May 19, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 162

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

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Amphan likely to turn into ‘super cyclone’

NEW DELHI, MAY 18 (AGENCIES): The extremely severe cyclonic s t o r m ‘A m p h a n’ ( p r o nounced as um-pun) is very likely to intensify further into a super cyclonic storm, the IMD has said.

It will cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) during the afternoon/ evening of May 20 as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph, the weather office said, also predicting “phenomenal” sea conditions on May 19-20.

‘Amphan’, categorised as a super cyclone, is expected to make landfall on May 20 and it is being taken seriously as this is only the second time that such a severe cyclone will hit India after 1999, NDRF chief SN Pradhan said Monday.

Pradhan said ‘Amphan’ will be an extremely severe cyclonic storm, a notch below ‘super cyclone’ category, when it makes landfall.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief said the coming cyclone is a “serious” one as it is only the second time after 1999

DVC clarifies on ‘sealing’ two houses Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , M AY 1 8 (NPN): Diphupar Village Council (DVC) has clarified its order that had gone viral on social media concerning sealing of two houses at Diphupar village. DVC through its order temporarily sealed two houses till further order on account of non-compliance of the village COVID-19 resolution.

When contacted, DVC chairman Ghuzui Shohe clarified that as per the resolution adopted by the village authority those stranded returnees after undergoing three-day mandatory quarantine at government facilities would have to further remain in village quarantine facility for couple of days.

However, those two returnees were picked up by the families from the facility after three-day quarantine without informing the village authority.

Therefore, he said the village had sealed the two houses for their safety and for the safety of other village residents.

He explained that since those from green and orange zones return along with people from the red zone, extra quarantine days was felt necessary to prevent any possible spread of deadly virus.

PM reviews measures on cyclone Amphan

in Odisha that a storm hitting the country’s coast has been categorised as a ‘super cyclone’.

This is a cause of concern and the Central government is also very serious about it, he said in a video message. NDRF has already deployed a total of 37 teams in the two states apart from others that have been kept on standby.

In its latest forecast based on meterological analysis around 5.30 am, the IMD said Amphan in the past six hours moved with a speed of 13 kmph and lay centred as on May 18, over west-central and adjoining central parts of South Bay of Bengal about 790 km south

of Paradip (Odisha), 940 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 1060 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).

It is very likely to intensify further into a super cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. It is very likely to move North-North Eastwards across North West Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal — Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) during afternoon/evening of May 20 as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph. “The wind speed will gradually increase

becoming gale wind speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from May 20 morning along and off north Odisha and West Bengal coasts. It will gradually increase thereafter along and off West Bengal coast becoming 100-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph May 20 afternoon,” it said.

“Sea conditions will very high over southwest and adjoining central BoB today will become phenomenal over southern parts of central BoB from tonight, over northern parts of central and adjoining north BoB on 19th May and over north BoB on May 20,” it said, advising fishermen not to venture out till May 20.

No objection to quarantine centres: Dmu GBs, councils DIMAPUR, MAY 18 (NPN): Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), Dimapur District GBs Association (DDGBA), Dimapur District Village Council Chairmen Association (DDVCCA) and GB’s Union Dimapur (Sadar) have jointly declared that they would have no objection for utilization of quarantine centres within their respective jurisdictions, which were already identified by the empowered group of Dimapur district.

In a joint declaration, DUCCF president, Tsenthungo Nyamo, and general secretary, Zasi Zakiesato; DDGBA president, Khehovi V Chophi; DDVCCA president, I Khekuto Wilson and GBUD (Sadar) president, NY Ngullie and general secretary, T Onen Jami stated that should there be any genuine problems against such quarantine centres, the problem could be intimated to the them for taking up the matter to the appropriate authority.

Besides such genuine problems, the signatories affirmed

that if any village, colony or ward raised objection to setting up of quarantine centres within their jurisdiction, they would leave it to the government and district administration to take action deemed fit as per existing laws and provisions.

Asserting that the returnees were “our own children, brothers, sisters and relatives,” the signatories declared full support and cooperation to the government and district authorities in the common fight against the pandemic.

They also appreciated the active role played by the Empowered Committee and Dimapur District authorities to contain the spread of COVID-19 and all other measures taken in relation to the pandemic.

The declaration was signed on May 18, 2020 during a coordination meeting held at Commissioner’s Rest House, Dimapur with APC and government representative for Dimapur, Y. Kikheto Sema, in the presence of Secretary F&CS W Honje Konyak and Commissioner of Police Dimapur Rothihu Tetseo.

14-day institutional quarantine must: Govt DIMAPUR, MAY 18 (NPN): State government, in partial modification of the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP), has notified that all persons entering the State from May 18, 2020 onwards, irrespective of place of origin of journey, would undergo 14-day institutional quarantine at designated centres and thereafter proceed for 14-day mandatory home quarantine.

In an order, state chief secretary, Temjen Toy, stated that persons above the age of 60 years, children below the age of 10 years, parents and pregnant women and accompanying spouses would be thoroughly screened and on the advice of the medical team at the Quarantine Centre be sent for mandatory Home Quarantine for 28 days with active surveillance.

However, the order stated that the above modifications would not apply to persons who have already entered the State before May 18, 2020 from Orange/Green Zones and have not crossed Red Zones en route to the State. All other provisions of the SOP would continue to be in effect, it stated.

Stranded citizens outside the quarantine facility in Kohima on Monday. (NP)

Correspondent

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national, Page 5

States/UTs cannot dilute lockdown guidelines: MHA NEW DELHI, MAY 18 (IANS): Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has come up with a fresh order for the states and Union Territories (UTs) instructing them “not to dilute” its guidelines issued for the lockdown 4.0 that began from Monday for two more weeks till May 31. The guidelines were about the opening up of the red zones to boost the economic activities and permit transportation to balance the fight against COVID-19 thereby limiting the economic damage.

In the order, issued by the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to the Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs, it is mentioned that states and UTs cannot dilute restrictions imposed in the MHA guidelines and can only make them stricter based on the local level assessment and the Health Ministry guidelines.

MHA on Sunday issued revised guidelines regarding the lockdown restrictions, to contain the COVID-19 virus with “widespread relaxations given in the restrictions”. Under the new guidelines effective from

Monday, states and UTs would now “delineate the red, orange and green zones, taking into consideration the revised guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Sunday”.

Inside the red and orange zones, containment and buffer zones would be identified by the local authorities, based on local level technical inputs and Health Ministry guidelines, the MHA guidelines mentioned. Within the containment zones, the guidelines said, strict perimeter would be maintained as earlier and only essential activities would be allowed.

L i m i t e d a c t iv i t i e s would continue to be prohibited throughout the country but “all other activities would be permitted except the ones that are specifically prohibited under the MHA guidelines”.

In view of these points, the MHA has reiterated to the states and UTs that despite widespread relaxations given in the lockdown restrictions under revised guidelines, they “cannot dilute the restrictions imposed in the MHA guidelines”.

NPCC demands special trains, feeder transport DIMAPUR, MAY 18 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has urged the State government to arrange special trains from different major cities of India and feeder transport in coordination with host States to help stranded ones reach the originating station for onward journey to Nagaland.

NPCC also demanded that evacuation process should be completed within a week by deploying additional manpower to monitor the situation in different States and a senior IAS officer whose position in the government would be given due weightage by his counterparts in other States to meet the urgent demands of the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

NPCC said it was seriously concerned about the plight of workers and students from Nagaland stranded in different parts of India, adding 55 days into lockdown, many workers had lost their jobs and were out on the streets after being evicted

by landlords for non-payment of house rents. The ever looming threat of pandemic, racial attack and hunger were creating greater humanitarian crisis far beyond “our imagination”, while every passing day was becoming difficult to survive for majority of “our people”, it added.

Despite its offer of bearing cost of train fares for needy workers and migrant labourers being turned down by the state government, NPCC said it was offering to coordinate with Congress-ruled States to evacuate “our people”, adding the State government stands to lose nothing by putting up collective effort in these extraordinary times.

As a national party with presence in every nook and corner of the country, the release said Congress had done its best to extend every possible help through other State party units to “our stranded people” whenever they approached NPCC COVID-19 Task Force.

Vety dept reiterates ban on pig import D I M A P U R , M AY 1 8 (NPN): State department of animal husbandry & veterinary services (AH&VS) has reiterated that import of pigs into Nagaland has been banned with effect from April 29, 2020 due to outbreak of “African Swine Fever” in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Addl Director & HoD AH&VS, Dr. Budhi Lama, has requested the village authorities, public and consumers especially in Dimapur, Wokha, Mon, Longleng and Peren-- bordering Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, to remain vigil and refrain from importing/smuggled live pigs and pork from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The department reminded that “African Swine Fever” disease was highly infectious with very high mortality rate up to 100%.

At present, the department said there was treatment and vaccine available, adding that the only option was to cull, humane slaughter and dispose the pig. The department said the entire pig population in the outbreak area/ colony/ village/ district etc can be wiped out causing huge economic losses.

Special train likely to arrive on May 22 D I M A P U R , M AY 1 8 (NPN): A special train from Chennai with 1464 stranded people on board is expected to reach Dimapur on May 22, 2020. According to a DIPR report, the APC and Dimapur COVID-19 district i/c, Y Kikheto Sema informed that the special arranged by the government would depart Chennai on May 19 evening.

Meanwhile, Sema expressed gratitude to all for coming forward to host and welcome the returnees.

He said there was realisation in the minds of the people that the stranded returnees were none other than “our own children, brothers and sisters.” Sema also informed that the government was getting more positive feedback as more communities and churches were coming forward to help and cooperate with the government and district administration.

COVID-19: Health workers battle stress, criticisms India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 1-lakh mark

This is it!

“Here I am- doing in Rome as Romans do- to report on this great migrant exodus.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the response measures and preparedness to tackle Cyclone Amphan, which is likely to cross West Bengal on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Principal Advisor to the Prime Minister, PK Sinha, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and other senior government officials.

“Reviewed the preparedness regarding the situation due to cyclone ‘Amphan.’ The response measures as well as evacuation plans were discussed.

I pray for everyone’s safety and assure all possible support from the Central Government,” he tweeted.

The Prime Minister took full stock of the situation and reviewed the response preparedness as well as the evacuation plan presented by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a statement released by the government said.

Parameters listed for states to delineate zones

KOHIMA, MAY 18 (NPN): Despite the stress and constant criticisms against the functioning of quarantine centres in the State Capital, doctors and other health workers, district administration officials, security forces, caterers and all those people

involved in manning the centres are giving their best to ensure that inmates are safe and comfortable.

With severe stress due to lack of sleep and improper diet in the past one week, one doctor and a nurse reportedly fainted while at work on Sunday and were taken home for rest.

When this Correspondent visited the quarantine centre at K Badze (P Khel), it was learnt that the health workers led by medical officer and all those involved in manning the quarantine centre shared the same bed and food just as the inmates.

The workers are on call 24x7 without a break at the

centre, where currently there were inmates only from orange and green zones.

Interacting with Nagaland Post, medical officer (MO) Dr Orentsani Kikon said since May 12, stranded people started coming in and now the centre, which has an intake capacity of 1,328 inmates, had over 700 inmates.

She added that there were two medical teams under two MOs, and each team had 11 health workers on duty.

Mentioning that beginning Monday quarantine period from both orange and green zones would be 14 days, Dr. Kikon regretted that they could not make the inmates comfortable as their home because of the huge number people that kept coming. However, she hoped that the inmates too would understand the present situation and how everyone was battling COVID-19.

NEW DELHI, MAY 18 (PTI): The nationwide tally of COVID-19 cases crossed one lakh on Monday with more people testing positive for the deadly virus. The death toll due to COVID-19 (Cont’d on p-5) crossed the 3,000-mark too.

1,00,096 38,596

3,078

A PTI tally of figures announced by different states and UTs as of 9.40 p.m. put the number of those having tested positive for the infection at 1,00,096, with a death toll of 3,078 and recoveries at 38,596 across the country.

Nagaland COVID-19: Results of 47 awaited DIMAPUR: Out of 961 samples sent for testing from the state till 4 p.m. Monday, results of 914 samples have tested negative, while results 47 samples were awaited, principal secretary home, Abhijit Sinha informed. On May 18, 2967 persons were screened and 1352 currently at facility quarantines.

115 cases in Assam: Assam reported 7 new cases of COVID-19 on May 18 evening, taking the total tally to 115 cases. In a tweet, Assam Health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma said: “7 #COVID19 + cases detected from Guwahati. One person had unfortunately died at GMCH prior to detection.

3 patients are from Sarusajai quarantine centre; & rest 3 related to Aloo Godam case are from Fancy Bazaar containment zone.”

