June 23, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 197

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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Tax demands haunt Dmu business

With 445 deaths, India records biggest DCCI says some NNPGs & elements demanding item-wise tax; urges Police for security single-day jump NEW DELHI, JUN 22 D I M A P U R , J U N 2 2 for a long period and many its June 3 representation ad(PTI): As the death toll in (NPN): Even as the cur- shops were yet to reopen. dressed to the DC Dimapur TGKD condemns the country from coronato take action on complaints received against student bodies and other organisations.

It said these had resorted to rampant checking and raids conducted on shops and business establishments and seizure of tobacco products and imposition of fines on shops for sale of tobacco products.

DCCI said in response, the DC Dimapur on June 15,2020 stated that – shops selling cigarettes are to ensure a minimum of six feet distance from each other and that no more than five person can be present at one time at the shop. DCCI also said DC had stated that no permission was granted to any student bodies or organisations to raid or seize tobacco products.

Based on the DC’s order, DCCI informed all organisations to take due note and refrain from “unauthorised raiding and checking of shops in future”. Further, DCCI also appealed to all customers and shops selling cigarettes to strictly maintain social distancing as per DC’s order.

Meanwhile, Tsütoho Ghami Küghakulu Dimapur (TGKD) has condemned the “unlawful act of threat and intimidation meted out” to its member S. Kavito Aomi, assistant dy. director Food & Civil Supplies by three persons--Among Sangtam, Kiviho Sumi and Tiatemsu Ao. TGKD president Shikiho Yeptho and general secretary Kahoshe Tuccu, in a statement, informed that the trio had served “extortion demand” in the name of NSCN-K(YA) and also threatened the officer over phone.

TGKD termed the action of the trio as “unacceptable” in civilised society and warned that the above named would be held responsible, in the event of any harm befalling its esteemed member.

It also expressed deep gratitude to Dimapur Police for apprehending the above culprits and appealed to the police and law enforcement to award exemplary punishment so as to act as a deterrent against recurrence of such in future.

rent lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has adversely affected economic activities, various elements continue to impose tax from shops and business establishments in Dimapur.

This was revealed by media cell of the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Monday, which accused “some Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and other elements” of forcefully imposing and collecting taxes from shops and business establishments.

DCCI said it was learnt that “some NNPGs and elements” involved, were demanding taxes “item-wise” while intimidating the business community with the demands. It described the act asa an “extreme form of taxation” that would “surely sound the death knell of the business community.”

According to DCCI, due to extended lockdown period, many businessmen were undergoing untold economic hardship while many were not even able to pay rent due to closure of shops

DCCI also said it was “unfortunate” that the action of the some NNPGs and elements came when resources and energy of society and government was focussed on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. DCCI pointed out that as a member of the COVID-19 District Task Force, it has been rendering all out support, assistance and cooperation with the district administration and civil societies as part of the common fight.

In view of the above, DCCI urged upon the NNPGs to understand the situation faced by the business community who have been trying their best to get back on their feet. At this juncture, DCCI said better sense should prevail and that resorting to intimidation or threat was not the answer since all were bound together under the crisis.

DCCI has appealed to the district administration and police to keep vigil to ensure the security and safety of the business community. Further, DCCI also disclosed that in response to

Intense monsoon spell likely over NE states: IMD

BSL-2 lab in Dimapur to be functional soon

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 ( AG E N C I E S ) : N o r t h Eastern states are likely to receive widespread and extremely heavy rain during June 24-26 due to an intense monsoon spell, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

There is an orange category warning for Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura along with some parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Bihar for these three days for very heavy to extremely heavy rains, IMD said on Monday.

An orange warning implies that authorities will have to be prepared for rainrelated emergencies.

A trough of low pressure currently runs from north Punjab to northwest Bay of Bengal. Its eastern end is very likely to shift northward from June 24.

The convergence of strong moist southerlies and southwesterly winds from the Bay of Bengal over northeast and east India is likely to make conditions conducive for extremely heavy rains, IMD said. There is also a cyclonic circulation over north interior Odisha, which is likely to move northwestwards during next three days.

Pangnyu Phom and Toshi Wungtung being briefed by CIHSR officials.

DIMAPUR, JUN 22 (NPN): The much-awaited BSL-2 laboratory here will get operational once it receives operational clearance from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

This was conveyed

by Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) director Dr. Sedevi to a delegation led by Health & Family Welfare minister Pangnyu Phom that inspected the institute to review setting up of the lab.

H e ex p l a i n e d t h a t though ICMR had given approval, the laboratory would become operational once the council was satisfied with the test sample done, whose result would be probably be available on Tuesday.

The minister, accompanied by IPR, SCERT and VG adviser Toshi Wungtung and other senior H&FW officials, was shown around the BSL-2 lab by the CIHSR director and Dr Nito Yepthomi, who will be

heading the laboratory.

In a tweet, Pangnyu said: “The quality of the work will not be compromised because of that it is taking time. The inauguration will be done soon to cater to the needs of our people.”

Dr. Sedevi explained how the facility could be used for testing other ailments like TB, HIV, hepatitis, etc. asserting that it would immensely strengthen the health infrastructure. He mentioned that many Naga medical scholars working and doing research outside would get an opportunity to come and work in Nagaland with the installation of the facility.

Yepthomi informed the visiting officials that the present strength of 12 staff would be able to test around 150 to 200 samples, but added that more manpower would be required if the number of samples exceeded 200 per day.

Cracks are seen on a building, after an earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hit Mizoram, in Champhai district, Monday. (PTI)

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virus jumped by a record 445 to 13,699, the Centre maintained that the number of infections per lakh population was among the lowest in the world. The new cases surged by over 10,000 for the 11th day in a row and rose by 14,821 to take the total to 425,282, according to health ministry data.

In its update, the Union Health Ministry said the total number of recoveries stood at 2,37,195 to clock a recovery rate of 55.77 per cent. Presently, there are 1,74,387 active cases and all are under medical supervision, it said.

It said India’s COVID19 cases per lakh people is one of the lowest in the world despite its high population density, and the recovery rate has now reached almost 56 per cent.

For every one lakh population, there are 30.04 coronavirus cases in India, while the global average is over three times at 114.67, the ministry said, referring to the WHO Situation Report 153, dated June 21.

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State’s records highest spike of 69 COVID cases; 65 from Peren distt Nagaland COVID-19 STATUS as ON June 22, 2020 COVID HOSPITAL

Total Cases

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

122 10 28 13 1 23 73 8 0 1 0 0 0 1 280

Active Cases RecovAsympered tomatic cases 16 106 3 7 20 8 0 13 1 0 23 0 71 2 3 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 139 141

DIMAPUR, JUN 22 (NPN): Nagaland on Monday registered its highest ever single-day spike of 69 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of cases in the state to 280 till date.

According to state Health minister S. Pangnyu Phom, the 69 fresh cases were detected from 275 samples that were tested.

The highest ever one day spike was reported from Peren quarantine QC with 65 cases while 3 were from Dimapur QC and 1 from Zunheboto QC. According

KU demands proper representation of tribes before forming SSB DIMAPUR, JUN 22 (NPN): Konyak Union (KU) reaffirmed to stand by its earlier resolution on the issue of Nagaland State Selection Board (SSB) and was opposed SSB “current concept of NSSB” in the general interest of unemployed Konyak youth unless the State government committed itself to giving representation to tribes based on their population ratio.

Acknowledging the State government taking various reformative steps, the union in a release also demanded “social and economic justice and equality” in regard to government employment sector.

Expressing solidarity with Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation (ENSF), KU emphasised that any reform by the State government should be brought only after consultation and endorsement of every stakeholder of Naga society.

Despite being one of the most populous tribes, KU regretted that Konyak tribe’s representation in the government sector was very marginal (Cont’d on p-8) and negligible.

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 0 0 0 0 0 0

to reports, the 65 cases were Chennai returnees.

With this the total active cases in the state stood at 139 and 141 recovered cases. The recovery rate had plunged to 50% from 66% on June 21.

Results of 1507 awaited: Out of 9665 samples sent for testing till 4 pm.

Monday, results of 8158 samples had been received while results of 1507 were awaited.

Out of the 9665 samples, 6833 samples were sent to BSL-3 lab (NHAK) and a

total of 5613 samples were tested, and out of which 221 tested positive.

Currently, 6768 persons have been kept under facility quarantine, principal secretary Home, Abhijit Sinha said in his daily briefing.

As per the distribution of the 280 cases by age, 4 cases were between 0-17 years, 269 cases between 18-44 years, 5 cases between 45-64 years and 2 cases between 65-74 years.

As per the distribution of gender, 195 were males and 85 females.

JAC of tribal hohos back delimitation DIMAPUR, JUN 22 (NPN): Joint Action Committee (JAC) of tribal hohos has come out in support of the proposed delimitation exercise in the State.

A meeting of JAC representatives from Peren, Longleng, Kiphire and Wokha and unit representatives from Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) and Rengma Hoho at Lotha Hoho ki, Keziekie Colony, Kohima on Saturday resolved that the delimitation exercise should be carried out in Nagaland in letter and spirit as per the provisions of Delimitation Act, 2002 (amended in 2003) to uphold the sanctity of the constitution.

The meeting observed that the nationwide delimitation exercise had nothing to do with losing or gaining seats but simply a constitutional obligation to give proportionate representation of people in the State Assembly for equal developmental opportunities.

It also clarified that delimitation had nothing to do with the Naga issue as the former was a mere constitutional obligation while the latter was a dignified political issue, adding that nobody should preach others on the Naga issue as everyone knew it.

JAC said it was reposing full faith and confidence on the calibre and astuteness of present Delimitation Commission associate member of Nagaland Sentiyanger Imchen and hoped that he would deliver justice to the people of Nagaland by implementing the Act without fear or favour.

The committee also dismissed the assertion by former Nagaland commissioner and member of Delimitation Commission TN Mannen that the existing seats were distributed tribewise and his apprehension that any new delimitation exercise would bring about tribal imbalance and violate Article 371(A) provisions.

Clarifying that delimitation was done based only on census and not tribes and that it was outside the purview of Article 371(A), the committee stated that Mannen did not know that the delimitation exercise was deferred not because of his “concocted reasons” but because of the alleged law and order problem in Nagaland at that point in time.

JAC alleged that Mannen, as a Delimitation Commission’s associate member for Nagaland confused the commission by providing fabricated (Cont’d on p-8) reasons.

Two back-to-back earthquakes jolt Mizoram Odd-even system eases traffic in Kohima

This is it!

“Is this some kind of a joke, bringing me to town after all shops are closed?”

China declines to react to V K Singh’s remarks

nagalandpostofficial

AIZAWL, JUN 22 (PTI): Two back-to-back earthquakes struck Mizoram within a gap of 12 hours, causing damage to houses and cracks on roads at several places and prompting the government to sound a rain and landslide alert, officials said on Monday. A 5.1-magnitude tremor rocked Saitaul district

at 4:16 pm on Sunday, followed by a 5.3-magnitude quake in Champhai district at 4.10 am on Monday. No casualties have been reported so far.

Several houses and buildings in Champhai, including two churches in Zokhawthar, have been damaged in the quake, an official said, adding

that the tremors caused cracks on highways and roads at several places. The full extent of the damage is yet to be ascertained, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Chief Minister Zoramthanga of all possible support from the Centre.

“Spoke to Mizoram chief inister, Zoramthanga Ji, on the situation in the wake of the earthquake there. Assured all possible support from the Centre,” PM tweeted. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Zoramthanga and took stock of the situation.

In a tweet, Zoramthanga thanked both the prime minister and the Union home minister. He said an assessment of the damage has been undertaken by local MLA and district administration.

Quoting the National Centre for Seismology, an official of the state Geology and Mineral Resource Department

said Monday’s earthquake occurred at 4.10 am and the epicentre was at Zokhawthar in Champhai district on IndiaMyanmar border.

The epicentre of Sunday’s earthquake was 12 kilometres from Ngopa town, officials said.Deputy Commissioner (DC) Champhai, Maria CT Zuali, told PTI that at least 36 buildings, including two churches and government properties, were partially damaged at Zokhawthar. She said the destruction took place in around seven villages within Khawbung RD block in Champhai, according to the latest report on Monday evening.

North East falls in the high seismic zone and earthquakes are frequent. A minor earthquake on 2.8 magnitude hit Nagaland around 12.40 pm on Monday. The epicentre was 44 km away from Kohima, according to the National Centre for Seismology.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 22 (NPN): The first day of the newly-enforced oddeven dated traffic system in the State Capital had a positive impact as traffic woes largely eased till late afternoon.

Kohima Police had on June 19 notified introduction of odd-even system from June 22 as measure to combat COVID-19 pandemic and minimise non-essential movement of vehicles within Kohima municipality.

The police claimed that the new rule was set in the best interest of citizens as it would ensure their safety and security, besides minimise non-essential vehicular movement as even during the lockdown period the State Capital witnessed massive traffic snarls. And Monday, the first day of the new odd-even rule, witnessed a smooth flow of traffic unlike other days even though some commercial vehicles were seen on the road as they were not able to comprehend the new rule.

However, citizens were seen

largely cooperating with the new rule, which will continue till June 30.

On the other hand, many had raised issues about the rule that contradicted with the one implemented in Dimapur.

A businessman told this Correspondent that if he was to travel down to Dimapur he would have to have two vehicles-- one with odd number and the other one with even number. For instance, he said Monday, in Kohima, was for even number vehicles while in Dimapur it was for odd numbers. He therefore urged the authorities concerned to address this issue so that it would not be inconvenient for people travelling from Kohima to Dimapur.

In may be noted that Sr. SP Kohima had exempted emergency service vehicles belonging to police, prisons, administration, paramilitary, medical, NST buses, government staff buses, fire services, NSDMA and SDRF, press, two-wheelers, trucks carrying emergency medical equipment/ commodities and LPG cylinders and inter-State trucks carrying essential commodities bound for Manipur from the purview of the odd-even rule.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Agricultural activities at Ruzaphema, Naginimora

Agriculture officials under SDAO Medziphema along with farmers at the field visit.

DIMAPUR: Department of agriculture conducted activities for the benefit of farmers at Medziphema and Naginimora respectively.

Medziphema: Department of agriculture, Medziphema sub-division conducted training-cumfield visit programme at

Ruzaphema village on June 18 on the topic “postharvest management of turmeric” under MOVCDNER Phase-II. A press release from SDAO office Medziphema stated, the resource person Rosemary Ezung, SDAO, introduced turmeric (cucurma longa L) as an im-

Law & order, facilitation services in the state DIMAPUR: The State Emergency Operation Centre COVID-19 control room Kohima has issued the report on law and order across the state as on June 21.

According to DIPR report, joint secretary Hiazu Meru stated that three (3) persons violated the order of lock down and curfew, meanwhile two (2) persons bound down. The report also stated that, shops for food grains, groceries, and milk were opened in all the districts of Nagaland except Longleng, Wokha and Mokokchung.

Medicine shops were also open in all the districts except Longleng district.

There was no report of any shortage of food grains,

groceries, milk and medicine in the state.

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

Suitable arrangements have been made for providing food and shelter to migrant workers affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. 1 (one) active relief camps and 1 (one) active food camps five (5) daily wagers and needy persons were provided food/dry ration.

DC Peren prohibits outside food at quarantine centres

ing, preservation of seed, processing, certification and marketing of organic turmeric.

She encouraged rural youth to take up farming as it was the most secure and satisfying job.

With the rising unemployment in the state, she challenged unem-

ployed youth to take up agriculture as a career option and cultivate large area of land taking advantages of technological advancements and become producers of food for the future.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by Nungsangmongba, agri-

culture inspector followed by field visit to the organic turmeric farms being cultivated under MOVCDNER at Ruzaphema village.

Naginimora: Department of Agriculture also distributed machineries and equipments at Naginimora under SMAM

2019-20 in the presence of ADC Naginimora Renabomo Odyuo at SDAO office, Naginimora on June 22.

A press release from SDAO Naginimora, H. Lawrence stated that, machineries include brush cutters, rotary cultivator and post hole diggers.

KDCC forms KDCPGCC for public welfare

DIMAPUR: Kohima District Congress Committee (KDCC) held a meeting on June 22 at Congress Bhavan and deliberated on the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) letter of June 11, in regard to various issues concerning the people of the state and specially the state capital in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

A press release from KDCC general secretary information and publicity, Yangertemjen stated that, meeting chaired by KDCC president Kevi Vizo constituted the Kohima District Congress Public Grievances Committee (KDCPGC) with PCC member Zeneizolie Zacharia as

convenor, KDCC general secretary Yangertemjen as secretary, all vice presidents as members and KDCC president as overall in-charge.

As directed by the NPCC, the KDCPGC under KDCC would conduct a survey on the impact of the different measures adopted by the government in the fight against COVID-19 and also assess the difficulties faced by general public alongside the economic challenges. The meeting also pointed out that with the only district hospital in the state capital turned into COVID-19 hospital, the health issues for other patients have become one of the major concerns amidst

the COVID-19 pandemic.

KDCPGC in this regard will encourage the general public through various mediums about their health insurance, specially the BPL family members to register under Ayushman Bharat health scheme. KDCPGC will maintain check and balance on the implementation of the scheme by the government agencies. KDCPGC would also oversee the distribution of rations under AAY, BPL and APL including disaster management funds distributed by the administration. Another area will be transparency in the implementation of MGNREGA funds as the government of India has increased the budget to

over Rs 1 lakh crore. Committee will also look into the problems of roadside vendors and also the difficulties faced by farmers due to non availability of agriculture produce market facilities.

Focus will also be made towards sincere implementation of the Mudra loan so that interest MSME can avail the opportunities towards enhancement of the economy. While KDCPGC would be taking up the concerns at the district level, the KDCC meeting constituted a similar committee for all the seven Assembly Constituency Congress Committee (ACCCs) in Kohima district to take the concerns at assembly constituency level. KDCC

Shamator Battalion restores road for traffic

to be cleared urgently to enable the movement of essential supplies.

vice president in-charge of the each ACCC will be convener with the respective ACCCs president as co-convener and all KDCC secretaries i/c of ACCCs as members.

KPA informs: Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA) has informed students that filling up of forms for compartmental exam of odd semesters (I, III, and V) would be held from June 26 to July 4 online. Students applying for compartmental exams are to send details to WhatsApp at 8974157860 (semester III and V) and 8575290728 (semester-I) or Email at principalkpa@rediffmail.com stating their name, roll no and registration no, semester, subject code and name.

DWO Dimapur informs: District welfare officer (DWO) Dimapur Hutoi Sema has informed beneficiaries of IGNOAPS, IGNWPS and IGNDPS who have failed to collect ex-gratia benefit during recent payment done by the department under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyaan Yojana for the month of April and May 2020 under six projects Nuiland, Kuhuboto, Dhansiripar, Medziphema, Dimapur (U) and Dimapur (R) to collect the same on June 25, 26 and 27 from the DWO office during office hours.

9th DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR BELOVED FATHER

LATE N. HONLEM KONYAK 23-06-2011 to 23-06-2020

It has been 9 years since God called you Home, but the memories of your unyielding faith continue to guide us. We know you are now in a better place but you are truly missed beyond measure. We deeply treasure your memories in our hearts and hope that one day we will meet again at our Saviour’s feet.

