Census 2001 because readjustment of constituency on the basis of the false population figure would be dangerously misleading which will have a far reaching consequences affecting lopsided socio-eco development due to defective planning and retribution of facilities and benefits on the basis of faulty figures.

In the recent write up of the CPO convenor Shri.

Theja Thereih, he had clearly narrated the CPO initiative for stalling the Delimitation Commission exercise on the basis of highly unreliable Census figure of 2001, by filing a PIL at Guahati HC in 2006 against the Union of India & Others. They obtained an interlocutory order restraining the delimitation process in Nagaland.

Subsequently, Presidential Notification dated 8/2/06 was issued deferring the exercise in Nagaland as he had stated.

If the reason was found justified then, the situation still remain unchanged. It will be a good ground to reiterate the Presidential order and demand for further deferment for the simple reason that the ground reality of today remains as it was and the demand for review of the Census report of 2001, still remain unfulfilled.

Secondly, it is an inappropriate moment to revive the Delimitation process for the reason that, the political settlement of the chronic Naga political issue is said to be in its final stage, ready for signatures only (of course, how long is the final stage is a mystery). Once the final settlement comes about, a drastic change in the socio-political scenario is expected which will have a comprehensive far reaching implication affecting all the Naga territories inclusive. When this happens, the present exercise in Nagaland will be irrelevant.

With the expected increase seats in both parliamentary as well as in the State Assembly, allocation of constituencies in a fair, unbiased and just manner can be organised consciously and the division of territorial constituencies on the basis of a fresh census will be easier avoiding the present manipulative cut throat manoeuvrings for socio-political advantage on false data.

All the finest, fair and patriotic minded people should collectively focus on finding an amicable and acceptable political solution which is long overdue and the people and the Nagas in particular are anxious about the final outcome. In this critical juncture, this exercise will surely create a vitiating atmosphere diverting the minds of the people who matters. It can be a serious setback to the settlement effort achieved so far. It’s a risk not worth taking now. Fortunately, the Governor of Nagaland, Shri. R.N. Ravi, is the interlocutor who will appreciate the priority of the political settlement for the Nagas at this final stage instead of forcing the people into another chaotic exercise.

Thirdly, another reason for deferment, is that Art 170 of the Constitution deals with the composition of the Legislative Assembly, where the prescribed formula for readjustment of territorial constituencies is on the basis of a “based census figure” and 2001 census is taken as the base now. This existing guideline will remain valid till 2026 and thereafter it will be thoroughly reviewed and overhauled on the basis of the first census taken after 2026. As mentioned above, the earlier Delimitation exercise was stayed through a Presidential Order accepting the need to review the apparent unrealistic

census figure of 2001. Therefore, the present directive of the commission to restart the delimitation work in Nagaland is (I feel) a contradictory directive for the fact that the census still remains unverified.

In any case, the actual implementation of the arrangement made out of the present exercise will be valid only for a few years, subject to review after 2026 first census figure and not much purpose will be served by conducting the delimitation exercise at this penultimate stage.

Those are the few valid reasons for approaching the government of India and the Election Commissioner for postponement.

Lately there have been some comment and reaction for and against depending on the advantage or disadvantage that may derive out of its implementation.

The debate is centred on the anomalous census figure of 2001 since that has been taken as the basis. When we objectively compare between the ground realities with the projected figures in the official document, the glaring abnormality is apparent in the census figure which corroborate the deliberate tampering with the enrolment and the casualness of the officials responsible for the operation. If such figures are accepted as the final authentic figure and use it to determine the size of the population and the electorate of the area concerned for allocation of the developmental facilities and privileges, it will be unfair and will defeat the main purpose of the exercise. It will be dangerously misleading to exercise on such basis. In the name of justice, greater injustice will be done, resulting in a permanent damage and leaving a bad legacy to the future generation. It is incumbent on the part of the present elders and public leaders, for the sake of healthy overall growth of the society; we need to resist such temptation of manipulative activities for subjective interest.

Another concerning trend has been, the evil of tribalism and mental divide among the Nagas. The tribe and the village is still the defining identity and the mind and action revolve mainly within that cocoon. We need to overcome and come out of this mental barrier for a better tomorrow. Otherwise when the world is becoming smaller with all the modern technology, we will still remain a primitive tribal society entrapped in our own tribal prejudices.

(Concluded) T. N. Mannen IAS (Rtd)

Reader’s Post

Sir,

SSB in Nagaland

I congratulate Mr. Neiphiu Rio and his Cabinet for deciding to set up the SSB within one month. A well-chosen set of members with integrity would contribute immensely by setting recruitment of jobs, and by eliminating corrupt practices of those who think they know better. A second line to NPSC, which is doing very well in recommending right candidates for appointment to the right jobs, is now in the offing. With the SSB in place, I wish good luck to all those aspiring for jobs. God bless you all!

Kevikienyu Peseyie, Retd. Director IPR and Ex-Chairman NPSC 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.

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

7

is responsible for sending unarmed 5 of 20 soldiers who died in Ladakh laid to rest Who soldiers towards danger? ask Rahul mortal remains of other soldiers being taken home

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): Five of the 20 Indian soldiers, including a colonel, who died fighting Chinese troops in Ladakh, were laid to rest at their native places on Thursday amid patriotic slogans, gun salutes and barely held back tears.

The mortal remains of the other soldiers are being taken to their villages and it is expected that their last rites will be performed on Friday with full military honours.

The Indian army per-

sonnel were killed in a fierce clash with Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night.

Several leaders across the country also paid tributes to the 20 soldiers -- five from Bihar, four from Punjab, two each from Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, and one each from Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

The mortal remains of Colonel Bikkumalla San-

tosh Babu were consigned to the flames with full military honours in Suryapet in Telangana, amid chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Santosh Babu amar rahe’.

Babu’s last rites were performed by his father on a piece of land owned by his family. The colonel is survived by his wife, daughter and son.

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and state ministers K T Rama Rao, Malla Reddy and Jagdish Reddy paid

Rlys to terminate Chinese company’s contract due to ‘poor progress’

Centre orders timely payment of salaries to docs

20 Indian Army personnel, including a colonel, were killed in a fierce clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff in the region.

Officials, however, said it was poor performance and inability to deliver the project on time that led to the decision by the implementing agency, the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation Limited (DFCCIL), to terminate the contract.

Officials said the DFCCIL has already applied to the World Bank, which is

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): The Centre on Thursday directed all states and union territories to ensure timely payment of salaries to doctors and healthcare workers engaged in treating COVID patients and warned of action against hospitals and authorities for non-compliance of order.

The order by the Union Health Ministry comes a day after the Supreme Court asked the Centre to issue directions to states for payment of salaries and providing necessary quarantine facilities to doctors and healthcare workers involved in treating COVID patients.

The government had told the court it would issue the necessary directions. “...it is hereby directed that the states and UT administration should ensure that salaries of doctors and health workers doing COVID related duty shall be released on time,” the order issued by Union health secretary Preeti Sudan read.

The apex court issued the order on May 17 while hearing a plea filed by a private doctor raising questions on Centre’s May 15 decision.

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): The Railways has decided to terminate the contract of a Chinese company due to “poor progress” on the signalling and telecommunication work on the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor’s 417-km section between Kanpur and Mughalsarai.

The Railways had given the contract worth Rs 471 crore to Beijing National Railway Research and Design Institute of Signal and Communication Group in 2016.

They were supposed to complete the work by 2019, but only 20 per cent of the work has been completed so far, the Railways said.

The move comes after

the funding agency, to initiate the process.

PTI has sent a mail to the World Bank seeking its comment on the issue and is awaiting a reply.

The work entrusted with the Chinese engineering major includes design, construction, supply, testing and commissioning of signalling, telecommunication and related works for the 417-km section.

Officials said apart from performance issues, the Chinese company had also shown reluctance in furnishing technical documents, as per the contract agreement, such as logic design of electronic interlocking.

It also did not have engineers or authorized personnel at the project site which was a serious concern, they said.

The company also failed to have tie-ups with local agencies which harmed the physical progress of the work, officials pointed out.

“There is no improvement in progress despite repeated meetings with them at every possible level,” officials said.

Friday.

Punjab minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Shiromani Dal Akali (SAD) MLA Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra paid their respects.

Of the five soldiers from Bihar who died in the Galwan Valley clashes, Havildar Sunil Kumar was laid to rest in Patna. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

The pyre was lit by his 10-year-old son, amid chanting of patriotic slogans and waiving of tricolours.

The bodies of the other soldiers from Bihar – Sepoys Chandan Kumar (Bhojpur), Kundan Kumar (Saharsa), Aman Kumar (Samastipur) and Jai Kishor Singh (Vaishali) – have been handed over to their families, but the last rites are expected to be held on Friday.

In Odisha, the bodies of Sepoy Chandrakanta Pradhan (28) of Biarpanga village in Kandhamal district and Naib Subedar Nanduram Soren (43) of Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj arrived in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

The bodies are being taken to their native places, officials said.

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (AGENCIES): The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri in Odisha scheduled to commence June 23 in view of rising number of Covid-19 patients.