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Dr. Nicky Kire inspects Zarü stream

mentation of water supply to the state capital Kohima was taken up under 90:10 funding under the ministry of Urban Development, GoI. According to the PHED administrative report, the project involves pumping of water from Zarü stream to a reservoir at Kigwema village through two stages of pumping.

From the reservoir, water will be supplied to Kohima by gravity and the design capacity of the project was to provide 3.80 million liters per day.

Main infrastructure was completed and the distribution system was under execution. Advisor of Urban and Municipal Affairs Dr. Nicky Kire inspected the site at Kigwema and Zarü transit pump.

Since some leakage was found, Dr. Kire said Dr. Nicky and others at Zarü transit pump at Mima village. (NP) the pipe from Zarü stream Correspondent Mima village under Ko- functional, it would ease to Kigwema needed to be hima district has given a the scarcity of water supply repaired and once completed, water can be supplied to KO H I M A , M AY 1 8 ray of hope to the citizens. to the state capital.

(NPN): Zarü stream at once the project is fully The scheme for aug- Kohima town.

Relief assistance continue for the needy people

DIMAPUR: Taking into consideration that COVID19 pandemic will be around for some time, the Janata Dal United, (JDU) Nagaland has urged the state government to form a planning commission (PC) for combating the COVID-19 for the long run.

A press release from JDU Nagaland publicity wing stated that, simultaneously, Nagaland government must also undertake on war-footing the completion of the ongoing construction and development of the lone state medical college at the earliest.

Pointing out that the present pandemic should be taken as an extra-ordinary wake up call, the JDU Nagaland expressed that state should therefore be prepared to withstand any such health related disaster in future.

Cautioning that this kind of pandemic or even worse was bound to occur in near future, the JDU Nagaland urged that preparatory exercise must begin along with drawing out of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the ongoing COVID-19.

JDU also strongly expressed that all the hotels, guest houses, including private and government hostels must be compulsorily requisitioned and enforced as quarantined centres so that these well-facilitated quarantined centres can be either on self-paid or sponsored system.

Regretting that present arrangement of haphazardly build and organised quarantined centres are bound to defeat the whole purpose of the cause, the JDU urged upon all stake holders to take into consideration the above concern as put forth.

It also stated that blame game must be put aside and all sensible citizens need to work out solutions so Nagaland can maintain its status as COVID-19 free state.

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the staffs of MGM College & MGM HSS. NUFC and DCFC relief assistance: Naga United FC (NUFC) in collaboration with Dimapur City FC (DCFC) provided relief assistance under its project “NUFC Cares” to Tito Yepthomi, president of Dimapur District Auto Drivers Union to help the needy drivers and their effected families. A press release from NUFC Cares coordinator Shiyeto Wotsa stated that, auto drivers are totally affected and during

2 DEATH ANNIVERSARY nd

this period and without daily wages it has become impossible for them to look after their families.

SEWA assists: Self Employment Women Association (SEWA) Shamator led by C. Tsurila Yimchunger field co-ordinator North East Network and field mobiliser SEWA Shamator reached out to the needy people. According to DIPR report, currently there are 58 SEWA volunteers doing labour and small business in Shamator.

news in Brief DoSE informs on radio education programme: Principal director of School Education, Shanavas C has notified to all concerned that due to change in the broadcast schedule effected by the All India Radio, Kohima, the radio education programme of the department of School Education, Nagaland will be broadcasted from 9:20 a.m to 12:20 p.m with effect from May 19. The sequence of broadcast of subjects for different classes will be the same as notified by the department on May 4. All DEOs/Sr. SDEOs/SDEOs have been directed to disseminate details of the changes in the broadcast schedule to all head of institutions under their jurisdiction through electronic media for further necessary action.

DC Wokha informs on requisition of quarantine centres: Deputy commissioner and chairman District Task Force (DTF) for COVID-19 Wokha, Orenthung Lotha informed that, the following building and its premises namely Baily Baptist College (BBC) and Don Bosco Higher Secondary School have been requisitioned and will be kept at the disposal of the district administration, Wokha for use as quarantine facility.

Noklak SDTF meeting: Additional deputy commissioner Noklak M.Chaitanya Prasad has informed to all concerned that there will be a meeting of the Noklak Sub-divisional Task Force (SDTF) on COVID-19 at ADC office Noklak on May 19, 11 a.m. All concerned members have been requested to attend the meeting without fail.

Emergency meeting at Tening: Additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Rhosietho Nguori has called for an emergency meeting at Tening town hall on May 20, 2 p.m. The Tening Sub Divisional Task Force, all committee convenors along with head of offices will chalk out the action plan in the meeting.

STO Tuensang informs: Senior treasury officer (STO) Tuensang, Imti Chang has informed to all concerned that the departments drawing their pay and allowances from STO, Tuensang to submit their departmental bills on or before 25th of every month to enable the office to make payment in time.

F&CS Dimapur informs migrant labourers: Assistant director of Food and Civil Supplies (F&CS), Dimapur, S. Kavito Awomi has informed all stranded migrants and migrant labourers in Dimapur district to submit his/her details through colony/village authority to the F&CS office Dimapur on or before May 21 for onward submission to the government. The format to follow is, name of applicant, number of family members presently residing with the applicant, present address, permanent address, nature of work, contact number, proof of identity (either one: Aadhar card/EPIC/ILP/NRC/PAN card/driving license).

Finance ministry’s announcement for investment to industry

DIMAPUR: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has informed that finance minister of India has implemented many structural reforms, so that the economy would be stronger and more competitive as it recovers.

A press release from CII-Nagaland branch Kohima stated that, director general CII Chandraji Banerjee has conveyed that major changes in agricultural and mining related regulations and laws as well as moves towards power sector reform mark the highlights of the reform announcements. In addition,

the stimulus of Rs 20 lakh crore, as it gets spent will have a multiplier impact on the economy. Baneerji also informed that, amendment of legislation such as Essential Commodities Act has been a long pending recommendation of CII, as it will remove any barriers in the process of price realisation. This together with agricultural marketing reforms and strengthening of agri-infrastructure with a fund of Rs 1 lakh crore will lead to improved agricultural output and better pricing for farmers, stated the release.

CII also informed that

for the cash starved entities.

CII however had urged the government to have a re-look at the proposed turnover thresholds in the redefinition of the MSMEs as these are deemed to be too low, hence will not encourage these entities to grow.

F u r t h e r, t h e a n nouncements made in April on cash transfers were further supplemented by food distribution to the people at the bottom of the pyramid who are facing distress, stated the release.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OF LATE TALITSUNGBA IMCHEN 19-04-1957 to 19-05-2018 It's been 2 years since you left us. No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye. You were gone before we knew it. We love & miss you.

Loving Brothers & Sisters

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Words are inadequate to express our heartfelt and profound gratitude to each and every individual, relatives, churches and well wishers who stood by us physically, spiritually, financially and materially during the illness and sad demise of our beloved LATE SAKONO TACÜ on 27th April, 2020.

A special word of gratitude to Dr. Vikethonyü Kesiezie, Managing Director and Medical Staff of Oking Hospital and Research Clinic, Kohima, Nagaland for their tireless service and generosity.

We deeply regret our inability to thank everyone individually but it is our humble prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Husband, Children, Grandchildren & In-laws K-909

a portal is being set up making available ready to invest land in industrial estates and parks totalling 5 lakh hectares. In view of the heightened stress which the MSMEs are facing due to prolonged lockdowns, the CII is heartened by the fact that the stimulus package included several measures to help the beleaguered sector. Moreover, the release also stated that the decision of the government to reduce all pending dues to MSMEs within 45 days was a considerable positive

Born: 16/09/1937 ~ Died: 15/05/2020 We are deeply saddened to announce the passing away of our beloved Mother/Grandmother Late PUSHPALATA SONAR, wife of Late MONBIR SONAR at Dimapur on 15/5/2020.

We would like to express our gratitude to all our friends, neighbours and well wishers for their help and support during our toughest times.

We pray that the Almighty bless you abundantly.

Her Shraddha Ceremony will be held on 27/05/2020 from 2:00 PM onwards at the family residence at Circular Road, Dimapur, Nagaland.

Loving Family Members DP-2366

We, the bereaved family members of Late Mrs. Nrilo Ovung (Lucy) would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all who stood by us and supported us physically, financially and spiritually during her demise on 5th April 2020.

Your kind expression of sympathy is gratefully acknowledged and deeply appreciated.

We would like to further extend our deepest gratitude to the followings:1. Staff and Authority of CIHSR, Dimapur 2. Wokha Town Baptist Church Staff and Members 3. Mr. Thachamo Tsanglao and Clan 4. Believers of Tsumang Colony 5. Wokha Town Elumyo Ekhung 6. Wokha Town Elumyo Eloe Khumshum 7. Kohima Elumyo Ekhung 8. Dimapur Elumyo Ekhung 9. Mrs. Linoto Sumi, Guwahati 10. Mr. Abenthung Yanthan 11. Tsumang Eloe Won 12. Mount Tiyi College, Staff and students 13. Yimkha Baptist Church Staff Loving Husband and Children WC-129

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY Late Mrs KETENU APON 1948 – 19-05-2019

This is the day you were silently taken away, without any warning, to your heavenly abode.

The memories you left behind lingers forever and always in our hearts; wish you could have stayed a little while and had a hearty talk. We miss you a lot, each passing day, mama.

DP-2356

DC-425

JDU Nagaland plea for planning committee

P. S. Varghese stated that mission society members along with church members maintaining safety measures packed and distributed food kits to the students and staff staying in areas of SEWAK Colony, Rio Colony, Sachu Colony, Burma Camp, Land Mark Colony, Lotha Colony, Viola Colony, Residency Colony, Fellowship Colony, PWD and Midland.

During this phase of distribution, the society reached out to 120 beneficiaries, 35 students of MGMHSS, all

DP-2357

DIMAPUR: Since the nationwide lockdown, government agencies and other civil organizations have been extending assistance to needy households with relief rations.

STMS Dimapur relief: St. Thomas Mission Society Dimapur, during its fourth phase of “food for security” COVID-19 programme had distributed food kits to lockdown affected student’s families and all the staffs of MGHHSS & MGM College. A press release from STMS Fr. Dr.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

Loving family members and relatives K Y M C

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

Preparedness level steps up during 4.0 lockdown across the state

DIMAPUR: With the nationwide 4.0 lockdown extended till May 31, the government agencies and other organisations continue to step up its preparedness level to combat against COVID-19 pandemic. Many stranded returnees have been put up at institutional quarantine centres designated by government, while more are expected to return in the next few days. Measures are being ensured that public health safety is not jeopardized due to returnees from red and orange zones. Quarantine centres in various districts are also monitored by concerned authorities within their jurisdictions. Meanwhile, district administrations continue with awareness programmes, mock drills and meetings in the eventuality of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the state.

Dimapur DISTRICT

Longleng DISTRICT

DC Dimapur Anoop Kinchi addressing the DTF meeting in the DC’s DBC chairman Yangertoshi speaking at the press conference held on Members of COVID-19 DTF during the meeting held at DC conference hall in Longleng conference hall on May 18. (DIPR) May 18. (NP) on May 18. (DIPR)

Dimapur DTF meeting held Deputy commissioner Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi convened a meeting of Dimapur District Task Force (DTF) members, to discuss issues pertaining to COVID-19 at the conference hall of DC Dimapur on May 18.

According to DIPR report, while observing that Coronavirus would remain for a long

time, Anoop re-iterated that following hand hygiene, wearing masks and maintaining social distance should be part of lifestyle to defeat the virus. In the meeting it was decided that a meeting would be convened to resolve the Borlingiri problem.

DC Dimapur sought help from the civil societies and advised them to be prepared for arrang-

ing quarantine centers to help people. He said that government was trying its best to enhance the capacity to take the returnees but incase of emergency the services of the civil societies would be required. In the meeting, all the civil societies, GBs, and all stakeholders committed to work collectively in the fight against the unseen virus.

DBC guidelines for returnees Duncan Bosti Council (DBC) Dimapur resolved guidelines for those returnees from outside the state and would be residing within its jurisdiction.

In a press conference held Monday, at DBC community hall, DBC chairman Yangertoshi informed that the council has resolved that all stranded returnee shall be compulsorily kept under home quarantine for 14 days from the day of entry to the colony. He said that this will be observed even after they had have undergone quarantine

protocol as per government norms at various quarantine centres in Dimapur.

Council also cautioned that non adherence to the guidelines will be dealt with stringent penalty. Chairman conveyed that information have been passed out to the 600 households within the jurisdiction to deliver details about the stranded returnees to the council. He also mentioned that the council will be supervising the implementation of the resolution within its jurisdiction.

