May 25, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 168

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Domestic flights to resume today

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Mob in Bihar attack NE bound train

(L) A person seen threatening passengers (R) windowpane damaged by the mob. (Video grab)

Staff Reporters/Correspondent the windows and doors of

special train left Gurugram on May 22 was scheduled to reach Dimapur station at 5.40 am on Sunday but got delayed due to the incident.

Governor condemns ‘harassment & hooliganism’: Nagaland Governor RN Ravi while strongly condemning the incident said such “harassment and hooliganism” would not be tolerated.

When contacted by Nagaland Post, Ravi remarked, “Such incident of harassment and hooliganism is highly condemnable. These can’t be tolerated.”

After learning about

the incident, Ravi said he had contacted director general of police (DGP), Bihar and director general (DG) of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and asked them to look into the matter. It was learnt that DGP Bihar had assured the governor that he would personally monitor the situation and ensure smooth passage of trains through the State.

CS monitoring situation: Explaining that the incident occurred as some “unruly migrants” wanted to board the train, chief secretary Temjen Toy claimed that after hearing about the unfortunate incident, the COVID-19 War Room team immediately contacted RPF Bihar to ensure safety of the passengers. Commenting on complaints of “unscheduled” stoppages by the train, Temjen said this was happening due to congestion of rail routes, adding about 400 citizens of Nagaland were on board.

He said the Haryana government had urged the Nagaland government to take back its citizens, which the latter agreed.

Additional chief secretary and finance commissioner Sentiyanger clarified

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, MAY 24 (NPN): Over one thousand passengers, including Nagaland citizens, of a North East-bound special train from Gurugram, Haryana were subjected to harassment when scores of people tried to barge into the train when it halted at Danapur railway station in Bihar in the wee hours of Sunday.

In the videos that went viral on social media, passengers were seen stopping the people from getting into the train. They closed down

the train and pleaded the people not to board the train. However, the infuriated mob was seen banging on the windows, passing lewd comments. They also smashed windowpanes while some managed to get inside few coaches leading to heated arguments.

In the video, the passengers were also heard accusing the “police” of threatening them along with the “public”. There were also reports of similar attack at few other stations. However, these incidents could not be verified till the filing of this report. The

New born baby found in drain

Dimapur CSOs ask districts Body of Naga to take their own residents woman expected

D IMAPUR , MAY 2 4 (NPN): In a shocking incident, an abandoned newly born male child was discovered inside a drain in Dimapur stadium, Sunday afternoon. A video that went viral on social media showed the new born baby wrapped in a plastic bag and left abandoned in a drain. According to Dimapur police PRO Relo T Aye, the cries of the baby, presumably sired by local parent(s) attracted the attention of some people who discovered that it came from the baby inside a bag. Sources said that the baby was later admitted to the same hospital (NICU), where it was reportedly delivered. (Staff Reporter)

NBPU calls for 12-hour chain of prayer May 29 D IMAPUR , MAY 2 4 (NPN): Nagaland Baptist Pastor Union (NBPU) has called upon all Churches under the union to join the 12 hours chain of prayer on May 29, to be organized by the respective associations’, pastor’s unions and fellowships. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, NBPU president pastor A. Zakaria Chang and secretary pastor Keyilunglule reminded all that “this is a year of renewal and blessings at the same time a year of warfare and a clear call for prayer and repentance.

D IMAPUR , MAY 2 4 (NPN): Dimapur-based civil society organisations (CSOs) have appealed to CSOs and administration of different districts to make logistical arrangements for receiving their own residents and provide facilities for quarantining them at their respective districts after being deported from the State’s commercial here.

This, they claimed, was meant to secure people of Dimapur from the COVID19 pandemic.

At an emergency meeting held on May 22 to deliberate on the arrival of stranded citizens at Dimapur from different parts of India, some en route to different districts, and accommodating all of them, Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur and GBs’ Union Dimapur leaders said District Task Force

Dimapur, district administration, CSOs and NGOs were giving their best since Day-one to ensure safety of everyone.

However, they observed that resources and quarantine centres had been exhausted and were now overflowing with inmates as they had taken people much beyond their actual capacity.

Hence, they resolved to issue the appeal. Mentioning that every district was provided with funds for combating COVID-19, the meeting appealed to all other districts to receive their citizens and ensure that their “own children” were not left behind.

As Dimapur had its own share of challenges and would have to accommodate its own citizens, sharing the load of other districts would be a huge burden, the CSOs pointed out.

They also urged citizens not to panic and stay home for their own safety.