“A procession of this magnitude cannot be permitted at the time of a pandemic... Lord Jagannath will not forgive us if we allow this to continue,” a three-judge Bench headed

by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said while ordering a ban on all activities related to the Rath Yatra 2020.

“We consider it appropriate that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens to restrain the Respondents from holding the Rath Yatra this year.

We direct that no Rath Yatra will be held in the temple area of Odisha”, said the Bench—which also included Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice AS Bopanna.

The Puri Rath Yatra festival—which attracts a large number of Indian and foreign tourists—is attended by lakhs of devotees and goes on for almost 20 days.

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Va r d h a n o n T h u r s d ay launched a mobile laboratory for coronavirus testing which can be deployed in rural areas and help in promoting last-mile testing.

The mobile lab, also called I-Lab or Infectious Diseases Diagnostics Lab, can run 50 RT-PCR and about 200 ELISA tests in a day. A double set of machines can help increase the capacity to about 500 tests per day in 8 hours shift, Vardhan said.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology along with the

Andhra Pradesh Med-tech Zone (AMTZ) has initiated DBT-AMTZ COMManD (COVID-19 Medtech Manufacturing Development) consortia to address the shortage of critical healthcare technologies in India and move progressively towards a stage of self-sufficiency.

AMTZ is Asia’s first medical equipment manufacturing ecosystem, uniquely dedicated for medical technology and supported by various ministries. The mobile testing lab is an outcome of this initiative.

“This mobile testing facility will be deployed through the DBT testing hubs to remote regions of the country for coronavirus

DP-2754

Harsh Vardhan (R) during the launching of mobile laboratory for coronavirus testing.

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All Indian troops guarding the border with China carry arms, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday, replying to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s poser that why Army personnel in Galwan Valley were sent “unarmed to martyrdom”.

The minister said armies of the two sides do not use firearms as per provisions of two bilateral agreements sealed in 1996 and 2005.

“Let us get the facts straight. All troops on border duty always carry arms, especially when leaving post.

Those at Galwan on 15 June did so. Long-standing practice (as per 1996 & 2005 agreements) not to use firearms during faceoffs,” Jaishankar tweeted.

Earlier, Gandhi questioned why Indian soldiers were sent “unarmed to martyrdom” in Ladakh and who is responsible for sending them towards danger. He also asked how China dared to kill the Indian soldiers.

Last year an estimated one million people had taken part in it.

The order came on a PIL filed by Odisha Vikas Parishad seeking this year’s festival in view of Covid-19 which has already claimed more than 12,000 lives in India.

The petitioner NGO said all the rituals leading up to the Rath Yatra such as ‘Akshay Trutiya’ and ‘Snana Purnima’ had been allowed to be performed

by the Odisha government.

If Rath Yatra might was allowed, it will have catastrophic impact, the NGO submitted.

On behalf of the petitioner, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said such a huge congregation of nearly 10 lakh people can’t be permitted during a pandemic. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, wanted the court to allow some rituals but it was opposed

by senior Advocate Harish Salve who appeared for the state government. Salve cautioned against dangers of such a congregation.”

“We have experience that anytime something is allowed, people gather,” the Bench said and went on to order stay on the Rath Yatra.

It cited the example of Tablighi Jamaat’s religious congregation held in March in Delhi that had led to spike in Covid-19 cases.

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Indian troops on border duty carry arms: Jaishankar to Rahul

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DP-2816

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corners of the country at present. “In the near future with all these collective and cooperative efforts, India

DP-2788

these have tested more than 2,60,000 samples. Vardhan added that there are 953 testing laboratories in all

answers from the prime minister. On Wednesday, he asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh why did he “insult” the Army by not naming China over the killing of Indian soldiers in

SC stays Lord Jagganath’s Rath Yatra due to Covid

Vardhan launches mobile laboratory for coronavirus testing testing,” the minister said.

There are now over 20 hubs in the country with 100 testing laboratories and

Rahul Gandhi (File)

eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. “If it was so painful: Why insult Indian Army by not naming China in your tweet? Why take 2 days to condole? Why address rallies as soldiers were being martyred,” he said.

Twenty Indian Army personnel, including a colonel, were killed in a clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff in the region.

DP-2821

Family members garland the mortal remains of Col.Santosh Babu during his last rites, in Suryapet, Thursday, June 18. (PTI)

their tributes, In Tamil Nadu, Havildar K Palani was laid to rest in Kadakkalur village, as scores of people, including family members, bid him a tearful adieu. Palani’s minor son performed the last rites.

The mortal remains of Naib Subedars Mandeep Singh and Satnam Singh were consigned to the flames at Seel village in Patiala and at Bhojraj village in Gurdaspur respectively.

Their last rites were performed as villagers and youths showered flowers and waived the tricolour.

In Patiala, Mandeep Singh’s minor son lit the pyre.

The 39-year-old had joined the Army in 1997. He is survived by his mother, wife, daughter and son.

In Gurdaspur, 41-yearold Satnam Singh’s son lit the pyre. The naib subedar had joined the army in 1995 and is survived by his father, mother, wife, daughter and son.

The bodies of the other two soldiers from Punjab killed in Ladakh -- Sepoy Gurbinder Singh of Sangrur and Sepoy Gurtej Singh of Mansa – are expected to be brought to the state on

NEW DELHI, JUN 18 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday questioned why Indian soldiers were sent “unarmed to martyrdom” in Ladakh and who is responsible for sending them towards danger. He also asked how dare China kill the Indian soldiers.

His fresh attack came a day after he asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh why he did not name China in his tweet and why it took him two days to condole the deaths of 20 Army personnel. “China has committed a big crime by killing unarmed Indian soldiers. I want to ask who sent these bravehearts towards danger without arms and why. Who is responsible for this,” he asked in a video message.

“How dare China kill our UNARMED soldiers?

Why were our soldiers sent UNARMED to martyrdom,” he said. Gandhi also shared on Twitter an interview of a retired Army officer who has worked in the area where the India-China violent stand-off took place on Monday night.

The former Congress president has been questioning the government over the martyrdom of Indian soldiers and has demanded

8

Developing Asia to barely grow in 2020

New Delhi, Jun 18 (PTI): The Asian Development Bank on Thursday said countries in Developing Asia will “barely grow” in 2020, while India’s economy is forecast to contract by 4 per cent this fiscal due to the adverse effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

Developing Asia will barely grow in 2020, as containment measures to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is expected to hamper economic activity and weaken external demand, ADB said in a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook (ADO).

‘Developing Asia’ refers to a group of over 40 countries that are members of the ADB. Excluding the newly industrialised economies of Hong Kong, China; the Republic of Korea; Singapore; and Taipei, China, Developing Asia is forecast to grow 0.4 per cent this year and 6.6 per cent in 2021, it said.

Hit hard by COVID19, South Asia is forecast to contract by 3 per cent in 2020, compared to 4.1 per cent growth predicted

in April. Growth prospects for 2021 are revised down to 4.9 per cent from 6 per cent, it said.

“India’s economy is forecast to contract by 4 per cent in fiscal year (FY) 2020, ending on 31 March 2021, before growing 5 per cent in FY2021 (to be ending March 2022),” according to the ADO supplement.

In the ADO published on April 3, ADB had had projected that India’s economic growth rate will slip to 4 per cent in the current fiscal on account of the global health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Economies in Asia and the Pacific will continue to feel the blow of the COVID-19 pandemic this year even as lockdowns are slowly eased and select economic activities restart in a ‘new normal’ scenario,” said ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada.

Sawada further said, “while we see a higher growth outlook for the region in 2021, this is mainly due to weak numbers this year, and this will not be

a V-shaped recovery. Governments should undertake policy measures to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 and ensure that no further waves of outbreaks occur.”

As per ADB forecast, risks to the outlook remain on the downside.

The COVID-19 pandemic may see multiple waves of outbreaks in the coming period and sovereign debt and financial crises can not be ruled out.

“There is also the risk of renewed escalation in trade tensions between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” it added.

For countries in Developing Asia, ADB forecasts growth of 0.1 for the region in 2020. This is down from the 2.2 per cent forecast in April and would be the slowest growth for the region since 1961, it said.

Growth in 2021 is expected to rise to 6.2 per cent, as forecast in April. Gross domestic product (GDP) levels in 2021 will remain below what had been envisioned and below pre-crisis trends.

business/state ANCSU, NU agree on 6th Sem..

(From p-1) ANCSU said it was also agreed that all the 52 exam centres conducting end semester exam for the 7500 undergraduate final year students under NU should properly sanitize the exam halls/rooms and follow safety guidelines.

Autonomous colleges and universities have also been appealed to follow such remedial measures.

At the meeting, ANCSU highlighted UGC guidelines (April 29, 2020) and proposed that the promoted 2nd and 4th semester students be given a chance to improve their grades. NU officials agreed to be put up with the University Authority for favourable decision.

Further, ANCSU said the NU has taken note of its appeal for proper dissemination of information regarding conduct of exams to the students and stakeholders of the affiliated colleges.

As per the UGC guidelines, the ANCSU said it requested the University and colleges to establish a cell for handling student grievances related to examinations and academic activities.