Council informed that a seminar has been convened on May 19, 2 p.m. at community hall for the returnee family members which will be conducted by Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) medical officer. The council will also be handing out advisory on Do’s and Don’ts.

It may be mentioned that the council has been extending their cooperation in adhering to the guidelines and have been providing assistance to the frontline workers. (Staff Reporter)

KVBC to accommodate returnees at church guest house

Following the appeal made to the churches by APC and Dimapur district COVID-19 in-charge, Kikheto Sema, the executive committee of Kuda Village Baptist Church (KVBC) held an emergency meeting on May 17.

In a press release, the KVBC pastor Rev. Miazeilie Sakhrie informed that meeting resolved to accommodate all the asympotomatic Angamis from Kuda village (Naaarjan) jurisdiction returning from outside the state at its guest house within the church premises. The release also informed all asymptomatic Angamis whose permanent address is Kuda village (Nagarajan) returning from outside the state through special trains/ buses may be informed to the following persons, namely Rev. Miazielie Sakhrie at 8730048655, KVBC chairman Vitsosie Vüprü at 8575012362 and Vimeno Liegise at 87687509968.

Meanwhile, APC & COV1D 19 i/c Dimapur district Kikhcto Sema told Nagaland Post that, “we are happy that our appeal has been heard by the church leaders, community leaders etc accepting their own people coming back home.”

Longleng DTF meeting held Longleng COVID-19 District Task Force (DTF) held a meeting on May 18 at DC’s conference hall Longleng.

According to DIPR report, DC and chairman, Districts Task Force Longleng M. Shayung Phom

chaired the meeting which was held in view of the arrival of stranded people from different states of the country.

Longleng has set up two quarantine centres, one at Phom Lempong School and the other at

Yingli College Longleng till now. CMO Longleng briefed about medical care and supervision system in quarantine center, while EAC Longleng Pichano Kikon also gave a brief report on the preparedness of quarantine centres.

Information for parents/guardians of returnees

Deputy commissioner Longleng M. Shayung Phom has informed to all the parents/guardians of the returnees from outside the state to report at the COVID-19 war room with effect from May 18 for the purpose of signing an “undertaking on quarantine”.

According to DIPR report, further the parents/guard-

ians have also been asked to submit the following items to be used by their child/ children/relatives during the quarantine period, such as blankets, pillows, mattress, bedsheets & pillow covers, buckets & mugs, mosquito net (if available). They can also contact COVID19 war room numbers at 9612338646/7085961147

for any queries. DC also informed all the village council chairmen and ward presidents of Longleng town to report the new arrivals of new person/persons at their respective jurisdiction to COVID-19 war room at contact number 9612338646 / 7085961147 as it is anticipated that they will be coming from the red zones.

Wokha DISTRICT

Kohima DISTRICT AYO appeals returnees to strictly Instruction for schools with adhere to quarantine guidelines transportation service

While welcoming the stranded citizens back home, the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has also requested all the returnees to strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down by the state government at the quarantine centres.

In a press release, AYO president Kekhrie Pfukha and vice president Neidilhoutuo Sechü impressed upon the returnees to take initiative to protect themselves such as wearing mask, maintaining safe physical distance and using sanitisers.

AYO said there were apprehensions among the people if returnees did not undergo the 14 days mandatory institutional

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Should train services be partially lifted or totally relaxed under extended lockdown?

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

A B C

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

A

B

C

Partially lifted. 71% Totally relaxed. 14% 15% Can’t Say.

tranches announced going to help the economy?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST May 19

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Cooler; an afternoon t-storm

29 26

Cloudy and not as warm

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

Cloudy

25 20 34 23 28 16

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

31 21

Shillong

Cloudy, a t-shower in spots

24 16

Kohima

Cloudy, a t-storm in spots

27 16

Dimapur

Cloudy

34 22

Mkg

A thunderstorm in spots

29 17

Tuensang A thunderstorm in spots

21 14

Considerable cloudiness

28 21

Zunheboto A thunderstorm in spots

26 15

Wokha

Peren DISTRICT

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Next poll

Imphal

In pursuant to the direction of the ministry of Human Resource Development, department of School Education and Literacy, India regarding police verification of drivers/ helpers of vehicles ferrying children to schools, the department of School Education Nagaland has issued a notification on May 1 with instructions to be complied by all schools in Nagaland. According to DIPR report, the instructions are: All schools shall take all possible steps to ensure safety of school children in their journey to and from school; Police verification shall be carried out in respect of the drivers and helpers etc. of bus/ van/auto rickshaw ferrying school children; All drivers/helpers ferry-

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Q: A r e t h e f i n a n c i a l

Aizawl

quarantine. However, now that the government has put in place more stringent measures to fight the pandemic, AYO said it welcomed the move of the government. AYO also appreciated the state government for insisting on 14-day mandatory institutional quarantine at the state designated quarantine centres for citizens returning from outside the state.

AYO further stated that there was need for collective effort from all concerned stakeholders and individuals to combat the deadly virus and any form of lapse or lackadaisical approach at this hour could be too costly for the state and its populace.

ADC Rhosietho Nguori speaking at the training held at GHSS auditorium on May 17. (DIPR)

Tening sub-division training for combat COVID-19

Additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Rhosietho Nguori organised a one-day training to combat COVID-19 at auditorium of Government High School, Tening on May 17.

According to DIPR report, Rhosietho Nguori asked the volunteers to be mentally and physically prepared to combat the pandemic.

EAC Tumben P. Tsanglao highlighted on the rules and regulations to deal with and follow up for the combat of COVID-19.

Tsanglao said one police personnel will be deployed to each

quarantine centre for security and surveillance team.

No entry and exit will be allowed for unauthorised people at the quarantine centre. Dr. Neilasakuo Linyu, medical officer of CHC expressed gratitude to the volunteers for coming forward and appealed people to use mask and practice social distancing for self protection.

Further, he requested not to discriminate the returnees.

The training was attended

by Sub-Divisional Task Force, village leaders, youths and LBA representatives.

ing schoolchildren shall be engaged by the school only after completion of verification of their character and antecedents by the Police. A driver who has been known to have committed offences in the past such as drunk driving, rash driving, violation of traffic rules, etc shall not be employed; Police verification shall be done after every 2 (two) years to ensure safety and well being of the school children; Medical checkup regarding the physical fitness of the school bus driver including the eye testing shall be carried out every year; All schools shall adhere to these instructions. Action shall be taken against school authorities in case of violation/lapse.

Kiphire DISTRICT ESH meeting with other frontal organisations

In order to discuss strategic measures and to extend support to district administration, the Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) invited Eastern Sumi Kukami Hoho (ESKH) Eastern Sumi Totimi Hoho (ESTH) and Kiphire Tuensang District Sumi Student Union (KTDSSU) to seek their opinion on May 16. A press release from ESH vice president, H. Phutoi Sumi and general secretary, Robert Heeto stated that, the meeting unanimously adopted the following points: In order to strictly regulate and monitor the numbers of people coming in the district and to avoid any apprehension in the minds of the general public, only government arranged vehicles are to be used to ferry stranded people once the quarantine period is completed from Dimapur and Kohima will be allowed into the district and further ESH strictly restricted the use of private vehicles; The house also decided to allow the students and others stranded outside Nagaland to submit their names and addresses, who missed out during the first submission to the district administration, Kiphire.

The ESH further stated that the containment of COVID-19 could be feasible only through the unity of all civil society, organizations, faith-based organizations, irrespective of any denomination without any differentiation among human race.

It added that everyone should play proactive role as a team by extending best support to the district administration and not to depend only on the frontline workers.

Mock drill on COVID-19 conducted at Bhandari with frontline workers spraying disinfectants. (DIPR)

Mock drill held at Bhandari sub-division

A mock drill was held at public local ground Bhandari on May 17, wherein standard operating procedures (SOP) from the reception point to respective institutional quarantine facilities and procedures were followed. According to DIPR report, the mock drill was conducted for the purpose of familiarization of COVID-19 quarantine SOP for the frontline workers and also to identify practical gaps for systematic and

safe management of the returnees for health safety and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A guideline was also made for the returnees at the quarantine facility.

Emergency response plan for Bhandari sub-division on COVID-19 has been structured with the following officers designated in different Incident Response System (IRS) positions: Tiameren Chang ADC, responsible officer (RO) T. Sulanthung SDO (Civil)

incident commander (IC) Dr Riku Khutso, EAC Hq deputy incident commander (Dy. IC) Selemla S. Sangtam EAC Baghty, liasion officer (LO) Dr Chonben, MO, CHC, planning section chief (PSC) Sukumo Kikon, SDPO Bhandari, safety officer (SO) Dr Lawrence Lotha MO, CHC Bhandari, operation section chief (OSC) Ngou I/C, 7th NAP, logistic section chief (LSC) Lily Lotha APRO, information & media officer (IMO).

LSU appeals to families of stranded persons

Lotha Students Union (LSU) has appealed to all the concerned families of the stranded persons outside the state entering wokha district to strictly adhere to the SOP directives of the state government to undergo 14 days mandatory institutional quarantine at the designated centres irrespec-

tive of zones. A press release from LSU president Ashanthung Humtsoe and general secretary, Pithungo Shitio has also appealed to all the stranded individuals entering Nagaland to immediately report at the quarantine centre at Dimapur. This will enable the health care workers to complete the medical

screening formalities and transportation arrangement to Wokha district.

LSU also cautioned that any individual/families found violating the laid down guidelines of undergoing institutional quarantine centres in Wokha will face consequences as per the law.

Tuensang DISTRICT Management committee constituted for quarantine centre

Deputy commissioner (DC) Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant has constituted a management committee to supervise the functioning of the Government Polytechnic Setem and Tuensang quarantine centre (QC). According to DIPR report, the following members are: Principal, Government Polytechnic Sedem, Er. Among as team leader, asst. professor, Sao Chang College, Mudang, district cultural officer, Ru-

long Sangtam, JE Electrical, Lipok, JE PHED, S. Akangjungshi Chang, P/T Angan Sangdak, Menya Wongto, P/T GMS Sedem Tuensang village, Mongdayshang, representative each from CKS/KTC/USLP/ YTC/CCSU/KSU/USSC/ YAA and president TVSU as the members.

Duties and responsibilities are as follows: To coordinate with the Reception committee at Chare and make necessary ar-

rangements to receive the returnees; Maintain proper records related to QC and report to War Room on a daily basis; Monitor the day to day functioning of the QC and identify the needs and requirements of the QC; Check the quality of food served at the QC, hygiene condition, water supply, electricity, etc; To liaise with security agencies/medical team stationed at QC for better coordination.

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 162 Dimapur, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

I

A national tragedy

ndia is not only battling the coronavirus pandemic with one of the world’s biggest lockdown but also battling the humungous humanitarian crisis of millions of stranded migrant labourers desperate to return home. According to official estimates, there are probably around 5.6 crore interstate migrants who are the backbone of the big city economy, constructing houses, cooking food, serving in eateries, delivering takeaways, cutting hair in salons, making automobiles, plumbing toilets and delivering newspapers, among other things. The first coronavirus case was detected in India on January 30. The number of cases kept rising through March. That should have alerted the government to prepare the country for an impending lockdown. Instead, on March 13, officials maintained the coronavirus epidemic was “not an emergency”. Five days later, on March 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared on national television and urged Indians to observe a self-imposed “janata” or people’s curfew on March 22 to defeat the virus. Then there was this bizarre spectacle of a union minister organising the “GO Corona Go” to chase away the virus. This set off an exodus of migrant workers who feared the closure of work in cities would leave them vulnerable. Unfortunately as they rushed to get back to their villages, the Indian Railways cancelled most trains. On March 21, the entire rail and transport network came to a halt and that was the closedown for the helpless migrants. Over the subsequent weeks, stranded migrant workers found themselves running out of food and money. The Modi government issued directives to states, which in turn issued advisories to employers asking them to pay full wages and salaries to workers during the lockdown period. However, the government did not account for the fact that many small businesses had limited cash reserves and did nothing to support small businesses during this period. By March 26, the government announced the doubling of food rations for Indians enrolled in the public distribution system but completely ignored the fact that most migrant workers do not have ration cards. On May 16, the Ministry of Railways claimed it had transported 15 lakh migrants in Shramik trains.

The government had also claimed it was paying 85% of the fare and leaving the states to pay the 15%. However, most states were unable to do so for whatever reasons. Having no hope of survival, several lakh migrant labourers instead chose to risk death by walking home. The result is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis: millions of impoverished working-class Indians are walking, cycling, dangerously hitchhiking home, sometimes over distances of more than 1,000 km, often on empty stomachs.

