May 12, 2020

Nagaland Post

Watch us on YouTube

www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 155

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

COVID-19 patients can end home isolation after 17 days national, Page 5

Follow us on @Nagaland_Post

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

UK PM launches new COVID-19 alert system international, Page 6

of stranded citizens PM mulls lockdown 4.0 with lesser curbs Fears over return Till May 11, over

Asks states to share roadmap

by May 15 for lockdown exit

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (PTI): In a clear indication that ongoing lockdown may not end completely but curbs will be further eased, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he was of the firm view that the measures needed in the first three phases of lockdown were not needed “in the fourth”, and asked the states to come up with a roadmap by May 15 on how to deal with various aspects of the gradual easing of lockdown.

In a video conference, which lasted for nearly six hours, Modi held extensive discussions on various aspects of the situation arising out of the pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, and said country will have to devise a balanced strategy to revive the economy and deal with COVID-19 with a sharp focus on ensuring that rural areas remain free from the pandemic. The 54-

PM Modi interacts with the CMs of various States via video conferencing in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI Photo)

day nationwide lockdown since March 25 to contain the spread of coronavirus is scheduled to end on May 17.

“We have a twofold challenge – to reduce the transmission rate of the disease, and to increase public activity gradually, while adhering to all the guidelines, and we will have to work towards achieving both these objective,” the prime minister told the chief ministers at the virtual interaction.

According to an official release, Modi asserted that social distancing was the biggest weapon to fight coronavirus till “we do not find a vaccine or a solution”.

Referring to the resumption of train services from Tuesday, the prime minister said, this is needed to rev up the economic activity, but said that all the

routes will not be resumed.

“I am of the firm view that the measures needed in the first phase of lockdown were not needed during the 2nd phase and similarly the measures needed in the 3rd Phase are not needed in the fourth,” Modi told the chief ministers.

Thanking the chief ministers for their proactive role in the fight against COVID-19 and for their valuable suggestions emanating out of their grassroots level experience, Modi asked them to share with him by May 15, a broad strategy on how each one of them would want to deal with the lockdown regime in their respective states.

According to official sources, Modi told the chief ministers that the biggest challenge for the country

will be to ensure that the infection does not spread to rural India following relaxation in lockdown norms, including on movement of migrant workers.

As per sources, Modi also noted that slowly but surely, economic activities have started in several parts of the country, and said in

the coming days, the process will gather steam.

According to officials, Modi said it was essential to make best efforts to ensure that people stay where they were during the lockdown, however, in times like these people wish to go home and therefore, a change in decision had to be made.

Don’t resume air, train services: Rio to PM DIMAPUR, MAY 11 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to resume regular flights and passenger train services for some more time and allow movement of special trains only to bring back people to Nagaland in an orderly manner.

Participating in a video conference of the Prime Minister with all chief ministers on Monday, Rio briefed Modi about the steps being taken by his government for implementation of the lockdown, measures taken for providing relief to people of Nagaland stranded outside and migrant workers stuck in the State due to the lockdown, ongoing inter-district movement of stranded people and on the modalities being put in place for the stranded people of Nagaland desiring to come back.

Rio was accompanied by deputy chief minister Y Patton, planning and coordination minister Neiba Kronu, chief secretary Temjen Toy and other senior officials of the State government.

Later, the chief minister also held a meeting with representatives of Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Joint Christian Forum, Angami Public Organisation, Angami Women Organisation, Angami Youth Organisation and Angami Students’ Union at the State Capital later in the day. He discussed the COVID-19 situation and matters regarding return of the stranded citizens of Nagaland.

Odd-even scheme: 746 vehicles penalised in Dmu

Govt to use hostels of pvt schools Nagaland allotted colleges as quarantine centres Rs. 326.41 crore

DIMAPUR, MAY 11 (NPN): Dimapur police challaned at least 746 vehicles for violations of oddeven scheme on the first day Monday. The scheme, which has been implemented to minimise nonessential movement of the vehicles, would remain in force till May 17, 2020.

An amount of Rs.1,41,050 realised from defaulters as penalty fine would be credited into the government treasury, police said.

According to a DIPR report, the commissioner of police (CP) Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo, said that the first day of odd-even scheme was successful and reiterated that police would try their best to implement the system in order to ease traffic congestion in Dimapur.

Appreciating the public for extending cooperation and understanding the rule of law, CP further appealed to the citizens to render their continued support to the law enforcing agencies.

CP has also requested the government employees with attached government registered vehicles in the district to commute only for official purpose.

DIMAPUR, MAY 11 (NPN): With thousands opting to return home from different parts of the country, the State government is planning to use hostel facilities of both private schools and colleges of Dimapur district to quarantine the returnees.

During a meeting with representatives of All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association and All Nagaland Private Colleges’ Association in the presence of Food & Civil Supplies secretary and core committee for COVID-19, Dimapur convener Honje Konyak and Dimapur district education officer R Amongla Jamir at Commissioner’s Rest House here on Monday, APC commissioner Y Kikheto Sema, who has been made overall in-charge of Dimapur for all COVID-19 related activities, pointed out that with more and more individuals registering to return home (over 8,000 people for Dimapur alone), government facilities alone would not be able to accommodate them.

He therefore appealed to private schools and colleges to come to the rescue by allowing their hostels to be

used as quarantine centres.

Assuring that all necessary requirements would be looked after by the government, he also maintained that proper medical screening would be done of all people upon their arrival, while suspected COVID-19 positive people would be kept at isolation wards.

Calling for collective effort to combat the pandemic, the APC said quarantine facilities for around 1,500-2,000 people at hostels of private colleges and 3,500-4,000 people at private schools could be required, to which presidents of the two associations gave an affirmative reply.

During the meeting, it was also decided that schools and colleges not members of the two associations would also be approached by the core committee.

Presidents of the two associations were nominated as members of core committee, while one member each from both the associations were nominated as accommodation committee members during the meeting.

Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (NPN): In order to bolster their financial resources meant for containing the coronavirus outbreak and treating affected people, Centre on Monday released a total of Rs 6,195.08 crore to 14 states, out of which Nagaland was allotted Rs.32641.66 lakhs (Rs. 326.41 crore) as grants-in-aid to cover deficit on post-devolution revenue account in 2020-21 as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.

“The government on May 11, 2020 released Rs 6,195.08 crore to 14 states as the second equated monthly installment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant as recommended by the 15th FC. This would provide them additional resources during the Corona crisis,” the Office of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a tweet.

Earlier on April 3, the ministry had released Rs 6,195 crore as the first installment of the ‘Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant’ to 14 states-- Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand & West Bengal.

Labourers work inside a tunnel for Dhansiri-Zubza rail line project on Monday. (NP)

Staff Reporter

K Y M C

18000 stranded persons applied to return: Govt

Meanwhile, State principal secretary Home, Abhijit Sinha, on Monday had informed that 18,282 citizens of Nagaland stranded in different parts of the country have applied through the returnees’ declaration form available on the website iamstranded.nagaland.gov. in and expressed their desire to come back through transportation to be arranged by the government.

ENPO, 6 tribal bodies: Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) and the six tribal bodies have appealed to the Nagas in general and eastern Nagaland people in particular, who were stranded outside the state and planning to return, to “make a choice” to

stay back wherever they were and help maintain Nagaland COVID-free region.

In a joint statement, ENPO president and general secretary along with presidents of Chang Khulei Setshang, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Konyak Union, Phom Peoples’ Council, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji and Yimchunger Tribal Council said that their plans to travel did not only put their health at risk but also risked the health of beloved ones back home.

Meanwhile, the ENPO and six tribal bodies have appealed the state government to financially assist those who were staying back.

DAYO : D i m a p u r Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) has asked the State government to explain how it planned to quarantine thousands of people from various states that are expected to reach Nagaland via Dimapur very soon.

(Cont’d on p-5)

Only asymptomatic people to be allowed in trains NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (PTI): Ahead of the resumption of select passenger train services, the Home Ministry Monday made it clear that only asymptomatic people with confirmed tickets will be allowed to travel in 15 trains to be operational from Tuesday.

Listing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Union Home secretary Ajay Bhalla issued an order that wearing face masks and ensuring social distancing norms while entering a railway station and travel is

compulsory. The Railways will operate 15 trains beginning Tuesday from Delhi to different destinations including North East.

“Only those passengers with confirmed e-tickets shall be allowed to enter the station. The movement of the passenger(s) as well as the driver of the vehicle transporting the passenger(s) to and fro the railway station shall be allowed on the basis of the confirmed e-ticket,” the (Fresh guidelines on p-5) order said.

COVID-19 nationwide tally crosses 70,000

the death toll rose by 97 to 2,206.

However, PTI tally reported by different states and UTs, as of 11.45pm, put the nationwide tally at 70,702. It showed 2,223 deaths and more than 22,000 recoveries so far.

Nagaland COVID: Report of 27 samples awaited

DIMAPUR, MAY 11 (NPN): Nationwide tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases crossed 70,000 on Monday. In its daily update, the Union Health Minis-

try said the total number of confirmed cases has increased to 67,152, after a record number of 4,213 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, while

DIMAPUR: Health and Family Welfare department Monday informed that out of 875 COVID-19 suspected samples sent for testing from the state till date, the results of 848 had reported negative while results of 27 samples were awaited. It said 13 samples were sent as on May 10 3 p.m. and May 11 till 3 p.m. H&FW also informed that all 9 samples tested by Truenat have reported to be negative.

Lockdown hampers work on railway project Phase-II of inter-district movement begins

This is it!

“My mother said Coronavirus is bad.

You are very bad like coronavirus.”

D I M A P U R , M AY 1 1 (NPN): With the spike in coronavirus positive cases in several parts of the country, several state-based organisations have expressed apprehensions over the return of stranded citizens from outside the state. These apprehensions cannot be ignored because there had been instances in some parts of the country where people returning from hotspots became superspreaders.

According to PTI report, the Bihar migrants returning home from other states constituted threefourths of the 200 new coronavirus cases detected in Bihar last week, a top official told Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday.

Reports suggest that Bihar government was gearing up to face the rising number of cases of COVID-19 after trainloads of mostly asymptomatic migrant labourers returned to state and many of them tested positive.

D I M A P U R , M AY 1 1 (NPN): The ongoing nationwide lockdown to combat COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted work on the Dhansiri-Zubza rail line project.

Confirming this, ABCI Infrastructures Private Limited project manager Munna Malakar informed Nagaland Post the lockdown had a major impact on excavation and tunnelling.

“There is lesser number of labourers available for

work, while supply of raw materials has also been affected as they are transported from other States,” he explained.

Malakar however asserted that despite the setbacks, the company was firmly on course to achieve

its target of completing work on all four tunnels within the stipulated time.

Even as drilling of two tunnels had been completed, he revealed that drilling on tunnel 1 (3.5 km) would take around two years to complete while tunnel 2 (200 metres) would take two months.

Meanwhile, drilling and excavation on tunnel 3 on the railway project was completed on Monday afternoon. Measuring 866 metres, this will be one of four tunnels in phase one spanning Chümoukedima village and New Chümoukedima.

Excavation and drilling on all four tunnels under phase one is being undertaken by ABCI Infrastructures Private Limited. The entire stretch of the 82.3-km Dhansiri-Zubza rail line comprises four phases.

Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , M AY 1 1 (NPN): As state government extended the date for inter-district movement, thousands of people stranded in Dimapur, who could not leave in the first phase of inter-district movement, left for their respective home districts from State Stadium here Monday.

Interacting with Nagaland Post, most of the stranded passengers expressed gratitude to the state government for providing transportation to get back to their home towns.

According to a DIPR report, a total of 57 busses (24 government buses and 33 private buses) carrying 1657 persons left Dimapur.

It may be mentioned that in the first phase interdistrict movement, which was car ried from May (Cont’d on p-5) 7-9, 2020, more than 3000

stranded people in Dimapur left for their home districts.

In Kohima, altogether 33 buses carrying 956 stranded persons Monday departed from Kohima to various districts. Out of the 33 buses, 13 buses have gone to Mon, 11 to Tuensang and nine to Kiphire. Kohima district administration has so far facilitated the relocation of 3661 stranded people to their home districts and states in the last five days in about 125 buses.

Pvt buses offer discount

All Nagaland Private Bus Association (ANPBA) Monday announced 25% discount on hiring charges of the buses requisitioned for transportation of stranded people to other districts of the state.

According to ANPBA president Ahoto Awomi, the initiative to offer discount was part of the associa-

tion’s effort to support the government in the fight against COVID-19. He expressed the belief that all sections of the society must contribute towards fighting the pandemic.

ANPBA president expressed regret that some requisitioned buses failed to report to the authority for transportation of stranded people. He said that the association would initiate stern action against those buses that defied government directive. Further, informing all travel agencies to cooperate with the government, ANPBA president also urged bus operators in Kohima to consider the decision of the association to offer discount.

Meanwhile, ANPBA has informed that those wanting to avail the bus services could call association at 9862111101, 7005142954 and 9436654533.

K Y M C

state

Devotional song book released

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020

PSU appeals for stationing of fire personnel at Peren town

DIMAPUR: With the recent fire incident on May 9 where a residential building at Peren town-Kipeuzang tri-junction was completely gutted and reduced to ashes, the Peren Students’ Union (PSU) has demanded for stationing of fire brigade vehicle along with fire personnel at Peren town in the interest of public service.