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KOHIMA, MAY 24 (NPN): The body of a 23-year-old Naga woman who passed away on May 22 onboard a train while returning from Gurugram (Haryana) to Dimapur, was expected to reach Dimapur on Monday.

Addl. chief secretary Sentiyanger informed Nagaland Post that necessary medical formalities were conducted and thereafter the body left Kanpur on May 23 night by road and was expected to reach on Monday afternoon.

BVC clarifies: Beisumpuikam Village Council has clarified that BVC as well as the family had never opposed to bring the body of Nchineileu Disuang for burial at her native village, Beisumpuikam. BVC chairman Tadibe Zeliang and Idim Disuang (on behalf of the family) has therefore appealed to all not to create chaos in social media.

international, Page 6

Over 200 govt buildings can be used as quarantine centres: RTI activist

District/properties `in Lakhs Kohima (50 properties) `4824.06 Dimapur (51 properties) `3508.4 Peren (19 properties) `1135.8 Mokokchung (23 properties) `944.85 Phek (20 properties) `2460.9 Tuensang (14 properties) `723 Mon (11 properties) `611 Wokha (9 properties) `605.3 Longleng (8 properties) `270.5 Kiphire (7 properties) `385.5 Zunheboto (9 properties) `455.5 `125 Two other properties `16049.81 (As per RTI document) Total D IMAPUR , MAY 2 4 lodges, cultural centres, mul(NPN): As the State govern- tipurpose buildings, youth ment had claimed to have centres, working women constructed several build- hostels, EMRS, etc, in almost ings in the past 17 years, an all districts between 2012 and RTI activist has suggested 2018-19 (See table).

As per a reply received that the government could use these as quarantine cen- on his RTI application, out tres to house citizens of of the 223 buildings conNagaland returning now, structed during this period, instead of requisitioning pri- most of them were at Dimapur and Kohima district vate schools and hostels.

The RTI activist-- ST headquarters.

Yapang said the planning & He said if the governcoordination department had ment had really constructed sanctioned huge amounts of so many buildings as claimed money to many Individuals, by the planning & coordinainstitutions, NGOs, civil so- tion department, the problem ciety groups, tribal hohos and of accommodating returnees village organisations for con- could be solved by utilising structing hostels, institutions, all these structures with(Cont’d on p-5) tribal halls, guest houses, out requisitioning private

NPYF alleges gross anomalies by state to contain COVID-19 D i m a p u r , M ay 2 4 (NPN): National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) Nagaland, under the NPP state unit has written to the chief minister of Nagaland pointing out several anomalies with regard to Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) such as state of unpreparedness in dealing with COVID19 pandemic and demanded that “immediate intervention and radical action.”

In the ‘Open Letter’ addressed to the chief minister, NPYF has claimed that during surprise inspection of quarantine centres, district COVID-19 hospital Dimapur and the BSL-2 (laboratory) at CIHSR, 4th Mile, it discovered “many gross anomalies.”

NPYF said the state government’s management of the pandemic was disappointing as they were totally contradictory to the

advertisements and reports provided by government agencies both in the local and social media.

According to NPYF, its observations were also obtained from feedbacks from the general public and frontline workers which suggested gross mismanagement of funds meant for containing COVID-19 pandemic.

NPYF alleged that frontlines workers, especially the medical fraternity were compelled to work overtime for COVID-19 duties and also not paid DA. NPYF also alleged that the frontline medical team were not provided with mandatory PPEs due to shortage of the equipments.

It also alleged that the “COVID-19 Control Room” failed to respond to a crisis on May 19 when a 60-year old patient tried to contact

it for medical help. NPYF said it was “highly condemnable” that the patient had to wait for more than a day before a doctor finally attended to his ailment.

It also alleged that most of the frontline workers were not supplied with N95 masks, hand gloves, sanitizers and PPEs till date. It said items presently used by frontline workers were donated by civil societies, NGOs, individuals etc .

NPYF demanded to know as to what happened to those equipments which the state government had procured ?

It said even police personnel were not given proper instruction on dealing with public order during pandemic and that they were deployed without protective gears and also given only one-time meal.

(Cont’d on p-5)

schools and hostels, which has been opposed by All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association. Yapang urged the government to direct all the deputy commissioners to requisition the buildings in their respective districts and villages to facilitate quarantining of returnees in the interest of Nagaland.

426 to arrive today

A Shramik Special train (Haryana to Nagaland) carrying about 426 stranded citizens of Nagaland is expected to arrive at Dimapur on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, a DIPR report stated that a total of 68 returnees reached Dimapur from New Delhi and Dibrugarh by train on May 24 while 15 Kolkata and 12 from Madhya Pradesh arrived by bus and nine from Madhya Pradesh by private vehicle. As per report of the control room Dimapur, 3471 returnees have reached Nagaland till May 24.