More than 170 people have died in accidents on the way. Some state governments tried to facilitate buses, but these were quickly overrun. Thousands of others have been placed in quarantine centres and relief camps. In recent weeks, there have been big protests by migrant workers in Gujarat state and Mumbai city, demanding they be allowed to go home. In many states, several thousand migrant labourers had no food, no money and no hope. What was in plenty were the dandas of policemen used to keep them under control when they were demanding to be taken back to their home states.The tranches announced to restart the economy may not happen for a long time because the migrant labourers are certainly in no mood to return after all that they have been through.

DailyDevotion Living Simply— Yet Focused

Look at the birds of the air….Consider the lilies of the field… —Matthew 6:26, 28 “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin”— they simply are! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon— all of these simply are as well— yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf! So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually— just as “the lilies of the field.”

The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and “the lilies of the field”— simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.

If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live— yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.

Quotes

The time is always right to do what is right. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

Post-mortem

O

ne of the effects of this corona pandemic is to make you think about your lungs and respiratory system. Can you breathe easily ?

It is vitally important to protect your lungs. There are things you cannot control individually (like air pollution, unless you have a factory that is creating it.

Don’t add to it by bursting firecrackers or using a car when you can walk. Reduce it by planting trees). But you can control your food. A hazard to the lungs in your daily diet is any form of milk. Curd, cheese, paneer, ice-cream, butter and ghee, or anything that has dairy in it such as tea, confectionary, biscuits or desserts.

Why is it that, when you are ill, the first thing a doctor recommends is to stop milk? Because that is the time you need to breathe properly. And if phlegm or mucus blocks your air passages then you won’t be able to.

Mucus is produced by mucus cells in the lining of the nose, throat, sinuses, bronchii of the lungs, trachea as well as the small intestines, the large intestine and conjunctiva in the upper eyelid. It acts as protective covering keeping the tissues underneath from drying out. It is a sticky viscous matter and identifies foreign matter like dirt, trapping it and shuttling it out of the body before it reaches the lungs.

Normally the body produces about a litre of mucus a day and this slides down the throat without us even noticing. But when

we have a reaction to an irritant, the production of mucus increases, and it becomes thicker. Excess mucus causes a runny nose, for instance. If you suffer from a chronic cough that won’t go away, wake up with puffy or crusty eyes in the morning, a constant stuffy nose or bad breath throughout the day, you may be suffering from excess mucus production. Excessive mucus indicates that the body is in a state of agitation – reacting negatively to pollutants, allergies, food. All the systems start “misbehaving”: lymphatic, gastrointestinal and respiratory.

The digestive tract contains millions of tiny microvilli that absorb nutrients from food. 80% of all absorption takes place in the small intestine. When excess mucus builds up in the intestine, it creates glue that sticks in the folds of the intestinal walls. This results in major blockages resulting in absorption issues, digestive problems, and an overall poorly functioning body.

A major cause of excessive mucus production is the diet.

And dairy plays a major role.

You can produce excessive mucus after drinking milk. Gustatory rhinitis is a reflex triggered by eating. For instance, the nose becomes runny after eating spicy food. Milk proteins trigger the same reaction in some people. Two foods that cause an excessive mucus build-up are dairy and wheat. This is the reason : Casein in dairy products

Protect your lungs and gluten in wheat require very strong stomach acids for digestion. Foods containing these usually have left over particles that are too big to be used by the body. These partially digested food particles putrefy. The body produces extra mucus to coat them to prevent further putrefaction in the intestines.

What effect does mucus have on your breathing ?

Milk is an emulsion – it has droplets of fat suspended in water. That fat mixes with saliva. The combination of the fat in milk and the sticky compounds in saliva make the fluid thicker and stickier. The thickness coats the mouth and the emulsion remains in the mouth even after the dairy has been swallowed. Mucus in the throat, thick and drippy, seems to increase when you take any form of dairy. This irritates the throat giving you a desire to clear your throat repeatedly and/or a cough – since the body wants to clear the air passage. Nasal congestion and secretion increase for the same reason and thick, dry mucus can be hard to clear.

Is this a recent discovery ? In the 12th century Moses Maimonides (11351204), a much revered phi-

losopher and doctor who, in his medical writings, which described many conditions, including asthma, diabetes, hepatitis, and pneumonia influenced generations of physicians, wrote that milk causes “a stuffing in the head.” Traditional Chinese medical texts have linked dairy consumption with “a humidifying effect and thicker phlegm,” (BalfourLynn: Archives of Disease in Childhood.) The most important book on baby care “Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care”, of which more than 50 million copies have been sold since its publication in 1946, also asserts that “dairy products may cause more mucus complications and more discomfort with upper respiratory infections”.

The dairy industry has sponsored hundreds of “research” articles in order to prove that milk does not affect mucus production. In the recent study “ Relationship between milk intake and mucus production in adult volunteers challenged with rhinovirus-2.” By Pinnock, Graham, Mylvaganam, Douglas, 51volunteers were given colds and then made to drink 0-11 glasses of milk per day. Daily respiratory symptoms and milk and dairy product intake

records were kept over a 10day period. While the study stated that milk did not increase the nasal secretions, 5% reported significantly more cough and congestion symptoms. Even the authors admitted that : while dairy doesn’t cause your body to make more phlegm, it may make the existing phlegm thicker and more irritating to your throat. This may make breathing more difficult and aggravate a cough.

The authors of another study “Does milk increase mucus production?” Bartley, Read, McGlashan write “Excessive milk consumption has a long association with increased respiratory tract mucus production and asthma. Such an association cannot be explained using a conventional allergic paradigm and there is limited medical evidence showing causality. In the human colon, β-casomorphin-7 (β-CM-7), an exorphin derived from the breakdown of A1 milk, stimulates mucus production from gut MUC5AC glands. In the presence of inflammation similar mucus overproduction from respiratory tract MUC5AC glands characterises many respiratory tract diseases. β-CM-7 from the blood stream could stimulate the production and secretion of mucus production from these respiratory glands.

These prerequisites could explain why a subgroup of the population, who have increased respiratory tract mucus production, find that many of their symptoms, including asthma, improve on a dairy elimination diet.”

In simple words: As the milk starts breaking down, it releases a protein which boosts the activity of a gene involved in mucus production. This mucus affects the bowel but it could affect the respiratory tract if the bowel were weakened by infection and inflamed, which would allow the mucus to travel elsewhere in the body.

According to the Lung Health Institute if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), excessive mucus production can be very dangerous. A person without COPD is generally able to get rid of excess mucus in time, but those with this disease have a problem because of poor function of the cilia in the respiratory tract and from having an “ineffective cough” due to weak respiratory muscles and obstructed airways.

The Institute advises that people stay away from foods that can potentially increase mucus production.

They list: Red meat, Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Ice Cream, Butter, Eggs, Bread, Pasta, Sweet desserts, Candy, Coffee, Tea, Soda, Alcoholic beverages.

Here are some foods that have the ability to reduce your mucus production: all Leafy Greens, Radish, Cauliflower, Citrus ; Pumpkin; Pineapple; Watercress; Celery; Onion; Garlic; Honey or Agar; Ginger; Cayenne pepper; Chamomile; Olive oil; Broth; Decaf tea. To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@nic.in, www.peopleforanimalsindia.org

Will organic farming open ways for unemployed youths ?

C

orona virus has paralysed normal life and restricted movements of migrant workers for atleast one year. Neither central government nor state government have sufficient resources to feed unemployed workers/youths for one year. Unemployment is the gravest and greatest challenge our society faces today. With a population of only 22.08 lakhs, 30% of Nagaland’s population is comprised of youth. Out of these, 90,584 youths are unemployed at an alarming rate of 13.68%. Therefore, our state has to generate work for youths so that they can survive from hunger as well as corona virus epidemic. Due to lack of industries in Nagaland, state government should focus on creating jobs in organic farming. This step can make our state a 100% organic state.

Organic farming has to be understood in detail before stepping in it. The concepts of organic agriculture were developed in the early 1900s

by Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, Rudolf Steiner and others who believed that the use of animal manures (often made into compost), cover crops, crop rotation, and biologically based pest controls resulted in a better farming system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Sikkim as the first organic state in the country on 19 January 2016. He also called the state a harbinger of organic farming, not only in India but around the world. Currently India ranks 33rd in terms of total land under organic cultivation and 88th in terms of the ratio of agricultural land under organic crops to total farming area. In today’s time where people are falling prey to chronic diseases easily, who would like to risk their life with the harmful pesticides and fertilizers? We should know that there is a way to rescue ourselves from these life threatening chemicals and that is Organic Farming. Organic Farming is a farming method which aims at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way that the soil is kept alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes,

aquatic wastes) and other biological materials. Government is promoting organic farming through various schemes/ programmes viz National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)/ Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana(PKVY) , Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP) Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) of Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

National Centre of Organic Farming is also organizing the training programmes for farmers in Saansad Adarsh Grams (SAGs) from year 2015-16.

There are 241 villages in Nagaland which are engaged in organic farming but government must take initiative in making all villages of Nagaland as organic farming hub. This will facilitate villages to promote efficient and sustainable use of natural, biological and human resources. This will also strengthen and upgrade rural food energy and livelihood security. There is a need to put emphasis on appropriate eco-friendly and resource conserving technologies. An organic farming village/hub integrates various elements such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, soil and water conservation, entrepreneurship development, rural income improvement and ecological preservation using a cluster model approach for social economic development. It addresses crop production and other critical aspects like agriinput production, value addition, sustainable and clean energy, skill development, tourism and entrepreneurship development etc. According to many studies on employment opportunities in organic farming, organic farming requires more labour input than the conventional farming system.

India which has a very large amount of labour unemployment and underemployment

can generate agricultural jobs through organic farming in rural areas. In India the organic food market is approximately of Rs. 5.6 billion and is an emerging opportunity for generation of employment and income at village level. Therefore, it is pertinent to put emphasis on organic farming to generate job opportunities within state and avoid migrants of youths from our state in search of jobs.

Points to dwell upon before starting an Organic Farm:-Learning the basics of natural and organic farming is the first step in starting an organic farm.

-The organic farm site should be near a clean water source as water is a nonnegotiable resource for crop growth and health.

-The proximity of the farm to the marketplace also plays a big role in the sustainability of the farm.

-The farm’s closeness to the market allows for the easy transport and also helps in saving money in transportation of materials to the farm.

-It is extremely important to assess the site’s soil condition as well as the resources available.

-It is very important to know the type of market that a farmer is catering for. This consideration is very helpful in making the venture sustainable.

-Prepare the soil and make good compost because good soil means soil with nutrients necessary for the growth of plants.

-The process of growing a crop is a lengthy one.

Organic farming takes time and it required more attention compared to conventional farming.

-There are certain techniques that need to be considered depending on the plant and farm condition.

-Regular watering is necessary for the plants to grow. Generally, plants are watered 2-3 times a day depending on their type as well as the location where they are being grown.

-Weeding is another important maintenance task.

-It is also very important to network with people who can help in selling farm

products. These people also connects organic farmers to the right markets.

-Patience plays a key role because growing organic crops is a slow and tedious process. The farmer needs to be persistent and patient.

Various methods for practicing organic farming: -Crop Diversity: Now a days a new practice has come into picture which is called Polyculture in which a variety of crops can be cultivated simultaneously just to meet the increasing demand of crops.

-Soil Management: Organic agriculture initiates the use of natural ways to increase the health of soil.

It focuses on the use of bacteria that is present in animal waste which helps in making the soil nutrients more productive to enhance the soil.

-Weed Management: Organic agriculture pressurizes on lowering the weed rather than removing it completely.

-Controlling other organisms: There are both useful and harmful organisms in the agricultural farm which affect the field. This can be done by the use of herbicides and pesticides that contain less chemicals or are natural.

-Livestock: Organic farming instigates domestic animals use to increase the sustainability of the farm.

-Genetic Modification: Genetic modification is kept away from this kind of agricultural set up because organic farming focuses on the use of natural ways and discourages engineered animals and plants.

Various advantages of organic farming: -Farmers can reduce their production costs because they do not need to buy expensive chemicals and fertilizers.

-Produces healthier farm products.

-It save energy and protect the environment.

-It can slow down global warming.

-Fewer residues in food.

-Animals and plants can live in the same place in a natural way. This is called

biodiversity.

-Pollution of ground water will be stopped.

-Reduced exposure to Pesticides and Chemicals.

- O r g a n i c Fa r m i n g Builds Healthy Soil.

- C o m b a t t i n g Erosion:Erosion issues are extremely serious, affecting the land, food supply, and humans.

-It supports water conservation and water health.

-Discouraging Algal Blooms:Algal blooms (HABs) result in adverse effects on the health of people and marine animals and organisms.

-Employment opportunities for youths Challenge faced in organic farming: -Lack of awareness on organic farming.

-Shortage of biomass.

-Marketing problem due to premium price of organic products.

