June 6, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 180

DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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1,477 returnees arrive; more on the way Frontliners on the edge T

Stranded citizens arrive from Bengaluru, at Dimapur railway station on Friday. (NP)

Staff Reporter/DIPR

DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): A total of 1,477 passengers onboard the Special Shramik train from Bengaluru arrived Dimapur railway station at around 1.50 p.m. on Friday.

The passengers were received at the railway station by APC and Dimapur district in-charge for COVID-19 related activities, Y. Kikheto Sema, food & civil supplies secretary Honje Konyak, commissioner of police Dimapur Rothihu Tetso, deputy commissioner Dimapur Anoop Kinchi, chief medical officer Dimapur Dr Tiasunep, officials from various departments, NGOs, church Leaders and volunteers.

On arrival of the returnees, a prayer was offered by chairman Dimapur Christian Forum, Rev. Moses Murry after which 544 returnees of Dimapur were sent by buses to Agri Expo for registration, screening and triaging by medical team before being despatched to designated quarantine centres.

The remaining returnees from 10 districts– 82 from Tuensang, 211 from Mon, 60 from Longleng, 56 from Kiphire, 54 from Phek, 166 from Zunheboto, 55 from Mokokchung, 61 from Wokha, 102 from Peren and 86 from Kohima – were screened by a health team at the railway station itself then sent by buses to their

Tuensang bound bus meets with accident KOHIMA, JUN 5 (NPN): One NST bus carrying 27 Tuensang bound returnees, who arrived from Bengaluru on Friday, met with an accident near Sechu Zubza area around 6.30 p.m.

According to police sources, the a Dimapur bound truck collided with the NST bus. However, no one was injured in the mishap, police state.

The state government arranged another bus from Kohima to ferry the returnees to Tuensang.

12 arrive by AI flight DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): An Air India flight carrying 12 passengers – four women and eight men – from Guwahati landed at Dimapur airport on Friday.

After medical screening, all the passengers were taken to Agri expo by Nagaland State Transport bus for further segregation and transportation to different designated quarantine centres after going through mandatory procedures, a DIPR report stated. Earlier on June 5, ten returnees arrived Dimapur by AI flight by the Kolkata-Dibrugarh flight. They could not be accommodated in the flight on June 4.

respective districts after providing them food packets, snacks and water.

As per the new Standard Operating Procedure, all the returnees were received, screened and despatched by Team Dimapur to their respective districts.

Lotha Youth Organisation volunteers assisted Team Dimapur in smooth management of the protocols. The food packets for all the passengers were donated by chief minister Neiphiu Rio and his family.

Another Shramik special train carrying around 1,300 people stuck at Ahmedabad in Gujarat is scheduled to arrive at Dimapur on June 8, a PTI report stated.

h e C OV I D - 1 9 pandemic has posed one of the stiffest challenges ever on the government health and administrative systems including society. Around seven thousand stranded people from Nagaland have returned and several thousand are kept in institutional quarantine centres spread over the state.

Quarantine facilities in Dimapur are swelling with addition of hundreds of returnees each day.

The situation in Kohima is also no better while in other districts, the accommodation capacities will not be able to hold even a few hundred arriving in those districts.

As per official sources, Dimapur has the biggest number of beds available for 4643 persons in 91 designated quarantine facilities. However, due to accretion of hundreds from other districts in Dimapur, the committee on COVID-19 related activities headed

by Kikheto Sema including the district task force at Dimapur has decided

to send returnees to their respective districts. The fate of health team such as doctors, nurses and assistants including those managing various quarantine facilities across the state is a cause for deep concern.

The state does not have adequate number of doctors and nursing staff and this has been compounded by the demands of containing COVID-19.

Many doctors and nurses are said to be working long hours and without proper rest. Leave alone rest, many are apprehensive about their safety due to poor quality of PPE. According to a data provided by Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association (NIDA) most government hospitals were running way below the required strength. NIDA said presently 11 district hospitals were running with 51 Specialists as against the required 207, 63 NonSpecialists as against the 119 required and 200 nursing staff as against the required 645 for all district hospitals. (Cont’d on p-8)

‘Committed to resolve border issue with India’ international, Page 9

Nagaland records 14 COVID positive cases; tally now 94 COVID – 19 POSITIVE STATUS as of 11:00 AM, 5th June 2020 COVID HOSPITAL

Asymptomatic cases

Mild

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

56 0 4 12 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 78

15 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16

Symptomatic cases Critical TOTAL ICU ICU Moderate Severe (On venti- (Non-Ven- CASES lator) tilator) 0 0 0 0 71 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 94

teen new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the last 24 hours out of 235 samples tested.

All the samples tested were from Chennai returnees.”

According state nodal officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, Dr. Nyan Kikon the patients, who belong to Peren district, were lodged at designated government quarantine facilities in Dimapur.

All the positive cases were asymptomatic, he added.

As per the Health department bulleting, till date a total of 3883 COVID19 suspected samples had been sent for testing, out of which 2269 were negative and 94 positive cases and the remaining results were awaited.

Further, all 101 samples tested by TrueNat were negative.

Govt was unprepared for returnees: NPP TrueNat test machine installed in Dimapur

India’s COVID-19 tally reaches 2.28L

DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): National People’s Party (NPP), Nagaland State has alleged that the State government was not well-prepared and very rash in bringing back stranded people of Nagaland from various States of India without properly ascertaining the State’s preparedness in terms of health resources, screening facilities, quarantine centres, fully functional BSL-3 and BSL-2 laboratories, etc.

In an open representation to chief minister Neiphiu Rio, NPP Nagaland president Dr Andrew Ahoto Sema and general secretary (organisation) Limanuksung Longkumer also accused the government of not being transparent in utilisation of COVID-19 funds and sharing exaggerated amounts in public domain.

The representation noted that even after the returnees set their feet on home soil, there was no respite to their agonies. There were instances where they were kept waiting for hours in the name of screening without any food or water.

Most of the quarantine centres did not even have basic facilities available, with reports that some quarantine centres did not even have separate toilets.

NPP accused the chief minister of succumbing to pressures of few organisations and sending the returnees

to their respective districts, adding that sending the returnees to Tuensang without awaiting test results and a returnee who tested positive along with other returnees to Jalukie in Peren district were gross miscalculations on the government’s part.

The representation noted that the lower-level officials and staff could only be guided in such a situation when the higher-ups and senior officials use their wisdom and competency levels.

Referring to reports that samples of many returnees lodged at quarantine centres had not even been collected for testing, the party said there was a backlog of around 1,000 individuals who have not been screened or tested till now.

In this regard, it questioned the efficacy of the government in sending test samples to Dibrugarh, Assam by citing that the testing facility at Kohima was overloaded. Instead, the party said the government can mull using TrueNat Beta-Cov testing kits/machines as an alternative before more laboratories were made functional. Though, TrueNat Beta-Cov was not highly dependable, it could at least provide some reports based on which tests could be validated through tests at BSL-3 or (Cont’d on p-8) BSL-2 labs.

DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): State Health department Friday installed the first batch of TrueNat machine at COVID-19 hospital Dimapur (DHD).

In a tweet, Health minister Pangnyu said he was delighted to inform that the first batch of TrueNat (by Molbio diagnostics Pvt Ltd Goa) machine was installed at District Hospital, Dimapur (designated COVID-19 hospital). He said the department will be installing in other districts as well.

Truenat is a small machine that is battery operated and requires minimal training. It can also be easily used in a smaller setting. TrueNat MTB is an indigenous molecular test developed by MoIBio Diagnostics Pvt Ltd Goa for rapid detection of MTB using real-time micro PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The price of a machine ranges between Rs.4.5 to Rs. 6.5 lakh.

• The sample of the throat and the nasal swab is

DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): Nagaland’s COVID-19 cases Friday rose to 94 after 14 more people were tested positive of the infection.

The 14 positive cases were reported from Dimapur but belonged to Peren district. All of them had recently retur ned from Chennai by a special train on May 22.

In a tweet, Health and Family Welfare minister S Pangnyu Phom said: “Four-

TrueNat machine installed at Dimapur COVID-19 Hospital. (Twitter)

collected.

• The machine can easily give the result between 30-60 minutes.

• The machine can run up to 32-48 samples of multiple diseases such as COVID-19, HIV, and TB in a four-way. The cost of a test on Truenat machines will be of Rs 1000-Rs.1500.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on April 10, 2020 validated the usage of TrueNat, a diagnostic machine for Tuberculosis , for COVID-19 tests.

The TrueNat machines are used to test drug-resistant Tuberculosis (TB).

ICMR had recom-

mended the use of the Truenat beta CoV test on Truelab workstation only as a screening test. It has also approved the use of US-FDA approved real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) systems such as GeneXpert and Roche Cobas- 6800/800 in emergency situations. However, ICMR did mention that Truenat beta CoV test should only be performed with all biosafety precautions in BSL-2 or BSL-3 setups at designated laboratories. Performing this test for SARS-CoV2 in mobile test units without proper biosafety level-2 checks is not recommended.

NEW DELHI, JUN 5 (PTI): Nationwide count of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 2.28 lakh on Friday and the death toll crossed 6,500, while the number of states with four-digit or bigger tallies has doubled since May 1 when migrant movements began in special trains from big urban clusters to their villages. Some of these states have seen their tallies rising more than 10-fold.

In its latest update this morning, the ministry said the number of confirmed cases has risen to 2,26,770 and the death toll has grown to 6,348 now -- marking nearly six-fold jump in the case count and an over fivefold surge in the number of fatalities since May 1.

A PTI tally of figures announced by different states and union territories, as of 9.15 PM, showed the number of confirmed cases having risen further to 2,28,038 and the death toll to 6,557.

Organisations flay sending of COVID patient to Peren Dimapur in need of more medical personnel DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): Several organisations have condemned the sending a Chennai returnee, who was tested positive for COVID19, to Jalukie, Peren dis-

This is it!

“To solve our economic problem, why not form a COVID-19 Union? We can apply for permit to collect donations.”

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trict along with 16 others from Dimapur quarantine centre(s) June 3, 2020 evening even before test results were out.

ZSUN: Zeme Students’ Union, Nagaland (ZSUN) said despite the state government’s assurance that it was well-prepared to tackle any kind of COVID-19 related eventuality the general public could see a gross negligence on the part of the government.

ZSUN through its media cell alleged that the government has utterly disregarded Peren JAC’s appeal and sent the returnees awaiting test results.

The union also stated that there was a total failure on the part of the authorities in abiding the SOP issued by the state government.

Questioning the “authenticity and seriousness” of the government in han-

dling the current pandemic, the ZSUN has demanded an official assurance for the safety of medical healthcare workers, returnees and all frontline workers designated within Peren district.

It also demanded setting up of BSL-3 laboratory in the district “by any means” with lab experts as the district has positive case now.

Further, the union affirmed not to endorse the government decision to send back COVID-19 positive returnees to their respective districts unless standard medical equipment/ facilities were provided in the designated COVID-19 hospital.

ZSUN cautioned the state government not to repeat “ill-handling” of Covid-19 in the future.

Failing to address its demands, the union said it

should not be held for any kind of eventuality.

ZSUN: Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN) has strongly condemned the responsible authority and officer in charge for their “recurrent irresponsible and negligence” action meted out to the returnees belonging to Peren District in total violation of revised SOP by sending Covid-19 positive patient along with 16 returnees.

In a press release, ZSUN ZSUN president Dithuibo Newmai and general secretary Adona Herie said that violation of SOP and the error of judgment admitted by the district surveillance team Dimapur were unjustifiable and “cannot be compromised against the innocent human lives.”

It stated that the “recurrent irresponsible attitude” by the state government after

Tuensang incident was “an insult” to people of Peren district in particular and to the Nagas in general.

ZSUN has, therefore, appealed to state chief minister and the governor of Nagaland to constitute immediate disciplinary action against the responsible officers “for creating the mess.”

DDCF: Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) has said that repeated violation of the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) by the government has deeply disheartened the people of Nagaland and questioned whether if it was intentionally done.

DDCF through its media cell stated that people had high expectations of better handling of the situation after a new team headed by the chief minister was (Cont’d on p-8) set up.

HPC members during the meeting with Dimapur district team at Hotel Saramati.

DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): Members of High Power Committee (HPC) minister Neiba Kronu and advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon, who are also Nagaland state spokespersons for COVID 19 activities, met Team Dimapur at Hotel Saramati Friday for reviewing the present situation and also to oversee the preparedness for the reception of the returnees.

According to an official bulletin, the Kronu acknowledged the contribution of Team Dimapur and said that Dimapur has been shouldering maximum burden by taking care of more

than 70% returnees.

PHED minister, Jacob Zhimomi, who is in charge of Dimapur district, emphasised on the urgent need of more medical personnel in Dimapur and suggested requisitioning doctors from less burdened districts. Zhimomi also reiterated the decision of the state cabinet to convert Tourist lodge Dimapur into COVID Hospital in view of the shortage of hospital facilities.

Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon appreciated the work bring carried out by District Task Force Dimapur and conveyed appreciation to

the chief minister and all the civil society organisations and churches for supporting the efforts.

Advisor Zhaleo Rio felt that the HPC ought to have serious thought for providing health workers by understanding the magnitude of the Dimapur situation.

H&FW secretary, Kesonyu Yhome, informed that as far as human resources were concerned, Dimapur would be accorded priority as per urgency of the situation. He also said that CISHR would assist the government for tackling COVID cases.

(Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C

state

2

ICAR-NRCM celebrates 32nd foundation day

DIMAPUR: ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun (ICAR-NRCM), Medziphema, Nagaland celebrated its 32nd foundation day on June 2.

According to a press release, speaking via video conference from New Delhi as chief guest in the function, secretary DARE and director general, ICAR, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra inaugurated the new website of ICAR-NRCM and statewide painting and drawing competition for school children of Nagaland. He lauded the efforts of ICARNRCM in deciphering the origin of mithun by nextgeneration sequencing and providing regular training to mithun farmers. He also stressed to explore and utilise latest technologies like microchip and GPS tracker to ensure traceability and stressed on the need for mithun breeding policy, selection of mithun bulls, extended use of embryo transfer technique in mithun and popularization of mithun meat and milk.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra

While delivering the foundation day lecture, guest of honour, Dr. Kamal Malla Bujarbaruah, former vice-chancellor, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and deputy director general (animal science), ICAR commended ICAR-NRCM in handling issues pertaining to research and extension.

Dr. Bujarbaruah urged to take up future research on rumen microbiome, mithun genomics, improving germplasm, and multiplying the same through assisted reproductive technology.

Guest of honour Dr.

Bhupendra Nath Tripathi, deputy director general (animal science), ICAR appreciated the success of ICAR-NRCM and how in 32 years, a huge proportion of the tribal population of northeast India had benefitted from the institute, especially mithun farmers.

Dr. Tripathi urged to focus on the impact of diseases and finding out the risk and causal factors that have led to a decline in the mithun population in Nagaland.

Earlier, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, director, ICARNRCM welcomed dignitaries and highlighted the achievements of the institute over the last 32 years.

Directors of several animal science institutes of ICAR namely, IVRI, Izatnagar, NIANP, Bengaluru, NISHAD, Bhopal, scientists, staff members of several KVKs and farmers from all the mithun rearing states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland participated in the online programme.

LMS Wokha requisitioned for HSLC/HSSLC purposes

DIMAPUR: Libemo Memorial School (LMS) Wokha has been requisitioned for distribution of HSLC & HSSLC mark sheets/collection & submission of admission forms.

According to DIPR report, in view of the situation arising out of the COVID19 pandemic and in order to facilitate the successful students on account of declaration of HSLC & HSSLC examination results, deputy commissioner, Wokha, Orenthung Lotha has requisitioned three rooms at LMS building for distribution of HSLC & HSSLC mark sheets. Collection of admission forms, submission of forms for admission process in respect of class XI (Arts & Science) for the academic

session of 2020-21 will also be conducted in LMS building.

This order has been issued due to requisition of Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) building and premises for institutional quarantine centers to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Further, the DC informed that, for any query one may contact senior principal GHSS, Wokha at 9612247378. School authority of LMS has been advised to ensure that social distancing be maintained and follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the government of Nagaland. This order shall remain valid till such time quarantine centers are lifted by the government.

BJP Nagaland appoints spokesperson

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 5 (NPN): In the interest of the party and in exercise to the power conferred to the president BJP Nagaland by the constitution of the party under Article XII (1) and (3) state BJP president, Temjen Imma Along on Friday appointed Samuel Sumi as spokesperson for the tenure 2020-2023. The president in its appointment order stated that Samuel Sumi will also hold the charge of PRO to the state president Nagaland unit as and when his service was required. The appointment shall come into force with immediate effect, the statement added.

construction of 4 bedded ICU underway at CHC Jalukie DIMAPUR: Taking into account the urgent need of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) room at Peren district designated COVID Hospital, CHC Jalukie during the COVID crisis, despite limited resources, a group of well wishers from Peren district with their own expenditure took the initiative to construct 4 bedded ICU rooms measuring about 26x16 (feet) attached with bathroom and oxygen room measuring 6x16 (feet) at CHC Jalukie.

According to a DIPR report, the construction project was initiated by banker, Haizin Mpom, CHC Jalukie staff, Izierang Nza and Namnabi Hegui as the committee members.

Well-wishers apar t from constructing the ICU rooms also contributed 3 cylinders of oxygen to meet With the contribution of 300 saplings from forest department, Dimapur, Tenyiphe 2 the urgent needs of CHC village students union along with its youth body Tenyiphe youth organisation (TYO) Hospital, Jalukie. celebrated WED by organising a mass plantation of the saplings.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

DTF Peren and Phek hold meetings

DIMAPUR: Peren district task force (DTF) and Phek DTF hold meeting over COVID-19 to deliberate on various preparedness activities in their respective districts.

DTF Peren: District Task Force (DTF) Peren along with Joint Action C o m m i t t e e ( JA C ) o n COVID-19 held an emergency meeting at customary court, ADC office Jalukie on June 4, under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Peren. According to DIPR report, during the course of meeting the house deliberated various agenda. On receipt of information that a positive case has entered the district, the following areas have been hereby contained, JNV quarantine facility 1 block (A & B), GMS sector (A) Jalukie, AINE Nursing Home shall cater to all non COVID-19 patients from June 5, Peren College shall be activated for lodging of returnees from June 5, while CHC Jalukie is declared as COVID Hospital.

All activities shall proceed as per SOP, individual ICMR results of all the returnees who were tested from Dimapur should be shared with the DTF and

liaison officers in order to avoid future mistakes, for media coverage Dr. Kevilhulie Meyase, DSO shall be the spokesperson for the district and all information to be routed through him and the DPRO only. The IDSP team shall coordinate with ICMR registration and functioning of TRUENAT sampling.

DTF Phek: Phek district task force held an emergency meeting on COVID19 with various NGOs and frontal organizations at DC conference hall on June 3.