Further, sources informed Nagaland Post that 219 stranded people left Nagaland by New DelhiDibrugarh-New Delhi train on May 24.

Ao churches, CSOs to support 300 returnees

D IMAPUR , MAY 2 4 (NPN): Ao Baptist churches of Dimapur area under the aegis of Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship and Dimapur-based Ao civil society organisations (CSOs) have decided to provide physical and spiritual support to 300 returnees at three quarantine centres located at Dimapur Government College administrative block.

The Ao CSOs include Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Dimapur Watsu Telongjem, Dimapur Ao Lanur Telongjem and Ao Kaketshir Telongjem, Dimapur.

They will be accepting and treating all returnees as their special guests accommodated at the three quarantine centres irrespective of their tribe and community affiliation for 14 days.

(Cont’d on p-5)

India COVID-19 cases jump to 1.3 lakh WSH, KYC condemn tax demand

This is it!

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m taking two bottles only for use as sanitisers.”

to arrive today

that it was not racial attack but a law and order issue and regretted that the passengers had to go through the unfortunate incident.

According to one of the passengers, the situation became normal and railway authorities provided water and biscuits and other food items at Katihar rail junction.

Nagaland government tweeted appealing to the passengers to bear with the inconveniences as it had taken up the issue of food and other necessary arrangements with Indian Railways and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

The government also tweeted that it had arranged another special train from Bengaluru, which would reach Dimapur on May 31.

Regretting the incident, agriculture production commissioner (APC) and head of COVID-19 in-charge of Dimapur Y Kikheto Sema said passengers of many trains and buses had to face such situations, adding that those attacking trains were mostly migrant workers who have not been provided transportation.

Taliban, Ghani declare 3-day ceasefire for Eid

NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): India Sunday reported the highestever daily spike of 6,767 cases of Covid-19 as the total number of coronavi-

rus cases jumped to 1.31 lakh. According to the latest update from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of confirmed COVID-19

cases in India has increased to 1,31,868. The death toll in India due to the novel coronavirus pandemic has risen to 3,867 after 147 more fatalities were recorded.

India has a total of 73,560 active cases, 54,440 cured and discharged patients and 3,867 deaths due to coronavirus. India’s recovery rate stands at around 41.28% so far. Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-affected state with 47,190 COVID-19 cases. It is followed by Tamil Nadu (15,512), Gujarat (13,664), and Delhi (12,910).

Over 5.3 million cases worldwide: Overall number of global coronavirus cases has increased to over 5.3 million, while the death toll surged past 342,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University. As of Sunday morning, the total number of cases stood at 5,309,698,

while the death toll increased to 342,078, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering revealed in its latest update.

Nagaland COVID-19: Results of 65 awaited D IMAPUR , MAY 24 (NPN): Out of 1066 COVID-19 suspected samples sent for testing, the results of 1001 samples were negative, while results of 65 samples are awaited, principal secretary Home, Abhijit Sinha informed.

Further, all 31 samples tested through Truenat machines were negative, Sinha stated.

Meanwhile, 1385 persons were being digitally monitored through the nCOVID-19 Nagaland– Visitors App while 2776 persons were presently under facility quarantine.

D IMAPUR , MAY 2 4 (NPN): Wester n Sumi Hoho (WSH) and Kuda Youth Club (KYC) have condemned the recent tax demand served on Progressive Motors by some cadres of an underground outfit.

WSH said the forcible demand at gunpoint which came at a time when everyone was facing great hardships due to two months of lockdown was “inhumane, insane and outrageous”.

WSH said it viewed such a matter with all seriousness and wanted to take it up with higher authorities. It also appreciated the police for their prompt action in arresting the culprit involved and demanded that the accused should be denied bail and awarded exemplary punishment so as to discourage similar acts in future.

WSH also said it was time for all Nagas to work and eat from the sweat of

their own brow, become selfreliant, productive and give up such “parasitic habits”.

It asked NNPGs to adhere to the principle of “one tax, one government” in letter and spirit and rein in erring cadres from such acts besides asking all Sumis in particular, to desist from such despicable ways that tarnished and shamed the community every now and then.

“Very often many respectable Sumis have to hang their heads in shame due to such acts of wayward individuals,” it added. WSH further sought early resolution of the Naga political problem to eradicate this malady and for the Nagas to become self reliant.