Since assent for promoting the final year students without examination has not been received till date from UGC and MHRD, the ANCSU has appealed to the final year students to continue preparing for the end semester exam.

ANCSU has, however, express hope that UGC/ MHRD would thoroughly asses the prevailing situation in the country and issue guidelines in the greater interest of humanity. ANCSU said it has also apprised the state chief secretary and the department of higher education for necessary action.

Rengma Hoho backs...

(From p-1) The hoho stated that any talk of the 2001 census being flawed as the reason to pressure the Government of India not to implement the present delimitation exercise in the state was discriminatory and dishonest.

It said that bowing down before “irrational pressure and argument” would be a defeat of Indian Democracy.

RH has, therefore, appealed to the commission and the Centre to conduct the delimitation in the state of Nagaland upholding the constitution.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

Plenty of liquidity available in the system, says SBI chairman Ko l k ata , J u n 1 8 (PTI): State Bank of India (SBI) chairman Rajnish Kumar on Thursday said that there is enough liquidity available in the system and also interest rates have moderated to a large extent.

Speaking at a webinar organised by Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Kumar said that both the RBI and the government have taken measures to bring back the economy, derailed by the pandemic, back on track.

“The government and the RBI have taken measures to bring back the economy to the path of revival”, he said.

Kumar said the RBI has been giving calibrated responses quickly and ensured that there is enough liquidity in the system.

According to him, interest rates have also moderated to a large extent.

He said that government has taken steps to make direct bank transfers, a lot of emphasis on helping the MSMEs and announced reforms in the areas of agriculture, defence and mining for creating a favourable investment climate.

Rajnish Kumar “I believe the situation August”, he said. is returning to normal and Kumar also said that many businesses are back SBI is not charging higher to normal operating at 70 to interest rates for ratings 80 per cent capacity. Some downgrade. of them have also started He said, “we cannot exports”, he said. imagine post-COVID situAccording to him, the ation at the moment and rural economy will play a also don’t know when it critical role in the revival will come.” process.The aviation, tourAccording to him, ism, hospitality, services SBI’s liquidity ratio of 143 and construction sectors per cent is not an indicator are the most affected, while of the fact that the bank is agriculture is the least, Ku- not lending. mar said.

Regarding SBI, he said Regarding the Su- that the bank has sancpreme Court’s observation tioned loan applications on moratorium on loans of two lakh MSMEs under that banks are charging the guarantee emergency ‘interest on interest’, Ku- credit line. mar said SBI has filed an The MSMEs are manapplication for intervention aging this crisis very well, along with IBA. he said, adding that reas“The matter is sub- sessment of working capital judice and better to wait till is going on.

Govt to withdraw 96% of AGR dues of PSUs P-note investment rises to over Rs 60,000 cr till May-end

KAKURO

- stood at Rs 60,027 crore until May, while the same was at Rs 57,100 crore at the end of April.

The investment level had fallen to an over 15year-low of Rs 48,006 crore at the end of March.

The figure at Marchend was the lowest level of investment since October 2004, when the total value of P-note investments in Indian markets stood at Rs 44,586 crore.

Of the total Rs 60,027 crore invested through the route till May, Rs 49,160 crore was invested in eq64,537 crore at the end of uities, Rs 10,106 crore in securities.

Fund inflow through February 2020, January debt, Rs 159 crore in the derivatives segment and the route stood at Rs 68,862 2020 and December 2019, Rs 103 crore in hybrid crore, Rs 67,281 crore and respectively. However, it

No. 3242 Yesterday’s solution No. 3241

Rupee closes almost flat at 76.14

Mumbai, Jun 18 (PTI): The rupee on Thursday settled almost flat at 76.14 against the US currency as forex outflows and firming oil prices continue to weigh on investor sentiment amid the ongoing border tension with China.

Forex traders said the rupee traded in a narrow range as positive domestic equities and weak US currency supported the local unit, while rising coronavirus cases, border tension with China and foreign

fund outflows capped the gains.

The rupee opened at 76.17 against the US dollar, and saw an intra-day high of 76.08 and a low of 76.19 against the US dollar.

It finally settled at 76.14 against the US dollar, up 2 paise over its previous close.

It had settled at 76.16 against the greenback on Wednesday.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a

basket of six currencies, fell 0.05 per cent to 97.10.

“Indian rupee ended flat against US dollar amid risk on rally after officials from both nations (India and China) sought to deescalate tensions,” said Devarsh Vakil, Deputy Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities.

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DP-2734

No. 4217 Yesterday’s solution No. 4265

Across 1. Planet (5) 6. Cavalry sword (5) 9. Mischievous, disobedient (7) 10. Walking pole (5) 11. Prepared (5) 12. Yields (5) 13. Country (7) 15. Number (3) 17. Dry (4) 18. Secret plot (6) 19. Molars, say (5) 20. Expresses an opinion (6) 22. Pimple (4) 24. Pistachio, say (3) 25. Questionable (7) 26. Outrider (5) 27. Jinx (5) 28. Bulky, heavy (5) 29. Old soldier (7) 30. Guide (5) 31. Look at minutely (5) Down 2. One of two (6) 3. Re m o v e c a r g o from (6) 4. Was seated (3) 5. Eyes up (5) 6. Extend (7) 7. Yes votes (4) 8. Regain (6) 12. Heals (5) 13. Pigmeat (5) 14. Lawful (5) 15. Musical speed (5) 16. Amphibians (5) 18. Swagger (5) 19. Tutor (7) 21. Extinguish (3,3) 22. Noiseless (6) 23. Expelled (6) 25. Hoodwinks (5) 26. Rescue (4) 28. Possesses (3)

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DP-2813

No. 9598 Yesterday’s solution No. 9597

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Arjun Mahajan, head of institutional business, at Reliance Securities said the P-note is now not a preferred route for investing in India as Sebi has made registration easier and also desirable for FPIs. However, due to certain taxation laws in India, FPIs still want to explore this route of investing.

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors withdrew a net sum of Rs 7,355 crore from the capital markets (equity and debt) in May. This was much lower than a pull out of Rs 14,858 crore by them in the preceding month.

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K-1106

Su doku

New Delhi, Jun 18 (PTI): Investments through participatory notes (Pnotes) in the domestic capital market rose to Rs 60,027 crore till May-end, making it the second consecutive monthly increase.

P-notes are issued by registered foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to overseas investors who wish to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly.

They, however, need to go through a due diligence process.

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DP-2781

Crossword

Mehta argued that PSUs held the telecom spectrum.

The bench again asked Mehta, how could the government used its judgement on AGR to devise a formula to raise demand from various PSUs, when the judgement did not deal with the issue. The bench said why no demands were made for many years, but the issue has come up after the verdict (AGR judgement in October 2019)?

The bench asked Mehta whether he advised the government to withdraw demands against PSUs. “Demands raised against PSU wholly impermissible,” added the bench.

K-1102

The top court noted that PSUs haven’t been in the business of providing telecom services.

Last week the apex court had pulled up the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for raising a demand of Rs 4 lakh crore from various PSUs in the garb of its last year judgement on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) matter and threatened to begin contempt proceedings against the officers concerned.

The apex court had said its judgement was silent on public sector companies, and told the Solicitor General that telecom dues demands against PSUs must be withdrawn.

DP-2817

New Delhi, Jun 18 (IANS): The Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court it is willing to withdraw 96 per cent of the Rs 4 Lakh crore dues pending against various PSUs in the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) matter.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, told a bench headed

by Justice Arun Mishra that the Centre is withdrawing 96 per cent of the AGR dues demanded from the PSUs. Mehta filed an affidavit in the apex court explaining why AGR dues were raised against the PSUs and contended before the court that 96 per cent of Rs 4 Lakh crore bill was withdrawn.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian skirted questions about casualties suffered by the Chinese troops.

and “untenable” claims are contrary to the understanding reached during a highlevel military dialogue on June 6.

China’s foreign ministry as well as the military this week claimed that the Galwan Valley has always been a part of the country.

In a sharp reaction to the claim by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava referred to an agreement reached between the Chinese and Indian militaries on “disengagement” during the Lt General-level talks on June 6.

“Making exaggerated and untenable claims is contrary to this understanding,” he said in a statement in New Delhi early on Thursday.

The Galwan Valley was the site of the violent clash between the two militaries on Monday night in which a Colonel and 19 other Indian Army personnel

were killed. China’s official media has acknowledged casualties on the Chinese side without mentioning numbers.

To a question about satellite photos taken on June 16 showing China building a dam on the Galwan river blocking its water flow and whether it violated any agreement with India, Zhao said, “I am not aware of the specifics you mentioned”.

During Thursday’s press briefing, Zhao referred to Wednesday’s telephone talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during which, he pointed out that, “both sides agreed to deal with the serious situation caused by the conflict in a just manner and jointly observe the consensus reached at the commander level meeting, de-escalate tensions as soon as possible”.

The two ministers have also agreed based on the agreements reached by the

two countries reached so far to maintain the peace and tranquillity in the border areas, he said.

“I would like to stress the Indian troops at the wester n section of the boundary and some other areas crossed LAC and tried to unilaterally change the status quo,” he alleged.

