June 9, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 183

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Need to implement consensus with India: China international, Page 9

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State COVID tally touches 122 COVID – 19 POSITIVE STATUS as of 3:30 pm, 8th June 2020

Symptomatic cases AsympRecovCritical COVID HOSPITAL tomatic ered Mild Moderate Severe ICU (with- ICU (with ICU (On- TOTAL cases CASES out Oxygen) Oxygen) Ventilator) Dimapur DH 84 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 92 AR Hospital Dimapur 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Kiphire DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kohima NHAK 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Kohima Chedema 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Longleng DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mokokchung IMDH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mon DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peren CHC Jalukie 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Phek DH Tuensang DH 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 Wokha DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Zunheboto DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 State Total 114 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 122

125 arrived by flight from Kolkata and Guwahati, 124 from Delhi, 7 from Dibrugarh, 16 from Guwahati, 2 from Jorhat and 64 from Delhi by train, 4 from Guwahati and 3 from Siliguri by private cars.

Further, a special train from Gujarat and Maharashtra with 949 passengers was expected to arrive Dimapur around 12.30 a.m.

June 8. Another special train from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana is scheduled to depart for Nagaland on Tuesday.

Around 1400 expected

Around 1400 stranded * The Sample of 1 (One) case was collected twice on 30.05.2020 and 31.05.2020. Thereby, there is persons are expected to arduplication of 1 (One) case. Therefore, the total confirmed cases of Covid-19 is 122 and not 123. rive from Kerala on June 13. As per the COVID-19 Distribution of Cases by Domicile District dashboard, train no. 06420 District Kohima Dimapur Mokokchung Phek Zunheboto Tuensang Mon Wokha Kiphire Longleng Peren Total which is scheduled to deNumber 6 12 0 1 1 8 23 5 4 0 62 122 part Thiruvananthapuram DIMAPUR, JUN 8 (NPN): treatment at the COVID facility quarantine and 7,855 on June 9 is expected to arrive on June 13 morning.

Nagaland’s COVID-19 tally hospitals. Further, 86 are in home quarantine.

Earlier, 390 people arHe said 109 samples on Monday stood at 122, male patients and 36 female. rived on Sunday. Of these, with 114 cases being active While four are in the age were also tested by TrueNat cases and all the patients are group of 0-17 years, 117 are machines, of which 108 27 reached by air from Gucurrently receiving medical in the age group of 18-44 samples tested negative and wahati, 232 by train from care at designated COVID- years and one in the age result of one was awaited. Delhi and Dibrugarh, 89 345 arrive on Monday: from Uttar Pradesh and 29 group of 45-64 years.

19 hospitals.

Out of the 122 positive Mentioning this, prin- A total of 345 stranded from Jammu & Kashmir by cases, 114 cases are asymp- cipal secretar y (home) citizens arrived Nagaland on bus and eight from Guwatomatic even as eight have Abhijit Sinha said 5,367 June 8 from various parts of hati and five from Manipur recovered after receiving persons were presently at the country. Out of the 345, by private cars.

ZSUN rally in Peren on Jun 10 DIMAPUR, JUN 8 (NPN): Zeliang rong Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN) has announced holding a peaceful rally in Peren district on June 10, 2020 to demand “exemplary action” against those responsible for sending a COVID positive patient to Peren on June 3, 2020 incident and also in support of the representation submitted by joint action committee (JAC) on COVID-19 Peren district.

In a press release, ZSUN president Dithuibo Newmai and general secretary Adona Herie has cautioned that any untoward incident arising in future as a result of state government’s “brazen negligence” towards the people of Peren district, the government would be fully held responsible.

The union expressed disappointment over state gover nment’s inaction against the “perpetrators” of the unfortunate June 3, 2020 incident.

ZSUN also stated that government has turned a blind eye to the representation JAC Peren—a conglomeration of NGOs, tribal bodies and Church organisations. “This speaks volume of the government’s seriousness in taking the demands and wishes of the public of Peren district,” ZSUN stated.

This is it!

“These days, I don’t feel like a proud policemen but a humble DDT sprayer.”

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COVID-19: KNSK submits 6-point appeal to state govt DIMAPUR, JUN 8 (NPN): Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) Mon headquarters and Kohima unit, which deliberated on the issue of COVID-19 contagion in Mon district, Monday submitted a six-point appeal to state government demanding proper fund allocation, strengthening of medical fraternity, quality PPE and TrueNat machine for Mon district.

In a press release, KNSK, Mon Hq president Lomei Konyak and KNSK Kohima unit general secretary CN Moe pointed out that out of Rs.79.21 crore spent COVID-19 in the state, Mon district has so far received Rs. 82 lakh.

As per 2011 Census, KNSK said Mon was third most populous district only next to Dimapur and Kohima. As such, it said that funds should be allocated accordingly.

Pointing out that Mon has one of the highest returnees from Chennai and more returnees were expected, the KNSK has appealed to the state government to allocate COVID-19 funds according to population.

Reiterating the demand of Konyak Union (KU) to strengthen the medical fraternity of Mon district, the KNSK has requested the government to deploy nine doctors in lieu of their leave period. It also reminded that since Civil Hospital Mon was upgraded to 100 bedded during the then H&FW minister Imkong L. Imchen, it should be made functional with doctors and nurses as required.

Further, the organisation appealed to the government to equip the medical fraternity with high quality personal protective equipment (PPE).

(Cont’d on p-8)

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

Total lockdown in Mizoram till Jun 22 AIZAWL, JUN 8 (PTI): Cities and towns in Mizoram will be placed under a complete lockdown for two weeks starting Monday midnight because of a spike in coronavirus cases, but there could be “area-wise moderation”, particularly in rural areas, a health department official said.

A consultative meeting of ministers, association of doctors, churches, NGOs, local and village councils chaired by chief minister Zoramthanga unanimously decided to impose a total lockdown till June 22 to contain the rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases, the official said.

The chief minister said that a complete lockdown with “area-wise moderation” was essential to contain the virus as there were instances of violation of present lockdown rules in many areas, which might lead to a community spread. “The total lockdown will be imposed in strict manner in all cities and towns. However, certain areas especially in rural areas will be relaxed depending on the need of the people and essentiality of the area,” he said.

Man City 2-year European ban appeal begins sports, Page 12

4112 COVID-19 cases in NE region G U W A H A T I / SHILLONG/IMPHAL/ AGARTALA/AIZAWL/, JUN 8 (PTI/NPN): Even as restaurants, hotels, malls and places of worship reopened Monday in various parts of the country under a phased exit from the COVID-19 lockdown, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases appeared growing unabated across the country including the North East region that saw the cases rise to 4112.

In Assam, the number of COVID-19 cases crossed the 2,700 mark on Monday with 95 more people testing positive. Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said with the new cases, the state’s tally rose to 2,776.

MIZORAM: Eight more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, taking the total number of cases in the state to 42, an official of the Health department said on Monday. Of the 244 samples tested on Sunday, 8 have come out as positive, he said.

The official said that the new 8 patients - 5 females and 3 males were diagnosed with Covid-19 at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) on Sunday night.

TRIPURA: At least 53

people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura, taking the total number of cases in the state to 803, officials said on Monday. The 53 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recently returned from Chennai, and 49 of them were from Sipahijala district and four others are from Gomati district, they said.

MEGHALAYA: Three more returnees tested positive for novel coronavirus in Meghalaya on Monday night taking the number of active cases to 25 as of now.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the three persons have recently returned to the State from Delhi and Uttarakhand. He said all the three persons are under quarantine.

With these new detections, Meghalaya has so far recorded 39 COVID-19 positive cases, out of which 13 have recovered, one died and 25 are active and under treatment.

MANIPUR: Manipur on Monday reported 100 new cases of the Covid-19, the biggest spike in a single day so far, pushing the number of infected people to 272, officials of the health department said.

Of the 272 infected people, 214 were active and are currently undergoing treatment at the Covid care facilities of RIMS and JNIMS hospital. A total of 58 cases have been discharged, the officials added. 100 infections were confirmed during testing of 833 samples during the last 24 hours.

All the persons who tested positive were returnees, they added.

SIKKIM: Active COVID-19 cases in Sikkim dropped to four after three patients recovered from the disease on Monday, an official said.

Two women -- aged 29 and 37 -- and a 54-year-old man have been cured of the disease, taking the number of active cases in the state to four, Director General-cumHealth Secretary, Dr Pempa Tshering Bhutia said.

The four patients are being treated at the STNM Hospital, he said.

ARUNACHAL: Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday reported 2 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of infections in the state to 51, a senior Health Department official said. Both the patients were reportedly from Changlang and were in institutional quarantine.

Fuel prices hiked by 60 paise again DIMAPUR, JUN 8 (NPN): State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) Monday increased prices of petrol and diesel by 60 paise per litre each for the second day in a row.

According to a price notification of OMCs, the petrol price in Delhi was hiked to Rs 72.46 per litre from Rs 71.86 on Sunday, while diesel rates were increased to Rs 70.59 a litre from Rs 69.99, After today’s price revision, petrol price rose to Rs. 77.95 a litre in Dimapur and Rs. 78.80 a litre in Kohima.

On the other hand, a litre of diesel in Dimapur and Kohima stood at Rs. 69.27 and Rs.69.94 respectively.

This is the second daily increase in rates in a row. Oil companies had on Sunday raised prices by 60 paise per litre on both petrol and diesel after ending an 82-day hiatus in daily rate revision.

NDPP slams NPP for politicising COVID DIMAPUR, JUN 8 (NPN): In another counter-rejoinder to a rejoinder involving COVID-19 management, ruling NDPP has slammed NPP for politicising the issue while stressing on the need for all sections to work together to contain the virus.

In a statement, NDPP clarified that its earlier rejoinder was not meant to deter or challenge anyone’s democratic rights as erroneously construed by NPP. It asked NPP if the act of State government functionaries giving up their comforts to go all out to tackle the threat of the pandemic in the aftermath of detection of numerous COVID cases was not public welfare, then what it was?. NDPP accused NPP of “suffering from selective amnesia”, as the latter completely failed to appreciate and recognise the herculean task the govern-

ment functionaries along with all frontline workers while tackling the COVID19 pandemic and handling thousands of returnees from outside the State in the past few weeks.

It said with limited resources the state government was doing its best to accommodate people returning home. Further, NDPP said though the number of returnees was simply overwhelming, the government, with active support and involvement of all sections of the society, had so far, managed to lodge, transport and segregate the returnees as per their health status.

NDPP also said , the government would soon drastically increase the number of test facilities and the backlog would be handled judiciously. The ruling party also urged upon political parties to not bury their heads in sand but appreciate

the positive aspects in the face of the pandemic that has taken mankind by surprise. NDPP said it should be the endeavour of every responsible citizen of the State and country to contribute to the fight against the virus rather than discourage those who were striving tirelessly to tackle the threat.

Responding to the charges levelled by the NPP over preying on the latter’s MLAs, NDPP stated that during the last parliamentary election and by-poll to 26th Aonglengden Assembly constituency, the PDA had unanimously resolved to field consensus candidates so that the alliance could continue to work united and collectively. It said the former NPP Sate unit president and elder brother of current president was also a signatory to this decision.

(Cont’d on p-8)

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Churches in Kohima maintain kitchen for quarantine inmates

KBBK youth at COVID-19 Bethel kitchen, Kohima. (NP)

Correspondent KOHIMA, JUN 8 (NPN): Several churches from Kohima under the banner of Kohima Baptist Pastor’s Fellowship (KBPF) have been manning the COVID-19 Bethel kitchen, catering for the quarantined inmates administered by Kohima District Task Force.

Various individuals, churches and organisations and from other districts have come forward

in donating food, drinking water, firewood and vegetables to Bethel Kitchen.

Entering the 6th day, the Konyak Baptist Church Kohima with almost 100 volunteers catered the food for the inmates in four quarantine centers having over 1500 inmates as of June 8.

Speaking to Nagaland Post, youth pastor Konang Pangmei thanked the KBPF for giving the opportunity to KBBK to render service for human-

ity in a small way. He encouraged the quarantined inmates to remain strong and prayerful, while stating that they were not alone but the entire Nagas were upholding them in prayers. He also appealed them to remain positive during this pandemic.

For now, Bethel kitchen is being managed by various churches in Kohima on rotation wise, but on completion of the first phase, KBPF will take another call, DTF informed.

news in Brief DC Mon notifies on lockdown, ePass: Deputy commissioner Mon, Thavaseelan K notified that in view of the impending arrival of the stranded persons from different parts of the country, there will be a total lockdown on June 9 in Tizit sub-division.

Movement of public will be strictly prohibited except on medical emergencies, all shops except pharmacies will remain closed, movement of private vehicles will be strictly prohibited. All central/state government offices will be exempted from the purview of the order. Any person found violating will be penalised under relevant provisions of the law. DC in another order has notified to all general public that the Mokha Nullah Bridge located around 24 kms from Longching between Jakphang and Ukha villages has been partially damaged due to land sinkage. For the safety of all, plying of heavy vehicles over the bridge is strictly restricted with immediate effect, till restoration work is completed. DC also notified that in order to simplify the process of availing movement pass within the district, all citizens of Mon district are informed that they can apply for special movement pass (ePass) by following the procedure: Go to the website ‘https://bit.ly/monepass’; Fill the form on the webpage: Name, mobile no, purpose of travel, age, sex, identity type/card, select the origin sub-division/circle, present address, select the destination sub-division/ circle, destination address, date of travel, vehicle registration no., type of vehicle, etc; Once your application is submitted, you will receive an SMS; On approval or rejection of your application, you will receive another SMS with a link to download the ePass; Download the generated ePass and carry it with you while you move out.

Travel via Assam is prohibited.

DC Peren orders promulgation of Sec. 144 of CrPC: Deputy Commissioner of Peren, Sentiwapang Aier has issued an order on June 7, for promulgation of Sec.144 of CrPC in the whole of Peren district, prohibiting the assembly of five (5) or more persons and movement of individuals between 5 p.m to 6 a.m except for exempted categories. Violation of the aforementioned order will invite penalties under Sec.188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

SCC Tuensang online admission: Sao Chang College (SCC), Tuensang has informed that online admission for the BA/B.Sc 1st semester 2020 will start from June 10, wherein admission form, fee payment challan and other required forms can be downloaded from the college website saochangcollege.co.in. Detailed instructions like documents required and payable fee structure and admission procedure have been given in the website. For any query, applicants may email doubts/queries at scctsgadmission@gmail.com or contact at 9612475573/7005818513.

TNR on salary parity for contractual nurses

DIMAPUR: In regard to the cabinet decision made on June 4 by the state government to recruit more doctors and nurses to battle the coronavirus pandemic in the state, The Naga Rising (TNR) pointed out that the pending grievance of the nursing community was yet to be resolved and “which is most likely to lead to a spat of resignations.”

In a letter to the principal director DoHFW, Nagaland, The Naga Rising stated that frontline workers were at the receiving end of the state government’s insensitivity, while on the other hand it was desperately looking to recruit more nurses and doctors.

The Naga Rising has requested the principal director to intervene and take urgent necessary steps to boost the morale of the frontline workers. TNR stated that, firstly the insensitive and discriminatory notification must be withdrawn immediately. It asked that salaries of the present contractual nurses need to be enhanced at par with their regular counterparts. Thirdly, TNR stated that it was imperative to recruit new health workers, where the new nursing recruits should not be paid K Y M C

less than Rs. 20,000/- per month, as per the SC direction.

Pointing out that some of the nurses have reportedly sought to resign if their demand for relief in terms of pay enhancement was not met, The Naga Rising stated that, government should use COVID cess fund to cover the increase in the salary of the nurses during the pandemic period.

Further, The Naga

Rising stated that the pleas made by nurses have been met with intimidation and threat to blacklist from any further employments in future if the employees (read nurses) failed to return to work within 7 days. In this regard, The Naga Rising stated that, unless confidence building measures are implemented urgently, the government’s further recruitment plans will have no takers.

MTLT appeals MCC to waive rent for shop owners DIMAPUR: While acknowledging the hardships faced by every section of the society because of COVID-19 pandemic, the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) appealed the Mokokchung Municipal Council to waive the house rents of those shop owners in the MMC shopping complex so that the financial burden of the shop owners can be alleviated to some extent.

A press release from MTLT president Imkummeren Jamir and general secretary, Lanu Pongen further appealed to the house owners if they could also at least consider the house rents of their tenants for a few months, “if they have not already waived or considered it already so that the tenants can also breathe a sigh of relief.”

MTLT also appreciated those house owners who have waived the house rents of their tenants for some months on humanitarian grounds and also thanked all the frontline workers, district administration, NGOs and individuals working tirelessly to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

Tribute ceremony held at Jakhama, Mon DIMAPUR: Indian army paid tribute to late Major David Manlun, Kirti Chakra (posthumous) of 164 infantry battalion (territorial army) (home & hearth) Naga (parent unit 1 Naga) on his 3rd death anniversary.

According to PRO HQ IGAR (N), Major David was martyred on June 6 at Lapa village, Tizit, Mon, in a gunfight against ULFA (I) cadre after having killed 3 of them. For his act of bravery, the officer was conferred with a Kirti Chakra (posthumous) on August 15 2017.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was conducted with a wreath laying ceremony at Jakhama military station by Colonel Neeraj Sood, Shaurya Chakra, commanding officer, 164 infantry battalion territo-

Army personnel during the wreath laying ceremony held at Zakham military station.

rial army (home & hearth) brigadier Suresh Sheoran, Medal, Commander 7 SecNaga and at Tizit, Mon by Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena tor, Assam Rifles.

Online training programme held for CCIs DIMAPUR: NIPCCD, regional centre, Guwahati in collaboration with Child Protection Services (CPS), Nagaland, department of Social Welfare organised a three-day online training programme on minimum standard of care in child care institutions (CCIs) during COVID-19 for superintendents and executive members of NGOs running CCIs in Nagaland

from May 26 to 28.

In a press note, Child Protection Services Nagaland PM, SCPS Raitale Zeliang stated that, the training was organised with the objectives to orient participants-- on child rights and child protection mechanism, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Rules 2016, minimum standard of

care and discuss their role in the care and rehabilitation of children in the CCIs during COVID-19. Resource persons were Dr. K. C. George, joint director, NIPCCD, Thangzamawi Guite, assistant director, NIPCCD and Meenakshi Barthakur, consultant psychologist. Over 40 CPS across the state participated at the three-day online training.

Assam Rifles apprehend NSCN (I-M) cadre

NHAK Kohima to resume OPDs at Paramedical

DIMAPUR: Troops of Assam Rifles in a joint operation with Nagaland Police apprehended an active cadre of NSCN (I-M) near 5th Mile in Dimapur district on June 5. According to PRO (Defence), based on specific inputs regarding presence of a UG cadre, the team launched an operation and apprehended a cadre of NSCN (I-M) from the area. The apprehended cadre has been identified as ‘SS Capt’ Nganaomi, age 33 years, s/o Rasheng Ramsan, r/o Central Jail Colony in Dimapur district. The team also recovered one radio based mobile system, one canon camera, six mobile phones and other incriminating documents. The apprehended individual along with recovered items have been handed over to Diphupar Police Station for * Common reasons for non payment or rejection of applications - incorrect bank account details, further investigations. mismatch in account holder and applicant’s name, non submission of valid ID proof etc.

BJP Peren inaugurates district head office

DIMAPUR: Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), which has been activated as COVID19 Hospital, informed that all out patient departments (OPDs) would resume to function at Para Medical Training Institute (Opposite Ao Moluki), Paramedical Colony, Kohima with effect from June 10, 2020 between 10am and 1pm every day except on government holidays.

In a press release, NHAK managing director Dr. Thorhusie Katiry said the shifting of OPDs was necessitated in view of the safety of the public (Non COVID cases) and for continuity of public health service delivery on public demand.