According to DIPR report, speaking at the meeting, DC stated that NGOs and frontal organizations were integral team to fight against the virus and that rather than panicking, the frontal organizations should come forward and have joint efforts with DTF to put an end to the pandemic. DC apprised attendees not to panic as returnees will be sent to respective districts only after receiving test results. While informing that only positive tested patients with mild symptoms will be sent to district COVID-19 hospital, he urged citizens to abide by SOP strictly promulgated by the government and restrain from adhering to divergent

joint resolutions and self-imposed SOPs by various organizations. DC informed that liaison officers would be sent to Dimapur to coordinate with district administration for safe passage of returnees who would be escorted by Police personnel till destination and sent to their respective districts. CMO Phek apprised that medical team was ready with preparedness to accommodate patients at COVID-19 hospital in case of emergency and patients coming with respiratory distress also can be treated as there were adequate oxygen cylinders. The only setback was that oxygen cylinders are refilled in Kohima. She also added that there were 26 quarantine centres with 770 beds at present under Phek.

Meanwhile, medical superintendent, Phek informed that there was one ventilator while one was under procurement. NGOs under Phek district requested officials present to honestly specify the availabilities and non- availabilities of the equipments required to cater the needs of the present pandemic so as to work hand in hand and bring about solution in the event of nonavailability.

Ovung-led NPGN/NNC (N/A) reacts to claim

DIMAPUR: T. Ovung-led NPGN/NNC (N/A) has reacted the claim of Mhathung Tsopoe and Kiyelho Wokhami-led NPGN/NNC (N/A) that the group would continue to “uphold firm stand towards the framework agreement” signed on August 3, 2015 between government of India and NSCN/GPRN (I-M).

Ovung-led NPGN/ NNC (N/A) through its MIP claimed that the “terminated person so called Kiyelhou” has formed another new organisation to allegedly carry out “extortions and criminals activities only for his own benefits which is totally against the yezhaabo.”

It stated NPGN/NNC (N/A) under the leadership of T. Ovung was “still intact” with T. Ovung as its president. MIP claimed that Kiyelhou had “called upon

president of a particular faction on March 7, 2020 at his own place to form a new faction and the said president was agreed to join him along with his followers without the knowledge of our president T. Ovung which was totally against the Yezhaabo.”

According to MIP, its president T. Ovung has appealed to Nagas and all factions not to recognise “this newly formed group and not to entertain them as faction” saying “their intentions is only to extort the Nagas, not for the nation.”

It further claimed that Kiyelhou had no right to talk about the framework agreement of NSCN (I-M) that was “purely between NSCN (I-M) and T. Ovung president of NPGN/NNC (N/A) and the support to framework agreement is still intact.”

Students of St. Mary Higher Secondary School Dimapur marked WED by planting trees and drawing at home with the assistance of their families to encourage the importance of preserve and protect the environment.

Assam Rifles conduct various programmes

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) have been conducting programmes and other civic action activities across the state for the welfare of the general public.

Interaction with village functionaries: Kiphire battalion held an interaction with village functionaries of Chiphur village.

Commandant, Kiphire battalion highlighted the need to follow lockdown instructions in the fight against COVID-19. Interaction was also held with an Assam Rifles exserviceman, a war veteran Khonoma Students’ Union volunteers planting trees as part of World Environment of 1962, 1965 & 1971 wars.

Day celebration on June 5 at Kohnoma village.

His constructive role in the betterment of the village,

continuing the tradition of Assam Rifles of service before self, was appreciated.

Felicitation of student: As part of the initiative towards empowering the youth of Nagaland, Kiphire battalion felicitated Chumliba R of Loyola higher secondary school for securing the first position in the overall merit in arts stream in HSSLC. Recognising his hard work and perseverance in the accomplishment, Chumliba was felicitated by commandant Kiphire AR Bn, with a certificate of appreciation and souvenirs.

Medical assistance: Tuensang battalion provided medical assistance to

a boy, resident of Monyakshu village, Mon district, who was bitten by a snake while working in the paddy field. Timely medical assistance provided by nursing assistant at Changlangshu COB averted further criticality. Parents of the individual and villagers thanked Assam Rifles for the assistance.

Setting up water facility at quarantine centre: Ghaspani battalion assisted district administration in providing water on June 2 at quarantine facility set up at co-operative training centre, Medziphema. The initiative was appreciated by the administration and residents of Medziphema.

Various churches prepare food for quarantine centers in Kohima DIMAPUR: Under the initiatives of Kohima Baptist Pastor Fellowship (KBPF) at present 12 churches from Kohima in the first phase have been assigned to prepare food every day for the quarantine facilities in Kohima. According to DIPR report, the daily schedule includes breakfast at 7 am to 8 am, lunch from 12 noon and dinner from 6 pm to 7 pm every day.

The following church listed in the first phase are KBPF official, NBCC staff KBYF official, KTBWU official, Union

Mount Saramati School students and staffs observed WED under the theme “biodiversity”. Activities like watering plants, planting saplings, cleaning surroundings, managing wastes etc were carried out at homes.

Maintaining social distancing, faculty and staff of Patkai Christian College (autonomous) carried out plantation drive in the campus to mark WED on Friday.

Baptist Church Peraciezie Baptist Church, Ao Baptist Church, Sumi Aphuyemi Baptist Church, Konyak Baptist Church, Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima, Midland Baptist Church, Minister Hill Baptist Church, New Capital Baptist Church, Chakhesang Baptist Church Minister’s Hill Kohima and Police Baptist church Thizama 4th NAP Kohima. The list of churches to serve in the second phase will be notified as soon as the turn of the first phase is over.

Demonstration on cultivation of UPAS-120

DIMAPUR: ATMA Dimapur, Niuland Block, conducted demonstration on cultivation methods of Pigeon pea (UPAS-120) at Ghotovi Village on May 29. A press release from ATMA Dimapur, stated that Scientist Agronomy, AICRP on Pigeonpea, Department of agriculture, Mangkolemba distributed farm machineries such as SASRD: NU, Medziphema, Dr. Lawrence Kithan, spoke on benefits of growing pipower tiller, power cultivator, brush cutters and post hole-digger under SMAM geon pea, both as grain and legume plant for fixing nitrogen in soil. He advised farmon June 1. SDAO, Mangkolemba, A. Temsu Aier distributed the machineries to 30 ers to maintain depth of sowing of 5 cm for proper germination as well as adequate spacing to reduce competition for nutrients. farmer beneficiaries.

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Modern Institute of Teacher Education, Kohima observed “world environment day” virtually, where painting competition and photography competition was conducted. Student and teachers of semester-II and semester-IV participated in the competitions.

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

‘World Environment Day’ observed across Nagaland Dimapur District

CCA Ruzhaphema delivered 3000 bundles of wild vegetables to the ADC Dimapur. (NP) DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): Nagaland along with the rest of the world observed “World Environment Day” on June 5 by organising plantation drives and various other activities with a purpose to encourage awareness and action, for protection of the environment and to prevent loss of biodiversity.

NEPED: Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED) in collaboration with Community Conservative Areas (CCAs) of Nagaland under the banner of Nagaland Community Conservation Areas Forum (NCCAF) celebrated WED under the theme “time for nature”. CCA Ruzhaphema delivered 3000 bundles of wild vegetables to the ADC Dimapur to be utilized as per necessity at CERES complex, Dimapur.

In a brief programme, ADC Dimapur Lovitoly Sema thanked CCAs for their contribution and encouraged to continue farming and agriculture activities as it was a need of the hour for people cannot depend on outside sources alone. “We need to work hard, go back to our resources, land and

try to cultivate and bring out products”, she added. Sema also stated that the activities that conservative community had been initiating will help the society benefit in the long run. Furthermore, Sema encouraged all to conserve and preserve the environment and informed that the vegetables delivered would be handed to the three catering groups which are catering to more than fifty quarantine centres.

(Staff Reporter) DAABC & Ao civil societies: Commemorating World Environment Day, Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Churches (DAABC) and Ao civil societies who have been managing the quarantine centre at Dimapur Government College (DGC) organized a plantation drive on Friday, at DGC premises.

The drive was participated by 245 stranded returnees from Goa, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, who have been quarantined at DGC from June 1. Around 100 tree saplings were planted, accordingly maintaining social distancing. The saplings were provided by the divisional forest office Dimapur.

(Staff Reporter)

ICAR-NRCM: ICARnational research centre on mithun (ICAR-NRCM), Medziphema, organised a webinar on “perspective of agroforestry for improved mithun husbandry” to mark WED. A press release from ICAR-NRCM stated that speakers and specialists were invited from across the country to create awareness on the implications of agroforestry for improved mithun husbandry in North East India. The online programme commenced with virtual tree plantation at mithun farm, ICARNRCM. Chairman of the webinar, Dr. S. K. Chaudhari, deputy director general (natural resource management), ICAR, chaired applauded the conservation efforts of ICAR-NRCM for increase in mithun population in the country while stressing on value addition and selection of trees for improved mithun nutrition and the adoption of the Khonoma model of agroforestry.

Dr. Habibur Rahman, ILRI regional representative, South Asia, and former deputy director general (animal science), ICAR spoke on the importance of livestock for earning a livelihood and while appreciating the concept of semi-intensive mithun farming being framed and popularised by ICAR-NRCM in northeast India, Dr. Rahman stressed on the necessity of the development of technologies and their transfer to poor farmers and urged to prepare a roadmap to augment the mithun population in Nagaland. Highlighting the potentiality of mithun

Wokha District

WHESYWF: Wokha Humtso Elumyo Senior Youth Welfare Forum (WHESYWF) carried out a plantation drive at Christian Medical Institute (CMC), Vankhosung, Wokha to commemorate the World Environment Day under the theme “Biodiversity”. General Secretary, WHESYWF Following strict social distancing norms the Forum all together planted 150 saplings.

Earlier the plantation drive commenced with a prayer from Thungro Kikon, Chaplin, CMC, Wokha.

The Managing Director, CMC, Dr. Rilanthung Odyuo also expressed his warm gratitude to the Forum and encouraged the participants and all concern citizens to develop time for nature.

Wokha: Along with the rest

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Have protests against the killing of Floyd George tur ned into loot and plunder ?

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

A B C

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A

B

C

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

75% 0% 25%

Next poll

Q: Is it safe to reopen

educational institutions

by July this year?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST June 6

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A strong a.m. t-storm; cloudy 32 25 Aizawl

Some rain and a thunderstorm 27 20

Guwahati An a.m. shower or two; cloudy 32 24 Imphal

A stray a.m. t-storm; cloudy

Itanagar Rain tapering off

29 21 24 20

Shillong

An afternoon thundershower

24 18

Kohima

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

23 18

Dimapur Cloudy with a stray t-storm

29 23

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

24 18

Tuensang Cloudy with a thunderstorm

19 15

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

23 19

Zunheboto Cloudy with a thunderstorm

22 16

Mkg Wokha

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of the world Wokha district celebrated World Environment Day at DC’s Public Park under the theme “Biodiversity” organized by Wokha Forest Division and Doyang Plantation Division. Deputy Commissioner, Wokha OrenthungLotha while speaking on the occasion, said it is very encouraging to see young people taking active part and participating during such events and urged them to be the agents of change in spreading awareness in preserving and conserving our environment. He also added, it is not only the domain of the Forest department alone in preserving our forest but it is the responsibility of everyone and called for community participation in preserving the forest.

Due to the depletion of environment

to make people self-reliant in northeast India, Dr. Shiv Kumar Dhyani, senior agroforestry specialist, ICRAF South Asia regional program deliberated on the researchable issues pertaining to nutrient composition and strategic propagation of mithun fodder Dr. Virendra Pal Singh, representative for South Asia at CIAT, CGIAR, who joined the webinar from the Philippines stressed on determining the carrying capacity of forest land so that mithun husbandry becomes sustainable. He highlighted the importance of healthy soil for producing healthy fodder.

DMI St. Joseph Global School: DMI St. Joseph Global School observed WED by assigning several activities to students from kindergartens to class X. A press release from DMI St. Joseph Global School, students planted saplings, made posters, collages depicting flora and fauna of Nagaland, collecting and learning names of plants and animals at home along with their scientific names and their importance. Students also participated in art and craft activities with waste materials and dried leaves. The activities emphasised the importance of preserving and conserving biodiversity to save human lives on earth. Higher classes created awareness on the preservation of biodiversity in Nagaland. Students posters stressed on the importance of people’s wilful participation in protecting the environment.

The occasion was marked with planting of saplings by children in their kitchen

even animals are coming closer to human habitation and stated that it is time for us to give outmost care in preserving our environment for the betterment of our future generation.Superintended of Police, Wokha, Imtitoshi said our forest is very rich with so many varieties of plants and vegetation which are not found in other parts of the county but lamented that those plants are disappearing rapidly from our forest due to deforestation and called for community participation in conserving our forest.

The function was chaired by RFO Baghty Range, Lansothung Lotha, while DFO Doyang, Chisayi, IFS delivered the key note address.

The programme ended with planting of trees at the DC’s public park.

Kiphire District

gardens, farm and homes.

The celebration was coordinated and conducted by social science department of the school.

173 CRPF Battalion: 173 CRPF battalion Airfield Dimapur celebrated WED at its unit headquarter by planting trees in the camp areas. A press release from 173 BN CRPF stated that Vishnu Gautam, commandant, 173 Bn highlighted on the importance of tree plantation and that the initiative will go a long way in inculcating awareness about conservation. The unit resolved to use cloth bags and make all camp areas a polythene/plastic free zone. Emphasizing the need to protect and conserve the environment by CRPF under the leadership of DG CRPF, he said that CRPF had always protected and conserved the environment and in this, 173 Bn pledged to plant 10000 trees this monsoon. So far 2500 trees have been planted at various location of the unit of which maximum plantation has been carried at CRPF land at Chumukedima for which the new battalion headquarter will be established shortly.

EMRS: Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Diphupar celebrated WED under the theme, “celebrate biodiversity”. Activities such as tree plantation and cleaning of campus were conducted maintaining social distance. Online classwise competition such as painting, poster-making, slogan writing, model construction and essay writing were also held. Winners and runners up from every class were awarded.

phek District

PVWSC: Pfutseromi village water and sanitation committee (PVWSC) and department of environment, forests and climate change Pfutsero range observed WED at Pfutseromi village. Forester Verasuyi addressed the gathering and shared the importance of preserving the environment.

A press release from VCC, Menyelhi mero stated that the village council chairman informed that Pfutseromi village have been observing WED for years and would continue to do so as they do their bit to contribute to the environment. Meanwhile, the department donated tree saplings to the village, while water and sanitation committee distributed 750 face masks to the villagers.

Longleng District

Kohima District

C.M. Chang flagging off the transportation of seedlings to be presented to the CM and his cabinet.

DoEFCC: Department the Nagaland Community of environment, forests & Conservation Area Forum climate change (DoEFCC) (NCCAF) donated wild organised a video confer- vegetables to the Kohima ence on WED under the district administration. theme, “celebrate biodiverAccording to a DIPR sity”, which was graced by report, the team leader C.M. Chang, minister envi- NEPED & Commissioner ronment, forest & climate & Secretary, K. Libanthung change and law & justice and Lotha stated that the donaattended by field officers of tion was to showcase the various offices of the depart- important role played by ment. A press release from the community having the Temjenyabang, conservator CCAs across Nagaland. The of forests stated that while team leader in his short note speaking on the occasion, stated that the World EnviChang maintained that the ronment Day is celebrated theme was relevant in the with the theme “Time for state’s context as Nagaland Nature” with a focus on has a rich biodiversity and its role in providing the esis part of the Indo-Burma sential infrastructure that biological hotspot. He stated supports life on earth and that while God has blessed human development. “Dethe state with rich biodiver- spite all benefits that our sity, pressure from human nature gives us, we still misactivities and increasing treat and misuse it too. That population was making the is why we need to observed environment unsustainable. it in a befitting manner to He stated that environmental create awareness among all damage should be mini- of us”, he added. Keeping mised and mitigated with this in line, the NEPED sensitisation, enforcement and NCCAF celebrated and restoration and that the day to create awareness due to pollution caused by through the donation of anthropogenic activities, wild vegetables that is in many species were becoming CCA’s the rich biodiversity extinct. The minister stated in Nagaland. that projects such as the JaNCC group Kohima: pan International Coopera- Amid lockdown and canceltion Agency (JICA) assisted lation of all NCC courses/ Nagaland forest manage- activities, WED was planned ment project and the com- by units of NCC Kohima munity conservation project group maintaining COVIDof KfW will go a long way 19 protocols with various in restoring the biodiversity activities on the occasion. of Nagaland and stressed on A press release from comthe participation of villagers manding officer, 24 NCC who were the real custodians Kohima, the celebration of the richest biodiversity stated that national environareas. The minister also ment awareness programme distributed two wheelers to (NEAP) was also organised field management unit under by 24 NL (I) Coy, Kohima Kohima district and project in collaboration with 16 UP management unit of NFMP. NCC Bn, Prayagraj . Online The minister also flagged quiz test for 200 NCC caoff the transportation of dets on environment related seedlings to be presented to subjects was held. Online the chief minister, cabinet certificates will also be given ministers and advisors. to cadets scoring minimum NEPED Kohima & of 60 percent followed by NCCAF: The Nagaland incentives to cadets holding Empowerment of People position from 1st to 5th. through Economic Develop NCC Cdts & ANOs Kohima (NEPED) Kohima, Na- Gp as part of social activities galand in collaboration with put an effort to create aware-

ness to preserve and protect the environment as a social and moral duty.

IQAC Kohima college: IQAC, Kohima College organised an awareness programme on WED and distributed custom made reusable face masks to daily wage earners and vendors in Kohima covering New Secretariat to BOC. A press release from mass media cell, Kohima College stated that under the theme “biodiversity”, IQAC, Kohima college organised and sponsored a project and online contest, “KCK lockdown biodiversity: it’s never a wrong time to give back to nature” for students of the college, urging them to take part in eco-friendly activities during this lockdown, posting pictures of them and engaging in said activities on social media platforms.

The activities included gardening, tree-planting, taking care of animals, recycling/ upcycling, practising the 3Rs of Sustainability, Waste Management, etc. KVK Peren: KVK Phek, ICARNRCM observed WED under the theme, “celebrate biodiversity”. Tree plantation drive was carried out in and around the campus.

Masks and planting materials were distributed to Porba Students’ Union (PSU) during the programme.

MCC: Model Christian College (MCC), Kohima marked WED through online slogan and painting competition under the theme, “celebrate biodiversity: time for nature”, with a view to promote environmental awareness and for action to protect the environment. The slogan competition was won

by NukuluRuho of BA 6th semester which read “nature without biodiversity equals a colouring book without hues”, while Leemei Sophia, BA 6th semester won the painting competition. GMS Ruzaphema: Government Middle School (GMS) Ruzaphema observed WED by cleaning the school premises and planting trees with the participation of school children, school management committee members and teachers while maintaining social distance. Participants were sensitised on the importance of preservation and conservation of biodiversity. Some of the parents and youth also turned up voluntarily to repair classrooms and participate in the plantation activity.

Mokokchung District

Zunheboto

PBCA: Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA), Mission Centre Nyengching (MCN), Longleng in collaboration with forest division, Longleng observed “green mission-cum-world environment day” at Lempong headquarter. A press release frpm PBCA media cell stated that green mission was launched with the initiative of PBCA on June 5, 2018 with an objective to protect the environment and nature and envisioning a green, clean and healthy environment. Phom churches under PBCA have planted more than 12000 sapling trees within Longleng district with the initiative of green mission perspective and look forward to plant more trees. Meanwhile, PBCA encouraged all as responsible citizens to protect, save and Thanamir village students’ union members and care for the environment. PBCA churches planted around MTLT and The Treehouse faculty members planting others during the plantation drive. tree saplings in Mokokchung on June 5.