“The Chinese troops are committed to uphold peace and tranquillity along the border areas. They have been exercising restraint.

They are determined to safeguard our national sovereignty and security”, he said.

“We urge the Indian side to immediately withdraw their personnel crossing the line, strictly restrain its troops and observe consensus reached by the leaders of two countries and agreements existing so far and jointly work with us to uphold peace tranquillity in the border area,” he said.

After this incident, both sides are in communication and coordination on the matter through diplomatic and military channels, he said.

“Both sides agreed to deal with the serious matter caused by the conflict at the valley in a just manner, jointly observe the commander level talks consensus and deescalate the tensions as soon as possible and safeguard the peace and tranquillity,” he said.

“Currently the overall

situation is stable and controllable. We believe under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries the two sides can deal with the relevant matter jointly safeguard peace and stability at the border areas and work for the sound development of bilateral relations”, he said.

During the briefing, the spokesman read out the whole press statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday on the telephonic conversation between Wang and Jaishankar.

A large number of Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation in Galwan Valley and certain other areas of eastern Ladakh for the last five weeks, including in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern Ladakh.

Monday’s face-off was the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while over 300 Chinese army personnel were killed in the face-off. The Indian Army has been fiercely objecting to the transgressions, and demanded their immediate withdrawal for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the area. Both sides held a series of talks in the last few days to resolve the row.

Canada’s Jagmeet Singh calls MP racist in Parliament

Ottawa, Jun 18 (IANS): Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), was temporarily expelled from the House of Commons or the lower chamber of the bicameral Parliament for calling an MP racist and for refusing to apologize and withdraw his comments.

On Wednesday, Speaker Anthony Rota kicked Singh, a turbaned Sikh who is the first visible minority to lead a major national Canadian political party, out for the rest of the day after he called Bloc Quebecois Alain Therrien racist for refusing to support an NDP motion dealing with systemic racism in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), CBC News reported.

Singh tried to get all parties in the House of Commons to agree to a motion recognizing the existence of systemic racism in the RCMP. The motion points out that “several Indigenous people have died at the hands of the RCMP in recent months”.

The motion also asked MPs to support a review of the RCMP’s budget, to demand that it releases all of its use-of-force reports and to call for a review of the RCMP’s tactics for dealing with the public.

Therrien was the only MP in the House who refused to support the motion prompting Singh to call

Jagmeet Singh

him a racist. Following his remark, Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes said that she would review the record because she did not hear Singh when he stood up and said: “It’s true, I called him a racist and I believe that’s so.”

Singh was asked by Hughes to apologize, which he refused.

The matter was referred to Speaker Rota, who returned to the House and ordered Singh to leave the Commons for the remainder of the day.

At a press conference later in the day, Singh was asked if he would repeat his allegation against Therrien outside the House of Commons, where he is not protected by parliamentary privilege, said the CBC News report. “Yes. I’ve said it really clearly. I repeat it really clearly,” Singh said.

“Anyone who votes against a motion that recognizes the systemic racism in the RCMP and that calls for basic fixes for the problem... is a racist.”

Iran test fires cruise missile in naval drill: state media

Tehran, Jun 18 (AP): Iran test fired cruise missiles in a naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, state media reported on Thursday.

The report by the official IRNA news agency said the missiles destroyed targets at a distance of 280 kilometers (170 miles). It said the tests came during a naval drill by Iran’s navy in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean.

It said the missiles’ range can be extended but gave no details.

The report was the first of a drill since May, when a missile fired during an Iranian training exercise mistakenly struck an Iranian naval vessel instead of its intended target in waters near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, killing 19 sailors and wounding 15 others.

It also comes after a tense naval encounter State media reported Thursday that Iran test fired cruise missiles in a naval between Iranian and U.S. forces in the nearby exercise in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean. (AP/PTI)

KATHMANDU, JUN 18 (PTI): Nepal’s Parliament on Thursday amended the Constitution to update the country’s new political map which incorporated three strategically important Indian areas, notwithstanding New Delhi’s strong protests against such an “artificial enlargement” of territorial claims.

India has already termed as “untenable” the “artificial enlargement” of the territorial claims by Nepal after its lower house of Parliament on Saturday unanimously approved the new political map of the country featuring Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura areas which India maintains belong to it.

Nepal last month released the revised political and administrative map of the country laying claim over the strategically important areas, more than six months after India published a new map in November 2019.

The National Assem-

bly, or the upper house of the Nepalese parliament, unanimously passed the Constitution amendment bill providing for the inclusion of the country’s new political map in its national emblem.

The bill to amend the Constitution to update the new map was tabled in the National Assembly, the upper house on Sunday, a day after the House of Representatives unanimously endorsed it.

All 57 members of the National Assembly, who were present on the occasion, voted in favour of the amendment bill. There was zero vote against the Bill.

National Assembly Chairperson Ganesh Timilsina said that 57 members voted for the bill.

“There was no voting against the bill and none of the members voted for the neutral category as well,” Timilsina said.

Now the bill will be sent to President Bidya Devi Bhandari for authenti-

cation after which it will be incorporated in the Constitution. After that, the new map will be used in all official documents, including the coat of arms.

The Cabinet had endorsed the new political map on May 18.

On Saturday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, replying to the queries on the passing of the bill by the lower house, said: “We have noted that the House of Representatives of Nepal has passed a Constitution amendment bill for changing the map of Nepal to include parts of Indian territory. We have already made our position clear on this matter.

“This artificial enlargement of claims is not based on historical fact or evidence and is not tenable.

It is also violative of our current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues.”

The India-Nepal bilateral ties came under strain

Persian Gulf.

In April, the US accused Iran of conducting “dangerous and harassing” maneuvers near American warships in the northern Persian Gulf. Iran also was suspected of briefly seizing a Hong Kong-flagged oil tanker before that.

Iran regularly holds exercises in the Gulf of Oman, which is close to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the world’s oil trade passes.

The US has been actively campaigning to keep a United Nations arms embargo in place on Iran that is due to expire in November.

President Donald Trump withdrew the US from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers two years ago, launching a maximum pressure campaign against Iran that has pushed the archrivals to the verge of conflict.

OFFICE OF THE ASU XEITHA NULI KUGHU KO UNION DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

FELICITATION

(YETOHO H. SWU) Secretary Asu Xeitha Nuli Kughuko Union Dimapur, Nagaland

(L. NILO SWU) Chairman Asu Xeitha Nuli Kughuko Union Dimapur, Nagaland

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The Asu Xeitha Nuli Kughuko Union, Dimapur, Nagaland would like to convey its heartiest congratulations to Dr. AMEKA I. SUMI, son of Shri. Isak Z. Swu and Smti. Toshevi Swu for being appointed as Medical Officer and posted at District Hospital Kiphire.

The Union further prays to Almighty God for showering His abundant blessings upon him so as to enable him to render his services in the interest and welfare of general public.

FELICITATION

With immense pride, the Kohima Yongnyah Union congratulates Shri B. Longai Phom on his promotion as Planning Officer and subsequent posting as District Planning Officer under Longleng District. The Union extends its best wishes for good health and wisdom in his new assignments.

Further, the Union congratulates all the successful students who have qualified in the recently declared HSLC & HSSLC Examination, 2020 and wishes them success in their future endeavors.

(P. LONGSHAM PHOM) President

(CHAIBA MENHAHU) General Secretary

OFFICE OF THE

PHILIMI STUDENTS' UNION FELICITATION

The Philimi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu convey our heartiest congratulations to all the successful students of the HSLC & HSSLC Examination 2020.

HSLC

HSSLC

1. Suboka Yeptho, S/o Honito Yeptho, Distinction in 3 Subjects 2. Linatoli Shohe, 1st Div., D/o Shikato Shohe 3. Hito Assumi, 1st Div., S/o Akavi Assumi 4. Kaboto Swu, 2nd Div., S/o Mughaho Swu 5. Ithika Swu, 2nd Div., S/o Kughato Swu 6. Boloka Assumi, 2nd Div., S/o Kahoto Assumi 7. Nipitoli K. Chophy, 2nd Div., D/o Khuwoto Chophy 8. Hinatoli Assumi, 2nd Div., D/o Nikhevi Assumi 9. Vitolu Shohe, 3rd Div., S/o Lt. Ghoshito Shohe 10. Lovino Shohe, 3rd Div., D/o Humato Shohe 11. Vinikali Assumi, 3rd Div., D/o Vikheshe Assumi 12. Niukali Assumi, 3rd Div., D/o Kahoto Assumi G.B

1. Jakob Khulu, 1st Div., S/o Kihozhe Khulu 2. Piyeka Kiho, 1st Div., S/o Vikashe Kiho 3. Atoki Chophy, 2nd Div., Khuwoto Chophi 4. Vitoi Assumi, 2nd Div., S/o Lhozushe Assumi 5. Puloketo Assumi, 2nd Div., S/o Akavi Assumi 6. Kimyeto Shohe, 3rd Div., S/o Lt. Ghoshito Shohe

The Union further wishes them success in all their future endeavors.