-Inadequate supporting infrastructure.

-Lack of formulated policies of government.

-The certifying agencies are inadequate.

-The costs of the organic inputs are higher than inputs used in the conventional farming system.

-Lack of interest of youths in organic farming due to tedious process.

Points to overcome challenges faced in organic farming: -Substantial financial

support by governments is absolutely necessary to promote organic farming.

-Need to make organic farming an attractive proposition.

-A programme for organic agriculture must be fully supported by the full compensation both in cash and kind to the farmers in the event of the loss of production.

- Need to create platform to match supply and demand of organic products.

-Need to establish a proper links between supplier and buyer.

-A vigorous campaign to highlight the benefits of organic farming against the conventional system is essential to increase the awareness of the farmers and consumers.

-Identification of crops for cultivation on the organic farms is important.

-Short and long term loans for organic farmers with two percent interest rate for first five years and thereafter at four percent.

-Requirement of seperate colleges and agriculture University on organic farming.

-Government must offer lucrative business options for educated youths in organic farming.

Stay safe and god bless our Nagaland Marina Seyie, Dieze Colony, Chümoukedima

Reader’s Post

Excellent services at quarantine centre

Sir,

I am quarantined at the Meriema Quarantine Center, Kohima, since 18/05/2020 and I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent facilities and services that are being provided for the returnees. With lots of negative feedbacks on social media and also seeing the quarantine facilities in the neighboring states through friends, I was very apprehensive of the facilities that we will be given.

However, I am very much pleased and thrilled to see the facilities at the center. Each returnee is provided with a single room with attached washroom and toilet, running water, electrified with charging sockets, bedding, toiletries like toothpaste, washing and bathing soap, etc. Above all, the staffs at the center are taking extreme measures and precautions, which make us to have more trust on the working system. We thank you, all government mechanisms, medical teams and civil organisations for the services you are rendering to keep us all safe in this hard time.

Khumong T Khiamniungan, Meriema Quarantine Center, Kohima Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

national/STATE

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

Parameters listed for states to delineate zones

would be considered critical and less than one per cent desirable. The critical threshold for testing ratio (number of tests per lakh population) would be less than 65 while the desirable level would be more than 200, according to the letter.

Sample positivity rate would be considered critical if it is more than six per cent while less than two per cent is desirable.

The health ministry, however, underlined that the benchmarks or thresholds for critical and desirable levels are dynamic and may be revised by the Centre as per the evolving situation at the field level.

The letter mentions that the guidelines are issued following the videoconference of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with chief ministers on May 11, and taking into consideration the feedback received from them.

“The most important task once the zones are

identified is field action in terms of implementation of containment plan of action.

This entails identification of containment and buffer zones inside the red, orange and green zones from where cases have been primarily reported.

“A containment operation (large outbreak or cluster) is deemed successful when no case is reported in the last 28 days from containment zone,” the letter stated.

According to the guidelines, containment zones are delineated based on mapping of cases and contacts, geographical dispersion of cases and contacts, area having a well-demarcated perimeter and enforceability of perimeter control.

“It is reiterated that this is the primary area where intensive action is to be carried out with the aim of breaking the chain of transmission. This area should, therefore, be appropriately defined by the district administration/local urban bodies with technical inputs at local level.”

“The effective containment, it is advisable to err on the side of caution,” the letter said. The guidelines stated that once the containment zone is delineated the perimeter will be defined and there would be strict perimeter control with establishment of clear entry and exit points.

No movement should

Economic package ‘hopelessly inadequate’, says Chidambaram

UP govt accepts Priyanka’s proposal to ferry migrants

NEW DELHI, MAY 18 (AGENCIES): Leading the charge against the government over the economic package announced to overcome the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday called it “hopelessly inadequate” while seeking a revised and comprehensive package of 10 per cent of the GDP. “The fiscal stimulus package is hopelessly inadequate given the gravity of the economic crisis as it amounts to only Rs 1.86 crore, which is 0.91 per cent of the GDP,” the former finance minister said.

The Centre has unveiled a Rs 20 lakh crore economic relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign while pushing new reforms in sectors such as agriculture, public sector enterprises, and defence production.

However, much of the Rs 20 lakh crore Covid-19 economic package has been liquidity driven, with little burden on the Central exchequer. It has been primarily aimed at pushing banks to extend credit on the back of government guarantees to sectors that fuel the economy — small businesses, non-banking financial companies, micro finance insti-

Preeti Sudan

per the COVID-19 situation taking into consideration the parameters shared by the union health ministry.

In her letter, Sudan elaborated that demarcation of the zones would be based on total active cases, cases per lakh population, doubling rate calculated over a seven-day period, case fatality rate, testing ratio (number of tests per lakh population) and sample positivity rate.

The benchmarks or thresholds for critical and desirable levels for total active cases would be more than 200 and zero or no reported case in the last 21 days, respectively.

For active cases per lakh population, the critical threshold would be when more than 15, while for doubling rate calculated over a seven-day period, the critical level would be less than 14 days and desirable when more than 28 days.

As for case fatality rate, more than six per cent

P Chidambaram

tutions and housing finance companies.

Chidambaram said the stimulus package had left several sections like the poor, migrants, farmers, labourers, workers, small shopkeepers and middle class high and dry.

“We express our thorough disappointment and request the government to reconsider the stimulus package and announce a revised and comprehensive fiscal stimulus package of not less than Rs 10 lakh crore of real additional expenditure equivalent to 10 per cent of GDP,” Chidambaram said at a press conference through videoconferencing.

Chidambaram also accused the government of being opportunistic by pushing reforms and claimed

that it was bypassing the Parliament.

“I think the government is deliberately sidelining Parliament. A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee should at least be held to discuss the fiscal stimulus package,” he said.

On Sunday, Congress leader Anand Sharma said the stimulus package had turned out to be “fraudulent” and “non-existential”, arguing that the fiscal cost of it is just 1.6% of the GDP and not 10 per cent as claimed by him.

“What has been given… adds up to Rs 3.22 lakh crore…It is 1.6 per cent of the GDP. It is much less than the 2 per cent of the GDP and not 10 per cent as the Prime Minister had very forcefully committed and announced,” Sharma said.

DNSU urges schools, colleges to offer fee concession

DIMAPUR, MAY 18 (NPN): Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has appealed to all the private schools and colleges to offer fee concession to students on humanitarian grounds as majority of the citizens were in distress due COVID- 19 pandemic.

Dimapur Naga Students’ Union through its media cell stated that it was the “moral and social obligation” of every sensible citizen to understand the situation and hardships of fellow citizens.

Dimapur Naga Students’ Unionhas, therefore, appealed to the private schools and colleges to “ponder and take this appeal with utmost importance” while taking the grievances of the common people into consideration.

Meanwhile, DNSU has

claimed that some private agencies were approaching some schools and colleges to collect the names and money from students on the pretext of filling up scholarships forms.

In this regard, the union has reminded that the ministry of minority affairs was yet to give directives to fill up the scholarship forms.

DNSU stated that there were some technical issues in the past related to agencies and scholarship which had created havoc between the students and agencies.

The union has, therefore, warned those responsible agencies to take proper precautionary measures before taking up the task. It also directed those erring agencies to approach DNSU office and “sign the undertaking”.

NEW DELHI, MAY 18 (AGENCIES): The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday accepted the proposal of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to deploy 1000 buses for migrants. In a letter to Vadra, UP Additional Chief Secretary (Home) said the government has accepted her proposal and asked her to provide the details of 1000 buses and drivers without delay.

This comes hours after the Congress leader tweeted a video of thousands of migrants assembled at Ram Leela Maidan in Ghaziabad wanting to return home.

“A crowd of migrant workers have assembled at the Ram Leela Maidan in Ghaziabad. The UP government cannot manage anything.

If they would have made proper arrangements before a month, the migrants would not have had to face the hardship. Yesterday we proposed to deploy 1000 buses and brought them at the UP border. But we were not allowed. Neither the government is helping the migrants nor is it allowing others to help them,” tweeted Vadra.

However, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said if along with the list of the 1,000 buses, if a list of the migrant labourers is also provided, “we will definitely permit them”.

be allowed except for medical emergencies and essential goods and services, no unchecked influx of population to be allowed and people transiting to be recorded and followed through integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP).

Stringent action needs to be initiated within these containment zones in terms of an active search for cases through physical houseto-house surveillance by special teams formed for the purpose, testing of all cases as per sampling guidelines and contact tracing, identification of local community volunteers to help in surveillance, contact tracing and risk communication and strict enforcement of social distancing, among others, it said.

Sudan said a buffer zone also has to be delineated around each containment zone.

“Buffer zone will be primarily the area wherein additional and focused attention is needed so as to ensure that infection does not spread to adjoining areas.

For effective containment, it is of paramount importance that the buffer is sufficiently large,” the letter stated.

The focus areas of action in the buffer zone include extensive surveillance for cases through monitoring of ILI/SARI cases in health facilities, among others, the guidelines stated.

All severe pneumonia patients to be tested for COVID, says Centre

Migrants being screened by medics as they arrive to board a special train for J&K in Bhopal, Monday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, MAY 18 (AGENCIES): Entering the fourth spell of lockdown to manage COVID19, the government on Monday revised its disease testing strategy saying all patients of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) would now be subjected to an RTPCR test to rule out the virus.

Previous guidelines only mandated hospitalised SARI patients to be tested.

The revised guidelines direct the state governments to test all patients of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection, all asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case once between Day 5 and Day 10 of coming into contact; all symptomatic cases of influenza like illness in hotspots

Besides India, the countries which supported the draft resolution included Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives and Mexico.

Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Moldova, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK and Northern Ireland are also backing the resolution, according to the WHO. The US does not figure in the list of countries backing the move.

The draft resolution also pitched for making recommendations to improve global pandemic prevention mechanisms including through strengthening the WHO’s health emergencies programme. It also called for continuing to work closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture

M U M B A I , M AY 1 8 (IANS): Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was on Monday afternoon sworn in as a Member of the Legislative Council here.

Eight other members of different political parties also took oath as members of the Upper House of Maharashtra Legislature in a brief ceremony.

Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar administered the oath to the nine new members who were declared elected unopposed last week.

They include Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson and Shiv Sena’s Neelam Gorhe, Nationalist Congress Party’s Shashikant Shinde and Amol Mitkari and Congress’ Rajesh Rathod.

From the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party the new MLCs are Ranjitsinh M o h i t e - Pa t i l , R a m e s h Karad, Pravin Datke, and Gopichand Padalkar.

Thackeray was accompanied by his wife Rashmi Thackeray and other government officials.

Thackeray has now become only the second member of the state’s numero uno political family to enter the legislature after his son Aditya Thackeray who was elected an MLA from Worli in October 2019 and is now a Cabinet Minister.

NEW DELHI, MAY 18 (PTI): India is expected to join over 60 countries at a two-day crucial conference of the World Health Organisation in Geneva in pushing for an “impartial, independent and comprehensive” evaluation of the global response mechanism to the COVID-19 crisis as well as to find out the “zoonotic source” of the deadly infection.

The two-day 73rd session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) of the WHO beginning Monday is taking place in the backdrop of growing calls including

by US President Donald Trump to investigate how the virus originated in China’s Wuhan city. China and the US were locked in a spat over the issue.

The WHA is also expected to delve into pooling in additional resources to deal with the pandemic that has killed over 3,10,000 people and infected nearly 4.7 million besides wrecking the global economy.

A draft resolution pushed by the European Union and supported by a large number of countries for deliberations at the WHA called for a stepwise process of impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation of the WHOcoordinated international response to COVID-19.

from red zone, each person would provided a single room.

In each room, two bathing and washing soaps, bucket, spoon, plate, mug, cups and toiletries were placed for use by the inmates.

M e a n w h i l e, i n mates who completed three-day quarantine in K Badze P Khel got discharged on Monday after going through the protocols with discharge slips and a lunch pack, before being deported to their respective districts.

Dr. Kikon said on completion of the quarantine period, the inmates were sent to their respective districts by

emergency procedure (including deliveries) should be delayed for lack of testing.

“Sample can be sent for testing simultaneously,” the Health Ministry said today.

ILI case is defined as an acute respiratory infection with fever more than 38 degree C and cough. SARI case is defined as one with acute respiratory infection with fever more than 38 degree C and cough and needing hospitalisation.

All testing in the above categories is recommended by real time RT-PCR test only. Revised guidelines came as India’s daily case growth peaked to a record 5,242 infections taking the total COVID load to 96,169 with 3,029 deaths and 36,282 recoveries.

Thackeray, 8 others take oath as MLC

COVID-19: Health workers battle stress, criticisms

(From p-1) Regarding food, she said fish, eggs and potatoes were being provided along with rice to the inmates, besides tea and biscuits in the morning and juice and biscuits in the afternoon.