5000 saplings this year.

MTLT & The Treehouse: Mokokchung Town Lanur TVSU: Thanamir village students’ union (TVSU) Telongjem (MTLT) in collaboration with The Treehouse in collaboration with village council and church youth (educational institution) observed the World Environment observed WED under the theme “celebrating biodiversity” at Thanamir village. A press release from its vice president Shamator: Led by ADC, Lankonsen Tsanglao with Day (WED) by planting trees in and around Mokokchung and general secretary stated that invitee asst. commandant staff and officers, Shamator marked WED by planting town on Friday, June 5 under the theme “Biodiversity – It’s time for nature”. In a press release MTLT through its VG Pungro, K Asetsü and Kevichiituo Mepfhuo SDO sapling in the office premises and nearby roads.

PHED Pungro emphasised on the importance of trees Meanwhile, district administration Tuensang and medial cell stated that the tree planting drive was actively for the environment and for people at Thanamir. Asetsü mahila shakti kendra, district level centre for women con- initiated by the MTLT grievances cell convener, Aolong encouraged student leaders highlight on the importance of ducted online essay competition under the aegis of BBB to Imchen and The Treehouse proprietor, Arenla Lemtur, protecting trees and forests and that people must minimize mark WED under the topic, “importance of biodiversity where around thirty volunteers actively participated in the unnecessary harvest of plants and forest which caused conservation”. The essay competition was conducted at plantation drive. Though the whole world is going through destruction to environment. The plantation drive was car- all quarantine centres under Tuensang district to exercise an extraordinary situation, the MTLT felt that taking care ried out with thuja occidentalis plant, cherry, olive, apple oneself mentally, physically and intellectual. District level of the nature is the responsibility of every individual and and prunes domestica. The programme was attended by essay competition was also hosted for class 9 and 10 stu- organization in the society. As such, the World Environment Day was observed to so as to contribute something council members, students, youths and village guards. dents on the topic “time for nature”.

More than 300 tree saplings were planted.

Noklak: WED 2020 was observed at Noklak town to the society through the tree plantation activity and also KTC: Kiphire Town Council (KTC) along with under the theme “Conserve Biodiversity” organised by 45 to create awareness in the society about the importance of various NGOs and ward chairman in collaboration with Assam Rifle, Noklak A Coy. Speaking on the occasion, taking care of our biodiversity. On the occasion, the first the district administration celebrates World Environment Major Anuj Mahant said the region has a rich biodiversity tree was symbolically planted by the Mokokchung DC, Day at deluxe point Kiphire on June 5. and urged the people to continue to conserve the biodiversity Limawapang Longkumer at the Deputy Commissioner’s Accroding to DIPR report, Deputy Commissioner, and also advised all to plant trees. With a few participants, office complex. Thereafter, the MTLT and The Treehouse Sarita Yadav stated that Nagaland is gifted with so many the plantation drive and programme has been carried out volunteers planted trees at the IMDH (District Hospital things like beautiful landscape, water, river, forest etc but maintaining a social distancing along with all the precau- complex), the district jail, P. Shilu Ao Park, the Mokokcwe are destroying all the beauty of the nature by cutting tions due to the pandemic. Major Anuj also presented gifts hung town park, the Mission Compound, Aongza ward, down more and more trees and plants which leads to to all the participants of Adora Children home during the BOC, Sungkomen ward and the Urban Health Centre, landslide and soil erosion. She urged all the leaders to short programme held at Assam Rifle camp Noklak. Earlier, Yimyu ward. The tree saplings were provided by the district plant more trees for the next generation because we never the participants march in the main town as an awareness forest office, Mokokchung. The MTLT has also pledged to know what is going to happen in days to come. on Environment Day holding banners. More than hundreds safeguard the environment by creating more awareness and Later, plantation of trees along the road side was saplings of pines and order ornamental trees were planted partnering with the different stakeholders in the society in organised within the town of Kiphire. in the main town and AR camp area. making a cleaner and greener Mokokchung.

Tuensang District

3

Zunheboto administration: Zunheboto district observed WED at district headquarters. Localities and wards were cleaned and harmful wastes were disposed. A press release from COVID India media reporter Bombo K Yeptho stated that Zunheboto Sumi Totimi Hoho (ZSTH) along with DC staff planted tree saplings and flowers at deputy commissioner’s residence as well as district COVID hospital, school areas, etc.

Sapotimi village also donated fresh vegetables to DTF which will be handed to the quarantine centre.

Satakha: World Environment Day was celebrated at Satakha where the programme was chaired by EAC Satakha, Saku Chang.

Keynote address was delivered by ADC Satakha, T.L. Kiusumong Tikhir. Heads of offices, GBs and other stakeholders attended the programme.

NU: WED was observed at Nagaland University headquarters Lumami.

A press release from PRO NU stated that registrar Dr. Abemo briefly highlighted the programme and speech was delivered by vice-chancellor, Prof. Pardeshi Lal who outlined the importance of celebrating WED, under the theme “celebrating biodiversity”. Cleaning of campus and planting of trees at various places were done.

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northeast

‘NE will catapult into trade hub’

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday said new paradigms will emerge post-COVID-19 with a potential for new breakthroughs in economy, trade and scientific research, catapulting the northeastern region as the economic hub of the country.

Inaugurating an eSymposia organised by APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis and IIM, Shillong, through video conference, Singh said in the last six years, under the Narendra Modi government, the northeastern region has made up for several lapses of the past and for the first time, the region received equal attention at par with other regions of the country.

Singh, the minister for development of north eastern region (DoNER), said this has not only instilled confidence among the people but also raised the capacity to engage with other parts of India as well as the countries outside, at different levels.

“New paradigms will emerge post-COVID-19 with a potential for new breakthroughs in economy,

NEHU ranks high in prestigious Nature Index Rankings Shillong, Jun 5: The North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong has been ranked number 40 (forty) among the higher educational institutions in the Academic Sector by the prestigious Nature Index for the year 2020, a varsity official said on Friday.

The 2020 tables are based on Nature index data from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.

Each year, the Nature Index publishes rankings based on counts of highquality research outputs, and is the indicator for inter national research performance. “Springer Nature” publishes top academia journals and Nature Index data and methods are very transparent and have high international credibility.

The ranking table by Nature Index are computed subject-wise taking into account all subjects/ jour nals and here too NEHU has obtained high rankings among the institutions in India. Chemistry in NEHU has ranked 31 while Life Sciences at 42 and Physical Sciences at 51.

Jitendra Singh trade, scientific research and several other diverse areas, catapulting Northeast as the economic hub of the country and a preferred destination for startups,” he said.

He said the region is slowly but firmly coming up as a new business destination of India.

Lamenting the lack of interest of the successive governments towards the comprehensive development of region in the past, the minister highlighted the initiatives taken by the NDA government for the comprehensive and holistic development of this region.

“Be it overcoming the connectivity issues or encouraging entrepreneurship

in the region, this government is fully committed to provide all possible assistance and support,” he said.

As can be seen, in the last six years, there has been a significant development in terms of road, rail and air connectivity, helping facilitate the movement of goods and persons not only across the region but also across the country, he said.

Singh said states Like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, which had not seen Railways till a few years ago, are now connected with trains.

Similarly, he said, states like Sikkim has seen an airport for the first time and other states are also

8 new COVID-19 cases in Manipur, tally rises to 132 Correspondent IMPHAL, Jun 5: Eight fresh cases of COVID-19 were detected in Manipur in the last 24 hours even as three patients were discharged after recovering on Friday.

With the eight new cases, the COVID-19 tally in Manipur rose to 132 with 91 active and 41 recovered cases. All the fresh cases were returnees, official source said.

The daily status update on COVID-19 of the state health department showed that a total of 1,104 samples were tested in the two state level VRDLs at RIMS and JNIMS during the last 24 hours, from 6.30 pm of June 4 till 6.30 pm of June 5.

Including the 1,104 whose results were received during the last 24 hours, a total of 14,629 samples have been tested for the contagion in the state till date as per the status update.

The eight positive cases were detected out of 490 samples tested at VRDL at RIMS and none of 606 samples tested at VRDL at JNIMS found positive for the virus. It further showed discharge of three more

patients from the COVID care facility at RIMS today to take the total number recovered patients in the state to 41. Of the 91 active cases currently undergoing treatment in the state, 38 were at the Covid care facility at RIMS hospital and 53 at JNIMS hospital.

On the other hand, the state recorded return of 1,555 people who were stranded outside the state due to the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.

Of them, 754 arrived at Jiribam railway station by special train and 531 by air at Imphal airport today.

Vehicles with 193 passengers on board also entered to the state through Mao gate and 77 through the Jiribam gate.

After 5,652 returnees were discharged after completing their quarantine period, 6,198 individuals are currently staying at institutional quarantine centres across the state.

Another 5,927 returnees were also discharged on completing their 14 days quarantine period, leaving a total of 11,958 at the community quarantine centres opened across the 60 Assembly constituencies of the state.

witnessing the opening of new ports or augmenting the facilities and capacities of the existing ones.

The minister said the Indo-Bangladesh treaty for exchange of enclaves, which was accomplished under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, has cleared the decks for ease of business, ease of movement and ease of commuting, which was earlier a tedious task.

“Very soon we are also going to have a train to Bangladesh from Tripura, heralding a new chapter and opening new vistas in the development of this region by providing the entire region access to the seaports,” he said. Needless to say, this will boost the trade across the borders especially with our eastern neighbours by leaps and bounds, he said.

Singh said the central government has also come up with a new scheme called “North East Road Sector Development Schemes” (NERSDS) for development and proper maintenance of inter-states roads within the region, which has colloquially acquired the name of ‘Orphaned Road’ because of its persistence neglect by both the connecting states.

5 more test positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, total- 22 Aizawl, Jun 5 (PTI): Five persons who returned to Mizoram recently tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 22, an official said.

Four of the new patients have come back from Delhi while the other person returned from Gujarat, he said. Of them fresh cases, two are females, he added.

The official said the five persons were among 340 people whose samples were tested on Thursday. The reports, which were received in the early hours of Friday, came in as negative for the rest 335 people.

Four of the patients were admitted to the Zoram Medical College before they tested positive, while one is at present lodged at an institutional quarantine facility in Aizawl, the official said.

The total number of active cases rose to 21 with the fresh detection. A person who tested positive after returning from Amsterdam in March has recovered from the disease. Samples of migrants who returned from places declared containment zones are being collected for testing.

COVID-19 is a warning to protect nature: Mnp CM

IMPHAL, Jun 5: The disastrous effect of COVID19 pandemic faced today is because of torture meted out to nature, said Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh in a speech on the occasion of the World Environment Day 2020 on Friday.

“The lesson we are taught by COVID-19 is nothing but giving a warning to take care of nature.

If not, the survival of the living things including humans will be at stake,” Singh worried.

He opined that the new corona virus pandemic was born out of human’s neglect of nature, environment and other living things with humans in the world.

“Over exploitation of the nature has led to the increasing natural disasters like untimely heavy rain, flood, drought, abnormal temperature etc. we face facing today,” he said and appealed the people to take care of the nature more than one’s own mother.

The chief minister cautioned the people that the disease could spread anywhere and infect any-

Manipur CM N Biren Singh planting tree saplings in Imphal in connection with World Environment Day on Friday. one if we do not take precautionary measures and obey the advisories, guidelines and protocols issued

by WHO, health ministry and medical experts.

Stating that more than 35,000 natives have returned to the state from different parts of the country, he said the state government has been taken up all precautionary and preventive measures to control the spread of COVID-19.

He appreciated the ef-

forts of frontline workers, CSOs, local volunteers in the fight against COVID19.

“With the co-operation and support of the people, there has been no single case of community transmission in the state till date,” he claimed.

At the same time, the chief minister appealed the returnees to obey strictly the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and guidelines issued by the government

from time to time.

He affirmed that a collective responsibility and understanding can defeat the COVID-19.

As World Environment Day 2020 was observed across the state at various levels, Singh led others in tree plantation in Imphal’s at Samadhi of Maharaj Gambhir Singh, Bir Tikendrajit Park and Rani Gaidinliu Park today.

Singh said that the essence of celebrating World Environment Day was to save human lives by protecting and preserving the environment. He maintained that natural disasters, global warming, climate change etc. were the consequences of the destruction of nature.

“Humans need nature for survival and nature doesn’t need us,” he added.

Giving importance to preserving forest and wildlife, the chief minister stated that “we must take necessary measures to save the earth.”

The chief minister said that the government has initiated “Green Manipur Mission” so as to conserve and preserve the forest area of the state.

One more COVID19 positive in Arunachal, total-42 Ita nag a r , J u n 5 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh reported one more COVID19 infection, taking the total number of active cases in the state to 42 in a span of 12 days, a senior health official said on Friday.

The fresh case was reported from Namsai district late on Thursday, he said.

The patient is a returnee from Tamil Nadu and asymptomatic, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) L Jampa said.

The state reported five coronavirus cases on Thursday.

Arunachal Pradesh’s first coronavirus patient was discharged from hospital in Lohit district on April 16.

M e a n w h i l e, t h e Changlang district administration has imposed restrictions on inter-circle movement of people in Diyun, Miao and Bordumsa circles, except for medical emergencies and other exigencies, Deputy Commissioner Devansh Yadav said in an order.

The district has reported 28 COVID-19 cases, all returnees from other states, officials said.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

Lawyers’ body urges govt to scrap 3,097 MW Arunachal power plant Itanagar/New Delhi, Jun 5 (IANS): The Indigenous Lawyers Association of India (ILAI) on Friday urged the Centre and Arunachal Pradesh government to scrap the proposed 3,097 MW capacity Dibang Valley hydroelectric power project to protect the environment and wildlife in the region.

The 3,097 MW capacity power plant proposed to be commissioned by Etalin Hydro Electric Power Company Limited, a joint venture between Jindal Power Limited and Arunachal Pradesh’s Hydro Power Development Corporation.

The New Delhi-based ILAI in a statement said that at a time, the destruction of nature has been blamed for upheavals in the world including COVID-19 pandemic and green energy is being increasingly promoted, construction of outdated hydro-electric projects while destroying nature must be abandoned.

ILAI Coordinator Dilip Chakma said that the Dibang Valley project would divert 1,150.08 hectares of land, fell over 2.7 lakh trees, destroy rare flora

Dibang Valley hydroelectric power project, Arunachal.

and fauna, and would further destroy the culture and heritage of local indigenous communities, particularly, the Idu Mishmi tribes in the region.

“A p a r t f r o m t h e Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary being the habitat of the tigers including snow tigers, in 2017, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) had recorded that project location preserves luxuriant forests and plethora of flora and fauna, and about six globally threatened mammal species out of which three are endangered and three are under the vulnerable category,” Chakma pointed out.

He said about 680 bird species were recorded,

which is about 56 per cent of total bird species of India.

“Out of the 680 bird species, 19 are globally threatened, 10 near threatened, four critically endangered, two endangered, 13 vulnerable species and three very rare restricted range endemic bird species.

The ILAI said that the proposed area is critical for the conservation of globally threatened bird species and the entire region falls under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) management categories III and IV, Endemic Bird Area, Global Biodiversity Hotspot, and Key Biodiversity Area indicating its importance on the global scale.

Arunachal teacher voluntarily turns into COVID-19 warrior It a na g a r , J u n 5 (IANS): When frontline workers across India and the rest of the world are in an all out war against COVID-19, a government school teacher in Arunachal Pradesh has been voluntarily rendering service to the villagers to curb the spread of the pandemic.

John Panyang, a secondary school teacher at Ruksin in East Siang district (in eastern Arunachal Pradesh), has recently set up a temporary “Screening Centre” at the entry point of Ngorlung-Ralung village near the AssamArunachal boundary where he is screening the villagers and people returned from outside the state.

“Panyang has erected the makeshift screening centre in a hut using transparent polythene and bamboo. He is equipped with an infrared thermal scanner machine, face mask, hand gloves and alcoholic sanitizer,” a senior health department official told IANS over the phone from Itanagar.

“The teacher on his own purchased the thermal scanner machines, face mask, hand gloves and alcoholic sanitizer to render the voluntary service. He informed us that he got

the basic training about the screening method from government doctors, who are also encouraging the initiative,” the official said, refusing to be identified.

While talking to IANS over phone, Panyang said that if anyone is found with high body temperature, the person is requested to go to the Ruksin Community Health Centre (first referral health unit) for necessary medical support. “Since I started the screening of villagers on Monday, I have screened 300 people with three of them found with fever.”

However, all the three people later tested negative for COVID-19, he said adding that he observed that the inter-state boundary area is highly vulnerable to viral infection with wage earn-

M’laya to decide on reopening of edn institutions

Meghalaya to further ramp testing for COVID-19: Hek; 33 cases reported so far

Correspondent

Correspondent

SHILLONG, JUN 5: Meghalaya Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Friday said the government is yet to take a call on reopening of educational institutions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are yet to decide on the matter related to reopening educational institutions in urban as well as rural areas of the state,” he said.

Rymbui however said that he would convene a meeting on June 15 to discuss the standard operating procedure for reopening of educational institutions.

“We will come up with the decision which will be in the best interest of the state at an appropriate time,” he further informed.

However, there is a general feeling among parents and the people in general that educational institutions in the state should continue to remain closed until such time when the atmosphere is safe enough for students to assemble in one place.

Shillong, Jun 5: The Meghalaya gover nment on Friday decided to further ramp up its testing for COVID-19 to 1000 per day.

At present the testing capacity of Meghalaya is 550 per day - 400 tests per day at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) and 150 tests per day at Tura in West Garo Hills district.

“We have decided to ramp up the testing to 1000 per day in the next one week,” Health and Family Welfare Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek said.

He said another testing unit will become operational most likely after a week at Pasteur Institute in Shillong with a capacity of 400 tests per day. Furthermore, Hek said, as of now, testing of residents returning to the State from outside different parts of the Country is mandatory.

“So far, 13, 113 people stranded in different parts of the country, have returned to

John Panyang built a temporary scrfeening center Ngorlung-Ralung village. ers and office goers crowding the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh area.

“Besides the villagers, I have screened people who came from outside the state.

Villagers and my friends are also helping me to do the job. Local people of nearby Debing village had constructed ten quarantine huts to facilitate home stay for those people who have been discharged from the government run quarantine centres, he added.”

East Siang district De puty Commissioner Kinny Singh appreciated Panyang’s voluntary service to the villagers. “I would talk to the gentleman and would try to help his initiative. As the schools are now shut due to COVID19 related restrictions, the teacher without sitting idle

the State and around 4000 more returnees are expected to return to the state,” the Health Minister informed.

Hek informed that out of 9,820 tests, 9,555 yileded negative for COVID-19 Regd. No. : 76/20

is performing a noble task in this hour of pandemic,” she told IANS by phone from the district headquarters Pasighat.