President, PSU (Solomon Sumi)

DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

GRATITUDE LEED, Dimapur expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the following donors who generously contributed towards the construction of LEED office room at Lotha Hoho Ki Dimapur.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68

General Secretary, PSU (Kavikali Swu)

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All 57 members of the National Assembly, who were present on the occasion, voted in favour of the amendment bill.

after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8.

Nepal reacted sharply to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory.

India rejected the claim asserting that the road lies completely within its territory.

India has sternly asked Nepal not to resort to any “artificial enlargement” of territorial claims.

Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has been asserting that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal and vowed to “reclaim” them from India.

Dhaka, Jun 18 (IANS): The number of coronavirus cases in Bangladesh crossed the 100,000 mark on Thursday, authorities said, as the densely populated South Asian country struggles to contain the pandemic.

The country recorded 3,803 new cases in the past 24 hours from Wednesday morning, taking the total number of cases to 102,292, reports Efe news.

With the new cases, Bangladesh overtook Canada and is now 17th on the list of most-affected nations, according to the global coronavirus data released by John Hopkins University.

The COVID-19 death toll reached 1,343, with the deaths of 38 people in the past 24 hours, Nasima Sultana, additional director general of health services, said.

Victims said the number of the originally infected people could be much higher than the official data as many people are refusing to get tested because of long sample collection queues and other hassles.

According to the Health Emergency Operations control room, the country has only 12,034 beds and 339 ICU beds available in government and private hospitals for COVID-19 patients.

LOTHA ELOE EKHÜNG DIMAPUR

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Nepal passes bill for new map including 3 Indian areas

B’desh COVID-19 cases top 100,000; 1,300 deaths

Mmhonlumo Kikon, Advisor, IT&ST Govt. of Nagaland Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor, Horticulture & Border Affairs, Govt. of Nagaland Elias T. Lotha, Commissioner Transport, Govt. of Nagaland Mhalo Kikon (NCS) Dr. Pauline Kikon Thotchuila Tssenthungo Ezung Zubeni W. Odyuo Elizabeth Merry Nchumbeni Kikon Dr. Diana Patton Zujano Patton Renbeni Kithan Susie Ngullie Easter Alex Kithan O. Elhibemo Yanthan Jamithung Patton (NCS) Mhonchumi Ovung Mhathung Murry Y.L. Jami, IAS (Rtd) Myano George Murry Rosy Tsanglao Zaresh Ngullie Zarena Patton Thungdeno W. Tungoe Elilo Humtsoe Apie Odyuo Gracy Odyuo Areni Patton Khonzani Merry Abeni R.Patton Aroti Patton Bideno Kinghen Senjano Patton Thungbeni Murry Chibeni Ngullie M.Y. Ngullie (G/B) Abeno Patton Mingthunglo Ngully Yipemo Kikon Lochumlo Shitiri Pichano Patton Hetoli Kithan Zuchano Ngullie Mhonyani D. Ezung Zubeni T. Odyuo Longshilo Kithan Elizabeth Tungoe Nlumsali Ezung Achila Chopha Mhalo Kikon Abeni Odyuo Nyanmongi Murry Thungchano Jami Orensali Patton Yanbeni Ngullie Lireni Shitiri Mhonlumo Ovung Zubeni Kikon Chumbeno Murry Pichano Yanthan Meripeni Ngully Emilo Ruby Humtsoe Sherizer Odyuo Phonglano Ngullie Zubeni Patton Mrs. & Dr. Elithung Humtsoe TOTAL LEED nzontsu ekhya lona rheyicho Lotha Hoho Dimapur thungina rheyicho TOTAL INCOME (Rupees Eight Lakhs Fifty Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Only)

Zujano Patton Khokthepvüi

Rs. 100000/Rs. 100000/Rs. 25000/Rs. 20000/Rs. 20000/Rs. 10000/Rs. 10000/Rs. 10000/Rs. 10000/Rs. 7000/Rs. 10000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 4000/Rs. 4000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 2000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 3000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 10,000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 2100/Rs. 1500/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 5000/Rs. 8000/Rs. 5,20,600/Rs. 1,87,300/Rs. 1,50,000/Rs. 8,57,900/-

Renbeni Kithan Eranpvüi

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China brushes aside attack on Indian troops

BEIJING, JUN 18 (PTI): Parrying questions about the brutal attack carried out by its troops on the Indian soldiers with iron rods and spikes on June 15, China on Thursday also declined to respond to queries on reports of it building a dam on the Galwan river at the Sino-Indian border to obstruct its flow.

Foreig n M inistr y spokesman Zhao Lijian in his media briefing skirted questions for a second consecutive day about the casualties suffered by the Chinese troops in their clash with the Indian soldiers at the Galwan Valley on Monday night.

Asked about allegations that Col Santosh Babu and other Indian soldiers were brutally attacked with iron rods and spikes by Chinese soldiers and whether the confrontation started when the Indian troops arrive to demolish structures set up by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Zhao reiterated China’s allegation, squarely blaming the Indian troops for the incident.

“The right and wrong of this case is very clear and responsibility doesn’t lie with the Chinese side,” he said, adding that China has provided the details of the case.

India has trashed China’s claim of sovereignty over the Galwan Valley, saying such “exaggerated”

9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

Infotainment

10

‘Slowly getting better’: Ozzy Osbourne

O

zzy Osbourne has said he is “slowly getting better” after suffering a string of medical issues in the last year.

The former Black Sabbath frontman revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

It followed a tough 2019, which saw him battling pneumonia and suffering a fall which impacted metal rods that were implanted after a motorbike accident in 2003.

While the health issues forced Ozzy to postpone a series of farewell shows, he now says he’s firmly on the mend.

Speaking on his wife Sharon’s daily show The Talk yesterday, Ozzy said the coronavirus lockdown had been beneficial in forcing him to recuperate and relax at home.

“It’s been good, actually. I’ve been recovering from a surgery I had last year. So I’ve never been at home this long in my whole career,” he said.

“So I’ve had a chance to see my wife’s side of the fence more than me being on the road. So it’s had its moments, I must confess.”

When asked how he is feeling at the moment, Ozzy said: “I’m getting better. It’s a slow process, but I’m getting there slowly but surely.”

It follows a similar update from his daughter Kelly, who described her dad’s health as “mindblowing”.

“His symptoms are

lessening. He is building the muscle strength back that he needs after his spine surgery,” she told ET. “He’s ready to get out of the house and now he can’t get out of the house.

He keeps saying to me, ‘I’ve been on quarantine for almost two years, and now I’m feeling better and the world is on quarantine.’”

Earlier this year, Ozzy vowed to play live again as soon as he can. “My desire is to get back on stage,” he said. “I’m not ready to hang up my mic yet – that’s what I live for. I exercise as much as I can: I have a trainer, I do Pilates. But the best medication I can get is being in front of an audience, which is breaking my heart.”

In a five-star review of Ozzy’s latest album, NME said: “For someone who helped to invent modern metal, he’s held a stunning number of surprises up his cloak sleeve (see: a wildly successful solo career and genre-defining reality TV show). This rollicking album is yet another. ‘Ordinary Man’? He’s clearly anything but.”

(NME)

Renowned Naga musician O. Temsu Imsong passes away

O

. Temsu Imsong, a renowned musician from Mokokchung and the lead guitarist of the renowned band Squadron passed away on June 17 at Referral Hospital Dimapur after battling cancer. He was 53.

Late O. Temsu Imsong hails from Merangkong village, was the second son of late Odi Imsong, retired assistant director department

of Youth Resource & Sports, government of Nagaland.

He left behind 3 children, 2 sons and 1 daughter along with his wife.

The mortal remain of the deceased was brought to Mokokchung from Dimapur and the last rite for the departed was conducted at his private residence at Majakong ward, Mokokchung.

One of the founding

members of the famed Squadron band that was formed in 1990, O. Temsu Imsong was a self-taught musician who started playing the guitar at a very young age. He was perhaps the first person to use scalloped fret board in Nagaland. After a successful round with the band Squadron, as the members parted their own ways though the band never disbanded, late Imsong still was inclined to the music scene. Thus he ran a sound system business besides opening a jam room/practice rooms for musicians in Mokokchung, especially for the upcoming young artistes.

Besides the Squadron band, late Imsong was also part of famous bands like Abiogenesis, Dazzle Channel, Slit Image to name a few. As the people of the state and the musicians in particular mourn the loss, many opined that Mokokchung has lost a great musician, a mentor, a giant figure and a fun loving person.

(Correspondent)

OFFICE OF THE

SEYOCHUNG VILLAGE COUNCIL COURT

even a Broadway musical about the life of the late princess.

Larrain, who won critical praise for his 2016 film “Jackie” about the wife of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, said Stewart was a great fit for the part.

“She can be very mysterious and very fragile and ultimately very strong as well, which is what we need,” he told Deadline.

“I think she’s going to do something stunning and intriguing at the same time.”

(Reuters)

A

ctress Rhea Chakraborty arrived at Bandra police station on Thursday morning to record her statement in regards to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Rhea, widely rumoured to have been the late actor’s girlfriend, arrived at the police station dressed in white and wearing a mask.