DP-2856

Loving Wife, Children and Grandchildren

The major landslide area between Noklak and Tuensang caused by heavy rain.

DIMAPUR: Shamator Battalion of Assam Rifles assisted civil administration in restoring Noklak

-Tuensang road, disrupted due to a major landslide on June 22, due to heavy and incessant rainfall. Accord-

ing to PRO HQ IGAR (N), the road being the only lifeline used by residents from the two towns required

DC-425

DIMAPUR: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the setting up of quarantine facilities to accommodate the large number of returnees to the district from various parts of the country.

According to DIPR report, parents and relatives of the returnees accommodated at the different quarantine facilities are bringing packages of food and other commodities to their wards resulting in unnecessary harassment of the facility managers as well as other staff manning the quarantine facilities.

Therefore, in order to ensure the smooth management of the quarantine centres as well as to discourage such practices by the parents and relatives of the returnees, deputy commissioner of Peren, Sentiwapang Aier has issued an order on June 19 stating that packages of food or other eatable commodities/medicines delivered by the parents and relatives for their wards in any of the government managed quarantine facilities shall be strictly prohibited.

portant commercial spice crop of India used in diversified forms as a condiment, flavoring agent and as a principal ingredient in Indian dishes as curry powder.

She elaborated about different post-harvest operations like harvesting at right maturity stage, grad-

Beneficiaries under SMAM 2019-20 along with ADC Naginimora and other officials.

news in Brief

DC-551

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Are prices of various essential items being checked by the govt?

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

A B C

Covid Care Center activated at Chümou

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

67% 33% 0%

Next poll

Q: I s t h e r e n e e d f o r

decentralisation of powers in Nagaland to various districts?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST June 23

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A thunderstorm in spots

33 26

Aizawl

An afternoon thunderstorm

Guwahati A stray afternoon t-storm Imphal

A little morning rain

Itanagar Cloudy with a thunderstorm

28 20 33 26 29 22 29 23

Shillong

Cloudy, a t-storm in spots

24 19

Kohima

A shower and t-storm around

24 19

Dimapur A thunderstorm in spots Mkg

Variable clouds, a t-storm

Tuensang Not as warm with a t-storm Wokha

Not as warm

Zunheboto Partly sunny with a t-storm

31 24 25 20 20 16 26 22 23 18

DC Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi speaking during the activation programme of CCC Chümoukedima on June 22. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Deputy commissioner Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi activated the 93 bedded Covid Care Center (CCC) at Chümoukedima Dimapur on June 22, in the presence of commissioner Police Dimapur Rothihu Tetseo, CMO Dimapur Dr Tiasunep Pongener, MS District Hospital Dimapur Dr. Kheshito Zhimomi and director CISHR Dr. Sedevi Angami.

According to DIPR report, the Health and Family Welfare Training located at Chümoukedima has been converted into CCC and CISHR in col-

laboration with the Health & Family Welfare department will be taking care of the centre.

DC Dimapur in his address, cited that CCC Chümoukedima will be a place between hospital and quarantine centre.

While mentioning about the high recovery rate in Nagaland, with more than 66%, Anoop thanked God and also acknowledged the selfless sacrifices of the Medical staff and policemen.

Anoop extended salute to all the government and private doctors, who

CLC meeting on encroachment of forest land in Mokokchung

Officials from Forest department, SP, SDO (C) Mokokchung during the CLC meeting.

DIMAPUR: Circle level committee (CLC) meeting on encroachment of forest land was held at Marepkong Forest office, Mokokchung on June 22.

A press release from DFO office Mokokchung stated that, Rongsenlemla chairman-cum-CF (NTC) of the circle level committee on encroachment of forest land highlighted that forest circle level committee was constituted to check encroachers from government forest land as per directive of Supreme Court.

Dr. Sentitula, member secretary-cum-DFO Mokokchung briefed the status of forest land including the purchased land, donated/allotted land and protected land in the district. She stated that the district has 460234 Ha of purchased land, 9.02 Ha of donated/allotted land and 420.36 Ha of protected forest, where the district has approximately 6 to 7 Ha of encroachment.

Superintendent of Police, Mokokchung, Vishal Chauhan discussed on the importance of forest

conservation and creative ways of conserving land.

SDO (Civil) Mokokchung, Dharam Raj discussed on the importance of digitisation of forest lands.

The meeting also discussed on various issues such as joint inspection of forest purchased land and circle level committees to be held in various sub-divisions.

Meeting was attended by I. Sashilemla, RO Mokokchung, Moamongba, BO Changtongya a nd O d ibe nd a ng, RO Longtho.

were working day and night, taking care of all the 67 quarantine centres.

He further said that the policemen and the officers, employees from various departments including those working at Agri Expo were rendering tireless services in the fight against the pandemic and noted that Dimapur has been doing fine thus far as all were working with unity and co-operation.

CP Dimapur felt that government employees posted at Dimapur were fortunate, stating that working together in the fight

against COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity for contributing something towards the society. Let all continue to work together, Tetseo appealed.

M S D i m a p u r, D r Kheshito Zhimomi, observed that besides COVID cases, problems of normal patients with other ailments needed to be addressed as the only government set up has been working for the past 3 months day and night for COVID cases.

Further, he noted that presently all positive cases were young people but felt that if community trans-

KCK organises webinar for faculty in Kohima DIMAPUR: Kohima College, Kohima (KCK) research cell organised a webinar for faculty of KCK in collaboration with IQAC, KCK on June 22.

A press release from KCK media cell stated that, the webinar on the topic, “Empowering teachers for effective online teaching in higher education: Tools and technique” was to acquaint the teachers with the various options available for conducting online classes. Resource person was RamieTech Solution business analyst Richard Asoso. The talk/presentation was followed by a Q and R session.

Earlier, principal KCK, Dr. Ralimongla, delivered the inaugural speech and KCK research cell convenor Dr. Konei Nakhro was the moderator.

mission starts it would affect all people irrespective of age and people with morbidity will be vulnerable. He therefore felt the need for preparing/arranging more hospitals.

Director CISHR, Dr. Sedevi said that it was an opportunity to work in partnership with the govt and felt that such initiatives could continue even in future. Diseases are not government or private but has to be joint responsibility of all, Dr. Sedevi said.

He also cautioned that community transmission could not be stopped, and noted that COVID cases may be silent, mild or serious cases and advised all to continue to be prepared.

Further, Dr. Sedevi advised all to take extra care of the elderly people, community mass campaigning, distribution of educative pamphlets and also spelled on the need for decentralising testing at this point of time. He also reminded about the important role of media for disseminating reliable information and for helping the community to respond better.

CMO Dimapur delivered the welcome note while pastor, Town Baptist Church Chümoukedima, Rev. Sazo Kire offered word of prayer.

3 Virtual interface workshop

by ICAR-NRC on Mithun DIMAPUR: ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema Nagaland organized a virtual interface workshop on June 22 under the topic, “promoting and branding mithun” in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) of zone VI and VII. A press release from ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema stated that, the workshop was to promote scientific mithun husbandry as an entrepreneurial activity to economically uplift the tribals through integration of scientific mithun husbandry and its diversified uses.

Scientists of the institute highlighted various technologies and packages of practices of the institute such as semi-intensive system of rearing mithun mineral blocks, areas specific mineral mixture, portable mineral block dispenser, etc.

During the deliberations, Dr. Bidyut C. Deka, director ICAR-ATARI zone VII and Dr. Anil K. Tripathi, director, ICAR-ATARI zone VI suggested the institute to identify KVKs from each mithun rearing states that would serve as a base for trial and dissemination of various technologies.

Dr. Bhupendra Nath Tripathi, deputy director general (animal science), ICAR lauded the semiintensive system of mithun rearing as a game-changer and stressed on educating farmers about benefits of alternative system following upon which various other technologies can be integrated into the system of mithun rearing.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, deputy director general (agricultural extension) ICAR, emphasized on the need to identify technology service sectors which can be taken up by KVKs on a mass scale, imparting skill training to the rural youths, farmers and other stakeholders. He also urged them to develop a basket of technologies that can easily be understood by farmers, ready for commercialization.

Earlier, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, director, ICAR-NRCM gave welcome address in the workshop co-ordinated by Kamni P. Biam, scientist, ICAR-NRC on Mithun. A total of 26 KVKs from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, directors of ICAR institutes, experts, and scientists of national repute, scientific faculty, and staff of ICARNRC on Mithun, Nagaland participated.

ANB scheme under F&CS Mokokchung for migrant labourers

NDPP Noklak condole demise DIMAPUR: NDPP Noklak has expressed grief over the untimely demise of late L. Pokoi Khiamnungan, active founder and president, 56 Noklak A/C who passed away on June 18.

In a condolence message, working president, P.M Lamthia said that late L. Pokoi Khiamniungan was a dedicated, sincere leader who was a founding member of NDPP Noklak. NDPP Noklak stated that it had lost a young, dynamic and promising leader and the vacuum left would be hard to fill.

Further, party members conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family and pray that God would grant them strength and courage as his soul rest in peace.

Officials from F&CS Mokokchung along with EAC, ward members and others. (NP)

Correspondent MOKOKCHUNG, JUN 22 (NPN): Under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat (ANB), the office of the assistant director Food & Civil Supplies (F&CS) Mokokchung distributed free food grains to migrants at 5

kg per person per month for two months (May/June 2020) and channa whole at 1 kg per household per month for the same period. A total of 12190 migrants were benefitted through this scheme where beneficiaries included migrant labourers from outside the state

and within including citizens from the eastern Nagaland and migrant labourers to Mokokchung from different villages.

On Monday, the distribution was held at Alongmen ward in the presence of Temsuchuba Jamir EAC, department officials and ward authorities.

Borlengri residents More passengers arrive appeal to concerned authorities Dimapur by flight from Kolkata

Seized tobacco products were destroyed by the enforcement team of DTCC and North Police personnel at North Police Station premises, Kohima, on June 22. (DIPR)

Assemblies of God Churches Dimapur visited the quarantine centres at Youth Hostel and Bethesda Hr. Sec. School and conducted special prayer, praise and worship at quarantine centre, St. Joseph University on June 20.

K Y M C

DIMAPUR: Even after several appeals to the concerned authority, the sealed bridge at Borlengri is yet to be opened for general public, whereby the Borlengri Area Villagers Union (BAVU) has brought out a two-point charter appeal to the concerned authority for compliance by June 23.

A press release from BAVU chairman Nengchitmeren and secretary Mayo Odyuo stated that, they met the deputy commissioner of Dimapur and convenor, COVID-19 incharge of Dimapur district on June 16 for final reminder to open the sealed bridges.

The bridge was then opened only for medical emergencies and students from June 22, wherein the BAVU acknowledge the concerned authority for the same. BAVU therefore in its two-point charter of appeal asked that all the adjoining border bridges be opened and relaxed for normal public movement with reasonable restrictions to avoid rush in only on one bridge. Secondly, BAVU stated that since these bridges are the only lifeline for the border area residents for survival, the relaxation should not only be for the students and patients but also for frontline workers, official duties or govt employees, daily wage earners and general public for purchase of essential commodities from Dimapur.

It must also be mentioned that earlier the BAVU had initiated vari-

ous representations to the concerned authority for mitigating the problems/ inconveniences faced by the border area residents owing to sealing of border bridges. BAVU stated that border bridges were completely sealed on May 11, where the first representation to Home Commissioner Nagaland was made through the DC Dimapur personally on May 14. It then issued a press release for public on May 17 and held a joint meeting with DC Dimapur and leaders of 13 villages at Dillai gate on May 19. However, assurance to open sealed bridges for medical emergencies was not taken up as discussed, stated the release. Meanwhile, BAVU issued another press statement on May 23 and also met the DC Dimapur to reiterate on the same matter but still no action was taken. BAVU then issued the second representation to the Chief Secretary on June 9 and also met the DC Dimapur on June 10 along with 13 village leaders. Yet again, BAVU stated that it made a press statement on June 14 but this too was not heeded, whereupon on June 16, 13 border villager’s union met the DC Dimapur for final reminder and also met the convenor COVID-19 incharge of Dimapur district on June 16 where the meeting concluded with assurance for opening the sealed bridges for the convenience of the people living across the border belt.

AI passengers from Kolkata at the Dimapur Airport before boarding buses to Kohima and Agri Expo on June 22. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Many more people have been arriving at Dimapur from outside the state and on June 22, altogether 232 people reached Dimapur by flight from Kolkata.

According to DIPR

report, out of 232, Air India brought 122 from Kolkata and 6 from Guwahati while Indigo flight brought 104 from Kolkata. Kohima passengers were sent to Kohima after necessary medical screening at the airport

while remaining passengers were taken to Agri Expo by Nagaland State Transport buses for further segregation and placement to different quarantine centres after going through mandatory procedures.

K Y M C

4

northeast

Mnp crisis will be resolved soon: Sarma

NDA’s central leadership apprised of patch-up talks

Himanta Biswa Sarma GUWAHATI/ IMPHAL, JUN 22 (PTI): The crisis in the BJP-led Manipur government will be resolved in the next two to three days in the spirit of the NEDA’s and the NDA’s principles, senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.

The government led by N Biren Singh plunged into crisis after nine members of the BJP-led coalition, including four ministers of the NPP, resigned on June 17.

“Things are very much under control and there is nothing to worry. We will resolve the issue in the next two or three days in the spirit of NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance) and NDA (National Democratic Alliance) principles,” the NEDA convener told a press conference here.

“We are consulting our MLAs and all discussions are taking place in a positive manner”, Sarma, who is a minister in Assam, said.

Asked if the BJP-led alliance in Manipur will comprise of the same parties as before, he said after the Rajya Sabha elections and the disqualification of MLAs by the speaker of the state’s assembly, “the architecture may be different but the spirit of NEDA and NDA will be there”.

By-elections have to be held in Manipur as the speaker’s decision on disqualification is final and cannot be revoked, Sarma said.

“I might go to Imphal tomorrow and a good result is expected though I do not want to elaborate on this,” he added.

NDA’s central leadership has been apprised of discussions Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had with the legislators of the BJP and the NPP to find a way out of the political stalemate in Manipur triggered by the resignation of nine ruling coalition members, sources in the two parties said on Monday.

Sangma, who is also the national president of the regional outfit, National People’s Party (NPP), and BJP’s troubleshooter Sarma met legislators of the two parties during their day-long visit on Sunday to Manipur, where the Congress has cobbled a new alliance to oust the BJP-led coalition from power. Assam minister Sarma is also convener of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).

The two returned from the Manipur capital late Sunday night. Conrad Sangma, before leaving Imphal, said the Manipur issue has been brought to the notice of the central leadership of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The two senior leaders had flown here to hold talks with the

legislators of the BJP as well as its regional ally NPP to iron out differences between the two parties.

The NPP is also part of the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coalition. The government led by N Biren Singh plunged into trouble after nine members of the BJP-led coalition, including four ministers of the NPP, resigned last Wednesday. Sangma is heading a government in Meghalaya and is in alliance with the BJP in the state. The BJP’s two MLAs had also contributed to his party nominee’s victory in the Rajya Sabha poll. The opposition Congress had questioned why Sangma and Sarma were not quarantined under COVID-19 norms like the two AICC observers-Ajay Maken and Gaurav Gogoiwhen they arrived in Imphal last Friday.

Manipur Cong ress President Moirangthem Okendra had highlighted the issue the previous day and described it as “highly condemnable”.

“Maken and Gogoi were quarantined by the Manipur government. Are the norms valid only for Congress people? Is this

your political revenge? Is law not equal for all?” Assam Congress spokesperson Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee had also asked.

Reacting to this, Sarma, who is leading the fight against the novel coronavirus is Assam, had said on Sunday that no rule related to COVID-19 guidelines has been violated by him.

“A person who comes for a day-long visit is exempted from quarantine in both Assam and Manipur,” said Sarma. Besides the NPP ministers, the rest five who tendered resignation included three rebel BJP MLAs, the lone All Indian Trinamool Congress legislator and an Independent.

After the victory of the BJP candidate Leishemba Sanajaoba in Rajya Sabha polls, the party claimed that it is in command in Manipur.

But, without a final decision on the disqualification cases against the seven Congress MLAs who had crossed over to the BJP shortly after the 2017 state polls, proving its majority in the 60-member house would be a difficult task for the ruling dispensation in the present condition when nine of its legislators have left.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Meghalaya CM observing home quarantine on return from Mnp S H I L LO N G, J U N 2 2 (PTI): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is observing home quarantine on return from a visit to Manipur, officials said on Monday.

The National People’s Party (NPP) supremo had made a trip to Manipur capital Imphal on Sunday to meet party MLAs, who switched allegiance from supporting the BJP to the Congress last week.

“The chief minister is observing home quarantine since his return yesterday.

His swab samples were collected today by a team of health officials,” Health Services director Aman War told PTI. He said, depending on the outcome of the RT-PCR test of the samples, the CM will have to follow guidelines accordingly.

According to the health services director, Conrad can resume work after three days if his samples tested negative or else, if positive, the health authorities shall take a call.

The state protocol for novel coronavirus says that anyone moving in and out of the state within a day can resume work if their RT-PCR tests come out

Health workers taking swab samples of Meghalaya CM for testing on Monday. negative, War said.

Meghalaya has recorded 44 cases of COVID-19 till date, of which 37 of them, have recovered and one had died.

Six persons who tested positive for COVID-19 are observing quarantine protocols.

Sangma had air-dashed to Manipur capital with Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to iron out differences between legislators of his party and the BJP. The two had returned the same day.

The Congress leaders had raised questions that while their leaders, Ajay Maken and Gaurav Gogoi,

were straightway placed under quarantine on arrival in Imphal Friday evening, the same protocols were not applied on Sangma and Sarma who freely mingled with people during their stay.

Four NPP ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, had resigned from the BJP-led coalition in the neighbouring state of Manipur on Wednesday. Besides, them five other legislators had quit the Biren Singh government plunging it into trouble. After walking out of the ruling coalition, the NPP legislators were seen in the company of Congress leaders in Manipur.

Mnp schools asked not to collect fees HC postpones hearing of PIL against drilling inside Assam forest govt Bans online exam for pre-nursery to class-V

Correspondent IMPHAL, JUN 22: Manipur education department on Monday issued separate orders asking all private schools and aided schools not to collect tuition fees from students for the months of April to July and banned conducting online assessment and examination for students reading in Prenursery to Class-V. “Fees, if already collected for these months by the schools, shall be adjusted with subsequent months in future,” said the order prohibiting collection of monthly fees from the students.

The order further directed the schools not to

hike admission fees for the session while collecting the same.

Monthly fees till the month of March may be collected, but without hiking the amount, it said.

In Manipur all educational institutions remained closed since March by an order of the state government issued on March 12 last, in view of COVID-19 pandemic. In regard to the question of monthly salaries of teaching and nonteaching staff, the order of the education department urged for payment of 50 per cent of salaries for schools with student enrolment of 700 and below.

However, for schools with student enrolment of

more than 700 students, the order directed to pay the staff in full.