DIMAPUR: Bharatya Janata Party (BJP) Peren district commemorated one year completion of Modi-2.0-cum- inauguration of district head office on June 8 at Jalukie town. A press release from BJP Peren stated that, the new office of the district BJP Peren was inaugurated

by Rev. Fr. George Antony, parish priest & principal of St. Xavier Hr. Secondary School Jalukie. In compliance with the directives of the state BJP Nagaland unit, Kerieteilu was appointed as the president of the district BJYM and endorsed upon him to set up office at the earliest. Meanwhile, party men extended support to the district administration and rendered service by way of serving onetime meal to 250 returnees at the three quarantine centres Peren.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

NAGALAND: KOHIMA Dated Kohima, the 08th June 2020.

ADVERTISEMENT No: DHFW-1-534/COVID-19/2019-2020/ : I n pur sua nc e to Government approval letter No.HFW(A)COVID-19/Appt-13/17/2020/270 dated 6th June 2020, applications are invited for filling of existing vacancies of the 36 posts of Medical Officer/ Junior Specialist on contingency basis for a period of 12 months.

• The Terms & Conditions and Prescribed Format of Application can be downloaded from the department web site: nagahealth.nagaland.gov.in NB: No Application Forms will be issued from the office.

• Last Date of Submission of Application 15th June 2020 through email to:pddhfw@gmail.com (DR. VIZOLIE Z SUOKHRIE) Principal Director Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland::Kohima Issued by DIPR DC-

DC-

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

COVID-19: Review meetings, workshops, installation of TrueNat machines

DIMAPUR: As COVID-19 positive cases emerge in the once green zone Nagaland, the state government along with various agencies continue to monitor the returnees. TrueNat machines essential for testing of COVID cases are also being installed in various districts for the welfare of the public. Returnees are arriving steadily and after necessary medical screening, they are sent off to their respective districts for mandatory 14 days quarantine.

Out of the COVID-19 positive cases, it is reported that eight has recovered. Meanwhile, legislators, government officials are conducting review meetings and other workshops towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. So far, the pandemic has not spread out to the community, whereby the public are reminded to take all precautionary measures for their own safety.

Kohima District

Patton along with NOWD officials at Kohima, Monday. (NP)

Patton provides essential protective gears to NPWD: Deputy chief minister, Home, Road and Bridges Y. Patton on Monday donated protective equipments to NPWD and Kohima Press Club.

In a brief programme held at NPWD office, Patton informed that considering the situation, the need to have protective gears was imperative for the field workers. He exuded confidence that the NPWD staff will take all measures to keep safe from the disease.

Commissioner secretary of Works and Housing Rovillatuo Mor and engineer in chief NPWD Limadongdang thanked the minister for the generous contribution made towards the department and hoped that the field workers will use the protective gears judiciously.

Patton donated PPE, hand sanitiser, gloves, rubber boot, face mask and face shield to the department.

Meanwhile, sensing the need for the journalists working in the field covering COVID-19 pandemic, the deputy chief minister also donated the same, protective gears to the members of Kohima Press Club. The materials were received

by KPC general secretary

Atono Tsükrü Kense. (Correspondent) Neiphiu Rio congratulates all HSLC toppers: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio took a unique stride and congratulated the Nagaland Board of School Education’s (NBSE) toppers including all the students who had passed the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations of 2020 with a personalized letter addressed to each student, on May 30.

According to DIPR report, Rio in his letter said clearing the HSLC hurdle was not just an important achievement in the academic career of a student but a major milestone for every individual. He reminded the students to rededicate themselves towards successfully sailing over the forthcoming challenges and also encouraged them to enjoy the experiences, celebrate the joys of life and always aspire to be a contributing member of society.

Rio also said that the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, has altered the dynamics of lives forever. Rio also lamented the need to adapt and acclimatize to the changing times and become successful agents of change. He

urged all the students to be a responsible citizen, make efforts to ensure a cleaner and safer planet, work towards gender equality, be an agent of peace and forever spread kindness. Rio further called upon the students to be proud ambassador of the state, its rich culture and vibrant way of life.

Workshop on scaling up agriculture in the state: A day-long workshop on “Scaling up of agriculture activities in the state” was conducted at the conference hall of Agriculture directorate on June 4. According to DIPR report, technical officers deliberated on developing action plan & way forward focusing on the production and post production activities.

Delivering the key note address director of Agriculture, M. Ben Yanthan highlighted on the prominence of agriculture sector in terms of economy and employment, wherein, it contributed 27.47% to the state’s total GSDP during 2018-19, provide sustenance to the state’s population of which 70 % work force are women. He thus reminded one and all of the task ahead taking a leaf out of the department’s vision document “Prosperity through Agriculture & Food for all by 2025” for developing an action plan.

Inviting all members for participation and fruitful interaction, he suggested for the convergence of the CSS programmes into a cluster approach by identifying potential area as per crop feasibility.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by the chairman of the opening session, C. Peter Yanthan, addl. director, short speech

by S. Kivikhu Achumi, addl.

Director and vote of thanks

Zunheboto District

Truenat machine installed at Zunheboto where actual testing of samples will begin from June 9. (DIPR)

TrueNat installed at Zunheboto District HosQ.: Is the state govt doing pital: TrueNat COVIDa good job bringing 19 testing machine was back returnees? installed in Zunheboto on June 7. According to 100% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DIPR report, the team ar90% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– rived Zunheboto on June 80% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 7 afternoon and installa70% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– tion was completed by late 60% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– evening. Two technicians 50% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– were trained by the team 40% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– and trail of 3 samples were 30% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– done. However the testing 20% ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

nagalandpost.com Poll

10% 0%

A B C

of samples in Zunheboto will begin only from June 9 as some arrangements need to be made for proper test results and to ensure that no samples/test is corrupted.

30 samples from Zunheboto were already sent on May 29 for testing and all were confirmed to be COVID-19 negative. So far the district has no positive cases and stringent sample collection is underway from the recent returnees.

Zunheboto receives 16 returnees: 16 returnees arrived at Zunheboto town on June 8, where upon the returnees are being quarantined at Zunheboto Government College. According to DIPR report, 6 females and 10 males, 1 female from Haryana, 4 females and 2 males from Uttar Pradesh, one female and eight males from Chandigarh arrived in a bus from Dimapur.

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A

B

C

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

33%

Kiphire District

50% 17%

Next poll

Q: Has COVID-19 pandemic

brought changes to people’s lifestyle?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST June 9

(Temperature in ºC) Agartala Partly sunny; a stray t-storm Aizawl An afternoon thunderstorm Guwahati A t-storm around in the a.m.

Imphal A p.m. t-storm in spots Itanagar A t-storm around in the a.m.

Shillong A thunderstorm in the area Kohima A p.m. t-storm in spots Dimapur Some sun with a stray t-storm Mkg A stray afternoon t-storm Tuensang A p.m. t-storm in spots Wokha A t-storm around in the a.m.

Zunheboto A morning t-storm in the area

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Max 35 31 35 32 32 25 26 33 28 22 28 26

Min 26 21 24 21 22 17 18 23 18 14 21 17

DC Kiphire, Sarita Yadav along with police officials receiving the returnees at helipad, Kiphire on June 8. (DIPR)

17 returnees arrive at Kiphire from Dimapur: 17 persons from Dimapur arrived at Kiphire on June 8.

According to DIPR report, they were transported by NST bus from Dimapur. The returnees on reaching Kiphire town were received by deputy commissioner Sarita Yadav along with ADC, Police and Medical staffs at the helipad, where all the returnees were registered and face mask were distributed to 12 male, 5 female.

After screening, they were transported to the institution quarantine set up at Loyola Higher Secondary School building Kiphire, to be quarantined for 14 days as per guidelines given by the government.

Mokokchung District

pronounced by B.N. Phom, joint director. The first session was on the joint directors and deputy directors district tour presentation of May 21 to 27. A first hand report on the operational activities taken up by the farming communities during the pandemic lockdown and field assessment of the districts and agricultural subdivisions in view of the current FAW outbreak and other natural calamities were highlighted. Power point presentations on action plan for “Economy of the state post COVID-19” was presented

by Ronchamo Kikon, SMS and on “Social media in the 21st century” for awareness

by Amongla C. SMS. After a brainstorming session, a committee was constituted for working on the action plan and recommendations for way forward.

Kohima DTF emergency meeting held: An emergency meeting of Kohima DTF on COVID-19 in regard to the revised SOP for returnees to be released from the institutional quarantine for home quarantine was held in DC’s office chamber on June 8.

According to DIPR report, the meeting chaired

by Kohima deputy commissioner and chairman DTF, Gregory Thejawelie was attended by Sr. SP Kohima, K. Sophie, CMO Kohima, Dr. Vezokholu, medical superintendent NHAK, Dr. Kuobunuo, KMC administrator, Kovi Meyase and other DTF members. DC apprised the members on the revised SOP in regard to returnees to be released from the government quarantine centres for home quarantine where the clearance has to be given by the medical team at the centres. Thereafter it will be considered and recom-

mended by the DTF, which will be sent to the chief secretary for obtaining his concurrence. He said that after receiving the concurrence of the chief secretary, the DC will issue the approval letter for releasing the returnees for undergoing home quarantine. In this connection, the DTF decided to follow strictly with the protocols as per the revised SOP and also on sample collection for testing at NHAK, the DTF decided that the concerned assigned medical team to collect the sample of the returnees at the quarantine centres.

State law & order report: The State Emergency Operation Centre COVID-19 control room at Kezekie Kohima has issued the report on law & order across the state as on June 7. According to DIPR report, joint secretary Hiazu Meru stated there were no violations on law and order incidents across the state. Further the report stated that, shops for food grains, groceries, medicine and milk were opened in all the districts of Nagaland.

There were no reports of any shortage of food grains, groceries, milk or medicine in the state. There were no restrictions on movement of essential service providers like electricity, telecom facilities, medical facilities etc and personnel/workers in manufacturing units and commercial vehicles for distribution of essential commodities and e-commerce. The state government has organised suitable arrangements for providing food and shelter to migrant workers affected by the COVID-19 restrictions.

At present there is 1 (one) active relief camps and 2 (two) active food camps, one each in Kohima and in Dimapur respectively.

Longleng District

DC Longleng, M. Shayung Phom with leaders of Phom community during the programme held on June 6. (DIPR)

68th Phom day observed in Longleng: Deputy commissioner of Longleng, M. Shayung Phom said that, the immediate battle at the moment was the global COVID19 pandemic, which would affect any one so he cautioned that everyone must fight the virus united and determinedly.

DC said this in his address as special guest on the 68th Phom day held at Police Headquarter, Longleng on June 6, where he also called upon the citizens of Phom community to extend all physical, moral and material support to the frontline warriors, headed by the prime minister, chief ministers, Medical fraternity, security, civil societies, churches and all persons involved in fighting the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Maintaining that the first generation of modern Phom stopped the head hunting practice while the next generation focused on literacy and tried to bring social changes like launching literacy campaign, sanitation movement, liquor eradication crusade and revival movement spearheaded by church and clean examination movement led by the students.

Shayung also appealed to empathize with the people who were in the quarantine centres for weeks together not because they were confirmed of infection but to stop community transmission in case they were infected by the virus. He also asserted that

since facing Covid-19 for the first time, there may be loopholes from many angles but this was not intentional so the big watch word of this year’s Phom day is to fight the Covid-19 with unified force, he stated. DC also launched Phom day video on YouTube entitled “Sharing peace within”.

President of Phom Peoples Council (PPC) also spoke on the occasion, chaired by A. Mane president PSC. Phom day marks the end of head hunting era and the beginning of peace and harmony among the Phom community. Phom community pledged on June 6, 1952 to be peaceful and to be loyal to the government and ince then Phom day has been observed annually till today.

Three inmates discharged from QC in Longleng: Out of seven inmates in Lempong quarantine centre, Longleng who have completed 21 days of institutional quarantine, three were discharged on June 8 for home quarantine after their results tested negative and all necessary medical investigation found normal. According to DIPR report, while the test results of the four remaining inmates are yet to be received, they have been held back even after completing 21 days of institutional quarantine. All necessary instructions and medical advice were given by the doctors before they were discharged from the quarantine center.

Metsubu addressing at the review meeting on COVID19 held in Mokokchung on June 8. (DIPR)

Metsubu holds COVID-19 review meeting: Minister of Rural D eve l o p m e n t a n d i n charge of COVID-19 Mokokchung, Metsubu, held a review meeting with District Task Force COVID-19 Mokokchung on June 8. According to DIPR report, the meeting was held in the district planning hall under the chairmanship of deputy

commissioner Mokokchung, Limawapang Jamir.

DC expressed his appreciation to all sections of people who had contributed towards the District Task Force in the fight to contain the pandemic.

He also expressed gratefulness towards the eleven elected legislators for donating a TrueNat COVID-19 testing machine for the people of

Mokokchung.

He further thanked the District Task Force for COVID-19 and all the NGOs, especially the Ao Senden and ABAM for their tireless support and magnanimous contribution towards the fight against the pandemic. Metsubu also said that the people of Mokokchung were lucky to be in the green zone till date.

He also called upon those returnees who were in quarantine centres to follow the directives being given by the authorities with proper discipline.

He infor med that through the initiatives of the department of Rural Development all villages in the district have the facility of quarantine centre. Minister also visited medical sub-centres in and around Mokokchung town.

Peren District TrueNat machine installed at CHC Jalukie: Two TrueNat machines provided by the department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland and one which was donated

by Leader of Opposition, T.R. Zeliang were installed at CHC Jalukie on June 8. According to DIPR report, the dedicatory prayer was said

by Jalukie town local Baptist church pastor, Mongzeung Mpom. The programme was attended

by Dy. CMO Peren, Dr. Supongmenla Walling, SMO CHC Jalukie, Dr. Yetovi Tuccu and lab technician, Amen Ja- Jalukie town local Baptist church pastor, Mongzeung Mpom dedicating the TrueNat machine at CHC Jalukie mir.

Review meeting of on June 8. (DIPR) SDTF on COVID-19 at Tening: Additional deputy commissioner cum chairperson of SubDivisional Task Force (SDTF) on COVID-19, Rhosietho Nguori convened a review meeting on June 8 in town hall Tening. According to DIPR report, the meeting discussed overall situation and chalked out further action plan for Tening sub division regarding COVID-19. ADC also informed that returnees who had reached Tening sub-division included ten males and twelve females totalling 22, as on June 8.

K Y M C

4

Manipur HC bars 7 MLAs from entering Assembly

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

Meghalaya Tourism facing uncertain future

Correspondent

Shillong, Jun 8: The COVID-19 pandemic is not only causing distress in the health sector but has also brought other activities, including tourism, to a grinding halt leaving many families on the brink of uncertainty.

After the ban on coal mining in April 2014, which was the highest revenue earner for the State’s exchequer, tourism had emerged as an economy saviour, but with the spread of Coronavirus, which, subsequently led to the lockdown for nearly three months, stakeholders are now staring at a bleak future. With no tourists at all for nearly three months now, those running tourist spots are struggling to pay salaries to their staff. There are also loss of livelihoods of those who are indirectly involved with this industry, like shops selling souvenirs and local delicacies.

“COIVID-19 has really affected tourism badly in Sohra (Cherrapunjee).

The situation has come at a time when tourists visit Sohra to beat the summer heat in the plain belt areas across India. It has affected

everyone whose income is directly or indirectly from this industry,” said Steven Wankhar, who runs a home stay in Sohra. San Shnong Youth Welfare Organisation (SSYWO), which manages tourism in the popular Elephants Falls in Upper Shillong, says that the inflow of tourists into the State has decreased since last year due to various reasons.

“It all started with the protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act and the subsequent demand for Inner Line Permit which led to the incident at Ichamati and finally the lockdown,” SSYWO member Lionel Nongkhlaw explained.

Nongkhlaw said that the organisation has scaled down the overall expenditure on monthly salary of its 24 employees from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 1 lakh in view of the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. Shillong-based hotelier, Larsing Ming Sawyan, however, is hopeful of overcoming this health pandemic. “We obviously need to overcome this pandemic.

Once a vaccine is created, we will surely come back to normal. But the problem is the uncertainty of when this will happen,” Sawyan said.

M’laya to bear travel expenses of returnees till June 10

Correspondent

Shillong, Jun 8: The Meghalaya government will bear the travel expenses of stranded residents of Meghalaya till June 10.

However, after the said date, returnees will have to pay for their travel in government run vehicles, informed Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday.

So far, 13,990 residents of Meghalaya, who had been stranded in other parts of the country, have returned to the state till Monday.

“The number of people who had registered to come home was 10,288 and was eligible for free transportation. However, we have gone beyond this number for their safety, but need to stop somewhere,” Tynsong said. He said people entering the State after June 10 would have to pay for their transportation charge from either Guwahati Railway Station or the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.

However, Tynsong said registration of all returnees from outside the state is mandatory through the Corona Web App.

‘Comrade’, ‘Lal Salam’ greet Asssm CM on Facebook Guwahati, Jun 8 (PTI): Assam’s BJP Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is being defiantly addressed as ‘comrade’ and greeted with ‘lal salam’ on Facebook by netizens outraged by the charge-sheeting of peasant leader and activist Akhil Gogoi over alleged sedition and terrorist activities.

Days after Gogoi and three of his associates were charged by the NIA, which cited the two expressions linked to Communists, anathema to the Hindu far right, to claim their involvement in seditious and terrorist activities, Sonowal’s posts on the social media website are drawing a barrage of Left terminology.

Indignant criticism that began trickling in from June 4 has turned into a virtual avalanche in the last 2-3 days. The posts on his official Facebook page are being greeted with expressions like ‘comrade’, ‘lal salam’, ‘inquilab zindabad’ and references of communist ideologues like Vladimir Lenin.

On May 29, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed the chargesheet against Gogoi and his

three associates for alleged sedition and terror activities for their role in violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act that rocked Assam in December last year.

Reading the Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Lenin’s works, Mao Zedong’s life, and calling friends comrade and greeting them with Lal Salam are some of the grounds that the NIA has cited to link them to the banned CPI(Maoist) and charge them under the stringent anti-terror law.

If convicted, they face the prospect of spending the rest of their lives behind bars. After the contents of the charge-sheet became public, the outrage spilled over to the Facebook page of Sonowal, who also holds the Home portfolio.

While most comments are limited to “comrade, lal salam”, many have strongly criticised the action.

“Red Salute Red Salute. If Red salute is a crime you go and arrest Patriot Bhagathsing first then come back if you are still remains.....!!!,” one user said.

Imphal, Jun 8 (IANS): The Manipur High Court on Monday restrained the seven Congress MLAs, who joined the BJP in 2017, from entering the state Assembly till the Speaker’s tribunal hears their disqualification case, a court official said.

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the political tussle over the disqualification of seven legislators, who supported the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, went to the High Court even as the Speaker’s tribunal was looking into the issue.

A Manipur High Court official said that after hearing both sides, Justice K. H. Nobin Singh, in his six-page order, restrained the seven MLAs, who had “defected” to the BJP, from entering the Assembly.

“The Manipur Assembly Speaker is directed to ensure compliance of this order by all concerned,” the order said.

The High Court held that the Speaker had failed to take a decision about the petitions filed by the

Congress within a reasonable time. It said that the Speaker had not disposed of the petitions as mandated in Article 14 of the Constitution, despite the petitions having been filed on November 8, 2018.

The opposition Congress had, in January this year, moved the Supreme Court for disqualification of the seven MLAs who joined the BJP after winning in the 2017 Assembly polls on its ticket.

Manipur Speaker Y. Khemchand Singh, after hearing the matter, had on May 8 reserved decision.

Congress’ Manipur spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei said that senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, appearing in the high court through video conferencing, argued for disqualification of seven MLAs. “A s t h e M a n i p u r Speaker despite Supreme Court’s order did not take any action about the disqualification of seven legislators, the Congress leaders filed a petition before the Manipur High Court,”

US aid worker assaults doctor; ransacks hospital

Total lockdown in Mizoram till June 22 Arunachal BJP candidate files nomination for RS seat

S h ill o n g, J u n 8 (PTI): A US aid worker allegedly attacked a doctor of a government hospital injuring him, spat on its employees and ransacked the COVID-19 facility after he was taken there with complaints of chest pain and breathlessness on his return from Assam, officials said on Monday.