Singh, herself an alternative medicine doctor turned IAS officer, said that the people of the mountainous state are very conscious about the dreaded virus nCoV. Arunachal Pradesh, which shares a 1,080 km border with China in the north and northeast and 440 km frontiers with Myanmar to the east, has so far found 42 positive cases with 41 active cases. A 31-year-old man recovered from the disease and was discharged from the hospital on April 24. The Arunachal man from Medo village had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi.

while the results of 232 tests are awaited. Meghalaya has so far recorded 33 cases, out of which, 19 are active, and 13 have fully recovered while one had died on April 15.

AFFIDAVIT

Dated : 06/05/2020

I, Miss Wangcho L Wangnao, Daughter of Shri. Lemphong Konyak, Permanent resident of Sheanghah Chingnyu Village, District, Mon; Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under.

1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India.

2. That in some of my documents my name has been entered erroneously/mistakenly/entered/ recorded as Miss Wangcho Konyak instead of Miss Wangcho L Wangnao.

3. That I hereby declare that both the names pertain to be same and one person.

4. That from today my name Miss Wangcho L Wangnao shall be used in all official documents.

DEPONENT VERIFICATION That the contents in the above said affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and authority has been concealed thereof.

MAGISTRATE/ NOTARY PUBLIC MC-11 Mon : Nagaland

FELICITATION

With great pride and admiration, the Yorubami Students' Union heartily congratulates Miss Azizi Phesao daughter of Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao for holding Top 5th position and Miss Nuvelu Nyekha daughter of Mudolhu Nyekha for securing highest marks in Environmental Education subject in the recent HSLC Examination 2020.

The Union is thrilled and genuinely appreciates them for bringing laurels and accolades to the students community through their remarkable achievements.

The Union also congratulates all the successful students of HSLC & HSSLC Examination 2020 and wishes them the best in their future endeavours.

RUKUSAYI LOHE RAMU KHUSOH PRESIDENT, YSU GENERAL SECRETARY

K-1039

4

national

Kerala elephant death case: one arrested end came to light after a forest officer posted an emotional note on his Facebook page, narrating it.

Case registered against Maneka Gandhi in Kerala

The 15-year-old pregnant wild elephant who died after suffering injuries, in Velliyar River, Palakkad district of Kerala.

PALAKKAD, JUNE 5 (PTI): In a major breakthrough in the case relating to the death of a pregnant wild elephant in Kerala, one person was arrested on Friday.

“One person was arrested today. There are more accused in the case and efforts are on to nab them”, Kerala Forest Minister K Raju told reporters.

Forest and police officials are conducting a joint probe into the elephant’s death and a ‘very fruitful investigation’ is going on, he said.

Covid-19 positive woman enters Goa without test

Panaji, June 5 (IANS): Following opposition pressure, the Goa government has initiated a probe into how an elderly woman related to a politician was allowed entry into the state via road last week, without a mandatory test.

The woman, who was suffering from breathlessness on Thursday, was shifted from a private hospital to the Goa Medical College near Panaji, where she tested positive for Covid-19.

Before she was admitted to the hospital, she came in contact with several members of the Calangute village panchayat in North Goa, where her son-in-law is an elected member and also attended a public function, according to a state health department official.

The incident comes at a time when the state, which was Covid-19 free until the first week of May, has witnessed a severe spike in recent days with the official count of active Covid-19 cases reaching 109.

“It appears to be a case of human error but we are probing it,” Sawant told reporters on Friday, when asked how the woman could have skipped the Covid-19 testing drill at the state’s borders which is mandatory for all persons entering the state.

Goa Aam Aadmi Party’s Valmiki Naik has alleged that the instance of a person being allowed to enter the state without undergoing the mandatory test was a classic case of “power culture” present in the state.

The Kerala Forest Department in a tweet said : “KFD has zeroed in on the culprits and recorded the first arrest in the wild elephant death case”.

The incident had triggered a national outrage, with Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and BJP MP and former union minister Maneka Gandhi, among others, reacting to it.

Forest de par tment sources had said yesterday that three people were under the scanner of the joint investigation team of their

personnel and Kerala police and a search was on for two more people.

The department had said that there was no conclusive evidence that the injury to the elephant’s lower jaw was caused by a pineapple stuffed with crackers and “it might be a possibility.”

The 15-year-old elephant is suspected to have consumed a pineapple filled with powerful fire crackers which exploded in its mouth in the Silent Valley forest.

It died in the Velliyar River a week later on May 27. The pachyderm’s tragic

Thiruvananthapuram, June 5 (IANS) : The Malappuram Police on Friday registered a case under Section 153 of the IPC against former Union Minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi for her ‘communal’ remark on the killing of a pregnant cow elephant near the edge of Silent Valley National Park at Palakkad in Kerala.

While one person who allegedly made the firecracker -- that was consumed by the pachyderm along with a pineapple that led to her death -- has been arrested by the Kerala Forest Department officials a father-son who got those firecrackers made are on the run.

Malappuram Superintendent of Police Abdul Karim said that based on various complaints received, one FIR has been registered against Maneka Gandhi.

The Section pertains to “wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot”. It inter alia says: “Whoever malignantly, or wantonly by doing anything which is illegal, gives provocation to any person intending or knowing it to be likely that such provocation will cause the offence of rioting

Congress names Kharge as candidate for Rajya Sabha polls from Karnataka

Mallikarjun Kharge

Bengaluru, Jun 5 (PTI): The Congress on Friday announced veteran party leader Mallikarjun Kharge as its candidate for the June 19 elections to the four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka.

“Congress President Sonia Gandhi has approved the candidature of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge as Congress candidate for the ensuing biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka,” All India Congress Committee said in a release.

The four seats represented by Rajeev Gowda and B K Hariprasad of Congress, Prabhakar Kore of BJP and D Kupendra Reddy of JD(S) will fall vacant on June 25 with their retirement. June 9 is the last date for filing nominations.

The Congress, with 68 MLAs in the assembly, can win one of the four seats easily on its own, so Kharge’s victory is said to be certain. Kharge, who was popularly known as “Solillada Saradara” (a leader without defeat) faced his

first electoral loss in his political life spanning several decades against BJP’s Umesh Jadhav in Gulbarga by a margin of 95,452 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

A nine-time MLA and twoterm Lok Sabha member, he had served as Congress’ floor leader in the previous Lok Sabha, and also as Union Railway and Labour Minister in the UPA government.

Kharge (77), had also been a minister in several Congress governments in the state in the past and had also served as KPCC President and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly. His son Priyank Kharge is currently MLA representing Chittapur constituency and had served as a Minister during the previous Congress and coalition governments. Kharge thanked Congress’ national President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, also state party leaders for choosing him as the candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls. “I will try to reach up to their (leader-

ship) expectations...it’s a good opportunity to work in Rajya Sabha,” he said.

Asked about his entry to Rajya Sabha for the first time after having been elected directly by the people for long, he said, “for 47 years I worked as a representative directly elected by the people, but because of special efforts by central and state BJP leaders, I was defeated this time. That’s (LS defeat) a closed chapter. Rajya Sabha is a new chapter.”

While ruling BJP with 117 members (including Speaker), can ensure victory in two seats, the JD(S), with just 34 seats in the assembly, is not in a position to win a Rajya Sabha seat on its own, as a minimum of 44 votes are required for a candidate to win. Speculations are rife that the Congress is likely to support JD(S) with its surplus votes for the remaining one seat if the regional party fields its supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, and in return may seek favour during the legislative council polls slated later this month.

No final decision has been taken in this regard yet, party sources said. JD(S) today held its legislative party meeting to discuss the strategy for the RS polls and on a candidate. After the meeting, party leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said, legislators were of the unanimous opinion that Gowda should contest the Rajya Sabha polls, and the final decision was yet to be taken in this regard.

to be committed, shall, if the offence of rioting be committed in consequence of such provocation, be punished with imprisonment....”

The for mer Union Minister had allegedly gone on record to say that “Mallapuram is known for its intense criminal activity, specially with regards to animals. No action has ever been taken against a single poacher or wildlife killer so they keep doing it.”

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had slammed what was dubbed as an “irresponsible” remark whereas a huge furore had erupted in Muslim-dominated Malappuram district. Six complaints against her were filed with local police, which registered the case.

In a related development, Kerala Cyber Warriors, a Facebook group, hacked a website of Maneka Gandhi’s ‘People For Animals’ NGO and posted some uncharitable remarks against her.

The hackers also accused her of deliberately bringing up Malappuram district in her statement to spread that they alleged was “communally motivated false information” targeting a particular community.

Maneka Gandhi is at present a Lok Sabha member from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

SC asks if pvt hospitals ready to charge at Ayushman Bharat rate New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): The Supreme Court Friday asked private hospitals whether they are ready to provide treatment to COVID-19 infected patients at the charges prescribed under the government’s Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

The ‘Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’ is aimed at providing health cover to poor and vulnerable persons in the country.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said the apex court is not asking all the private hospitals to treat certain number of COVID-19 patients for free.

The bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy, said it is asking only those private hospitals which have been given land at concessional rates by the government to treat certain number of coronavirus infected patients for free.

“I just want to know if hospitals are ready to charge at Ayushman rates?,” the CJI observed during the hearing which was conducted through video-conferencing.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that government is doing its best for the lowest strata of the society and people who cannot afford treatment are covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

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Haryana BJP leader thrashes market committee employee with her slipper Chandigarh, June 5 (IANS): TikTok star and Haryana BJP leader Sonali Phogat has landed in a controversy with the surfacing a video in which she was seen beating up Hisar Market Committee secretary Sultan Singh with her slipper.

The video of her thrashing Sultan Singh with the slipper during a visit to the Balsamand Mandi, 25 km from the district headquarters, has gone viral with police personnel present at the scene remaining mute spectators.

In the video, Phogat could be seen hitting Sultan repeatedly with the slipper, while saying: “You have no right to live.”

After thrashing him, she was heard asking the police to register a complaint against him.

Phogat had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 assembly elections from the Mandi Adampur and lost to Congress candidate Kuldeep Bishnoi, son of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal. Confirming the incident, Superintendent of Police in Hisar, Ganga Ram Punia, said the police received a complaint from Sultan Singh and appropriate action would be initiated against Phogat.

Congress national spokesman Randeep Singh

BJP leader Sonali Phogat slaps a market committee officer, alleging that he was using cuss words with a farmer. (PTI)

Surjewala tweeted: “The market committee secretary was thrashed like an animal.”

“These acts (have been) done by a BJP leader. Is it a

crime to do a government job? Will (Chief Minister Manohar Lal) Khattar take action against Phogat? Will the media still remain silent?” he added.

Reiterate pledge to preserve biodiversity: PM NEW DELHI, JUN 5 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pitched for collective efforts to ensure that the planet becomes a better place for future generations.

“On #WorldEnvironmentDay, we reiterate our pledge to preserve our planet’s rich biodiversity.

Let us collectively do whatever possible to ensure the flora and fauna with whom we share the Earth thrive,” he wrote on Twitter.

“May we leave an even better planet for the coming generations,” he said.

Modi also shared a brief video of his latest “Mann ki Baat” programme in which he had referred to World Environment Day. “The theme this year is biodiversity...(it) is especially pertinent in the current circumstances. During lockdown in the last few weeks the pace of life may have slowed down a bit but it has also given us an opportunity to introspect upon the rich diversity of nature or biodiversity

around us,” he had said.

Much of the avian fauna had sort of disappeared due to sound and air pollution, and now after years people can once again listen to their melodic chirping in their homes, Modi had said.

He had also pitched for saving rainwater, saying the traditional conserva-

tion methods are in the form of very simple remedies, and employing these “we can tap the water”. He also urged people to plant trees and make resolutions so that a daily relationship with nature can be forged.

Temperature is on the rise, so do not forget to “facilitate water for the birds,” he said.

ELITE Skill Development Centre Lakeview Colony, Opp-Naga Cemetery Dimapur : Nagaland Issuing Admission form for the 19th Batch of FHW & PCA Course

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Duration

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday slammed the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the alleged suicide by a farmer in Muzaffarnagar, saying that the Yogi Adityanath dispensation now does not mention a word about the non-payment of sugarcane dues to farmers.

The farmer committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in Muzaffarnagar district allegedly due to non-procurement of his sugarcane produce amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown, according to his family.

The suicide triggered a protest by farmers on Friday who demanded that a case be registered against sugar mill officials for failure to procure sugarcane from farmers.

Tagging a media report on the incident, Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, “Seeing his sugarcane crop drying in the field and not getting the slip, a sugarcane farmer from Muzaffarnagar committed suicide.”

The BJP claimed that full payment would be given in 14 days, but the sugar mills have been closed with payment worth thousands of crores of rupees still due, she said.

DP-2489(B)

Priyanka slams UP govt over farmer’s suicide

DC-472

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXx NO. 180 Dimapur, SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

Ball in speaker’s court

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fter the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench directed the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to decide on the petition filed by the opposition Naga People’s Front(NPF) on the issue of disqualification of seven suspended rebel MLAs, the ball is now in the court of the Speaker, who has six weeks w.e.f June 2 to act . The court gave its judgement to a petition filed by the NPF to decide on the fates of the seven suspended rebel MLAs since the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had kept the decision pending for over one year. The crux of the matter was the action of the seven suspended MLAs who decided to extend support to the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDPP) and joint candidate of the ruling coalition comprising of NDPP and Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) in the 17th Lok Sabha election. The seven purportedly defied the party decision on March 18,2019 to not set up a candidate but to support the Congress candidate as a one time issue-based support. This decision was reaffirmed by the NPF on March 23,2019 but the seven were not present at the meeting. The seven had on March 25,2019 issued a press statement expressing support to the PDA coalition candidate which was published in the local newspapers on March 26,2019.

Thereupon, the party president of NPF issued a showcause notice on the seven on the same date. On the receipt of their reply on April 1,2019 in which they reaffirmed their action , the NPF president on the report / recommendation of the party Disciplinary Action Committee(DAC), suspended the seven rebel MLAs from primary and active membership of the party on April 16,2019. The NPF legislature party then filed a disqualification proceeding with the Speaker against the seven suspended MLAs for attracting provisions of the Anti-Defection Law for indulging in anti-party activities etc. Owing to the lack of action on the part of the Speaker, even after 13 months elapsed, the NPF then took the matter to court. As per their plea, the NPF relied on the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which acted on the petition of the Congress since the Manipur Speaker had taken no action on their petition to disqualify a rebel Congress minister who joined BJP in Manipur. As per the counter argument of the Speaker NLA, reiterated that there was no delay in conducting the disqualification proceedings which were held at regular intervals that led to framing of issues and fixing of next hearing on March 21,2020.

However due to the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing date was postponed by an order issued on April 4,2020 with intimation that further notice would be issued after normalcy and functioning of the NLA secretariat resumed. Further, the respondent(s) also raised objections to the writ being filed by the NPF under Articles 226 and 227 of the constitution of India. Whatever be the issues raised in such cases, what has been accepted by all, is that there is urgent need for clarity over the role and powers of the speaker and how matters such as- disqualification and suspension from the house-ought to be decided. Unless parliament decides to bring more clarity, lawmakers will continue to rush to the court of interpreters for adjudication and invite more delays.

DailyDevotion God’s Assurance

He Himself has said….So we may boldly say…

—Hebrews 13:5-6 My assurance is to be built upon God’s assurance to me. God says, “I will never leave you,” so that then I “may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). In other words, I will not be obsessed with apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God’s words of assurance. I will be full of courage, like a child who strives to reach the standard his father has set for him. The faith of many people begins to falter when apprehensions enter their thinking, and they forget the meaning of God’s assurance— they forget to take a deep spiritual breath. The only way to remove the fear from our lives is to listen to God’s assurance to us.

What are you fearing? Whatever it may be, you are not a coward about it— you are determined to face it, yet you still have a feeling of fear. When it seems that there is nothing and no one to help you, say to yourself, “But ‘The Lord is my helper’ this very moment, even in my present circumstance.” Are you learning to listen to God before you speak, or are you saying things and then trying to make God’s Word fit what you have said? Take hold of the Father’s assurance, and then say with strong courage, “I will not fear.” It does not matter what evil or wrong may be in our way, because “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you….’ ” Human frailty is another thing that gets between God’s words of assurance and our own words and thoughts. When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God seems to be nonexistent. But remember God’s assurance to us— “I will never…forsake you.” Have we learned to sing after hearing God’s keynote? Are we continually filled with enough courage to say, “The Lord is my helper,” or are we yielding to fear?

Quotes

Our happiness depends on wisdom all the way. ~ Sophocles

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

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A new normal: Life with Covid-19

ovid-19 vir us is here to stay with human beings for a longer period of time, or in a worst case scenario, permanently! Scientists and medical community around the world are now suggesting that the world may not able to develop an effective vaccines that could confront this deadly virus, and also some even claiming that the virus’ transmission is yet to reach its peak, and therefore the only option left for human beings is to find a way to come to terms with the virus. Despite numerous vaccines currently on medical trial/experiment, some in clinical trial and others already in the stage of human trial, experts refuses to be hopeful given the strange behavior and the unpredictable nature of the Covid-19 virus which has the ability to mutate under any given geographical and climatic conditions, and that the virus has the capabilities to change its anatomy within a month as a result of which the vaccines that had already develop could not be effective any more. This new scientific consensus, appearing helplessness in treating the disease, which seems emerging out of this crisis, throws enormous

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challenge to humanity to learn to live with the virus, and find a way to adapt to this hostile health situation physically and mentally, which could be the only way out, and work towards restoring normalcy in our own personal and social life. The world had to accept the Covid-19 crisis, which is initially perceived to be abnormal phenomena which could disappear soon, as a normal part in our daily life.

This humanitarian crisis was unfortunately accompanied by elements of mistrust, blame game and politics in the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO), which is supposed to be leading humanity in fighting against this pandemic, had lost its credibility and lost the trust of the world community because of its lack of honesty and transparency in transmitting the right information to the world about the pandemic, and rather chooses to be a part of the propaganda ploy of some countries. And it is this dubious politics of WHO that is misleading and confusing the world, making the current crisis even worse.

One of the most important tasks of humanity

68th Phom Day

very event has its unique moment and reminiscence to commemorate, Phom as a community had also experience living in fear and unpredictable ambience over the precedent century. Like any other Naga tribe Phom also had the culture of head hunting and give all glory to the warrior, until first half of the 20th century, when christian missionaries brought the gospel of Jesus christ with the local missionaries (Ao’s).

The respond to the gospel were reluctant and slow, thus continue the cultural practice of head hunting even while in the midst of preaching gospel to them.

“Let someone else’s mother grieve than ours’ or ‘avenge the death of our men!” were the maxims they dearly embraced.

Thus, fear and insecurity enveloped the Phom society of that time. When the rest of the Naga tribes were striving to catch up with the modern civilization by embracing Christianity, modern education and civilized way of living; with none to reprove them, Phoms wasted their time in seeking vain-glory.

History tells us that as late as 1948, 1949 and 1950 there had been several instances of fierce inter-village head hunting raids resulting to the loss of more than hundred lives. Thus, observing that peace was the urgent need of the day, the government ad-

now is to do away with the misnomer of the term “social distancing”. Using the term “social distancing” while combating the Covid-19 crisis seems a major error, as it create a sense of alienation and isolation in the life of an individual in the society. The virus’ transmission can be at best prevented by absence of physical contact, and all needs to work to this end.