A press release from PSU advisor Rampauyi Ndang stated that, on May 9 the gutted building could not be protected but spreading of fire to neighboring houses was contained by

timely intervention of the public. PSU stated that so far public of Peren town and surrounding villages “till today didn’t feel the existence of fire brigade department in the district as their intervention has never been witnessed” although Fire Brigade department is actually stationed at New DC Complex Peren “where public habitation is zero.”

PSU therefore along with the general public has made an ardent appeal to the appropriate authority to look into the matter at the earliest.

Distribution of relief rations

Rev. Fr. Benjamin Chang along with other priests at Bishop House Dimapur during song book release.)

DIMAPUR: Christian devotional song book under the title “Joyful Echoes” compiled by Rev. Fr. Benjamin Chang, assistant priest of St Peter’s Parish Kiphire was released

by Rev. Fr. P. J. Thomas, the parish priest of Holy Cross, at Bishop’s House Dimapur on May 9.

A press release from Fr. John Poji stated that, the song book is a collection of some 300 popular Christian songs for all seasons and Fr. Benjamin said that it took him almost three years to collect all the songs and compile it into a book format.

This is his first attempt and no distinction is made between choirs, congregational or youth hymns and informed that it was meant only for private circulation and so he printed only 1500 copies. He expressed gratitude to Rev.

DIMAPUR: Business Association of Naga (BAN) and Nagaland Organic farmers Association (NOFA) will be setting up a Naga market link, at Urban Haat, Dimapur, for Naga farmers and entrepreneurs. A joint statement from BAN and NOFA, stated that farmers and entrepreneurs are invited to avail the opportunity to come and sell their home products and farm produces.

It added that wholesale and retail facilities would be provided, adhering to COVID19 rules and guidelines of social distancing and preventive measures.

BAN and NOFA, further appealed government departments and agencies such as agriculture, horticulture, NSRLM, FPOs and all line departments to provide and facilitate farmers to come and sell their farm products to tide over such trying pandemic period. For more information, contact 8976442622/7005269061/ 7005155180. use of mask, social-distancing would be compulsory and visitors are to bring own carry bags.

ers and so it fitting to dedicate the hymn book to all the mothers. He wished the Christian families to pass on the traditional and gospel values from generation to generation through singing these hymns.

Rev. Fr. Benjamin thanked Rev. Fr. Sabu, the director of Pastoral Centre, Dimapur who made all the arrangements for the release and the special grace pronounced during the gathering and thanked Rev. Fr. John Poji for blessing the hymn book during the Holy Mass.

The song book will be made available in Bishop’s House Dimapur, Pastoral Center at Holy Cross Campus Dimapur, St. Xavier’s Parish Meluri, St. Peter’s Parish Kiphire, St. Thomas Church Tuensang and for other details can be contacted at 8974520704.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the path of righteousness is life, and its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs - 12 : 28 We , t h e f a m i l y m e m b e r s o f Lt. ANGUMWALA would like to express our sincere gratitude to all individuals, churches and various organisations who stood by us during the brief illness and sad demise of our beloved.

Special thanks to :- 1st NAP Battalion, Police Baptist Chruch Chumukedima and the neighbours of 1st NAP Hav. line Police Complex Chumukedima, Late ANGUMWALA Dimapur.

Born : 27.10.1947 We deeply regret our inability to Died : 22.04.2020 thank each one individually, but it's our humble prayer that Almighty God shower His abundant blessings upon you all.

Loving children, grandchildren, family members & relatives.

DP-2309

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, the bereaved family members of Late Shwenlo Rengma would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all who stood by us at his sudden demise on 09/04/2020 in NEW DELHI.

DC Kohima informs: Deputy Commissioner Kohima Gregory Thejawelie has informed that in partial modification of the office order dated May 5, the following revised directives are to be strictly followed with immediate effect till further orders: Shops listed in annexure-II of this office order No.DCK/CON/COVID-19/2020/413, Dated Kohima the May 5, which were directed to open on roster basis, may henceforth remain open during permitted hours from 7 a.m to 2 p.m on all market days Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; Front shops of market complexes on the road level selling goods are permitted to remain open during permitted hours, 7 a.m to 2 p.m on all market days Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

NNC/FGN to observe Naga plebiscite day: Naga National Council (NNC) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) will observe the 70th Naga plebiscite day on May 16, 10 a.m at Transit Peace Camp, Kohima.

All the fellow Nagas are invited to participate in the function and those unable to participate are also requested to hold a prayer on the day according to convenience.

SHFCM programme postponed: Soul Harvest for Christ Ministries (SHFCM) Daklane Kohima dinner pack in aid of church vehicle scheduled on May 16 has been postponed to October 16 due to COVID-19 lockdown. Inconvenience is regretted.

WDCC for rollback on Covid cess

DIMAPUR: Wokho District Congress Committee (WDCC) has demanded the government for rollback of COVID-19 cess on fuel as it was “totally anti people and anti poor policy.”

A press release from WDCC president Rabomo Ngullie and general secretary (admn) Yanchumrhumo W Jami stated that, imposition of high rate at this juncture was totally deteriorating the economy of the entire state, mainly hitting the common populace and farmers due to price rise in essential commodities. While pointing out that local NGOs, churches and individuals had shown concern in fighting against COVID-19 through donations, the WDCC stated that it was unwise on the part of GoN to tax people and volunteers rendering yeoman services.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Words are inadequate to express our profound and sincere gratitude to all individuals, churches, organizations, friends and families, who stood by us unceasingly through prayer, physical, financial, moral and material support during the prolong sickness and demise of our loving mother Late Vitoli Kire on 9th May 2020.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Doctors and nurses of Metro Hospital, Dimapur.

2. CMD Village Baptist Church.

3. All the blood donors.

4. Colonies in CMD Village.

We regret for not being able Born : 17/04/1963 to mention all of your names Died : 09/05/2020 personally but we thank you for your gesture, kindness and words of encouragement, and we pray that our good Lord bless everyone abundantly.

Loving family members.

DC-415

1st Death Anniversary

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to convey our special thanks and gratitude to the Commandant, SNAP Bn New Delhi and Commandant, 1st NAP Bn Chumukedima for making all the arrangements to bring his mortal remains to Chumukedima.

DP-2317

BAN & NOFA to set up Naga market link

Fr. Jose Lukose, the parish priest of St. Xavier Parish, Meluri town and Rev. Fr. Joe Mariadhas the parish priest of St. Peter’s Parish, Kiphire town.

Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. C.P. Anto, the director of Peace Channel encouraged Fr. Benjamin for his hard work and also to add more ecumenical hymns, so that it can be used by all churches and could help people to grow spiritually and closure to God. While releasing the hymn book, Rev. Fr. P.J. Thomas, congratulated and expressed his gratitude to Rev. Fr. Benjamin Chang for the sacrifice he made in order to compile these songs. Rev. Fr. P.J. Thomas reminded the gathering that the month of May was the month of Mother Mary and a month dedicated to all the moth-

DIMAPUR: Contribution towards the cause of needy people in the state continues with various individuals, organisations and government agencies taking the lead to alleviate the plight of the helpless.

Legislator provides relief: Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA distributed rice in 2 Dimapur II A/C to needy families on May 11. A press release informed that this is the second phase of relief provided by the MLA for his constituency and covered those who had not received aid in the first phase.

DC Dimapur relief to hawkers: Deputy commissioner Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi has lauded the hawkers for their sacrifice and dedicated services rendered to the people in reaching the newspapers to the readers daily. According to DIPR report, the DC acknowledging their hardwork, has extended help in a small way by distributing relief to them on May 11, in The Morung Express office premises. On behalf of the hawkers, Dimapur Press Club president, Dilip Sharma expressed gratitude to the DC for acknowledging and encouraging the hawkers. The relief distribution programme was initiated by Dimapur Press Club, Nagaland Press Association and DPRO office Dimapur.

SDAN distributes ration: Skill Development Agency Nagaland (SDAN) distributed rations to poor and needy on May 7 in Dimapur, understanding the plight of daily wage earners and downtrodden families during the COVID-19 lockdown.

news in Brief

DC-414

2

of Ayu Belho

Psalms 128:3 “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the side of thine house. Thy children like olive plants round at thy table”

May the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Died on 12.05.2019

Though it's been a year today since you left us to be with our Lord on...........never a day passed without you in our thoughts. As we celebrate the memories we made together we take comfort in the belief that the ways of the Lord surpasses all understanding and that we will not be forsaken. You are always with us unheard, unseen but never forgotten. Until we meet sleep well.

DP-2311

K-887

(Born 15/09/1945 – Died 03/05/2020)

K Y M C

The Family members of Late Mhonchumi (wife of Lt. Lochamo Kikon) wish to acknowledge the many expression of sympathy, gesture of kindness and encouragement shown to us at the loss of our beloved Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother and Great-grandmother on 3rd May, 2020 at Bhandari Town.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to all friends, neighbours and wellwishers who visited our home, attended the wake service, burial and provided spiritual, emotional and practical support for us at this difficult time. For those who telephoned, travelled long distances, sent floral tributes and messages of condolences as well as those who made charitable donations in cash and kind, we are truly grateful.

Special thanks to Bhandari Town Baptist Church, Doctors and Nurses of Bhandari CHC, ADC and EAC Bhandari, ADC and SDO (Civil) Dimapur for their help rendered for smooth journey to conduct the final rite of our beloved.

To those who helped in any form, your contribution made our loss bearable. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, but here is our sincere and humble prayer that our Almighty God bless each and every one of you.

DP-2318

Loving wife, son, daddy, sisters, in-laws and loved ones

FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF LATE IMKONG IMCHEN "MOMENT OF TRUTH"

BORN-3/07/1966 – DIED-12/05/2019

IT WAS ON THIS DAY THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE 'MOMENT OF TRUTH '. A YEAR HAS PASSED. EVER SINCE, NURTURING US THROUGH YOUR PIONEERING NATURE AND EFFORT. SENTIENTLY, IT WILL ALWAYS BE AN ENDEAVOURING GAIT FOR US TO ADHERE. DP-2303

ENDURINGLY LOVING WIFE AND SONS. K Y M C

3

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020

Lockdown: Government guidelines continue for public safety

DIMAPUR: Nagaland continues its preparedness level to combat COVID-19 pandemic from breaking out in the state. Various measures of preparations such as inspection of COVID Hospitals, check gates, training programmes, health camps and DTF meetings are conducted regularly. Classes for students are being conducted in coordination with other broadcasting agencies so they do not miss out on their syllabus. While many stranded people within Nagaland has been send off to their respective districts and neighbouring states, the government is also trying to facilitate the return of many Nagas outside the state. Government guidelines for safety of the public will continue to be enforced even with some relaxations to various essential services.

Dimapur District

Officials from AH&VS along with commissioner & secretary, K. Libanthung Lotha DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi along with NCD, SCD and DSTH officials at Holy Cross Students lined up to receive prepared notes and second on Monday. auditorium. phase of mid-day meal.

AH&VS officials visit check post Commissioner & secretary, AH&VS K. Libanthung Lotha visited the quarantine check post at Dillai, Golaghat Road and District Veterinary Hospital, Dimapur on May 9. A press release from deputy director (QCP) AH&VS Dr. Ilang stated that, Libanthung instructed the officers and staff manning the institution to strictly follow the government order banning import of pigs from outside the state, to prevent the outbreak of African swine fever which has affected a large population of pigs in the neighbouring states. Later, he also appraised the DC Dimapur about the measures taken by the department and sought cooperation. He was accompanied by Dr Kiba, addl. director and other senior officials.

Relief items packaged for daily wage earners DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi along with Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) president Ghokheto Chophy and Sumi Council Dimapur (SCD) chairman Kuholi Zhimomi supervised the packing of relief items on May 5, 6 and 8. A press release from Western Sumi Hoho stated that, packing of relief items for 11,000 daily wage earners of Dimapur district was conducted at the Holy Cross auditorium. The Sumi Council Dimapur and Dimapur Sumi Totimi Hoho (DSTH) along with around 200 volunteers have helped in the packaging of relief items.

GHS Diphupar B to start online education Government High School (GHS), Diphupar B distributed the second phase of mid-day meal to the

students on May 11. A press release from GHS Diphupar B stated that, prepared notes were also given to the students to study at home during the lockdown.

Teachers also submitted their lesson plans to be taken up during the lockdown. School has decided to open online education for classes 8 to 10 during the lockdown period with a view to keep the students in touch with their lessons.

CHS advisory to stranded Hindu community Chümoukedima Hindu Society (CHS), Nagaland has informed Hindu community of Chümoukedima jurisdiction intending to come back to Chümoukedima, Nagaland, to follow the government guidelines and strict health protocols. A press release from CHS general secre-

Kohima DISTRICT

tary, Prakash Chetri advised those persons whose return is a must and unavoidable can do so after contacting and taking proper approval from the district administration of the state, if not to stay back untill the lockdown was lifted and the situation normalises.

It further stated that if anyone enters illegally and is found in its jurisdiction, CHS shall report to the authority concerned for stringent action. CHS shall continue to monitor the movement of people within Chümoukedima jurisdiction and requested for active support and cooperation of wards, colonies and public leaders.For any information, one can contact: 9774683502 president; 7005460041 working president; 9402807834 gen. secretary.