As per safety measures, even the garbage generated from the quarantine centre was not taken out of the centre premise and carefully disposed.

Currently, two persons shared one room with toilet attached as the inmates are from orange and green zones.

However, health officials said once the centre started receiving person

and containment zones, all hospitalised (for any ailment) patients who develop influenza symptoms and all symptomatic influenza like illness cases among returnees under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ and migrants within seven days of illness.

The guidelines also mention the previously covered categories for testing which are all symptomatic (influenza like illness) individuals with history of international travel in the last 14 days; all symptomatic contacts of laboratory confirmed cases; all symptomatic (influenza-like illness — ILI) health care workers and frontline workers involved in containment and mitigation of C0VlD19.

New guidelines say no

India supports move at WHO to seek origin of coronavirus

transport arranged by the State government.

NAYO inspects K Badze Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO) team led by its president Roko Angami and general secretary Ruokuoneitso Kire inspected the quarantine centre and interacted with officials present at the centre.

After inspecting the blocks, rooms and kitchen, the Northern Angami Youth Organisation team expressed satisfaction and lauded health workers of the centre and the government for the preparation being made.

DC-424

NEW DELHI, MAY 18 (PTI): Parameters laid down by the Union Health Ministry such as active COVID19 cases, doubling and fatality rates and cases per lakh population have to be taken into consideration by states and union territories while categorising areas into red, orange or green zones.

The ministry also issued guidelines for delineation of containment and buffer zones and outlined actions that have to be implemented in those areas to break the chain of transmission of the disease.

In a letter to states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said states might categorise districts or municipal corporations into hotspots, red, orange and green zones.

They, however, may also choose to categorise sub-division, ward or any other appropriate administrative unit into the colourcoded zones after detailed analysis at their end, duly taking into consideration the geographical spread of cases, contacts and their zone of influence in terms of the disease spread, the letter said.

This comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown, giving power to states and union territories to delineate red, green and orange zones as

5

Organization of the UN and other countries as part of the “one-health approach to identify the zoonotic source of the virus and the route of introduction to the human population.

The resolution says the possible role of intermediate hosts, including through efforts such as scientific and collaborative field missions, will enable targeted interventions and a research agenda to reduce the risk of similar events in future.

Such an approach, the draft resolution mentioned, would provide guidance on how to prevent COVID-19 infection in animals and humans and prevent the establishment of new “zoonotic reservoirs”.

Another flash point between China and the US has been over the Trump administration’s push for inclusion of Taiwan in the WHO. China has been strongly opposed to the move as it considers Taiwan to be part of its territory.

Indian officials said Health Minister Harsh Vardhan will represent India at the WHA video-conference.

6

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur Tuesday, MAY 19, 2020

In race to COVID-19 drugs, EU may China relents on oppn to COVID origin probe fast track remdesivir sale before US

Zhao Lijian countries which backed the draft resolution put forward by the European Union and several other countries. India is expected to be elected Chair of the Executive Board of the WHA replacing Japan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has expressed Beijing’s backing for the EU resolution.

“Recently, the EU submitted a draft resolution on COVID-19 response to the 73rd WHA. All parties have reached consensus on the text,” Zhao told a media briefing here on Monday while fending off

a spate of questions.

“On the issue of the origin of the virus, all parties have agreed to International Health Regulation emergency committee suggested wording and ask the WHO chief to work in close collaboration with World Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agricultural Organisation, and all countries to find out the animal source and the transmission routes of the virus through field investigations and find out the possible intermediary host,” Zhao said.

“The purpose is to reduce the risk of similar

incidents in the future”, he said.

To persistent questions whether China which earlier dismissed US and Australia’s calls for an independent inquiry into the origin of the virus has finally agreed for the probe, Zhao said, “China participated in the consultation on the draft resolution all along.”

“In the draft resolution, all parties agreed that WHO should conduct an assessment over the response to COVID19. The content is in line with China’s consistent position,” he said, answering questions about 120 countries including India backing the draft resolution conceived by Australia and the European Union.

Zhao said consensus has also been reached about evaluating the role of the WHO which has come under sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump who alleged that it is biased towards China and suspended over USD 400 million funding for it.

As per WHO’s assessment, “the Director General will ask at an appropriate time after consultations with the member states and gradually initiate an independent and through process to review the lessons learnt in the WHO coordination and propose suggestions for future work,” Zhao said.

“This is a customary practice,” he said.

“In the consultations, the vast majority of the countries believe that the pandemic is not over yet and cooperation to fight against is the most urgent task at the moment so it is not mature to start immediately the assessment”, Zhao said.

“China hopes all parties will in science based and cooperative spirit focus on enhancing cooperation and engage in constructive dialogue in improving the global public health system,” he added.

The novel coronavirus has claimed 315,185 lives and infected over 4.7 million people globally, according to Johns Hopkins

B RU S S E L S, M AY 1 8 (AGENCIES): The European Union may give an initial green light in the coming days for sale of the drug remdesivir as a COVID-19 treatment, the head of its medicines agency said on Monday, fast-tracking the drug to market amid tight global competition for resources.

The United States, which has angered the EU with aggressive tactics in a procurement race during the global pandemic, has yet to issue a similar approval for the drug, made by U.S. pharmaceutical company Gilead (GILD.O).

Demand for remdesivir has been growing as there are currently no approved treatments or vaccines for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.

“It might be that a conditional market(ing) authorisation can be issued in the coming days,” the head of the European Union’s medicines agency Guido Rasi said on Monday at a hearing in the EU Parliament in Brussels.

An EU conditional

9 killed, 40 injured in Taliban suicide blast in Afghanistan KABUL, MAY 18 (IANS): At least nine people were killed and around 40 injured on Monday in a Taliban suicide attack near a security base in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, officials said..

“Taliban terrorists today morning, in a series of their crimes in this holy month of Ramadan, carried out a truck bombing against the Islamic Cultural Centre in Ghazni city (situated next to the military base), in which nine persons were killed,” Interior Ministry spokesperson Tariq Arian said in a statement.

According to a statement by the Ghazni governor’s office, the attacker det-

Afghan security forces inspect the site of a bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday. (PTI)

onated a stolen explosives- main intelligence agency - at laden truck near the base around 4.40 a.m. of the National Directorate An aide to the governor of Security - the country’s confirmed to Efe news that

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

nearly all of the casualties were security forces members.

Eight of those injured were in a critical condition while the rest were stable.

The impact of the “powerful blast” shattered window panes of houses even as far as 2 km from the attack site.

In a statement, the Taliban said “tens” of security forces members were killed and injured in the attack.

In this attack, “tens of security personnel of the stooge enemy were killed and injured, while several of their military vehicles also destroyed”, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in the statement.

Mujahid claimed the attack was a part of a fresh campaign in response to “offensive operations” carried out by the security forces on the orders of President Ashraf Ghani.

Last week, Ghani ordered Afghan forces to end their defensive posture and go on the offensive against militants, after 56 civilians were killed in two separate attacks by insurgents in Kabul and Nangarhar province.

The government had blamed the Taliban for the incidents, but the group denied any involvement.

Moreover, the latest suicide attack comes a day after Ghani and Abdullah

No. 9567 Yesterday’s solution No. 9566

No. 4186 Yesterday’s solution No. 4185

No. 3211 Yesterday’s solution No. 3210

Across 3. Ketchup (5) 8. Engine (5) 10. Corner (5) 11. Boy’s name (3) 12. Put up (5) 13. Herb type (7) 15. Groups of players (5) 18. Free (3) 19. Shore bird (6) 21. Underground rooms (7) 22. Nobleman (4) 23. Fruit (4) 24. Headache tablet (7) 26. Dismays, terrifies (6) 29. Chronic drunkard (3) 31. Hard outer case (5) 32. Formal discussions (7) 34. Teacher (5) 35. Dog breed (3) 36. Academy Award (5) 37. Of birth (5) 38. Spools (5) Down 1. Snake type (5) 2. Crossbreed (7) 4. Hairstyle (4) 5. Prickly plant (6) 6. Go in (5) 7. Soft runny mud (5) 9. Golf peg (3) 12. Infinite (7) 14. Afflict (3) 16. Foreign (5) 17. Sabre, for example (5) 19. Warship type (7) 20. American state (5) 21. Thin pancake (5) 23. With quick light taps (3-1-3) 24. Attractiveness (6) 25. Steal from (3) 27. Stage (5) 28. Communion table (5) 30. Royal (5) 32. Child’s toy (4) 33. Sound of disapproval (3)

Abdullah, the runner-up in last September’s presidential elections, reached an agreement to end months of stalemate over the outcome of the polls.

The deal, whose details were yet to be revealed, was struck after Ghani suggested Abdullah should lead peace negotiations with the Taliban, aimed at ending a two-decade old war.

The political crisis sparked fears that the intraAfghan peace process could fail even after a historic deal was reached on February 29 between the US and the Taliban, guaranteeing the departure of foreign troops from the country within 14 months.

Global COVID-19 cases top 4.7 mn: Johns Hopkins WASHINGTON, MAY 18 (IANS): The overall number of global coronavirus cases has increased to over 4.7 million, while the death toll has surpassed 315,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

As of Monday morning, the total number of cases stood at 4,713,620, while the death toll increased to 315,185, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.

The US currently accounts for the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 1,486,515 and 89,562, respectively. In terms of cases, Russia has the second highest number of infections at 281,752, followed by the UK (244,995), Brazil (241,080), S p a i n ( 2 3 0 , 6 9 8 ) , I t a ly (225,435), France (179,693), Germany (176,369), Turkey (149,435) and Iran (120,198), the CSSE figures showed.

Meanwhile, the UK accounted for the second highest COVID-19 deaths worldwide at 34,716. The other countries with over 10,000 deaths are Italy (31,908), France (28,111), Spain (27,563) and Brazil (16,118).

LAND FOR SALE At Padumpukhuri, Dimapur

Area : Any size available Price : Rs. 290 per sq. ft.

No Filling Required No Broker Contact Nos : 9862128679 8014690505 DP-2322 LOST NOTICE I, Smti. S.Vanben Phom, D/o L.Shaupang Phom is applying for duplicate H.S.L.C Admit Card bearing Roll No.1757 of 1989.& B.A Pass Mark Sheet bearing Roll No.7505 and Registration No. 2113 as I have lost the documents in Longleng Town.

K-906

Two ampules of Ebola drug Remdesivir. (Reuters)

marketing authorisation allows a drug to be sold for a year in the 27-nation bloc before all necessary data are available on its efficacy and side effects.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has already recommended the compassionate use of remdesivir, which allows a drug to be administered to patients even before its sale has been authorised.

EMA’s recommendation on compassionate use matched an emergency authorisation granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier in May, after Gilead provided data showing the drug had helped COVID-19 patients.

But the EU is now

moving rapidly to the next step in the authorisation procedure.

The equivalent procedure in the U.S. is called “accelerated approval”, as opposed to the standard authorisation that the FDA grants to medicines which pass all tests before their marketing.

As pressure mounts to ramp up production of the drug, Gilead has said it was in discussions with chemical and drug manufacturers to produce remdesivir for Europe and Asia until at least 2022. The company is also negotiating longterm licenses with several generic drugmakers in India and Pakistan to produce remdesivir for developing countries.

Iran approves creation of ‘virtual embassy’ in Palestine

TEHRAN, MAY 18 (IANS): A Commission of the Iranian Parliament on Monday tasked the government to create a “virtual embassy” in Palestine. Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission approved a previously drafted motion bill, which obliges the Iranian Foreign Ministry to lay the groundwork for the creation of “the Islamic Republic’s Virtual Embassy in Palestine” within six months and submit the results for approval to the cabinet, reports Xinhua news agency. On May 12, Iranian lawmakers approved “a double-urgency motion” which, in case of turning into law, would oblige the Iranian government to take certain measures against “hostile measures” of Israel.

OFFICE OF THE

UNGMA SENSO TELONGJEM, KOHIMA (USTK) KOHIMA : NAGALAND

GRATITUDE

The USTK expresses immense appreciation and profound gratitude to Shri Sharingain Longkumer Hon’ble Speaker, NLA and family for donating an amount of Rs.50,000 (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) to the Union for the welfare of the needy people during Covid19 pandemic.

The donated amount was accordingly distributed to the needy bona fide members of USTK and our In-Laws’ families residing at Kohima.

May the Almighty God bless your family for the commendable humanitarian service .