But this does not meant we separate an individual from his society. The mental and emotional stress endure by an individual, making his life miserable, in social alienation had an adverse affect upon him and the society as a whole. We cannot keep the people forever under the grip of this stressful world and word of “social distancing” forcefully confining them to being alone without any contact with the world.

The world need to find a way to bring people closer together as early as possible, of course with new rules of human and social engagement which include minimum physical contact. Ensuring the world to come together again albeit encouraging the need of “maintaining physical distancing” and restoring social interactions, gather-

ministrative officer, pioneers of Phom namely, Late.Shri. Hamnyei Phom, the then Political Assistant to DC Tuensang, Late.

Shri. Yongtau Phom Head.D.B, their colleagues, and few church leaders have been persuading the village elders of the tribe to shun the evil practice.

Consequently, on June 6, 1952 the village elders of the tribe were summoned at Longleng; a pit was dug and the village elders were asked to spit in the pit as a sign of pledge that here onward they will no more carry on the culture of killing one another. And swords and spears were buried inside the pit and a stone pillar was erected symbolizing the end of the head hunting era further pledge among themselves to remain in peace and to be loyal to the Government. There on, peace had been a strong point of the Phom community and the 6th of June marked a historic day for the people of Phom in particular and Nagas in General.

Phom day is also considered as a day of peace since “Peace” being its central theme.

It is also a day of Forgiveness.

The monolith which was erected and standstill in the heart of Longleng town describe the commitment of the Phom people to shun violence for posterity.

S.Bakon Phom

crisis with mental strength and courage. But in fact it is the society that needs more counseling and awareness on how to engage with this given problem. Because the condition and well being of the patients or the recovered patients and their family members will be influence by the character of the society, and their condition could be better or worse depending on how society will judge them or accept/reject them (this apply not only to this particular crisis but to any other human sufferings).

Remember, if we, society as a whole, becomes so excited and smart in giving counseling or advise to any patients or his family but failed to check our attitudes, like judging them with prejudice, while dealing with them, then we are making their condition worse, and instead of bringing healing to their problem, this negative societal approach will forced them to develop inferiority complex within themselves and feeling of sense of rejection by the society. One need not just to understand their problem but feels their problem, and sensitively engage with them with utmost care.

Unless humanity finds

a way to handle this global pandemic wisely and sensitively, then we will come to a point where the situation of cure could be worse than the sickness.

Amidst this raging pandemic that refuses to subsides and had claimed more than three hundred thousand lives till date coupled with moral and spiritual decline that we witness all around us where bloodshed, violence and hatred become an order of the day, the Covid-19 crisis had also gives us a brighter side of humanity.

A many very touching scene around the world of humanitarian services rendered by individuals, social organizations, religious institutions etc…, in the form of not only treating the Covid-19 patients but also helping many whose life was affected by the crisis proves to us that the world is not entirely as bad as we fear, that there are still many good people around us. And this same spirit of humanity can inspire us to rise up once again together from the ashes of the Covid-19 curse, and overcome any challenges that are ahead of us.

Dr. Nsungbemo Ezung Wokha Town

COVID-19: FNR for a renewed approach

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ear Naga people: today our planet faces unprecedented events. On top of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is now enveloped with civil strife, cyclones, and even swarms of invading locusts. Millions of children, mothers and fathers are dwelling in fear and suffering. Is there no hope in sight?

Here at home, the pandemic seems to have unearthed aspects of our society that we so often leave unchecked. Is Covid-19 resuscitating one’s primordial instincts inward against what needs to be done now? Are we unconsciously committing mayhem by underscoring religious norms and social bonds by preying on someone at the most vulnerable moment? God forbade! “For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3: 23).

In spite of human limitations and failures, in such a moment as this, we are all called to stand together for victory. Despite our differing relative facts and preconceptions, we must guard against the pandemic that may tempt us to run away from the urgency of naming and winning the battle against Covid-19. Government agencies alone remain limited because of the range and height at which the Covid-19 travels. Collective consciousness and action becomes one of the most important

Revision required in the ranking system

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ings and meetings, which is an essential factors for the well being of an individual, can help people overcome the trauma of the Covid-19 pandemic and live with it even if the world may not able to find a permanent cure from the virus.

Considering the most optimistic case scenario, even when the world finds a way to cure the disease, we are still left with millions who will be mourning forever the lost of their loved ones due to the pandemic and thousands more who are fortunate enough to recover, and mental and emotional toll that is already inflicted upon them by the same. Can they be able to live a normal life again like any other human beings? It depends on how the world is going to treat them, and this will in effect determine the face of the new world in post Covid-19 era.

Intensive and serious counseling is required by the human society as a whole in order to confront the crisis effectively and sensitively. The world may assumed that it is important to give proper counseling to the Covid19 patients to help them mentally and emotionally equipped to go through the

factors now.

The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) believes by standing together with resolve and purpose we can prevail over Covid-19.

To strengthen the Naga response against COVID-19, FNR: 1. Advocates a Naga approach to COVID-19 which rises above tribal-mentality, districtcentric attitude and socio-political affiliations. FNR supports a comprehensive response by improving inter-tribe relations and unity in purpose.

2. Stands in solidarity with the public and share its concern of the need for a more effective, coherent a better managed response. As citizens, the public needs to hold the government accountable and provide constructive suggestions without incapacitating its ability to respond during this medical emergency.

3. Views the Nagaland State Government’s admission to lapses, mismanagement and limitations in its COVID-19 response as a positive step. The Government must take immediate corrective measures and steps to reduce the gap between public expectations and government actions on the ground.

4. Urges the government, political parties, tribes and people for a responsible humane approach with gratitude, respect, dignity and understanding. FNR upholds the

value that all people are equal and should be treated without discrimination.

5. Emphasizes the need to be kind, compassionate, and caring to each other in all our relationships where ever they take place.

6. Encourages ever yone to demonstrate responsibility in maintaining physical distancing and follow all other preventive measures.

7. Calls for A symbolic action on June 10 at 7:00p.m. We encourage individuals and families to sing, mediate and pray in your homes on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. A well known chorus, “In the name of Jesus, we have the victory” can be sung together.

We invite everyone to flash their mobile phones or light a candle as a symbolic act of commitment to the light within us to shine in the midst of the challenges.

Pray for the front line workers: Medical personnel, administrative officials, police personnel, volunteers, returnees in Quarantine Centers and COVID 19 patients that are in hospitals.

Even in times of despair, our faith in God and our ability to act collectively and in solidarity are our greatest strengths. Let us pray for each other.

Issued by: Forum for Naga Reconciliation

Reader’s Post

he Nagaland Board of School Edu- and D gets rank 3 (Third).

While in the proposed system i.e., the cation (NBSE) recently announced the results for the HSLC and HSSLC SCRS (1224), persons scoring the same examination, 2020 and along with it, re- aggregate receive the same rank, and then leased the toppers’ list. The board have, for a gap (1 less than the number of people the past years adopted the Dense Ranking scoring the same) is left in the rank and Sir, System (DRS) or the 1223 System in rank- each person’s rank is simply 1 more than the The outbreak of Covid-19 cases has altered the scenario and concept of the number of people ranked above her/him. ing its toppers. people in Nagaland where it evoke the craze over the burning issues to point out However, the problem with this system Thus if A ranks ahead of B and C (with and strive the blaming game; from the apex govt and the regulating authorities to is that, the list can become quite exhaustive same aggregate) which are both ranked the stranded citizens of the land. The voice of citizens latitude over the situation ahead of D, then A gets rank 1 (first), B even for a small list number. For instance, to reproach the work and conduct of the government and partially neglecting the the top 20 list of this year’s HSLCE-20 and C gets rank 2 (joint second) and D gets core plight and outcry of the state to fight against the covid-19. Yes, the freedom has more than 50 students which makes rank 4 (fourth). of speech has been bestowed upon us but are we using the freedom to be the voice Perhaps, it is time for NBSE to conlittle sense. of the people who are affected? Are we initiating ourselves to be in the shoe of the How can a person be ranked 20 when sider the 1224 System for its rankings in Frontline workers? Or are we phantom with the social life to be the kings and queens the upcoming years as it not only is the 50 people scored better? A student ranked of keyboard warriors and Scroll down to comment over screenshots, clips, videos 20 should only have 19 students scoring standard adopted in all other kinds of and make it the keywords of the search engines? Are we extremely indulged just to similar competitions but is also clearly a better than her/him. In this regard, I would criticize and draw accountability in the other way round within the screen? Are we more logical and rational way of assigning like to suggest a more appropriate system just mend to focus to seek a debate to be the solution of the pandemic situation? known as Standard Competition Ranking the correct position in the sense that if two Questions are left to ponder to retrospect and introspect within. One side may (or more) competitors tie for a position in System (SCRS) or the 1224 System, the win over the another, the debate may go on forever, the unbalance truth may revive the ranking, the position of all those ranked difference of it from DRS is explained as below them is not affected. Accordingly, an again but the prime remains as to who will be the one to look after the soil of the under. people in this erupted pandemic.

In the present system i.e., the DRS appropriate higher number of toppers list The blame game is here; the mind is set to point the fault of the government, (1223), persons scoring the same aggre- can be compiled (e.g., Top 50 for HSLC to blame the one who boldly raise one’s voice against the organization, condemn the and Top 12 for HSSLC) without actually gate receive the same rank, and the next Centre’s who are working tirelessly behind the curtains, rebuking one tribe and the person(s) receive the immediately following having to accommodate more number of another, disapproving the hands provided by the churches. Citizens of Nagaland, people. rank. In other words, each person’s ranking it’s not time to get ourselves wires crossed nor jump on the bandwagon. A critical People like me have been anticipating number is 1 more than the number of people phase the land is going through and one should not be a subject to the blaming this change for the past years but only to ranked above her/him that are distinct w.r.t. game at the moment of crisis. For the saying goes - ‘when one catches fire it need our dissatisfaction each year.

We do hope the ranking order. Thus if A ranks ahead of to be put off ’ as we are well-aware that a spark neglected makes a mighty fire. Be that the prestigious NBSE will consider this B and C (with same aggregate) which are the one to extinguish before the land called Nagaland go down in flames. suggestion in the coming years. both ranked ahead of D, then A gets rank Er.Ketusezo Rote, Punjab Manü Chiero, Porba, Phek 1 (first), B and C gets rank 2 (joint second), 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.

The Blame Game

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

7

violate social distancing norms India may suffer climate change: study Cops in Uttar Pradesh; SHO suspended

the King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, said.

“India is the most densely populated region in the world, with relatively high sensitivity and low resilience to changes in its climate, all of which makes it very exposed and vulnerable to any changes that may occur during the rest of the 21st century,” Almazroui told PTI in an email on World Environment Day on Friday.

“A large part of India’s population, ecosystems, and economy are all exposed to high risk in the face of future climate change,” he said.

The study, published in the journal Earth Systems and Environment last month, suggests that northwestern India is at “particularly high risk” to flooding from snow and glacier melt caused by temperatures projected to rise by the end of the 21st century.

The researchers also forecast killer heat waves over the plains, adding that severe flooding is likely to take place with annual rainfall over India projected to increase under all emission scenarios in the 21st century.

Using a supercom-

puter to analyse global climate models, the research team observed a potentially large increase of more than 6 degrees Celsius under a high emission scenario over northwestern India, comprising the complex Karakorum and Himalayan mountain ranges.

“The enhanced warming is likely to further accelerate the snow and glacier melt over this region, with a consequent increase in flooding. This could have serious implications for crops, ecosystems, and populations living downstream,” Almazroui said.

“Moreover, the rise in temperature is likely to increase the frequency of killer heat waves over the country’s plains,” he added.

The study analysed the latest generation of models to project more warming -- 1 to 3 degrees Celsius -- over the irrigated plains of the Ganges, which according to the researchers, may have serious repercussions for agriculture and livelihoods.

The models project higher warming over the Indian subcontinent in the winter season than in the

J’khand workers to give details before leaving state to work

PM’s participation in Yoga programme in Leh doubtful

Faesal, Madani, Mansoor ‘informally’ MP health dept reports death of asked not to move out of their houses COVID-19 man after 2 months

Smoke billows out of chimneys in an industrial area, on World Environment Day, in Mumbai, Friday. (PTI)

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): India may face devastating climate change effects, including killer heat waves and severe flooding, in the next 80 years, says a study that calls for urgent steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avert associated risks to the country’s population, ecosystems and economy.

Annual mean temperatures across India are likely to increase by 4.2 degrees Celsius under a high emission scenario by the end of the 21st century, the researchers, led by Prof Mansour Almazroui from

Ranchi, Jun 5 (PTI): Migrant labourers venturing outside Jharkhand for work will now have to furnish personal and job details to the state government for easy communication during a crisis situation, Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said.

The directive comes in the wake of the state government undergoing a strenuous process of registering stranded migrant workers to facilitate their return from different places, some as far as Ladakh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

“Labourers usually go outside with the help of acquaintances and the administration does not have any idea about their whereabouts. “Therefore, we have decided that if a labourer goes outside for work, they should have the consent of the state government so that arrangements can be made for their safety when required,” Soren said.

More than seven lakh people of Jharkhand work in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Nagaland, officials said.

Of these, nearly five lakh have returned by ‘Shramik’ Special trains, buses and flights, they said.

“The migrant labourers include women and reports said that crimes were committed against them.

The state government would like to make efforts for their safety as well,” the chief minister told reporters here on Thursday.

When labourers go to far-off places for work, the state government should have their details so that assistance could reach them in any eventuality, Soren said.

Asked if all stranded migrants had returned to Jharkhand, the chief minister said many were yet to come.

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): PM Narendra Modi was to take part in an International Yoga Day programme on June 21 in Leh, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his travel there is doubtful, the AYUSH ministry said on Friday. In March, ministry officials had said that Leh will be the venue for the main event for the International Yoga Day on June 21 and Prime Minister Modi will attend it. However, asked if the prime minister will participate in any Yoga Day event, AYUSH Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said no public event will take place. “It is not yet decided, as to whether the prime minister will participate in a programme.

Earlier, it was decided that he will go to Leh, but now due to the COVID-19 crisis, it is not yet decided whether he will go to Leh or not,” the official said.

summer, which may disrupt snow or ice accumulations and affect winter cropping patterns, the researchers said.

While the projected rise in the average temperature in winter is up to 4.7 degrees Celsius, the estimated warming for summers is up to 3.6 degrees Celsius, they said.

The study also projected a higher increase in rainfall over northwestern India, including Gujarat and Rajasthan, while the winter rainfall also shows a larger increase over Gujarat and adjacent states under all future scenarios.

Under the high emission scenario, the summer monsoon rainfall averaged over India, particularly in the western side of the country that expands to Western Ghats and Kerala, is projected to increase by the end of the 21st century, the researchers said.

The increase in summer rainfall, together with increased water in rivers due to glacier melt in summer, may cause severe summer flooding in the future, they said.

S Jaishankar

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): India on Friday laid out the priorities of its campaign to secure an elected seat on the UN Security Council with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserting that the country can play a “positive global role” at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic and its grave economic repercussions will test the world like never before.

Jaishankar launched a brochure at an event here outlining India’s priorities for its forthcoming campaign to secure an elected seat on the UN Security Council at the elections slated for June 17, 2020.

As a single endorsed candidate of the Asia-Pacific Group, India’s candidature is very likely to succeed, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

If elected, it would be India’s eighth term on the UN Security Council and this two-year tenure will start in January 2021.

“Ten years since we were last elected to the Security Council, we are facing four very different challenges to international peace and security – the normal process of international governance has been at an increasing strain as frictions have increased, traditional and non-traditional security challenges continue to grow unchecked -- terrorism is the most egregious of such examples,” Jaishankar said.

“Global institutions remain unreformed and under representative, they are therefore less able to deliver, the COVID-19 pandemic and its grave economic repercussions will test the world like never before,” he said.

In this extraordinary situation, India can play a positive global role, Jaishankar asserted.

“We have always been a voice of reason and a votary of international law.

We advocate dialogue, consultation and fairness in our approach to global issues,”

Lucknow, Jun 5 (PTI): A video has surfaced showing policemen in Ambedkar Nagar district allegedly violating social distancing norms by following an inspector in a cavalcade of vehicles as part of his farewell procession, prompting the superintendent of police to suspend the cop and order the registration of an FIR. Ambedkar Nagar Superintendent of Police Alok Priyadarshi said the police have taken cognisance of the video in which inspector is seen moving in a cavalcade of vehicles after his transfer.

Sartaj Madani

Peer Mansoor

Shah Faesal

Srinagar, Jun 5 (PTI): IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal and two PDP members, including the maternal uncle of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who were released from detention under the PSA earlier this week have been “informally” told not to move out of their houses, informed sources said.

The three were shifted to their official residences on Wednesday after they were released following revocation of the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA) against them by the home

department of the union territory. However, they were conveyed informally that they should not step out of their homes and a police guard has also been posted outside, the sources said.

When contacted, Sartaj Madani, uncle of Mehbooba Mufti, told PTI over phone that he was not sure whether he had been kept under house arrest but added that he was not allowed to go to his native village in Bijbehara of South Kashmir. “I was told that I can go without assigning any reason,” he said. Efforts to seek a

reaction from Peer Mansoor, political advisor during the tenure of Mehbooba Mufti as chief minister, and Faesal, a 2010 batch IAS officer did not fructify as their phones were not reachable.

The three were among a host of political leaders detained initially under preventive custody and later under the PSA in the aftermath of the August 5 development when the Centre withdrew the special status of the erstwhile state and bifurcated it into two union territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

India spells out priorities for UNSC seat SOPs aim to instil proper campaign; EAM pitches ‘positive role’ COVID-19 behaviour the minister said.

“As a rule abiding democracy and a positive contributor to the security of the global commons, India will work constructively with partners to overcome old and new faultlines and offer innovative and inclusive solutions, help developing countries obtain the necessary support to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, help focus more on development, support greater involvement of women and youth in shaping a new paradigm and finally enhance transparency, credibility, representation and effectiveness of the council,” Jaishankar said.

India emphasises global development addressing climate change and eradicating poverty as central to the planet’s future, he said.

The priorities paper, issued as a brochure by the minister, set out the key priorities for India -- new opportunities for progress, an effective response to international terrorism, reforming the multilateral system, comprehensive approach to international peace and security, and promoting technology with a human touch as a driver of solutions.

“India’s approach will be guided by ‘five S’s’ as set out by the Prime Minister -Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation), and Shanti (Peace), to create conditions for universal Samriddhi (Prosperity),” Jaishankar said.

Screenshot from a viral video where SHO Manoj Singh can be seen taking out a farewell rally by violating lockdown norms in UP.

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): The aim of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for religious places, shopping malls, restaurants, hotel and offices is to instil appropriate behaviour among people to contain COVID-19 transmission chain while allowing resumption of social and economic activities, the Union health ministry said on Friday.

Accelerating efforts to restart long-stalled business activities to contain the economic cost of the pandemic, the Health Ministry on Thursday released SOPs for reopening offices, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and religious places.