Theodore Moallem, who is associated with a Shillong-based NGO, became agitated and noncooperative after he was administered some injections in the Civil Hospital here, they said.

Moallem went to Guwahati on May 26 and returned on June 6. He was suffering from chest pain and breathlessness since his return and went to the hospital on Saturday night.

“The patient was advised injections but he became violent and started breaking the hospital’s doors and chairs and attacked the nursing staff and doctor on duty,” according to a report from the hospital authorities to the Director of Health Services, Dr Aman War.

Aizawl, Jun 8 (PTI): Cities and towns in Mizoram will be placed under a complete lockdown for two weeks starting Monday midnight because of a spike in coronavirus cases, but there could be “area-wise moderation”, particularly in rural areas, a health department official said.

A consultative meeting of ministers, association of doctors, churches, NGOs, local and village councils chaired by Chief Minister Zoramthanga unanimously decided to impose a total lockdown till June 22 to contain the rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases in the state, the official said.

The chief minister told the meeting that a complete lockdown with “area-wise moderation” was essential to contain the virus as there were instances of violation of present lockdown rules in many areas, which

Meitei told the media.

“I am sure that Congress would win the Rajya Sabha election from Manipur on June 19. We look forward to see a new Congress-led coalition government in Manipur soon.

Day by day, the ruling coalition is being weakened numerically and politically in Manipur,” Meitei said adding that the Speaker has been delaying his decision despite the Supreme Court’s order to decide on the disqualification at the earliest.

The seven Congress MLAs had joined the BJP as it was short of 10 MLAs to form the government in the 60-member house after the 2017 Assembly polls, where the Congress had won 28 seats and the BJP 21.

However, the BJP formed the government with the support of rebel Congress MLAs, apart from the National People’s Party (NPP), headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and the Naga People’s Front.

northeast

might lead to a community spread.

“The total lockdown will be imposed in strict manner in all cities and towns. However, certain areas especially in rural areas will be relaxed depending on the need of the people and essentiality of the area,” he said.

Zoramthanga said Mizoram, like rest of the world, is going through a critical time due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The northeastern state on Monday reported eight coronavirus cases, taking the tally from 1 to 42 in a week. The meeting also agreed to limit home quarantine facility to persons with exceptional cases, the official said.

It decided to increase the quarantine period from the existing 14 days to 21 days, he said. The state-level task force on COVID-19 or

state executive committee of the State Disaster Management Authority will prepare fresh guidelines for the total lockdown, which will be issued on Monday night.

Zoramthanga said the government would conduct a sample test on as many returnees as possible with the help of RT-PCR machines.

All the patients who reported COVID-19 positive in the last seven days are aged between 21-30 and Delhi returnees. They have been placed under quarantine since their arrival to the state.

Of the 8 patients, 5 are from Champhai district near Myanmar border, 2 from Khawzawl district and 1 from south Mizorams Siaha district.

They have been shifted to COVID-19 care centre in their respective districts, officials said.

Army apprehends NSCN (I-M) cadre

Dimapur, Jun 8 (NPN): Troops of Indian Army in a joint operation with Arunachal Pradesh Police apprehended a hardcore cadre of NSCN (I-M) near Deomali in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh on June 6.

In a press release, PRO (Defence) stated that the cadre was arrested during a joint team operation. The apprehended

cadre has been identified as SS Pvt Lomben Shin (44 yrs), a resident of Lomlo village in Tirap district. It is suspected that the individual was actively involved in extortion and recruitment activities in the region, the PRO stated. The team also recovered one 7.65 mm pistol along with two live rounds of ammunition and extortion notes from the insurgent.

Experts reach Assam gas well blowout site

The site of the gas well blowout in Assam’s Tinsukia district.

G u wa h ati , J u n 8 (PTI): PSU major Oil India Limited (OIL) on Monday said three experts from a Singaporean firm have reached the natural gas well at Baghjan from where gas is “uncontrollobaly” flowing out since May 27.

The oil exploration major said in a statement, experts of Singapore-based Aler t Disaster Control reached Duliajan town during the early hours on Monday. The team will assist the public sector undertaking to plug the blowout in the gas well in Tinsukia district.

“The exper ts were briefed by representatives of OIL about the progress in

the well control operation.

“After preliminar y discussion and de-briefing session, the experts along with the OIL team left for Baghjan well at 12 noon,” it said.

Meanwhile, gas is “uncontrollably” flowing out from the well since May 27. The OIL claimed that the experts complimented the preparatory works and said that based on their experience of handling over a thousand blowouts across 135 countries under different conditions, they are confident of controlling the well “at the earliest”.

“They emphasised that safety of the local people

in the area and the technical team working at the well site will be their prime concern while carrying out the operations,” the statement said.

On the status of repair works, OIL said both vertical and horizontal lift mechanism of the hydraulically driven mechanical transporter to be used for the well control operation has been completed and tested. “The final assembling process is in progress,” the company said.

Arrangements for creating a water umbrella for the well control operation are going on, digging of water reservoir and prepara-

tion of placement of high capacity water pumps are also progressing.

A major blowout took place at the natural gas well of OIL at Baghjan, next to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, forcing the administration to evacuate thousands of people living nearby due to spewing of natural gas and condensate droplets.

The Tinsukia district administration on Sunday ordered a magisterial enquiry into the reported death of five persons due to the gas leakage from the well.

The PSU major said it has appointed an environment consultant to assess the impact of the blowout on the Dibru- Saikhowa National Park and its nearby areas in the district.

Earlier, pictures of carcasses of a river dolphin and fish in Maguri Motapung Beel, adjacent to DibruSaikhowa National Park and about 1.5 km from the site, went viral on social media.

Following this, the Assam Forest department had issued a notice to OIL on May 29 seeking details of the incident.

The Election Commission of India on June 2 had issued notification for holding elections to the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Arunachal Pradesh which will fall vacant on June 23.

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

Nabam Rebia I ta naga r , J u n 8 (PTI): BJP nominee Nabam Rebia on Monday filed his nomination papers for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Arunachal Pradesh, election for which will be held on June 19, a senior official at the state election office here said.

Rebia, who was nominated by the party’s central election committee on Sunday as the candidate for the biennial elections to the Upper House of Parliament, submitted his papers to Assembly Secretary K Habung, who has been appointed as the returning officer by the Election Commission, Joint Chief Electoral Officer D J Bhattacharjee said.

While polling would be held on June 19, if required, the last date of filing nominations has

been fixed on June 9 and scrutiny of papers would be held on June 10, Bhattacharjee said.

The last date of withdrawal of papers has been fixed on June 12.

The election process should be completed by June 22, the notification said.

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

He was the Speaker in the Nabam Tuki-led Congress government and later served as the Urban Development, Town Planning, Housing, Urban Local Bodies and Law and Justice minister in BJP-led Pema Khandu government.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Shri Nchenthung Lotha, Perisie Colony at Kohima has been exempted house rent for the month of April 2020, during COVID 19 pandemic.

K-1054

Nchenthung Lotha Perisie Colony, Kohima Nagaland

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSION JUDGE WOKHA : NAGALAND

NOTICE

S/C No. 44/2020

The 60-member Arunachal Pradesh assembly has 41 BJP MLAs followed by seven Janata Dal United (JDU) members, Congress and National Peoples Party (NPP) four each, Peoples Party of Arunachal 1 and three independents.

The JDU and the NPP are supporting the Pema Khandu- led BJP government.

Dear Enalamla Avennoho, As you turn 7 today We pray to our Almighty To bless you abundantly today and in years ahead.

Wishing you a blessed birthday.

From, your loved ones.

Dear Lentimoa, Happy birthday Lentimoa as you turned one today. We all pray and wish the best in your life. May God bless you always.

Brother Kumsanger, Lentimoa and all your loved one...

Regd. No. 33

AFFIDAVIT

Date 24.01.2020

I, Shri. RAMTHING KAPING, S/o Late Z. KAPING, resident of Lower Kenuozou Colony district Kohima, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare on oath as follows:1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India.

2. That my correct official name is RAMTHING KAPING however, in my Regularized Order No. SAB-5/197/86 dated 22nd Dec 89 my name has been recorded as K. Ramthing.

3. That the stated names RAMTHING KAPING and K. RAMTHING represents the same and one person having single identity i.e., myself.

4. That henceforth I herewith rectified the same and declared that my correct name will be RAMTHING KAPING for all official, correspondences and future references.

5. That the above statements made are true to the best of my knowledge and no material facts has been concealed herein and I signed this affidavit before the competent authority on 24th Jan. 2020 at Kohima, Nagaland. st 1 Class Magistrate/Notary Public Deponent K-1046

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSION JUDGE WOKHA : NAGALAND

NOTICE

S/C No. 33/2020

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925 Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late Wopansao Lotha has been applied by Smti. Myingthunglo Ezung, W/o Lt. Wopanao Lotha, R/o H/No Longsa Village, Wokha, Nagaland for possession of; 1. SBI Bank Account Book bearing A/No. 11766546901, SBI Wokha Branch Wokha enclosed as Annexure C 2. Pension payment order (PPO) No. 234980404185 enclosed as Annexure D Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before 5/7/2020.

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

Sd/- District & Session Judge Wokha : Nagaland WC-132

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925 Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late Yilopemo Lotha has been applied by Shri. Lidemo Lotha, S/o. Lt. Yilopemo Lotha, H/No…., Wokha, Nagaland for possession of; Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before 5/7/2020.

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

Sd/- District & Session Judge Wokha : Nagaland WC-133

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSION JUDGE

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSION JUDGE

WOKHA : NAGALAND

NOTICE

S/C No. 38/2020

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925 Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late Y Mhonthung Lotha has been applied by Smti. M. Yanbeni Humtsoe, W/o Lt. Y Mhonthung Lotha, R/o H/No…., Wokha, Nagaland for possession of; Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before 5/7/2020.

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

Sd/- District & Session Judge WC-136 Wokha : Nagaland

WOKHA : NAGALAND

NOTICE

S/C No. 30/20

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925 Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late Mhonchumo Lotha has been applied by Smti. Achano Lotha, W/o Lt. Mhonchumo Lotha, H/No…., Wokha, Nagaland for possession of; Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before 5/7/2020.

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

Sd/- District & Session Judge Wokha : Nagaland WC-134

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

5

Delhi CM Kejriwal goes into self-quarantine Pak unhappy with peace in valley: Army To be tested for COVID-19 Today

Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI, JUN 8 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has gone into self-quarantine after developing sore throat and fever, and will get himself tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday, officials said on Monday.

The 51-year-old chief minister, who is also a diabetic, was feeling unwell since Sunday afternoon.

“As the chief minister is unwell, he has gone into selfisolation. He has sore throat and cough. He will get himself tested for COVID-19 tomorrow,” Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said during an online media briefing.

Earlier officials said Kejriwal has also developed mild fever.

On Sunday morning, the CM held a cabinet meeting at his official residence which was attended by many ministers, including Sisodia, Environment Minister Gopal Rai, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, officials said.

Chief Secretary Vijay Dev was also present during the meeting. After the cabinet meeting, Kejriwal cancelled all his official engagements, they said.

On June 2, Kejriwal and Sisodia had attended a meeting at the LG office, which has so far reported 13 COVID-19 cases.

Different political leaders wish speedy recovery Cutting across party lines, politicians on Monday wished a speedy recovery to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has quarantined himself after feeling unwell and will undergo the COVID-19 test.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh wished him a speedy recovery and said Kejriwal will undergo the COVID-19 test on Tuesday.

“Chief Minister of Delhi @ArvindKejriwal complained of fever and throat pain yesterday on June 7 afternoon. He has gone into self-quarantine at home on the advice of doctors. Tomorrow, on June 9, he will get himself tested for COVID-19. I pray for his speedy recovery,” Singh said in a tweet.

Delhi BJP president Adesh Kumar Gupta said on hearing the news, he called Kejriwal to enquire about his well-being.

“On hearing about

Arvind Kejriwal feeling unwell, I spoke to him and asked about his well being. I pray to god for his speedy recovery,” he said in a tweet.

Taking a dig at Kejriwal, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said as a resident of Ghaziabad, he can get treatment in Kaushambi.

“I pray that you test negative. But just in case you need treatment, I hope #Kaushambi has good hospitals. Get well soon, @Ar vindKejriwal,” he tweeted.

Kejriwal on Sunday announced that the hospitals run by the Delhi government and private entities will only treat Delhiites during the coronavirus crisis.

BJP member and former AAP MLA Kapil Mishra also wished him a speedy recovery.

“Wish you a speedy recovery. I hope the COVID19 test results come out

negative,” Mishra tweeted.

Kumar Vishwas, who was closely associated with the Kejriwal-led AAP, also took to Twitter to wish the chief minister a speedy recovery.

“Get well soon Arvind Kejriwal,” he wrote.

Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also posted a message on Twitter for the Delhi chief minister.

“Wishing Delhi CM @Ar vindKejriwal ji a speedy recovery,” she said in a tweet.

AAP spokesperson and MLA from Rajinder Nagar Raghav Chadha said his thoughts, wishes and prayers were with the chief minister.

AAP MLA from Kalkaji Atishi also wished the chief minister a speedy recovery.

“With the power of a million wishes, our CM will definitely feel better soon. #TakeCareAK,” she said in a tweet.

SRINAGAR, JUN 8 (PTI): People of Kashmir took the scrapping of Article 370 in a “positive manner” as there was relative peace for a long time but Pakistan is on a “hyperdrive” on peddling a false narrative to keep the pot boiling in the valley, a top army officer said on Monday.

“Starting from the situation post abrogation of Article 370, I think the population took the decision in a positive manner.

We saw relative peace for a fairly long period of time,” Lt Gen B S Raju, heading the strategic XV corps, told reporters in Awantipora, 33 km from here.

Flanked by General Officer Commanding of Army’s South Kashmir based Victor Force Major General A Sengupta and Inspector General of CRPF, Gen Raju, who was talking to media following killing of nine militants in two encounters in Shopian district in less than 24 hours, said normalcy was almost back in the valley by February this year.

“Januar y-Febr uar y

Lt Gen B S Raju

people had begun to move around, schools had opened up, winter tourism had commenced in Gulmarg.

So we were seeing all signs of normalcy before the issue of COVID-19 came in and we had to go into another round of lockdown....only to save lives,” he added.

Gen Raju said Pakistan was “not happy” with the peaceful situation in the valley.

“Pakistan is unhappy because it is in its larger plan to keep the pot boiling in the valley. That is how the relevance of the Pakistan army remains

within Pakistan. As far as Pakistan’s contribution to violence here is concerned, it is a combination of two things -- on the physical front inducting weapons along the Line of Control and, the second is, the information warfare Pakistan intends to fight,” he said.

Gen Raju appealed to people not to get swayed by the misinformation that is coming from Pakistan.

“This is very important. Pakistan is on a hyperdrive to bring in false propaganda. If there is one person who is not happy today as to what is happening in the valley in terms of peace is Pakistan. So we need to fight that.

“I would say that 120 crore of the country’s population have a role to play in demolishing false narratives, which are coming from Pakistan. While we are fighting on ground, we will definitely look forward to the cooperation of the public and the population in general to spread the right message and demolish the false narratives,” he added.

Editors Guild slams FIR against Dua; says Expand scope of MGNREGA to meet migrants’ work demand: Cong it’s ‘brazen attack’ on his free speech NEW DELHI, JUN 8 (PTI): The Editors Guild o f I n d i a o n M o n d ay termed the filing of an FIR against senior journalist Vinod Dua as a brazen attack” on his right to free speech, as it expressed deep concern over the “growing tendency” among police in various states to take cognisance of frivolous charges against journalists.

Delhi police on Friday said they have registered an FIR against Dua for allegedly “making statements conducing to public mischief ” on the complaint of BJP spokesperson Naveen Kumar.

In his complaint to the Crime Branch, Kumar accused Dua of “spreading fake news” through “The Vinod Dua Show” on YouTube.

In its statement, the Editors Guild said it is deeply concerned by the

Ram temple construction to begin on June 10 AYODHYA, JUN 8 (PTI): The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is set to begin Wednesday when the first bricks will be laid for its foundation, according to a spokesperson for the head of the temple trust.

T h e eve n t w i l l b e marked by prayers to Lord Shiva at the Kuber Tila shrine on the Ram Janmabhoomi site, allocated for the temple in a historic Supreme Court verdict last November.

The “rudrabhishek” ritual follows the tradition set

by Lord Ram, who prayed to Shiva before launching an attack on Lanka, said Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, spokesperson for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust head Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. The work of laying the foundation of the temple will begin after these special prayers. The prayers will be performed by Kamal Nayan Das and other priests on behalf of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, who visited the site recently. The ritual will begin around 8 am.

“This religious ceremony will last for at least two hours and after that the construction of the Ram Mandir will start with the laying of the foundation of the mandir structure,” Kamal Nayan Das said.

In March, the Ram Lalla deity was ceremoniously moved to a new spot from the makeshift temple at the site, clearing the way for the construction of the temple.

Vinod Dua (File)

growing tendency among police in various states to take cognisance of frivolous charges against journalists and convert them into a First Information Report (FIR).

“The latest instance is of the Delhi Police’s FIR against veteran journalist Vinod Dua, based on a complaint by Naveen Kumar, who has been identified as a spokesperson

of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” the Guild said.

The accusations are a “brazen attack” on his right to free speech and fair comment, it said.

An FIR based on this is an instrument of harassment setting off a process that is itself a punishment, the Guild said.

It unequivocally condemned this practice and urged the police to respect constitutionally guaranteed freedoms rather than behave in a “manner that raises questions on its independence”.

Dua was also accused

by Kumar of “misreporting” on the Delhi communal violence and stating that the “central government had done nothing to stop the violence”.

Kumar has alleged that Dua had called the prime minister “toothless”.

NEW DELHI, JUN 8 (PTI): The Congress on Monday asked the government to expand the scope of MGNREGA to meet the growing work demand of 8 crore migrants expected to relocate in villages in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Asking the prime minister not to view Centre’s “reliance on the MGNREGA as the victory of the scheme or of BJP’s political adversaries”, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the government should look at the scale of benefits the scheme will provide to migrants.

He said COVID-19 has demonstrated the “unmatched value of a peoplecentric scheme like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a humbled Modi government being constrained to commit an additional Rs 40,000 crore to it”.

“MGNREGA must be scaled up and made openended to meet the massively increased demand,” he said at a virtual press conference.

Singhvi said the scheme was a Congress brainchild and it has proved to be the world’s largest social welfare scheme and “clearly the most efficacious government scheme”.

“Please forget that your remarks Mr Prime minister will come back to haunt you. Please forget political adversariness. Please forget that your current reliance on MGNREGA is the scheme’s biggest victory and therefore, indirectly the victory of some of your political opponents.

“Please consider how much good you can do to the nation through this scheme.

So don’t take our remarks in an adversarial spirit. MGNREGA is a reality, it’s a done deal and you have to build on it,” Singhvi said.

Abhishek Singhvi (File)

He said since PM Modi is “compelled to fall back on a UPA scheme”, it is only appropriate that the Congress provides him with additional guidance for the next steps.

The Congress leader said the government has rightly given Rs 40,000 crore extra, but it must remember that the scale of the disaster of COVID-19 will require its further expansion.

In May 2020, he said, 2.19 crore households have benefitted from this scheme, which is the highest for May

in the last eight years.

Singhvi said as many as 12 crore people, as of March 31, 2020, have benefitted cumulatively from this scheme ever since its inception.

With 8 crore migrants expected to relocate due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Congress leader urged the government to increase the number of guaranteed days of employment to 200 from the current 100 under the scheme.

He said this will help provide employment opportunities to the relocated

migrants near their homes and asked the government to make panchayats the fulcrum, in terms of both devolution of funds and in identifying prospective projects.

The nature of work must be left to gram sabhas, he said, adding local elected bodies understand the ground realities, the influx of workers and their needs.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in an article, has also said that this is not about BJP vs Congress, but MGNREGA should be used to help people of India.