Sd/Sd/Kikamanen Jamir Nungshipokba President, USTK General Secretary, USTK

OFFICE OF THE

CHEN UNION DIMAPUR DIMAPUR : NAGALAND - 797112

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Chen Union Dimapur would like to convey our sincere gratitude to the Konyak Union Dimapur, Konyak Student Union Dimapur and Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Dimapur for the relief works to the needy during the lockdown and for your tireless effort in coordination with District Administration and Police in reuniting stranded fellow Chen with their loved ones. The Union looks forward for your initiative as we continue to work for the cause.

The Chen Union Dimapur also takes this privilege to appreciate and thank the following individuals for their generous contribution.

1. Mr. C.L John Honorable MLA 45-Tehok.

6 Buses 2. Mr. W. Honje Konyak Secretary F & CS. Rs 5000 3. Mr. M. Nockpai Convenor Transport Committee Rs 10000 4. Mr. K.L Yamao BDO Rs 10000 5. Mr. L. Noklem Rtd Director.

Rs 5000 6. Mrs. Ngeppa and Family Rs 5000 7. Mr. T.P Yaeih Vice President KUD Rs 2000 8. Mr. Luhwang Rs 2000 9. Mr. H. Ngamwang Rs 1000 10. Mr. Wangka Rs 2000 11. Mr. N. Chingkem Konyak Rs 5000 12. Mr. Y. Fangkei Rs 1000 13. Mr. Atu DB Rs 2000 14. Mr. Er. Chenlip Rs 2000 15. Mr. Aowang Rs 1000 16. Mr. Manlem PS Rs 2000 17. Mr. Alongtanching Rs 1000 18. Mr. N. Bohngam Rs 1000 19. Mr. Manching Wee Rs 1000 20. Mr. Er Kawang Rs 2000 21. Mr. Khonak Rs 1000 (M. Nockpai) Convenor Transport Committee

(N. Chingkem K) President CUD

(Manching Wee) General Secretary CUD

DP-2362

BEIJING, MAY 18 (PTI): Under mounting global pressure, China has relented on its opposition for an inquiry into0 the origin of the coronavirus, expressing its backing for an EU draft resolution tabled at the World Health Assembly (WHA) calling for a probe into the source of the vicious virus that has killed over three lakh people.

The WHA is the decision-making body of the Geneva-based World Health Organisation. The annual meeting, being held virtually on Monday and Tuesday, is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.

The meeting is being held amid the global anger and concerns over the COVID-19 which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and criticism over the role of the WHO and its Director General Dr General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

India is among 120

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Backs European Union resolution at World Health Assembly

NORTHEAST

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

Remove NSCN (I-M) camps: Mnp govt

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 18: Manipur government on Monday requested the Union home ministry to remove unauthorised NSCN (I-M) camps from Manipur and relocate it in Nagaland.

United Committee Manipur (UCM), in a letter sent to the Union home minister, has also demanded Centre’s clarification and immediate action on the presence of NSCN (I-M) camps in Manipur. Controversy over the presence of “unauthorised� camps of NSCN (I-M) resurfaced recently when some civil societies were seen extending relief materials to cadres of NSCN (I-M) allegedly lodging at its camps in Senapati and Chandel districts.

The “ceremoniously designed relief aids� distribution programmes to the two well established Huthrong Brigade camp in Senapati and Ashiho Chaomi Battalion in Chandel district on May 8 and 13 were reported in some section media with video clippings. Since then,

UCM has been pressing the state government to clarify on the matter with the government of India.

Chief minister N Biren Singh, who mat the leader of UCM on Sunday, informed that the state government has brought up the matter to the notice of the Union ministry of home affairs. Singh also handed over a copy of the letter which state chief secretary had written to the Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on May 14 last. In the letter, it was stated that presence of NSCN (I-M) unauthorised camps in Manipur has become a subject of social tensions all the time. “This issue was brought to the notice of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the past also. Of late, a large number of civil society organisations are openly invited to these camps and these videos are put in social media, inviting criticism from public and also causing embarrassment to the state government.� “Many valley based CSOs are raising open objection against the open and

illegal activities of NSCN (I-M) and the state government is seriously concerned about it,� the letter stated.

In the letter, the state government alleged that the camps exist in the state despite the fact that ‘cease fire agreement does not extend to the state of Manipur.’ The Central security forces which are overseeing these camps also failed to restrain them from illegal activities, it added. “The recent developments of frequent visits of civil society organisations to these locations could have been prevented,� the state government asserted in the letter.

It also urged the Union ministry of home affairs to take serious note of this and direct the Army and Assam Rifles to control the activities of NSCN (I-M) and also prevent public and CSOs from visiting these camps. “The ministry of home affairs is also requested to direct them to remove the camps from Manipur and relocate in Nagaland,� the letter added. UCM has also written a letter to the Union

home minister demanding clarification and immediate action on the recent disclosure of the presence of NSCN (I-M) camps in Senapati and Chandel districts of Manipur on May 17.

The apex body, in the letter, alleged that the recent event of openly extending ceremoniously designed relief aids to the two well established camps of the NSCN (I-M) in Manipur have definitely proven the unrestrained and open operation of the cadres of the NSCN (I-M) inside the territory of Manipur . “Such operations contradict the declaration of the late Prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the 27th of July 2001 that the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) was not extended to Manipur,� the UCM alleged.

Such act of the UNC leaders also insulted the martyrs of the Great June Uprising of 2001 and provokes the sentiments of the peace loving people of Manipur, it added.

Sonowal orders probe into PMKISAN irregularities GUWAHATI, MAY 18 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday ordered an inquiry into the allegations of irregularities in implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

Additional Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua has been entrusted with the responsibility to enquire into the preparation of faulty beneficiary list and submit his report within one month, said a government release here. In view of allegations about the implementation of the scheme, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all districts have been directed to verify the genuineness of beneficiary lists, correctness of eligibility of beneficiaries, authentication of bank account details and check duplicity in data entry.

The DCs have been instructed to validate the village wise beneficiary list through circle officers, lot mandals and gaonburhas (village headmen) within one month, the release said.

7

Meghalaya is COVID-19 free: Tynsong Correspondent

SHILLONG, MAY 18: Meghalaya no longer have any COVID-19 active case after a woman who had tested positive a week back was declared recovered on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed on Monday. “I would like to inform that Meghalaya has no more active case. Out of the 13 cases, one has passed away while 12 have fully recovered,� he told journalists in his daily briefing.

The 30-year old woman, who tested positive for COVID-19 on May 9, was one of the 181 primary contacts of the first positive patient, late Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang.

All these cases were within the Shillong agglomeration under East Khasi Hills district.

Out of the 11 districts, Tynsong said only East Khasi Hills would still be categorised as “orange zone� while the remaining have been categorised as “green zones�.

However, he said that

Prestone Tynsong the government would inform the Centre regarding the development.

The De puty Chief Minister also informed that till Monday, 3,207 samples have been collected for testing, out of which, 2,883 samples reported negative while the results of 311 samples were awaited. “6,565 citizens who were stranded in different parts of the country, including from the other North Eastern States, have returned home,� he said.

Furthermore, Tynsong informed that a train from Bangalore, with not less than 1,250 citizens from the state, has left on Monday evening, and is expected to arrive at Guwahati railway

station on Wednesday.

So far, more than 7,000 committees, comprising of headmen, ASHA workers and others, have been formed in localities and villages across the state. “These committees are working with the concerned district administration to tackle any possible threat posed by COVID-19,� Tynsong said, adding that those who have come from other states are undergoing quarantine at their respective homes.

He said the government has been providing essential supplies from time to time to those who are undergoing quarantine.

Appealing to all those who have returned home to abide by government advisories, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “All our friends who have come back to the State from different parts of the country, as per government advisory please follow all protocols including mandatory quarantine. This is for your good, the good of your loved ones and the good of the state as a whole.�

Governor’s rule in Tripura Arunachal: NSCN (I-M), NSF flay May 16 incident MAY 18 (NPN): MIP said the army personnel saulted for no apparent reason autonomous tribal areas DIMAPUR, NSCN (I-M) and Naga Students’ hurriedly started leaving the before indiscriminately opening

Stranded people from northeast wait at the Palace Ground before their onward journey for their native places by a special train, amid ongoing COVID-19 lockdown in Bengaluru on Monday. (PTI)

Man kills wife, son and uncle in Assam

DIBRUGARH, MAY 18 (PTI): A retired Seema Sashatra Bal personnel allegedly shot his wife, son and uncle with his licensed gun at their home in Assam’s Dibrugarh district and killed them on Monday, police said.

The man, who had taken voluntary retirement, shot his wife and his sleep-

ing ten-year-old son at their home, district additional superintendent of police Manabh Baruah said.

While his wife died on the spot, the boy was badly injured in his head, the ASP said. The man then went to his maternal uncle’s place at Kumaranisiga near NH-37 and shot him before fleeing the scene, he said.

The man’s son and uncle were rushed to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh town where they succumbed to their injuries, Baruah said.

The police have cordoned off the area and launched a search to find the man, Dibrugarh superintendent of police Sreejith T said.

AGARTALA/GUWAHATI, MAY 18 (IANS): After the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Assam, Governor’s rule was imposed in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on Monday as the polls have been postponed indefinitely due to the nationwide lockdown to check the spread of novel coronavirus, officials said.

Chief Executive Officer of the TTAADC Balin Debbarma said that G.K. Rao, former Tripura Chief Secretary and a retired IAS officer, has been appointed as the Administrator of the autonomous body. Tripura Governor Ramesh Bais appointed Rao, who of late was the member of the Tripura Police Accountability Commission, to run the politically important tribal autonomous body on his behalf. The 30-member TTAADC, until Sunday, was governed by the opposition CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) and its fiveyear term expired on May 17. An official of the TTAADC said that within the next six months, the elections to the council would have to be conducted as per the mandate of the Constitution.

Opposition CPI-M state Secretary Gautam Das and Tripura Pradesh Congress President Pijush Biswas separately asked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government to conduct the elections of the TTAADC within the stipulated period. The politically important TTAADC, which was constituted under the sixth Schedule of the Constitution in June, 1985, has jurisdiction over two-thirds of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km are, home to over 12,16,000 people, mostly tribals.

In Assam, on the recommendations of the state government, the State Election Commission recently put off the 40member BTC polls for an indefinite period.

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in Ryngku, Sonatola and Dangar villages. He said the tests will enable the health department to survey the villages and also prevent its residents from contracting the disease. “Although the government has announced that the international border has been sealed, there is a continuous exchange of essential commodities across the border even during the lockdown,� the Congress leader alleged.

He claimed that residents of Cherakata and adjoining villages in the area recently heard sounds of gunfire from the BSF’s border outpost. “It was later reported that they had resorted to firing to chase away Bangladeshis who had tried to sneak into India.

Therefore, our villages are not safe from the outbreak in the neighbouring country,� he said. Shangpliang also requested Home Minister Lakmen Rymbui to immediately call a meeting with the director general of police and inspector general of the BSF to take stock of the situation along the international border in view of the recent rise in the number of cases in Bangladesh.

meeting, after which a commotion broke out as villagers stood up in anger not ready to accept the indignity.

Some infuriated youth started pelting stones at the army personnel, it said. The troops “under the command of Col DK Tiwari of 19 Sikh Regiment wasted no time to retaliate with live bullets, leading to the killing of one Lamdan Lukham on the spot and injuring six others,� MIP alleged.

Referring to defence PRO’s press release that dragging in NSCN (I-M)’s name for the incident, the statement termed this as “nothing less than hilarious� claim to absolve army from the criminal assault on innocent villagers.

NSCN (I-M) saluted the villagers of Pumoa for daring to stand up for their rights against the brutality of Indian security forces and expressed its condolences to the family members of Lamdan Lukham.

Observing that mainstream media was ignoring the plight of Arunachal people and sidelining the human rights issue in tune with Indian military propaganda, NSCN (I-M) urged the media to reinvent and start playing an impartial role and thereby address the problem of alienation among the people.

NSF: Accusing the troops of indulging in “extrajudicial and arbitrary� action, NSF in a release alleged that a youth was detained and physically as-

fire on a crowd leading to the death of 60-year-old Lamdan Lukham on the spot and injuring several others.

NSF demanded the Central government set up an inquiry committee headed by a retired judge of Supreme Court or high court to conduct an impartial probe into the incident and bring the culprits to book at the earliest.

It also appealed to National Human Rights Commission, State Human Rights Commission and National and State ST Commissions to take suo moto cognizance of the incident and initiate timely proceedings against those responsible for the barbaric act.

According to NSF, the disturbing chain of events calls for the Central government to review and revoke the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which has been in operation in almost all parts of the North-eastern States allowing the armed forces to operate with impunity in the region thereby claiming countless innocent lives. Pointing out the irony that the very mention of armed forces, who are supposed to safeguard the people, only invoked fear and insecurity in the minds of the people, NSF alleged that Naga people had been at the receiving end of their mindless actions shielded by AFSPA for last many decades.