Some of them have already re-opened in parts of the country and a few others are scheduled to re-start in the next phase of unlocking from next Monday.

Nevertheless, coronavirus cases and death toll in India continued to mount.

A record jump of 9,851 cases and 273 fatalities in 24 hours took the country’s COVID-19 tally on Friday to 2,26,770 and death toll to 6,348.

“The new guidelines aim to instil COVID-19 appropriate behaviour to contain the chain of transmission while allowing social and economic activity to resume,” the health ministry said.

According to the SOPs, restaurants, hotels, places of worship and offices in COVID-19 containment zones will remain closed

and only those outside these areas will be allowed to open.

Cinema halls, gaming arcades and children play areas in malls outside containment zones would be barred from opening.

The SOPs included measures like allowing only asymptomatic staff, guests, customers and devotees on the premises, proper crowd management and maintaining effective and frequent sanitation, with a particular focus on lavatories, drinking and handwashing stations/ areas.

Recorded devotional music or songs may be played and choir or singing groups should not be allowed. Common prayer mats should be avoided and devotees should bring their own mat or piece of cloth which they may take back with them, the SOPs stated.

“No physical offerings like prasad/distribution or sprinkling of holy water, etc should be allowed inside the religious place,” the ministry said, underlining that community kitchens, langars, ‘Ann-Daan’ etc at religious places should follow physical distancing norms while preparing and distributing food.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 1,10,960 while 1,09,462 patients have recovered till Friday 8 AM with 5,355 having been cured in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said, adding the recovery rate was 48.27 per cent.

“The inspector has been suspended and other cops with him have been sent to lines. A detailed probe is ordered in the matter,” he said. The SP said that a detailed probe has been ordered by the additional superintendent of police and an order has been issued to lodge an FIR against the inspector for not following social distancing under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code.

The video went viral on Thursday purportedly showing the farewell ceremony organised for the Sta-

Indore, Jun 5 (PTI): Questions are being raised over the functioning of the Madhya Pradesh health department after it reported the death of a COVID-19 patient in Indore almost two months after that person had succumbed to the infection.

The patient, a 42-yearold man, had died of coronavirus infection on April 6, an official said on Friday.

The official shared the information about the death to the media along with the latest COVID-19 bulletin of the district.

When asked about the delay in reporting the death, officiating Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) M P Sharma told PTI, “I will find out at which stage the delay has happened.”

“Many times, hospitals provide information related to the death of COVID-19 patients to us late. But it is true that there should not be any delay of this kind.

tion House Officer (SHO) of Baskhari police station (Amebedkar Nagar), Manoj Kumar Singh, after he was transferred to Jaitpur police station. The cavalcade, according to sources, was held on Wednesday when someone shot the video in which policemen and residents violated the lockdown and no one was wearing a mask.

In the video, the SHO is seen sitting in an open jeep, which is garlanded, followed by another jeep, police vehicles and a number of four wheelers and two wheelers.

We will soon set the system right,” he said. Questioning the delay, the opposition Congress and activists in Indore have been accusing the state government of reporting COVID-19 deaths as per its own convenience.

They have also alleged this delay has raised question marks over the credibility of COVID-19 figures provided by the government. The Congress has even sought a white paper on this issue.

State Congress spokesperson Aminul Khan Suri has demanded a high-level inquiry into the delay.

In its bulletin, the health department has reported three more deaths at different hospitals in Indore, which took the number of fatalities in Indore district to 149, highest in the state.

Officials said that as many as 54 people tested coronavirus positive in last 24 hours, which took the district tally to 3,687.

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OBJECTIVE: To help Government of Nagaland in formulation of Policies for impacting the growth of enterprises in the State, this Survey is being conducted. All genuine Entrepreneur/Enterprises/business in the State are requested to enlist their business through this Survey.

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REGISTRATION/SURVEY LINK: https://bit.ly/NagalandEnterprisSurvey Website Link: https://industry.nagaland.gov.in/nagalandenterprise-survey-2020/ NOTE: To avail scheme benefits from both Central & State Govt., every enterprise/business (manufacturing/service) should register through https://udyogaadhaar.gov.in DC-491

Issued by DIPR

New Delhi/Mumbai, Jun 5 (PTI): State Bank of India on Friday posted over four-fold jump in standalone net profit at Rs 3,581 crore for March quarter, 2019-20 mainly on account of stake sale in its credit card subsidiary and fall in bad loans.

The country’s largest lender clocked a net profit of Rs 838.44 crore in JanuaryMarch period of 2018-19.

However, the profit during the fourth quarter of 2019-20 was down sequentially.The profit in December quarter was Rs 5,583.36 crore, SBI said in a regulatory filing.

“Bank registered a net profit of Rs 3,581 crore in Q4FY20, an increase of 327 per cent over Q4FY19,” it said.

“For the full year

FY20, net profit stood at Rs 14,488 crore against net profit of Rs 862 crore in FY19. This is also the highest ever yearly net profit recorded by the bank,” SBI said in a release.

The stake sale in SBI Cards and Payment Services and SBI Life Insurance Company helped the bank record its highest ever net profit in 2019-20.

The standalone income during March quarter of the last fiscal rose to Rs 76,027.51 crore from Rs 75,670.50 crore in the yearago period, the filing said.

In 2019-20, the bank’s income grew to Rs 2,96,329.43 crore as against Rs 2,78,082.99 crore in the preceding fiscal.

SBI said exceptional items during 2019-20

included net profit of Rs 3,484.30 crore on sale of certain portion of investment in bank’s subsidiary SBI Life Insurance in the second quarter and net profit of Rs 2,731.34 crore on sale of certain portion of investment in SBI Cards and Payment Services in March quarter.

On asset quality front, the bank showed improvement with gross non performing assets (NPAs) falling to 6.15 per cent of the gross advances as on March 31, 2020 as against 7.53 per cent by the year-ago same period.

Net NPAs or bad loans too were trimmed to 2.23 per cent from 3.01 per cent.

Thus, provisioning for bad loans and contingencies for the fourth quarter came down to Rs 13,495.08 crore from Rs 16,501.89 crore parked aside for the yearago same period.

SBI said it has made an investment of Rs 6,050 crore in Yes Bank which constitutes 48.21 per cent of the equity capital post investment.

SBI stock closed 7.90 per cent higher at Rs 187.80 on BSE.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur saturDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

Frontliners on the edge

Govt was unprepared for returnees: NPP

(From p-1) There are also reports of some unruly scenes created at some quarantine centres as returnees complained of being made to wait long hours for processing and also being accommodated in same rooms with those who were later confirmed as COVID-19 positive cases.

Even the police personnel on duty at various quarantine facilities and on policing duties were also quite apprehensive about their safety as many have not been issued with proper protective gears.

The situation is said to be most worrisome in far flung districts where

neither adequate medical staff nor facilities are available.

In the event of a few hundred requiring intensive treatment for COVID19 in hospitals, the number of ventilators and other necessary equipments are too few to meet the demands.

Returnees being sent along with others in the same buses have also only raised the spectre of community spread which could prove most dangerous, say health experts, unless stringent measures are undertaken for tracing.

There are also reports of returnees stopping at roadside shops during their journey by buses.

Dimapur in need of more medical...

(From p-1) DC Dimapur Anoop Kinchi, APC and in charge Dimapur district for COVID-19 activities Y. Kikheto Sema apprised the meeting on the practical problems faced by the district and also on the action plan taken for the frontline workers specially sanitisation workers and drivers.

Commissioner police Dimapur Rothihu Tetseo, informed that police were still maintaining border sealing in spite MHA order for allowing inter-state movement.

In this regard, he sought advice/direction from the state government.

CMO and MS Dimapur also highlighted the difficulties faced due to shortage of medical staff. The meeting was also attended by Advisor Tovihoto, NPF legislator Azheto Zhimomi, Food & civil supplies secretary Honje Konyak and doctors from medical department.

Trade unions call for nationwide protest on July 3

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): Ten central trade unions, including Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), on Friday called for a nationwide protest on July 3 against alleged anti-worker and anti-people policies of the government.

“We call upon the working class and trade unions of all affiliations to make the programme of Nationwide Protest Day on 3rd July 2020 a massive success throughout the country...,” a joint statement by the ten central trade unions said.

After the observance of the Nationwide Protest Day, a concrete form of non-cooperation and defiance, including a nationwide general strike, will be decided by the joint platform of Central Trade Unions and independent Federations and Associations at an appropriate time, it added.

Apart from Indian National Trade Union Congress and Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the other eight are All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC),

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).

The unions also asked the government to immediately hold the long overdue Indian Labour Conference to dwell upon the 12-point charter of demands, the labour and trade union rights, issues of job losses, wages, job security and the migrant workers’ issues. There are 12 central trade unions in

the country.

“We cannot accept lying down the designs for imposition of slavery on workers through total nullification of all labour laws; nor can we remain an onlooker to the government project of wholesale privatisation of our public sector undertakings (PSUs) through multi-pronged routes,” they said.

The jobless are more than 14 crore and if the daily wagers/ contract/ casual workers are added, the number swell up to more than 24 crores who are out of livelihood at present, they noted.

“The so-called Rs 20

lakh crore package of the government is nothing but a hoax and cruel joke on the suffering people,” they said.

The unions also alleged that the central government has most insensitively dealt with the problem of COVID-19 as a law and order issue instead of treating it as a medical emergency for the human being and society.

“It has caused immense miseries to millions of workers, farmers and other vulnerable sections of the society. Whereas, the government stood only by corporates and big businesses,” they said.

No. 9585 Yesterday’s solution No. 9584

No. 4204 Yesterday’s solution No. 4203

No. 3229 Yesterday’s solution No. 3228

Across 4. Military trainees (6) 7. Draw near to (8) 8. He flew too near the sun (6) 10. Decree (5) 13. Diluted rum (4) 14. Girl’s name (4) 15. Faucets (4) 16. Insect (3) 17. An enticement (4) 19. Market, trading centre (4) 21. Tool for tossing hay (9) 23. Floor covering (4) 24. Facility (4) 26. Policeman, informally (3) 27. Mend with stitches (4) 29. Unguis (4) 32. Appends (4) 33. Christmas show (5) 34. Travelling case (6) 35. Beloved (8) 36. Polite, respectable (6) Down 1. Manservant (5) 2. Madrid’s country (5) 3. Sound a horn (4) 4. Cheep (5) 5. Hale (4) 6. School absentee (6) 9. World or universe (6) 11. Slope downwards (3) 12. Hut (5) 13. Assembles (7) 15. Facial twitch (3) 16. Noah’s vessel (3) 18. On bad terms (2,4) 20. Stadium (5) 21. Fruit seed (3) 22. Football supporter (3) 23. Find (6) 25. Seizure (3) 28. Skilful (5) 30. Irritate (5) 31. Slack (5) 32. Assistant (4) 33. Select (4)

(From p-1) According to NPP, the government also made an unrealistic promise of setting up a BSL-2 lab at Tuensang. Asking the government whether it even know the logistics involved in setting up a BSL-2 lab, the party pointed out that BSL-2 lab at CIHSR was till date not functional.

Instead, the government should have given priority to setting up more COVID19 treatment facilities for the patients, instead of solely focusing on testing alone, it added.

As BSL-2 labs are dependent on continuous generator supply for their specialized air handling units for running the negative pressure rooms, the party said without proper power back-ups and infrastructure, in addition to constant load-shedding, efficiency of such labs were highly questionable.

“We would also like to inform you that BSL-2 lab is just a facility. It is not the equipment. The equipment is an RT-PCR, which is a highly sophisticated machine and requires years of training by very skilled technologists to run it,” the representation explained.

Alleging that frontline workers have not been provided with proper facilities, the party feared that in the coming days many medical staff could leave their job due to safety concerns.

It asked Rio to refer to a news report published in a leading daily wherein it was mentioned that with the rising cases of COVID-19 in the State, many nurses were quitting their jobs in private hospitals as they were feeling unsafe, coupled with increased workload and family pressure to quit their jobs.

And adding to the apathy of medical fraternity, NPP pointed out the gover nment had given doctors, who are already overworked, the responsibility of deciding the fate of quarantinees. It also alluded to reports that after the mandatory institutional 14-day quarantine, the doctors were being directed by the government to issue certificates to the quarantinees without even conducting swab tests on them.

Mentioning that Dimapur had the highest number of returnees (approximately 70%), the party said it however had minimal facilities, unlike Kohima where the best fa-

cilities were concentrated, including maximum number of doctors and nurses.

Also, chief medical officers of all districts were not only handling COVID19 hospitals, but also the quarantine centres with limited manpower, which was adding to the workload of medical staff.

Moreover, currently there was no adequate backup of doctors and paramedics, particularly in Dimapur, due to which they were not only overloaded but also had the risk of being infected with the virus. It however appreciated Dimapur District COVID-19 Committee led

by Y Kikheto Sema for doing an incredible job of managing the overall situation The representation also charged the government of not hiring experts from outside for seeking advice on battling the pandemic, while taking advices of some “inexperienced stooges” who bad political affiliation and no professional knowhow.

The party demanded legitimate answers from the government on all these as people have to be assured that they were in safe hands at this crucial juncture.

Organisations flay sending of COVID patient...

(From p-1) However, the forum stated that the same mistake has been repeated, adding that this time it was Peren district that became the victim. DDCF said the present case was “more serious and severe”, saying the responsible authority had “proper and confirmed knowledge” regarding the status of the patient.

The forum stated that if such “careless handling” of the returnees and the positive patients continued, “the hour is very near for community transmission of Covid-19”.

DDCF has, therefore, appealed to the state government to deal with all the cases concerning Covid-19 very sensitively in the future. It added that even those who had completed the institutional quarantine period needed to be cautiously handled.

NIPF: Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum (NIPF) expressed pain over

what it described as “serious violation” of SOP by sending a Covid-19 positive returnee to Peren district.

NIPF through its media cell reminded that as per SOP all returnees from Chennai “will continue to remain in the Quarantine Centre until the Covid-19 test are done on all such person”, and those who test positive but do not require hospitalization and are fit to travel will be sent “under special transportation after following all the necessary health protocols”.

However, NIPF said that SOP has been violated once again after Tuensang fiasco with the sending of a Covid-19 positive patient along with others to Peren district. It asserted that repeated violation of SOP followed by clarification(s) needed to be immediately stopped.

NIPF has urged the government to be more sensitive and cautious in dealing and handling the situation for public safety.

Peren fiasco: Similarity in name may have caused confusion, says official

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JUN 5 (NPN): As recent transfer of a COVID-19 positive patient to Jalukie under Peren district from Dimapur attracted criticisms from all sections of the society, Nagaland Post contacted Dimapur district medical department official and asked to shed light on the incident.

The official, on condition of anonymity, explained that the inadvertent mistake occurred when one female returnee (22 years), whose name was similar to another female returnee (19 years) boarded the bus to Peren.

It was learnt that the both the females were lodged at the same hotel. As per the procedure, the official said all returnees whose samples were sent for COVID-19 test were separated from others and lodged at hotels identified for isolation.

It was explained that this precaution was taken to avoid any possible spread of the virus at the quarantine centres in case any test sample returning positive.

Presently, the official said returnees were lodged at 60 quarantine centres spread across Dimapur district. From these centres, the official said 105 samples were collected and sent for testing to Kohima and Dibrugarh, Assam on May 29, 2020.

Following the procedure, all 105 returnees were brought from their respective quarantine centres and lodged at 12-13 hotels. Coincidently, the official said the two females were lodged at the same hotel in Dimapur.

On June 2, 2020, the

official said the first batch (50 samples) of test results was received, out of which one of the females (aged 19) tested negative.

Subsequently, the official said that an arrangement was made on June 3, 2020 as per the revised SOP to transport 17 negative returnees to Peren district.

It was learnt that the names of those who were to be transported back to Peren were called out.

When the name of the female, who tested negative, was called out, the official said the female (aged 22) whose test result was still awaited boarded the bus.

“Maybe she thought that her name was called out. The officials present there must have thought that she is the person because both shared similar names.

It must have created some confusion,” said the official. On June 3 at around 10 p.m., the official said the test result of the remaining 50 samples was received through e-mail. After finding a positive case in the group, the official said contact tracing began when it was found out that the female (age 22), who was tested positive, had already left for Peren while the other female was still at the hotel.

The official said Peren medical department was immediately informed and asked to isolate the positive patient and take necessary measures. The official maintained that the unfortunate error occurred in spite of health professionals giving their best effort to contain the virus.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Production Commis-

sioner (APC), Y Kikheto Sema, who is also the overall in charge of Dimapur district for all COVID-19 related activities, appealed the public to be more understanding and continue to support the Team Dimapur district as it was “shouldering the responsibility” for the rest of the state.

He also urged the people to support Dimapur District Task Force (DTF) under Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Dimapur district medical department and police in containing any possible spread of the virus.

On Jalukie issue, he said the responsible department has informed that the mistake occurred as the two females had “similar names” for which there was some sort of confusion.

However, Sema said the matter should be put to rest as the medical department has already regretted the “unintentional error”.

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

‘Committed to resolve border issue with India’ Little progress in EU-UK trade talks

It is not immediately known what will be the proposals that the Indian military will take to the negotiating table but it is understood that it will insist on return to status quo in all the areas.

The two sides have already held at least 10 rounds of negotiations between local commanders as well as major general-rank officials of the two armies but the talks did not yield any positive result, they said.

It is learnt that two sides are also engaged in diplomatic talks to find a solution to the face-off which is turning out to be the most serious military standoff

Philipines dismisses UN report on human rights violations

Human rights advocates in the Philippines after the UNHRC approved a resolution mandating a comprehensive international review of drug war. (File)

EU hopes to free borders of virus restrictions: Johansson Brussels, Jun 5 (AP): Europe could have its free travel zone up and running again by the end of the month, but travellers from further afield will not be allowed in before July, European Union Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said Friday after talks among the bloc’s interior ministers.

Panicked by the coronavirus outbreak in Italy in February, countries in the 26-nation Schengen area — where people and goods move freely without checks — imposed border restrictions without consulting their neighbours to try to keep the disease out.

The moves caused traffic jams and blocked medical equipment.

Free movement is a jewel in Europe’s crown which helps business flourish, and many European officials feared that the very future of the Schengen area was at threat from the restrictions. These added to

pressures already caused by the arrival in Europe of well over 1 million migrants in 2015.

“I personally believe that we will return to a full functioning of the Schengen area and freedom of movement of citizens no later than the end of the month of June,” Johansson told reporters after the videoconference meeting.

She said Europe’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control believes that confinement and other health measures are working. The center says that more than 168,000 people have been killed by the coronavirus in Europe, mostly in Britain, Italy, France and Spain. “Physical distancing and other health-related measures are still needed, of course. But health authorities are clear that there is no long a clear justification for either travel restrictions or border measures within the EU Schengen area,” Johansson said.

force, may have emboldened police to treat the circular as permission to kill,” the report said. Roque dismissed the accusations.

“We remain a nation that takes pride in protecting our people’s rights and freedoms, among which is the freedom of expression,” he said. According to the UN, at least 8,633 people have been killed since the Philippines government launched its anti-drug campaign, while rights groups claim the tolls is more than 12,000. It added that among those killed between 201419 were 248 human rights defenders, social leaders, journalists, lawyers and union members.