“The Modi government has grudgingly come around to the significance of the programme. My plea to the government is, this is a time of national crisis, not a time to play politics. This is not a BJP versus Congress issue. You have a powerful mechanism at hand, please use it to help the people of India in their time of need,” she said in the article.

2 killed as trainer aircraft crashes All states did good in battle against COVID-19: Shah

A trainer aircraft that crashed in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on Monday.

BHUBANESWAR, JUN 8 (IANS): A pilot trainer and a woman trainee pilot were killed when a trainer aircraft crashed in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on Monday.

The trainer aircraft of the Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) crashed at Birasala airstrip shortly after taking off, informed B.K. Nayak Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Dhenkanal.

The doctors at Kamakhyanagar hospital declared them dead. The deceased were identified as Anis Fatima (trainee) and Sanjeev Kumar Jha (Instructor).

A n u p a m a Ja m e s, Dhenkanal Superintendent of Police (SP) said prima facie, it is suspected that the aircraft nose-dived and crashed on to the runway while trying to land.

“It seems the aircraft developed some technical

snag after it took off. The trainer and the trainee pilots were killed in the accident,” the SP said.

Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will inquire into the air crash at Birasala airstrip, informed GATI authorities.

The Birasala facility was opened last year. The total strength of the trainees at the facility was 90, including 36 aspiring pilots, said sources.

Everyone knows reality of borders: Rahul NEW DELHI, JUN 8 (IANS): A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that India is the only country after the US and Israel to protect its borders, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a jibe at him, saying “everyone knows the reality of the borders”.

“Everyone knows the reality of the borders, but ‘Shah-yad’ (maybe) it’s a good idea to keep one’s heart happy,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.

Addressing a public rally in Bihar on Sunday via videoconference, Shah said: “India’s defence policy has gained global acceptance. And India is next to the US, Israel in protecting its borders.”

On June 3, Rahul Gandhi had questioned the central government over a military standoff with China in Ladakh. He had tweeted: “Can the government of India please confirm that no Chinese soldiers have entered India?”

NEW DELHI, JUN 8 (PTI): Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that all states have done a good job in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic which the central government has jointly fought with them.

Speaking at a ‘virtual rally’ for people of Odisha, Shah also lauded the Modi government’s track record on national security and recalled the air and surgical strikes inside Pakistan ordered by the prime minister in his first term.

Under PM Modi’s leadership, any intrusion into the the borders of India will be punished. Some used to say that US and Israel were the only countries which were willing and capable of avenging every drop of the blood of their soldiers. Modi Ji has added India to that list,” he said.

The world realises that India will now not tolerate any intrusion into its borders, he said, while underscoring the Modi government’s commitment to protect India’s sovereignty.

His comments came at a time when Indian and Chinese armies are engaged in a standoff in Ladakh with both countries trying to defuse the crisis through diplomatic and military channels. Shah, however, made no direct comment on the issue.

The BJP leader also strongly defended the central government over the migrant crisis, saying everyone was anguished by their pain but their safety was a top priority for the Centre.

Amit Shah (PTI)

Targeting the opposition, he said the central government might have made a mistake or had some shortcomings but its commitment was always there, and then

asked what the rival parties did. Somebody was interviewing people abroad in English on how to fight the coronavirus, Shah said in an apparent jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and added that the Congress never did anything during disasters that the country has faced over the years except for “interviews”.

Gandhi has been speaking to personalities from different fields on various aspects of the coronavirus crisis. The senior BJP leader said the central government

sought suggestions from all states; be it Odisha, West Bengal or Kerala, and rose above any partisan biases in this joint battle against the disease. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to chief ministers through videoconferencing five times. Over 1.25 crore migrants were transported safely to their homes by the government which had announced a package of Rs 1.70 lakh crore to help the poor immediately after the lockdown was announced, Shah said.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF TREASURIES & ACCOUNTS NAGALAND : KOHIMA

Dated Kohima the 8th May’ 2020.

NOTIFICATION

NO.DTA/CON-119 /2019-20 : With the recommendation of Departmental Interview Board basing on the marks obtained from the written examination held on 14/12/2019 for the post of JAA/AA and LDA Cum Computer Assistants, the following candidates bearing Roll Nos. on ascending manner are selected for appearing viva-voice test.

0109, 0165, 0426, 0435, 0459, 0535, 0567, 0676, 0724, 0746, 0749, 0775, 0844, 0932, 1034, 1045, 1050, 1105, 1161, 1250, 1260, 1423, 1873, 1938, 1939, 1945, 2070, 2106, 2134, 2140, 2182, 2218, 2241, 2294, 2395, 2447, 2511, 2561, 2629, 2652, 2687, 2755, 2763, 2797, 2908, 2933, 3174, 3420, 3507, 3532, 3541, 3569, 3610, 3722, 3875, 3876, 3891, 3915, 3949, 4031, 4118, 4128, 4139, 4286, 4292, 4346, 4369, 4375, 4381, 4389, 4532, 4598, 4690, 4716, 4726, 4741, 4772, 4787, 4799, 4815, 4840, 4895, 5014, 5036, 5098, 5146, 5261, 5268, 5276, 5351, 5387, 5391, 5410, 5418, 5532, 5582, 5600, 5647, 5721, 5735, 5796, 5833, 5957, 5994, 5996, 6078, 6092, 6110, 6210, 6271, 6284, 6415, 6488, 6599, 6717, 6749, 6799, 6840, 6996, 7085, 7102, 7128, 7185, 7270, 7334, 7344, 7452, 7488, 7567, 7568, 7604, 7606, 7616, 7690, 7743, 7836, 7910, 7911, 7916, 7970, 8021, 8036, 8118, 8226, 8244, 8245, 8251, 8256, 8271, 8275, 8279, 8296, 8334.

2. Separate calling letter will be issued to all the concerned candidates which will invariably be produced to the Interview Board at the time of appearing Viva-Voice test.

3. Candidates shall produce all the relevant documents in original to the Interview Board while appearing viva-voice test, failing which the concerned candidature will be disqualified straight-forwardly.

4. Mark-sheet will not be issued till viva-voice test interview result is notified.

5. Date and time for holding of Viva-voice test interview will be notified when the conducive time is arrived amidst of Covid-19.

Sd/(R. N.YANTHAN) Principal Director.

DC-499

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 183 Dimapur, TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

Reflection of society

S

cores of cities in the US erupted into mass protests after the death of George Floyd, a 46year old black man in Minneapolis at the hands of a white policeman after the victim was allegedly caught using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. The protests spread to over four hundred cities and towns in all fifty states as well as in around 50 countries, with demonstrators supporting those seeking justice for Floyd and the wider Black Lives Matter movement, and speaking out against police brutality.

The protests are taking place during the COVID19 pandemic, during which gathering in crowds is strongly advised against in some parts of the world, and is illegal in others. That history has once again become the subject of national debate as millions of Americans in recent days gathered in cities large and small to denounce police brutality and racial bias after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man in Minneapolis, at the hands of a white police officer after allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. In a video of the encounter, Floyd gasped for breath as police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck while three other officers looked on. Later, Chauvin was fired along with the officers in the video, and all four were eventually arrested for their role in his death. In the US, hundreds of businesses have been damaged, and there has been widespread looting in Los Angeles and Minneapolis over the weekend. As preventive measures, more than two dozen cities had imposed sweeping curfews, including in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the epicentre of the crisis. Governors in 26 states called in the National Guard and Secret Service agents clashed for a second day with demonstrators outside the White House. Race is the fulcrum upon which two radically different visions of America pivot. In the inhuman, banal killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis what was seen is the reactivated weight of the country’s darkest past. In the nationwide demonstration of young blacks and whites against it and other recent racist killings, what was witnessed was the outraged, countervailing force of that other America which Martin Luther King Jr. imagined as the “beloved community.” The death of George Flyod as well as some other black men, women and children across the U.S. during interactions with police officers, have inspired protests and calls for police reform, along with the rise of the Black Lives Matter social justice movement. While many in India have also lent their voices against racism and bias in the US in the light of the death of George Floyd; it would also be fitting if they also seriously ponder over the same mindset of racism, bias and prejudices in Indian society. An observer in India recently wrote “outpouring of Indian support for George Floyd is hypocritical as the same people whose hearts are bleeding now, maintained a stoic silence over communal violence against lower castes, mob lynching, and cases of police brutality in India”. In the recent past, India has seen a spate of violent incidents namely hate crimes, police brutality against students, communal violence, discrimination against minorities because of prejudice. Racism and prejudice are therefore, two sides of the same coin.

As Indians protest against racism in the US, they must acknowledge that it also reflects their own society.

DailyDevotion What’s Next To Do? If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. —John 13:17 Be determined to know more than others. If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and to send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get out past the harbor into the great depths of God, and begin to know things for yourself— begin to have spiritual discernment.

When you know that you should do something and you do it, immediately you know more. Examine where you have become sluggish, where you began losing interest spiritually, and you will find that it goes back to a point where you did not do something you knew you should do. You did not do it because there seemed to be no immediate call to do it. But now you have no insight or discernment, and at a time of crisis you are spiritually distracted instead of spiritually self-controlled. It is a dangerous thing to refuse to continue learning and knowing more.

The counterfeit of obedience is a state of mind in which you create your own opportunities to sacrifice yourself, and your zeal and enthusiasm are mistaken for discernment. It is easier to sacrifice yourself than to fulfill your spiritual destiny, which is stated in Romans 12:1-2. It is much better to fulfill the purpose of God in your life by discerning His will than it is to perform great acts of self-sacrifice. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Samuel 15:22). Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been. “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know…” (John 7:17).

Quotes

Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. ~ Charles Dudley Warner

D

uring this time of lockdown, thousands and thousands of Indians, especially women, have cut back on their daily food and fed the street animals instead. As the days drag on, the money has dwindled because no one is earning any money, but the hunger levels remain the same. My organization has been deluged with requests for money and animal food and we have helped as many people as we can with both. NGOs across India have pooled their resources and responded to desperate cries for help.

A person I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart is Eileen Weintraub.

Not just for her generous help during the lockdown period, but for all the years she has put in to help India’s animals.

Eileen runs a charity in Seattle called Help Animals India. She is not rich – in fact, the most generous donors in the world are not “trust fund” people or inheritors of any kind, but people who have worked to earn their own money and then given it away.

She started her animal work early: as a child in Brooklyn, New York she helped the “stray” dogs and cats in her neighbourhood, often running into the same type of animal haters that we have to contend with daily and who make me really sad.

What is common in animal welfare people is our curiosity and spirit of adventure. Eileen evolved into a legal secretary and a nursing assistant and spent decades volunteering for animal advocacy, animal rescue

and vegetarian promotion in California and then Seattle, Washington. Along the way she learnt acupuncture and became a Chinese Medical Practitioner (acupuncturist) and made three trips to Tibet.

And then she turned her mind to India.

When emailing became possible in the 90s, Eileen started communicating with the few people that were in the Indian field. Many of them were foreigners : Christine and Jeremy Townend from Australia who founded the Darjeeling Goodwill Animal Shelter, the amazing couple from America, Kim Bartlett and Merritt Clifton, who have spent their lives in animal advocacy and have played a major role in disseminating information about India’s animal welfare to the world through their newspaper/ websites, to name a few.

Eileen’s first donation from her own earnings was to Help in Suffering. She joined a group called Animal People Forum, taking on Kim Bartlett as her mentor.

In 2003 she visited India for the first time and met the earliest animal welfare groups in India : Blue Cross in Chennai, CUPA in Bangalore ( also founded by Crystal Rogers) and VSPCA in Vishakhapatnam. She was so impressed by their dedication that she committed to helping them with funds.

In 2004 when the tsunami came to India’s shores, Eileen brought it to the attention of the world and veterinarians and volunteers came from all over to help animals. They stayed to help improve the shelters, specially the Vishakhapatnam SPCA

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

Last thing on everyone’s agenda whom she has helped substantially over the years.

Eileen had started writing, lecturing and promoting India across the USA. No one in India ever documented their rescues - till now my shelter Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre, the earliest shelter in India, has never made a rescue film, for instance. On her trips to India, Eileen would take films of the shelters and rescues and show them to her American audience. In 2008 she formed the USA nonprofit “Help Animals India” to help animal welfare groups by providing financial and practical assistance. Since then I have seen her pour in money across India to small groups who would never have made it without her generosity. Her special pet, at the moment, is the animal rescue and sterilization group “Varanasi for Animals”. So many visitors from abroad visiting Varanasi were upset by the suffering animals and begged Eileen to help start a program there. When they started their work in Varanasi the administration refused to pay for dog sterilization, so Eileen paid for each operation. She also helps groups in Nepal, and now that the animal welfare movement is finally getting on its feet in

Sri Lanka, I am sure she will look there as well.

When Eileen first started helping, the dollar was worth 40 rupees. Now it is almost double. So, donations go very far for the US dollar or the Euro in India/Nepal.

I first met her at the Asia for Animals conference in 2007 in Chennai. She came to my home and visited the Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre a few years later.

Since then we have worked together, and Eileen, and my personal god-on-earth-forthe-animals, the Australian Philip Wollen, are the two people I can depend on to respond with help within a day of my asking them.

During this time of lockdown, she has sent money to many groups across India.

At the moment my shelter in Kolkata and the dedicated team that have kept it open throughout the lockdown and risked their own lives every day, the same group that has fed the carriage horses when the state government that insists on having them did not extend any help at all, are in great trouble. The shelter has been hugely damaged by the ferocious wind and rain of cyclone Amphan and needs money to stand up again. Eileen sent 3 lakhs immediately. It is going to need

at least 25 lakhs.

Dealing with India is difficult : when it is day for us, it is night for the US. But we correspond in the twilight zones of dawn and dusk. Every year there are enormous natural disasters: drought, flood, cyclones, earthquakes, now the Corona lockdown which has left street animals starving. The challenge to help is great and each one of us feels inadequate, no matter how much we do.

Eileen writes: “The work and challenges can seem overwhelming, but when you focus on one animal and one project at a time, you can have a great sense of achievement. Over the years I have watched some situations improve from abhorrent to acceptable, as international groups have stepped in to support the maturing knowledge of Indian animal advocates.

At the same time an increasingly crowded, polluted and economically stressed India has increased the problems of wildlife poaching and habitat loss.”

Eileen brought another donor into the field some years ago. A truly good man, an Indian from Thailand named Harcharan Singh who heads Mission of Mercy. He gives small donations to small animal groups. But what drives him crazy is when people don’t say thank you, and he often stops donating to those NGOs that take the money and don’t acknowledge it regularly.

Eileen never gets acknowledged ! She is so much a part of us that we often forget to thank her and her donors.

She says she is thrilled and surprised when she gets a

thank you !

To save money Eileen works from home, a small suburban house. She has been married to Mark Johnson, an artist and former acupuncture specialist, for 38 years and they have no children. She is a fund raiser by day and a cat rescuer by night ! The Feral Cat project in Seattle, which she helped start, has spayed/ neutered over 100,000 cats.

India’s constitution is unique in this powerful message: “It shall be the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the Natural Environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for all living creatures.”

And yet we have no government financial support at all. All of us – and I include People For Animals in that - are totally dependent on donations from civil society and, as India grows poorer and more crowded, animals are the last thing on everyone’s agenda.

That makes Eileen Weintraub even more important.

She and the donors, who trust her enough to send money to India, have saved many thousands of lives. If you feel like saying thank you to Help Animals India here are their coordinates: www.helpanimalsindia.org. www.facebook.com/helpanimalsindia; https://twitter.com/helpanimalindia; https://www.instagram.com/helpanimalsindia; https://www.youtube.com/ user/helpanimalsindia. To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@nic. in, www.peopleforanimalsindia.org

Post-mortem

I

Good policies need competent execution

t is extremely thoughtful of the Modi government to designate the next phase of counter corona measures as Unlock 1 in which the basics of lockdown observance at the personal level and in the ‘containment zones’ remain unchanged but the focus is on the reopening of socio-economic life.

This has created positivity in the environ and promoted selfconfidence among people. The pandemic has tested policy formulation, raised questions on implementation and produced many lessons for the future governance. In a democratic dispensation, the elected political executive lays down policies that the machinery of the government implements top-down to take their benefits to the people. The function of implementation is always non political -- the political legitimacy of the policy is questioned, if at all, by the opposition in the Parliament and outside and reviewed by the higher judiciary in case the matter draws its attention.

The handling of the corona pandemic by the Centre under the NDMA was marked by the clarity of decision making in regard to the lockdown but the governance both at the level of ministries and the states was severely tested for execution of the policy. Lockdown did not impede ‘essential’ services.

Considering governance to be the first ‘essential’ activity in a crisis, it was necessary that government functionaries in the field -- not only health workers and policemen -- got totally geared up to their new responsibilities and remained visible within the norms of social distancing.

Many administrative functionaries closer to the ground might have pulled away from work in the environ of fear all round which is understandable. It did appear, however, that the institutional importance of such key players in governance as district magistrates, station masters, managers of government hospitals, municipal commissioners and controllers of public distribution system, had been eroded over the long years, for multiple reasons. Corruption certainly was known to have undermined the nurturing importance of ‘supervision’ and taken away the will of the officials to exercise discretion at their level in serving a public cause. This was written all over the saga of migrant labour on the move with their families and the tales of tragedy that they produced.

Senior functionaries on the ground had got so used to receiving orders from above for everything that they did not want to take the ‘risk’ of initiating any solution finding on their own.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, having earned a reputation for bold, unambiguous and game-changing policy decisions, would hopefully see to it that the

machinery for implementation of national policies was reestablished in the states and the districts. This has nothing to do with the centrestate political relationships. A major learning from the corona pandemic is that people-oriented governance had to be fully restored so that in situations that exposed the weak and the poor to sudden hardship, the local administration would respond with adequate empathy.

The countrywide total lockdown compelled by the corona pandemic became distressful for the less privileged in urban centres -- the city authorities should have sensed it and prepared themselves for the new call of duty. The reform of administrative machinery of India can begin with the Centre acquiring a role in the appointment of Chief Secretary and Director-General of Police of a state through the UPSC based empanelment -- a course that was recommended by the Supreme Court of India itself, in a recent ruling.

A lot of officials did try to do their bit, but the mishandling of the fallout of the lockdown also attracted attention. A few illustrations symptomised what was wrong in this regard. The manager of a government district hospital in Bihar refused to provide the available ambulance to shift a sick boy under treatment, to Patna Medical College -- half an hour away -- with the result that the boy died in the lap of the hapless rural couple in the hospital premises. This was reportedly not a corona case even. The state government tamely ordered an enquiry but the manager seems to be going scot-free. Again, whatever be the reasons for the turnout of migrants on roads with families following the declaration of the long lockdown on March 24, the question is how many collectors -- who were deemed to be the ‘Kings’ of their districts -- proactively got involved in micro-managing the stranded clusters within their jurisdictions for food, shelter and possible travel arrangements for them to be fixed in consultation with their own state governments?

A district magistrate in Maharashtra had, in his area, a very visible group of a score of exhausted migrant labour sleeping on the tracks -- perhaps under the impression that no trains were moving then -- and getting overrun by a goods train. The DM was seemingly unconcerned about what was happening in his district on the ground in the tense post-lockdown atmosphere. Photographs of ‘rotis’ strewn on the track highlighted the group’s tragedy as well as poverty. The cabinet secretary ultimately reached out to many district magistrates as the crisis persisted -- the learning, however, is that India must go back to the districts for effective governance and

public service particularly during a national crisis.

That the public distribution system had been thoroughly corrupted was known but even in the corona pandemic many needy were returned from food outlets empty handed on the grounds of non production of ration cards.

Officials of the district could have exercised their discretion and accepted the distressed citizen’s plea that the ration card was at his village home. How much food grain could have been swindled by these poor people? Ultimately, the Centre had to intervene to announce ‘one nation one ration card’ rule. Municipal commissioners also should have actively evolved strategies for helping the distressed sections during the lockdown on rentals, food for stranded family groups and essential medical aid on-the-spot -- within the lockdown guidelines. This generally did not happen. It is a measure of India’s culture of compassion that many voluntary bodies and religious establishments fed the hungry and the dispossessed -- this cannot be a substitute for the democratic state taking charge of all its citizens in an emergency.