Another order of the same department has directed the schools to stop conducting online assessment and examination for students reading in prenursery to Class-V by the respective schools.

The education department admitted that the closure of schools by an order of the state government and current lockdown on account of COVID-19 pandemic not only affected the academic calendar all students but also compounded to their stress and trauma of these delicate and very young students reading in pre-nursery to Class-V.

GUWAHATI, JUN 22 (PTI): The Gauhati High Court on Monday deferred the hearing of a PIL against the Centre’s approval to Oil India Limited (OIL) for drilling seven wells inside Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, which is adjacent to Baghjan well tragedy site, and fixed July 13 as the next date.

However, there was much confusion inside the courtroom of the bench comprising Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Soumitra Saikia, and an initial oral order to re-file the petition was revoked after it was found that that the Registry did not send the full petition.

The 268-page petition was filed jointly by advocate Mrinmoy Khataniar and mountaineer Amar Jyoti

Deka, but the High Court Registry mistakenly sent only a portion of the complete file to the Bench for hearing on Monday.

“The Registry inadvertently did not place the original file and sent a substitute file consisting of 78 pages.

The confusion probably occurred due to filing of an application for early listing,” petitioners’ counsel Dabajit Kumar Das said. Finding the petition incomplete, the court dismissed the PIL and asked the applicants to file it again, he added.

“Then we went to the Registry to check our petition and found that the complete file was not sent.

It was not intentional, but a mistake happened. We immediately went to the court and informed the judges about it,” the petitioners’

other advocate Rakhee Sirauthia Chowdhury said.

The lawyers of the applicants requested the Bench to hear the matter as there was no fault from their end, but the court deferred it after revoking the initial verbal order of re-filing the petition and fixed July 13 as the next date of hearing, she informed.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) accorded environmental clearance to OIL for drilling and testing of hydrocarbons at seven locations under Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, northwest of Baghjan in Tinsukia district.

The PIL has been filed against the approval given to OIL for drilling inside the forest, which is very rich in biodiversity, by amending

Biggest market re-opens with Ward-wise total lockdown in Guwahati: Assam minister few shoppers in Meghalaya SHILLONG, JUN 22: Ïewduh, the biggest marketplace in Meghalaya reopened Monday after over 3 months of remaining in total lock-down, even as few shoppers ventured in on the first day.

Only around 413 of the 1222 stalls which were entitled to re-open as had been decided by the East Khasi Hills District Administration in consultation with the Chief Executive Member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Syiem of Mylliem, opened the traditional market, which is one of the biggest of its kind in the entire North-East.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had specified that 30-22 per cent of the total number of shops would open on a rotational basis.

As per the protocol, people over the age of 65 years, children below 10 years and pregnant women are not allowed to visit the

market. However, fish, meat and vegetable markets, stalls selling books, betel nuts and betel leaves and hawkers are currently not allowed to function in the market as these are already being sold outside.

Last week, a joint inspection of Ïewduh was conducted by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong along with Health Minister, A L Hek, Director of Health Services, Dr Aman War, and East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri besides representatives of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Syiem of Hima Mylliem and Greater Association of Ïewduh Market.

A Ïewduh COVID-19 Management Committee had been constituted to monitor the operation of the market with the Syiem (chieftain) of Hima Mylliem, who is in charge of law and order in the market, as its head.

GUWAHATI, JUN 22 (PTI): Ward-wise total lockdown will be imposed in Guwahati as the situation in the city has turned “alarming” with 144 persons without travel history testing positive for COVID-19 here in the last two days, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.

The Kamrup (Metro) district administration, under which Guwahati falls, has been directed to take a decision to impose ward-wise total lockdown, whenever necessary, in the city apart from declaring containment zones in areas where COVID-19 cases have been reported, Sarma told reporters. The lockdown can initially be imposed for seven days and if necessary, extended for another seven days, he said.

“The situation in Guwahati is alarming and our focus now is to control COVID-19 in the city so that it does not spread to the community level in other

districts,” he said.

As many as 181 cases were detected in the city in the last two days and out of these, 37 patients had travel history while the remaining 144 died not travel anywhere recently, the minister said.

Besides, 114 cases were reported from the 12 screening centres in the city where people had gone voluntarily to get their samples tested, he said.

“If this spike continues, we will get 200 to 300 cases daily from Guwahati alone.

At present, we are getting this number from across the state,” Sarma said. Assam has so far reported 5,586 COVID-19 cases, of which 2,053 are active while 3,521 persons have recovered, nine have died of the disease and three have migrated out of the state.

“Cases in Guwahati will continue to increase. It will take at least one month to flatten the curve,” he said. COVID-19 cases have been reported from across

the city but one common factor among the patients is their connection with the city’s commercial hub Fancy Bazaar, the state health minister said. Besides the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH), 31 screening centres will be set up in the city where people can give their samples for COVID19 tests from Wednesday, he said. These screening centres will gradually be converted into makeshift hospitals, Sarma said.

The last of the Shramik Special trains are scheduled to arrive in the city by June 23 and “we expect the pressure on quarantine facilities to come down by the first week of July”, he said.

“We, therefore, plan to convert the institutional quarantine centres in Guwahati into COVID-19 hospitals where asymptomatic patients will be treated,” the minister said. He appealed

to the people to cooperate by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing “so that Guwahati does not become like Mumbai, Delhi or other places with high positive cases in the next seven or 10 days”. “If people cooperate, we can contain the spread of COVID-19,” Sarma said.

Assam recorded its highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases on Sunday with 331 new infections but “there is no need to panic on that account as sample testing has increased”, Sarma said. The number of samples tested so far is likely to cross the three lakh-mark on Monday, with one lakh samples tested in nine days since June 13, he said, adding that the rate of testing per million population in the state was 8,829.

The minister said that so far, 2,43,414 people have entered Assam by road, trains and air and “all have been tested and quarantined”.

5 healthcare workers test positive for COVID-19 Correspondent IMPHAL, Jun 22: At least five healthcare workers – two doctors and three nurses – were tested positive for COVID-19 taking the total number of frontline workers tested positive to six in Manipur till Monday.

Another 57 fresh cases

district hospital were tested positive for the virus late last night. Two more nurses staying at GBC state quarantine centre in Churachandpur were also found infected by the deadly virus.

With the five new cases, six persons having no travel history were contracted by the virus in the state since the first case was reported on March 24 last. In the first week of this current month, June, a nurse from

Churachandpur district was tested positive for the virus.

However, she was cured from the disease later. A total of 2,343 samples were tested for the virus in the last 24 hours including the 57 new positive cases to take the total samples tested till date in the state to 38,286. On the other hand, more Covid care facilities have been opened in the district and sub-divisional government hospitals across the state.

ing the entire Park. Baghjan is now in the news as an OIL gas well there has been spewing gas uncontrollably for the last 27 days and it caught fire on June 9, killing two of the PSUs firefighters at the site.

On May 19, OIL had published an advertisement in a leading English newspaper about the company receiving permission to drill inside the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, evoking sharp reactions on social media regarding protection of the forest.

The next day, the company had informed through an official statement that in order to tap the hydrocarbon resources underneath the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, it had approached statutory bodies for obtaining permission in 2016.

IN THE COURT OF

DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE ZUNHEBOTO : NAGALAND

No. JUD/SUCC-34/19-20/22

Dt. Zbto. the 17th June 2020

Notice Calling Objection for the issue of Succession Certificate

Whereas an application has received U/s 372 of Indian Succession Act from Smti. Venice Chishi, resident of Naltoqa, Zunheboto for Succession of Service Benefits, Debts & Securities & SBI Bank A/c No 30681977577 of Late Kisheho Sema.

Notice is hereby issued for filing objections to all who has interest in the said claim/s within 30 (thirty) days from the date of publication to this notice.

District & Sessions Judge Zunheboto : Nagaland DP-2361 IN THE COURT OF

PRINCIPAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE DIMAPUR : NAGALAND NOTICE

S/C No. 196/20

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-I OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefits of Late Isabo X Awomi has been applied by Shri Hito Awomi, B/o Lt. Isabo Awomi, R/o H.No. 69, Block-II, Thilixu Village, Dimapur, Nagaland for possession of: 1. Pension Benefits, G.P.F, G.I.S, Leave Encashment, Gratuity and other Benefits.

2. SBI A/c No. 36289394839 Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may if she/ he so desire appear in this court on or before the said day of 22nd July 2020.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this, the 22nd June 2020.

Principal District & Sessions Judge Dimapur : Nagaland DP-2366

IN THE COURT OF

Manipur COVID-19 tally nears 900-mark were detected in the last 24 hours, taking COVID-19 tally of the state to 898 including 250 recovered cases.

The active cases stand at 648, the source said.

However, there is no community transmission in the state, officials of the state health department said.

Officials of the health department said that two doctors and a nurse who were deputed at the Covid care facility at Bishnupur

norms like public hearing.

It submitted that the MoEF&CC on January 16 this year amended the rules of 2006 related to public hearing and changed the categories of all onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration projects.

“The entire action of the authorities in bringing in the amendment...smacks of malice in fact and malice in law and is clearly reflective of an abuse of powers as vested in governmental authorities, besides being violation of the various protections under the Constitution of India [sic],” it mentioned. The petition also pointed out that if the company is allowed to go ahead with the drilling, situations like Baghjan’s gas well tragedy can take place there also, thereby threaten-

PRINCIPAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE DIMAPUR : NAGALAND NOTICE

Dear, Many happy returns of this day. God miraculously and wonderfully have added to you. You are really a big blessing for all of us in different ways. May God richly bless, nurture, use and filled you with this new year more abundantly.

From, all family members.

Dear Baieit, May this be a very special day to honour you and all the great things about you. Happy ‘Lockdown’ Birthday.

Love, Theirit

S/C No. 191/20

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-I OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefits of Late Avitso Kath has been applied by Smti Lhosheli Kath, W/o Lt. Avitso Kath, R/o H.No. 115, Lengrijan, Dimapur, Nagaland for possession of: 1. Pension Benefits 2. SBI A/c No. 30406275417 3. Gas Card No- 594290153 Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may if she/ he so desire appear in this court on or before the said day of 22-07-2020.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this the 22-06-2020.

Principal District & Sessions Judge Dimapur : Nagaland DP-2369

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Manmohan attacks PM on Ladakh face-off PM must be mindful of implications of his words, says Dr. Singh NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): In his first remarks on the Ladakh face-off, former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said PM Narendra Modi must be mindful of the implications of his words and cannot allow China to use them as a vindication of its position.

Noting that disinformation is no substitute for diplomacy or decisive leadership, Singh called upon the prime minister to ensure justice for soldiers who died defending India’s territorial integrity. “To do any less would be a historic betrayal of people’s faith,” he said in a statement.

The Congress has been attacking the government on Prime Minister Modi’s remarks at an all-party meeting that no one has entered Indian territory or captured any military post while referring to the eastern Ladakh standoff. The government has, however, said that attempts are being made to give a “mischievous interpretation” to the prime

Manmohan Singh

minister’s remarks.

Singh said this is a moment where we must stand together as a nation and be united in our response to this brazen threat. Twenty Indian soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in the violent face-off with Chinese troops on the night of June 15/16 in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

Noting that the country is standing at the historic cross-roads, Singh said the government’s decisions and actions will have serious bearings on how the future generations perceive us.

“Those who lead us bear the weight of a solemn duty. And in our democracy that responsibility rests with the office of the prime minister,” he said. “The prime

minister must always be mindful of the implications of his words and declarations on our nation’s security as also strategic and territorial interests,” he said.

The Congress veteran said China is “brazenly and illegally” seeking to claim parts of Indian territory such as the Galwan Valley and the Pangong Tso Lake by committing multiple incursions from April 2020 till date. “We cannot and will not be cowed down by threats and intimidation nor permit a compromise with our territorial integrity.

“The Prime Minister cannot allow them to use his words as a vindication of their position and must ensure that all organs of the Government work together to tackle this crisis and prevent it from escalating further,” he said.

“We remind the Government that disinformation is no substitute for diplomacy or decisive leadership. The truth cannot be suppressed by having pliant allies spout comforting but false statements,” he said.

Singh also said that the sacrifice of soldiers cannot be allowed to go in vain.

India fighting two wars against China: Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said the country is fighting two wars against China--one against “coronavirus that was sent by the neighbouring country” and the “other on the border”.

He said there should be no politics by anyone in fighting these two wars.

Kejriwal’s remarks come amid criticism of the Centre by the Congress over the situation in eastern Ladakh. Addressing an online media briefing, the Delhi chief minister said, “Twenty of our brave soldiers did not back down, we will also not retreat and win both wars against China.”

Twenty Indian soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops on June 15 in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

“Today, the country is fighting two wars against China - one against the virus that was sent by China and the other on the border,” Kejriwal said during the briefing. On one hand,

Arvind Kejriwal

all doctors and nurses of the country are fighting COVID-19, and on the other hand, soldiers are fighting wars on the border, he said.

“The entire country is standing with doctors and soldiers. We all have to fight these two wars together and there should be no politics and groupism in this,” the AAP supremo asserted.

Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi must be mindful of the implications of his words and cannot allow China to use them as a vindication of its position. Noting that disinformation is no substitute

for diplomacy or decisive leadership, the former PM called upon Modi to ensure justice for soldiers who died defending India’s territorial integrity. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi had staged nationwide protests against Chinese aggression last week.

AAP MLAs had also staged protests in their respective constituencies.

Meanwhile, the country recorded 14,821 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, pushing the infection tally to 4,25,282, while the death toll rose to 13,699 with 445 new fatalities, according to the Union health ministry data.

BJP lashes out at Manmohan Singh In a scathing counter-attack on Manmohan Singh, BJP president J P Nadda said on Monday that he as prime minister “abjectly surrendered” hundreds of square kilometres of India’s land to China and presided over 600 incursions made by the neighbouring country between 2010 and 2013.

In a series of tweets after Singh took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his handling of the ongoing stand-off with China, Nadda said the senior Congress leader and his party should stop “insulting” our forces repeatedly and questioning their valour.

They did this post the air strikes and surgical strikes, the BJP president said, asking the Congress to understand the true meaning of national unity, especially in such times.

While accusing the Singh-led UPA government of surrendering huge tracts of India’s land to China, Nadda did not give any detail to substantiate

Punjab approves 300 ad-hoc doctor posts CHANDIGARH, JUN 22 (IANS): Amid escalating Covid cases in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday sanctioned 300 ad-hoc posts in the Medical Education Department, 100 in each in the three government-run medical colleges, to handle the critical patients.

The Chief Minister’s directives came after K.K. Talwar, the state government’s health advisor and former PGI director, said 100 staff members, mainly senior resident doctors and assistant professors, were required to be on-board by the Medical Education Department in each medical college on an urgent basis to handle the critical Covid patients.

Responding to Talwar’s submission on the staff requirement, the Chief Minister sanctioned these 300 posts, directing the department to make ad hoc appointments by hiring graduating students as Senior Residents.

the charge.

Incursions from China have been common, and the UPA and then the BJP-led NDA government, which came to power in 2014, have played them down, saying armies of both countries often entered into each other’s territory because of their different perceptions about the Line of Actual Control.

Hitting out at Singh, Nadda said, “Dr Manmohan Singh belongs to the same party which: Helplessly surrendered over 43,000 KM of Indian territory to the Chinese! During the UPA years saw abject strategic and territorial surrender without a fight.

Time and again belittles our forces”.

The BJP president further charged, “One only wishes that Dr. Singh was as worried about Chinese designs when, as PM, he abjectly surrendered hundreds of square kilometres of India’s land to China.

He presided over 600 incursions made by China between 2010 to 2013!”

next few days as the monsoon was expected to reach the city on Wednesday.

The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative figures for Delhi, recorded a maximum of 36.7 degrees Celsius. The city received 43.8 mm rainfall in the 24-hour period till 8:30 am.

The regional forecasting centre of the IMD said on and off pre-monsoon rains are going to continue in the national capital on Monday and Tuesday.

Several areas of eastern Rajasthan received rainfall on Monday and the weather office in Jaipur predicted more downpour in many parts of the state on Tuesday.

With 43.8 degrees Celsius, Sriganganagar was the hottest recorded place, followed by 42.9 degrees Celsius in Bikaner, 42.3 degrees Celsius in Jaisalmer, 41.2 degrees Celsius in Jodhpur, 41 degrees Celsius in Barmer, 40.4 degrees Celsius in Ajmer, 39.5 degrees Celsius in Churu, 39 degrees Celsius in Jaipur and 38.6 degrees Celsius in Kota, the Jaipur weather office said.

It said 54 mm rainfall was recorded in Deogarh of Kota. Apart from this, there were showers at many places in Alwar, Tonk, Jhunj-

hunu, Sikar, Jaipur, Baran and Jhalawar districts.

Heavy rains may occur in Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh and Jhalawar districts of eastern Rajasthan, it said.

On the other hand, strong winds along with thunderstorm is likely in Jaipur, Alwar, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Sriganganagar, Bikaner and Hanumangarh district, the weather office added.

The maximum temperatures hovered below normal limits in Haryana and Punjab on Monday, with common capital Chandigarh recording a high of

34.5 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature in Chandigarh was three notches below the normal, it added.

Ambala in Haryana recorded a high of 34.8 degrees Celsius, down three notches against the normal.

Hisar recorded a high of 35 degrees Celsius, six degrees below the normal. Karnal recorded a high of 34 degrees Celsius, three below normal.

Amritsar in Punjab registered a maximum of 37.5 degrees Celsius, one degree below the normal.

Ludhiana and Patiala also recorded below-normal

COVID cases at shelter home: NHRC sends notices to UP govt NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW, JUN 22 (PTI): National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state police chief over reports that 57 minor girls tested positive for COVID-19 at a state-run shelter home in Kanpur, officials said on Monday.

Five of them were pregnant and one HIV positive. The Kanpur district administration on Sunday had clarified that the girls were pregnant at the time they came to the shelter home.

The girls were exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 for some time but there was “delay” in taking them to the hospital for tests, the National Human Rights Commission said quoting reports.

“The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that 57 minor girls tested positive for the novel coronavirus at a staterun children’s shelter home in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh,” the NHRC said in a statement. The commission has observed that the contents of the media re-

ports, if true, are “enough to prima facie believe that the public servants have failed to provide safeguard to the victim girls and apparently were negligent in protecting their right to life, liberty and dignity in the custody of the state”. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the UP chief secretary, seeking a detailed report, including their health status, medical treatment and counselling, it said.

A notice has also been issued to the UP director general of police for a report regarding the registration of an FIR in this matter and the status of investigation. The response is expected within from weeks from both the authorities, the statement said. The state government is expected to order an inquiry into the matter from an independent agency, the NHRC said.

It said the UP government is also expected to review the health status of the women inmates lodged in shelter homes across the state and issue suitable directives that such incidents do not recur in future.

According to media re-

ports, the girls at the shelter home had been exhibiting coronavirus symptoms for a few days and the local administration had informed the state Health Department about it only last Friday on June 19, the NHRC said.

Reportedly, the Kanpur district magistrate has said that there were seven pregnant girls living in the home and five of them tested positive for COVID-19, it said.