KYC: Kuda Youth Club (KYC) has also condemned the dastardly act of harassment and unjustified demand towards TK Motors by a faction of the NNPGs. KYC vice president Rüü-

zhalie Nagi and general secretary Rokozoto Meru said KYC took strong note of the “numerous occasions where TK Motors had unjustly suffered under the unscrupulous elements in the guise of political groups.”

K YC t e r m e d i t a s “disgusting to see” that TK Peseyie, a prominent figure of Kuda Village, had fallen victim to vices of criminals time and again. KYC said it will not remain a mute spectator and warned all anti-social elements that “hiding behind the cover of NNPGs will not be tolerated”. KYC further reminded all Naga political groups to realise that Nagas stand for “one government, one tax” and that the present situation where all parties make ridiculous demands was plunging Naga society to doom. KYC lauded police for the timely action and appealed to expedite the probe without delay.

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state

DIMAPUR: State principal secretary Home, Abhijit Sinha Sunday informed that till date 9,985 applications of the stranded citizens, who have opted to stay back, were received.

He said that the facility for applying on the portal iamstranded.nagaland.gov.in for one-time financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 reopened on May 24 at 10 a.m. and will remain open till 10 a.m. of May 26, 2020.

Further, he said that a total of 11, 885 citizens had signed up in the nCOVID19 Nagaland– Visitors App since March 23, 2020 and in the last 14 days 2170 persons submitted their travel self declaration.

In connection to the Nagaland COVID-19 Toll Free Helpline Number1800-345-0019 of Health & Family Welfare department; from May 5, 2020 up till 4 p.m. of May 23, 2020,

a total of 1219 calls were registered for telemedicine consultation, mental health counseling, digital support for app users, COVID information centre and complaints and grievance Redressal.

Meanwhile, district roundup on law and order in Nagaland with regard to COVID-29 lock down as on May 23 stated that 1 (one) person violated the lock down, 1 (one) arrest was made and 1 (one) FIR case was registered. According to DIPR report, no law & order incident has been reported in the state as per the statement made by the joint secretary, Home Hiazu Meru. On supply of essential goods, the report disclosed that shops for food grains and groceries/milk/medicine remain opened in all the districts. The report also showed that there has been no shortage of essential

goods in the State. Further, it stated that the movement of essential service providers like electricity, telecom facilities, cooking fuels, medical facilities etc. was not restricted. The movement of personnel/ workers in manufacturing units and commercial vehicles for distribution of essential commodities and e-commerce agents was also not restricted in the state. Suitable arrangements have been made for providing food and shelter to migrant workers affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. In this regard, there are 5(five) active relief camps where 163 (one hundred and sixty three) persons are housed. There are also 2 (two) food camps where 575 (five hundred and seventy five) daily wagers/needy persons were provided with food/dry rations by the government/ NGOs, it informed.

GYA Kma demands removal of derogatory words

DIMAPUR: Gorkha Youth Association (GYA) Kohima during an emergency executive meeting held at GPPK Hall Kohima on May 23, took strong offence against the use of derogatory words on the Nepali speaking community allegedly by “Amazon’s web series Paatal Lok produced by actor Anushka Sharma.”

A press release from GYA Kohima president Narayan Bahadur and general secretary,

Y. Patton condolence DIMAPUR: Deputy chief minister of Nagaland, Y. Patton has expressed deep sorrow at the demise of late Mannying Jenei, mother of B. S. Nganlang, MLA, 49 Tamlu A/C at Dimapur on May 24.

In a condolence message, Patton stated that loss of a mother was a great setback for any family because none can take the place of a mother. Patton on his own and on behalf of all the state BJP legislators conveyed heartfelt condolences and pray for the departed to rest in eternal peace.

Donation during pandemic continues

CHS: Chümoukedima Hindu Society (CHS) Nagaland has extended Eid-ul-fitr greetings to Muslim community of Nagaland in particular and the nation as a whole.

DBS: Dimapur Bengali Samaj (DBS) has extended Eid-ul-fitr greetings to the Muslim community.

NPF minority wing: NPF minority wing extended Id-ul-Fitr greetings and good wishes to the citizens of Nagaland.

HOLLOTOLI SCHOOL

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR SESSION 2020 – 21 Phase II

Class XI Arts, Science and Commerce  Registration form can be downloaded from www.hollotolischool.org and submitted to hollotolioffice@gmail.com.  Last date of registration: 30th May 2020.  Students have to submit internal grade marks for class IX and X.  Admission will be on provisional basis and entrance test if required will be conducted after lockdown.  Options for coaching class for class XI and XII students.  Boarding facility for boys and girls.  Remedial for boarders.  Students with transfer certificate from Hollotoli School will not be accepted in any class.  For more information, kindly contact +91-8415924391 (09:00 AM – 01:00 PM)

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DC-425

DIMAPUR: Donations are being handed over to affected people from various organisations during the ongoing lockdown 4.0.