KIPHIRE DISTRICT

Village chairman and Rengma NGO leaders attended training programme on COVID-19 end of life and management of dead body on May 11. According to DIPR Congress officials with NHAK authorities during the visit report, the training programme was held at Tseminyu town A child being immunised during the health camp by a nurse. to COVID-19 Hospital on May 11. hall with SMO Dr. Avile as resource person. (DIPR)

KDCC inspects COVID-19 Hospital & BSL-3 lab in Kohima Concerned over the preparedness of Nagaland in general and the state capital in particular against COVID19 pandemic, the Kohima District Congress Committee (KDCC) on May 11 visited the COVID-19 Hospital and also inspected the work progress of Bio-Safety Laboratory (BSL-3 lab) at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima. A press release from KDCC press secretary Yangertemjen stated that officials led by president Kevi Vizo was accompanied

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Are people in favour of lifting lockdown?

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

A B C

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

67% 33% 0%

Next poll

Q: I f

agricultural production affected will it ultimately cause food grain shortage?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST May 12

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hot with hazy sunshine

37 24

Hazy sunshine

30 18

Guwahati Very warm with hazy sun

34 20

Aizawl Imphal

Hazy sun

Itanagar A stray t-storm, not as warm

31 16 27 19

Shillong

Some sun with a thunderstorm 23 15

Kohima

Partly sunny with a t-storm

25 16

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

32 20

Mkg

A stray afternoon t-storm

Tuensang A thunderstorm in spots Wokha

Hazy sun, a strong t-storm

Zunheboto A morning thunderstorm

K Y M C

25 15 19 13 26 19 22 14

by Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee working president i/c Kohima district, Khriedi Theünuo, former minister Seyiekuolie Kesiezie, Nagaland Pradesh Youth Congress president Vilhousielie Kengurüse and KDCC Mahila president Vilanuo.

Managing director of NHAK Dr Thorhusie Katiry and ENT dpecialist Dr Kedozeto Punyü briefed the visiting team on the overall preparedness of COVID-19 Hospital to take in any positive case and also the availability of the Personal Pro-

tection Equipments (PPEs), wards for male and female, ICU with ventilators.

They also explained on the various steps being undertaken for collection of suspected patient’s swab, which were being currently sent to Imphal for testing. Congress team enquired about the quality of PPEs and also other materials supplied by the government, to which the hospital authorities asserted that the government has not made any compromise on the quality. On the ongoing setting up of COVID-19 testing

Education department clarifies on tele/radio tutoring programme DIMAPUR: Principal director School Education, Shanavas C, has in a clarification stated that some confusion had arose among few school authorities regarding matters related to the tele/radio tutoring programme being conducted by the department.

According to DIPR report, the following clarifications have been issued for the information of all concerned so as to clear the confusions: All DEOs, Sr. SDEOs and SDEOs were directed vide this office notification of even number, dated April 29, to coordinate with the district administration and make necessary arrangements for students who do not have facilities to access the DD satellite telecast at home to view/listen the broadcast at a common place like village hall, school auditorium etc.

It is a well-known fact that number of students in the above stated category will be comparatively less in any class and the department did not ask schools to summon all students to assemble at a place or to conduct/ resume classes; Further, it was clearly mentioned in the aforesaid notification that “The broadcast schedule is made in such a way that only two classes will be having

the lessons on a particular day, so that children will not group up in large numbers in schools/village council halls where the telecasting is viewed”; Again, school heads were directed vide this office notification of even number, dated May 6, to devise mechanism for preparation and circulation of notes to their students for those lessons being broadcasted through DD/AIR observing all norms of social distancing notified by the government.

In this case too, schools were not directed to summon students to schools; Further, the department has been sharing the videos of the Doordarshan telecast through Youtube and Facebook so that parents/students could download the same and view as per their convenience; It is expected that all concerned would understand the difference between “resuming of normal classes” and “facilitating under privileged students to view the online/tele education broadcast”.

It is once again reiterated that severe disciplinary action will be initiated against those violating government order dated May 4 and exposing students to the danger of the pandemic.

laboratory, BSL-3 in-charge Dr Tina Khamo explained the progress of the work while asserting that all efforts were being made to complete the lab and make it functional.

KDCC president Kevi Vizo while expressing satisfaction on the preparedness of the works for COVID-19 Hospital also hoped that BSL-3 lab would be made functional within date assured by the state government to the court on May 7. KDCC also extended financial support towards NHAK in the fight against the pandemic.

Village health camp in Kiphire Medical team from the chief medical officer’s office and District Hospital Kiphire conducted village health nutrition day-cum-mobile medical unit “Health Camp” on May 10.

A press release from CMO office Kiphire, district media officer Haichikambe Pame stated that, nine medical personnel (including medical officers and staff) conducted the health camp, led by deputy CMO Dr. Tinurenla Anichari and Dr. Pewezo Khalo DPO (RCH/UIP).

The team covered four villages namely Ngoromi, New Longmatra, Azetso, and Aso and carried outreach routine immunisation, ante

natal check-up (ANC), including nutritional support and distribution of medicine. Medical officials also interacted with the village council leaders in the villages.

Several patients were attended to especially elderly who could not avail medical facility due to the lockdown issues. Village leaders were also briefed on COVID-19 and the role of public on how to fight the virus through community participation.

Cleanliness and sanitation issues were briefed and social distancing maintained during the whole course of activities. Villagers has also set up COVID-19 gate in front of their villages, wherein, prior permission was required before the entry.

Zunheboto DISTRICT Zunheboto DTF meeting In a meeting held at deputy commissioner’s residence on May 11, the Zunheboto District Task Force (DTF) along with Sümi Hoho, Sümi Kükami Hoho, Sümi Totomi Hoho and ZCMC members decided that with respect to all those stranded persons coming from outside the state to Zunheboto district, only the suspected persons showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be quarantined at quarantine facility center and rest will be home quarantined in their respective subdivision following strict COVID-19 protocols under the supervision of Medical department.

According to DIPR report, it was agreed upon that number of beds in quarantine facility would be increased by 50 at Zunheboto headquarter and minimum 10 in all outpost subdivisions and screening and identification of persons to be quarantined will be done by Medical department. Bedding and food will be arranged by respective family members of persons in quarantine center. Further District Task Force has decided that shops will remain open from 7 a.m to 2 p.m every day except Sunday.

Airports Authority of India Dimapur initiatives under CERS

DIMAPUR: Airports Authority of India (AAI) Dimapur under the initiative of Sanjeev Jindal, regional executive director AAI NER Guwahati has distributed 9000 kgs of rice to surrounding six villages of Diphupar, Kirha, Chekiye, Darogapathar, Aoyomti, Hollohon, orphanage, migrant and contractual/casual workers in the airport under corporate en-

vironmental responsibility scheme (CERS).

A press release from airport director M Zhimo stated that distribution of rice to Diphupar, Chekiye, Darogapathar and Aoyimti villages will also take place in next few days in coordination with village authorities.

On May 8, rice relief was distributed to the needy migrants

and casual workers and on May 11, Airport director M Zhimo accompanied by Moatemjen Pongen, AGM (Electrical) and Sh BK Soreng, AGM (Civil) of Dimapur distributed food grains to Kirha and Hollohon villages.

Meanwhile, a community toilet block constructed by AAI Dimapur under corporate social responsibility was handed over

to the Kirha village by Airport director Dimapur M Zhimo, in the presence of AGM (Electrical), Moatemjen Pongen, AGM (Civil) BK Soreng and council chairman and GB of Kirha village. AAI Dimapur had also earlier donated ten lakhs to DC Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi in the fight against COVID-19 on March 26.

K Y M C

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 155 Dimapur, TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020

F

To relax or not

or a country of 130 crore people and with around 70,000 COVID-19 cases, India appears to have managed to contain the pandemic. In other countries with smaller population such as the USA which has around 33 crore people, the number of COVID-19 cases till May 11 was around 13 lakh.

The statistics is certainly a point to feel elated about and obviously, due credit has been given to prime minister Narendra Modi for taking the bold step of announcing the nationwide lockdown on March 24. It was extended from May 3 to May 17 and now the third extension with more relaxations is also expected beyond May 17. The first lockdown announced on March 24 was taken unilaterally and almost all states were caught unprepared for the long haul. The lockdown was extended from May 3 to May 17 and even now, a majority of states are demanding that the lockdown be extended beyond May 17. If the number of COVID-19 case in India is still around 70,000 or below one lakh for a population of 130 crore, it also draws attention on the need to have a much higher testing done.

When the nationwide lockdown was imposed on 25 March, India was conducting 539 tests per million people and ranked 52nd among countries in terms of the testing rates. Since then, test numbers have risen 47-fold even as case numbers have risen more than a hundred times, with India now conducting 758 tests per million, making it the 24th ranked country in terms of tests per million. One aspect of the current battle against COVID-19 is the stand or claim of the centre that India has not progressed to stage 3 or community transmission of COVID-19. On May 5, even when the total number of nation-wide cases was close to 47,000 the Union Health Minister said that India’s virus spread had not gone to stage three. While there has been no hesitation in declaring local transmission caused by people who have a travel history, the government has been extremely hesitant to admit community transmission. The reluctance is surprising given that the total cases reported so far is around 70,000 and the nature of spread is through droplet transmission and contact with contaminated surfaces. In contrast, is the U.S. On February 26, when the total number of cases was just 60, it confirmed community spread following the detection in California of the first case with no travel history or contact with a known positive case.

One reason why India refused to confirm community spread early on could be the compulsion to expand testing when the country did not have the capacity to test huge numbers each day. However, there is no reason now to continue being in denial, as that erodes public trust in the government. There are indications of community transmissions in 36 districts across 15 states but still the Centre is reluctant to openly admit it. Renowned virologist and former Professor of Virology, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, Dr T Jacob John has urged upon the Centre and state governments to acknowledge community transmission and implement strict measures, if the virus is to be contained. The biggest test for Nagaland will be on May 13 when several thousand stranded people return to the state. Nagaland should continue with strict containment and mitigation measures, acting on the assumption that the virus could appear if not now then in another month or two when it resurges in a second wave of infection.

DailyDevotion “Love One Another”

…add to your…brotherly kindness love.

—2 Peter 1:5, 7 Love is an indefinite thing to most of us; we don’t know what we mean when we talk about love. Love is the loftiest preference of one person for another, and spiritually Jesus demands that this sovereign preference be for Himself (see Luke 14:26). Initially, when “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5), it is easy to put Jesus first.

But then we must practice the things mentioned in 2 Peter 1 to see them worked out in our lives.

The first thing God does is forcibly remove any insincerity, pride, and vanity from my life. And the Holy Spirit reveals to me that God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so. Now He commands me to show the same love to others by saying, “…love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

He is saying, “I will bring a number of people around you whom you cannot respect, but you must exhibit My love to them, just as I have exhibited it to you.” This kind of love is not a patronizing love for the unlovable— it is His love, and it will not be evidenced in us overnight.

Some of us may have tried to force it, but we were soon tired and frustrated. “The Lord…is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish…” (2 Peter 3:9). I should look within and remember how wonderfully He has dealt with me. The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way. I may get irritated because I have to live with an unusually difficult person. But just think how disagreeable I have been with God! Am I prepared to be identified so closely with the Lord Jesus that His life and His sweetness will be continually poured out through Me? Neither natural love nor God’s divine love will remain and grow in me unless it is nurtured.

Love is spontaneous, but it has to be maintained through discipline.

Quotes

The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

R

osamund Young has written a book called the Secret Life of Cows which, surprisingly for a book on animals, has shot to the Top Ten bestseller list of the Sunday Times. It is a very sweet small book about the animals she has brought up and interacted with, specially cows, in her Kitt’s Nest farm in England. She has treated them with kindness and consideration, kept them in as natural conditions as possible. And she has been rewarded with watching an entire other world of innocence and love, play and happiness. She knows all of them by name and describes their personalities.

Rosamund describes her relationship with each cow. “Cows are as varied as people” she writes. “They can be highly intelligent or slow to understand, vain, considerate, proud, shy or inventive. Although much of a cow’s day is spent eating, they always find time for activities such as baby sitting, playing hide and seek, looking for berries”.

They look for happiness in the warmth of their own families. Grandmothers step in when mothers need

a break from feeding, calves make best friends and share treats, cows literally jump in the air – all four feet – when happy and excited.

Rosamund describes how cows in trouble come to her or her brother at their house and tell them when they are about to calve, or when they are not feeling well, so that they can be helped. They know their own names and come from far when called. They stare when they want something, looking from you to the object they want you to see till you understand.

Cows have different kinds of moos - voices like ours. Mooing in a loud agitated way could mean that the mother is looking for her calf. Fear, disbelief, anger, hunger or distress – all of them have different sounds and a low quiet moo means she is asking you a question. Cows tell the difference between people, remember people who have been kind to them and nurse grudges.

They are easily offended and will ignore you forever until you try very hard to make friends again. But ultimately, they are forgiving. They make friends for life. They can be obstinate, gentle or aggressive. Above

In another form all they are wise. If you choose to see a cow the way you see your dog, she can be very good company.