Sushant was found hanging at his Bandra residence on Sunday morning.

It is reported that the actor was going through clinical depression over the past six months or so.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh announced in a video clip on his Twitter account that the police would investigate

FELICITATION

North Block Mission Compound Colony Kohima would like to felicitate MISS KHRÜVOTOLÜ SWÜRO, D/o Nevopra Swüro for securing top 6th Position in HSSLC exam 2020 Arts Stream from Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School, Kohima.

We further wish her success in her future endeavors.

Mission Compound Colony North Block, Kohima K-1104

m e

Sushant’s ashes immersed in Ganga The ashes of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput were immersed in the holy river Ganga in his hometown Patna in Bihar on Thursday. According to Sushant’s family, his ashes were immersed in the Ganga near Dighaghat in Patna, where his late mother’s ashes had also been immersed. Sushant’s father K.K. Singh and his two sisters, along with a ‘Pandit’, reached the banks of the Ganga and immersed the ashes amid Vedic chanting in the middle of the river by boat.

(IANS)

² Items included Toriva face shield (WHO approved), N9 mask, handmade butter cookies, handmade plum jam, handmade card etc.

Contact : +91 6009491118 Limited stock!!!

Delivery: Dimapur and Kohima

OFFICE OF THE

KEZOMA VILLAGE STUDENTS’ UNION Kohima : 797001, Nagaland

Motto: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”

FELICITATION The Kezoma Village Students’ Union congratulate Miss SHÜRHOVONÜ NAKI, D/o Mr. Kroneicho Naki & Mrs. Meduhele Naki for securing top 20th position in the recently HSLC result declared by NBSE 2020. The Union is immensely proud of her for bringing laurels to the union as well as the community in general.

The Union further congratulates all the HSLC and HSSLC passed out candidates for achieving another milestone and wishes them success in their future endeavour.

Sd/ Sd/ Videdi Sachü Mhasiseno Tase President, KVSU Edu. & Statistic Secy., KVSU

Follow us on instagram: em2square7

ANYONE CAN BE A FATHER, IT TAKES SOMEONE SPECIAL TO BE A DAD.

DC-535

(L. CHOKHABA ANAR) Chairman

side down,” Larrain told Deadline.

“How and why do you decide to do that? It’s a great universal story that can reach millions and millions of people, and that’s what we want to do. We want to make a movie that goes wide, connects with a worldwide audience that is interested in such a fascinating life,” he added.

T h e m ov i e, t i t l e d “Spencer” after Diana’s maiden name, is the latest in a string of movies, television series, documentaries and

K-1105

(SETSATHRONG SANGTAM) General Secretary

K

risten Stewart will play Britain’s Princess Diana in an upcoming movie about the breakdown of her marriage to Prince Charles, Hollywood trade publication Deadline reported on Wednesday.

Stewart, 30, best known for her role in the “Twilight Saga” movies, has been cast in the film which will take place over three days in the early 1990s when Diana made the bombshell decision to part ways with Charles and remove herself from becoming queen.

Charles and Diana separated in 1992 and divorced four years later in what was an unprecedented move in modern times for an heir to the British throne. Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997 at the age of 36.

The independent movie, to be directed by Chilean Pablo Larrain, is expected to start shooting in 2021.

No casting was announced for Charles.

“When someone decides not to be the queen, and says, I’d rather go and be myself, it’s a big big decision, a fairy tale up-

the cause of Sushant’s depression.

So far, Mumbai Police have recorded the statement of Rajput’s cook, caretaker and managers, along with close friend and filmmaker Mukesh Chhabra, who was directing the actor in his upcoming film, “Dil Bechara”.

FELICITATION

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S

ecret Cinema have announced the launch of a new series of drive-in film screenings.

The London-based event, which hosts immersive cinema events, are heading to the Goodwood racing circuit in West Sussex next month for a new socially distanced event.

‘The Drive-In’ arrives after the government gave the green light to drive-in film events last week, and will begin on July 5 with a screening of Chris Hemsworth’s Rush.

The rest of the drivein series will also feature the likes of Moulin Rouge, Moana, The Incredibles, Toy Story, The Hunger Games, Star Wars, Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman in the first two weeks. More films are expected to be confirmed soon. Tickets for the first two weeks of shows will be available to buy from 10am on June 22.

Speaking of the new event, Secret Cinema CEO Max Alexander says: “Secret Cinema allows people to escape reality through the magic and wonder of iconic and beloved films, and this is just what people need right now.”

(NME)

Kristen Stewart to play Princess Diana in new film

Sushant’s case: Rhea’s statement recorded

B.P.O. Seyochung, P.O. & District, Kiphire - 798611 : Nagaland

Office of the Seyochung Village Council with immense pride and honour would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Mr. K. Chumseli Anar, son of Mr. L. Khaliba Anar for being appointed as Nagaland Chapter State Coordinator by the Indian Speaker's Forum (ISF).

The Council is indeed glad for bringing such laurels to the village. The Council wishes God's abundant blessings and guidance in his future endeavours.

The Council also warmly congratulates all the students from Seyochung Village who successfully passed in the recently declared HSLC and HSSLC exam 2020. The Council wishes them all the best in their future endeavours.

Secret Cinema to hold socially distanced drivein film screenings

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

K Y M C

K Y M C

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

EPL: Man City start return with a win

Manchester, Jun 18 (Agencies): Manchester City secured the first win of the Premier League’s restart with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Arsenal at an empty Etihad on Wednesday as the English top flight’s return was marked by protests against racial injustice.

Both sets of players came together before kickoff to take a knee, as had Aston Villa and Sheffield United players in the first match after a 100-day stoppage due to coronavirus.

“I’m embarrassed and ashamed of what the white people have done for the black people,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.

“We have to do a lot of things for the black people which we have not done so far.”

City’s victory closes the gap on Liverpool at the top to 22 points and means the Reds cannot secure the title when they face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

A minute’s silence before kick-off remembered those who had lost their lives to COVID-19, including Guardiola’s mother.

Black Lives Matter was also emblazoned on

Manchester City players celebrate after scoring a goal during their Premier League match against Arsenal.

two early injuries.

Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta had made a bold team selection on his return to the Etihad, where he spent three-and-a-half years as Guardiola’s assistant.

The Spaniard left Alexandre Lacazette and club record signing Nicolas Pepe alongside David Luiz on the bench, while Mesut Ozil did not even make the squad despite a temporary

rule change to allow nine substitutes on the bench.

Guardiola had voiced his concerns for players’ welfare over the lack of preparation time to get up to full fitness.

But it was Arteta’s plan that was undone inside 20 minutes as Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari hobbled off with Luiz replacing the latter.

As City began to turn the screw, only Bernd Leno

T20 WC unlikely this year: PCB chief

Euro to kick off in Rome in 2021

Karachi, Jun 18 (Agencies): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani on Wednesday said he does not foresee the ICC T20 World Cup taking place later this year in Australia as the Covid-19 pandemic remains a huge threat.

M a n i ’s c o m m e n t s came a day after Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Earl Eddings conceded that the global T20 showpiece seems “unrealistic” as it will be difficult to fly in 16 teams to the country. “We have had a lot of discussions and the feeling is it (T20 World Cup) would not be possible this year.

ICC has World Cups lined up in 2021 and 2023, so we have a gap year where we can adjust this event,” Mani told reporters.

“God forbid if some player(s) falls ill or mishap occurs during the tournament, it will have a big impact and create panic in the cricket world and we can’t take that risk,” Mani, who also heads the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Rights Committee, said.

He said the biggest hurdle in the way of hold-

the back of shirts where the stars names are normally printed, as the players took a knee around the centre circle.

There was little return to normality once the game did kick-off to the hollow ring of an empty stadium as a torrential downpour added to the difficult conditions for the players.

However, City soon found their groove just as Arsenal were disrupted by

Ehsan Mani

ing the T20 World Cup in Australia this year was that the government there was very cautious about the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mani said even if the event is held, it will be in a bio-bubble environment, including empty stadiums.

“Having a bio-bubble environment is feasible for say a bilateral series like Pakistan in England, but it is very difficult when 16 teams are involved,” the PCB chief added.

The fate of the event, scheduled to be held in October and November, is shrouded in uncertainty as several countries continue to have in place, strict travel restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected over 8.3 million people across the globe.

“I would say it is unlikely...trying to get (teams from) 16 countries into Australia when most countries are still going through COVID spiking is unrealistic or very, very difficult,” CA chairman Eddings said on Tuesday.

Last week, ICC said a decision regarding the tournament will be made next month. The world body stated that it wants to continue exploring contingency plans for some more time as a call of this magnitude needs to be taken after every possible deliberation.

Mani said another ICC conference call is scheduled in a week and discussions are ongoing about the future of the T20 World Cup. “The thing is the ICC and member boards are stakeholders and then there are the broadcasters as key stakeholders as well. They are looking at their position and what is best for them.”

“We are also taking into consideration views of associate member countries who get shares from the event. I expect a final decision in three to four weeks time,” added Mani.

Rome, Jun 18 (Agencies): The Euro 2020 football championship has been postponed until 2021, due to the covid-19 crisis, with all matches rescheduled in the original 12 host cities, including Rome.