In Gratitude

‘Test people residing along India-Bangladesh border’

SHILLONG, MAY 18 (PTI): A Congress legislator in Meghalaya has demanded that the people residing along the international border with Bangladesh be tested for COVID-19.

Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Shangpliang’s demand came after a positive case was allegedly reported in Dhormopur village in Sunamganj district of Bangladesh, just 500 metres from Ryngku Bazaar in Mayswnram block in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

Shangpliang said he got the information about the case from the BSF company commander of the Ryngku border outpost. “In view of the proximity of the Bangladeshi village to India, it is mandatory that all protocols related to safeguarding the people from the spread of the disease be enforced,� he said. The legislator said he has informed Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma about the case and requested the administration to immediately conduct random testing of people residing in villages along the international border.

Shangpliang has suggested that the tests be conducted

Federation (NSF) have condemned the killing of a 60-year-old man by troops of 19th Sikh Regiment of Indian Army at Pumoa village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district on May 16.

In a statement NSCN (I-M) MIP also strongly deplored the act of “cowardice� on the part of 19th Sikh Regiment leading to the loss of innocent life.

At a time when Arunachal Pradesh was observing lockdown to the fight COVID-19 pandemic, NSCN (I-M) alleged that troops recklessly moved about in villages of Longding district (Wancho region), targeting innocent villagers and torturing them for reason never specified.

According to NSCN (I-M), one Nokchai Wangsu of Pumoa village was picked up by the troops and beaten up badly on May 14. It claimed that before being released, he was made to sign on a paper without disclosing its content and also threatened not to reveal the incident to anyone. On the following day, another villager of Pumoa, Jempho Wangpan, was picked up when he was returning from church, before being tortured for no clear reason. To stop such abhorrent incidents, the villagers decided to settle the matter in a peaceful manner and invited Indian Army personnel to a meeting on May 16, MIP said. But, as the meeting progressed and focused on human rights violation being committed by the troops,

A L i f e We l l L i v e d

Mrs. Zukheli Achumi

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Loving Husband, Children, Grandchildren and In-laws

Mrs. Zelhoubei-Ăź Debu 27.01.1928 - 12.05.2020

To all who stood by us, comforted us, grieved with us and prayed for us, we thank you.

May God bless you all.

With love ~ The family of Lt. Zelhoubei-ß Debu For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

Romans 14:8 K Y M C

8

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

Bayern beat Union Berlin in Bundesliga Mayweather fight inevitable: McGregor

Berlin, May 18 (Agencies): Champions Bayern Munich scored a goal late in each half to beat promoted Union Berlin 2-0 on their return to the Bundesliga on Sunday after more than two months out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and protect their four-point lead at the top.

League top scorer Robert Lewandowski converted a 40th minute spot kick and Benjamin Pavard headed in a corner in the 80th in an empty stadium, to keep the Bavarians in the driving seat for a record-extending eighth successive league title.

They are now on 58 points, with Borussia Dortmund in second place on 54 following their 4-0 demolition of Schalke 04 on Saturday. There are eight matchdays left in the season.

“We were there from the start even though it may not have been our best performance today,” said Bayer captain Manuel Neuer, who has now kept a clean sheet at least once against all 35 Bundesliga clubs he has

Players of Bayern Munich and Union Berlin fight for the ball during their Bundesliga match on Sunday.

played against.

“We are happy to have controlled the game and to have brought the three points home. In games without fans the minutes are very long until the final whistle.”

The Bundesliga is the first major sports league in

the world to restart amid the pandemic but games are played without fans.

A set of strict health regulations are governing the matches, including a ban on spectators, limited staff inside and outside the stadium and regular testing.

The empty slabs of the concrete stands in the Alte Foersterei stadium with a few dozen officials, staff and substitutes scattered around were an unusual setting for a return to action of Germany’s most successful club. But Bayern quickly took control and had an

Bundesliga without fans like old man’s football, says Thomas Mueller

Arsenal probing Lacazette for balloon incident

Thomas Mueller

Berlin, May 18 (Agencies): Thomas Mueller joked that the Bundesliga without fans feels like “old man’s football, 7pm, under floodlights” after Bayern Munich brushed aside Union Berlin 2-0 behind closed doors on Sunday.

A first-half Robert Lewandowski penalty and a late Benjamin Pavard header sealed Bayern’s win in front of empty terraces in Berlin.

The result leaves defending champions Bayern four

points clear as the German league restarted this weekend after a two-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 virus.

However, Mueller admitted it was strange to play Union behind closed doors at their compact Alten Foersterei stadium, which is usually packed with 22,000 passionate home fans.

“It felt a bit like the atmosphere you get for old man’s football, 7pm, under floodlights, but as soon as

the ball started to roll, the game took our focus,” said Mueller.

The Bundesliga became the first top European league to resume this weekend, using draconian hygiene guidelines, regular testing of players and insisting on games in near-empty stadiums.

Hugging, embracing and handshakes were also banned. “There were a few butterflies before the restart, wondering how it would go, like before the first game of the season in August,” said Mueller.

“I wasn’t worried about anything going wrong, everything was explained clearly to us. Union Berlin, just like us, were well prepared, no handshakes before kick-off etc.”

Mueller said the defending champions were just happy to win their first game after the restart to keep them on course for an eighth consecutive league title.

L o n d o n, M ay 1 8 (Agencies): Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is being investigated by the club after a video emerged online where he is seen inhaling gas from a balloon, British media reported on Sunday.

The video circulated online showed the French striker, 28, appearing to inhale from the balloon and sitting back as his eyes close.

“This is a private matter which we are taking seriously. It will be handled internally,” the club said in a statement, reported by Sky Sports.

The incident comes after several of the club’s players were warned in December 2018 for inhaling gas from balloons, believed to be nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”, when CCTV footage of a private party at a club in August emerged.

early effort ruled offside.

Union were without coach Urs Fischer, who was missing for private reasons.

The visitors had to wait until the 40th minute to score with Lewandowski, chasing Gerd Mueller’s legendary 40-league goal record from 1972, grabbing his 26th of the campaign from the spot.

The game lost some of its pace after the break with the players lacking match practice.

Pavard made sure of the three points when he headed in a Joshua Kimmich corner.

Berlin police had warned fans, as in all stadiums, to stay away but said a few dozen had gathered outside the stadium prior to the game.

They left following talks with police, who had a force of 400 around the stadium.

The German Football League is desperate to avoid any rule violation that could threaten the league restart as it hopes to finish the season by June 30 for contractual reasons.

New York, May 18 (IANS): Conor McGregor has said that a rematch with Floyd Mayweather is “inevitable” and that this time, he will win the match.

McGregor was responding to the praise he got from boxing great Mike Tyson for his performance in his fight against Mayweather in 2017.

“It’s a spectacle, but listen, this is where it’s not a spectacle,” Tyson said on the podcast, ‘Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson’. “He never really had a boxing match in his life, right? He went 10 rounds with the greatest fighter of the last 100 years of boxing... He went 10 rounds, scored punches on the greatest fighter in the last 100 years.

Did he accomplish something? ... Look at what he had to fight against and look what he did when he fought against him.”

McGregor later in a tweet thanked Tyson and said that he will beat Mayweather in their second bout. “Thank you Mike, and just know that for the inevitable rematch, with

Celtic players pose for a team group photo before the match at Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain on February 27, 2020.

of the novel coronavirus.

“We would all have rather seen the league season played out on pitches, in stadiums and in front of

supporters,” SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan said. “ C OV I D - 1 9 h a s wreaked havoc on sporting

competitions around the world and the repercussions will be felt for a long time.”

The league statement added that final season plac-

the knowledge I now hold of Floyd’s style, plus under the tutelage of my old school boxing coach, I will crack the puzzle, and I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it. It is great to see you back Iron Mike.”

The match, also known as “The Money Fight,” was highly publicised with an extensive promotion tour before it in which the two fighters, particularly McGregor,

engaged in a war of words.

Mayweather extended his unbeaten streak to 50-0 after beating McGregor via technical knockout in the 10th round.

The fight was part of an extensive hiatus McGregor had taken from mixed martial arts and he went on to fight twice in the UFC, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018 and then beating Donald Cerrone in 2020.

Kohli unquestionably the best: Chappell New Delhi, May 18 (PTI): Former Australian captain Ian Chappell feels India skipper Virat Kohli’s penchant for playing copybook cricketing shots and his incredible fitness make him the world’s best batsman across formats among the current generation of cricketers.

“Of that group (including Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Joe Root), Kohli is the best in all three forms.

That’s unquestionable,” Chappell said on ‘The RK Show’, which is hosted by Radhakrishnan Sreenivasan on YouTube.

“His record in all three forms is quite unbelievable, particularly his record in the shorter forms.”

Chappell’s comments come after former England batsman Kevin Pietersen said that Australia’s batting mainstay Smith was nowhere close to Kohli.

Kohli, who has scored 70 international hundreds and more than 20,000 runs, averages more than 50 in all

three formats.

Explaining his reasons on why he feels Kohli is the best, Chappell said: “I like his approach to batting. We did an interview with him last time India were in Australia, and one of the things he talked about was why he didn’t play the fancy shots, the innovative shots of particularly T20 cricket.

“He said he didn’t want those to creep in his batting in the longer form of the game. The best short-form player in the time I played was Viv Richards, and he just played normal cricket shots but he placed the ball so well he was able to score at a very fast rate. And Kohli’s the same. He plays traditional cricket shots, and he plays them really well.”

The Australian said Kohli’s fitness also makes him stand apart from his contemporaries.

“The other thing that stands out about Kohli is his fitness and running between the wickets. The way he pushes himself, he’s incred-

Celtic named champions of Scottish Football League

Edinburgh, May 18 (Agencies): Celtic have been named champions of Scotland after the clubs voted on Monday to end the season early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Professional Football League said in a statement.

“The SPFL has today announced that, following consultation with all 12 top-flight clubs, the Board of the SPFL has determined that the 2019/20 Ladbrokes Premiership has been concluded with immediate effect,” the league said.

“The decision means that Celtic are crowned 2019/20 champions and Hearts have been relegated to the Ladbrokes Championship.”

Top-flight soccer in Scotland was stopped in March due to the outbreak

Conor McGregor

ings were decided on a points-per-game basis in matches played to March 13.

A similar system was used to determine final positions in Scotland’s three lowest footballing tiers, which voted to end their seasons early in April.

However, the door had been left open for a resumption of the Premiership if and when possible.

Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers were declared winners of the Championship, League One and League Two and the SPFL released end-ofseason payments of over 1.8 million pounds ($2.18 million) to clubs to ease their financial burden.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell dedicated the club’s ninth title in a row to fans and all those who

had been affected by the outbreak.

“I am so proud of our team and proud of you for all you have given us,” he said on Celtic’s website www. celticfc.net/news/18099.

“While we rightly celebrate this fantastic, deserved achievement we must take time to consider the wider circumstances we have all been experiencing.”

Rangers, who finised runners-up, had sought an independent investigation into the SPFL’s handling of the season in the wake of the pandemic but clubs last week did not support their request.

The resolution, also backed by Hearts and Stranraer, was put forward after misgivings about how the vote on the SPFL’s plan to end the lower leagues early had been carried out.

Virat Kohli

ibly fit. Some of his performances are quite amazing,” said Chappell.

C h a p p e l l a l s o ex pressed his admiration for Kohli’s captaincy.

“The one thing that stands out to me is that Kohli is the one (captain) that doesn’t fear defeat. He’s prepared to lose a game in trying to win it. You’ve got to be that way as a captain

in my opinion. I like that approach.

“I thought when he took over the captaincy that he was so emotional, it might affect his captaincy adversely but I think he has reined that in a little bit. He has made that work for him in his captaincy rather than work against him. He’s a pretty smart cricketer,” the legendary skipper said.

Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi arrested

L o n d o n, M ay 1 8 (IANS): Chelsea footballer Callum Hudson-Odoi has been arrested following an early morning row with a model, as per media reports in England. Police reportedly turned up at Hudson-Odoi’s home in London after a woman, whom the footballer invited to his place, called for an ambulance at around 4am on Sunday.

Hudson-Odoi broke social distancing rules put forward by the government as a precautionary measure against coronavirus pandemic as he reportedly asked for the unnamed model to come to his house in West London and also sent a car for her. “Police and London Ambulance Service were called at

Callum Hudson-Odoi

03.53hrs on Sunday 17 May to a report of an unwell woman,” The Metropolitan Police was quoted as saying

by The Sun. Hudson-Odoi was one of the first athletes in England to test positive for coronavirus. He later took to social media to announce that he had recovered just days after being tested positive for the virus and is eager to get back on the pitch.

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