NSS MCC Kohima: National Service Scheme (NSS) Model Christian College (MCC) unit Kohima provided relied materials to selected residents of AG Colony affected by the onDepartment of Health and Family Welfare organised a mock drill for COVID-19 at going COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Tening on May 24. (DIPR) NBCC gift packages: Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) delivered 826 gift packages to both the quarantine centres in Kohima K. Badze as well as Meriema on May 24.

According to DIPR report, the gifts package included prayer letter from general secretary, NBCC; NBCC news letter; Gideon Bible; Face mask; Basic toiletries and others. The packages were handed over at the gate with a word of prayer in both the centres.

STMS Dimapur: St. Thomas Mission Society (STMS) Dimapur distributed food kits to affected families in and around Dimapur on May 24. Mission society members along with church District administration led by DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi saw off the migrant members maintaining safety workers who left for Bihar from Railway Station Dimapur on May 23 in a special measures distributed the train sponsored by government of Nagaland. (DIPR) items to students and staff staying in areas of Midland, Sachu Colony, Landmark, Rio Colony, Lingrijan and Dhobinala.

Kelurhuh SHG: Kelurhuh Self Help Group (SHG) Thenyizumi village donated organic vegetables and fruits to the EAC Chetheba for the quarantine centre at Chozuba subdivisional headquarter on May 24.

Santosh Chetri stated that, “use of such filthy words targeting the Nepali speaking community in any form and purpose is condemnable and not acceptable at all.”

GYA Kohima further supported the petition of the Bhartiya Gorkha Yuva Parisangh addressed to Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting “demanding immediate removal of the English subtitles and also muting the dirty words from the web series.”

Eid greetings by various organisations

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9985 stranded citizens registered till May 24

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

Lockdown 4.0: Visits, meetings and preventive measures continue

DIMAPUR: With the scheduled arrival of the second train from Gurugram, Haryana with stranded returnees to Nagaland, the state government and district administration of Dimapur have geared up preventive measures.

Every aspect of precautionary protocols will be the conduct while receiving the stranded returnees. Meanwhile, legislators have been touring their respective districts and constituencies to impress upon the people not to stigmatise or discriminate the returnees if any. Villagers have been sensitised on the procedure of quarantine and there should be no panic, as government was doing its best to ensure that returnees complete the mandatory 14 days at quarantine centres. Thereafter, they would be quarantined for another two weeks at respective district quarantine centres. Concerned authorities are also sanitising various areas and especially designated centres for returnees. Civil social organisations and church bodies are also contributing their services towards preparedness level in the state through various programmes. Public are also reminded to maintain social distancing and continue to use mask, sanitiser at all times. Meanwhile, the odd/even movement of vehicles are being well monitored by the frontline workers.

Tuensang DISTRICT

Wokha DISTRICT

Zunheboto DISTRICT

DC Tuensang issue directives to pet owners

Y. Patton speaking during the meeting held at Old Riphyim village on May 23.

Patton asks people not to be complacent Deputy chief minister and home minister, Y Patton has urged the people not to be complacent but be well prepared to prevent any possible spread of COVID-19.

A press release by media cell of the deputy CMI, said he was addressing the inhabitants of his native village, Old Riphyim on May 23.

Pa t t o n s a i d e ve n

though Nagaland has so far not recorded any COVID-19 positive case the citizens cannot afford to remain complacent.

With the BSL- 3 laboratory being functional now, Patton said it has brought some respite to the state adding and that anyone with COVID-19 symptom should visit the nearest healthcare facility and avail treatment.

Patton also reiterated the importance of adhering to the gover nment advisories, maintaining discipline such as social distancing and wearing face masks.

He appreciated the churches, village council, womenfolk and students’ union for their preparedness and untiring efforts in joining the global war against COVID-19.

Peren DISTRICT Agriculture officials tour Peren district An official team led by Dr. I Amenla, joint director and Velhusalu Vero, deputy director from the directorate of Agriculture toured Peren district on May 21 and 22, with an object to create awareness, preparedness, encourage and motivate the extension personnel and the farmers of Peren district.