Further, it would have been better if the Railway Board officials had -- after the Centre had decided to run special trains for migrants -- not allowed the matter of sharing of the cost of tickets to become public as this marred the effect of a humanitarian initiative of the Modi government. However, what is distressing is the apparent abdication of responsibilities by the station masters who were in earlier times looked upon as the highest authority on the premises of a station. The station master should be the first to know if there were any dead on a train that had steamed in -- the computation of such deaths should have been instantly communicated to the Railways centrally. It is not known if the station master of Muzaffarpur appeared on the scene at all once the news broke out of a toddler pulling the shroud off his dead mother on the platform.

The top leadership in any wing of the government has to feel accountable for the performance of its machinery down the line. This realisation was generally there in the Modi regime. However, there is no gain saying the fact that the country needs economic reforms as much as an upgradation of governance at all levels, including the state, district and the local.

A trend that developed fast was about the disequilibrium cropping up between the states on the implementation of post-lockdown guidelines of the Centre. Interstate movement was arbitrarily blocked -- sometimes for one upmanship -- in exercise of the authority deemed to have been delegated by the Centre.

However, in the absence of detailed

instructions issued in advance, unseemly traffic jams developed on the borders, the lasting image of which -- at least in one case -was an apparent class distinction showing up between people in cars and those on bicycles coming in for work. The first thing Unlock 1 has rightly done is to remove any conditionality on intra-state and inter-state movement of people outside of the containment zones. The Centre must ensure that this basic right of movement of citizens was not played with by the states. This

is particularly important for the National Capital Region. Handling the corona pandemic was a non-political national mission directed by the Centre. Ambiguities in administrative responses, allocation of funds and inter-ministerial coordination coming to notice should be resolved -- on the trot -- as the Centre still has the prime responsibility of taking the arduous fight against corona to its logical conclusion both on health and economy fronts.

(IANS) D.C. Pathak

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Appeal to Commissioner of Police, Dimapur

The present system of odd/even vehicle no. in Dimapur initiated by your esteemed office for the welfare of the people in order to stop spreading the Virus is highly laudable and I personally appreciate for the same.

But Sir, it is my sincere request to your esteem office to exempt the Head of the institutions along with one clerk of the institution to carry out institutional work like ( HSLC/HSSLC result work, UDISE work, collection of fees in order to pay teachers salary, monitoring the online class, supplying of notes to those students without smartphone, etc) Looking forward for your positive response.

Toshi Jamir, Nagarjan, HM, KHS

Need speed breakers at Tajen Ao Road for public safety

Sir,

The road stretch from the clock tower to DC court junction formerly known as the Circular Road which has been renamed as Tajen Ao Road now is one of the most heavily commuted lifelines of Dimapur. Right from the early wee hours of the morning, hundreds of trucks ply on this stretch carrying essential items, building materials, etc. to different places of the town and other districts at full speed. The rest of the day is witnessed with another hundreds of light vehicles to autorickshaws plying on this busy road. The movement of goods carrying trucks on full speed are really a fearsome sight to see. Till date, by God’s grace no major mechanical failure have happened which would have resulted in the loss of lives. Though there have been numerous accidents every now and then ,they have escaped major fatalities. At late nights, young drivers on full speed always ram into the road dividers damaging them.

This area has lots of schools and montessories which have sprung up over the years and these speeding vehicles pose a great danger for many school going kids. Even in the evenings speeding vehicles pose high risk to roadside shops, pedestrians and the general public.

A newspaper hawker was rammed over last year by one tata mobile early morning but luckily escaped with bruises and some scratches. Early morning joggers and walkers have been injured by two wheeler and four wheeler speedsters. There are many instances where speed brEakers are constructed near big mansions and houses of influential people. Yet this stretch of road, which is approximately 5kms doesn’t have a single speed brEaker. On the other side of the Circular Road, near the Old SM College building speed brEakers have been constructed which was otherwise an accident prone area. Now with the breakers there accidents doesn’t happen anymore in this area.

I humbly appeal the district authorities , concerned department and the colony councils to kindly take the initiative and take up this issue before any major accident happens and cost human lives.

Salang Imchen, Dimapur

Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

‘Elephant may’ve consumed cracker-filled fruit’

A pregnant elephant that was found dead in a forest in Kerala .

It also tweeted that the Minster of State for Environment Babul Supriyo has requested people not to believe in social media “rumours”.

“In the meantime, MoS, MoEF&CC, Shri Babul Supriyo requests everyone to not indulge or fall prey to in any of the rumours & fake news that are being circulated in the

#SocialMedia,” the ministry said.

The Kerala government and all departments concerned of the ministry are handling the matter in an unbiased manner.

“We are confident of concluding the investigation sooner than later, to be followed by exemplary #LegalActions & punishment that will act as strong

Security agencies warn of Chinese espionage attempts amid pandemic NEW DELHI, JUN 8 (IANS): China is aggressively pursuing a diverse range of tactics -- from cyber-attacks to recruiting insiders for economic espionage, Indian security agencies have warned. The specific alert circulated among key stakeholders suggests that Chinese operatives are not only planning to steal classified cutting-edge defense technology but also eyeing to recruit best academicians and researchers around the globe, especially from the US. Sources said they have noticed that China has authorized an “aggressive program of stealing US science and technology information by recruiting Americans in the technology sector with access to trade secrets”.

In the technology sector of the US, many Indians scientists are working at the forefront. “This is a serious matter for Indian government and security establishments,” said a top source further adding that Chinese always pursue economic espionage because it suits their low cost manufacturing sector on the basis of stolen research and costly design developed by top companies across the globe.

“An alert was also issued in early January about Chinese cyber intrusion attempts at several companies where Indian researchers are working. The espionage attempt was to target UAV technology and certain top-end military

equipment designs. After stealing the techniques and design, China starts producing these equipment domestically and sells at a cheaper rate, inflicting irreparable damage to the original equipment manufacturers,” the sources in the security establishment observed.

Recently, the US accused China for targeting academia by sending researchers to American labs and using talent recruitment programme to steal scientific analysis. The US has also found that young recruits of the People’s Liberation Army posing as students are entering into various universities across the globe to get research papers and recruit academia.

Earlier this year, the US charged a former Boston University student of visa fraud for failing to disclose the status as a lieutenant in the China’s People’s Liberation Army.

The US intelligence agencies have found that their “universities have become a soft target in the global espionage war with China”.

In January this year, the US Department of Justice charged a leading academician at the Harvard University for hiding his alleged role in a Chinese government programme.

In July last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray had revealed that the FBI is probing

nearly 1,000 cases of economic espionage and attempted intellectual property theft, nearly all of them leading back to China.

Accordingly, Indian Missions have been informed about the threats being posed by Chinese spies and attempts to recruit Indian scientists and technologists working in the US and other parts of the world.

Sources further stated that security establishments in India have informed the scientist fraternity to be on alert amid threat posed by Chinese spies.

The Chinese had earlier recruited a personnel, Dongfan Chung, working at Boeing for economic espionage. Chung had stolen secret technology to benefit Chinese government and during the raid at his house more than 2.5 lakh classified pages related to Boeing were recovered.

“There has been intense debate on the international platforms regarding Chinese-sponsored theft of intellectual property. American agencies have gone on record to say that China was targeting trade secrets. In the backdrop of pandemic and global health crisis, Indian establishments in defence and technology sectors have been told to be extra cautious as China is planning to become the most advanced economy while the other countries are crippled by the highly contagious virus,” the sources further added.

Hospital sealed after patient tied to bed over unpaid bills

An elderly man tied to the hospital bed in Madhya Pradesh for non-payment of bills. (ANI)

SHAJAPUR/BHOPAL, JUN 8 (PTI): A Madhya Pradesh-based hospital where an elderly patient was allegedly tied to a bed and not allowed to go home due to non-payment of bills has been sealed, officials said on Monday.

Police have also registered an FIR against the management of the City Hospital located in Shajapur district, they said.

After reports in a section of media claimed the hospital authorities tied the man to a bed as his family had not settled the bills, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sun-

day promised strict action against the “cruel” act. In a tweet on Monday, Chouhan said, “Taking strict action in this incident, the CMHO and the administration have suspended the registration of the City Hospital and sealed it. The police are investigating into this case by registering an FIR against the hospital directors.”

Shajapur Additional District Magistrate Manjusha Vikram Rai said the patient, Lakshminarayan (80), a resident of Ranayal village of Rajgarh district, was admitted to the City Hospital for his treatment.

After media reports

claimed that the hospital administration tied the patient’s legs to the bed for not paying the final bill of Rs 14,000, an investigation team, headed by a subdivisional magistrate, was constituted.

Following the investigation, the administration has sealed the hospital and further action will be taken as per rules, Rai said.

Earlier, City Hospital director Dr Varun Bajaj denied the allegations and said the man was allowed to go home on Friday without paying the due amount.

“The patient was having intestinal problems and in order to administer the medicine, his legs were tied to the bed while his hands were held by his family during the process,” Bajaj claimed. He said police were informed after those attending the patient expressed inability to pay the bill and insisted on taking him home.

Senior Congress leader and former state chief minister Kamal Nath earlier termed the incident as “inhuman and barbaric”.

Guj: Will win two RS seats, says Cong; BJP confident of three AHMEDABAD, JUN 8 (PTI): Fighting defections ahead of the June 19 Rajya Sabha elections for four seats in Gujarat, the Congress on Monday said it had devised a strategy to win two seats while the BJP expressed confidence to win three seats with the support of three MLAs of the BTP and the NCP. The Congress suddenly finds itself on a sticky wicket due to resignations of eight MLAs--five of them quit in March and three others recently--which has reduced its strength in the 182-member House to 65 against the ruling BJP’s 103.

The Congress has fielded Shaktisinh Gohil and Bharatsinh Solanki as its candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections. The party had said that Gohil is its first preference candidate.

Abhay Bhardwaj, Ramilaben Bara and Narhari Amin are the nominees of the BJP. As per the standard formula, every candidate requires minimum 35 votes to win.

With 65 MLAs of its own and assuming that it gets support of an Independent candidate, the Congress will still require four more votes to win the two seats.

Fearing “poaching” by the BJP, the Congress has already shifted its MLAs to various resorts in the state and in Rajasthan. The party plans to shift all of them to a resort in Abu Road in Rajasthan near Gujarat border. The Congress is also uncertain about the support of two MLAs of the Bharatiya Tribal Party) and Kandhal Jadeja of the NCP.

NEW DELHI, JUN 8 (PTI): Two custom-made B777 aircraft, which will be used to fly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top Indian dignitaries, are likely to be delivered by Boeing to Air India by September, senior officials said on Monday.

In October last year, government officials had said that the delivery of these two planes, which are earmarked for VVIP travel only, would be done

by July.

“There has been some delay, primarily because of COVID-19. The two planes are likely to be delivered by September,” the officials said on Monday.

The two B777 aircraft will be operated by pilots of the Indian Air Force and not of Air India.

However, the new wide-body planes will be maintained by the Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), which is a subsidiary of the Indian national carrier, the officials said.

Currently, the prime minister, the president and the vice president fly on Air

India’s B747 planes, which have the call sign ‘Air India One’.

Air India pilots fly these B747 aircraft for the dignitaries and the AIESL maintains them.

When these B747 aircraft are not flying the dignitaries, they are used by the Indian national carrier for commercial operations.

The new planes will be used for travel of the dignitaries only. These two aircraft were part of Air India’s commercial fleet for a few months in 2018 before they were sent back to Boeing for retrofitting them for VVIP travel.

The B777 planes will have state-of-the-art missile defence systems called Large Aircraft Infrared Coun-

termeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS).

In February, the US agreed to sell the two defence systems to India at a cost of USD 190 million.

The Centre has already initiated the process of divestment of its stake in Air India, which has a debt of over Rs 60,000 crore.

However, the process has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We would not like to make any comment on these issues pertaining to the (aviation) ministry and the government of India,” an Air India spokesperson said in response to queries sent by PTI. Boeing has not respond to queries on this matter.

J’khand permits BRO to recruit nearly 12k workers for border area NEW DELHI/RANCHI, JUN 8 (PTI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has given permission to the Border Roads Organization (BRO) to recruit over 11,800 workers from the state for critical projects, including in areas near the China border in Ladakh, after getting a written assurance about their welfare and rights, state government sources said on Monday.

Jharkhand is also set to sign a first-of-its-kind memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the BRO for ensuring welfare of workers in all recruitments in the future, sources in the Jharkhand Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.

“We are committed to the welfare of our workers and our tribal brothers have long served the nation and built its frontiers. We are ready to send our workers in the interest of national security but will not allow any compromise of their honour, welfare rights, benefits and dignity,” Soren said.

“National security is our priority and at the same time we have prioritised that the honour, dignity and rights of our workers are guaranteed while serving

Hemant Soren

the nation,” he said. Soren also tweeted the approval letter dated June 6 along with portions of some other letters exchanged with the BRO, saying “we look forward to cooperation” from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to ensure compliance.

The MoU, prepared by the CMO and the state’s labour department, will ensure an institutional framework safeguarding the benefits and welfare of workers from the state going to work at high-altitude projects of the BRO, the CMO sources said.

The 11,815 workers that the BRO had requested for recruitment are needed for Operation Vijayak and Himank in Ladakh (about 8,000 workers required), Project Shivalik in Uttarakhand, Project Deepak in Himachal Pradesh, Project Beacon in Jammu and

Kashmir, they said.

The road projects in the border areas assume significance as they come amid a confrontation between Indian and Chinese militaries in eastern Ladakh.

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

On the defence ministry’s request, the home ministry had written to the Railways on May 22 for arranging 11 special trains to transport 11,815 workers from Jharkhand to Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, and to the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, for road construction activity by BRO along northern borders with China.

The BRO has conveyed to the Jharkhand government that it will sign the MoU once approval is given by the Ministry of Defence, the CMO sources said, citing a letter from the BRO to Jharkhand Principal Secretary Rajeev Arun Ekka.

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“As of now, one person has been arrested & efforts are on to nab more individuals who may have participated in this illegal & utterly inhuman act.

The @WCCBHQ has also been directed to act on this matter with utmost sense of urgency. #WildlifeProtection,” the ministry posted on its official Twitter handle.

deterrent to committing such future acts,” it said.

“We in @moefcc are deeply concerned & pained by the pathetic death of a pregnant #Elephant in Palakkad District, Kerala.

It is noted that many a times locals resort to an illegal act of planting explosive filled fruits to repel #WildBoars from entering plantation farms,” it said.

The Ministry on Sunday also held a meeting with several officials to discuss the progress in the matter.

The review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sanjay Kumar, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary in the ministry (DGF&SS) to discuss the progress on the action taken in the case.

Besides DGF&SS, the meeting was attended by an official from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Inspector General of Wildlife, ministry of environment, additional director of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and scientists from Elephant Cell, an official told PTI. However, the details of the meeting are still awaited.

AI likely to get custom-made B777 planes for VVIP travel by September

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NEW DELHI, JUN 8 (PTI): Primary investigations into the death of pregnant elephant in Kerala has found that it may have accidentally consumed a cracker-stuffed fruit, the Environment ministry said on Monday.

The ministry also noted that many a times locals resort to an illegal act of planting explosive-filled fruits to repel wild boars from entering plantation farms.

The 15-year-old elephant 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.

In a series of tweets, the ministry has said that one person has been arrested in the matter.

“Primary investigations revealed, the elephant may have accidentally consumed in such fruit. Ministry is in constant touch with Kerala Govt & has sent them detailed advisory for immediate arrest of culprits & stringent action against any erring official that led to elephant’s death,” the ministry said.

7

8

Inflows in equity MFs hit 5-month low in May New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI): Inflows into equity mutual funds dropped to five months low of Rs 5,256 crore in May amid market volatility and uncertain economic environment due to coronavirus pandemic.

Overall, the mutual fund industry witnessed a net inflow of Rs 70,813 crore across all segments, last month data by Association of Mutual Funds in India showed on Friday.

In comparison, an inflow of Rs 45,999 crore was seen in April.

As per the data, inflows into equity and equity-linked open ended schemes was at Rs 5,256 crore, while an outflow of Rs 211 crore was seen from close ended funds.

In April, such schemes attracted a net infusion of Rs 6,213 crore.

Prior to this, equity schemes saw an investment Rs 11,723 crore in March, Rs 10,796 crore in February, Rs 7,877 crore in January and Rs 4,499 crore in December.

“Inflows into equity funds, while lower than previous months continue

to remain positive largely driven by SIP inflows. Investors continue to prefer Large & Multi cap funds given the market volatility and uncertain economic environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kaustubh Belapurkar, Director at Manager Research, Morningstar India.

Almost all the equityoriented mutual fund categories registered net inflows last month.

Large-cap, multi-cap, ELSS (equity linked saving schemes), and large cap & mid-cap saw inflows of Rs 1,556 crore, Rs 758 crore and Rs 737 crore and Rs 712 crore respectively during the month under review.

In addition, mutual funds focussed on investing in fixed-income securities saw a net inflow of Rs 63,665 crore last month as compared to Rs 43,431 crore in April.

Among fixed-income securities, overnight funds and credit risk funds witnessed a pull out of Rs 15,881 crore and Rs 5,173 crore, respectively.

Besides, gold ETFs too saw an inflow of Rs 815 crore last month, higher than Rs 731 crore witnessed in April.

The assets under management of the 44-players mutual fund industry stood at Rs 24.55 lakh crore in May-end from Rs 23.93 lakh crore in April-end.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020 business/state ‘India may NDPP slams NPP for politicising COVID achieve current NDPP said the two MLAs tirelessly on the ground and a people’s government failaccount surplus’ (From p-1) were therefore compelled to giving their best. Upgrade ing in its statutory duties

New Delhi, Jun 8 (IANS): Despite the Covid19 pandemic, India is expected to achieve current account surplus due to lower crude oil prices this fiscal, according to a SBI Ecowrap report on Monday.

According to the report, with capital flows turning positive as the economy slowly re-starts, it can mitigate some of the losses that we have seen. “Analysis of past crises shows currencies can swing wildly. However, they stabilise if the right measures are taken,” it said.

The current account shows the net difference between inflows and outflows of foreign currencies.

“What’s important is that we focus on improving macro-economic fundamentals and monitoring how the composition of our capital flows is changing, so that we are prepared when the investor sentiment turns negative.”

“The RBI has stated that a diversified capital account, with a hierarchical preference for FDI over debt flows, and for long-term flows over short-term flows, should be the focus of external sector policy,” it said.

NDPP said just when the PDA was about to announce its consensus candidates, the NPP made a ‘U’ turn and decided to field its own candidates. This left two NPP MLAs in a dilemma on whether to support the PDA candidates or its own party’s candidates as both of them were advisors in the PDA government.

NDPP said appeals made by the two MLAs to the party to reconsider the decision of fielding candidates went unheard since the party remained adamant. Left with no option,

played on the ATM screen and follow the directions on their respective bank’s mobile application.

This includes entering the amount and mPIN re-

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

quired to dispense the cash from the ATM machine.

According to the company, the QR code feature makes cash withdrawals quicker and more secure,

and negates the chances of compromising the ATM Pin or card skimming.

“The new Touchless ATM solution is an extension of the flagship QR Cash solution which ensures safety of the users and will provide a seamless cash withdrawal experience with enhanced security,” said Ravi B. Goyal, Chairman and MD, AGS Transact Technologies Ltd. With minimum investment, the banks can enable this solution for their ATM networks by upgrading the existing software.

AGSTTL has so far installed, maintained and managed a network of over 72,000 ATMs across the

of medical facilities in all districts was on a war footing, which is most crucial at this moment.

While admitting that there may have been lapses and shortcomings, NDPP however expressed confidence that appropriate steps and measures were being taken while the government machineries would continue to correct and improve wherever necessary.

Pointing out that the gover nment was being blamed for everything, NDPP acknowledged that

required immediate rectification, but could not be blamed for everything.