They love each other, have friends and enemies.

They communicate with people – if you are willing to listen. They like music.

They are problem solvers – which means a high degree of intelligence. The cows in my hospital Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre find out how to open the gates of their pens and come out when they feel like. They have food preferences - are you listening gaushala or dairy people who feed them the same awful food day after day. When I was sending some cows to a really good gaushala on the outskirts of Delhi so that they would have more freedom, Radhibai, our most beloved cow inmate, attacked all of us several times so that her friends

wouldn’t go.

They are good mothers. They will lick their children all over as a calming grooming gesture. One cow who came to us had given birth and suffered a prolapse - when the uterus falls out because of the pressure of birthing. She was in dreadful pain having been lying on the road for two days with the newborn calf. But her eyes never left her baby even while she was being stitched up and the baby was being bottle fed. When she recovered she went back to feeding her daughter.

Bovine needs are in many respects the same as human ones: freedom from stress, adequate shelter, pure food and water, liberty to exercise, to wander about, to go for a walk, or just to stand and stare.

Every animal needs the congenial company of its

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020

own species and a cow needs to be allowed to enjoy her “rights” in her own way, in her own time, and not according to a human timetable. The number of ways a calf may be treated is no fewer than the number of ways a child may be treated. “A badly treated calf is simply a neglected, ill nourished, lonely frightened child”.

If any sense of fear is aroused, then none of the cows will sleep. If the source of fear is remote, cows will communicate to the calves that they can sleep while the older animals keep guard.

We are the only country in the world that treats cows as special, invests them with a religious significance and makes special shelters called gaushalas for them. But, because we don’t recognize the cow as a thinking individual, even the gaushalas become simply prisons for cows where they stand in an indiscriminate herd till they fall down and die.

They have no names and no individual recognition.

I have, in collaboration, written the only manual in India on gaushalas and we have a chapter on what cows like and what they

fear, how to approach them and how to recognize their moods.

Even the people who keep a few cows in their homes, who should know better about their personalities, don’t bother to be nice to them or even understand them. They are kept tied most of the day, milked, their children separated at birth and tied a few unattainable feet away from their mothers. “It” is simply an animal tied to a post whose only thought presumably is of fodder.

It is easier to assume that an animal has no feelings.

They can then be treated as generators of profit without any thought to their needs.

And yet, the same person will go into his house and worship the small idol of the cow he keeps on his puja table.

This book should be made compulsory reading in schools, especially for people who have the compassion to run gaushalas.

If animals are to survive, people must realize that these are us, just in another form. Anyone who eats an animal is eating himself.

To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@nic.in, www.peopleforanimalsindia.org.

Post-mortem

A missed opportunity…. (For the Nagas) Tragedy that could be averted

I

n 1967, while Indira life and blood for their moth- Almighty God, and hence it the Naga solution.

But the Indian GovGandhi was the then erland, and those who un- has been more than Seventy Prime Minister of India, derwent training in China years of fighting and study- ernment still was unwilling the Sixth round talk on the gaining arms and ammuni- ing with the Indian Govern- to fulfill the desire of NaNaga Independence issue tions, everything was surren- ment, and in the process, gas and quietly and hopeled by then Ato Kilonser dered to the Indians (Indian we have lost thousands of fully observed if problems Kughato Sukhai was held army). And thus, the right of our people who sacrificed should arise. Amidst the at the Prime Minister level. the Nagas was sold. their lives for their Moth- conundrum, unfortunately, The late Indira Gandhi In the year 1980, Mr. erland. Thousands of our there arose divisions and the said to Sukhai ‘I will give Isak Chishi Swu and Th. brothers were tortured and breaking up of groups. And everything to the Nagas Muivah together birth the killed by our Indian army; the demerit now is that same except Sovernity’. To which idea of NSCN/GPRN. thousands of women were Naga NGO’S and some Kughato Sukhai replied ‘we Since the last forty years, raped and shot too. Villages factions are jointly planning will not take anything else, the NSCN/GPRN has been were burnt, fields and rice to break-up the PAN Naga no matter what at all cost, fighting and holding talks barns were burnt, grouping hoho. In the lights of these we will not leave the matter with the Indian Govern- and untold sufferings were circumstances, the future of Independence, we want ment. On 3rd August, 2015, meted out to our Naga peo- of the Naga look blurry as our Sovereignty’. Indira the Framework Agreement ple. But today, in our present difficulties and herculean Gandhi then suggested, ‘If was settled and on 31st generation, without any real challenges seem unending.

Till today, the twelve that is the case, I will give the October, 2019, a shared struggles, it is only through Bhutan Status settlement’. Sovereignty was settled with words and paper war that tribes of the Israel people But Kughato Sukhai said the Indian Government. But division is being brought are still being gathered, whereas, we Nagas though that he would try talking to when everything was to stay amongst we Nagas. the Nagas first. with the India Government During the times of our it’s not being long are still During that period, (was to be kept in the hands forefathers, Nagas from all divided and have no unity.

Mr. Zapu Phizo was the of the Indian Government) over and Nagas by blood How can we leave out some President of NNC/FGN the NSCN/GPRN (IM) gathered together, stood by tribes within our Naga soand was residing in Lon- firmly disagreed and stated each other and accordingly ciety?

Leviticus -19:18 reads, don. Though Mr. Sukhai that if some rights were shared their grievances, had clearly talked with not given and out rightly thereby protecting the Naga “Forget about the wrong Mr. Phizo’s, the Angamis refused, it was impossible family as a whole. But alas! things people do to you, and (Phizo’s supporters) back for the Nagas to accept any Today, our Naga family has do not try to get even. Love home in Nagaland infil- solution. turned into a terribly divided your neighbor as you love trated Phizo’s mind and said Despite the disagree- society. In the midst of this yourself, I am the Lord”. that the Naga talks must not ment, with great difficulty brokenness for those true Mark-12:31 reads, “The be settled hand in hand with and through persistent ne- Naga patriots who suffered second command is this Sumi leaders. Most impor- gotiations for a stable solu- and Shed their blood, who love your neighbor as you love yourself. There are no tantly, it was the Angamis tion, the Naga constitution will pay the price? that brought about a division and flag were earnestly and A certain folktale un- commands more important amongst them. At that time, firmly sought after, to which folds so, once there were than these”.

All the Naga tribes Sumi leaders like Kughato the Constitution and flag two friends who went to dig Sukhai, Prime Minister were granted and settled. out a pangolin. One friend untidily agreed to carry the NNC/FGN, General Kaito, However, Government of told the other ‘If I can dig a burden together and uphold Army Chief NNC/FGN India’s interlocutor for Naga pangolin, I will take it but if the Naga society. In 1946, and Mr. Sukhato Swu, act- peace talks, R.N Ravi, the I cannot dig it out, I will give at Wokha, the NNC/FGN ing President NNC/FGN then Governor of Nagaland it to you’. Perhaps we Nagas birth the idea of ‘Nagaland who were occupying high had second thoughts and are also behaving likewise. for Christ’. And in 1958, profile positions, because paved way for troubles and Decades have passed since during the C.E convention of the seed of doubts and misunderstandings to brew we Nagas have been fight- service held at Changtonya fears planted about by the amongst the Nagas. Mean- ing together for a common Village, the Slogon ‘NaAngamis , their names and while some Naga organi- cause, and now, this enmity galand for Christ’ was made positions were struck off. For zations were joined by a and narrow-mindedness known throughout the land. this reason, the Sumi NNC/ faction who brought about have separated us. This is The foundation of the Naga FGN leaders were hurt and division and negativity. not the will of our people Independence struggle was dissatisfied. In the end, out In 1967, during the and definitely not the will laid in the power of God’s word. In Christ, let us all of compulsion, and left sixth round talk, if the Na- of God. with no other choice, they gas had agreed upon the 0n 11th July 2002, the Nagas unite and stand todecided not to involve any 1967 Bhutan status settle- former Prime Minister of gether. It is the need of the further into the NNC/FGN ment, today it would have India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee hour because in 1946, when matters and also decided been a different story. We declared that Nagas were some of our Naga elders to let the Angami brothers would be asking for a full- different in their nature met with the then Indian and other Naga tribes take fledged Sovereignty and and lifestyles, their land Prime Minister Jawaharlal responsibility in setting the not shared Sovereignty. But different and their culture Nehru, Nehru told our elNaga talks/ issues. because we Nagas allowed totally different. Therefore ders, ‘Nagaland is a land In the aftermath, the tribalism and petty disagree- they possess a “Unique locked country and it is too Sumis jointly formed the ments to take over, the cord History”. That declaration small to stand by her own.

Revolutionary Government of unity was broken. We paved way for firm discus- So it should be in India’. At of Nagaland. Later on, can be likened to the Isra- sions with Indian leaders one point of time, he said this group surrendered and elites. The Israelites who saying ‘We Nagas wish to ‘I have stationed an army entered the BSF Battalion. were freed from the Egypt live separately and freely’. each in every growing tree in This particular group only bondage were supposed to Since then, discussions have Nagaland and it will crush surrendered and did not reach Cannan, the land of been ongoing. As mentioned the Naga hostiles within a have any political agree- promise within forty days earlier on 31st October 2019, few days’. Therefore it is ment or accord with the but because of their disobe- The Indian leaders sug- important that we Nagas Indian Government. Soon dience to their leader, sinful gested shared Sovereignty and our land be free and afterwards, the NNC/FGN nature and disobedience but our Naga NSCN GPRN prospers. We must uphold under the leadership of to Lord’s commandants, (IM) leaders refused saying those who were recognized Zapu Phizo surrendered instead of forty days they that Nagas had the right to as Nagas from the time (signed) to the Shillong Ac- reached the promised land be given the Constitution of our forefathers and in cord in 1975. after forty years. and Flag. That if these two Christ’ name, reconcile.

The Nagas who sufWe Nagas too, dis- privileges were not granted, K. Kikheto Wotsa, Dy. fered deeply sacrificing their obeyed our leaders, our it was impossible to resolve Kilonser NSCN (IM) S/R Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this

O

n April 9, 2020, Republican members of the US House Committee on Oversight and Reforms launched a formal and scathing attack on the World Health Organization (WHO) in the form of issuing a letter accusing the premier international health institution of “helping Beijing disseminate propaganda, downplayed the extent of the disease, and possibly delayed ordering public health emergency” which is responsible for the widespread of the deadly Covid19 not only in US but in the world. Whatever may be the influencing factor, the WHO now is forced to concede as one of its prominent officials Peter Embarek admits “the role of the market in Wuhan city as the possible source for the outbreak of novel Coronavirus” in dramatic reversal from its earlier stance of denial. By the time these Republican lawmakers could question the suspicious activities of WHO in handling this global pandemic by submitting itself to be part of China’s propaganda and directly addressing what is supposedly politically sensitive issue that will surely have enormous political ramification in international polity in the days to come and WHO concession, however, more than 15000 American and 50000 lives worldwide had been lost due to the deadly Covid-19.

The picture of the current crisis will be totally different, for better, but tragically this brigade of courageous conservative republicans along with the president, who are willing to act without the constraint of political correctness or compulsion of diplomacy for saving lives, were imposed heavy

restriction by obstructionist Democrats, aided by the mainstream liberal media, of the US Congress, and prevent them from working out strategy to confront the impending crisis. Democrats refuses to pay serious attention to the numerous warnings of the health experts as early as January this year of the worst possible outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and instead resort to dirty politics by bringing in an impeachment hoax in their quest to remove the most performing, most pro-life and most pro-religious freedom president in the history of United States.

Precious time were lost during this period as the attention of the nation were drawn to this unnecessary impeachment politics of the Democrats, as the nation fails to heed to the looming crisis that is already on the way.

Recall that President Donald Trump by the end of January, at the time of the peak of impeachment politics, had formed a Coronavirus Task Force, and issued important directives including declaring coronavirus as a public health emergency, imposing travel restriction on China and banning entry of “foreign nationals who pose risk of transmitting the coronavirus”. This is in accordance to taking cognizance of the threat and severity of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. The tragic responds of the Democrats was their unscrupulous accusation of the president calling him by their leaders, the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer among others, as “racist” and instead encourage citizens to visiting and frequenting Chinatown.

(To be concluded) Dr. Nsungbemo Ezung, Wokha Town

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Better safe than sorry

Social distancing has gone for a toss as people are least bothered at maintaining the government guidelines.

Once the actual lockdown is lifted, people will forget all about the COVID-19 pandemic and there is sure to be pandemonium in our state. Please let us all take care to protect ourselves and others to maintain our green zone status even in the days to come. We must be honest that our state lacks the infrastructure and capacity to take care of COVID patients if the virus invades our state.

Renthungo Shitire, Kohima newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020

COVID-19 patients can end home isolation after 17 days

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (PTI): Coronavirus-infected patients can end home isolation after 17 days of onset of symptoms or date of sampling and if they have no fever for 10 days without getting tested again for COVID-19, according to revised guidelines for home isolation of very mild/presymptomatic cases.

The revised guidelines released by the health ministry reiterated that patients, who are pre-symptomatic or have very mild symptoms, can opt for home isolation if they have the requisite self-isolation facility at their residence so as to avoid contact with other family members.