According to DIPR report, the team interacted and deliberated with host of officials from the Agriculture department, KVK,

ATMA and the farmers on issues pertaining to agricultural activities, Fall Army Worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) infestations in maize and potato crops respectively.

Later on, the team launched the release of 2000 masks, soaps and pamphlets on farming advisories during COVID-19 for the small and marginal farmers of Peren district.

Team accompanied by

A B C

Y. Vikheho Swu along with ADC Pughoboto, SDO (Civil) and others during inspection of quarantine centres.

Ongoing preparation of quarantine centres at Pughoboto Y. Vikheho Swu, MLA for 13 A/C Pughoboto visited Pughoboto sub-division on May 21 and 22 to inspect the ongoing preparation of quarantine centers for the Naga students returning home from different cities.

A press release from 13 A/C Pughoboto press bureau, Tovishe Swu stated that, during the visit and with the SOP changing now and then, MLA noticed that administration and medical officers were unable to supply correct information to the villages and the sub-division.

In this regard, the MLA cautioned that under such uncertainty things may go wrong.

During the joint meeting with the village leaders and medical department at Ighanumi and with KT and Ghathashi area leaders and medical department at Ghathashi council hall, Vikheho asked public not to panic or discriminate or even

attempt to stigmatize the returnees in any manner. He informed that on arrival to Nagaland all the returnees would be kept at the state government designated quarantine centers at Dimapur and Kohima for 14 days to rule out any infection. Only after 14 days they would be send to sub-divisions or to their respective villages for another 14 days to rule out doubts, whereby he asked the village leaders not to make assumptions and create confusion leading to mishandling of COVID 19 related matters.

On fund issue, he said that ADC office in Pughoboto is being run mainly out of the money contributed from well wishers, with very nominal amount of money to ADC office till date from the government.

He reminded the village chairman and leaders that grant in-aid money under Rural department given to the villages was for specific purpose with

strict instruction which included, storage of rice, procumbent of medicine for village use etc and not as done in many villages in the past.

MLA also lamented the absence of medical doctor to Kilomi PHC, while doctor at Ighanumi PHC was without ambulance during such a time as this. MLA assured the public that he would put up the matter on priority to the appropriate authority and government for immediate redressal. MLA was accompanied by ADC Pughoboto and SDO (Civil) Pughoboto in-charge of Ghathashi area.

Pughoboto CHC has set up quarantine center for 20 beds at the newly constructed outdoor stadium at old Pughoboto (Natsumi). Ghathashi PHC has set up 12 quarantine beds at the Cultural Hub, Ghathashi. Ighanumi PHC has set up 4 quarantine beds at the village council hall.

Dimapur DISTRICT CSUD appeals returnees to cooperate NBS Dimapur condemns Chang Students Union Dimapur and also setting up BSL-3 lab at Eastern Danapur Railway Station incident (CSUD) appealed all returnees from districts at the earliest. Union urged all interstate as well as outside state to co-operate with state government as well as districts administration in abiding all norms and guidelines for entire quarantine period.

A press release from president, CSUD, Stephen Chang and assistant general secretary, Imkonglemba Chang, further appealed all quarantined individuals to co-operate for total containment and fulfil the quarantine period in latter and spirit to avoid any crisis.

CSUD further appealed state government to provide maximum and best facilities for quarantined persons

sections of the people and communities to avoid any discrimination and stigmatisation among quarantined persons once they completed their quarantine period and also to avoid maximum restrain from any rumours and propaganda, which will hamper the entire process of containment.

On E-education system, the CSUD requested state government to provide all necessary facilities in order to reach every nook and corner of the districts for benefits of students. CSUD also assured fullest support and assist whenever necessary during this pandemic.

Noklak DISTRICT

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is the state govt strictly enforcing quarantine measures ?

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

DAO, Peren and SDAO, Jalukie also called on the deputy commisioner, Peren and apprised him on the various agricultural activities in Peren district and state agriculture department preparedness and actions during the pandemic COVID-19 and pest infestations.

The team also visited various ATMA farm schools, oil palm areas and interacted with the farmers with issues and challenges.

Deputy commissioner Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant has issued an order to all concerned that some village authorities/ ward authorities/ individuals/ groups have issued shoot at sight order for dogs which is a punishable offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

According to DIPR report, legal proceedings shall be initiated under Section 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code and the prevention of cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 against any village authorities/ward authorities/individuals/groups acting in contravention to the prevention of cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and several quarantine centres being set up in different parts of the district, all pet owners are directed to prevent their pets from straying outside respective home premises. Action shall be initiated under relevant section of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 against the owner whose pets are found loitering in the town/villages. DC also notified the following institutions have been requisitioned as quarantine centers with immediate effect: Sao Chang College Tuensang, Government Polytechnic Sedem, St. John’s school (both Higher Secondary and Primary section), Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Government Higher Secondary School, Imlong Theological College, CBLT Guest House and Baptist Thangyen school Tuensang.