The rescheduled tournament will kick off in Rome’s Olympic Stadium, with Italy facing Turkey, on 21 June 2021.

In addition, Rome will host two other Group A matches - with Italy facing Wales and Switzerland - plus a quarter final match.

The news, announced

by European football’s governing body UEFA, has been welcomed by the president of the Italian Football Federation Gabriele Gravina as well as by Italy’s sport minister Vincenzo Spadafora and Rome mayor Virginia Raggi.

All tickets already purchased remain valid for the tournament in 2021.

Those who wish to return purchased tickets will have the last chance to request a refund from between 18 and 25 June through the Euro 2020 website.

Now I want Olympic gold: Vikas Krishan New Delhi, Jun 18 (IANS): One of the most decorated Indian boxers Vikas Krishan isn’t focussing on silver or bronze at next year’s Olympics in Tokyo as according to him, his ever-so-famished gloves can only be satisfied with a gold.

Vikas, an Asian Games and Commonwealth gold medallist, isn’t perturbed by the fact that Olympics have been postponed till 2021 and has firmly set his sights on singing the national anthem in Japan’s capital city next year.

“Either way I was fine with it. If it happens this year then also fine and now that it is taking place next year then also it’s good,” Vikas told IANS. “Earlier it was my dream to win an Olympic medal, but now it is my aim to win an Olympic gold.”

Vikas also paid tribute to his stint in Professional Boxing for instilling immense confidence in his abilities and he feels he is now better equipped to take on pugilists in the amateur arena.

He holds a 2-0 record on the circuit, having won both his pro bouts in 2019, the first one through knockout and second via unaniK Y M C

Vikas Krishan

mous decision.

“Professional boxing has helped me a lot in winning the quota place. I was able to defeat Asian number three 5-0,” Vikas said.

“Olympics quota I had won in 2012 and 2016 as well but this time professional boxing helped me a lot as my confidence level was altogether on a different level. So that is why I want to go back to professional boxing.”

“My manager has spo-

ken to America promoters and I have been told they are currently going ahead with ‘’America first’’ strategy. So when international flights resume then they can think about other counties.”

Vikas holds a terrific track record as far as winning medals on international circuit is concerned.

He won the gold medal at Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010 in the lightweight category and followed it

up with two bronze medals in the next two editions in middleweight category.

Fo l l owing suc h achievements, Krishan feels he deserves to be awarded with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour. He along with fellow pugilist were nominated for the award by BFI this year and they will be competing with other illustrious athletes in the country for the prestigious gong.

“It rests with the selection committee and how they look at it. A boxer can be compared with a boxer but a boxer cannot be compared to athletes of different disciplines.

Some are individual sports while some are team-based games,” he said.

“I have won medals throughout my career. I feel that I have been performing well on the international arena for the last 13 years.

If the committee agrees with the same then I will get it. It’s up to them if they want to consider performances of last one year or last four years. If in the committee, there is someone who truly understand sports, then they will definitely think of me.”

in the Arsenal goal kept the score down before halftime.

However, Sterling made the breakthrough when Luiz failed to cut out Kevin De Bruyne’s cross and the England international rifled home his first goal of 2020.

Five minutes into the second-half, Arsenal’s tough task became an impossible one as Luiz pulled down Riyad Mahrez inside the box and was shown a red card.

De Bruyne coolly sent Leno the wrong way from the penalty spot to end the game as a contest.

There was one more serious looking injury to come as City defender Eric Garcia was stretchered from the field after being wiped out by his own goalkeeper Ederson leading to 11 minutes of added time.

City used the extra time to add a third as substitute Phil Foden sidefooted home after Sergio Aguero struck the post.

Defeat is another blow for Arsenal’s hopes of a return to the Champions League next season as they remain in ninth, eight points off the top four.

11 AFC cancels Athletes struggling to stay annual awards motivated during pandemic: IOC ceremony

Kuala Lumpur, Jun 18 (IANS): The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) annual awards ceremony scheduled for December 2020 in Doha, Qatar has been called off, the Asian football governing body said on Wednesday.

T h e d e c i s i o n wa s made by the AFC Executive Committee in light of the COVID-19 outbreak which has caused loss of life throughout Asia. The event would be inappropriate to proceed at this time, the AFC said in a statement.

AFC President, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa, said the COVID-19 outbreak has not only altered the lives and livelihood of people around the world, but has brought unique challenges to sports and to football.

“Thousands of lives have been lost not just in our continent but also across the world,” he said.

“This has brought us to consider the appropriateness of a glittering night of celebration, especially when we need to show respect to all those who have passed away and their grieving families and friends at this difficult times,” he added.

Lausanne, Jun 18 (IANS): Managing mental health and sports careers was found as the biggest challenge for athletes during the lockdowns of varying degrees imposed in most countries around the world to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, a survey conducted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has revealed.

The survey was conducted among more than 4,000 athletes and entourage members from 135 countries. The majority of athletes spent their time under restrictive measures put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.

It showed that 50 per cent of athletes struggled with the complexity of conducting proper training as a consequence of the restric-

tions imposed in most countries to contain the virus.

The lack of access to sports facilities and to a normal training schedule, but also the isolation from the wider athlete community, led to a struggle to stay mentally fit.

Sixty-three per cent of the entourage members who took the survey also said they found it hard to keep their athletes motivated.

“It is very hard to train due to many of the restrictions,” one elite athlete from South Africa who took the survey was quoted as saying by the IOC. “Training adds structure to my life, and I feel that the lack of structure without training is negatively affecting my mental health. Everything I’m struggling with is linked together. They can’t be viewed as separate.”

Mainz stun Dortmund in Bundesliga

Players of Mainz and Dortmund vie for the ball during their Bundesliga match.

Berlin, Jun 18 (IANS): Mainz took a huge step towards securing their Bundesliga status for another season as goals from Jonathan Burkardt and Jean-Philippe Mateta saw them defeat Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund confiscated the ball in the early stages, enjoying up to 80 per cent of possession, but they failed to really trouble a well-drilled Mainz backline.

Axel Witsel had an effort blocked after being teed up by Raphael Guerreiro,

French Open to be held with fans

Paris, Jun 18 (Agencies): The French Open will be held with fans when it takes place from September 27-October 11, said the head of the French tennis federation (FFT) .

“It will absolutely not be behind closed doors.

There is no final decision yet on the number of spectators, which will be decided on with the public authorities,” FFT president Bernard Giudicelli told reporters.

Usually held at the end of May, the French Open was first moved to a September 20-October 4 slot but the main draw has been pushed back another week.

Giudicelli said tickets would be sold around the end of the month or at the beginning of July.

With three Masters t o u r n a m e n t s a n d t wo Grand Slams in the space of seven weeks, players might have to make hard choices but French Open director Guy Forget is confident they will turn up at Roland Garros.

“Seventy-five players from the top 100 are currently in Europe and I am convinced they will preserve themselves to be in top form in Paris,” said Forget.

while the Portugal international also had a half-chance after some neat interplay with fellow wing-back Achraf Hakimi.

Pierre Kunde had the first sniff for the visitors, but was let down by his touch inside the Dortmund area after a clever ball over the top from Danny Latza.

Burkardt should then have done better when he was released by Mateta – getting his legs in a tangle as he tried to sneak past Hakimi – but the 19-year-old made up for it just after the

half-hour, angling a header beyond Roman Bürki from Ridle Baku’s inch-perfect cross to put Mainz ahead in the 33rd minute of the game, according to the official Bundesliga website.

Despite a front three of Jadon Sancho, Thorgan Hazard and Erling Haaland, Dortmund continued to look toothless in attack.

Things went from bad to worse for Dortmund at the start of the second half as Mainz were awarded a penalty: Karim Onisiwo unleashed a vicious long-range

effort that Burki could only parry, and Lukasz Piszczek tripped Latza inside the area as he looked to get to the rebound. Seconds after forcing a fine save from Bürki himself, Mateta swept past the BVB keeper from the spot to put the relegation-threatened 05ers firmly in the driving seat in the 49th minute. Mateta found himself one-on-one with Mats Hummels shortly afterwards, but chose to go it alone instead of squaring for a teammate and the chance went begging.

Dortmund continued to struggle in the final third, even if Brandt fired an effort just wide and Hakimi forced Muller to tip a well-struck free-kick over the bar. In the meantime Jean-Paul Boetius missed a golden opportunity to put the game to bed for Mainz, blazing over after another brilliant cross from Baku, before substitute Adam Szalai drew a onehanded save from Burki.

The visitors nevertheless held on for a precious 2-0 win, which leaves them needing two points from their last two games to ensure they’ll stay in the top flight in 2020/21.

Can’t wait to return to US Open: Serena Washington, Jun 18 (IANS): Twenty three-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has committed herself for the 2020 US Open which will be played at the Flushing Meadows from August 31 to September 13 behind closed doors in New York.

“I really can’t wait to return to the US Open 2020,” Serena said in a video message on Wednesday.

“I think the USTA is going to do a really good job of ensuring everyone is going to be safe. This is crazy. I’m excited,” she added.