The patient should be clinically assigned as a very mild case or pre-symptomatic case by the treating medical officer and should regularly inform his health status to the district surveillance officer for further follow-up by surveillance teams.

“Patient under home isolation will end home isolation after 17 days of onset of symptoms (or date of sampling, for pre-symptomatic cases) and no fever for 10 days. There is no need for testing after the home isolation period is over,” the revised guidelines stated.

This is in line with the new discharge policy for COVID-19 cases released on

‘No proposal to cut salaries of central govt employees’ NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (PTI): The Finance Ministry on Monday clarified that there was no proposal on cutting salaries of central government employees.

Reacting to news reports, the Ministry in a tweet said: “There is no proposal under consideration of Govt for any cut whatsoever in the existing salary of any category of central government employees.”

“The reports in some section of media are false and have no basis whatsoever,” the Ministry added.

Last month, the government had put on hold payment of increased DA to its 50 lakh employees and 61 lakh pensioners till June 30, 2021.

The Ministry’s Department of Expenditure in an office memorandum had earlier said no arrears of DA will be paid from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

A health worker takes samples for COVID-19 swab tests in Kolkata, Monday. (PTI)

May 9 by the health ministry stating coronavirus-infected patients developing severe illness or having compromised immunity will only have to test negative through RT-PCR test after resolution of symptoms before they are discharged by a hospital.

Moderate cases of COVID-19 and pre-symptomatic, mild and very mild cases need not undergo tests before being discharged after the resolution of symptoms.

Besides, the guidelines reiterated that the caregiver and all close contacts of such cases should take hydroxychloroquine as a preventive medication, according to the protocol and as prescribed by the treating medical officer. Also, a caregiver should be available to provide care on a 24x7 basis. A communication link

between the caregiver and hospital is a prerequisite for the entire duration of home isolation.

Besides, the guidelines call for downloading the Arogya Setu app on mobile and it should remain active at all times (through bluetooth and Wi-Fi).

Immediate medical attention must be sought if serious signs or symptoms, including difficulty in breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, mental confusion, developing bluish discolorations of lips/ face develop.

The patient also has to give an undertaking stating being diagnosed as a confirmed/suspect case of COVID-19, he/she has voluntarily undertaken to maintain strict self-isolation at all times for the prescribed period.

MHA asks railways to run at least 100 special trains a day NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (PTI): The Home Ministry on Monday asked the Railways to start running at least 100 special trains per day for the next few weeks to ensure the return of migrant workers to their native places, an official said.

Addressing a press conference, Home Ministry Joint Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the ministry held a meeting with the nodal officers of Railways and State Governments on Monday."It was emphasised that at least 100 trains should be run daily for the next few weeks to ensure return of migrant labourers," she said.

Srivastava said the Home Ministry in a letter to the state government has urged to ensure that no migrant labourer should be allowed to travel by foot on the roads or railway tracks.

"If they are found travelling by foot on road or railway tracks adequate efforts should be made to arrange bus or train for them. Till the arrangement is made, the labourers should be taken to the nearest shelter home and sufficient arrangements for food, etc. be made for them," she said.

Srivastava said so far 468 such special trains have been run in which a total of over five lakh people have travelled, with 101 trains running on Sunday alone.

The train ser vices, which were completely

stopped in the country in the wake of the COVID 19 outbreak, will resume in a phased manner from Tuesday with 15 special trains departing from the New Delhi station for different destinations, she said.

The Home Ministry has issued an exhaustive standard operating procedure under the Disaster Management Act to avoid any spread of coronavirus during train travel, she said.

Only railway passengers with confirmed e-tickets will be allowed to enter a platform and they will be screened before boarding the train, she said.

Only asymptomatic ones will be allowed to board the trains and the passengers will have to mandatorily wear face masks or face covers besides maintaining social distancing during the travel, she said.

The official said travel from home to the railway station and vice versa will be in conformity with the zone-wise travel restrictions placed in the country in the wake of the lockdown.

"Upon reaching their destinations, passengers will have to follow health protocols of the state government," she said.

She said the Home Ministry has also written to the state governments asking them to ensure seamless travel of doctors, nurses, paramedics, sanitation workers and ambulances.

5

WHO lauds India for keeping COVID cases low compared to other countries NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (PTI): World Health Organisation’s Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan on Monday commended India for keeping the coronavirus cases and deaths very low compared to other countries and said it will play an important role in the development of a vaccine for COVID-19.

She said the whole world has to be prepared for the ongoing transmission of infection for “many many months and for perhaps years to come”.

Soumya Swaminathan said it is not just enough to develop and test the vaccine, but it is also crucial to manufacture it, scale-up procurement and get health systems to vaccinate populations.

Speaking on the National Technology Day, Swaminathan said, “I would like to commend and congratulate the minister and colleagues for having contained so far the COVID pandemic in India and having kept both the number of cases and the number of deaths very low compared to other countries.”

All participants, including Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan, addressed the conference online.

“However, we know it is the marathon that we

Soumya Swaminathan

are running. It is not the sprint, and India and in fact the whole world has to be prepared for the ongoing transmission of infection for many many months and for perhaps years to come,” she said.

According to the World Health Organisation, as on Monday there have been 39,76,043 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2,77,708 deaths.

In India, the death toll due to COVID-19 stands at 2,206. The number of cases is 67,152 in the country.

Swaminathan, who served as Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, said there are many challenges in India in terms of overpopulation, over-crowding in many of the urban areas and poor access to healthcare facilities in some of the rural areas.

“This is the time, actually, for us to strengthen public health surveillance,

primary health care delivery, and strengthening of the health workforce,” she said.

On vaccine development, Swaminathan said many vaccine candidates are being developed in India, some in partnership with other groups and some on their own.

“India will play an important role in vaccine development. The world cannot have enough vaccines for everyone if India is not part of the process,” she said.

It usually takes 10 years to develop a vaccine, but in the case of Ebola, it was done in five years.

“The aim is to get a (coronavirus) vaccine out in a year or so. Or even less if possible,” she said, adding that the process of developing vaccine will need global collaboration like sharing of knowledge, resources, tools and pooling of ideas to perform clinical trials more effectively.

“I am very optimistic that some of these will be successful,” she said.

She added that the most vulnerable people to whom the vaccines should be first administered must be identified. This includes frontline worker and people with co-morbidities.

Prioritization framework needs to be developed, she added.

What CMs had to say during meeting with PM Def Ministry ready to deal with visible, NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): In his fifth meeting with state chief ministers to discuss the post-lockdown strategy, PM Narendra Modi said the road ahead should be focused on reducing the spread of Covid-19 and ensuring that all precautions were taken by people, including social distancing norms, by observing ‘do gaaj doori‘.

However, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Centre for “playing politics” over the issue and opposed the resumption of passenger train services.

“We have been cooperating with the Centre but why are you playing politics. This is not the time for politics.

We are doing our best but why is the Centre attacking West Bengal,” Mamata Banerjee reportedly said in the meeting. Underscoring the federal structure, Banerjee asked the Centre to talk to states before ending

the lockdown and allowing resumption of other services.

Barring containment zones, economic activities should be allowed to resume in the national capital, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said in the meeting. “During the interaction, the chief minister said economic activities should be allowed to resume in Delhi, except in COVID-19 containment zones,” Kejriwal said, PTI reported. On his part, Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami asked Modi not to resume passenger train services in the state till May 31. He also urged him not to allow regular air services, citing the increasing COVID19 cases in Tamil Nadu, which has crossed the 7,000 mark.

While maintaining that there should be restrictions on inter-state travel, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said each state should be allowed to make changes

in the lockdown guidelines according to the conditions prevailing in their respective areas.

“Relaxations should be gradual. Domestic flight services could be resumed with special guidelines, except from the containment zones...,” Vijayan said.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, said state governments should get the right to take decisions on handling of economic activities. “They should also get the responsibility to declare red, green & orange zones,” ANI quoted Baghel as saying. Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao urged Modi not to resume the

SVC clarifies

DIMAPUR: Apropos news item “SVC alleges Assam Police highhandedness”, published on May 9, 2020, the Sangtamtilla village council (SVC) has clarified that SDO development (not SDO Sadar) and ACP Zone-II officer in-charge of Urban Police were not present at the site, but arrived and verified the incident after the village council informed them about the incident.

Fears over return of stranded citizens

(From p-1) Appreciating the State government’s efforts to bring back stranded citizens, DAYO said Dimapur being the entry point, it was expected that all the stranded individuals travelling from other parts of the country would converge at Dimapur and quarantined in the city itself.

Observing that majority of the returnees were students, the youth body said it could imagine their plight as they were away from their families for such a long period and in inhospitable conditions in most cases, and not well provided for either.

Referring to reports in social media that respective community organisations were volunteering to take care of quarantine facilities for their respective community members, DAYO wanted to know that in such a case, how uniformity would be maintained in quarantine facilities, accommodation, food, etc.

The youth body demanded that the government should ensure that all the proposed quarantine facilities were uniformly provided with necessary infrastructure and facilities and their expenses borne by the government. It would be in the best interest of all concerned if

the government drew up an action plan and announce it widely so that there was no confusion on the matter, a release issued by its president Aotemsu Aier and general secretary S Pangertoshi suggested.

It also referred to the chaotic situation emerging out of the government’s initiative for facilitating interdistrict movement of people stranded at different locations of the State.

Pointing out that various organisations were being asked to arrange transport, DAYO said non-availability of buses was posing a major hurdle for all those who are organising transportation of their respective community members. It suggested that the government mobilised transport through requisitioning of vehicles and allotting them to organisers with rational pricing of fares and other expenses.

DAYO also appealed to the government to further extend the dates for the interdistrict movement as many are still stranded due to nonavailability of vehicles.

E x p r e s s e s d i s m ay : Stressing that cooperation and participation of apex tribal bodies were crucial in combating the COVID-19

passenger train services.

He also observed that the impact of Covid-19 has been more in major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh pitched for extension of the lockdown backed by fiscal and economic empowerment of the states to save lives and secure livelihood, ANI quoted the CMO as saying. “States need to be given greater flexibility in micro-planning as part of a carefully planned exit strategy, encompassing both Covid-19 containment and a defined path of economic revival,” Singh said.

pandemic, the organisation however regretted that the government had conveniently ignored to invite Naga organisations to all consultations.

Clarifying that it had no complaints against consulting non-Naga organisations, DAYO said the exclusion of Naga organisations had been viewed with grave concern.

Further, Naga Council Dimapur was almost a defunct body now with office-bearers being caretakers as their tenures had already expired, it added.

DAYO warned that if this insensitivity towards the Naga organisations continued, the Ao Naga community of Dimapur would be constrained to adopt a noncooperation stance towards all State government agencies till the anomaly was redressed.

NGBF: Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) has appealed to the state government to exercise caution while bringing back the citizens stranded outside the state as scenario in some states was “very alarming.”

NGBF president Shalem Konyak, general secretary Shikuto Zalipu and media secretary Akhu Naga said it was important to bring back stranded citizens, but all necessary preventive measures must be taken to ensure they

were safe and free from the virus while entering the state.

NGBF expressed hope that the government was making an all-out effort to provide proper facilities to those returing. It also suggested the government to take “extra precautions” post-lockdown, saying the manner in which people behave during relaxation of lockdown was a matter of concern.

MCD: Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD) has advised its community members stranded outside Nagaland due to the lockdown to stay put where they are for at least two months, a PTI report stated.

In a statement, MCD working president Ahidur Rahman said the advisory was issued after consulting community elders and masjid committees of Dimapur and Kohima.

This decision was taken for the greater interest of the community and the safety and wellbeing of all citizens of Nagaland, Rahman said.

He also informed the stranded people of the community, particularly students, that the MCD would try to help them “in any other way” or request the state government to extend assistance to those in need.

invisible enemies of India, says Rajnath

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said his ministry is committed to destroying all the enemies of the nation including those visible on the borders or invisible ones like the coronavirus.

Speaking at an online conference organised to mark National Technology Day, Singh also said India must become self-reliant in military manufacturing and that the government was supporting the domestic defence industry by coming out with a policy framework. “I want to assure my countrymen that the Ministry of Defence is committed to destroying all the enemies of the nation -- whether they are visible enemies on the borders or invisible enemies like the coronavirus,” he said.

The National Technology Day is observed on May 11 to commemorate the nu-

Rajnath Singh (PTI)

clear tests India conducted in Pokhran on this day in 1998 that symbolised achievement of home-grown technologies in critical areas.

“The Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed more than 50 products in the last three-four months like bio-suit, sanitiser dispenser, PPE kits, etc through its continuous efforts to contribute to the fight against COVID-19,” he said. “The indomitable spirit of our defence industry has increased the opportunity for mass production of these high-

quality products in record time,” Singh added.

The defence minister said the government has set new targets and formulated the “right” policy framework to achieve indigenisation in defence production.

“We always have to keep in mind that there is no alternative to indigenous technology and indigenous manufacture. We will be truly self-reliant only when India succeeds in becoming a net exporter instead of a net importer of technology,” he said. At present, India is one of the top importers of military hardware globally.

According to a latest report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a leading think-tank on military spending, India’s defence expenditure stood at USD 71.1 billion in 2019, which is third highest after the US and China.

Guidelines for train passengers Lockdown hampers work...