Gunmen kill 21 in Nigeria attacks Kano, Jun 5 (Agencies): Armed gangs have killed 21 people in the latest bloody assaults on villages in restive northwest Nigeria, police said.

Assailants trying to steal cattle shot dead 15 people in clashes with local residents in six remote communities of Zamfara state on Tuesday, regional police spokesman Mohammed Shehu.

The gunmen -- dubbed “bandits” by the authorities -- returned the next day and shot dead six mourners at funerals for the earlier victims, the statement released Thursday said.

Nigeria’s northeast has been wracked by years of violence, involving clashes between rival communities over land, attacks by heavily armed gangs and retaliation strikes from vigilante groups.

The unrest, which experts say has been spurred by overpopulation and climate change, has seen an estimated 8,000 people killed since 2011 and 200,000 flee their homes.

Last week dozens were killed when armed gangs raided a string of villages in nearby Sokoto state.

Nigeria’s military last month said it had launched air raids to try to stop the attacks.

Authorities have conducted repeated security operations and local peace negotiations but have failed to end the bloodshed.

Minneapolis bids farewell to George Floyd Minneapolis, Jun 5 (IANS): The US city of Minneapolis bid farewell to George Floyd 10 days after his death in police custody which triggered the country’s largest racial justice protests of the 21st century.

Floyd’s funeral will take place in Texas on June 9, but on Thursday a memorial service was held in Minneapolis, the city in which he had lived for the past few years and where he was killed on May 25, reports Efe news.

“George Floyd’s story has been the story of black folks. Because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed to be is you kept your knee on our neck,” Reverend Al Sharpton said in a eulogy.

Passersby made videos of the incident with their mobile phones that showed Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling with his full body weight on Floyd’s neck after he had been handcuffed and placed facedown on the pavement.

“What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country, in education, in health services and in every area of American life. It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say: get your knee off our necks,” the Reverend said.

A mourner pays respect at a memorial for George Flyod in Minneapolis on June 4.

On the 10th day of protests in the US, many cities that had experienced nights of violence, chaos and looting, particularly in Washington and Los Angeles, lifted curfew restrictions following largely peaceful protests and no disturbances.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called the incident “wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful,” while the man hospitalized is in a stable condition.

planned this weekend in Sydney, saying it posed a coronavirus health risk.

New South Wales (NSW) Police had sought a court order to halt it.

Thousands were expected to attend the rally in solidarity with US protests over the killing of George Floyd and to express anger over indigenous deaths in Australian custody.

Organisers say they are determined to go ahead the protest.

Court bans Aus ‘Black with Since the killing of Lives Matter’ rally African-American man An Australian court George Floyd in Minnehas banned a Black Lives apolis, Australians have Matter protest that was protested against their own

MESULUMI YOUTH SOCIETY P.O. Pfutsero-797107, BPO Mesulumi District Phek : Nagaland Regd. No. RS-1216

FELICITATION

With immense pride and joy, the MYS would like to congratulate all the successful candidates of GHS Mesulumi in the recently declared HSLC examination 2020.

In general we also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the teaching staff for the sincerity and dedication for enabling the school with good results.

Wishing them a very successful in the near future.

(WEZULHI THELE) (CHELO RHAKHO) President General Secretary

Hq. Tizit, Dist: Mon: Nagaland Pin- 798602 Email: tasuoffice@gmail.com

The Office of the Tizit Area Students’ Union (TASU) would like to convey our hearty congratulations to all the successful students of Tizit Area in the recently declared HSLC and HSSLC results conducted by the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) 2020.

The TASU also acknowledges the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Tizit, for producing cent percent result in the HSLC examination for the ninth (9th) consecutive years.

The TASU wishes all the successful students the best in all their endeavors and appeal to those students who could not make it this time to be more sincere and not give up trying.

James Konyak President

Penngam Konyak Education Secretary

country’s disproportionate number of black deaths in custody. “Everybody has given up a lot in order to defeat this disease,” Justice Desmond Fagan said, ruling that health concerns outweighed the right to protest on this occasion.

“It’s not a time to throw out our caution,” he added.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison criticised the planned protests on Friday. “Let’s find a better way and another way to express these sentiments, rather than putting your own health at risk, the health of others at risk,” he said.

FELICITATION

OFFICE OF THE

TIZIT AREA STUDENTS’ UNION FELICITATION

OFFICE OF THE

repeatedly said he won’t ask for an extension.

The best hope for an imminent breakthrough in talks now rests on a highlevel political meeting between Johnson and the EU’s top official, Ursula Von der Leyen, scheduled for later this month. The hope is that they will be able to meet in person and push the negotiations forward in a way that remote conferencing has not so far.

If they don’t reach an agreement by the end of the year, tariffs and quotas will return on trade between the two sides, another economic shock - on top of the pandemic - that most economists think would affect Britain more. Cars exported

With immense pride and joy, the Pughoboto Town Baptist Church would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Mrs. Yhunyule Kent (Xuvili I Wotsa) promoted to Joint Director Department of School Education Government of Nagaland and to all the student members of our church who have passed in the recently declared result of HSLC and HSSLC. We pray that our Almighty God bless you all in your future endeavours.

Sd/Sd/Y. Toniho Wotsa Ahovi Swu Clerk, PTBC Pastor, PTBC

FELICITATION

OFFICE OF THE

CHAKHESANG STUDENTS’ UNION H.Q PHEK: NAGALAND

FELICITATION

The Chakhesang Students’ Union is honoured and extends its sincere appreciation to all the successful candidates of HSLC and HSSLC Exam 2020. The Union sends its esteem regards to all the toppers and successful candidates for bringing laurels to the community. “If a student moves confidently in the direction of dreams and endeavors to live the life which he/she has imagined, it becomes easy to attain success” Thoreau.

Congratulations and best wishes for your next adventure. Also to those who could not make it this time, failure is an inseparable part of life but if you believe in your dreams, failure is only a temporary setback. Never give up.

HSLC TOPPERS 5. AZIZI PHESAO (96.00%) D/o Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao, Yoruba Village 12. BATSOLÜ MEDE-O (94.83%) D/o Mhasheto Mede-o, Pholami Village 18. (a) NOVELÜ SWÜRO (93.67%) D/o Yota Swüro, Chesezu Village HSSLC TOPPERS ARTS STREAM 6. (b) KHRÜVOTOLÜ SWÜRO (88.40%) D/o Nevopra Swüro, Ruzazho Village COMMERCE STREAM 10. NEIMHELO-Ü LASUH (91.80%) D/o Kedungulo Lasuh, Thetsumi Village PEI KEZO VETHO VADEO Education Secy., CSU President, CSU

OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION OF SAINIK SCHOOL IMPHAL (OBASSI) NAGALAND CHAPTER Registration No. HOME/SRC-7411

FELICITATION

The Old Boys Association of Sainik School Imphal Nagaland Chapter with immense pride and joy congratulates Cadet Er. Hotovi Ayemi, Adm No.42, on being promoted to the post of Chief Engineer, Department of Water Resources, Govt. of Nagaland and Cadet Er. Atovi K Sema Adm No. 103 on being promoted to the post of General Manager, Nagaland State Transport Department. OBASSI also conveys its best wishes and success in all their future endeavors.

The Association further expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Govt. of Nagaland under the dynamic leadership of Shri. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland for the honour bestowed upon its members.

(Cadet C Lima Imsong) President

(Cadet Leyant N) General Secretary

The Mao Union Kohima, together with the Mao Student’s Union Kohima takes immense pride in congratulating Ms. Kriizhiini Pfotte, D/o Athikho Neli for securing the 15th position with a percentage of 94.17 in the recently concluded HSLC 2020 examination conducted by the Nagaland Board of School Education.

The Unions also extends their heartfelt appreciation to Little Flower Higher Secondary School Kohima and all the successful candidates for their hard work and wishes them the very best in all their future undertakings.

Sd/Sd/President (MUK) President (MSUK) DIHE MAO HUGH TAFO

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abuses including “credible accusations of extrajudicial killings”. In response, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Thursday that impunity had no place in the Philippines.

“Law enforcers operate on strict protocols and transgressors of the law are made accountable,” he said in a statement. The UN report also highlighted the issue of official language used by Duterte in the implementation of his war on drugs, noting the use of vocabulary such as “neutralization”.

“Such ill-defined and ominous language, coupled with repeated verbal encouragement by the highest level of State officials to use lethal

China has appointed a new Army commander for its Western Theatre Command (WTC) ground forces responsible for the Sino-India border, ahead of the key talks between senior Indian and Chinese military officials on Saturday to end the border standoff.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theatre Command, on its official website, announced that Lieutenant General Xu Qiling has been appointed as the new commander for its ground forces.

Before this, he reportedly served in the Eastern Theatre Command.

The Western Theatre Command of the PLA guards the 3,488-km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India. The PLA’s Western Theatre Command, which includes the ground force or Army, Air Force and Rocket Force, is headed by General Zhao Zongqi. The new appointment comes at a time when the Chinese and Indian forces are locked in a border standoff since early last month.

Michel Barnier (File)

from one side to the other, for example, would face a 10% levy.

Barnier lambasted the UK for trying to distance itself from commitments made in the political declaration that accompanied the Brexit agreement. Those dealt with issues related to its departure from the bloc such as citizens’ rights and the value of historic liabilities.

In the political declaration, which is not a legal document in the way the Brexit withdrawal deal is, the two sides laid out their ambitions for the trade talks and their hopes about the future relationship.

“In all areas, the UK continues to backtrack on the commitments it has taken in the political declaration,” he said. “We will not accept this backtracking on the political declaration.”

Insisting a trade deal remains possible, Barnier said an agreement on fisheries is required for a compromise.

“They continue to condition access to waters to an annual negotiation which is not possible for us, not even technically possible.”

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Manila, Jun 5 (IANS): The Philippines government has dismissed a UN human rights report which had claimed that the country had acted with impunity during its war on drugs, as “unfounded”.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the report found “deep-seated impunity for serious human rights violations, and victims have been deprived of justice for the killings of their loved ones. Their testimonies are heartbreaking”, reports Efe news.

The report said President Rodrigo Duterte’s tough anti-drugs campaign had led to human rights

China appoints new commander for WTC troops

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“We are committed to properly resolve the relevant issue,” Geng said.

The general officer commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps, Lt Gen Harinder Singh, is expected to represent India at the talks which is scheduled to be held at one of the border meeting points, the official sources in New Delhi said.

The Indian side is expected to present specific proposals at the talks to deescalate tension in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley and Demchok - the three areas in eastern Ladakh where the two sides have been on a bitter standoff for the last one month, the sources said.

Brussels, Jun 5 (AP): Another round of trade discussions between the European Union and the UK ended Friday — and once again there were no signs of real progress ahead of a looming deadline on whether a transition arrangement can be extended.

Following four days of video discussions because of the coronavirus pandemic, the two sides remained at loggerheads on a number of issues, including on regulations for businesses. Their positions on fisheries also remain distant, with the UK adamantly opposed to EU demands for long-term access to British waters.

“The truth is there was no significant progress this week,” the EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said during a press conference.

The UK left the political institutions of the EU on January 31 but remains inside the EU’s tariff-free economic zone until the end of the year. That socalled transition period can be extended by two years but a request to do so has to be made by July 1. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has

DP-2625

Geng Shuang (File)

at Beg Oldie.

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

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

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between the two armies after the Doklam episode of 2017.

After the standoff began early last month, the Indian military leadership decided that Indian troops will adopt a firm approach dealing with the aggressive posturing by the Chinese troops in all disputed areas of Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daul-

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Beijing, Jun 5 (PTI): China on Friday said that it is committed to properly resolve the “relevant issue” with India ahead of the key talks between senior Indian and Chinese military officials on Saturday to end the border standoff.

Both the sides are expected to deliberate on specific proposals to end the month-long bitter standoff in eastern Ladakh during the first extensive talks between the Indian and Chinese military on Saturday, led by lieutenant generals from both the armies.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here that “at the moment the situation in the boundary region between China and India is overall stable and controllable”.

“We have full-fledged border-related mechanisms and we maintain close communications though military and diplomatic channels,” he said when asked about reports that Indian and Chinese military officials are due to hold talks on Saturday.

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

West sets up college Akshay Kumar only Indian in Not a billionaire, but Kylie fundKanye for George Floyd’s daughter Forbes 2020 highest paid celebs list Jenner is highest-paid celeb B

Kylie Jennera

K

y l i e Je n n e r a n d K a n ye We s t o n Thursday topped the annual Forbes list of the highest paid celebrities, but sports stars, including Roger Federer and Lionel Messi, dominated the top 10.

Forbes estimated that Jenner earned $590 million in the last 12 months, mostly from the sale of a 51% stake in her Kylie Cosmetics line

Dedicated to end disenfranchisement of Black America: DiCaprio

O

scar winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio has joined the fight to end racial disparity in the US, and says he is committed to “listen, learn and take action”.

The actor took to social media to make a statement on Black Lives Matter movement as protests continue across the US. “I commit to listen, learn and take action. I am dedicated to end the disenfranchisement of Black America, that has been present for too long,” he wrote.

The actor also appealed to his fans and followers to join the fight and donate.

He listed four organisations, including the Fair Fight Initiative and the NAACP. DiCaprio wrote: “I will support those individuals, organisations and coalitions that are committed to bring about long-term change. I will be donating personally to each of the following organisations. Please, join me, in following and learning from the organisations below -- Color of Change, Fair Fight Action, The NAACP and Equal Justice Initiative.”

(IANS)

to Coty in 2019.

Jenner, 22, the halfsister of Kim Kardashian, made headlines a week ago when Forbes said that after reviewing data from the Coty sale, it no longer believed she was a billionaire as it had declared a year ago.

Jenner responded saying that the original Forbes estimate was based on “a number of inaccurate statements and

unproven assumptions.”

West, who is married to Kardashian, followed with an estimated $170 million in earnings, much of it from his deal with Adidas for his Yeezy sneaker brand.

West was also the topearning musician, followed

by Elton John who raked in most of his estimated $81 million from a lengthy farewell tour.

Forbes said the Celebrity Top 100 earned a combined $6.1 billion before taxes and fees, a $200 million drop from 2019, after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered stadiums and sports arenas. Tennis champion Federer took third place with an estimated $106.3 million, mostly from endorsement deals with the likes of Japanese clothing company Uniqlo and watch maker Rolex. He was followed by soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.

Forbes compiled the list by estimating pre-tax earnings from June 2019June 2020, before deducting fees for managers, based on data from Nielsen, touring trade publication Pollstar, movie database IMDB, as well as interviews with industry experts and many of the celebrities themselves.

(Reuters)

Kanye West

R

apper Kanye West has announced that he has created a college fund for George Floyds six-year-old daughter Gianna, and donated $2 million to different charities.

The rapper’s representative said that he has donated $2 million to charities associated with Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Floyd. In addition, he has also pledged to cover legal costs for the Arbery and Taylor families, reports variety.com.

Arbery was fatally shot while on a jog in February, and Taylor was killed in her home by police in March.

He will also be aiding black-owned businesses with financial contributions in his hometown of Chicago.

Floyd died on May 25 after police officer Derek Chauvin pinned Floyd to the ground using his knee. He kept his knee on

Floyd’s neck during his arrest, which led to his death. Chauvin and three other officers involved in Floyd’s arrest and resulting death have since been fired, arrested and charged in a criminal case.

After sharing his way to support the movement, West joined protesters to march on Chicago’s South Side.

Last month, his wife Kim Kardashian spoke out against the injustice through an Instagram post.

“For years, with every horrific murder of an innocent Black man, woman, or child, I have always tried to find the right words to express my condolences and outrage, but the privilege I am afforded by the color of my skin has often left me feeling like this is not a fight that I can truly take on my own. Not today, not anymore,” she said in her post.

(IANS)

ollywood superstar Akshay Kumar once again features in the Forbes 100 highest paid celebs list this year, with an estimated earning of $48.5 million. The actor featured on the list last year, too.

Forbes describes Akshay as “Bollywood’s topearning star” and “one of India’s most philanthropic celebrities”.

Akshay stands at rank 52 above Hollywood stars like Will Smith (at number 69) and Angeline Jolie (99).

Talking about Akshay Kumar, Forbes further wrote: “A bankable movie star, he commands up to $13 million upfront for films like the upcoming ‘Bachchan Pandey’ and ‘Bell Bottom’.”

“I just wanted to earn around 1 crore rupees, that’s it. But I’m a human being, and when I made my first, I thought, why can’t I make 100 crores. To be honest there was no stopping me,” shared Akshay Kumar.

Forbes listing puts Akshay’s collaboration with the streaming giant Amazon Prime Video for the actor’s digital debut series “The End” as one of the reasons for him being in the list of highest paid celebrities this year.

Akshay Kumar

The superstar delivered four back-to-back hit films last year -- “Kesari”, “Mission Mangal”, “Housefull 4” and “Good Newwz”. Akshay’s forthcoming movies include “Laxmmi Bomb”, “Sooryavanshi”, “Prithviraj” and “Atrangi Re”.

In the Forbes 2020 list of 100 highest paid celebs, the top 10 personalities and their earnings respectively are: Kylie Jenner, mod-

el ($590 million); Kanye West, rapper ($170m); Roger Federer, tennis player ($106.3m); Cristiano Ronaldo, footballer ($105m); Lionel Messi, footballer ($104m); Tyler Perry, actorcomedian ($97m); Neymar, footballer ($95.5m); Howard Stern, radio personality ($90m); LeBron James, basketball player ($88.2m) and Dwayne Johnson, actor ($87.5m).

(IANS)

Discrimination cannot be Gabrielle Union files complaint against AGT makers tolerated, says Angelina Jolie A

Angelina Jolie

H

ollywood star Angelina Jolie feels discrimination and impunity cannot be justified in any way, and says she hopes people in the US can come together to “address the deep structural wrongs in our society”.

The Oscar-winning star, who turned 45 on Thursday, also donated $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, reports people.com.

“Rights don’t belong to any one group to give to another. Discrimination and impunity cannot be tolerated, explained away or justified. I hope we can come together as Americans to address the deep structural wrongs in our society,” Jolie said.

“I stand with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in their fight for racial equality, social justice, and their call for urgent legisla-

tive reform,” she added.

Meanwhile, the actress celebrated her birthday amid lockdown with her six children -- Maddox, 18, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and 11-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

The actress and activist has been active since the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world and has donated to different organisations.

Jolie previously donated $1 million to No Kid Hungry, the organisation working to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I knew that there were problems in America, that there was poverty, but I could not believe when I realised how many school children in America were dependent on a meal to not go hungry. I was so disgusted that we have gotten to this point as a country and that we would let the most vulnerable be in such a state.

I can’t imagine what it feels like for those parents,” she said while opening up about her reason to get associated with the organisation.

(IANS)

ctress Gabrielle Union has filed a complaint against producers and the network behind “America’s Got Talent”, asking authorities to examine racism on the set of the reality show.

The actress has filed the complaint with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), reports hollywoodreporter.com.