He has said that these girls were already pregnant when they were brought to the shelter home on the recommendation of the child welfare committees in different districts and investigation under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act is going on in all these cases, the statement said. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kanpur, has reportedly stated that two of the girls had come from Agra and Kannauj in December 2019.

The SSP said all girls found COVID-positive are being treated at the Kanpur Medical College. The shelter home has been sealed, and its staff quarantined, the rights panel said.

SC allows Puri Rath Yatra with no public attendance NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): The Supreme Court Monday allowed holding of historic Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra at Puri, which starts tomorrow, with certain conditions including that there would be no public attendance.

Modifying its June 18 order in which it had said that this year’s Yatra cannot be allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the apex court permitted holding of the Yatra after taking note of Odisha government’s stand that it “can be held in a limited way without public attendance”.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde directed the state government to impose curfew in the Puri City during the time when the chariots are taken out in the procession -- an event in which lakhs of people from the world over participate every year.

The bench, also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and A S Bopanna, said that each Rath or chariot would to be pulled by no more than 500 people and all of them have to be tested for coronavirus.

Onset of monsoon in north India in next 2-3 days NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): There was light to moderate rainfall in many parts of north India, including in the national capital, on Monday and more is likely in the next few days as the southwest monsoon is set to advance further into the region by June 24-25.

The rains are a result of a trough running from north Punjab to northwest Bay of Bengal across Haryana, south Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and north coastal Odisha, meteorological department officials said, adding that no significant rise in temperatures was likely in the country in the next 2-3 days.

An India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin issued in the afternoon said conditions were becoming favourable for the advance of the monsoon into more parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand during the next 24 hours and into Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Rajasthan during the subsequent 48 hours.

Delhi witnessed a spell of rains on Monday morning which kept the mercury in check but left many areas in the city waterlogged. The weather office said rains would continue over the

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maximum temperatures at 34.9 degrees Celsius and 35.5 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to the weather forecast for Punjab, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at a few places on Tuesday, at most places on Wednesday and at many places on Thursday.

The forecast for Haryana said light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at a few places on Tuesday and at most places on Wednesday and Thursday.

Light to moderate rains lashed many areas in eastern Uttar Pradesh and a few places in the western part of the state on Monday, the weather office in Lucknow said.

There was thunderstorm and heavy downpour in isolated places in the eastern part of the state where the monsoon is active, it said.

The weather office said heavy rain is likely at isolated places in the eastern region and thunderstorm accompanied with lightening is expected at a few places across the state on Tuesday.

The Met forecast rain or thundershower at most places in the state on Wednesday and Thursday.

FILE--Devotees pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra during the annual Rath Yatra, in Puri July 04, 2019. (PTI)

It also directed that those engaged in pulling chariot shall maintain social distancing before, during and after the Rath Yatra.

“Indeed, if it is possible to ensure that there is no public attendance, we see no reason why the Rath Yatra cannot be conducted safely along its usual route from temple to temple,” the bench said in its order.

While hearing a PIL

filed by NGO ‘Odisha Vikash Parishad’ the apex court on June 18 had said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year’s Puri Rath Yatra cannot be allowed and that “Lord Jagannath won’t forgive us if we allow” it.

A day after the order was passed, some applications were filed in the top court seeking recall and modification of its order.

COVID-19 deaths: Priyanka slams UP govt

Govt to expedite road projects along border with China

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (IANS): Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday sharpened her attack on the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh over the deaths of 28 coronavirus patients in Agra in the last 48 hours and accused the government of trying to bury the truth by propagating the “Agra model”.

“In Agra, 28 Covid-19 patients died who were admitted in the last 48 hours.

How shameful this is for the UP government that they tried to bury the truth by propagating this model.

Questions were raised on government’s no test, no corona policy but the government did not answer,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a series of tweets attaching a news report. “If the UP government continues to act carelessly, consequences are going to be very dangerous,” she said in another tweet.

According to news reports, at least 28 Covid-19 patients died in Agra’s SN Medical College died in the last 48 hours. Earlier in the day, she questioned the state government over the alleged suicide of a couple after losing their jobs due to lockdown and asked it to focus on work instead of publicity.

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): Amidst the continuing standoff between the Indian Army and China’s PLA, the Centre on Monday reviewed ongoing road projects along the Sino-Indian border, and decided to expedite work on 32 of them, officials said.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and attended by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) among others.

“Works will be expedited on 32 road projects along the border with China and all concerned agencies will extend cooperation to fast-track the projects,” an official privy to the meeting told PTI. A total of 73 roads are being constructed along the Sino-Indian border. Of these, the CPWD is working on 12 and the BRO on 61, under the direct supervision of the MHA, which is the nodal authority for all border infrastructure-related projects.

The move comes amidst the ongoing row between the Indian Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Ladakh

These applications, including those filed by ‘Jagannath Sanskruti Jana Jagarana Manch’ and BJP leader Sambit Patra, urged the court to allow the Rath Yatra with certain restrictions due to the pandemic.

The bench was informed by the Centre that Rath Yatra can be conducted without compromising on citizen’s health and with co-operation of state and the

sector.

Twenty Indian Army personnel were killed in a clash with the PLA in the night of June 15-16 in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh.

At least three vital roads are being constructed by the BRO in Ladakh, another official said.

Apart from the roads, priority will also be given to projects related to development of other border infrastructure like power, health, telecom and education.

According to the MHA officials, there has been a surge in works related to roads along the Sino-Indian order in recent years.

The formation-cutting works were completed for 470 km roads along the border in 2017-20, in comparison to just 230 km in 2008-17, the officials said.

Surface-clearing has been done for 380 km of roads in 2017-20, in comparison to just 170 km in 2008-17, they added.

Six road tunnels were constructed in 2014-20 in comparison to just one in 2008-14. Besides, additional 19 road tunnels are under planning stage, they said, adding a total of 14,450 metres of border road bridges were completed in 2014-20 in comparison to 7,270 metres in 2008-18.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 197 Dimapur, TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Credit where it’s due

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saying that -you can’t please all- holds true with regard to the efforts of the government of Nagaland, which finds itself in an unwanted situation with regard to the handling of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever the government does is not being appreciated and though the reasons are not enough justification, yet these point to the need for further streamlining. The government of Nagaland has, as per official admission, spent a total of around Rs.10.33 crore on stranded citizens of the state. Out of the amount, Rs,1.65 crore was spent on arranging transportation by train and bus, to bring the stranded persons as on June 12,2020. Another Rs.8.68 crore was spend for managing quarantine centres in various districts. As per the government’s admission, the government of Nagaland has provided cash grant to 19,464 people stranded outside and transferred the amount to their bank accounts. Under the scheme a patient outside undergoing treatment was paid Rs.20,000 ; a professional or working person was paid Rs.4000 while a student from the state studying outside was paid Rs.3000. All these were as onetime grant to tide of the crisis. In addition, the state government has also reportedly paid Rs.10,000 each to those who have decided to not return to the state as ‘incentive/grant’. So far, as per official details and as on June 17, around 14,000 stranded citizens have reached Nagaland and over 5000 are still remaining in various quarantine centres after almost and equal number have been released on completion of the mandatory 14-day quarantine period and to undertake another 14-day home quarantine. The state government has incurred huge expenditure in managing scores of quarantine centres. The complaints heard from inmates mostly on social media, cannot be totally dismissed. First, the government has never imagined that it would one day, have to provide food and lodging for so many persons on emergency basis on their arrival. All returnees are not COVID-19 positive till tests confirm. However, prior to testing results, the returnees are kept in quarantine facilities together but adhering to Standard Operating Procedures such as –social distancing, wearing of masks and avoiding contacts etc. Much of the resentment happens at this period when many of the inmates believe they are not infected and that placing them together greatly enlarges the risk of infection. Besides anger and resentment, driven by a sense of being ‘clean’ or uninfected by COVID-19, there are also reports of inmates raising issues over quality of food. While there may be a few cases where quality of food provided leaves much to be desired; yet overall, the quality of food is far better than those served at quarantine centres of other states. Those managing the quarantine centres deserve to be acknowledged and appreciated, especially the medical teams under various district task forces. The government should look into the problems faced by these frontline workers in terms of providing proper accommodation during COVID-19 duties as well as enabling them to have proper food and rest.

Many churches and NGOs have been rendering an excellent service by providing and cooking food for the frontline workers and even quarantine centres. This is the most significant outcome of the pandemic. It has brought out the best in the worst of times.

DailyDevotion The Unchanging Law of Judgment With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. —Matthew 7:2 This statement is not some haphazard theory, but it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgment you give will be the very way you are judged. There is a difference between retaliation and retribution. Jesus said that the basis of life is retribution— “with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If you have been shrewd in finding out the shortcomings of others, remember that will be exactly how you will be measured. The way you pay is the way life will pay you back.

This eternal law works from God’s throne down to us (see Psalm 18:25-26).

Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statements of the Bible. For instance, do we really believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very things we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is humility, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, “Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore, I have no right to judge.”

Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). He went on to say, in effect, “If you do judge, you will be judged in exactly the same way.” Who of us would dare to stand before God and say, “My God, judge me as I have judged others”? We have judged others as sinners— if God should judge us in the same way, we would be condemned to hell. Yet God judges us on the basis of the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ.

Quotes

What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. ~ Helen Keller

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he recent deaths of elephants in Kerala by homemade bombs, and in Chhatisgarh by poisoning their waterholes, has brought this gentle, useful creature into focus. There is no doubt that elephants in India are dying rapidly and they have no saviours. The case that has been lying unheard before Supreme Court for seven years would have saved thousands of lives, but the Hon’ble Court, which saw fit to rule in the Jalikattu case with extraordinary speed, has not found time to save this species.

Elephants die when their corridors of movement break up. Their herds divide, they lose their waterholes and trees. They come into the fields and are poisoned and shot by villagers who have taken their lands. They are captured by forest departments and beaten to death. There are less than 20,000 elephants left in India and less than 800 tuskers. In one week alone we have lost 8, of which two were tuskers.

And yet we continue to kill them. Kerala and Odisha top the list with dozens of deaths each year. In Odisha they die by being run down by the railways and beaten by the forest department.

The railways have killed hundreds of elephants over

the years. In Kerala they kill them by thrashing and starving them and parading them in the hot sun till they fall and die. So many young elephants, below 20 years of age, die while being made to stand stretched out for months chained to posts. A large number in Kerala are insured and then drowned, or given gangrene with rusty nails deliberately. Many of these elephants are not from Kerala itself. They are illegally captured from the jungles of Assam and then sold to private owners in Kerala.

Now Chhattisgarh, with 6 elephants killed recently (68 have been killed since 2018), is heading towards the top of the list, with villagers deliberating pouring pesticides into ponds – a move that will kill all wildlife and probably other humans as well. Within ten years we will have no elephants left. Then you will see the fallout.

The elephant helps disperse seeds to far away locations and creates tropical forests. Trees depend on their eaters for seed dispersal, as the seeds pass through their guts and come out undigested with dung and germinate when conditions are right. And only seeds that are carried far from their parent trees germinate.

Just as Mauritius had

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Actions are highly beneficial to change its entire commerce and culture 300 years ago when the Dodos became extinct, Indians will be very strongly affected as the elephants diminish in number. “As go the elephants, so go the trees.”

That’s the message of a study, published in the May issue of Forest Ecology and Management, which found that more than a dozen elephant-dependent tree species suffered catastrophic population declines after elephants were eradicated from their ecosystems.

The fruit-bearing trees all rely on forest elephants as their primary means of seed distribution, a process known as mega faunal dispersal syndrome. The study was conducted in Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a region where more than 98 percent of the elephants have been killed by poachers over the past few decades.

Elephants play two key roles for many of these

trees. They roam over large swathes of land, spreading seeds far and wide via their dung. Research has shown that seeds that have been softened by an elephant’s stomach acids germinate much faster than other seeds. Over decades, fruit trees have formed exclusive partnerships with elephants, and if they go there are no other dispersal partners for these species to ensure reproduction.

The loss of these elephant dependent trees has wideranging ecological effects, as they feed herbivores and frugivores such as bats, birds, insects and other mammals who rely on them and will disappear if the trees disappear. In short, a cascade of falling ecological cards, each loss making our lives that much more difficult.

Many of these trees have long been used for traditional medicine. Not enough research has been done to reveal their secrets to modern science and they

will be long gone before we realise the value of their medicines. For instance, the bael (Aegle marmelos) and its cousin, the kaitha, are the only trees that cure gastric ulcers. Bael fruits are also used in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, asthma, jaundice, anaemia and diabetes. That is one of the many trees we will lose in the wild. Another is the Dillenia indica or the Elephant Apple or Chalta tree. Local people have barely any access to Western medicine. They rely on traditional use of plants, such as these trees that have not yet revealed all their secrets to modern science.

Many plants species will be affected if elephants are wiped out from the forest. Researchers have shown that the seed dispersed by elephants make new plants grow and creates forest. Under normal conditions just a fraction of seeds, less than 15 percent, turns into mature trees, but seeds digested by elephants are 50 percent more likely to start growing. A few of the trees affected by the disappearance of elephants are the families of: Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Sapotaceae, Poaceae, Moraceae, and Euphorbiaceae.

In the African savannas, such as the Serengeti plains in Tanzania, el-

ephants are a keystone species. Elephants eat shrubs and small trees, such as acacia, that grow on the savanna. This feeding behaviour keeps the savanna a grassland and not a forest or woodland. With elephants controlling the tree population, grasses thrive and sustain grazing animals such as antelopes, wildebeests, and zebras.

Smaller animals, such as mice and shrews, burrow in the warm, dry soil of a savanna. Predators such as lions and hyenas depend on the savanna for prey.

Elephants leave behind a path of destruction by creating corridors through woodlands and digging deep holes in the dry riverbeds, but both actions are highly beneficial. Corridors prevent the spread of wildfires, and deep holes collect water for other animals. They are vital distributors of seeds from the Balanite tree, which is used as famine food in some regions of Africa. Mine is the last generation that will see elephants in the wild. You, who were born after 2000, will see the odd lonely chained creature in the zoo, or the temple, waiting patiently for its death. To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@ nic.in, www.peopleforanimalsindia.org

Post-mortem

Regularisation of contract service by Nagaland government “Law has reached its finest moments when it has freed men from the unlimited discretion of some ruler.”

Douglas, J. Nothing has ever stirred my mind so much during these extraordinary times of Covid-19 lockdown than the recent decision of the Nagaland State Cabinet wherein the services of newly appointed 27 Medical Officers (MO) purely on contract basis have been regularized because there is Covid-19 situation.

Such an act is entirely unjustified because even though the Covid-19 situation requires doctors at every hospital and every medical centre, it does not necessarily call for urgently regularizing the services of such doctors to serve the Covid-19 purpose. This is an unfair decision from the part of the government and moreover, as envisaged under the Constitution of India in Article 14, the right to equality, there must be a reasonable nexus in the objective sought to be achieved by any State action, as such, the government has to think whether there is any reasonableness to regularize the services of doctors who were appointed on contract basis in contravention of all government service norms because there is Covid-19 situation. This decision is entirely unreasonable and extraneous that the English Courts in 1948 termed such unreasonable act of a government as ‘Wednesbury unreasonableness’, which means a reasoning or decision so unreasonable that no reasonable person acting reasonably could have made it and such decisions are made subject to judicial review. This decision in question has been taken without application of known principles, rules and conventions guiding such government service regularization, and it is therefore opposed to the principles of rule of law as laid down in the Constitution of India.

Every discretionary power vested in the executive should be exercised in a just, reasonable and fair way.

Therefore any State action which is unfair, arbitrary, discriminatory and unreasonable is sufficient to constitute that it violates the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India, and therefore the State action is void in the light of Fundamental Rights guaranteed to every citizen hence the decision liable to be rescinded.

When has medical services not been an emergency? All medical services and hospitals serve emergency purposes always, anytime and every day. Covid-19 is just an extraordinary healthcare situation and not an emergency situation to enable certain class of people to be given regularization while the rest of the qualified doctor-students are struggling day and night to get into State service through Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC).

Because of the lockdown most of the highly experienced and prepared doctors living outside the state of Nagaland couldn’t appeareven for the recent contract service selection. Moreover, if the situation is sourgent that the government needs the services of only eligible doctors to be regularized to serve then a prudent action would have been to invite applicants who have qualified NPSC prelims, who have faced the written and oral examinations in the recent years yet couldn’t get through.

These are genuine professional doctors who depend only on their knowledge for employment and who struggle and wait years and years for the next NPSC examination to happen because the last open NPSC advertisement for medical recruitment exam was in 2018.The State government should have ensured that the medical posts are properly advertised through NPSC on time and if the situation is so urgent then the NPSC can be advised to conduct examinations on fast track basis.

The government, who is the guardian of the rights and interest of its citizens should ensure that every citizen seeking public employment should pass through the standard NPSC examination for appointment to service because the Nagaland Public Service Commission has been established under the Constitution of India as the standard commission to conduct examinations for recruitment to higher State services and to advise the Governor on disciplinary matters. Any attempt to bypass the State Public Service Commission for regular employment shall be an act or omission in disregard of the Constitution of India and also the sacred Preamble to the Indian constitution which contemplates for securing justice, liberty, equality, fraternity to all its citizens.

Any attempt such as the matter in question to bypass the constitution by a State machinery must be sent to the appropriate Central or State authority for review and advice or guidance by the government itself.

Likewise, regularization in any public employment requires the concurrence of NPSC in every case which goes through the Department concerned. Without going through the standard procedures of employment in public service and regularization, the government cannot favor a certain class of people for direct regularization while the rest of the contract employees have to follow the standard procedure.

Without prejudice to anyone or to any doctor, the services of a doctor require highest competence and capability, and the only standard procedure for public employment in India to test its capability is through the examinations of Public Service Commissions.

It also puts my mind to question as to how the government will handle a situation if anyone of these newly regularized doctors appointed on Covid-19 urgency basis wants to go for higher specialization studies because some of them may be fresh graduates. The government cannot stop them because there is no such rule to withhold them. Will the government in that case call again for contingency recruitment and regularize them because the post is Covid-19 enabled post?

Now the government has again tendered advertisement for further recruitment of Medical Officers/ Specialists on urgent basis during this situation of lockdown. It really saddens me to think about the situation of all those state employment aspiring doctors who have been seriously preparing for NPSC recruitment. Now, since this recent Covid-19 regularization have created a panic among all the doctors serving and studying outside the state of Nagaland, they are confused and bewildered as to how to travel and stay in quarantine for 14/28 days and appear for the exam, leaving their jobs and studies outside at risk. I sincerely wish the government would keep all contract appointments on contract basis and for regular public employment let every qualified doctor have the chance to face the NPSC at a later date, at a better time when the government would have controlled the Covid-19 situation in the state.

I repeat that the NPSC is the only standard commission to recruit any person for higher post in the state employment which is authorized by the Constitution of India and there cannot be overlapping of powers.

Otherwise the state government is only creating chaos and undue restlessness to its own people, why?

Again, if all the vacant Medical Officer (MO) posts are being filled up by doctors first appointed through contract basis and then soon after appointment to convert them to regular post then there will not be any M.O. post left for serious doctorstudent NPSC aspirants, not sooner before they overage.