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (PTI): The Railways has issued new guidelines for travel on 15 pairs of special trains from May 12, asking passengers to carry their own food and linen and arrive at stations at least 90 minutes before departure for health screening.

The Railways said it will run eight trains on May 12-- three from New Delhi terminating at Dibrugarh, Bengaluru and Bilaspur. And one each from Howrah, Rajendra Nagar (Patna), Bengaluru, Mumbai Central and Ahmedabad which will all terminate at Delhi. These special trains will only have AC classes i.e. first, second and third AC. The fares will be equivalent to Rajdhani trains and passengers can book tickets up to seven days in advance. However, no RAC, waiting list ticket or on-board booking by ticket-checking staff will be permitted, the Railways said.

Online cancellation of tickets shall be permitted up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, but the cancellation charge shall be 50 per cent of the fare.

The movement of passengers as well as that of the driver of the vehicle transporting them to and from the railway station shall be allowed on the basis of the confirmed e-ticket, it said.

The Railways said there will be special norms for air-conditioning inside the coaches and temperatures will be kept slightly higher than the usual.

Maximum supply of fresh air will be ensured. The railways has instructed zonal railways to ensure that there are separate entry and exit gates at stations “to the extent feasible” to avoid face-to-face movement of passengers. It also said no stalls or booths on the platforms shall be opened.

Railways will start more trains on new routes, based on availability after reserving 20,000 coaches for COVID-19 care centres and an adequate number for planned running of up to 300 Shramik Specials every day.

(From p-1)

Of the four tunnels under phase one, the shortest tunnel 1A (84 metres) was completed in June 2019, while work on tunnel 1, which measures 3.5 km and is the longest, and tunnel 2 measuring 200 metres is currently underway. So far, 180 metres have been excavated on tunnel 1 and 40 metres on tunnel 2. Tunnel 3 drilled on Monday was the second tunnel to be drilled.

The estimated time for completion of phase 1 of the project was December 2021. However, owing to the nationwide lockdown, work has been greatly hampered.

The project manager said drilling on the next two tunnels under phase 2 (tunnels 4 and 5) near Sirima village would commence after the monsoons, adding tenders for the remaining tunnels (from tunnel 6 onwards) had not been issued yet. Work on the new rail route from Dhansiri to Zubza was started by Northeast Frontier Railway in March 2019 and the arduous and long-drawn task of tunnelling, building numerous bridges and laying tracks under phase one is expected to be completed in two years.

The 82.3-km stretch

will have 20 tunnels spanning 26 km, besides 19 major bridges. The longest bridge to be built at Sirima village is estimated to be 700 metres long, while the longest tunnel measuring 6.4 km will be drilled at Chaphema village.

Once operational, the railway route will pass through Dhansiri-Dhansiripar-Shoxuvi-Molvom-Sirima-Chephema-Khabvuma before culminating at Zubza, which is around 900 metres above the plains of Dimapur.

Also speaking to this reporter, project’s deputy chief engineer V Hauzel remarked that soil quality in the Northeast made drilling tunnels even more tedious and riskier. But despite this, he said there had been no casualty or any major mishap so far. The exaction method currently employed at New Chümoukedima is the New Australian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which is believed to have revolutionised modern tunnelling industry and currently used in many modern day tunnels. Also dubbed as the “design as you go” approach, NATM is based on the study of behaviour of rock masses under load and monitoring performance of underground rocks during construction.

6

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Tuesday, MAY 12, 2020

Russia overtakes Italy and Britain UK PM launches new COVID-19 alert system after record rise in coronavirus cases Says phase-2 of lockdown easing will begin ‘at the earliest by June 1’

LONDON, MAY 11 (PTI): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has launched a new COVID-19 Alert System and “modified” the UK’s coronavirus lockdown as part of a “conditional plan” which allows people more time outdoors as long as social distancing measures are adhered to.

In a televised address to the nation, Johnson laid out a five-level alert system that the government will be constantly monitoring based on scientific data to track the rate at which the deadly virus is spreading – referred to as the “R” rate. “ T h o u g h we h ave made progress in satisfying at least some of the conditions I have given, we have by no means fulfilled all of them. And so no, this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.

“Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures,” the prime minister said on Sunday.

In reference to the alert system, he said, “Level One means the disease is

Boris Johnson no longer present in the UK and Level Five is the most critical – the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS (National Health Service) had been overwhelmed.

“Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four, and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three.”

From Monday, the British public is encouraged to continue to work from home where possible and others who cannot work

from home, such as construction workers, are encouraged to resume work.

However, all workers are asked to avoid the use of public transport as far as possible and use more environment friendly options such as walking and cycling.

Clarifying the conditions in which businesses would reopen, Johnson said: “Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity. We are going to be driven by the science, the

data and public health. And I must stress again all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big ifs.”

People in England will be allowed to sit in the parks within their household groups, to drive to beauty spots for walks and take unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise. People will be able to meet and sit down with a single other person outdoors as long as they stay two metres apart.

Angling, swimming in lakes or rivers, tennis and golf will all be allowed if people are sticking to their household groups.

The rules on outdoors will be different in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying Scots will be allowed unlimited exercise from Monday but not any sunbathing, picnics or barbecues – unlike the rules for England. Johnson said phase two of the lockdown easing will begin “at the earliest by June 1”.

It will include the

phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages.

Unveiling the latest government “stay alert” slogan, Johnson said, “We will come back from this devilish illness. We will come back to health, and robust health.”

“And though the UK will be changed by this experience, I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before. More resilient, more innovative, more economically dynamic, but also more generous and more sharing. But for now we must stay alert, control the virus and save lives,” he said.

Johnson is expected to give further details of the first phase of looking into easing strict social distancing rules during a statement to Parliament on the modification to the UK’s COVID19 lockdown, which began on March 23.

The Opposition has criticised the government’s new “stay alert” message as vague.

MOSCOW/ WASHINGTON, MAY 11 (AGENCIES/ IANS): Russia’s coronavirus cases overtook Italian and British infections on Monday to become the third highest in the world after a record daily rise hours before President Vladimir Putin was due to review the country’s lockdown regime.

The official tally surged to 221,344, meaning Russia now has more registered cases than Italy or Britain and only trails Spain and the United States, as the ficials attribute the rising gramme which they say has number of new cases of the and large number of cases seen over 5.6 million tests novel coronavirus jumped to a massive testing pro- conducted. by 11,656 in the past 24 hours. More than half of The global death toll due to the novel coronavirus all cases and deaths are in Moscow, the epicentre of pandemic has surpassed the 280,000 mark, while the Russia’s outbreak. On Mon- cases have surged to over 4.1 million, according to the day, it reported an overnight Johns Hopkins University. As of Monday morning, increase of 6,169 new cases, the global death toll stood at 282,719, the University’s bringing its official total Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) said to 115,909. The country’s in its latest update. The US had the highest number of coronavirus response centre deaths in the world at 79,528, while the UK accounted also reported 94 new deaths, for the highest in Europe with 31,930 fatalities. The other taking the overall death toll countries with over 10,000 COVID-19 deaths were Italy to 2,009 people. The official (30,560), Spain (26,621), France (26,383) and Brazil death toll remains far lower (11,123), the CSSE data showed. Meanwhile, the total than in many countries, number of coronavirus cases in the world has increased to something Kremlin critics 4,102,849. The US still accounts for the highest number have queried. Russian of- of cases in the world at 1,329,791.

Global COVID-19 deaths surpass 280,000

18 hospitalised, over 250 held in HK protests Iranian warship hit by missile in training accident kill 19 sailors HONG KONG, MAY 11 (IANS): Eighteen people were hospitalized and more than 250 arrested in Hong Kong following clashes between demonstrators and the police, according to media reports on Monday.

Protesters gathered on Sunday in several shopping malls in the city, where they raised slogans, while some others later attempted to block the streets of Mong Kok’s shopping district by creating improvised barricades, reports Efe news.

Police responded by firing tear gas and making more than 250 arrests, some of them resulting in violence and many of those affected had to be transferred to hospitals. Among those admitted were Democratic

Party legislator Roy Kwong who had reportedly visited the site to mediate between police and protesters. Officers brought him down with a blow to the abdomen and then a policeman held him to the ground by pressing his head against the sidewalk with his knee, according to state-owned RTHK broadcaster. A source cited by the South China Morning Post claimed that more than 200 arrested were charged with illegal assembly. In the case of Kwong, the Democratic Party issued a statement detailing that he had been arrested for alleged public disorder.

According to the police, another arrested protester was in possession of materials that could have been used for making Molotov

DUBAI, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): One Iranian warship accidentally struck another with a missile during an exercise, killing 19 sailors and wounding 15 others, Iran’s navy said on Monday.

The incident took place during training in the Gulf of Oman, a sensitive waterway that connects to the Strait of Hormuz through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes.

Iran regularly conducts exercises in the area.

The frigate Jamaran fired at a training target released by a support ship, the Konarak. However, the support ship stayed too close to the target and was hit, state broadcaster IRIB said.

“The incident took place in the perimeter of Iran’s southern Bandar-e Jask port on the Gulf of Oman during Iranian Navy drills on Sunday afternoon, in which 19 sailors were killed and 15 others were injured,” state TV said, quoting the navy.

Fars news agency quoted an unidentified military official as denying some Iranian media reports that the Konarak had sunk.

The navy statement said investigations were undergoing regarding the cause of the incident, student news agency ISNA Iranian warship that struck a missile during an exercise in the Gulf of Oman. said.

IRIB said the Dutchfore Iran’s 1979 Islamic nuclear deal between ma- at U.S. military bases in made Konarak vessel, revolution, had been over- jor powers and Iran, and Iraq. Later that day, Iran’s which was purchased behauled in 2018, and is Washington re-imposed armed forces shot down a equipped with four cruise sanctions on Tehran.

Ukrainian airliner, killing missiles.

Animosity deepened all 176 people aboard, in Across The incident took in early January when a US what the military later 4. Detective (6) place at a time of height- drone strike in Baghdad acknowledged was a mis7. Punish (4,4) ened tensions between Iran killed top Iranian mili- take.

8. Non-transparent (6) and the United States since tary commander Qassem 2018, when the United Soleimani. Iran retaliated LAND FOR SALE 10. Frequently (5) States withdrew from a on Jan. 9 by firing missiles Location- Sovima ‘G’ Khel 13. Metal money (4) Area- 15,000 sq. Ft. (100X150) 14. Row (4) Residential plot, road attached, LAND FOR SALE boundary wall and fencing Male Labrador 15. Carry (4) done.

AT PADAM PUKHURI Puppies for Sale 16. Hardly any (3) Price: 45 Lakhs (Negotiable) (NEAR GILGAL SCHOOL) (Pure) Contact number: 17. Precipitation (4) AREA : ANY SIZE AVAILABLE 7085055655/9436216867 Interested persons can PRICE : Rs. 290 PER SQ. FT. 19. Puzzle-solving aid (4) contact in the number below.

NO FILLING REQUIRED URGENT 21. An intermediary Ph No : 9862126077 CONTACT NO : 9862128679 LAND FOR SALE (2-7) 6909197603 DP-2257 8014690505 DP-2316 (1) At Indisen Village, Dimapur 23. Cat noise (4) Rs. 300 per sq. ft.

OFFICE OF THE 24. Romantic flower (4) (2) Land with Building at Oriental TANHAI STUDENTS' UNION Colony, Near Dimapur College 26. Shade of brown (3) DISTRICT : MON Ph. No : 8787470411 27. Musical instrument DP-2281 8732002080 FELICITATION (4) With immense pride and honour, 29. Hack (4) LOST NOTICE the TSU extends our heartiest I, Tekhepe Khalo, Son of 32. Hale (4) Wezute Khalo, am applying for congratulations to Er. Tingten 33. Steering device (5) originals of Class XII Marksheet as Konyak on his promotion from SDO I have lost it.

34. Brings up (6) Name : Tekhepe Khalo (Power Department) to Executive F/Name : Wezute Khalo 35. Renegade (8) Engineer.

Class XII Admit Card Roll No : 1680590 36. Changes (6) The TSU further wishes him the

No. 9560 Yesterday’s solution No. 9559

DP-2306

Crossword

cocktails. Since last month, pro-democracy protests have resumed in Hong Kong following a period of long absence from the streets due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mass protests in Hong Kong began in June 2019 against a controversial extradition bill - already withdrawn by the government - and soon evolved into a movement seeking to expand democratic mechanisms in former British colony and oppose Beijing’s alleged authoritarianism.

In the following months, clashes between the most radical groups of protesters and the police were commonplace, which had a severe impact on the local economy as it fell into recession for the first time in a decade.

No. 4179 Yesterday’s solution No. 4178

Down

KAKURO

K

Y M C

No. 3204 Yesterday’s solution No. 3203

1. Fool (5) 2. Squander (5) 3. Waterfowl (4) 4. To dart (5) 5. Style and vigour (4) 6. Hairpiece (6) 9. Bits (6) 11. Flipper (3) 12. Mistake (5) 13. Regulate (7) 15. Drawn match (3) 16. Merriment (3) 18. Overseas (6) 20. Bloodsucker (5) 21. Weapon (3) 22. Grief (3) 23. Guard’s round (6) 25. Enemy (3) 28. Bursts, breaks (5) 30. Wading bird (5) 31. Dwarf planet (5) 32. This place (4) 33. Desire (4)

best in his future endeavours.