“This was not how a matured society functions.

Fundamental rights are not absolute lest they go hand in hand with fundamental duties,” the statement stressed.

NDPP called on everyone to support all medical and frontline workers and government agencies who were putting all their efforts in ensuring “our safety”, and continue supporting them by staying home and staying safe.

COVID-19: KNSK submits 6-point appeal to state govt (From p-1) It stated there was lack of PPE for sanitation workers, drivers and volunteers engaged in service at the quarantine centres.

Stating that presently Mon has only one TrueNat Machine with limited testing capacity and two ventilators, the KNSK demanded more TrueNat machines for Mon district without delay for testing and re-testing more people.

Meanwhile, the organisation has appealed to the state government to make Bio Safety Level-2 (BSL-2)

Cash withdrawal at ATMs using smartphone soon in India Mumbai, Jun 8 (IANS): Soon, you may be able to withdraw cash from an ATM without touching any part of the machine. AGS Transact Technologies, a provider of cash and digital payment solutions and automation technology, on Monday said it has successfully developed and tested a touchless ATM solution in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ‘contactless’ solution, currently under demo at interested banks, enables a customer perform all the steps required to withdraw cash from an ATM using the mobile app itself.

The customer simply has to scan the QR code dis-

make the move and the rest was history.

NDPP once again appealed to all sections of society to avoid pointing fingers or indulge in blame game during these trying and difficult times when the State was combating the pandemic and the government was putting all its resources, manpower and efforts in trying to combat it besides taking care of the huge number of returnees.

It also urged upon all to not create a panic situation but rather encourage, cooperate and support those working

country and also provides customised solutions to leading banks. The company earlier introduced UPI-QR based Cash withdrawal solution in partnership with Bank of India. This is how the solution works.

Open the Bank mobile application on your smartphone and select QR Cash Withdrawal. Enter the amount you wish to withdraw on the mobile app and scan the QR code on the ATM screen.

Next, confir m the amount by clicking on ‘proceed’ in the app and enter the mPin to authenticate the transaction. Now collect the cash and receipt and you are done.

No. 9588 Yesterday’s solution No. 9587

No. 4207 Yesterday’s solution No. 4206

No. 3232 Yesterday’s solution No. 3231

Across 1. Of birth (5) 6. Photo book (5) 9. Fascinate (7) 10. Swagger (5) 11. Prickly plants (5) 12. Pig meat (5) 13. Dreary (7) 15. Ram (3) 17. Eye part (4) 18. Evening party (6) 19. Escargot (5) 20. Illegal acts (6) 22. 2nd Greek letter (4) 24. Strike (3) 25. Unplaced horse (4-3) 26. Rush (5) 27. Threshing implement (5) 28. Action figures (5) 29. Welsh rabbit (7) 30. Baffling question (5) 31. Native New Zealander (5) Down 2. Writer (6) 3. Maltreats (6) 4. Permit (3) 5. Wall painting (5) 6. Booze (7) 7. Lacking fat (4) 8. False (6) 12. Undergoes combustion (5) 13. Drainage channel (5) 14. Restrict (5) 15. One who perseveres (5) 16. Oval nut (5) 18. Foolish (5) 19. Temporal (7) 21. Market or exchange (6) 22. Colombian capital (6) 23. M aker of menswear (6) 25. Star sign (5) 26. Employ for wages (4) 28. Faint (3)

laboratory in Dimapur functional soon. KNSK also requested the government to contemplate setting up BSL-3 lab in Mon district.

Appreciating the services rendered by Dimapur quarantine centres and frontline workers for shouldering Chennai returnees of Mon district, the organisation appealed that the existing status quo be maintained to lighten the burden of Mon district.

With not enough ventilators, ICU beds, isolation wards and manpower, KNSK said Mon district would not be able treat even serious

patients of other illness let alone facilities to combat the contagion.

Stating that there were also not enough private hospitals and clinic in Mon as in Dimapur and Kohima, the KNSK has, therefore, appealed that certain quarantine centres be designated to treat the serious patients of Mon district.

Assuring to extend full cooperation to the state government and district administration in combating the challenge posed by pandemic, KNSK has urged the government to take up its six-point appeal as urgent requirements.

22 lakh ‘Nil’ GST filers can file monthly returns via SMS New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI): The government on Monday rolled out short messaging service (SMS) facility for taxpayers filing ‘’Nil’’ monthly GST returns, a move which will benefit about 22 lakh registered taxpayers.

“In a major move towards taxpayer facilitation, the government has today onwards allowed filing of Nil GST monthly return in Form GSTR-3B through SMS,” the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said in a statement.

This would improve ease of GST compliance for

over 22 lakh registered taxpayers who had to otherwise log into their account on the common portal and then file their returns every month.

Nil return SMS can be sent to 14409 after 1st date of subsequent month.

Now, businesses with nil or no entry in all the tables in form GSTR-3B can file return through an SMS using the registered mobile number and the said return will be verified by a registered mobile number based one time password (OTP) facility.

These taxpayers with ‘’NIL’’ liability need not log

ESH demands BSL-3 lab for Kiphire DH DIMAPUR, JUN 8 (NPN): Lamenting that Kiphire district lacked proper infrastructure, medical facilities and shortage of manpower, Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) has urged the Central and state governments to set up Bio Safety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory at the District Hospital Kiphire to effectively contain COVID-19 pandemic.

ESH vice president H Phutoi Sumi and general secretary Robert Heeto reminded that Kiphire district being one of the remotest and most backward districts was selected among 115 aspirational districts of India. ESH said it had submitted joined representation to the centre along with United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) and Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) on April 5, 2018 and also to chief minister of Nagaland on August 30, 2018, but it had not

materialised till date.

Bbeing one of the aspirational districts, ESH said Kiphire district should not be lacking in health & nutrition, educational, power and agriculture and basic infrastructural sectors, which were the core areas of focus of the indicators of aspirational district.

M e a n w h i l e, E S H said stranded citizens have reached the district and have been accommodated at different quarantine centres in spite of limited resources and manpower, adding that many were would be arriving.

The hoho has, therefore, appealed to all the heads of departments and the staff, who were outside the station, to return as per the order issued by the district administration and assist and coordinate with each other during this time of emergency situations.

Rupee edges 3 paise higher against dollar Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI): The rupee on Monday appreciated marginally by three paise to 75.55 (provisional) against the US dollar amid sustained foreign fund inflows and positive domestic equity market. Forex traders said a weak dollar overseas also helped the rupee, but rising crude oil prices weighed on the domestic unit. The rupee opened at 75.59 against the US dollar and finally settled at 75.55, registering a rise of 3 paise over its previous close. It had settled at 75.58 against the greenback on Friday. During the four-hour session, the rupee saw an intra-day high of 75.50 and a low of 75.64.

On the equities front, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex was quoting 17.60 points higher at 34,304.84 and broader Nifty was up 20.45 points at 10,162.60.

Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in the capital market, as they bought shares worth Rs 97.61 crore on Friday, according to provisional exchange data.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.97 per cent to USD 42.71 per barrel. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.09 per cent to 96.85.

on to the GST portal, the CBIC said.

Last month, the CBIC had introduced a new rule in Central GST rules stipulating furnishing of ‘’Nil’’ return by short messaging service (SMS) facility.

“The functionality of filing Nil Form GSTR-3B through SMS has been made available on the GSTN portal with immediate effect. The status of the returns so filed can be tracked on the GST Portal by logging in to GSTIN account and navigating to Services>Returns>Track Return Status,” the CBIC said.

Gold rises Rs 348; silver jumps by Rs 794 New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI): Gold prices rose by Rs 348 to Rs 46,959 per 10 gram in the national capital on Monday on strong international prices, according to HDFC Securities.

The precious metal had closed at Rs 46,611 per 10 gram in the previous trade.

Silver prices also gained Rs 794 to Rs 49,245 per kg from Rs 48,451 per kg in the previous trade.

“Spot gold price for 24 carat gold in Delhi was trading up by Rs 348 on strong international gold prices,” HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said.

Demand may recover gradually in coming months with opening of economic activities and transportation services, he added.

In the international market, gold was quoting higher at USD 1,696 per ounce and silver at USD 17.68 per ounce.

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9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

Need to implement consensus with India: China

With recovery of last case, New Zealand has eradicated virus

and tranquillity along the border and create a good atmosphere”.

“So the situation overall is stable and controllable and the two sides are ready to engage in consultation to properly solve the relevant issues,” she added.

Her remarks came a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi said that India and China have agreed to continue military and diplomatic talks to “peacefully” resolve the current border standoff in accordance with bilateral agreements.

The Indian delegation

led by Lt General Harinder Singh, the general officer commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps, and Commander of the Tibet Military District Maj Gen Liu Lin held the extensive meeting in Maldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh on Saturday that began at around 11:30 AM and went on till evening.

The high-level military dialogue could not produce any tangible results in ending the confrontation in eastern Ladakh, and India was ready for a long-haul in sensitive areas like Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley, people familiar with the development said in New Delhi.

In a statement, the MEA said the meeting took place in a “cordial and positive atmosphere” and that both sides agreed that an “early resolution” of the issue would contribute to the further development of the relationship between the two countries.

After the standoff began early last month, the

Indian military leadership decided that Indian troops will adopt a firm approach in dealing with the aggressive posturing by the Chinese troops in all disputed areas of Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie.

The Chinese Army has been gradually ramping up its strategic reserves in its rear bases near the LAC by rushing in artillery guns, infantry combat vehicles and heavy military equipment, the sources in New Delhi said.

China has also enhanced its presence in certain areas along the LAC in Northern Sikkim and Uttarakhand following which India has also been its presence by sending additional troops, they said.

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

Family members, friends prepare to pay final tribute to George Floyd

Pak’s ex PM Abbasi, Rlys Min Rashid test +ve for COVID

Kim stresses on economy as tensions with S. Korea rise

condolences and will also record a video message for Floyd’s funeral service, said the aide.

There will be two memorial services in Houstonarea this week, a public viewing on Monday and an invitation-only memorial service on Tuesday.

The public viewing and private funeral will both be held at the same church, The Fountain of Praise at 13950 Hillcroft Avenue, Houston, Texas 77085.

The public viewing is scheduled from noon to 6 pm. Those attending the public viewing of George Floyd on Monday will be provided with transportation. Mayor Sylvester Turner asked that guests should not all arrive at noon to avoid massive crowds.

Only 15 people will be allowed in the Church at a time, and guests will not be able to stay any longer than 10 minutes after viewing.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 8 (PTI): Pakistan’s former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and incumbent Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad were tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.

Pa k i s t a n M u s l i m League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Mar yam Aurangzeb confirmed that 61-year-old Abbasi was infected by the virus.

Abbasi, who is the Senior Vice President of the PML-N, served as the prime minister from August 2017 to May 2018 after his party leader Nawaz Sharif was de-seated by a court ruling in a corruption case. Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad was tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to a statement by his office.

He has gone into selfisolation and will remain in quarantine for two weeks as per doctors’ advice.

morning, Police Chief Art Acevedo confirmed that “George Floyd and his family are safely in Houston”.

Floyd will be laid to rest next to his mother on Tuesday, confirmed a media representative for the Floyd family.

Former Vice President Joe Biden confirmed he will meet with Floyd’s family in Houston on Monday, according to a campaign aide.

Biden is not expected to attend the service on Tuesday because of his Secret Service protection, however, he will still offer in-person

OFFICE OF THE

KOHIMA NOKPU SENSO TELONGJEM FELICITATION

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The union congratulates MISS SHIJONGYANGLA LONGCHAR, D/o Rtd. Addl. Chief ER. MR. WALTER LONGCHAR & MRS. ALEMLA for achieving success in the recent UPSC exam as medical officer under Health and Family Welfare.

SD/SD/(SUNEP IMCHEN) (LANU PONGEN) PRESIDENT SECRETARY

FELICITATION

We, the Yehemi Fellowship Kohima feel immense pride and honour to felicitate Er. Hotovi Aye, son of Hovuto Aye for being promoted to the post of Chief Engineer, Department of Water Resources, Government of Nagaland.

The YFK wishes him grand success in all his future endeavors.

Hukheto Chophi Khetoshe Shikhu Chairman YFK Secretary YFK

NAGALAND MEDICAL COUNCIL

(CONSTITUTED UNDER THE NAGALAND MEDICAL COUNCIL ACT OF 2014)

NMC PRESS STATEMENT

COVID-19 has finally reached Nagaland and is here to stay. The response and reaction to this pandemic, by far, has been commendable though not without hiccups.

The Nagaland Medical Council (NMC) constituted under The NMC Act of 2014 with a constitutional obligation to ensure that every registered practitioner follow the Code and Conduct of the Medical Ethics prescribed by the Medical Council of India. It is also to ensure that no unqualified person practices Modern Scientific System of Medicine.

Many Health professionals have responded to the challange of this Pandemic by offering their services voluntarily even including Senior Medical professionals. The NMC took upon itself the responsibility to organise Out patient consultative services in the districts where professional Health volunteers were available. This is to support the Department of Health and Family Welfare who were totally engaged in the revamping and setting up infrastructure in the various Health centres in the State.

The NMC appreciates the Health Department for efficiently involving in: 1. Establishment of Covid Hospitals in all Districts.

2. Establishment of Covid Care Centres for isolating and segregating Covid Positive people 3. Full involvement in the establishment and maintenance of Quarantine Centres.

4. Contact tracking through Mobile applications.

The NMC salutes all the frontline workers and encourage its members to live up to one's calling. During such time of crisis it is highly unethical for any Health professionals to shy away from their responsibilities and resign from their assign duties.

Across the world, the fear of this highly contagious disease is slowly turning from fear to acceptance.

Though our resources available are far from desirable, what we need to do is to have a clear focus and planning on how to make the best use of the existing infrastructure and manpower. To overcome this Pandemic, we need greater resolve and good work ethics, The NMC challenges everyone to turn from fear to acceptance and follow the Universal protection of Social distancing, Wearing a mask and Hand hygiene.

(Dr. Joyce Angami) President Nagaland Medical Council

(Dr. Sashimeren Aier) Vice President Nagaland Medical Council

Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea. (PTI)

Korea has lashed out at South Korea, threatening to close an inter-Korean liaison office and other projects if the South does not stop defectors from sending leaflets and other material into the North.

On Monday morning, North Korea did not answer a routine daily liaison phone call from South Korean officials for the first time in since 2018, South Korea’s Unification Ministry said.

The North later answered an afternoon call, however, without explaining its earlier unresponsiveness, the minis-

K-1050

OFFICE OF THE

CHIMONGER UNION DIMAPUR 797112 : DIMAPUR

OFFICE OF THE

DIHOMA VILLAGE STUDENTS’ UNION Dist. Kohima, Nagaland 797001 Motto: “Union is Strength”

FELICITATION The Dihoma Village Students' Union with immense pride and honor, congratulates Miss KETOUKHRIEÜ YASHÜ, D/o Mr & Mrs Mezalhoulie Yashü for securing top 9th Position in the recently declared HSLC examination 2020.

The Union also extends heartiest congratulations to all the successful candidates of HSLC and HSSLC examination and wishes them bright future endeavors.

(MECIEZOLIE YANO) General Secy.

DVSU

OFFICE OF THE

PANGTI EKHUNG WOKHA TOWN

FELICITATION THE CHIMONGER UNION DIMAPUR TOWN CONVEY OUR HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO SHRI. T. IMLIKUMZUK SANGTAM, S/o TSILISE SANGTAM FOR BEING PROMOTED TO THE POST OF DISTRICT EMPLOYMENT OFFICER TUENSANG AND MRS LILONGLA SANGTAM, W/o I BITONGBA SANGTAM FOR BEING PROMOTED TO SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR INCHARGE, ASST LABOUR COMMISSIONER TUENSANG THE UNION FURTHER EXTENDS CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES OF HSLC/HSSLC EXAMINATION 2020 AND WISHES THEM SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS sd/sd/THSARANG YANGHORI PRESIDENT GEN/SECY

OFFICE OF THE

UNITED SANGTAM GAZETTED OFFICERS’ UNION FELICITATION With immense pride and honour the United Sangtam Gazetted Officers Union (USGOU) heartily congratulates the following officers on their promotion. The union wishes them success in their future endeavour.

1. Shri. K.K Lihose : To Joint Secretary Government Of Nagaland 2. Shri. Akyuba Sangtam : To Deputy Development Commissioner (Planning) 3. Er. H. Alongse : To Deputy Director, Labour & Employment, Skill Dev & Entrepreneurship 4. Shri. T. Yimlikhumzuk : To District Employment Officer, Tuensang 5. Smti. T. Thrinila : To Asst Director School Education 6. Shri. Thsarise : To SDEO Dhansiripar.

7. Shri. James Tsathrongli : To Asst Supdt, Vety & Animal Husbandry 8. Shri. L. Thsingthrise : To Asst Conservator of Forest.

While congratulating all the successful candidates in the recently declared HSLC & HSSLC exam, the union would like to make a special mention of the following students for their academic excellence and bringing laurels to the community.

1. Mr. Chumliba R : Top in HSSLC (Arts stream) 2. Mr. Suzi S Sangtam : Top 8th HSSLC (Science stream)

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try said. South Korea’s government has said it remains committed to following inter-Korean agreements, and it is considering propos-

ing legislation to ban groups from sending material into North Korea.

KCNA’s report on the 13th political bureau meeting focused on domestic economic issues, including the chemical industry and fertilizer production as “a major thrust front of the national economy.”

Kim has made an unusually small number of outings in recent months, with his absence from a major holiday prompting speculation about his condition, as Pyongyang has stepped up measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

(ZEKUOSA ZHALE) President DVSU

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PMTI Complex, Merhülietsa Colony Kohima – 797001, Nagaland

“We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now, but elimination is not a point in time, it is a sustained effort,” she said at a news conference.

“We almost certainly will see cases here again, and I do want to say that again, we will almost certainly see cases here again, and that is not a sign that we have failed, it is a reality of this virus. But if and when that occurs we have to make sure — and we are — that we are prepared.”

More cases are likely to be imported as people enter the country. For now, the border remains shut to all

K-1049

George Floyd (File)

SEOUL, JUN 8 (AGENCIES): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un focused on domestic economic issues at a meeting of the politburo of the country’s ruling Workers Party, state media said on Monday, as the North ramped up pressure on South Korea over defector activities. The two-day politburo meeting comes at a time of economic uncertainty amid the global COVID-19 pandemic that is putting additional pressure on the North’s economy, already battered by international sanctions aimed at stopping its nuclear program.

The meeting discussed “crucial issues arising in further developing the selfsufficient economy of the country and improving the standard of people’s living,” state news agency KCNA said. Kim did not mention the North’s increased criticism of South Korea or of the North Korean defectors who call it home.

For several days, North

Jacinda Ardern (File)

but citizens and residents, with some limited exceptions.

Everybody who does enter has to go into quarantine. Ardern announced that the Cabinet had agreed to remove almost all remaining virus restrictions from midnight, with the exception of the border strictures.

“We can hold public events without limitations.

Private events such as weddings, functions and funerals without limitations,” Ardern said.

“Retail is back without limitations. Hospitality is back without limitations.

Public transport and travel across the country is fully opened.”

Experts say a number of factors have helped New Zealand wipe out the disease. Its isolated location in the South Pacific gave it vital time to see the devastating spread of the virus in other countries. Ardern also acted decisively by imposing a strict lockdown early in the outbreak.

Sd/(SEJONGMONG) President

FELICITATION

With immense pride and honour, we would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to Mr. V. Khepothung Jami, son of Mr. Vanthungo Jami for bringing laurels to Pangti Ekhung Wokha Town by securing Top 15th position in the recently declared HSLC result.

The Ekhung further wishes the very best to him and all successful candidates of HSLC and HSSLC 2020.

May Almighty God continue to bless you all in your future endeavours.

Sd/- Nzabemo Ngullie WC-135 President

Office of the

PUGHOBOTO PHUGHI KIPHIMI KUQHAKULU Pughoboto: Zunheboto

FELICITATION

With immense pride and honour, the Pughoboto Phughi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu extends its most heartfelt Congratulations to Mrs. Yhunyule Kent (Xuvili I Wotsa) on being promoted to District Education Officer (DEO), Department of School Education, Government of Nagaland.