Nagaland Bhojpuri Samaj (NBS), Dimapur has expressed great concern at the unruly behaviour of the intruders who had forcefully entered the train at Danapur Railway Station in Bihar, which was coming from Gurugram, Haryana to Dimapur carrying NE students on May 24.

In a press release, NBS Dimapur working president Promod Singh requested the government of Bihar and Railway authorities to sternly deal

with such elements and ensure the safety of Northeast passengers. NBS Dimapur also lauded Robin Hibu, additional director general of Police (ADGP) and special commissioner of Police, Delhi, for coordinating with Bihar ADG and UP, ADGP for safe passage of NE passengers.

The Samaj further lauded the government of Nagaland, Dimapur Police and administration for facilitating travel arrangement of 1600 stranded Bihari workers to Bihar by train from Dimapur.

Kohima DISTRICT

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A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

32% 68% 0%

Next poll

Q: S h o u l d N a g a l a n d

reopen its inter-state borders for travellers?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST May 25

Noklak SDTF team along with civil societies and members from churches during the dedicatory prayer meeting. (DIPR)

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Some sun; breezy in the p.m.

32 27

Aizawl

Partly sunny and pleasant

Guwahati A morning thunderstorm

28 20 29 24

A morning shower in places

29 20

Itanagar Cooler with heavy t-storms

22 21

Imphal Shillong

A thunderstorm in spots

Kohima

A stray morning thundershower 25 18

23 18

Dimapur A couple of morning showers

31 22

A shower or t-storm in spots

24 18

Mkg

Tuensang Clouds and sun, a t-shower Wokha

Cooler; a p.m. shower or two

Zunheboto A morning t-storm in spots

18 14 23 19 22 16

Dedicatory prayer meeting at Noklak Additional deputy commissioner, Noklak M. Chaitanya Prasad along with the members of Noklak Sub-Divisional Task Force (SDTF) against COVID-19, civil societies and churches conducted a dedicatory programme of quarantine centres at Noklak on May 24. According to DIPR report, during the

short programme, ADC mentioned that, the quarantine centres were ready at Model School and KGBV Hostel, located at Danlepdong sector, Noklak. While appreciating the NGOs, civil societies, task force, line departments, managing committee, food & catering committee, accommodation & logistic commit-

tee and all front line workers, ADC thanked all concerned for the effort and logistics arrangement for setting up of quarantine centres.

He sought co-operation from all concerned to continue in the same spirit and to run the quarantine centres smoothly.

Highlighting on the re-

Personnel of NDRF spraying and sanitising the premises of IGS Kohima on May 24.

NDRF sanitisation drive in Kohima turnees, he requested the managing committees and all the frontline workers to work properly, carefully and help in all possible ways to the quarantined persons.

Executive secretary, Khiamniungan Baptist Churches Association (KBCA) P. Himpao Lam led the dedicatory prayer.

One sub-team of 12th Bn NDRF Doimukh, stationed at 4th NAP Thizama, conducted sanitisation drive in the premises of Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) Kohima on May 24.

A press release from 12th Bn NDRF stated that IGS Kohima has been earmarked for screening of residents of Nagaland coming from outside. Sub inspector K. P. Singh (team leader) also briefed the medical staff

doing their duty at IGS. NDRF team sprayed sodium hypochlorite and water mixed solution in all surroundings of IGS. Team commander further explained that NDRF will continue to do the same.

Rescuers of 12th Bn NDRF sprayed the disinfectant by jet spray and motorized spray machine. The team members were full equipped with PPE.

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 168 Dimapur, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

D

Unending virus

emand for illegal and unauthorised “tax” is another enterprise especially in Dimapur, the commercial capital of Nagaland, which has also turned into an extortion capital of sorts. A prominent entrepreneur of Dimapur was served with a “tax demand” by a particular Naga national organisation.