She has claimed that she was fired from the Simon Cowell-created competition show for “her refusal to remain silent in the face of a toxic culture (at the sets) that included racist jokes, racist performances, sexual orientation discrimination, and excessive focus on female judges’ appearances, including race-related comments”.

The complaint comes months after Union’s exit from the show and a week after the culmination of a joint investigation by NBC, producers Fremantle and Simon Cowell’s Syco. The joint investigation stated that no derogatory remarks were made about Union’s appearance, adding that

Gabrielle Union

“race or gender was not a contributing factor in the advancement or elimination of contestants at any time”.

In the new complaint, it is being claimed that “when Gabrielle Union informed NBC of racially offensive conduct during the taping of ‘America’s Got Talent’,

NBC did not stand with her in outrage at acts of racism”.

“Instead, NBC did not care enough to either promptly investigate Ms. Union’s complaints or even ask HR to get involved.

Rather, NBC stood against her and directed its outrage at Ms. Union for whistle-

blowing about the racially offensive conduct she experienced while working for NBC on ‘America’s Got Talent’,” said her attorney Bryan Freedman.

Freedman added: “In sharp contrast to NBC’s recent statement on race, what was truly an outrage was the fact that Paul Telegdy, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, actually threatened Ms. Union in an attempt to silence her from telling the truth about racist actions that took place on the show. There is no place for this type of racial bullying in the workplace, and it is going to take more than a tweet from NBC to demonstrate that NBC intends to create an environment free from racism.”

Union’s fresh complaint comes at a time when the unrest continues in the US with country-wide protests in support of Black Lives Matter movement.

Meanwhile, she will soon be seen on the small screen once again in the second season of “LA’s Finest”, which will be aired in India on Zee Cafe.

(IANS)

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ay-Z has provided a private jet to the attorney of Ahmaud Arbery, allowing him to attend the preliminary hearing of two men charged with his murder.

Father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael are accused of shooting Arbery, an unarmed black man, while he was out jogging in Brunswick, Georgia in February this year.

Lee Merritt, who is representing Arbery, confirmed that the rap mogul lent him the jet ahead of the preliminary court hearing, which commenced earlier this week.

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Sharing photos of the jet, he wrote on Instagram: “When you absolutely have to be in Court to stand with your client and righteous protestors for justice …

Jay Z sends his private jet.

That’s part of the P.P.E plan to get us out of this Crisis (People Power Political Power Economic Power).”

Merritt was in attendance as the preliminary hearing revealed how Travis McMichael called Arbery a “f**king n****r” after firing the shot that killed him.

Magistrate Court Judge Wallace Harrell subsequently confirmed that there is enough evidence for the McMichaels to face a subsequent murder trial, alongside William Bryan who faces charges of murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment.

Protesters gathered outside the Glynn County court where the preliminary hearing was held.

(NME)

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Jay-Z provides private jet for Arbery’s lawyer to attend trial

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‘Barca trophies first, then MLS move’

Antoine Griezmann

Madrid, Jun 5 (Agencies): Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann has reiterated he wants to play in Major League Soccer after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The France interna-

tional joined the Spanish champions from Atletico Madrid last summer in a deal worth £108m.

He has made 26 appearances this season, scoring eight goals.

Griezmann, 29, wants

Cricket is nothing without diversity: ICC

Dubai, Jun 5 (PTI): The International Cricket Council on Friday said “cricket is nothing without diversity” as racism remained a topic of global debate following the death of AfricanAmerican George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd died last week gasping for breath while a police officer pressed his knee on the handcuffed man’s neck, leading to violent protests.

The ICC on Friday posted a 90-second video clip of the final moments of England’s 2019 World Cup victory with Barbados-born Joffra Archer bowling the thrilling Super Over against New Zealand. “Without diversity, cricket is nothing.

Without diversity, you don’t get the full picture,” read ICC’s message on Twitter.

The England team that won the ODI World Cup had an Irishman captain (Eoin Morgan) at the helm. The best performer was a New Zealand born all-rounder (Ben Stokes), spinners were of Pakistani origin (Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid) and the innings got

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

a headstart from an opener of South African heritage (Jason Roy). In fact, Morgan after World Cup triumph spoke about how the team found unity in diversity which became the secret of its success.

“It actually epitomises our team. Quite diverse backgrounds and cultures and guys grow up in different countries and to actually find humour in the situation we were in at times was pretty cool,” Morgan had said back then, referring to the pulsating Super Over bowled by Archer.

World’s leading cricketers including West Indians Chris Gayle and Darren Sammy have spoken about racism in the game.

Sammy had even urged the ICC to come out in support of the black cricketers.

“Right now, if the cricket world not standing against the injustice against people of color after seeing that last video of that foot down the next of my brother you are also part of the problem,” Sammy had said on Tuesday.

to win trophies with Barcelona and help France retain the World Cup before he departs but he told the Los Angeles Times it is his ambition to eventually play in the United States, although he is unsure which MLS

Tokyo to skip one-year countdown event Tokyo, Jun 5 (Agencies): Organisers of the postponed Tokyo Summer Olympics have decided not to hold a large scale event marking the one year countdown to the Games because of the coronavirus pandemic, public broadcaster NHK reported on Friday.

Organisers are seeking to cut costs related to the postponement until next year of the Games, which had been due to start next month, and are also conscious of pandemic risks.

“We cannot hold a lively event while the risk of infection continues,” NHK quoted an unnamed organising committee source as saying.

At last year’s countdown event, organisers unveiled the medals at a ceremony attended by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the countdown clock in front of Tokyo Station was launched.

“I can really say that I have never seen any Olympic city being so ready with their preparations one year before the Games as Tokyo already is,” Bach said at the time.

The countdown clock has been reset for the new opening date of July 23, 2021.

club he may join.

“Winning La Liga and the Champions League with Barca would be a dream, and also my objective,” he said.

“Then there’s another World Cup in Qatar. And after that MLS. I don’t know which team, but I really want to play there. For me it’s an objective to end my career in the United States with the possibility of playing well and being a big part of the team and fighting for a title.”

This is not the first time Griezmann, a big NBA fan too, has discussed moving to America.

Two years ago he told Le Figaro, “Win a World Cup, a Champions League and then I can go and quietly play in the USA. That’s my ideal itinerary. It’s not bad, is it?”

“If the plan goes like that, I’d sign for that now.

I don’t know at which age I want to play in MLS, it’ll all depend on the trophies I’ll have won beforehand.”

Griezmann is currently preparing for the return of La Liga with a first match against Real Mallorca scheduled for June 13.

India to play Finch dismisses Clarke’s claim WC qualifiers Says Test series against India was played in ‘right spirit’ in Oct, Nov New Delhi, Jun 5

New Delhi, Jun 5 (Agencies): India could resume their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign on October 8 when they take on Qatar.

According to the tentative schedule worked out by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), India will then face Bangladesh away from home on October 13, whereas their last group stage fixture against Afghanistan is likely to be played on November 17, according to a Goal report.

The aforementioned matches were scheduled to take place in March and June until the Coronavirus pandemic halted all sporting activities across the world.

The fresh dates are yet to be rubber-stamped by FIFA and the AFC is waiting for official confirmation.

It has to be noted that the final decision also depends on the Coronavirus situation and travel regulations, as applicable to each country.

India are currently placed fourth in Group E with three points from five matches. Qatar top the table with 13 points while Oman are hot on their heels with 12.

(PTI): Australian cricketers played the 2018-19 home Test series against India in the “right spirit” and were not trying to be nice to opposition Virat Kohli to land IPL contracts, said limited overs skipper Aaron Finch, rejecting Michael Clarke’s controversial claim.

In April, former Australia skipper Michael Clarke had triggered a controversy when he claimed that the Australians had “sucked up” to Indian captain Kohli in recent years to protect their lucrative IPL deals.

“They were obviously not being nice to impress because they wanted an IPL contract. There is nothing about it,” Finch, who was part of the Test team during the series, told Sports Tak. “If you ask anyone playing on the field, they will tell you that it was very, very tough. It was played in the right spirit, but it was very tough. Not sure where it was coming from.”

The India series was only the second Test series after the ball tampering controversy that led to Steve Smith and David Warner’s

Spurs borrow £175 mn from Bank of Eng

London, Jun 5 (IANS): Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur announced on Thursday that it has secured a loan of 175 million pounds from the Bank of England.

Spurs said in a statement that they expect losses due to the coronavirus pandemic “could exceed 200 million pounds for the period to June, 2021.”

Spurs said the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Ltd (THS) met the criteria for the government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) scheme to avail short-term loans. It clarifed that the funds will not be used to acquire new players.

“The facility, which will not be used for player

acquisitions, has been arranged to ensure we have financial flexibility and additional working capital during these challenging times. The Club has opened a multi-use venue designed to deliver diversified revenue streams and created jobs, homes and schools as part of the regeneration of our neighbourhood,” said the club.

“We have always run this Club on a self-sustaining commercial basis. I said as early as 18 March that, in all my 20 years at the Club, there have been many hurdles along the way but none of this magnitude -- the COVID-19 pandemic has shown itself to be the most serious of them all,” said club Chairman Daniel Levy.

The Premier League still has 92 outstanding fixtures to be played.

The Premier League is currently scheduled to resume on June 17 after all elite football games in England were suspended on March 13 due to the outbreak of the coronavirus which has claimed more than 3.8 lakh lives across the world thus far.

Liverpool lead the Premier League table by 25 points with nine games remaining as they chase their first title in 30 years.

Recently, Aston Villa footballer Tyrone Mings said players were the ‘last people to be consulted’ over the English Premier League’s restart plans, which he feels is ‘financially driven’.

Ibrahimovic recovering well: AC Milan

Milan, Jun 5 (IANS): Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on his way back to recovery, his club A.C. Milan said on Thursday.

Ibrahimovic is recovering from a calf injury that he had suffered last month.

“Ibrahimovic has undergone a check-up following the injury to his right soleus muscle. His recovery is proceeding well, without complications and a new check-up is to be expected in about 10 days,” the club said in a statement.

Ibrahimovic joined the club in his second stint in January and has since

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

sparked a revival in the club’s fortunes before Italian football went into a freeze due to coronavirus.

Milan’s season will now restart with their Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Juventus on either June 12 or 13. Their first

Serie A match is at Lecce on June 22.

The decision, announced by Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora after less than an hour of virtual discussions with officials from the Italian Football Federation and representatives of Serie A, players, coaches, and referees on Thursday, comes after weeks of contentious talks and widespread media speculation on the topic.

“Italy is reopening (and) it is correct that the football season should restart as well,” Spadafora told reporters.

Aaron Finch

suspensions.

“The team was going through a transition, and there were a lot of players trying to find their way in international cricket and doing that against India.

Talking as a batsman, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, you can’t hide against that kind of attack.”

“Michael said we were being nice, but people were just trying to find their own game, they were trying

their best way to play Test cricket. But everyone is entitled to their views; he might have seen something from the outside which we didn’t see from inside,” said Finch.

India had defeated Australia by a 2-1 margin to register their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil.

Australia Test skipper Tim Paine, fast bowler Pat Cummins and former India batsman VVS Laxman had slammed Clarke for his comments.

Ronaldo becomes football’s 1st billionaire

Cristiano Ronaldo

Turin, Jun 5 (IANS): Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has become football’s first-ever billionaire one spot above his rival in the sport and Argentine star Lionel Messi, according to Forbes.

Juventus and Portugal forward Ronaldo, 35, is only the third athlete to hit the mark while still playing, following Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather, the report said.

“Ronaldo, the first to reach the earnings milestone in a team sport, has made $650 million on the pitch during his 17 years as a pro and is expected to reach $765 million in career salary with his current contract, which ends in June 2022,” the report on forbes.com read.

“Messi, who began playing at the senior level three years after Ronaldo, has earned a total of $605

million in salary since 2005. The only team athlete to even come within striking distance of those figures was former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, who retired in 2016 after 22 years in Major League Baseball having earned $450 million in salary.

“Not even soccer legend David Beckham came close, ending his career with total earnings of $500 million, half of which came from off-the-pitch endorsements.”

“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all time, in the world’s most popular sport, in an era when football has never been so rich,” said Sporting Intelligence’s Nick Harris, whose Global Sports Salaries Survey ranks teams worldwide based on total salary expense. “He’s box office.”

Yuvraj Singh apologises for Chahal remark

Yuvraj Singh

New Delhi, Jun 5 (IANS): Facing severe backlash over his casteist slur for Yuzvendra Chahal, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has issued an K Y M C

apology, saying he never believes in any kind of disparity, be it on the basis of caste, colour, creed or gender.

Yuvraj faced the wrath

of many people on social media after he made a casteist remark towards Chahal while having a conversation with Rohit Sharma on Instagram.

“Ye b****i logon ko koi kaam nahi hai Yuzi ko... Yuzi ko dekha kaisa video daala (these people like Yuzi don’t have anything to do...did you see what kind of video Yuzi shared),” Yuvraj was heard as saying in a video which went viral on social media.

However, on Friday, Yuvraj said that he expresses regret if he “unintentionally” hurt anybody’s sentiments or feelings.

“This is to clarify that I have never believed in any kind of disparity, be it on the basis of caste, colour, creed or gender. I have given and continue to spend my life for the welfare of people,” the former Indian all-rounder said in a post on his official Twitter

handle.

“I believe in the dignity of life and respect each individual without exception. I understand that while I was having a conversation with my friends, I was misunderstood, which was unwarranted. However, as a responsible Indian I want to say that if I have unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments or feelings, I would like to express regret for the same,” the 39year-old further wrote.

“My love for India and all its people is eternal,” he finished.

A police complaint was also reportedly filed against Yuvraj by Dalit rights activist and advocate Rajat Kalsan in Hansi in Hisar.

The hashtag “Yuvraj_Maafi_Maango (Yuvraj Singh apologise)” also started trending on Twitter a couple of days back after the video made the rounds on social media.

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PL new fixtures released Liverpool’s title quest to resume on June 21

Liverpool players during a practise session ahead of Premier League restart.

L o nd o n , J u n 5 (Agencies): Premier League leaders Liverpool could clinch a first title in 30 years against Everton on June 21 after the first batch of fixtures of the restart were confirmed.

Jurgen Klopp’s side need a maximum of two wins to secure the top division crown and are due to play the Merseyside derby in their first game since football was halted in March.

If Arsenal beat Manchester City on June 17, the date of the season’s resumption, Liver pool can win the title by beating Everton.

The venue is still unclear as it was scheduled to be played at Goodison Park, but was included on a list of matches which local forces had asked to be moved to neutral venues.

The Premier League will resume on June 17

after a 100-day hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Aston Villa will kickoff the second part of the season when they host Sheffield United, their game in hand on their relegation rivals, before City welcome Arsenal.

Tottenham will host Manchester United on June 19, with Southampton travelling to Norwich on the same day.

The Premier League’s first weekend back over June 20 and 21 will also see Watford host Leicester.

We s t H a m h o s t Wolves with struggling Bour nemouth hosting Crystal Palace.

Chelsea resume when they travel to Villa Park on June 21 and Newcastle host Sheffield United earlier in the day.

Burnley complete the opening round of the re-

start with a trip to Manchester City on June 22.

In other key fixtures, Liverpool are due to host Crystal Palace on June 24 in a game which could win them the title, if they have not wrapped it up already.

Manchester United will play Sheffield United at Old Trafford on June 24.

Manchester City go to Chelsea on June 25 and Tottenham welcome West Ham on June 23.

Liver pool’s trip to Manchester City has also been pencilled in for July 2, although the venue is yet to be confirmed as it is one of the games which could be moved to a neutral stadium.

Struggling Villa host Wolves on June 27, bottom side Norwich go to Arsenal on July 1 and Bournemouth, in the final relegation spot, face Newcastle on the same day.

sports AIFF invites new clubs to join I-League New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI): The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Friday invited bids for new clubs who would take part in the Hero I-League from 2020-21. The bids have been invited from non-Hero ILeague cities and includes names of several cities like New Delhi, Ranchi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Lucknow and Ahmedabad, amongst others, according to an AIFF media release.

Prospective owners will be able to purchase the invitation to tender from the Football House in Delhi between June 10 and June 20 upon payment of Rs 4 lakh.

The previous season of the I-League saw 11 clubs, including AIFF’s developmental outfit Indian Arrows, take part in the competition.

However, champions Mohun Bagan are set to merge with ATK and will play in the Indian Super League (ISL) next season.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

Chelsea crowned champions of WSL L o nd o n , J u n 5 (Agencies): Chelsea were awarded the Women’s Super League title and Aston Villa were declared the winners of the second-tier Women’s Championship by England’s Football Association (FA) on Friday after the season was ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The FA Board has reached a majority decision to decide the 2019-20 FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship on a basic point-per-game basis, with promotion and relegation determined on sporting merit,” the FA said in a statement.

“As a result, the FA Board has today confirmed the decision to award the 2019-20 Barclays FA Women’s Super League title to Chelsea FC Women, and to award the 2019-20 FA Women’s Championship title to Aston Villa Women FC.” The decision to award the title on a points-pergame basis represents a blow

Chelsea regained the Women’s Super League trophy after being declared champion on Friday because the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

to Manchester City.

City were top of the WSL table and a point ahead of second-placed Chelsea, having played one game more than their rivals, when the season was halted in mid-March.

Both teams qualified for next season’s Women’s Champions League.

Bottom-placed Liverpool, whose men’s team are

two wins away from securing a first top-flight crown in 30 years, will be relegated to the second-tier for the 202021 season.

“As the 2019-20 results were expunged between Tier 3 to Tier 7 of the women’s pyramid, there will be no relegation or promotion between the FA Women’s Championship and Tier 3 this season,” the FA added.

The Women’s FA Cup is at the quarter-final stage and the FA said an update on the status of the competition would be issued after a board meeting later this month.

It added that the FA were working with clubs as well as other stakeholders to plan for next season with target start dates to be announced soon.

Barty voices concern over resuming tennis too soon Sydney, Jun 5 (Agencies): World number one Ashleigh Barty voiced caution Friday about resuming tennis too soon, saying she needed more information before committing to the U.S. Open in August.

The Australian, who surged to the top of the rankings last year and has stayed there since, said it was not just her but her entire team she must consider in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s exciting that tennis is being talked about again and things are moving in the right direction for us to start competing,” Barty told the Sydney Morning

Herald.

“But I’d need to understand all of the information and advice from the WTA and the USTA before making a decision on the US events.”

The WTA and ATP schedules have been on ice since March with action not set to resume until the end of July at the earliest.

Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II, while the French Open has been shifted from May-June to September-October.

A decision about the US Open - played in New York, which has been a hotbed for the virus - is yet

Ashleigh Barty

to be made, but its main draw is scheduled to begin on August 31.

Barty said she was concerned about travel exemptions for her support

staff.

While players could be exempt from a 14-day quarantine period, it remains unclear whether that also applies to their teams.

“It’s not just me, it’s my team I have to consider,” she said.

On Thursday, Rafael Nadal insisted tennis should not start again “until the situation is completely safe”.

“If you told me to play the US Open today, I would say ‘no’,” said the Spaniard, who captured a fourth US Open and 19th major in New York last year.

“In a few months, I don’t know. I hope so. We have to wait for people to return to normal life. And when it does, wait to see how the virus evolves.”

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