The Union would also like to congratulate all the students who have successfully cleared the HSLC and HSSLC examination 2020.

The Union further wishes them all bright future endeavors.

MUGHASHE ACHUMI President PPKK

IBETO V SWU Literary & Magazine Secy. PPKK

K-1056

the two sides need to implement the two leaders consensus and make sure that differences do not escalate into disputes,” Hua said, apparently referring to the directions of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their two informal summits, asking the militaries of the two countries to take more confidence building measures to maintain peace and tranquillity along the borders.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson further said that the “two sides will work to maintain peace

WELLINGTON, JUN 8 (AP): New Zealand appears to have completely eradicated the coronavirus — at least for now — after health officials said Monday the last known infected person had recovered.

The announcement was greeted with joy around the country and means the nation of 5 million people will be among the first to welcome throngs of fans back into sports stadiums, embrace crowded concerts and remove seating restrictions from flights.

It has been 17 days since the last new case was reported, during which time an additional 40,000 people have been tested, bringing the total number tested to about 300,000. Monday marked the first time since late February there have been no active cases.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was confident New Zealand had halted the spread of the virus but it still must be prepared for more.

OFFICE OF THE ALIBA UNION MOKOKCHUNG FELICITATION

We the Aliba Senso Mokokchung Town would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Supolepden Kichu, S/o Mr. Zulutemba Kichu for securing top 13 (b) in the recent HSLC Examination 2020 and Ms. Opanglemla Kichu D/o Mr. Wallang Kichu for securing top 3 (Arts stream) in the recent HSSLC Examination 2020. We would also like to congratulate the following persons on being promoted to various post.

1. Er. Tarepyuba SE PWD (NH) Circle-II Kohima 2. M r. I . I m c h a t o s h i K i c h u A D E O u n d e r D E O Mokokchung.

The Senso further congratulates all the successful students who have cleared the recent HSLC & HSSLC Examination 2020.

(Mr.Moatoshi Lkr) Incharge Aliba Fellowship Mokokchung

(Mr. Rongsensangba Pongen) President Aliba Union Mokokchung

MKC-138

HOUSTON, JUN 8 (PTI): Family and friends have started preparing to pay their final tribute and goodbyes to African-American George Floyd here in a funeral service, weeks after he was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25 that has triggered wide spread marches and protests across the major US cities.

The 46-year-old victim, a native of Houston, was handcuffed and pinned to the ground by a white police officer who kneeled on his neck as he gasped for breath.

Floyd’s death has triggered nationwide violent protests with a section of the protesters resorting to looting and rioting across the country, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Floyd’s body arrived in Houston late Saturday for funeral service and burial, scheduled for Tuesday.

In a tweet early Sunday

Hua Chunying (File)

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BEIJING, JUN 8 (PTI): China and India have agreed to work to maintain peace along the LAC and resolve the border standoff through talks while implementing the consensus reached between the two countries’ leadership that “differences” do not escalate into “disputes”, a top Chinese official said on Monday.

The remarks of China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying came two days after a marathon military dialogue between India and China was held to peacefully resolve the current border standoff in accordance with bilateral agreements.

She said that on June 6, a meeting was held between the commanders of China and India in Chusul Moldo region and the two sides held consultations.

“Recently, diplomatic and military channels of the two sides have maintained close communications on the situation along the border.

“One consensus is that

Infotainment

10

Bollywood promoting unhealthy behaviours among kids: Study

I

t’s been a tipsy two decades in Bollywood with a rise in alcohol and fast food product placements in films, according to a study.

People, including children, are exposed to a high and frequent volume of tobacco, alcohol and branded fast-food product placement through Bollywood films, according to a study, published in the scientific journal PLOS One, by researchers from Vital Strategies and Imperial College, London.

“Our study suggests that Bollywood films are contributing to promoting unhealthy behaviours in their audience, particularly children,” said Dr. Nandita Murukutla, Vice President, Global Policy and Research, Policy, Advocacy and Communication, Vital Strategies.

“We hope that this study offers evidence and support to reduce the mar-

keting of these products in films given the known health problems they cause, including obesity, heart disease and cancer,” Murukutla added.

Of the 300 films analysed from the time period 1994-2013, 93 per cent of the films had at least one occurrence of alcohol, 70 per cent had at least one occurrence of tobacco, and 21 per cent films had at least one occurrence of branded fast food.

Tobacco and alcohol

occurrences were more common in A rated films whereas fast-food depiction was prominent in movies targeted for all audiences -- U and U/A rated films.

It also stated that on average, tobacco products or usage was depicted four times per film, alcohol was shown or used seven times per film, and branded fast food was shown or used 0.4 times per film.

While the depiction of tobacco in some films fell during the 20-year period

of analysis, the placement of alcohol and branded fast food products significantly increased. The researchers believe that the downward trend in tobacco promotion from the year 2004 can be a result of the regulations related to tobacco advertising, promotions and sponsorships.

“The rise in the number of non-communicable diseases across the globe is linked with consumption of tobacco, alcohol and ultraprocessed foods. Marketing strategies that promote the consumption of these products should be strictly regulated using the broad public health perspective with an aim to reduce the burden of death and disease,” said, Professor Christopher Millett, Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, Imperial College, London.

According to the researchers, the analysis presents evidence for the adoption of strong policy

measures to protect the health of movie-watching audiences.

They listed some measures, which include: Monitoring product placement of unhealthy commodities and prohibiting funded product placement continuously on all mediums; reviewing certifications of films based on product placement of unhealthy products; removing government subsidies in case of any depiction of unhealthy commodities or violation that promotes unhealthy commodities.

“The association between the frequency and trend of unhealthy products appearing in films becomes all the more important during the current COVID 19 crisis as industry reports have indicated that there is a significant increase in media consumption during this time,” said Murukutla.

(IANS)

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

IIFA to celebrate Indian party music on World Music Day

T

he International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) will celebrate Indian party music with IIFA Stomp Online, on the occasion of World Music Day on June 21.

It will feature performances by artistes like Sumit Sethi, Amann Nagpal, DJ Rink, DJ Shaan Gidwani and Akbar Sami.

This is in continuation of IIFA’s initiative #IIFAHumSabSaathHain #IIFAStayAtHomeConcerts - the digital concert series that was created to bring people across the world together and share the feeling of unity and solidarity in the fight against coronavirus.

“We aim to not only entertain audiences by providing access to their favourite artistes and performers in the comfort of their own homes but also represent and share the

feeling of unity and solidarity, urging fans to stay at home and stay safe. What better time to celebrate Bollywood than World

Music Day,” said Andre Timmins, Co-FounderDirector- Wizcraft International.

(IANS)

Film-makers back to work in New Zealand after COVId The Ghost Inside part ways with bassist Jim Riley after racial slur accusations

Javed Akhtar: honoured to receive Richard Dawkins Award 2020

N

T

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern imposed a tough lockdown on March 26 to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

It was a great success and the virus has been almost eliminated in New Zealand, which could be among the first countries in the world to return to normal this week, apart from the closed border.

Avatar producer Jon Landau posted a picture of himself and director Cameron after landing last week and said they would self-isolate for 14 days in line with government rules.

“Your country has become a leader in how to deal with something like this, and I think films will want to come,” Landau told Radio New Zealand in an interview, referring to the coronavirus campaign.

With people around the world cooped up at home, pressure is on filmmakers and other content creators to make new material and get it out.

But what’s holding them back is the lack of safe places to work, industry experts say. Now New Zealand is an option.

“We’ve had a few in-

ternational enquiries and that’s on the back of our COVID-free status,” said Gary Watkins, chief executive of Wellington-based Avalon Studios, which was used for the filming of the 2017 Scarlett Johansson starrer “Ghost in the Shell” and will also help with the new “Avatar”.

Wellington is home to multi-million dollar studios and production facilities including director Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital, where “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies were brought to life.

(Reuters)

he Ghost Inside have dismissed bassist Jim Riley after he was previously accused of making racial slurs. Riley has since apologised for the comments, which he was accused of making five years ago, but he has now left the metalcore group.

“The Ghost Inside was born from a scene of forward thinking, understanding and progressiveness,” the band said in a statement on social media. “Our music and message has always been one of hope and finding that light at the end of the tunnel. Racism and bigotry of any kind stifle that journey the light.

It closes and locks doors that need to be broken open.

“We have decided to part ways with bassist Jim Riley. While we didn’t hear these words spoken directly from his mouth, we did hear mutterings of the incident.

At the time we thought this to be just a rumour, but it offended and hurt a community. A community we are meant to bring together.

“We should’ve spoken up back then and we didn’t, we should’ve dug deeper. We acknowledge that we were silent. We are self educating and growing and learning as individuals. We are here to say that we as a band fully condemn racism and support the black community in the fight against systemic

racism.”

In his own statement, Riley apologised to Bracewar’s Rashod Jackson, who originally made the claims.

Riley wrote: “Rashod called me out in 2015. I called him, he put the screws to me. I deserved it, and I apologised to him. He told me that wasn’t good enough and he was right.

“Its shameful and fucking embarrassing. I present myself as someone who gives a shit about progressive movements and ideas, and I was not living up to that.

“Because of that conversation I had to take a big fucking look in the mirror and recognise a lot of bullshit that I was selling myself. “I made too many excuses for being brought up without exposure to the black experience, and I should have been better.

“I make a conscious effort to purge stuff about myself that still sucks when

A

s India enters the Unlock 1 phase after over nearly two-and-a-half months of lockdown, many Bollywood celebrities took to social media to caution citizens that easing of the lockdown strictures does not imply end of the pandemic and people should keep following necessary precautions. “#Unlock1 #IndiaFightsCorona Places are opening because of economy, not because it is safe.

Please keep that in mind,” tweeted Ranvir Shorey.

Rohit Roy appealed: “My dear mumbai’ites..

K Y M C

this is a fervent appeal to all of you.. THIS IS THE WORST PHASE OF THE PANDEMIC.. Please don’t treat the end of lockdown as end of the pandemic and be so irresponsible.. YOU are endangering your own life as well as ours!! Please be careful.”

Singer Armaan Malik posted: “Yes the lockdown will be lifted soon, but that means we have to exercise extra caution! Don’t go outta the house thinking it’s gonna be all ok. 1.

Social distancing 2. Sanitising 3. Short trips only for essentials; still remain important points to adhere

to. #SafetyFirst.”

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha raised his concern about the inadequate treatment facility for COVID-19 in our country. He tweeted: “I wish we had more hospital beds, doctors, nurses and equipment available nationwide before the lockdown eased. Please be extremely cautious India.”

F il m m a ke r Kuna l Kohli wrote: “The lockdown is opening however the cases are spiking. We have to be even more careful now and restrict our movements to only essentials. Follow strict social distancing. Time to be more cautious and listen even more to authorities & their guidelines.” “#UnlockDay1 I did not step out, But spend more time in the kitchen happy just at the idea of unlock.

Made Louki kebabs (Bottle Gourd cutlets) . Takes a lot of time but. Please Stay Home and if you have to go out please maintains social distance, masks etc,” advised director Onir.

(IANS)

OFFICE OF THE NAKIMI KHEL STUDENTS’ UNION Kezoma Village, Kohima: Nagaland

FELICITATION

With immense pleasure and joy, the Nakimi Students’ Union convey our hearty congratulations and profound happiness to Miss SHÜRHOVONÜ NAKI, D/o of Mr. Kroneicho Naki and Mrs. Meduhele Naki for securing Top 20th position in the HSLC exam 2020 (NBSE).

The Union acknowledge her for the excellent performance and bringing honor to the Union.

The NSU further congratulates all the successful students of HSLC and HSSLC examination 2020 and wishes them best in all future endeavors.

“TOGETHER TOWARDS TOMORROW” Sd/Sd/Mr. Vikethozo Tase Miss Vikesenuo Tase President General Secy.

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End of lockdown does not mean ‘Good Newwz’, ‘Dream Girl’ to re-release in Dubai end of pandemic: Bollywood

I find it, and to be mindful that I’m just a passenger on someone else’s ship in any movement related to black lives.” He concluded: “I’m sorry. I know that’s not enough. I’m going to keep doing the work. That might still not be enough. I’m going to do it anyway.”

Riley’s departure comes days after the release of The Ghost Inside’s self-titled fifth album. In a four-star review, NME wrote: “Having survived the kind of ordeal no one should ever have to face, it would have been understandable – hell, perfectly justified – if the metalcore band had turned in a dark, bitter record that reflected their most traumatic period.

Instead, after four years of intense rehabilitation, The Ghost Inside’s self-titled, fifth album is a towering statement of positivity, transforming pain into catharsis, determination and hope.”

(NME)

P

opular writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar is honoured to receive the Richard Dawkins Award 2020. He says that to have his name included in the list with previous recipients such as comedian Bill Maher and philosopher Christoper Hitchens is fulfilment of a dream he had not even seen.

The award has been presented since 2003, and is named after English evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins.

Akhtar received the honour for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Richard Dawkins Award 2020.

I have admired Richard Dawkins ever since I read his first book ‘The Selfish Gene’. I have since then read every book of his and ‘The God Delusion’ is my absolute favourite,” said Akhtar.

“To have my name included in the distinguished list of the previous recipients such as Bill Maher and Christoper Hitchens is fulfilment of a dream I had not even seen,” he added.

Be it on social media or at sessions in different cities, Akhtar has been vocal about topics like CAA and Islamophobia. IANS

FELICITATION

T

he Akshay Kumar-starrer “Good Newwz” and “Dream Girl” starring Ayushmann Khurrana will re-release in Dubai when theatres reopen, as initial steps towards regaining normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The films are scheduled to open on June 11.

“Dubai has always given so much love to me and my films. The re-release of ‘Good Newwz’ is very special, especially during such times. The film has garnered positive response so far and I hope it manages to entertain audiences once again,” Akshay said. Also starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kiara Advani and Diljit Dosanjh, “Good Newwz” is about two couples who are trying to have a baby through IVF. “Going through these unprecedented times, the possibility of theatre releases seemed like a distant dream. Today we are

extremely excited and overjoyed to support Dubai, as it begins its journey to normalcy and open theatre viewing for the public. I am certain that ‘Good Newwz’ will bring the right dose of entertainment on the big screen and hopeful respite for the people in Dubai,” said Apoorva Mehta, CEO and producer at Dharma Productions.

The re-release has been announced keeping in mind all the precautions for people going to theatres again during this hour of COVID-19, announced Zee Studios International, which releases the two films in Dubai.

In “Dream Girl”, a comedy drama directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa, Ayushmann played the role of a man with the talent of impersonating a woman’s voice. The comedy drama is co-produced by Ekta Kapoor, and also features Nushrat Bharucha and Annu Kapoor.

(IANS)

Miss Azizi Phesao Miss Tsurila Z The Chakhesang Baptist Church Ministers’ Hill Kohima (CBCMHK) takes immense pleasure in extending heartiest congratulations to the following candidates for their outstanding academic performances: 1. Miss Azizi Phesao, D/o Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao (Senior Pastor, CBCMHK) for securing Top 5 with 96 % in the HSLC Examination 2020.

2. Miss Tsurila Z, D/o Zungkum K from Mount Sinai Hr. Sec. School, Kohima (An Establishment of CBCMHK) for securing Top 8 (Arts Stream) with 87.80% in the HSSLC Examination 2020.

May the good Lord bless both of you in all future endeavours for his greater glory!

Rev. Dr. Wepre Mero Pastor, CBCMHK

Rakodu Nukhu Church Secy., CBCMHK

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ew Zealand’s capital has had an extra buzz of excitement over the past week since Hollywood director James Cameron and his crew flew in to film the muchanticipated sequel of the epic science-fiction film “Avatar”.

The film is among a handful of productions kicking off in New Zealand as it begins to open up after containing the novel coronavirus, and looks to its film industry to give its battered economy a boost.

New Zealand’s borders remain closed to foreigners but the government gave special permission for the 55 crew members working on the “Avatar” sequel to jet in on a chartered plane.

“Certainly, the fact that we are able to start earlier than some countries is great, much as it’s distressing to see that the pandemic is still such a challenge around the world,” said Annabelle Sheehan, chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission.

New Zealand’s mountains, meadows and forests, made famous by “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, have drawn several major film productions over recent years.

About 47 productions were underway when

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

always kept our focus Olympiakos close in on Greek title ‘Messi is by far the onWe’ve target: Liverpool’s Lovren best player in the world’

Lionel Messi

room we have players from South America, Holland, Spain, everywhere in the world and we’re coming together - the colour of your skin and where you’re from doesn’t matter. Sport can play a big role (in the fight against racism) as you can reach many people.”

Barcelona returned to training in May with La Liga set to resume on 11 June following an absence of more than three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. De Jong, 23, said life is not the same with the global health crisis around.

“I didn’t have the virus but life isn’t how it used to be,” said De Jong.

“I don’t think it has changed me as a person. I’ve spent a lot of time with my girlfriend, we were in Holland and we could go out - the situation was a bit more comfortable than in Spain.

When we were training in separate groups we had to wait before the others left, I couldn’t say ‘hi’ to them, that was really strange.”

“Training is intense and maybe we’re better than when we stopped. I’m feeling there is something special coming.”

“It was my dream to play for Barcelona,” said De Jong. “They were my favourite club outside of the Netherlands. When they came and showed they were really interested they made the choice easier.”

Dejan Lovren

Liverpool, Jun 8 (IANS): Liverpool were locked in on their task at hand long before confirmation of the Premier League’s restart date, centre-half Dejan Lovren has insisted.

The Reds are set to resume top-flight action on June 21 against Everton after the division’s suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With Jurgen Klopp’s side two wins away from sealing the title, Lovren and his teammates have had their eyes on the prize all throughout their time away from the pitch.

“To be honest, even without a date at the beginning, our main focus and goal was, ‘Guys, let’s finish the season. There will, of course, be a date back, but just stay in shape, be in shape when we come back.

We will do it and then we can say well done’,” Lovren told Liverpoolfc.com.

“That was our main focus from the beginning.

All the time we have been working in the gym, we know what is our focus.

Of course we still have two games (to win until) we can say, ‘Yeah, we are the champions’ but our main focus is to win all the games. That’s the main target,” he added.

Liverpool have been back training at Melwood since May 20 and Lovren believes the dedication of the entire squad to maintain fitness during the suspension tells its own story about the collective desire to deliver more silverware to the club.

“The last two weeks before we came back together, to be honest, I was a little bit struggling with not knowing when we will start and when we will be back together,” the No.6 admitted.

“You put so many questions in your mind, ‘When will everything be back to normal?’

“But this is a great challenge for yourself and to show to everyone that you care about yourself, you care about your team.

So we did it and we did an amazing job. We came back in a great shape. We did some physical tests and I think it says a lot about the team,” he added.

The Premier League, which was suspended in March due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, will resume after a 100-day hiatus on June 17 with Aston Villa taking on Sheffield United, followed by the game between Manchester City and Arsenal on the same evening.

Players of Olympiakos and PAOK Salonika fight for the ball during their Greek Super League match.

Athens, Jun 8 (Agencies): Olympiakos closed in on a 45th Greek league title on Sunday with a 1-0 win at closest rivals PAOK Salonika, even if fans had to climb onto nearby rooftops to watch the game.

As the Greek Super League emerged from a three-month coronavirus shutdown, Olympiakos opened up a 17-point lead with nine games left.

With spectators banned from the usually intimidating Toumba Stadium due to health protocols, fans did their perilous best to still see the game.

One group clambered high onto the roof of an apartment block overlooking the stadium although a giant scoreboard may have obscured their view.

Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi scored the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute after being set up by French teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

El Arabi had an earlier effort ruled out for offside after a VAR intervention.

Both teams will meet twice again before the end of the season - in the Greek Cup semi-finals and the return league clash which

forms part of the championship play-offs.