A reasonable review-decision by the Government in this Covid-19 regularization issue would justify the requirement of non-arbitrariness and that would satisfy the legitimate expectations of the aggrieved citizens. Every reasonable action of the government is expected to be in the interest and for the welfare of the citizenry and that is when I can proudly say the government of the people, by the people and for the people does not perish from this land of festivals.

N. Zubemo Lotha, Advocate (LLM Delhi), Gauhati High Court, Guwahati, (nzubemolotha@gmail.com)

It is up to the younger generation

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ake or break: it is up to the younger generation of Nagas. Do we intend to break away from biased and archaic social norms or continue to perpetuate them?

Look at the world around us.

It is developing by leaps and bounds. Every day, we come across new discoveries, inventions and innovations from around the globe and even our neighbouring states. Technological advancement, academic progress and an ever broadening outlook are some examples driving many societies forward. To survive in this rapidly changing world, we need to adapt and overcome.

Nagas have a long way to go. We are still held back by many factors. In this day and age where people, societies and nations are striving to be the best, we are still stuck in the past. We allow our primitive mindsets to dictate us way too much. Tribalism is a big menace to our Naga society. It is one of the main reasons why we are not able to take that necessary step forward. What we don’t seem to realize is that the fortune (if I’m allowed to use that word) of a tribe is intrinsically linked to the rest of the tribes. When one tribe gains, Nagaland also gains. We move together and we also perish together. We must all encourage one another to be the flag bearers of Naga progress and enlightenment. We must desist from pulling one another down. We are our own worst enemy, not anyone else. We must be able to accept criticism without being arrogant and also be able to advice one another without being condescending.

Take a look around us: no sports infrastructure, no proper healthcare system, no medical college, no engineering institute, hardly any roads, and not forgetting, a much compromised educational system, just to name a few. We are plagued by many diseases of our own making. No one

else is to be blamed. I want to question the younger Naga generation: are we to follow the same treacherous path leading to our own self-destruction? We are a small population living in a small territory. We tend to regard ourselves very highly as though we’re so unique and God-chosen people (maybe we are but even then, so what?).

More often than not, we seem to be unmindful or ignorant of the fact that there is a big world outside. If we’re not careful, we will be losing out. Societies which are stagnant and static bring about their own extinction. History bears testimony.

We need to think about the future of Naga society. We need to ponder upon what kind of a Nagaland we will be leaving for our younger brothers and sisters.

Do we want them to be slaves to laziness, tribalism, biasness, jealousy and lust? Or do we want them to be masters of their own destiny fuelled by hard work, dedication, discipline, love and compassion for Naga society?

Breaking away from the past is an important step towards the right direction. By this, I don’t mean that we forget our culture and what-not. What I mean is, break away from the harmful and self-destructive ways.

We simply cannot waste anymore time. Each of us must do our duty. It all starts with the little things. Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. Until and unless we don’t realize and accept the fact that we are all members of one big family, we will continue to dwell in oblivion. Even as I pen this down, be mindful of the fact that there are many so-called leaders who advocate Naga unity but do exactly the opposite behind the scenes. Let us continue to pray and ask God for wisdom even as we go about our soul-searching.

I Longkumer, Landmark Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Necessary rectification

For Dimapur, Monday, Wednesday and Friday vehicular movement with ending odd no. 1,3,5,7,9. Whereas for Kohima the order says vehicular movement ending with even no.

0,2,4,6,8. So the vehicles bearing odd numbers travelling from Dimapur to Kohima can cross Dimapur but can not enter Kohima on the same day. They need to halt one night at Kohima check gate and vice-versa. Or otherwise more possibly they are bound to pay penalty to the traffic police and enter Kohima/ Dimapur. Do you think such arrangement is for the welfare of the people as a whole? Request necessary rectification and do the needful in the interest of public service. It seems Kohima and Dimapur is twin city.

Y. L. Jami IAS (Retd) Kushiabill, Dimapur

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.

7

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

India, China hold 2nd round of talks

CBSE likely to inform SC about pending exams Army chief along with top army commanders review situation NEW DELHI, JUN 22 most areas along the 3,500km de-facto border.

Though China has not revealed its casualty figure, there were reports that a commanding officer of the Chinese army was among those killed in the clashes.

There is no official confirmation about it.

Separately, the top ar my commanders on Monday held a detailed deliberation on the eastern Ladakh standoff and on the overall situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China after the Galwan Valley clashes, official sources said.

On the first day of the two day conference, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane carried out a comprehensive review of India’s security preparedness along the LAC with China in Ladakh, Ar unachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, they said.

The government has given “full freedom” to the armed forces, deployed along the 3,500-km defacto border with China, to give a “befitting” response to any Chinese misadventure, government sources said after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the

situation in eastern Ladakh at a meeting with the top military brass on Sunday.

The Army has already sent thousands of additional troops to forward locations along the border in the last one week.

The IAF has also moved a sizable number of its frontline Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000 aircraft and Apache attack helicopters to several key air bases including Leh and Srinagar following the clashes.

The Indian delegation at the talks in Moldo was led by 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh while the Chinese was headed by the Commander of the Tibet Military District.

Ahead of the meeting, sources said the Indian delegation would raise the Galwan Valley clashes, the most serious military confrontation between India and China in more than 50 years.

In a telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the clashes a “premeditated” action by Chinese PLA and held it

directly responsible for the incident.

The Chinese soldiers used stones, nail-studded sticks, iron rods and clubs in carrying out brutal attacks on Indian soldiers after they protested the erection of a surveillance post

by China on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Galwan.

The sources said India would also seek restoration of status quo ante in all areas including the Pangong Tso where the two sides are on a standoff.

After the clashes, the two sides held at least threerounds of Major-General level talks to explore ways to ease the situation between the two sides.

The two armies were engaged in a standoff in Galwan and several other areas of eastern Ladakh since May 5 when their troops clashed on the banks of the Pangong Tso. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent faceoff on May 5 and 6. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9.

(PTI): The Central Board of Secondary Education is likely to inform the Supreme Court on Tuesday about its decision on conducting the pending class 10 and 12 board exams, which were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

The board last week told the court it will “very shortly” take a decision, after a plea by a group of parents sought quashing of the notification for conducting the remaining class 10 and 12 exams from July 1 to 15 and demanded that the students be awarded marks based on an internal assessment or in line with marks allotted for practical exams.

A similar request has been made by the Maharashtra, Delhi and Odisha governments to the HRD Ministry.

“The decision will be informed to the court on Tuesday and an official notification will accordingly be issued as per directions of the top court,” a senior CBSE official said.

The parents have said in the plea that students could be exposed to COVID-19 infection if they appear for exams amid an increase in the number of coronavirus cases.

Sonia Gandi writes to PM Modi Sikh leader SAGY not achieving desired kidnapped in purpose, says Audit report Seeks extension of Afghanistan

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to extend by three more months the government provision to provide free food grains to the poor.

In her letter, she said nearly three months since the country went into a strict lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, millions of Indians are at the risk of slipping into poverty.

“The Union government must consider extending the provision for free food grains for a further period of three months i.e. from July-September 2020.

Several states have requested for the same,” she said, and hoped the government would agree to her suggestion and act immediately.

Gandhi also said that since a significant number of poor households continues to be excluded from the Public Distribution System, “temporary ration cards must be issued to all such households”.

She said the adverse impact of the lockdown on livelihoods has led to chronic food insecurity for both

Sonia Gandhi (File)

the urban and rural poor.

“In light of the current situation, food entitlements must be expanded to address the hunger crisis facing some of the most vulnerable people in the country,” she added.

Gandhi said the provision to supply 5 kg free food grains per person per month under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, and to priority households under the National Food Security Act from April-June 2020 was announced in the beginning of the lockdown, in addition to regular entitlements.

The government also announced free food grain of 5 kg per person per month for migrants not covered under any central or state PDS scheme, for the month of May and June, the Congress chief said.

The provision for free food grains should be extended for a further period of three months, she suggested.

ST. THOMAS HR. SEC. SCHOOL

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): A Sikh community leader in Paktia province of Afghanistan has been abducted by terrorists, and the government said it was in touch with Afghan authorities to ensure the security of the minority community in the country.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the “targeting and persecution” of the minority community by terrorists at the behest of their external supporters is a matter of “grave concern”.

“We strongly condemn the abduction of Nedan Singh, a leader of the Hindu and Sikh Community of Afghanistan, by terrorists,” he said in response to a media query on the abduction of the community leader in Paktia.

Srivastava said India is in touch with the Afghanistan government for ensuring the safety, security and well being of the minority community in that country.

“We hope that the government of Afghanistan would be able to secure safe and early release of Nedan Singh,” he said.

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheme for development of villages has not made any perceptible impact or achieving its desired purpose and, therefore, it should be reviewed, a performance audit by the Rural Development Ministry has suggested.

The Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) was announced by Modi in his first Independence Day speech as prime minister on August 15, 2014. As per the scheme, every MP has to adopt a village and develop it into a model village under the scheme, which was launched on October 11, 2014, in its five phases.

Many MPs, including some ministers, have not adopted villages in either one or more phases so far, according to sources.

The Centre had constituted a common review commission (CRM) for performance audit to evaluate the proper implementation and effectiveness of various welfare schemes under the Rural Development Ministry.

In its report, the CRM said there was no dedicated funding for the SAGY and funds had to be arranged through convergence. Its teams visited the states and did not find any “significant

impact” of this scheme.

Even in villages adopted by MPs under this scheme, they did not allocate enough funds from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), the CRM said.

“In isolated cases, where MPs have been proactive, some infrastructure development has taken place, but the scheme has not made any perceptible impact,” the CRM said in its report.

As such, these villages cannot be called model villages, the CRM said, suggesting for review of the scheme.

“The CRM is of the opinion that in current format the scheme is not achieving the desired purpose. It is recommended that the ministry may review the scheme for enhancing its impact,” it said.

The 31-member CRM team, led by retired IAS officer Rajeev Kapoor, and comprises of academicians and research organisations as members. It visited 120 villages in 21 districts across eight states in November.

The commission reviewed all welfare schemes under the Rural Development Ministry and gave suggestions for better implementation.

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NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): In the midst of India’s escalating border row with China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on arrived Moscow on a three-day visit to Russia where he is likely to press for the timely delivery of the S-400 missile defence systems and discuss ways to further expand bilateral military ties.

Singh is primarily visiting Russia to attend a grand military parade in Moscow on June 24 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War. However, it is learnt that the minister will also discuss with Russian leaders regional security scenario and bolstering of overall defence cooperation.

It is the first visit abroad by a senior union minister in four months as foreign travels were restricted in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Singh travelled by an Indian Air Force aircraft, while strictly following all laid precautions against the coronavirus infection, officials said.

The last foreign trip abroad by a senior member of the union cabinet was by

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh being received in Moscow by the Indian Ambassdor to Russia.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman when she visited Riyadh from Feb 22-24 to attend a meeting of G-20 finance ministers. Days before Sitharaman’s trip, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Germany from February 18 to 19.

The defence minister’s visit to Russia comes in the midst of the escalating border standoff between India and China, particularly after the killing of 20 Indian Army personnel by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on June 15.

Russia has been in touch with both India and China following their border row and officials did not rule out discussion on the matter during Singh’s meetings in Moscow.

“Leaving for Moscow on a three-day visit. The visit to Russia will give me an

opportunity to hold talks on ways to further deepen the India-Russia defence and strategic partnership. I shall also be attending the 75th Victory Day Parade in Moscow,” Singh tweeted before leaving for Moscow.

Officials said Singh went ahead with the visit, notwithstanding the border row with China, due to India’s decades-old military ties with Russia.

They said the defence minister in his talks with top Russian military brass is expected to request for the timely delivery of the S-400 missile systems.

Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin recetly told PTI that there could be some delays in implementation of military contracts including the S-400 one in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Centre clears way for contributions to National Disaster Response Fund

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): The Finance Ministry has cleared the way for individual and institutional contributions to the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), nearly 15 years after it was set up, a letter shared by the ministry with an RTI activist said.

The letter from the Department of Expenditure, Finance Ministry addressed to Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on the issue of contributions or grants by individuals and institutions under Section 4(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, said it has no objection to the proposal.

“The matter has been consulted with the Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs and the department has no objection to the proposal of contributions/grants from individuals/institutions towards the NDRF as per Section 46(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005,” the letter dated June 19 said.

A copy of the letter was sent to activist Commodore Lokesh Batra (Retd) who has raised the

issue that even after setting up of the Disaster Relief Fund 15 years ago it is not clear how such contributions can be made.

The letter said the receipts in the form of grants or donations made by any person for the purpose of disaster management may be taken as receipts of the government of India under a new minor head (in accounting parlance) opened in consultation with the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

“Cheques may be drawn by the donors in the name of ‘PAO (Secretariat) MHA’ who can deposit the

cheque in the nominated PSB of MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs)with the above classification for being credited in government account,” it said.

The letter further said during the period in getting the new minor head in place and made operational, the amount may be deposited in an interim head called ‘receipts awaiting transfers’ for eventual classification in the final head of account.

Similar procedures may be followed for contributions or grants to the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF), it said.

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D.C. COURT Road, Duncan : Dimapur ESTD-2000

DP-2800

free food grains to poor for 3 more months

To press for timely delivery of missile defence systems

DP-2826

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): Indian and Chinese militaries on Monday held a second round of Lt General-level talks in an attempt to ease tensions between the two countries following the violent clashes in Galwan Valley that left 20 Indian Army personnel dead, even as country’s top army leadership carried out a detailed review of the situation in eastern Ladakh.

The meeting began at around 11:30 am at Moldo on the Chinese side of Chushul sector in eastern Ladakh and continued till night.

The focus of the deliberations was on finalising modalities for disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh, people familiar with the issue said.

The first round of the Lt Gen talks was held on June 6 at the same venue during which both sides finalised an agreement to disengage gradually from all standoff points beginning with Galwan Valley.

However, the situation along the border deteriorated following the violent clashes on June 15 as the two sides significantly bolstered their deployments in

Rajnath Singh on 3-day visit to Russia

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VACANCY Applications are hereby invited from eligible candidates for the post of Assistant Professor in the Department of Commerce on contractual basis.

Required Qualification: M.Com with NET/Ph.D. Preference will be given to those who have teaching experience and with higher qualification. Application along with all the relevant documents and contact number should be able to reach Principal’s office on or before 30th June, 2020. For those who have already applied in the last six months need not apply it again.

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8

business/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Rupee recovers 17 paise to TikTok competitor Chingari witnesses Reliance is first Indian firm close at 76.03 on forex inflows 5 lakh downloads: Developers to hit USD 150 bn mkt cap

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Monday became the first Indian firm to hit a market valuation of USD 150 billion during the day.

In the morning trade, the company’s market valuation jumped Rs 28,248.97 crore to Rs 11,43,667 crore (USD 150 billion) on the BSE. However, it failed to continue the momentum and at the close of the trade, the company’s market valuation remained at Rs 11,07,620.56 crore (USD 145.68 billion).

The heavyweight stock surged 2.53 per cent to a record high of Rs 1,804.10 during the day on the BSE. However, fag-end selling emerged at the counter and it declined 0.70 per cent to close at Rs 1,747.20.

On the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also, it erased all early gains and closed at Rs 1,752.50, 0.39 per cent lower after rising 2.54 per cent to an all-time high of Rs 1,804.20 during the day.

RIL, the countr y’s most-valued firm, on Fri-

Mukesh Ambani

day became the first Indian company to cross the Rs 11-lakh crore market valuation mark.

Its market valuation crossed Rs 11 lakh crore in the previous session as its share price rallied over 6 per cent after its Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced that the oil-to-telecom conglomerate has become net debt-free.

Ambani announced that RIL has become net debt-free after raising a record Rs 1.69 lakh crore from global investors and a rights issue in under two months.

The company raised Rs 1.15 lakh crore from global tech investors by selling a little less than a quarter of the firm’s digital arm, Jio

Platforms, and another Rs 53,124.20 crore through a rights issue in the past 58 days.

Taken together with last year’s sale of 49 per cent stake in fuel retailing venture to BP Plc of the UK for Rs 7,000 crore, the total fund raised is in excess of Rs 1.75 lakh crore, the company said.

RIL had a net debt of Rs 1,61,035 crore as on March 31, 2020.

On June 18, Reliance Industries said it has sold a 2.32 per cent stake in its digital unit to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund for Rs 11,367 crore.

So far this year, the company’s stock has gained 15.39 per cent.

MUMBAI, JUN 22 (PTI): The rupee on Monday appreciated by 17 paise to close at 76.03 against the US dollar in line with positive equity markets amid sustained foreign fund inflows.

Weak US dollar against major global currencies also aided the rupee’s upward movement, forex dealers said. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened strong at 76.16 and it further rushed to touch a high of 75.98 during the trade.

The domestic currency finally settled at 76.03 against the US dollar, registering a rise of 17 paise over its previous close of 76.20.

“Rupee traded strong likely on the back of FII buying in local stocks, mainly banking and NBFCs, helping the rupee scale towards 76.00 after touching a low of 76.19 in morning opening trades,” Jateen Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst (Commodity & Currency) at LKP Securities said.

Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in the capital market, as they bought equity shares worth Rs 1,237 crore in the previous trading session on

Friday, according to provisional exchange data.

The BSE benchmark Sensex surged 179.59 points, or 0.52 per cent, to end at 34,911.32. The NSE Nifty too rose 66.80 points, or 0.65 per cent, to close at 10,311.20. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.31 per cent to 97.31.

“India’s rupee rises on foreign inflows into the domestic stocks, with dollar sales by exporters also providing support to the domestic currency. Apart from the record forex reserves, expectation of MSCI rebalancing related inflows in domestic equity market supported rupee,” Devarsh Vakil, Deputy Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities said.

BENGALURU, JUN 22 (PTI): Indian social app Chingari, billed as the ‘desi’ alternative to the Chinese short entertainment video sharing platform TikTok, on Monday claimed it has recorded five lakh downloads in just 72 hours in the backdrop of boycott Chinese products calls.

City-based developers of the app in a statement said the “Made in India app continues to gain popularity as countrys users choose to boycott Chinese social apps”.

The clamour for boycot Chinese products and removal of mobile apps has been growing in the country in the aftermath of the killing of 20 Indian soldiers, including a colonel, in a violent face-off with Chinese troops on June 15 in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

“The popular short video-sharing app has garnered nearly 5,00,000 users in just 72 hours and more subscribers are steadily joining the Chingari family,” developers of the application Biswatma Nayak and Siddharth Gautam said in the statement.

They claimed the de-

mand for Chingari has been trending at the number one spot on the Google Play Store and its popularity has already surpassed that of the Mitron app, a TikTok clone platform.

On June 10, the developers had said the app garnered more than one lakh users and the number of subscribers was shooting up steadily.

In the latest statement, Nayak said, The response of our customers has been overwhelming.Since the word spread that Indians now have a homegrown and more entertaining alternative to TikTok, we have been recording traffic beyond expectations on our app.”

The custom-designed audio and video based free social platform was developed in 2019 by the two and now they aim to achieve the milestone of a million downloads in a short span.