“The 2020 US Open is set to be played in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., on its originally scheduled dates of August 31-September 13. It will be immediately preceded by the relocated Western & Southern Open, which will take place at the same iconic site,” announced the organisers on Wednesday.

“These two events are the summer’s biggest tennis blockbusters in the U.S., and we are thrilled for the players, our fans, and all of our partners, that we will be able to mark the return of tennis,” said Mike Dowse, USTA Chief Executive Offi-

Serena Williams

cer and Executive Director.

“These tournaments also serve as an inspiration to tennis players of all levels, encouraging them to get out and play given the social distancing nature of our sport.”

The US Open will feature the men’s and women’s singles main-draw events, each with the traditional 128 players, and men’s and women’s doubles events, with 32 teams in each competition (down from 64 teams).

“The decision to hold

the 2020 US Open without fans was not an easy one, but ultimately it was the correct one,” said Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, USTA and newly named US Open Tournament Director.

“To mitigate risk, we must minimise numbers on-site. Though we will not have fans on our site, we will engage with tennis fans around the world in new and exciting ways with the help of our global broadcast partners, and all our US Open sponsors.”

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Napoli win sixth Italian Cup title Beat Juventus 4-2 in penalty shootout

Napoli players with the trophy after defeating Juventus in Coppa Italia final.

Rime, Jun 18 (Agencies): Cristiano Ronaldo never had a chance. Arkadiusz Milik converted the decisive spot kick in a penalty shootout as Napoli won its sixth Italian Cup following a 0-0 draw with Juventus.

Ronaldo was likely Juventus’ last penalty taker but after Paulo Dybala had his shot saved and Danilo blasted high over the goal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could only stand at midfield and watch as Napoli won the shootout 4-2.

Ronaldo had a good look at the goal five minutes in but his effort was

pushed away by Napoli’s second-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret. As the match wore on, he made less of an impact.

Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri said Ronaldo is struggling to regain his famous acceleration speed after the shutdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic.

The game went straight to penalties without extra time being played - a precautionary measure for players still getting back into shape in only their second match of the restart.

In the first half, Napoli

captain Lorenzo Insigne hit the post with a free kick.

Juventus controlled most of the possession but Napoli had the better chances as Juve’s 42-year-old goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon made a series of difficult saves - until the shootout.

This was the 12th time the two sides met in a Coppa Italia final. The last time was in May 2012, when Napoli won the trophy with a 2-0 win. The previous 11 matches ended in five Juventus victories, four Napoli wins, and two draws.

Napoli was in complete disarray when Gat-

Kyrgios labels ATP chief ‘potato’

Nick Kyrgios

S y d n e y, J u n 1 8 (IANS): Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has labelled ATP chief Andrea Gaudenzi as a “potato” after the Tour announced the revised calendar amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Cheers mate, you’ve really looked after the players during this time. Seriously, how about you have a collaborative effort with us, potato,” tweeted Kyrgios.

On Wednesday, the ATP announced that the season will resume on August 14 with the Washington Open. The US Open will also be held according to its original schedule from August 31 with the Cincinnati Open being held at the Flushing Meadows before that from August 22.

“It has been a truly collaborative effort and we hope to add more events to the calendar as the situ-

ation evolves,” said Gaudenzi in a statement.

“I would like to recognise our tournaments’ efforts to operate during these challenging times, as well as our players who will be competing under different conditions. At every turn, ensuring that the resumption of the Tour takes place in a safe environment will be paramount,” he added.

Kyrgios had earlier slammed the ATP for pushing on with the 2020 US Open despite the coronavirus situation in the country and the social unrest that has followed the death of George Floyd.

“People that live in the US of course are pushing the Open to go ahead ‘Selfish’ I’ll get my hazmat suit ready for when I travel from Australia and then have to quarantine for 2 weeks on my return,” Kyrgios has tweeted.

tuso was hired in December amid a player mutiny over a forced training camp ordered by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

While it was played in an empty stadium, the final was another sign of the return to normalcy in a country hard-hit by the coronavirus.

The nearly 35,000 who died from Covid-19 in Italy could have filled half of the 70,000-seat Stadio Olimpico. In an impromptu awards ceremony, Napoli president Aurelio Del Laurentiis and Juventus counterpart Andrea Agnelli placed the

CL to resume on August 7

London, Jun 18 (IANS): The Champions League and Europa League will be finished in August with ‘final eight’ tournaments in Lisbon, Portugal and in cities across Germany, the UEFA said in a statement.

The Champions League will resume on August 7.

“The 2019/20 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, semi-finals and final will be played as a straight knockout tournament in Lisbon, Portugal in August.

All these ties will be singleleg fixtures,” the statement on UEFA’s official website read.

“A decision is pending on whether the four remaining round of 16 second legs will take place at the home team’s stadium or in Portugal,” it added on uefa.com.

The 2019/20 Champions League has been on hold since March 11 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

medals around players’ necks. Italy’s president usually does the honors.

The game was broadcast nationally on free-toair RAI state TV and was expected to draw a large audience.

After a break of more than three months, soccer restarted in Italy last week with the second legs of the semifinals.

The final was originally scheduled for May 13.

The title provides Napoli with direct entry into next season’s Europa League group phase. The Partenopei, though, still have to play the second leg of this season’s Champions League round of 16 against Barcelona.

Meret, playing for the suspended David Ospina, set the tone for the shootout by blocking Dybala’s effort on the first spot kick.

It’s the second trophy that Juventus has missed out on this season after losing to Lazio in the Italian Super Cup in December.

But Juventus remains the favorite for a record-extending ninth straight Serie A title with a one-point lead over Lazio, and is also still in the Champions League.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

‘2011 Cricket WC final was fixed’

New Delhi, Jun 18 (Agencies): Former Sri Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has made a shocking claim that the ICC World Cup 2011, which India famously won under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, was fixed. Aluthgamage was the Sri Lankan Minister of Sports during the 2011 World Cup and took full responsibility for his statement.

India successfully chased down the 275-run target posted by Sri Lanka in the summit clash of ICC World Cup 2011 with Gautam Gambhir and Dhoni playing crucial roles with the willow. While Gambhir struck a handsome 97, Dhoni promoted himself ahead of an in-form Yuvraj Singh to control the steering wheel and score an unbeaten 91 to help India lift the coveted trophy.

H o w e v e r, A l u t h gamage further said the final which Sri Lanka could have won, was fixed while adding he won’t involve cricketers in the latest row.

“The 2011 final was fixed. I stand by what I say.

It took place when I was the Minister of Sports,” Mahindananda Aluthgamage told Sri Lankan news outlet News 1st.

When further asked whether he is saying it with absolute responsibility, the former Sri Lanka sports minister said, “I state with full responsibility. However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game against India in 2011, a game which we could have won, was fixed.” “I state it with responsibility and I can come forward for a debate. The people are concerned about it. I would

not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game,” he added.

However, three years later, Sri Lanka went on to lift the T20 World Cup 2014 after defeating India in the final in Dhaka. India, batting first had posted 130 runs on the board, with Sri Lanka chasing the total with ease in just 17.5 overs courtesy Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten 52 off 35.

Sangakkara seeks proof Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara has asked for evidence after country’s former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage alleged that team’s 2011 World Cup final against India played in Mumbai was fixed.

“The 2011 Cricket World Cup final was fixed.

I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the minister of sports,” Aluthgamage told newsfirst.lk.

“However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country.

The game against India in 2011, the game we could have won, was fixed.” “I say this with a responsibil-

ity and I can come forward for a debate. The people are concerned about it.

I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game,” he added.

Sangakkara, who was the captain of the side when Sri Lanka suffered the agonising defeat, stated that getting to the bottom of the allegations is the best thing to do currently. “Then no one needs to speculate and can get to the bottom of this.

That should be the most prudent course of action,” Sangakkara was quoted as saying by Sri Lankan outlet newsfirst.lk.

Chelsea complete signing of Werner L o n d o n, J u n 1 8 (Agencies): Chelsea have completed the signing of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, subject to a medical.

The Ger many international has agreed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and becomes Chelsea’s second signing of the summer after Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech.

Chelsea have agreed to pay €50m (£45m) to trigger the release clause of Werner, who is set to earn more than €10m (£9m) per season in England.

Discussing his move to west London, Werner told the official Chelsea website: “I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a very proud moment for me to be joining this great club.

“I of course want to thank RB Leipzig, the club and the fans, for four fantastic years. You will for-

Timo Werner

ever be in my heart. I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans. Together

we have a very successful future ahead of us.”

Werner has made a total of 157 appearances for RB Leipzig, scoring 93

goals and making 40 assists, developing into one of Europe’s most coveted forwards.

The 24-year-old will remain with RB Leipzig for the remainder of the Bundesliga season before joining up with his new team-mates next month.

His current employers have backed Werner to be a success in the Premier League and Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, speaking to the Chelsea website, added, “We are very excited that Timo Werner has chosen to join Chelsea.”

“He is a player who was coveted all over Europe and it is no surprise, he has that rare mix of being young and exciting and yet established and proven.

We can’t wait to have Timo on board, but until then we wish him and RB Leipzig all the best for the rest of this season.”

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