After Sunday’s game, dozens of PAOK fans gathered outside the stadium to jeer their team. In other action on Sunday, Panathinaikos and AEK drew 1-1 after Italian forward Federico Macheda’s 65th minute strike was cancelled out

by Croatian striker Marko Livaja 10 minutes later.

Asteras Tripolis edged Larissa 2-1 despite having fallen a goal behind. On Saturday, the play-offs began with Aris Thessaloniki beating OFI 3-1 and Panionios defeating Volos 1-0.

Barcelona, Jun 8 (IANS): Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong believes Lionel Messi is by far the best footballer on the planet and when the Barcelona talisman speaks, he just listens.

“If Lionel Messi is talking and giving you advice you take it as he is by far the best player in the world,” Barcelona defensive midfielder de Jong told Guillem Balague for BBC Radio 5 Live’s European Football Podcast in an exclusive in-

terview. “If he gives advice, you listen. Sometimes he says you have to be deeper or to the side, small things but it makes the difference.”

On unarmed American man, George Floyd, who died recently after a police officer had his knee on the back of his neck for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis, de Jong said, “It makes you feel really sad that there are still things like this. I can’t imagine people thinking this way, it’s really strange.” “In our dressing

Difficult to play La Liga with fans now

Kuldeep biggest threat for Aus: Chappell Even tennis world is not united: Townsend

Kolkata, Jun 8 (IANS): The Spanish LaLiga is not likely to have fans inside stadiums until the start of next season which is planned for a September start, an official of the league said on Monday.

He also added that it would disrupt the balance if fans attended matches in some cities before others.

“It has to be something that can be uniform for every stadium. I cannot give an answer right now. Maybe sometime in July, most likely it cannot be until next season in September,” Jose Antonio Cachaza, LaLiga India, Managing Director told reporters.

“Obviously we would like to have the real fans in the stands tomorrow itself...

If you listen to the minister of sports and other people, it will be possible only next season.”

“If we open the gates to one stadium and close for others, that imbalances the competition. We don’t know if that will be possible but if it is to happen, security will be the first concern for fans, players and professionals working,” he said.

Kuldeep Yadav

Sydney, Jun 8 (IANS): Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes leftarm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will the biggest threat for Australia when they face India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy slated to be played in DecemberJanuary.

“Kuldee p Yadav’s wristspin is the biggest wicket-taking threat on Australian pitches. The decision will call for brave

selections,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

Kuldeep was part of the India squad which created history on their last tour to Australia when Virat Kohli’s men became the first Asian team to register a Test series win Down Under.

The left-arm spinner played the fourth and the final Test of the series which ended in a draw at the SCG

due to rain. He had picked up a five-wicket haul giving away 99 runs in 31.5 overs in Australia’s first inning which ended on 300 in reply to India’s 622/7. Following on, Australia were 6/0 when rain played spoilsport and the umpires decided to call off the match.

According to Chappell, it will be a tough decision for the Indian selectors to choose from a pool of quality spinners consisting Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep.

“Choosing a spinner will prove a major headache for the Indian selectors. R Ashwin has a great overall record, but not so much in Australia. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round talents and improved bowling form make him a legitimate challenger,” he said.

India will begin the defence of the BorderGavaskar trophy in Brisbane which is slated to host the first Test at the Gabba from December 3-7, followed by second in Adelaide (December 11-15), third in Melbourne (December 26-30) and fourth in Sydney (January 3-7).

New York, Jun 8 (Agencies): World No.73 Taylor Townsend said the tennis world is not a united place when it comes to racism and that she was regularly mistaken for other black players, including the Williams sisters.

The 24-year-old American spoke to Tennis United about her experiences on tour and said she receives extra attention from security at tournaments compared to other players to “make sure I belong”.

“Even in the tennis world it is not a united place,” Townsend said.

“We lose our identity of who we are because there can only be one. I’ve had people argue with me to tell me that I’m Coco Gauff.”

“I’m not Coco Gauff but all of us look the same, all of us are built the same, everybody sees a black person and they assume it’s Venus or Serena or Sloane (Stephens). I’ve been literally all of them down the list except for myself.”

“Even from the aspect you walk through

Only disease right now is racism, says Sterling Lo n d o n, J u n 8 ( Ag e n c i e s ) : M a n chester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling on Sunday insisted that racism is “the only disease right now”.

The 25-year-old, who has often and powerfully spoken out on discrimination, admitted his remarks may appear ill-chosen as the globe fights the coronavirus pandemic.

“I know this might sound a little bit cheesy but the only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting,” said Sterling in a BBC TV interview to be broadcast on Monday.

Sterling is the latest sports star to voice support for protests against racism in the United States and across the world following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.

“This is the most important thing at this moment in time because this K Y M C

Raheem Sterling was allegedly racially abused during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Chelsea in December 2018.

is something that is happening for years and years.

Just like the pandemic, we want to find a solution to stop it,” he added.

“At the same time, this is what all these protesters are doing. They are trying

to find a solution and a way to stop the injustice they are seeing, and they are fighting for their cause.

As long as they are doing it peacefully and safely and not hurting anybody and not breaking into any

stores, they continue to protest in this peaceful way.”

Sterling has previously been prominent in calling out racism in both the domestic and international game.

Last year he advised fellow players against walking off the pitch in the event of racial abuse.

But Sterling believes it is now time for the talking to develop into real change - in society and in the notoriously tribal world of professional football.

“There’s only so much communities and other backgrounds can take - especially black people. It’s been going on for hundreds of years and people are tired and people are ready for change.” “This is something that needs more than just talking. We need to actually implement change and highlight the places that do need changes.”

“But this is something that I myself will continue to do, and spark these debates and get people in my industry looking at themselves and thinking what they can do to give people an equal chance in this country.”

comments as protests continued in cities around the world on Sunday in response to the death of African-American George Floyd in Minneapolis while in police custody.

“This is our reality and this is the reality that we’ve been having to deal with for so long, of people not being comfortable with you,” Townsend said.

“It happens all the time - week in, week out, every tournament that I play in the States, overseas, it doesn’t matter.”

To w n s e n d , w h o turned pro in December 2012, is yet to win a WTA title and reached her highest ranking of 61st two years ago.

Te e n a g e p r o d i g y Gauff appeared at a protest in her hometown of Delray Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, calling for racial and social justice.

“I think it’s sad that I’m here protesting the same thing (my grandmother) did 50 years ago,” Taylor Townsend Gauff said at the rally, days and nobody stops you and check my coach’s bag, after posting a video on I’m walking through and check my coach’s creden- social media in which she somebody has to check my tial.” pledged to use her voice to bag, check my credential, Townsend made the fight against racism.

Edu signs 2-yr contract extension with FC Goa

New Delhi, Jun 8 (IANS): FC Goa announced on Monday that Spaniard Edu Bedia has signed a new deal with the club, keeping him in Goa till the summer of 2022. This will see Edu become the longest serving foreign player for FC Goa with the 2020/21 season set to be his fourth in FC Goa colours.

“I’m thrilled to continue my journey with FC Goa”, said the midfielder upon penning the new contract. “It has been a wonderful experience for me so far, and I’m excited to be a part of the future of this team.

I have had some great moments and want to achieve even more success during my time here.” The Spaniard was signed at the start of the 2017/18 Indian Super League (ISL) season from Real Zaragoza, and has been an integral part of the team ever since.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

With sincere gratitude, we the bereaved family of Late R. MHONCHAN KHUVUNG (Rtd. Hindi Teacher, Wozhuro Wokha Dist.) would like to thank every individual for pouring out your love materially, financially, physically, emotionally and prayerfully during our beloved dad's sad demise on 3rd June 2020. Your contribution made our loss more bearable.

We specially thank1. Sankiton, Shaki, Phiro Baptist Churches.

2. Baptist Sector Church Wozhuro 3. Wozhuro Range Citizens- Wokha, Kohima & Dimapur.

4. Friends, Neighbours, Wozhuro Colony Members, Relatives and Well Wishers.

5. All Nagaland Pensioner Association, Wozhuro Unit.

6. Wozhuro Range Teacher’s Welfare Union.

7. Wozhuro Yingsung Baptist Ekhumkho Eramoe Khumshum.

8. Delhi Lotha Christian Fellowship, New Delhi.

We deeply regret our inability to thank each and everyone individually but your kindness is remembered. Praying and thanking God for each soul for your kindness and your empathizing nature.

DP-2659

Loving Wife, Children, In-laws, Grandchildren.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020

started for top-10 Man City 2-year European ban appeal begins Preparations finish in 2028 Olympics: Rijiju L AU S S A N E , J un 8 (Agencies): Manchester City’s appeal against a twoyear ban from European competition opened before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Monday by videoconference, a court official told AFP. City are accused of overstating sponsorship revenue to hide their failure to comply with UEFA’s financial fair-play (FFP) rules between 2012 and 2016. In addition to the ban, they were also fined 30 million euros ($34 million).

“The hearing has started well and the video conference is working well,” Matthieu Reeb, the secretary general of the Lausanne-based CAS, said.

The remote hearing, which pits Manchester City against UEFA lawyers, opened 09:00 local time (0700 GMT) and is scheduled to last three days before closing Wednesday evening.

Reeb said a decision could announced in July.

Even if City’s appeal to CAS fails, the English champions could present a further appeal before the Swiss Federal Court, also based in Lausanne.

U E FA’s c a s e wa s prompted by a series of

Manchester City players during a training session. The appeal against a two-year ban from European competition opened before CAS on Monday.

leaked emails published

by German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018 that seemed to show how City manufactured extra sponsorship revenue from a series of companies with connections to the club’s Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour.

Under the Sheikh’s ownership, City’s fortunes have been transformed, winning four Premier League titles in the past eight years.

However, the billions invested in players and managers have not yet delivered the club’s first Champions League title. City are still

involved in this season’s competition and will be allowed to compete should the 2019/20 edition of the Champions League return in August, no matter the outcome of the appeal.

Another European powerhouse, Italian club AC Milan, has already been excluded from European competitions for failing to comply with the FFP rules, after losing their appeal to CAS in June 2019.

A two-season ban from the competition would represent a huge blow to City’s prestige, finances and hope of keeping manager Pep

Guardiola and key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.

“Two years would be long. One year is something I might be able to cope with,” De Bruyne told Het Laatste Nieuws last month.

City banked 93 million euros from prize money and television rights alone by reaching the quarterfinals of last season’s Champions League.

The further loss of gate receipts and commercial revenue would make it extremely difficult for the club to meet FFP regulations

without cutting costs.

City have steadfastly rejected UEFA’s allegations. “Based on our experience and our perception, this seems to be less about justice and more about politics,” said CEO of the City Football Group Ferran Soriano.

UEFA has been under pressure, most publicly from La Liga president Javier Tebas, to impose a harder line on clubs backed by states, such as City and Qatari-owned Paris SaintGermain.

European football’s governing body also have plenty riding on the case.

If they lose the appeal, the FFP regulations would be undermined.

A delayed outcome would leave a cloud hanging over the return of the Premier League season.

City seem certain to secure Champions League qualification on the field with a 12-point lead over fifth-placed Manchester United.

If they are excluded, fifth would be good enough for the riches of next season’s Champions League, which are all the more valuable during the economic crisis caused by coronavirus.

New Delhi, Jun 8 (Agencies): Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said that India’s preparations have started for finishing under top-1o in the 2028 Olympics.

The Sports Minister revealed the long-term plans in an Instagram live session with table tennis player Manika Batra. “The 2024 Games is a mid-term goal but the long term is 2028. When I became sports minister I had very limited talents, potential Olympic medalists,” Rijiju said.

He further stated that in the 2024 Paris Olympics India will have the potential to bag maximum medals in the Quadrennial Games.

“In 2024, we will have a potential team which can get us maximum medals.

But in 2028 I’ve made my mind very clear we have to be in top-10. And I’m not saying just like that. Our preparation has started,” he said.

“Junior athletes are our future champions, we have started our preparation in a solid way. We will see results in 2024 and will

Kiren Rijiju

make rapid progress. But mark my words, India will be in top-10 in 2028. We are creating a conducive atmosphere, support staff towards that,” the minister added.

Rijiju said he has already laid the foundation of it by supporting junior athletes programmes.

“To create a world champ it will take four to eight years. I’ve laid the foundation now. We have started junior coaching

very professionally. We are providing best possible coaching and technical support. It will require four to eight years to become champion,” Rijiju said.

Rijiju said even during the lockdown they have cleared all the dues of the athletes. “We have not stopped the stipends. We have released the money for all the junior athletes too. We have cleared all of them and not a penny is pending,” he said.

Augsburg hold Cologne in Bundesliga Mayweather mocks McGregor over retirement

Barlin, Jun 8 (Agencies): Philipp Max scored his eighth goal of the season to rescue a point for Augsburg at home to Cologne and cancel out Anthony Modeste’s late strike.

Heiko Herrlich’s side came into the match on the back of a concerning run of just two wins in their last 12 and only four points above the relegation playoff. The hosts dominated the first-half, however, and should have been out of sight before the interval only to find Cologne shotstopper Timo Horn - on his 150th league appearance for the club - in inspired form.

Horn saved Florian Niederlechne’s penalty, making amends after fouling Noel Sarenren Bazee in a first-half dominated by the hosts. Augsburg continued to pepper the visitors’ goal, registering a total of 11 first-half shots, but couldn’t find a way past Horn, with Niederlechne also seeing his point-blank volley saved by the Cologne shot-stopper.

The visitors were much improved in the sec-

Players of Augsburg and Cologne vie for the ball during their Bundesliga match.

ond-half and with Augsburg tiring, Modeste fired in what Cologne thought would be an 85th-minute winner with a lovely volley on the edge of the box.

Augsburg refused to be beaten, however, and only three minutes later the hosts finally found the

net, with Max rifling home at the far post from fellow full-back Raphael Framberger’s cross.

The draw lifts Augsburg back up to 13th and only five points above 16thplaced Dusseldorf, while Cologne are three points better off in 12th.

Las Vegas, Jun 8 ( Ag en c i es ) : F l oyd Mayweather has taken a swipe at Conor McGregor for ‘quitting’ before facing him in a rematch - and insists he is ready and willing to ‘punish’ the Irishman again.

The UFC superstar shocked the world on Sunday when he announced his retirement from fighting at the age of 31, just months after making a triumphant return to the Octagon following an absence of over a year.

And now Mayweather has blasted McGregor’s decision to hang up his gloves and accused him of going back on a promise he made just last month.

After ‘The Notorious’ posted a picture of a cake with the message ‘Happy retirement daddy’ written on it to his Instagram account, Mayweather hit back.

“If I’m not mistaken, didn’t you tell Mike Tyson you could beat me if we fought a second time?”

Mayweather commented.

“Now you’re quitting!

I thought you wanted to

Conor McGregor lost to Flyod Mayweather in a lucrative boxing match in August, 2017.

beat the best? Well, if you decide to come back, I will be waiting to punish you again.”

Mayweather and McGregor met in a lucrative boxing match in August, 2017, after the MMA star opted to take part in a crossover bout.

Despite training re-

Barca, Real renew close-run La Liga title race BARCELONA, Jun 8 (Agencies): Barcelona and Real Madrid resume one of the tightest title races in recent memory when La Liga kicks back into action this week in empty stadiums, after a three-month pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Just before the season was postponed on March 10, former Real great Jorge Valdano had likened the two teams’ inconsistent form to a race between two limping men, but both sides are set to be refreshed and stronger after the long break.

Barcelona are boosted by the return of Luis Suarez from a knee injury that looked set to rule him out for the season, and his aggression and power should help them ease their problems in breaking down sides.

Real will again enjoy the services of Eden Hazard after he was sidelined with a fractured ankle in February. Also back is Spain forward Marcos Asensio, who should ease the burden on Karim Benzema, their runaway leading scorer with 14 strikes. Barcelona, targeting a third consecutive Spanish title, led Real by two points

Real Madrid players during a training session ahead of La Liga return.

when the season was postponed. The break has also given their ageing squad some much-needed rest, while the extra time on the training ground should help them further adapt to the ideas of coach Quique Setien, who succeeded Ernesto Valverde in January.

With no fans allowed into venues and Real playing their home games at the

6,000-capacity Alfredo Di Stefano stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu is being refurbished, it will be a title race unlike any other.

“We will miss that boost and support you get from the crowd, who have a huge influence,” said Setien.

Barcelona have a slightly more comfortable run-in in their remaining 11 fixtures in the space of five weeks,

with home games against Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid plus trips to Sevilla and Villarreal looking like their toughest games.

Real, who beat Barcelona in March only to blow their lead at the top by losing to Real Betis, have five potentially tricky fixtures: Valencia, Getafe and Villarreal at home, plus trips to Real Sociedad and Athletic

Bilbao. “It would be strange to say we are worse than Barca after we beat them just before we went into confinement,” said Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

“Even though we then lost to Betis, I think we’re in good shape. We’re all really excited about starting the league season again and fighting for the championship and winning it.”

lentlessly for the fight and repeatedly claiming he would end Mayweather’s 49-fight undefeated streak, McGregor was eventually beaten in the 10th round.

Talk of a mega-money second fight has been ongoing since the first fight despite the American announcing his own retire-

Anjorin set to sign new deal at Chelsea

London, Jun 8 (Agencies): Faustino Anjorin is set to turn down interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs and sign a new long-term contract with Chelsea.

The 18-year-old’s current deal expires in a year’s time, and Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal were all keen to sign him.

Borussia Dortmund were also interested in taking Anjorin to Germany, but Chelsea are now set to confirm that he will extend his stay in west London.

Frank Lampard fought hard to keep Anjorin at Stamford Bridge and handed him his first-team debut in the 7-1 Carabao Cup win against Grimsby in September 2019.

Anjorin also made his Premier League debut in the 4-0 victory over Everton in March - Chelsea’s final match before the competition was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

He has been at Chelsea since joining their U7 development programme over a decade ago.

ment, and just last month McGregor vowed to get his revenge.

After heavyweight legend Mike Tyson called him a ‘bad motherf*****’ for lasting 10 rounds with Mayweather, the Irishman tweeted, “Thank you Mike, and just know that for the inevitable rematch, with

the knowledge I now hold of Floyd’s style, plus under the tutelage of my old school boxing coach, I will crack the puzzle, and I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it. It is great to see you back Iron Mike.”

But it now appears that a rematch with Mayweather may not happen after McGregor announced that he would no longer fight for a living.

On Sunday, he tweeted, “Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting.

Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been! Here is a picture of myself and my mother in Las Vegas post one of my World title wins! Pick the home of your dreams Mags I love you! Whatever you desire it’s yours.”

This is not the first time McGregor has said he is retiring from the sport, having made the announcement in March last year only to return less than 12 months later.

He later explained his decision, telling ESPN that he was bored of waiting around for his next fight to be confirmed.

Clarke appointed officer in Order of Australia Sydney, Jun 8 (PTI): Australia’s World Cup-winning former captain Michael Clarke was on Monday appointed an officer in the Order of Australia, joining iconic ex-skippers like Allan Border and Steve Waugh who have received the national recognition.

Clarke, who led Australia to the 2015 World Cup title, has been appointed an officer (AO) in the general division of the Order of Australia, an honour for achievement or meritorious service.

Reacting to the news, Clarke told Channel 9: “To be honest, I thought it was an April fool’s prank in June. Very surprised but in the same breath very honoured.”

The other Australian captains who have received an AO include Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Allan Border and Bob Simpson.

Clarke has been honoured for “distinguished service to cricket as a player at the national and international level, through leadership roles, and to the community”.

Michael Clarke

The 39-year-old retired following the World Cup triumph in 2015.

He played 115 Tests, 245 ODIs and 34 T20s, scoring 8643, 7981 and 488 runs respectively.

When asked how cricket will emerge out of the COVID-19 crisis, Clarke sounded upbeat. “I believe cricket is big part of this country’s culture, like all sports but cricket is the most dominant in our country. It is in our blood and even if you don’t sit and watch it, the sound of cricket represents summer,” he said.

Clarke said the game in Australia will be back on track irrespective of the fate of T20 World Cup which is in serious doubt due to the pandemic.

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