As Chingari is setting new benchmarks, a lot of investors are showing interest in our app. We are holding crucial discussions to get good investors on board so as to scale up our free-of-cost social platform, Nayak added.

Chingari, available in multiple languages, allows a user to download and upload videos, chat with friends, interact with new people, share content, and browse through feeds.

A Chingari user gets the opportunity to get creative with WhatsApp status, videos, audio clips, GIF stickers, and photos.

Chingari also pays its users based on how viral the content creators video becomes. For each video a user uploads on the app, the content creator gets points per view and these points can be redeemed for money.

JAC of tribal hohos back delimitation Indices scale over 3-month highs riding on financial stocks

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

times, the latter had not taken any concrete measures thus far.

Considering the plight and sufferings of the educated unemployed youths and with an uncertain future, KU appealed to the government that, any rectifications under the present system should be as per the population ratio of the particular tribe or community.

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smallcap indices rallied up to 2.02 per cent. “In spite of renewed global concerns regarding the second wave of coronavirus infections, Indian markets ended positive,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

He further said that markets chose to focus on regulatory approvals to domestic pharma companies to manufacture COVID-19 treatment drugs and the expectation that this would lead to faster recoveries.

During the afternoon session, benchmarks sustained their positive trend amid buying in stocks of banks, financial services, metals and midcap stocks. Further, according to analysts, the liquidity situation in June also remained positive

as foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have so far infused a net Rs 17,985 crore into the Indian capital markets.

However, volatility remained in the market amid rising number of coronavirus cases in the country.

India on Monday added 14,821 new COVID-19 cases pushing the infection tally to 4,25,282, while the death toll rose to 13,699 with 445 new fatalities, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Meanwhile, Indian and Chinese militaries held a second round of Lt General-level talks on Monday in an attempt to lower the temperature following the violent clashes in Galwan Valley last week that left 20 Indian Army personnel dead, official sources said.

Indian smartphone makers feel antiChinese sentiments unlikely to work

KOLKATA, JUN 22 (PTI): Indian smartphone makers are not too hopeful over prospects of a reversal in fortunes due to the current anti-Chinese sentiments triggered by the Sino- India border tension, insisting that low-cost funding is the need of the hour to take on foreign rivals.

There have been calls for boycott of Chinese products from several quarters following the Ladakh clash that left 20 Indian Army personnel dead.

“The early trends are exciting. But, Indian handset makers need low-cost funds to counter the deeppocketed Chinese companies,” Executive Director of the Jaina Group, which owns the ‘Karbonn’ brand, Abhishek Garg, told PTI. Proper intervention by the government can bring back the fortunes of Indian brands, he said.

Most Indian smartphone makers were relegated following the entry of Chinese companies in the last few years, while others turned into OEM suppliers for the overseas firms, industry experts said.

Lava International Ltd, another Indian company, said the anger among people against China and its products will not translate into more business for the firm.

“It is more of a responsibility for the country. A responsibility to grow ourselves and build such skills and capabilities that could enable us to compete in the China market as well.

“These short-term emotions will die down quickly; finally we have to beat our competition by delivering

products, which provide a much better proposition than our competitors,” said Hari Om Rai, one of the founders and managing director of the company.

Garg said Indian hand-

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(From p-1) While the present roster system of recruitment under Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and allied departments lacked consistency and uniformity, the union said there was also unequal distribution among the tribes.

The union lamented that though it had raised the issue before the State government a number of

tory approvals to manufacture COVID-19 drugs.

The risk appetite of investors also improved with the resumption of talks between the Indian and Chinese armies after the last week’s violent clash on the border.

On the Sensex chart, Bajaj Auto was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, surging around 7 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Kotak Bank, PowerGrid and Axis Bank.

On the other hand, HDFC, ONGC, TCS and Reliance Industries were among the laggards.

Sectorally, BSE power, metal, healthcare, bankex, telecom and utilities indices jumped up to 3.02 per cent.

Broader midcap and

LAND FOR SALE Location : Dubagaon Area : 4,32,000 sq ft (30 Bighas) @ `100 Per Sq Ft Negotiable Phone No. 9612010035

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KU demands proper representation ...

MUMBAI, JUN 22 (PTI): Benchmarks Sensex and Nifty on Monday settled at over three-month highs led by financial counters despite concerns over the mounting Covid cases in the country and the second wave of infections in some parts of the world.

After rallying 482 points during the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex pared gains to end 179.59 points, or 0.52 per cent, higher at 34,911.32 -- its highest closing level since March 11.

The NSE Nifty too rose 66.80 points, or 0.65 per cent, to close at 10,311.20 -- a level not seen since March 11.

The Intra-day rallies on both indices were attributed to gains mainly in pharma stocks due to domestic regula-

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The meeting also thanked former JAC convener E Konpemo Ovung, secretary-cum-treasurer Idailung Thou, secretaries BS Nganlang, Thsesong Yimchunger, Tsapikiu Sangtam, Khillo G Rengma and Z Makritsü and second treasurer late RF Lotha for their selfless and committed service to the committee. This was stated in a JAC release.

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of total population as he was told that Nagaland was infested by immigrants.

Meanwhile, the meeting revamped the earlier JAC with CR Lotha as new convener, CPO advisor Razouvotuo as co-convener, Jonas Yanthan as secretary and Joshua Newmai as treasurer, besides, a member each from the units as joint secretaries.

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(From p-1) It claimed that Justice Kuldip Singh, then chairman of Delimitation Commission of India, had confirmed before a JAC delegation in Delhi that the Government of Nagaland had misinformed him, besides telling the delegation that he had suggested the State government to delimit the seats based on tribal population instead

LAND FOR URGENT SALE 1. At Kushiabill Dimapur Area available At reasonable price 2. At Bamun Pukhuri-B Area 10,000 sq. ft. & above At reasonable price Contact No. 7005424879 9612880575 DP-2367

LOST NOTICE

I, Shri. BENRITHUNG Z HUMTSOE am applying for duplicate copies of both HSLC & HSSLC Admit Card & Marksheets, as I have lost it.

F/Name : P. Zubenthung Humtsoe M/Name : Nzanbeni Humtsoe Roll No. (HSLC) 1470266 and (HSSLC) 172601427 Finders may kindly contact 9612986766 WC-151

China declines to react to V K Singh’s remarks

BEIJING, JUN 22 (PTI): China on Monday declined to comment on Union Minister and former Indian Army chief Gen (retd) V K Singh’s remarks that more than 40 Chinese soldiers were killed in the Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh, saying it has no information to release on the issue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, during a media briefing here, reiterated that “China and India are in communication with each other to resolve the situation on the ground through diplomatic and military channels”.

Asked about the remarks of Singh, he said: “I have no information to release on that.” Ever since the clash on June 15 at the Galwan Valley between the Indian and Chinese troops, Beijing has consistently declined to reveal the details of the casualties on its side, while the official media editorials have said that China

Zhao Lijian (File)

too suffered casualties.

Commenting on the current India-China border standoff, Singh on Saturday told a news channel that “If we lost 20 soldiers, more than double the number were killed on their [Chinese] side”.

Meanwhile, India and China are holding another round of Lt General-level talks on Monday to discuss ways to de-escalate tension between the two sides in eastern Ladakh, official sources in New Delhi said.

The high-level talks

came a week after 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in the violent clash between the two sides in the Galwan Valley, significantly escalating the already volatile situation in the region. The first round of Lt Gen-level talks were held on June 6 during which both sides decided to “disengage” in all the sensitive areas. The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India contests it.

9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Dutch Defence Minister India ‘fast moving’ eco, progressively thanks India for ‘gift’ of yoga taking steps to deepen trade ties: Aus min

THE HAGUE, JUN 22 (PTI): Finding inner peace is crucial for the armed forces and yoga is a beautiful way to find the balance, Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld has said, thanking India for the “wonderful gift” to the world.

Yoga has been gaining global popularity in recent years for the many benefits it has on one’s physiology, psychology and spirituality.

Bijleveld participated in the online International Yoga Day celebrations organised by the Indian Embassy here on Sunday.

“The minister thanked India for the wonderful gift of yoga to the world,” a statement issued by the embassy said on Monday.

She said finding inner peace is crucial for a man and woman in uniform and yoga is a beautiful way to find the balance, it noted.

Bijleveld said yoga has formed a part of the training for the Dutch armed forces for the last 15 years and there are 130 yoga instructors. The representatives of the Dutch Army joined by

the Dutch Police personnel demonstrated their yoga skills as part of the online celebrations, the statement said. The sixth International Yoga Day celebrations was streamed to 145,000 followers of the embassy’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels as well as on its website. It was also streamed on the website of the non-profit foundation Stichting International Yoga Day. Ambassador of India to The Netherlands Venu Rajamony inaugurated the celebrations. This was followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video message and 3D animated videos of yoga with him.

The event was participated by a host of prominent Dutch and Indian personalities, including Ambassadors of various countries based in The Hague. Dutch actress Afke Reijenga, extreme sportsman Wim Hof -- popularly known as ‘The Iceman’ and singers Charlie Dee and Anouk Maas were amongst the Dutch celebrities who participated in the event, the statement said.

MELBOURNE, JUN 22 (PTI): Describing India as a “complex market” but a “very fast moving economy”, Australian trade minister Simon Birmingham has said that the government is progressively implementing the recommendations of a report to further deepen its trade and investment relations with New Delhi.

India is Australia’s eighth-largest trading partner and fifth-largest export market, with two-way goods and services trade valued at 30.3 billion Australian dollars in 2018-19.

In a recent interview to a television news channel, Birmingham said, “India is a complex market”. However, it is a “very fast moving economy” with “lots of different pieces with lots of different states”.

“And that’s why we commissioned an India Economic Strategy that has many recommendations to it, and we’re getting on and we’re progressively implementing those recom-

Simon Birmingham (File)

mendations so that we can deepen our ties in areas like education, build new opportunities in areas such as agriculture,” he told the Sky News.

Birmingham said the government is also pursuing to strenghten its trade ties with India in the resources sector.

“Pursue -- especially in the resources sector -not just the sale of critical minerals and rare earths to India but also, increasingly, mining and engineering services going into India using Australian skills and Australian knowhow as part of the business opera-

tion there with India,” he said.

The India Economic Strategy, released in 2018, is an ambitious plan to transform Australia’s economic partnership with India out to 2035. It aims at bringing India into the inner circle of Australia’s strategic partnerships and make the country the third largest destination in Asia for Australian outward investment. It aims at making India the third largest export market of Australia.

The report contains 90 recommendations for Australia to reach the 2035 targets.

Battling ‘second wave’ of COVID: S.Korea SL orders probe into ex-LTTE dy leader’s claim of killing 2k to 3k troops

OFFICE OF THE

DIMAPUR NKONJAN NYIRO RANGE EKHÜNG DIMAPUR - 797112: NAGALAND

With immense pride and honour, we the Dimapur Nkonjan Nyiro Range Ekhüng (DNNRE) would like to express our profound happiness and convey our heartiest congratulations to all the successful students from Nyiro Range, who have cleared the recently declared HSLC & HSSLC Examination result 2020.

Further, the DNNRE also prays and wishes them the very best of luck and success in all their future educational endeavours to achieve the great heights.

“May God be with You” Mr. Sacheo Ezung Gen. Secretary, DNNRE

OFFICE OF THE

KIYAKHRIELIE MIARIO President, PSU

VIKHOTSO MIARIO General Secy, PSU

OFFICE OF THE

The Chimonger Village Employee's Union would like to express its heartiest congratulations to all their esteemed members who have promoted and appointed to the following posts:1. Shri K. K. Lihose promoted to Joint Secretary of Nagaland 2. Shri Imlikumzuk promoted to Dist. Employment Officer, Tuensang 3. Mrs Lilongla Sangtam, W/o I. Bitongba promoted to Senior Inspector, incharge Asst. Commissioner, Labour Tuensang The Union further extends its congratulations to all the successful candidates of HSLC and HSSLC exam.

Sd/Thsarang Sangtam Asst. General Secretary

URRA VILLAGE, DIMAPUR

KOHIMA : NAGALAND

FELICITATION

The Administrator, Head Mistress, Proprietor, Staffs and Village Council congratulates all the successful candidates of HSLC Examination 2020

Appeared = 26 Passed = 25 Percentage = 96%

With much delight, the tenant's collective of the "UNGMA KITI" residential premises would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the owner of the premises, the Ungma Senso Telongjem Kohima (Ungma Union Kohima) for having waived the rent for the months of June-July 2020 owing to the global pandemic. We are immensely blessed. Thank you so much.

Tenant's, UNGMA KITI K-1120

DIMAPUR CHUNGTIA STUDENTS' UNION FELICITATION

Dist. TUENSANG

Sd/Thsatsase Sangtam President

GRATITUDE

OFFICE OF THE

CHIMONGER VILLAGE EMPLOYEE'S UNION

RIVERINE PUBLIC SCHOOL

KOHIMA TOWN SHAKI EKHUNG With immense pride and joy, we the Kohima Town Shaki Ekhung would like to congratulate the following members for their achievements.

1. Ms. Thungjano Tsopoe, D/o Lt. Renthungo Tsopoe & Mrs. Ketsulhouvi-ü Tsopoe for securing the post of Agriculture Inspector through NPSC Combined Technical Service Exam.

2. Mr. A. Elithung Tsopoe, on being promoted as Assistant Research Officer, under Urban Development Deptt.

3. Dr. Nzanthung Ngullie, Assistant Professor & HoD Deptt. of Civil Engineering NIT Nagaland Chumukedima, on being conferred Ph.D from Department of Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati with the Topic “Assessing Interrelationships among critical success factors for urban infrastructure projects under PPP mode in India.”

The Ekhung further wishes and prays that Almighty God grant them success in all their future endeavours.

Kohima Town Shaki Ekhung K-1126

We, the PSU with immense pride and joy convey our heartiest congratulations to all the successful candidates who have cleared the HSLC and HSSLC recently declared NBSE examination result.

The Union also further wishes you all very best in your future endeavour.

FELICITATION

FELICITATION

Mr. Chiporao Ngullie Chairman, DNNRE

FELICITATION

K-1123

Longshibemo Tsanglao Gen. Secy. YVSU

PHEKERKRIEMA STUDENTS’ UNION

The Union would like to convey our heartfelt congratulations to our bonafide members for their achievements.

1. Dr. Waluniba, S/o Mr. & Mrs. Purtoshi Ajem for getting selected to the post of Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, SASRD, Nagaland University.

2. Ms. Sashilila Ao, D/o Mr. & Mrs. Kidongningsang Longchar for having completed her Ph.D course from Nagaland University, Department of Agricultural Extension.

May their achievements inspire all.

The Union further prays and wishes them the best for their future endeavors.

Sd/Sd/Akumdong L. Imchen Moanungla Kichu President General Secretary

DP-2364

ing the attack, and that he wants to speak to the prime minister to discuss how to “learn from this”.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to update MPs in relation to the terror attack in the House of Commons later on Monday. Two of the three victims of the terror attack have been identified as 36-year-old school teacher James Furlong and 39-year-old Joe RitchieBennett, an American citizen living in the UK.

The office of the Yimparasa village Student's union, Wokha, Nagaland, is immensely grateful to Shri. K. Libanthung Lotha, Commissioner and Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services. Government of Nagaland, towards his generous contribution by supporting financially to all the candidates who passed their HSLC Examinations from the year 2017 to 2020.

Sir, the union have nothing to comfort you. But deep in our hearts we pray that our Almighty God bless your service and to all your family members abundantly.

restriction of large gatherings etc. It also informs that the draw will be conducted in all its fairness manner under the management and supervision of the raffle draw committee comprising of Khel Council Member, Khel Goanbura and Khel Peli Union President.

President Mob: 9856766487 K-1127

OFFICE OF THE

NEPALI BASTI VILLAGE COUNCIL Dimapur : Nagaland

FELICITATION The Nepali Basti Village Council Dimapur convey its heartiest congratulations to all the successful students of the HSLC & HSSLC Examination 2020.

HSLC 1. Ms. Angelin Joy : Securing Top 4th Position D/o Joy M. P 2. Ms. Carne A. Raja : Securing top 6th Position D/o Lt. I. Amutha Raja 3. Ms. Chand Thapa : Subject Topper in Hindi (99) D/o Kuldip Thapa 4. Mr. Aakrit Bhandari : Letter Marks (Eng, Sci, Maths, S/s, Hindi, IT) S/o Govardhan Bhandari 5. Mr. Amit Sharma : Letter Marks (Sci, Math, S/s, Hindi, Evs) S/o Ramanand Sharma 6. Mr. Aadarsh Konwar : Letter Marks (S/s, Hindi, BK) S/o Ram Kumar HSSLC 1. Mr. Krishna Kant Dey : Securing Top 10th Position in Science Stream S/o Bimal Chandra Dey 2. Mr. Ganapati Thapa : 1st Division in Science Stream S/o Kuldip Thapa with Letter Marks (Phy, Che, Math, Bio, Hindi) 3. Ms. Suhana Begum : 1st Division in Arts Stream D/o Rohim Ahmed with Letter Marks (Pol. Sci, Eco, Edu) The Village Council further wishes them success in all their future endeavours.

G.B G.B Chairman Pandu Lama Uttam Chettri Hejeto Sema

COM

Khairi Saadallah (File)

OFFICE OF THE

GRATITUDE

Libenthung Kikon President YVSU.

in response to a comment said. The twice-postponed made by the Chairman of parliamentary elections in the Karathivu local govern- the country will be held on ment body that “Karuna August 5.

Amman is dangerous than President Gotabaya the coronavirus”, a report Rajapaksa on March 2 in the Colombo Page said dissolved Parliament, six on Sunday. months ahead of schedule, Reacting to Amman’s and called for snap polls statement, former state Min- on April 25. However, the ister of Defense Ruwan election commission in midWijewardene said that his April postponed the eleccomments cannot be taken tions by nearly two months Karuna Amman (File) lightly and they pose a seri- to June 20 due to the coronations in the country, Amman 2,000 to 3,000 Sri Lankan ous challenge to the rule of virus outbreak in the island alias Vinayagamurthi Mura- Army personnel in one night law in the country, the report nation. litharan reportedly said that at Elephant Pass. I have he had murdered over 2,000 killed more in Kilinochchi.

OFFICE OF THE NEIKESA PELI NO: 13 D’KHEL, KOHIMA VILLAGE, KOHIMA government troops during That is certainly higher than INFORMATION the LTTE’s separatist war the number of lives the coro- The Neikesa Peli No: 13 D’Khel Kohima Village inform all our well wishers that the raffle which lasted for over 3 de- navirus has claimed in Sri draw which was scheduled on ththe 28th of March 2020 and postponed due to COVID -19 will be held on the 28 of June 2020 at 12 noon. The venue of the draw lot will cades.

Lanka,” he was quoted as pandemic be at Seikhazou ground, Kohima.

The Neikesa Peli No: 13 regret to inform that, inspite of our intention to invite all our well “When I was a member saying in the statement. to witness the draw, we are compel to conduct the draw lot with minimum no.