Mr. T Tingshen Lungnyei TSU President

Mr. Bhuhton Nekong General Secretary

DP-2312

Class XII Pass Certificate No. 01514 Name of School : City College, Dimapur Year : 2015 DP-2310

WITTER THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, WOKHA

(Affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College/University) Candidates who are committed and born again Christian willing to undergo theological training at WTC, are invited for the following programs, B.D residential course and Dip.C.S/B.C.S extension course, last date for submission of B.D admission forms is on or before, 30th May, 2020 and Extension course is on or before 30th Nov. 2020. Entrance test for the B.D program is scheduled on 4th & 5th June 2020. The intending candidates should have the following educational qualifications.

Residential Course Qualification Duration B.D (Bachelor of Divinity) 10+ 2/P.U Pass Five years B.D (Bachelor of Divinity) Graduate (any stream) Four Years Extension Course Dip.C.S (Diploma in Christian Studies) 10 passed Two years B.C.S (Bachelor of Christian Studies) 10+2/ Dip. C.S. Pass Four Years Please note that the Extension courses are designed both for Christian Ministers and laity as well.

For further information interested candidates can kindly contact through: Mobile: 9862272186/8787629755 E-mail: wtcprincipal@yahoo.com or wtcvankhosung@yahoo.com

WC-126

Su doku

K

Y M C

10,000 migrants per dist to arrive in Assam: Sarma

Meghalaya to set up wholesale markets for farmer Correspondent

Shillong, May 11: The Meghalaya government on Monday an nounced that it would set up wholesale markets for locally grown agriculture products. It also urged local vegetable traders not to import vegetables from outside the State.

“We have decided to establish wholesale markets for selling vegetables and other items within Shillong Agglomeration and outside to help people sell and buy,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters.

Tynsong urged local vegetable traders not to encourage bringing vegetables from outside especially when inter-state movement has been sealed.

“We have already said that inter-state movement has been sealed. If vegetables are still coming from outside, it is also the responsibility of all our local traders not to encourage bringing vegetables from outside especially now we are in the season where production of vegetables has started,” Tynsong said.

Carcass of tigress found in Kaziranga

Guwahati, May 11 (Agencies): Authorities in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park found the carcass of a female Royal Bengal Tiger inside the park.

P Siva Kumar, the park’s director, confirmed the death and said the cause of death of the tigress was likely due to infighting. The carcass, with its skin intact, was found in the Bagori range of the park.

Forest officials and veterinarians conducted the post-mortem examination of the tigress, which had died six to seven days ago, in the afternoon.

This is the second tiger death reported in the park this year.

Last month, the carcass of an adult tiger was found near Mihibeel in the Kohora range of the park. Old age and infighting was the cause of death.

On Saturday, forest officials had found the carcass of an adult male rhino in Agaratoli range of the park with its horn missing.

K Y M C

Railway workers clean a platform ahead of the resumption of operation from May 12 in Guwahati on Monday. (PTI)

of civil society in this regard and the local committee would be formed in this regard,” he said.

Elaborating on how civil society could help in making the quarantine a success, he said that if someone returned home then a group of people, neighbours would ensure that the whole family become a containment zone. “They would be fed by the villagers for 14 days,” Sarma said.

“The villagers would drop food at regular intervals at the gate of the house every day and keep a close watch that no one of the family including the migrant came out and mixed with others in the village,” Sarma added. He further said that in case the numbers were large then hotels, educa-

tional institutes, etc., would be kept in readiness for quarantining the person. He also said that local committees would be formed in the towns and villages and that these committees would be in charge of overseeing the quarantining of individuals who returned.

“The local committees would be announced tomorrow from Guwahati in consultation with the deputy commissioners of the respective districts,” he further said.

Sarma said that the help of MLAs would be taken to set up washrooms and toilets in large numbers.

Sarma further said that that if a person developed symptoms or turned critical he would be sent to the zonal centres for treatment.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, May 11: Manipur gover nment has pressed Union health ministry to increase the number of COVID-19 testing machines in the state.

The demand for more testing machines was in the backdrop of piling up of samples for testing the virus at the government approved two COVID-19 testing centres in Imphal.

Currently, VRDLs at RIMS and JNIMS hospitals are conducting the test for the disease in the state where swab samples were piling up with the continuous arrival of people who were stuck at different places due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

A total of 231 individuals were tested on Sunday while 109 were tested on Saturday. Till Sunday, a total of 1096 people were tested for COVID-19 in Manipur.

Not all the samples were able to test by the two VRDLs and as such, the samples were stored in deep freezers which would be tested within the next five to seven days.

The machine installed at RIMS for COVID-19 test is capable of testing 120 samples at the maximum in a day while the machine at JNIMS can test as many as 250 samples in a single

day, according to official sources.

Recently Manipur government had resolved that all returnees would be subjected to RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing as per ICMR protocol.

State health minister, L Jayentakumar said on Monday that the state was facing shortfall of COVID-19 testing kits with the start of arrival of stranded people.

The matter was brought up to the notice of the Union health ministry during a video conferencing held on Sunday between the health ministers of northeast states and Union health minister, he said.

The minister expressed hope that the Union ministry will soon send the kits in order to solve the problem being faced by the state.

The minister was talking to reporters at his office chamber at Imphal old secretariat after distributing portable ventilators to the chief medical officers (CMOs) of five districts of the state.

The health minister along with director of state health and family welfare, Dr K Rajo handed over the portable ventilators to the CMOs of Kamjong, Noney, Pherzawl, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts.

Correspondent

A i z aw l , M a y 1 1 (Agencies): At least 1,715 have been finedfor defying the lockdown and other guidelines relating toCOVID-19 since May 4 in Mizoram, said police.

They were fined for violating the rules after the Containment and Prevention of COVID-19 Ordinance, 2020 came into effect, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) LH Shanliana said during a review meeting.

Over Rs 4 lakh has been collected as fine from the offenders, he said.

The majority of the offenders were those who failed to wear face masks in public places, he added.

Aizawl district recorded the highest number of offenders, followed by the Lunglei district, the officer said.

According to the ordinance, any person, who exposes the identity of coronavirus patients will be punished with imprisonment of three months or with a fine up to Rs 5,000 or both.

Besides, Rs 5,000 fine will be imposed on people who cross border or enter the state, or organise a social or religious event without permission or escape from quarantine facility, as per the ordinance.

CORRECTION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Apropos the acknowledgement published on 11th May 2020 (Page-7) the name of the deceased person is Z. Vikato and not Late Z. Vikato Zhimomi and Sl. No. 42 should be Officers & Staff, Dept. of Taxes Dimapur, not as published.

DP-2313

We, the bereaved family members and relatives express our deepest gratitude to everyone who stood by us and supported us physically, financially and morally at the sudden demise of Late Shri. Kisheho Sema on 7th of May. We would like to convey our special thanks to: 1. Shri H. Khehovi Yepthomi, Advisor Tourism, Art & Culture 2. Akato H. Yepthomi, PS to Shri Khehovi Advisor Tourism, Art & Culture 3. Shri Howoto Jakhalu, Class-1 Contractor.

4. Commandant 8 th NAP Bn. Rank & File Naltoqa.

5. Arto Jakhalu, Inspector 8th NAP Bn. Naltoqa.

6. SP Wokha, Rank & File.

7. Disaster Management Department, Wokha.

Born on : 13-01-1971 8. Wokha Village Baptist Church Died on : 07-05-2020 9. Sümi Community Wokha Town.

10. Hovishe Achumi, HA Rural Development Department.

11. Khetoyi Zhimo, Inspector Food & Civil Supplies.

12. Ahokhe Awomi, Home Evangelist SBC Diphupar.

13. Jacob Achumi, Associate Pastor SBC Diphupar.

14. L. Khel Diphupar 15. V.K Town Baptist Church.

16. Naltoqa Unit Church, SBAK Nito Mount, SBAK Aizuto.

17. Naltoqa Citizens 18. Aichisaghemi Village 19. Aichisaghemi Community Dimapur, Zunheboto and Suruhuto.

20. Suruhuto Area Theological Fellowship.

We deeply regret our inability to mention each and every individual but with sincerity it is our wish and humble prayer that our Almighty God bless each and every one of you.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

(Born: April 1922 – Died: 27 April 2020) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

(II Timothy 4:7) We, the family of Late Azamo Lotha (Yizamo Lotha), 2nd World War Veteran and G.B. of Logsachung Village, Wokha would like to express our sincere gratitude to each and every individuals, friends, neighbours, and well wishers who showed great kindness and relentless support throughout his illness and since the time he left us on 27th April 2020.

Your prayers, presence, charity and condolences had helped us through and will always be remembered. It is our sincere prayer that the Almighty Father in heaven bless each one of you immensely.

Loving sons, daughters and family members WC-127 th

DP-2315

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Shillong, May 11: The Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), a national institute of Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, has been working with the Meghalaya Health Department to set up a Covid-19 diagnostics facility in Tura, Meghalaya.

“The IBSD has provided an RT-PCR machine, a refrigerated centrifuge and two deep freezers along with technical support and orientation for the equipment, which have been handed over to the State team of doctors and laboratory technicians, who have also been trained on these equipment for Covid-19 testing,” said DBT-IBSDIBSD scientist Dr Albert Chiang.

“Professor Pulok K Mukherjee, Director of IBSD has appreciated the Meghalaya Heath Department for working tirelessly in their battle against Covid19 and also assured full

support from IBSD to the State for any other scientific endeavour in this current Covid-19 crisis,” he added.

The Tura facility, which is being set up at Government Civil Hospital, has come about by online and virtual co-ordination between the teams of Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare and the Director IBSD. “While most of the equipments have been delivered and installed in Tura over the last two weeks and the facility would be ready to start testing in a few days, DBT-IBSD shared these essential equipment in the earlier interim period to rapidly fill up the gap brought about by the global supply chain crisis in these equipment and consumables,” Dr Chiang pointed out.

He also informed that DBT-IBSD has provided equipment and consumables support to JNIMS and RIMS in Manipur, NEIGHRIHMS and Pasteur Institute in Meghalaya and Zoram Medical College in Mizoram.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, the bereaved family members of Lt. Shilamo Ovung (Born 15-03-1953, Died on 27-03-2020) would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who stood and supported us physically, financially, morally and through prayers at the sudden demise of our beloved father.

We regret our inability to thank each and every individual in person, but it is our sincere prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Our special thanks to: 1. Senjum Lotha Baptist Church, Dimapur 2. Senjum Lotha Baptist Church, Women Department 3. Senjum Village Council, Dimapur 4. Lotsu Union, Dimapur 5. Senjumyan Tomphyaktsuri Ekhung 6. Dr. Longshithung Jami, Prime Hospital, Dimapur 7. Dimapur Nkonjan Ovung Khumshum Loving Children, Grandchildren and Relatives

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Loving wife, daughter and relatives.

Through this column, we the bereaved family members of Lt. Mrs Keduolhounei-ü Shüya would like to express our sincere and profound gratitude to each individual, well wishers, doctors, nurses and staff of Oking Hospital Kohima and various churches and organizations who stood by us during our mother's brief illness and passing away to glory on 5th May 2020.

We regret our inability to thank each and every one personally for your physical, spiritual and financial assistance.

We are deeply honored and blessed for the comfort and support rendered during the hour of grief and pain.

May the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

K-890 Loving Children, Grandchildren and Family Members.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (1953 – 30th April, 2020) Words are not enough to express how grateful we are to all the individuals, churches, organizations, friends and family who stood by us through unceasing prayers and supported us physically, financially, morally and materially at the sudden demise of our beloved father Late Lhotovi Tsüqü on the 30th of April, 2020.

Our special thanks to: 1. Pastor Khekavi Yeptho, Associate Pastor (SBCK) 2. Dr. Sukhato Wotsa & Family 3. Mr & Mrs.Hekato Yeptho & Family 4. Mr & Mrs.Vikiyeto Noel Jimomi & Family 5. Mr & Mrs. John Pihoshe Sheqi & Family 6. Kitami Baptist Church 7. Kitami Village Council 8. Kitami Union (Kohima/Dimapur) 9. Kitami Azanoqo Kuposhukulu, Kohima 10. Kitami Inalimi, Kohima 11. Sumi Baptist Church, Kohima 12. AFE Fellowship, SBCK 13. AFE Youth (SBCK) 14. Sumi Welfare (Electrical Colony/Lower Agri Colony) 15. Electrical Colony (Council/Youth) 16. Lower Agri Youth Organization 17. Sumi Driver Bodyguard Kuposhukulu, Kohima.

Though we are unable to thank you all individually it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Children & Relatives K-888

DP-2314

Jorhat, May 11 (Agencies): Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that an estimated 10,000 migrants per district would be arriving by train in the next 45 days after trains start running from Tuesday onwards.

This was apart from those who would be returning by vehicles or ambulances. Addressing newspersons after inaugurating the 50-bedded ICU at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Sarma said that quarantining such a large number of migrants in their home districts would be the greatest challenge in the days ahead.

“There will be about 1200 persons per train and the exact numbers and where the migrants were headed would be known by tomorrow,” he said.