He made the statement wishers of the LTTE, I killed some of attendance due to COVID-19 pandemic and its impediment like social distancing and

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LONDON, JUN 22 (PTI): A Libyan asylum seeker currently in custody in relation to the knife rampage in a British park that killed three people was known to the MI5 intelligence service, UK media reports said on Monday.

Khairi Saadallah, 25, has been arrested under the UK’s Terrorism Act after the deadly incident in a busy park in the southern English city of Reading on Saturday evening was declared a terrorist attack by counterterror officials.

It has now emerged that the refugee, who arrived in Britain from war-torn Libya in 2012, had been on the radar of security spies as they monitored him for suspected extremist activities.

Security sources told the BBC that the suspect came to the attention of the security services in 2019 after they received information he had aspirations to travel abroad – potentially for terrorism.

“When the information was further investigated, as the first stage of looking into a potential lead, no genuine threat or immediate risk was identified. No case file was opened which would have made him a target for further investigation,” the sources were quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has held discussions with security officials following the attack, said that “if there are lessons that we need to learn about how we handle such cases, how we handle the events leading up to such cases then we will learn those lessons”.

Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has said that “people are united in their grief ” follow-

COLOMBO, JUN 22 (PTI): The Sri Lankan police has ordered a probe into an alleged statement by former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) deputy leader Karuna Amman, claiming that he had murdered over 2,000 security forces on behalf of the Tamil separatist group, the government said on Monday.

The acting police chief Chandana Wickremaratne has directed the Crime Investigation Department to launch an immediate probe into Amman’s statement, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

Speaking at a political rally last week for the upcoming parliamentary elec-

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UK knife attack terror suspect was on spy radar

people who visited nightclubs and bars in Seoul over the holiday weekend.

“We originally predicted that the second wave would emerge in fall or winter,” Jeong said. “Our forecast turned out to be wrong. As long as people have close contact with others, we believe that infections will continue.”

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon told a briefing that while daily numbers may be at manageable levels, if recent infection rates continued the city could soon see hundreds of cases a day.

As of midnight Sunday, South Korea reported 17 new coronavirus cases, the first time in nearly a month that daily new cases had dropped below 20.

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tan area, we believe that the first wave was from March to April as well as February to March,” Jeong said at a regular briefing. “Then we see that the second wave which was triggered by the May holiday has been going on.”

At the end of February, South Korea reported a peak of more than 900 cases in a day, in the first large outbreak of the coronavirus outside of China.

An intensive tracking and testing campaign reduced the numbers to single digits by late April.

But just as the country announced it would be easing social distancing guidelines in early May, new cases spiked, driven in part by infections among young

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SEOUL, JUN 22 (AGENCIES): Health authorities in South Korea said for the first time on Monday it is in the midst of a “second wave” of novel coronavirus infections around Seoul, driven by small but persistent outbreaks stemming from a holiday in May. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) had previously said South Korea’s first wave had never really ended.

But on Monday, KCDC director Jeong Eun-kyeong said it had become clear that a holiday weekend in early May marked the beginning of a new wave of infections focused in the densely populated greater Seoul area, which had previously seen few cases. “In the metropoli-

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Now a 12-year-old Bieber refutes sexual allegation claims Film, pop stars line up for Sushant’s fan ends life S global COVID fundraising gig

I

nternational music and film stars will headline a globally televised and streamed fundraising concert on Saturday to help fight COVID-19 as part of a joint initiative by the advocacy group Global Citizen and the European Commission.

The initiative, called “Global Goal: Unite For Our Future,” is aiming to raise billions of dollars in private and public donations to help lessen the impact of the pandemic on marginalised communities.

Speaking at an on-

line panel ahead of the event, pop star Miley Cyrus said the pandemic was hitting the world’s poor and marginalised people the hardest. She urged donors committing funds for tests, treatments and vaccines to ensure they are developed in ways that everyone everywhere has access to them.

Researchers and drugmakers across the globe are working on more than 100 potential vaccines against COVID-19, which has so far killed more than 463,000 people.

Hosted by actor

Online singing contest held for Pochurys under Phek

W

ith an aim to encourage music lovers and also discover young talented singers and as part of the Wold Music Day celebration, YOLO Music & Arts Society, Meluri organized an “Online Singing Contest” on June 21 through social media-facebook particularly for the people of Phocury under Phek district.

During the contest, Dejuve Yugho was adjudged as the winner while Lolia Ngouri and Lingling Yan were placed

in the first and second runners-up respectively.

The award for the youngest participant was bagged

by Atusa Katiry (5 years) and promising upcoming artist award by Avikiirhe Ngouri.

The winner received an amount of Rs. 5000/-, first runner-up Rs. 2000/and second runner-up Rs. 1000 respectively with certificates. The youngest participant and the promising upcoming artist also received a cash amount of Rs. 1000/- each with certificates.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the virtual concert will feature Cyrus, Chloe x Halle, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay and Shakira and others, and include actors Charlize Theron and Hugh Jackman as well as retired soccer star David Beckham.

“We need our world leaders to commit the billions of dollars needed to develop and equitably deliver testing, treatments and vaccines,” said Hugh Evans, Global Citizen’s chief executive.

European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said the concert would coincide with a pledging summit, at which artists, scientists and world leaders will “commit to helping the world end coronavirus, while leaving no one behind.”

The EU is increasingly taking a role as a champion of global cooperation in efforts to control and end the pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus, while the United States and China are focused more on national initiatives.

(Reuters)

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pparently upset over the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput, a 12-year-old boy, allegedly ended his life in the same manner that the Bollywood actor did a week ago by hanging himself in his house. This is the third young fan to have taken the extreme step.

The family claimed that the Class 6 student would remain glued to the TV watching the news of the actor’s suicide before he took the extreme step on Saturday. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sarvesh Mishra said that the boy, whose father is an engineer with a private firm in Greater Noida, was at home with his mother, elder sister and grandmother.

He went up to his room upstairs, bolted the door

from inside and hanged himself with a cloth. The police officer said that the post mortem was not conducted on the request of the family.

“There is no other apparent reason which could have made the boy end his life. We would request all parents to keep their children away from disturbing details of morbid incidents on news and social media,” he said. On June 16, a Class 10 student, who could not bear the loss of his favourite star, had committed suicide in Bareilly.

Before hanging himself to death, the boy left a suicide note, in which he wrote, “If he can do it, Why can’t I” Earlier, a girl ended her life in Odisha because she could not bear the actor’s passing away.

(IANS)

Prakash Jha’s Pink had ‘panic attack’ watching ‘Pareeksha: The Final her son battle COVID-19 Test’ to release on OTT

F

ilmmaker Prakash Jhas new project “Pareeksha: The Final Test” will go directly to OTT, bypassing a traditional theatrical release.

“The film is inspired by real events and people.

Shri Abhayanand is an IPS officer and educationist who, while serving as the police chief in Bihar’s Naxal infested areas, came across kids in the villages who were so bright thanks to native wisdom that they inspired him to begin coaching them to crack the tough IIT- Their success had a great impact on the crime-infested badlands of Bihar,” Jha said.

The film is releasing on ZEE5 and Jha said: “I felt compelled to tell this story and I think a streaming platform will give this subject the reach it deserves.”

“Pareeksha: The Final Test” features Priyanka Bose, Adil Hussain, Sanjay Suri and child actor Shubham Jha. (IANS)

S

inger Pink says she suffered a “panic attack” when her son Jameson was battling the novel coronavirus, because she was stressed that something might happen to him.

“I think this is really important for people right now with coronavirus - you know anxiety is rampant and panic attacks and just, we feel like the rug is being pulled out from under us a little bit right now and different people on different levels,” Pink said on an Instagram live with therapist Vanessa Inn, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

She added: “I was on the phone with you and I was having one of my very first panic attacks and it was during the time where I was really afraid for Jameson and just exhausted from my adrenaline for 10 weeks of taking my temperature and wondering if I was gonna die.”

The singer credits Inn for helping her keep the panic attacks at bay.

“It was incredibly timely because you told me to look for textures and patterns and I look down and I was wearing a paisley dress and sitting on a roque chair.”

(IANS)

Police clash with music festival Amanda Seyfried hopes to attendees in Paris and Nantes do another ‘Mama Mia!’ film

inger Justin Bieber has refuted an allegation that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2014, saying he doesnt take “sexual abuse lightly”.

He also provided evidence in the form of receipts, emails, social media and press reports, reports variety.com.

A woman posted from an anonymous Twitter account, claiming that the alleged assault happened at a hotel in Austin on March 9, 2014, when Bieber made a surprise appearance at the South By Southwest music festival.

Reacting to the allegations, Bieber wrote on Twitter: “I don’t normally address things as I have dealt with random accusations my entire career but after talking with my wife and team I have decided to speak up on an issue tonight.”

“Rumours are r umours but sexual abuse is something I don’t take lightly. I wanted to speak out right away but out of respect to so many victims who deal with these issues daily I wanted to make sure I gathered the facts before I made any statement,” he added. Bieber wrote “there is no truth to this story” and provided emails, receipts and articles showing that he stayed at an Airbnb

on the night of the alleged assault and at another hotel the next night. The singer says he stayed with his then-girlfriend, Selena Gomez, and their friends at the time.

Bieber shared that it is impossible that the alleged incident took place, and added that he plans to take legal action against

the claim.

“Every claim of sexual abuse should be taken very seriously and this is why my response was needed.

However this story is factually impossible and that is why I will be working with twitter and authorities to take legal action,” he wrote.

(IANS)

Radhika Apte’s directorial debut film wins award at international fest

A

ctress Radhika Apte’s first film as a director, the short film “The Sleepwalkers”, has been declared ‘The Best Midnight Short Award’ at Palms Spring International Short Fest that was held online this year.

“Thank you!! @psfilmfest we are so thrilled to have won the Best Midnight Short at the Palm Spring Festival !!! #Repost @psfilmfest with @ get_repost••• The winner of the Best Midnight Short Award is…. “The Sleepwalkers”! Congratulations!,” she posted on her social media.

In a recent interview with IANS, Radhika said: “I enjoyed the process (of direction) a lot.

I am excited because, hopefully, people can watch it soon. I hope I get to do more work as a director, maybe, let’s see!”

The short film, starring Shahana Goswami and Gulshan Devaiah, has been written and directed by Radhika, and is centred on the subject of sleepwalking.

On why she took up such a subject, she had said: “What the film is about does not really come across in the trailer, so I can’t really give it away.

I started diving last year and that’s where I got the idea.”

(IANS)

DEAREST LIGHABO YEPUTHOMI !!

WARMEST GREETINGS TO O U R C U T E A N D INNOCENT LITTLE PRINCESS. MAY THIS HAPPINESS AND JOY OF YOUR 1ST BIRTHDAY CONTINUE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. GOD BLESS YOU FROM: MOM, DAD, BROTHERS, GRANDPARENTS AND DP-2362 RELATIVES. OFFICE OF THE

A F

rench police clashed sporadically with people attending music festivals in Paris and the western city of Nantes on Sunday, TV stations BFM and C News reported.

Many cities in France were holding annual “Fete de la Musique” events, which were monitored closely by police to ensure people were complying with social-distancing measures imposed to curb the coronavirus.

BFM TV said police K Y M C

had to move in to disperse crowds from Paris’ Canal St Martin, while C News and residents of Nantes broadcast images of police using tear gas on crowds in Nantes.

The event in Nantes also coincided with a demonstration to mark the anniversary of the death of Steve Canico, who died after a clash between police and revellers in June 2019.

Canico’s death became a focal point for protests

and scrutiny over policing methods in France. The 24-year-old disappeared at a concert where police had clashed with late-night revellers by the riverbank in Nantes, and Canico’s body was subsequently found in the Loire River.

Residents of Nantes posted images and videos on Twitter of some demonstrators setting bins on fire.

Officials at the Nantes police department could not be immediately reached for comment.

(Reuters)

ctress Amanda Seyfried says she is optimistic about returning for a third “Mama Mia!” film. She was part of the 2008 release, “Mama Mia!”, and its 2018 sequel, “Mama Mia! Here We Go Again”.

Seyfried said that she would do a third film ‘in a heartbeat’ in an interview with Collider, reports dailymail.co.uk.

“Listen, every single person in that movie would say yes in a heartbeat because we want to hang out with each other,” she said.

“That’s what we talked about last time, like did we ever think that we’d end up here again on an island in Croatia? So yeah, I wish there was a ‘Mamma Mia 3’,” she added. She is wor-

ried that there might not be enough new musical material to use even if they lock a good script, and cast members returned.

‘I’ll tell you what -- I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and I hope I’m wrong again. I don’t think there are enough ABBA songs to make a third movie.We’d have to use Super Trooper again and we’d have to use Mamma Mia again and have to use them in a different way,” she said. Seyfried feels “Mama Mia! Here We Go Again” was a success with critics when the original film only received mixed reviews.

“Like the first story had to match the stage show. So it was like, they were kind of stuck.

(IANS)

SUMI BAPTIST CHURCH OLD SHOWUBA VILLAGE Via. ATRC, 3rd Mile Dimapur - 797115 : Nagaland

FELICITATION We the Sumi Baptist Church Showuba express our heartiest congratulations to Dr. T. Akito Jimo, who recently conferred the Doctorate in Pastoral Theology at (ABTS) Delhi, accredited to Global Apostolic University U.S.A. Virginia with Dissertation topic "A study on Biblical teaching of pastoral ministry and pastoral responsibility to the local Church". We wish his future endeavor.

Released by Sumi Baptist Church Old Showuba DP-2372 K Y M C

11

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Title-chasing Liverpool held Citing defects, IWLF halts usage of China-made equipment at Everton in goalless derby

Liverpool’s Fabinho takes a free kick during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain on June 21. (Reuters)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, JUN 22 (AGENCIES): Liverpool may have to wait a little longer for their Premier League title celebrations after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Everton in the behind closed-doors Merseyside derby on Sunday.

But it could have been worse for the leaders after Tom Davies hit the post in the 80th minute for Everton, who will feel a little disappointed that they did not take full advantage of a below-par peformance from the European champions.

Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool side went into the game, their first competitive match in 103 days, knowing a victory would allow them to secure their first league title in 30 years on Wednesday with a win at home to Crystal Palace.

With eight games

remaining of the season which has resumed after the novel coronavirus stoppage, Liverpool need five more points to be sure of their first title of the Premier League era, unless Manchester City lose at home to Burnley on Monday. Liverpool have 83 points from 30 games, while Pep Guardiola’s second-placed City are on 60 from 29.

“It was very intense,” said Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. “Both sides created small opportunities, they had the big one against the post. Everyone is just happy to be back, we didn’t lose and it is another point towards our goal.”

There were few opportunities for either side in a tight and ultimately disappointing game at Goodison Park but it was mid-table Everton, without a win over their local rivals since

2010, who came closest to taking the points.

With 10 minutes left Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s clever flick from a low Gylfi Sigurdsson cross was pushed out by Liverpool keeper Alisson and Tom Davies’ follow-up shot hit the post.

Liverpool, who left Mohamed Salah on the bench, lacked their usual potency in attack with their best opening coming in the 35th minute when Roberto Firmino screwed a shot wide while Fabinho went close late on with a curling free-kick.

Klopp and his Everton counterpart Carlo Ancelotti handed players first league starts with Japan’s Takumi Minamino in the Liverpool attack and 19year-old Anthony Gordon up front for the home side although neither were able to make much impact.

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): Claiming to be saddled with faulty equipment from China, the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) on Monday called for a boycott of sports apparatus made in that country after the violent face-off in eastern Ladakh killed 20 Army personnel last week.

The IWLF ordered four weightlifting sets, comprising barbells and weight plates, from Chinese company ‘ZKC’ last year. The body said that the equipment turned out to be faulty and the weightlifters are no longer using them.

“We should boycott all Chinese equipment.

The Indian Weightlifting Federation has taken the decision that it will not use any equipment made in China,” IWLF secretary general Sahdev Yadav told PTI. The IWLF, in a letter, has informed the Sports

Authority of India (SAI) about its decision to stop using any equipment made in China.

“In a letter to SAI we have written that IWLF won’t be using the Chinese equipment,” he said.

“In future also we will not use made in China sets.

We will use sets made by Indian origin companies or any other company but not from China,” Yadav added.

National coach Vijay Sharma revealed that the plates were found to be substandard when the lifters started training again earlier this month following the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

“The sets were spoilt.

We can’t use them now,” Sharma told PTI. “All the weightlifters in the camp are against China. They have stopped using Chinese apps like

TikTok. Even while ordering things online, they check where the product has been manufactured,” he added.

Asked why the sets were even ordered, Sharma said they had no option as the equipment from China is to be used in the Tokyo Olympics and lifters needed to be familiar with it. “ We h a d o r d e r e d four sets from China for Olympics training a year ago. Now, since we have resumed training post the lockdown we haven’t used them. All the lifters are against the use of Chinese equipment,” he said.

He said equipment was ordered from China for the first time. “ We d o n’ t o r d e r equipment from China as the quality is very bad.

This was the first time we got it.”

The weightlifters are currently training with

equipment made in Sweden. “Post the lockdown we started training on sets from Swedish company Eleiko. SAI has issued 10 sets for us. The main training takes place with those.

Maximum international competitions have sets from Eleiko,” Sharma said.

Yadav also said that there are ready alternatives to Chinese equipment.

“We have a lot of alternatives. We already have good Indian sets and we also have equipment from Sweden. We will use that, why should we use Chinese?” Yadav said.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has said it is open to boycotting Chinese products in the wake of the incident.

The BCCI will also review IPL’s sponsorship deals, including the title deal with Chinese mobile manufacturing company Vivo later this week.

Azmoun nominated as Asia’s Greatest Player in Russian PL TEHRAN, JUN 22 (IANS): Iranian international forward Sardar Azmoun has been nominated by the AFC to become Asia’s Greatest Player in the Russian Premier League, Persian Football website has reported.

The other nominees are Keisuke Honda from Japan, Kim Dong-jin from South Korea, Mukhsin Mukhamadiev from Tajikistan, Dmitri Khomukha from Turkmenistan, and Mirdjalal Kasimov, Odil Ahmedov, Vitaliy Denisov, Vladimir Maminov and Eldor Shomurodov, all from Uzbekistan, writes Xinhua news agency.

Azmoun is the first Iranian to

play in the Russian Premier League, as well as being the only Iranian to win the league title and the youngest player from his country to score in the UEFA Champions League.

One of Azmoun’s most memorable spells came in the second half of the 2018-19 season, when he scored 12 goals in 16 matches after joining title-bound Zenit St Petersburg.

Despite almost daily reports linking him to some of Europe’s biggest clubs, the 25-year-old remains in Russia, where he looks set to lift the Premier League once more at the end of the current season.

Sardar Azmoun

Japan withdrawing 2023 Women’s World Cup bid Simpson wins RBC Heritage golf

TOKYO, JUN 22 (AGENCIES): The Japanese Football Association announced on Monday that Japan is withdrawing its bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, just days before football’s world governing body holds a vote to determine the successful candidate.

Following an exec-

utive board meeting on Monday, the JFA withdrew its candidacy and decided to support the Australia/ New Zealand bid which will go up against a bid from Colombia.

Earlier this month, FIFA rated the joint Australia/New Zealand bid as the best to host the tourna-

ment, with Japan in second place.

The JFA said a key factor behind their decision was losing the support of the Southeast Asian ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), who have publicly said they would support the Australia/New Zealand bid.

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games now being delayed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the JFA said they found it unlikely one country would be awarded women’s soccer’s two biggest tournaments back-toback.

JFA chairman Kozo

Tashima left the door open for another bid in the future.

“We have shown how we could host the tournament in Japan in our bid, so I don’t think our efforts were in vain,” he said.

Japan’s withdrawal leaves the Australia/New Zealand bid in pole position ahead of Thursday’s vote.

Like Australia, Japan is a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) so it is likely that AFC votes previously shared between the competing bids will now go to Australia/New Zealand.

Japan has never staged the Women’s World Cup but co-hosted the men’s event in 2002 with neighbours South Korea.

The Japanese women’s team won the World Cup in 2011, shocking favourites the United States in the final.

The 2019 tournament in France broke records in terms of television audiences and was seen as the most high-profile edition so far.

tournament after late birdie spree

NEW YORK, JUN 22 ( AG E N C I E S ) : We b b Simpson birdied three of his final four holes to emerge with victory at the PGA Tour’s tightly-contested RBC Heritage in South Carolina on Sunday.

The 34-year-old father of five made sure it was an extra special Father’s Day by recording his seventh career win on the tour after his bogey-free 64 saw him finish on a combined 22-under-par 262, a stroke clear of Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (65).

At one point early on it looked like play might have to be completed on Monday after thunderstorms forced a two-hour and 45-minute delay but rain and lightning then gave way to sunshine at the Harbour Town course on Hilton Head Island.

“It was a crazy day.

Honestly, I’m speechless right now,” said Simpson, who started the day in a four-way tie for first.

“It looked like we

Webb Simpson

weren’t going to finish but we went back out.”

“It was a really long day on the golf course. I didn’t really get going until (noon) and then the putts started going in and I was getting confident.”

“It’s amazing to be standing here right now,” added Simpson, who won the 2012 U.S. Open on Father’s Day, and the 2018 Players Championship on Mother’s Day. Ancer pushed him close, the Mexican’s long putt on 18 to force extra holes coming up short as

the sun set.

Daniel Berger (65), last week’s winner at Colonial, and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton (66) finished tied for third a shot further back on 20-under 264.

American Nick Watney withdrew after testing positive for COVID-19 prior to the second round on Friday.

Next up on the schedule is the Travelers Championship from June 24-27 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, another event where fans are not allowed to attend.

Borna Coric diagnosed with COVID T20 WC in Aus most watched event in women’s cricket history: ICC

Borna Coric

ZADAR (CROATIA), JUN 22 (IANS): A day after Grigor Dimitrov tested positive for coronavirus, Crotian tennis player Borna Coric has informed that he has also been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Both the players took part in the Adria Tour with the likes Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and K Y M C

Dominic Thiem among others.

“Hi everyone, I wanted to inform you all that I tested positive for COVID19. I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during the last few days gets tested!”

Coric said in a statement on Monday on his official Twitter handle. “I am really

sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am feeling well and don’t have any symptoms. Please stay safe and healthy. Lot of love to all!” he added.

Earlier on Sunday, Dimitrov took to social media to reveal that he had tested positive for the deadly virus.

“Hi everyone-I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for COVID-19. I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during these past days gets tested and takes the necessary precautions.

“I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused.

I am back home now and recovering. Thanks for your support and please stay safe and healthy,” Dimitrov said on Instagram.

Dubai, Jun 22 (PTI): The International Cricket Council on Monday claimed record viewership of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia with the event the clocking 1.1 billion video views through the gover ning body’s digital channels.

The numbers are considered to be 20 times more than previous edition in 2018.

In a release, the ICC said the tournament held in February-March recorded 10 times more video views than the previous most successful women’s cricket event, the 2017 ODI World Cup. In both cases, India finished runners-up but their presence contributed significantly to the viewership.

“These figures (for

2020 T20) World Cup make it the second most successful ICC event ever after the World Cup 2019 and that trend continued via broadcast with the final achieving record viewership worldwide,” said the ICC. “India’s success in making it to the final boosted audience interest, with total viewership for the knockout stages recorded at 423% higher than 2018.

“India live viewing hours were 86.15m which is 152% higher than the 2018 tournament, driven

by India’s success and the broadcast of select India matches by Star Sports, in five languages (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telegu and Kannada) in India,” it said.

In South Africa, live viewing hours were 647,000 which is “40% higher than

Australian womens cricket team squad photo for representation.

2018”.

South Africa’s semifinal loss to Australia was the most watched match of the tournament with 39,000 average audience, said the ICC. “This is 54% higher

than the most watched match in 2018, which was South Africa v England group stage match with 25,000 average audience.”

Despite the time zone challenge, UK live viewing hours were only 8%

lower (at 5.32m) than the 2018 tournament, where England made the final.

England’s opening group match against South Africa was the most watched match with 259,000 average audience.

K Y M C

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Real Madrid move top of La Liga

S A N S E BA S T I A N, SPAIN, JUN 22 (AGENCIES): Real Madrid took control of the Spanish title race by beating Real Sociedad 2-1 away on Sunday to move top of La Liga above Barcelona after a secondhalf high on controversy.

Madrid captain Sergio Ramos broke the deadlock in the 50th minute by converting a penalty after Vinicius Jr went to ground in the area following contact from Sociedad’s Diego Llorente.

Sociedad thought they had levelled with a strike from Adnan Januzaj from outside the box but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review showed Mikel Merino obstructing the view of Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois without touching the ball.Their sense of injustice deepened a minute later when Karim Benzema doubled Madrid’s lead in the 71st after controlling the ball with the top of his arm although Merino ensured an exciting finish by lashing in off the crossbar in the 83rd minute.

However, Zinedine Zidane’s side clung on for the win to move level with Barca on 65 points after 30 games but climbed above the Catalans, who were held 0-0 at Sevilla on Friday, due to a superior head-

Been my dream to win Wimbledon: Johanna Konta

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020

Eng vs WI: English players to wear frontline workers’ names on shirts

LONDON, JUN 22 (IANS): World No.14 Johanna Konta said it has been her dream to win the Wimbledon title and she will continue to strive for it even as the 2020 edition of the Grand Slam was cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic.

Wimbledon had been previously cancelled only twice -- because of World War I and World War II -and never outside wartime.

Konta stated she will try to realise her dream next season onwards till the time she gets her hands on the famous trophy.

“I love playing at Wimbledon and it has been my goal to win ever since I was a little girl,” Konta was quoted as saying by hellomagazine. com “I feel sad that I won’t be competing this year, but it hasn’t altered my determination to be a Grand Slam champion. I’ll never stop striving for that.”

Konta was also set to take part in the Tokyo Olympics but the showpiece event was postponed till 2021 in the wake of the pandemic.

The multi-national event was initially set to be hosted in July this year but due to coronavirus pandemic, it will now take place from July 23 till August 8 next year.

L O N D O N, J U N 2 2 (IANS): The England mens Test series against the West Indies will honour heroic cricketing key workers and be named the #RaiseTheBat Test Series, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday.

The ECB in a release said that the three-Test series taking place behind closed doors will honour and celebrate heroes within the cricket family, many of whom have been playing the innings of their lives to support those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On day one of the first Test (Wednesday 8 July), the England men’s players will pay tribute to cricket’s heroes by wearing the names of key workers on their training shirts before the start of the match shining a light on their bravery and sacrifice as fans watch live from home.

The people named on the shirts have all been nominated by their local cricket clubs and include teachers, doctors, nurses, carers, social workers and other vital professions.

Their stories will be amplified across the ECB’s digital platforms. The shirts will feature the names of

Lampard praises Pulisic Dirty politics hurting IOA family, after Chelsea’s comeback win rues IWF Secy General Yadav

Mohammad Irfan clarifies rumours of his accidental dead

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal.

to-head record. Sociedad are sixth on 47.

Madrid’s trip to San Sebastian was full of intrigue after Barca failed to beat Sevilla and the Catalan side’s defender Gerard Pique said the title was now Madrid’s for the taking.

He appeared to suggest decisions had gone Madrid’s way in their 3-0 win over Valencia last Thursday.

Zidane’s team had benefitted from a Valencia goal that was chalked off for an offside against a

Frank Lampard

LONDON, JUN 22 (IANS): Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has praised Christian Pulisic as being “at the real top level” after the winger helped his side to secure a 2-1 comeback win at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Chelsea were 1-0 down at half-time, but Pulisic came on and leveled the scores in the 60th minute with a halfvolley inside the area following Cesar Azpilicueta’s right wing cross.

Olivier Giroud netted home the winner to send the London club five points ahead of Manchester United and strengthen their claim for fourth place and a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, reports Xinhua news agency. “He was hungry. I know that and

I felt for him, as I felt for the players with long-term injuries.” “The ability he’s got to arrive in the box, it’s a big thing, I’ve spoken about it with him all season,”said the Chelsea boss.

“It’s the difference between being a very good player off the side, an attacking player, or the players at the real top level of the game that arrive and score in the six-yard box and hit numbers yearly.” “I really think Christian can do that, so I was really pleased with him, the impact he made when he came on.” It was the American winger’s first appearance since January after a recovering from a thigh injury, and his performance convinced Lampard of his importance to the side.

player who had not touched the ball and there was a tangible sense of deja-vu when Januzaj’s equaliser was ruled out due to Merino’s position.

“We’re angry with everything but mainly with the way we lost, because the little details and the big moments went against us,” said Merino.

“I was at least five metres from Courtois when I was flagged offside. I don’t know if the same thing would have happened had it been in the other area

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (IANS): Indian Weightlifting Federation Secretary General Sahdev Yadav on Monday wrote a letter to Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra, saying that he was shocked to see that the names of Members of Executive Council, Associate Vice Presidents and Associate Joint Secretaries have been removed from the official IOA website.

“Today I am going through the website of Indian Olympic Association and I am shocked to see that the names of members of Executive Council, Associate Vice Presidents and Associate Joint Secretaries have been removed from the website all of sudden,” Sahdev Yadav wrote in his letter.

“This action of removal of senior and seasoned members of the IOA who are part of this important family is discriminating, unfair, with prejudice and partiality. The foul smell of biasness is coming through

but the flag went up and we feel that we have been wronged.”

Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, however, felt the three points were deserved.

“In my opinion we were the superior team against a very tough opponent, we knew how to cope with them and how to hold on to our lead,” said the Uruguayan.“We’re so happy because it was such a hard game and when you win a game like that you should enjoy it.”

Sahdev Yadav

such uncalled actions. I condemn the person whoever is responsible for this act.”

“The IOA family is tottering and collapsing from some dirty minds playing dirty politics,” he added.

The IOA is already involved in an internal conflict between President Batra and Vice President Sudhanshu Mittal. Mittal has claimed that there had been “gross violations” in the process which led to Batra being elected IOA President in December

2017. However, these allegations have been denied by the IOA chief.

Mittal said that Batra has been holding the IOA President’s post illegally and he would soon be forced to step down from the post.

“I am so happy with the High Court verdict.

His (Batra) madness has been stopped. It is a major reflection on Batra’s way of functioning where he has been acting illegally,” Mittal said.

“I think it’s a major victory and will put a major check on the arbitrary way in which he has been functioning. More such petitions will be filed against him in the near future. He has to go,” he added.

Batra, on his part, has denied any wrongdoing.

He has written to both FIH CEO and IOC President Thomas Bach, refuting the allegations made by Mittal and said that the IOA Vice President was trying to malign his image and wants to be IOA chief in 2021.

LAHORE, JUN 22 (IANS): Left-arm Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has quashed rumours of his death in a car accident, stating that the reports were fake and baseless.

On Sunday, social media was filled with posts about Irfan’s death. However, the Pakistan bowler has put an end on all such speculation from his official Twitter handle and also urged people not to spread fake news.

“Some social media outlets have been spreading baseless fake news about my death in a car accident,” the Pakistan pacer said in a tweet.

“This has disturbed my family and friends beyond words, and I have been receiving endless calls on this. Please refrain from such things. There was no accident and we are well,” he added.

The 38-year-old last represented Pakistan in a T20 international against Australia last November.

He has so far played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 22 T20Is scalping 109 wickets in total.

File photo of England mens cricket team players.

people like Vikas Kumar, a Specialist in Anaesthetics and Critical Care at Darlington Memorial Hospital, who has been working on the frontline throughout the pandemic. In his spare time, Vikas is a keen cricketer playing at Cowgate Cricket Club in Newcastle and the Gilli Boys Amateur Club in Darlington.

Emily Blakemore, a nurse, will also feature on a shirt. She has been working in a hospital looking after COVID-19 patients.

She is a dedicated player for Astwood Bank Cricket Club where she also volunteers in the junior section.

Those who know her say she’s a huge role model to all, always staying positive despite working in very tough circumstances.

As part of the ECB’s n a t i o n w i d e To g e t h e r Through This Test’ cam-

paign, which launched last month with a short film narrated by Stephen Fry, the #raisethebat initiative has already featured key workers on over 300 billboards across England and Wales, with more billboards to come from 29 June. The cricket family is also being encouraged to highlight the many more key workers who deserve recognition using #raisethebat on social media.

Commenting on the #RaiseTheBat Test Series, Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer said: “As we stage the first international sporting competition in the UK since COVID-19 began, we want to pay tribute to the people who have bravely played their part during this crisis. Through the #raisethebat Test Series, we will show our gratitude to key workers.

WWE star the Undertaker announces retirement

The Undertaker

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (IANS): Wrestling legend The Undertaker has announced his retirement from WWE after a career spanning three decades.

The news was revealed to the fans during the last episode of the legendary wrestler’s docuseries Undertaker: The Final Ride’.

In the final chapter of the series, Undertaker revealed that he is at peace with not getting in the ring again.

“Never say never, but at this point in my life and in my career, I have no desire to get back in the ring. I’m at a point, it’s time this cowboy really rides away,” The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, said during the fifth and final episode of the docuseries.

“There’s nothing left for me to conquer. There’s nothing left for me to accomplish. The game has changed. It’s time for new guys to come up. The time just seems right. I think this documentary has helped me discover that. It’s really opened my eyes to the bigger picture,” he added.

The Undertaker’s last match in WWE was at WrestleMania 36 when he and AJ Styles fought in a Boneyard match in April in which The Deadman had emerged victorious.

He was first introduced in the 1990’s Survivor Series when he debuted as the final member of Ted DiBiase’s “Million Dollar Team.” He holds an enviable record of 25-2 at the Wrestlemania.

India’s cricket fraternity mourns demise of Rajinder Goel Milan conquer Sampdoria 2-1 at San Siro

NEW DELHI, JUN 22 (PTI): India’s cricket fraternity mourned the demise of legendary first-class spinner Rajinder Goel, calling him a “master of his craft” whose “bradmanesque” record made him a stalwart in domestic cricket.

Goel died on Sunday owing to age-related illnesses. He was 77 and is survived by his wife and son Nitin Goel, who has also played first-class cricket and is a domestic match-referee.

Paying a glowing tribute to Goel, iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: “Saddened to hear about the passing away of Rajinder Goel ji! He was a stalwart of Indian Domestic Cricket picking up more than 600 wickets in the Ranji Trophy.

May his soul Rest in Peace and my heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones.”

India head coach Ravi Shastri also saluted his craft in his message.

“RIP Rajinder Goel ji.

Master of his craft. Killer line & length in our terrain. Humility personi-

Rajinder Goel

fied. Condolences to the entire family,” he wrote on his twitter page.

Goel, a left-arm spinner, had 750 first-class wickets from 157 games, representing Haryana and North Zone in domestic cricket.

He played 26 seasons of first-class cricket from 195859 and 1984-85.

India skipper Virat Kohli also paid a tribute to the departed cricketer.

“We’ve lost a legend in Rajinder Goel Ji. Him being the highest wicket-taker in the history of Ranji Trophy,

speaks volumes about the career he had. Wishing all the strength to his family and loved ones,” Kohli tweeted.

Former India captain and current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly condoled his death, describing him a “giant” of domestic cricket, whose long career is a testimony of his craft.

“The Indian cricketing community has lost a giant of domestic cricket today.

His staggering record tells you about his craft and the control he had over it,” Ganguly said in a BCCI

statement.

“To have a career that lasts more than 25 years and still be able to perform consistently speaks about his dedication and commitment towards the game. To be able to pick 750 wickets needs years and years of hard work and I salute his efforts. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family,” he added.

Goel was unlucky to have played in the era of the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi as he could never play for India. He was picked for a Test match in Bengaluru during the 1974-75 series against the West Indies when Bedi was axed but Goel was the 12th man in that match.

Despite not playing for the country, Goel was never bitter about it and accepted his fate with grace.

Offering his tribute, Bedi said he envied Goel’s sense of ‘contentment’.

“Rajinder Goel was easily the most ‘contented’ human being I’ve known.

I used to envy his sense of ‘contentment’ in my moments of turmoil..RIP ‘Goe-

ly’..You bowled yur heart out to keep Ranji Trophy alive..!!,” he tweeted.

Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said he is amazed by Goel’s bowling record, calling it “bradmanesque”.

“Have always been staggered by the records of Shivalkar & Rajinder Goel. Here’s Goel’s FC record for you - 157 matches, 750 wickets! 59 five wicket hauls & 18 times 10 wkts in a match. Avg -18.58.

That’s bradmanesque in bowling - 5 wkts every 2.6 matches. RIP Goel Sir,” he tweeted.

India opener Shikhar Dhawan also took to twitter to express his condolences.

“Rest in peace Rajinder Goel Sir. My thoughts and prayers with the family. God bless your soul,” Dhawan tweeted.

Former Indian batsman Laxman wrote: “Deeply saddened by the passing away of Rajinder Goel, the highest wicket-taker in the history of Ranji Trophy. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”

ROME, JUN 22 (IANS): Inter Milan restarted their Serie A campaign by beating Sampdoria 2-1 at the San Siro, cutting their deficit to leaders Juventus to six points.

Strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez put the Nerazzurri firmly in charge before halftime on Sunday. Sampdoria pulled one back after the break but it was not enough, reports Xinhua news agency.

Inter Milan entered Sunday’s game trailing Juventus by nine points with one game in hand.

Christian Eriksen found the net just seconds into the game, but the goal was ruled out as Antonio Candreva had been flagged offside in the build up.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 10th minute with a great team goal as Lukaku burst into the box after a give-and-go with Eriksen, and the Belgian striker curled the ball left-footed into the net.

Inter Milan doubled

Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Bartosz Bereszynski fight for the ball during the Serie A soccer match. (AP)

their lead in the 32nd minute, after Lukaku’s smart pass found Candreva, and the Italian international squared for an unmarked Lautaro to tap in.

Sampdoria’s consolation goal occurred seven minutes into the second half, as Morten Thorsby’s

follow-up beat Samir Handanovic after Omar Colley’s header had rattled the crossbar.

In the day’s early fixture, Atalanta continued their impressive form by easing past Sassuolo 4-1, with Duvan Zapata scoring twice.

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