For upper Assam, Sarma said that the train would stop at Dibrugarh railway station and screening and testing would be done at Dibrugarh following which they would be forwarded to their home districts.

Migrants from Jorhat too would first reach Dibrugarh and be screened before coming back to Jorhat. “We are planning to take the help

Manipur seeks more COVID-19 testing kits

7 1,715 fined for DBT-IBSD set up COVID-19 violating lockdown diagnostics facility in Tura norms in Mizoram

DP-2308

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020

Born: 06-06-1980 Died: 05-04-2020 We, the family members and relatives of Lt. Viseto Rote (Anu) would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, churches, unions, colonies, friends and well wishers who stood with us in prayer, physically and financially at his sudden demise.

We regret that we could not mention each and every individual but it is our prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Family Members K-890 K Y M C

8

sports

ICC still planning for T20 WC

New Delhi, May 11 (IANS): The International Cricket Council (ICC) might be keeping its fingers crossed when it comes to answering queries on the fate of the T20 World Cup slated to be held in Australia in October-November, but cricketers don’t seem that confident when it comes to the mega event going ahead as per schedule.

Speaking to IANS, an ICC official kept it short and said that no meeting has taken place between the international body and Cricket Australia over the last week and contingency planning continues.

“There has been no meeting (in the last week) and there is no update.

Contingency planning continues,” the official said.

But over the last couple of months, the cricketers have made it quite evident that the World T20 might have to be postponed keeping an eye on the magnitude of the event and also how social distancing norms need to be strictly followed in the near future amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Australia opener David Warner shared his thoughts with Rohit Sharma while interacting in

an Instagram live chat last week and said, “The ICC World Cup will not go ahead here by the looks of it. It will be difficult to get everyone (16 teams) together.”

Australia’s limitedovers skipper Aaron Finch too feels the tournament might have to be delayed.

“I think we might have to get our heads around a T20 World Cup that might be postponed for a month, two months, three months, whatever it has to be,” Finch told SEN Radio.

Australia batsman Chris Lynn feels that the situation could be a logistical nightmare if the tournament happens as per schedule. “My personal opinion is no,” Lynn told Fox Sports. “ O b v i o u s ly we ’r e

praying for it to go ahead but we’ve just got to play what’s in front of us. Having teams come from all over the world is going to be a logistical nightmare.

Hotels, travel, keeping the teams in the hotels for a number of weeks before the tournament is going to be tough work moving forward,” he added.

Some other players have also spoken about the fans and how having a T20 World Cup in front of empty stands wouldn’t be the best way forward.

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell feels that crowds are an integral part of the showpiece event. “... it’s going to be hard for us to have crowds. I think if IPL goes ahead they can probably survive without any crowds, but I can’t see

Para-athlete Deepa Malik retires

Deepa Malik

New Delhi, May 11 (IANS): Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik on Monday announced her retirement to hold her post as the President of the Paralympic Committee of India in accordance with

the National Sports Code.

As per the National Sports Code, an active athlete cannot hold an official post in any federation.

“For election purpose had already submitted a letter to PCI long back, await-

ed decisions of High Court to validate new committee and now for affiliation with MYAS making a public declaration of retirement from active sports. Time to serve parasports and support others to achieve,” Deepa said on Twitter.

Deepa was the first Indian woman to win a medal in Paralympic Games, winning a silver in shot put at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

She also won the gold in F-53/54 javelin throw at the Para Athletic Grand Prix in Dubai in 2018.

Last year on August 29, she was conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. She had become the second para-athlete to be honoured with the prestigious award after javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia in 2017.

Before that, she was honoured with the Arjuna award in 2012 and the Padma Shri Award in 2017.

The 49-year-old has 58 national and 23 international medals to her name.

the T20 World Cup surviving without any people there,” Maxwell told ABC Grandstand.

“It’s going to be hard for us to justify having a World Cup when we can’t get people into the grounds.

So I can’t see it happening in the near future. We’ve got to take care of everyone’s health and wellbeing.”

Pa kista n ba tsm a n Imam-ul-Haq also said that he would like to have fans around while playing a showpiece event. “I personally feel T20 World Cup, if it happens, should take place with crowds as its charm is something else for players and everyone involved,” he pointed.

A BCCI official told IANS that opening the games to fans and still being able to maintain social distancing norms could be a major concern for Cricket Australia.

“With the conditioning that everyone is going through at the moment, would the fans want to gather in a stadium at this stage? Or would the tickets of only one out of 10 seats be made available to keep a semblance of social distancing norms in place?” the official enquired.

‘People need football as distraction’

M a dr i d, M ay 1 1 (IANS): Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos believes resumption of football in Spain will help provide boost to Spain’s economy. Also, he stated that people need a distraction from the ongoing crisis and football could be the best remedy for it.

All football in Spain has been suspended since March as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19 and Ramos stated he is itching to get back on the field and compete again. “Getting going needs time, the country needs football as an economic support and the people need it as a distraction,” Ramos was quoted as saying

by Marca.com.

“I’m dying to compete again, for LaLiga to be normal again, we have to be disciplined so that we can eliminate this virus. I want to send a message of support to everyone who has lost a loved one, we’ll get through this and we have to come together,” added.

Eager to resume training: Mirabai Chanu

Mirabai Chanu

New Delhi, May 11 (IANS): Ace India weightlifter Mirabai Chanu on Monday stated that she is eager to resume training so that she can give her best at the Tokyo Olympics which have now been postponed to next year due to coronavirus pandemic.

The lifters are currently staying at Sports Authority of India’s National Center of Excellence in Patiala.

All training of athletes have been suspended since

March 25 due to coronavirus pandemic which has hit the entire globe.

“We are in a safe and protected environment here in the SAI training center.

We are doing basic fitness, but I am eager to resume active training so that I can give my best in Olympics in Tokyo,” Chanu said during the interaction with Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Rijiju spoke to nine elite weightlifters, including Chanu, and chief coach

Vijay Sharma and sought their feedback on resumption of training in a phased manner amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“I understand that our weightlifters need to get back to active training in view of the upcoming Olympics,” Rijiju said.

“We have formed a committee at SAI to create a Standard Operation Procedure to be followed strictly during training.

We have included medical experts in the committee

so that health-related precautions are included in the SOP. “The feedback that I have taken from athletes and chief coach today will be used to draft the SOP for weightlifting. I am hopeful that the report of the committee will be ready soon and we will be able to come back to you with a decision regarding the resumption of training,” he added.

“We want our athletes to start training but it cannot be at the cost of their health. We must take all necessary precautions before we take a decision.”

The meeting was attended by Sports Secretary Ravi Mital, SAI director Sandip Pradhan, Secretary General of Weightlifting Federation of India Sahdev Yadav and other senior officials.

Speaking to the Sports Minister individually, Chanu, Jeremy Lalrinnunga, Rakhi Halder, Ajay Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Satish Shivalingam, Sneha Soren, Achinta Sheuli and Raja Muthupandi, stated that since the environment inside the SAI training center is safe, they would like to resume active training.

La Liga aiming for June 12 restart M A D R I D, M ay 1 1 (Agencies): La Liga president Javier Tebas has said he hopes Spanish soccer will resume on June 12 after being halted for over three months.

All clubs in Spain’s top two divisions began testing players for the virus last week and many including La Liga champions Barcelona started individual training, the second step of the league’s four-phase protocol for returning to action.

“I’d like to restart on June 12 but we have to be prudent and it’s not just up to football, it’s also up to society, we all need to focus on complying with measures to protect health,” Tebas told Spanish television network Movistar.

Tebas confirmed all matches will take place without spectators, as will be the case when Germany’s Bundesliga restarts next week, and he said the league was working on ways to add to the atmosphere although he did not give details.

He also said fixtures would be spread out so that there are matches every day.

“Now that we are not going to have fans in the stadiums we are going to have some innovative ideas for broadcasting the games,” Tebas added.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020

Elite athletes to resume training once lockdown ends, says Rijiju New Delhi, May 11 (PTI): Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said training of elite athletes will resume after the lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic is lifted, urging sportspersons and stakeholders to be patient.

Reiterating a position he first took on May 3, Rijiju said health of the athletes is his top priority.

The lockdown is set to end on May 17 after rising cases forced two extensions.

“Once the lockdown is lifted, we will resume the training of our elite athletes followed by other SAI Training Centres in phased manner. I appeal sportspersons and all stakeholders not to rush because health and safety is our top priority presently,” he tweeted.

The national camps at Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centres have been shut since mid-March to contain the virus, which has infected over 65,000 people and caused more than 2,000 deaths in India.

Rijiju, on May 3, had stated that camps for all athletes will resume by May end. He said at first, training will be restarted

Kiren Rijiju

for the Olympic-bound and those who are close to gaining qualification.

“I thought of starting training of athletes at SAI centres from May 3 (the earlier stated end for the lockdown). Now we will have to do that in a phased manner by the end of this month.

“Sports events don’t get any relaxations under Disaster Management Act. We don’t fall under the category of essential services,” he had stated.

Track and field ath-

letes have been requesting the ministry to allow them to train within the campuses of the SAI centres they are based at but haven’t got the nod so far.

The ministry is also deliberating on ways to restart training in contact sports such as boxing and wrestling.

Both cannot do without sparring, which might be considered a health risk at a time when even a touch of the hand is being seen as potentially infectioncausing.

Kvitova, Pliskova to play in Prague tourney P r a g u e , M ay 1 1 (Agencies): Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and World No. 3 Karolina Pliskova are among the players who will compete in an all-Czech Republic tournament in Prague on May 26-28.

The tournament comes at a time when the WTA and ATP tours have been shut down since March 8 due to the coronavirus pandemic. There will also be a men’s event.

“This is the first event the Czech Tennis Association (CTS) has prepared for players at a time when they can’t travel because of the pandemic,” tournament spokesman Karel Tejkal said in a statement.

Also in the women’s field is 26th-ranked Karolina Muchova, 31st-ranked Barbora Strycova and 69thranked Kristyna Pliskova, the twin sister of Karolina Pliskova.

The 12th-ranked Kvitova is eager to see how the tournament plays out.

“I’m looking forward to playing a tournament

Cook names Kohli in list of 5 all-time greats

L o nd o n , M ay 1 1 (IANS): Former England captain Alastair Cook has included current India skipper Virat Kohli in his list of batsmen who came close to matching genius of legendary West Indies batter Brian Lara.

During a Q&A session with the Sunday Times, Cook recalled a 2004 tour game where the legendary West Indies batsman had scored a century in a session to leave him awestruck.

“I was part of an MCC team that played West Indies at Arundel in the first match of their 2004 tour,” Cook said.

“We had a decent bowling attack - Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard and Min Patel, all of whom were England players. Brian Lara scored a century between Lunch and Tea which made me realise I was witnessing another level of batsmanship altogether. It was genius at work,” he added.

Apart from Kohli, the other players who found spot in Cook’s list were Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Kumar Sangakkara.

Petra Kvitova

after a long time,” Kvitova said. “I’m really curious about the shape we’ll be in without playing any tournaments.”

Among the men’s players who will be competing is 65th-ranked Jiri Vesely.

Karolina Pliskova

The tournament will mark another step towards the resumption of tennis after the season was stopped abruptly due to coronavirus pandemic in March.

The second Slam of the year, French Open, has

been postponed from May to September while the Wimbledon was cancelled in the wake of coronavirus crisis. Wimbledon had only been cancelled twice before, because of World War 1 and World War 2.

Holyfield open to trilogy fight with Tyson

Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson

Las Vegas, May 11 (Agencies): Evander Holyfield is willing to step into the ring with Mike Tyson again – more than 20 years after their last meeting.

The heavyweight legends fought in 1996 and 1997, with Holyfield emerging victorious on both occasions. The second fight was notorious for Tyson biting his opponent’s ear during the third round.

Iron Mike is keen to return to the ring at the age of 53 and has been posting videos which clearly show he’s still got his terrifying speed and power.

Holyfield, 57, is also planning to come out of

retirement for an exhibition bout, but admits Tyson would not be his first choice.

Holyfield told TMZ, “I’m always thinking that the person who takes care of themselves well are the ones that tend to last, even though I’m four years older than [Tyson]. It would be no problem.”

“You know my manager he has been talking and all that, but the fact is with me the only person I would really ask is Riddick Bowe because me and him are buddies.”

When asked if he’d be prepared to face Tyson again, he added, “I would

think so. You know life is about two people really trusting each other and what can we do now. There is a lot of things Mike and I have done together that works.”

“Obviously people like to see the two best people.

Some people didn’t get the chance to see Mike and I. Everything is opinionated now about who the best is.

I was the best of my era I felt. I can’t have anyone take a cheap shot at me I’m a little too old to get that stuff happening to me. The body don’t come back as well,” said Holyfield.

Tyson, meanwhile, already has an offer from Danny Williams.

Printed, Published and Edited by Geoffrey Yaden at G.M. Printers, Circular Rd. Dimapur-797112. Ph: Desk 248489, Fax: 225366, e-mail-npdesk@gmail.com. Adm.& Advertisement  :248267 Fax: 248500 e-mail-npostadvt@gmail.com Kohima: 2290567, R.N. 40978/90 RN/NE 707 K Y M C

K Y M C