According to reports, the particular group threatened to close down the firm if the deadline to pay up was not met. Eventually police acted, identified and arrested the culprit. This is a classic case of rampant extortion by all and sundry in Dimapur and a pointer to how this problem has not been effectively dealt with by the state authorities. It may also be pointed out that illegal collections at check gates, syndication of businesses and ‘taxation’ by half a dozen groups besides other organisations etc has dealt a fatal blow on trade and commerce. Several groups that were almost redundant, seem to have suddenly woken up to “do some national work” which is ultimately about forcible collection of illegal tax. It is a matter of deep concern, that development as well as social peace is under continued threat from some who claim to be doing ‘national work’. People want to live free from all kinds threat and violence and to bequeath a progressive society for the upcoming generations. The state government needs to do what is right so as to dispel the notion that it has no role in tackling these crimes because they are “politically related”. All factions also need to seriously ponder on whether what they are doing, is good for their people. No worthwhile development can take place under such an environment and worse, even potential investors from outside won’t like to risk their lives just to do business. Despite much hyped potential of the state and its people, there has been no investment worth the name from entrepreneurs from outside the state. The problem of extortion in Nagaland has led to creation of a symbiotic relationship between dubious business and extortionists. Many trying to run business, including Naga entrepreneurs themselves, are harassed and threatened to pay illegal taxes. Those who are carrying out legitimate business with restricted profit margins live in perpetual fear. The situation in Nagaland has crossed the danger mark as anyone can pose as a member of any particular group and believe in the “right” to demand “tax” from even pan shops. This cottage industry had damaged not only the state’s economy but also people’s trust in their government.

Prices of commodities in the market have sky rocketed since sellers are forced to pay taxes to nearly a dozen groups and pass on the addition burden to the end user or buyer. Such an environment has only led to growth of business syndicates and total manipulation and control of the market. Though there had been massive outcries from public such as Naga Council Dimapur, then ACAUT then Public Action Committee, the fight is far from over. In other states like Delhi and even Assam, special cells manned by reputed and highly motivated anti-crime officers and men have been formed. These cells are insulated from any external interference. They are simply given a simple order- get results. This would go a long way towards restoring peace and justice. The law should also not be in two minds in dealing with such crimes and the state government, as the guardian of the constitution, should fulfil its responsibility to protect and safeguard the security and well being of its citizens.

DailyDevotion The Delight of Despair

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

—Revelation 1:17 It may be that, like the apostle John, you know Jesus Christ intimately. Yet when He suddenly appears to you with totally unfamiliar characteristics, the only thing you can do is fall “at His feet as dead.” There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the awesomeness of the vision which brings you to the delight of despair. You experience this joy in hopelessness, realizing that if you are ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. “He laid His right hand on me…” (Revelation 1:17).

In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength. And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again. In the midst of all His ascended glory, the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, saying, “Do not be afraid” (Revelation 1:17). His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet. Do I know Him like that?

Take a look at some of the things that cause despair.

There is despair which has no delight, no limits whatsoever, and no hope of anything brighter. But the delight of despair comes when “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells…” (Romans 7:18). I delight in knowing that there is something in me which must fall prostrate before God when He reveals Himself to me, and also in knowing that if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible.

Quotes

Either move or be moved. ~ Ezra Pound

M

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

Gulf or NCR problems same

ore job losses are predicted as migrants as labourers in India or abroad, particularly in the Gulf, face severe abuses, low pay and severe depression or home sickness.

The CMIE sur vey notes the unemployment rate has shot up to 26.7 percent in rural India and 25.1 percent in urban India as of April 19. A month ago, before the lockdown began, the survey recorded unemployment rate between 6-8 percent.

The Gulf workers are envy of many. Their plight is not as bright as it is made out to be. Between 2016 and 2019, as per minister of external affairs S Jaishankars statement in Parliament, 77,155 complaints were to embassies in six countries – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Bahrain.

The highest is in S Arabia – 36 percent. In 2019 alone, 9771 complaints were received.

The lot of political brouhaha over many living their homes and walking down thousands of kilometers defying lockdown norms has not been understood by the people.

The unsettled workers in supposedly affluent Gulf or ramshackle National

Capital Region - Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida; or Mumbai have common problems. They are low paid, live in abysmal conditions, starve, malnourished, and at the receiving end of inhuman treatment.

For the reason they migrate is also the reason they take to reverse migration to their villages.

Unsatisfied and famished at home they go away and return to have a few morsel of food. The politics of buses is beyond heir comprehension. The buses have been purchased with their money and for them.

If one party is providing these why cannot the other party be sympathetic to them to allow a ride home?

One commented on social media – for vote they deny a facility to the voter. It pains all.

The reasons in the Gulf and in Indian metros are not different. The Gulf workers complain of delayed wages, denial of labour rights and benefits.

They are not paid overtime, denied holidays, refused renewal of work permits or issue of exit visas to India and a lack of provision of healthcare. Many complain of living conditions. Surprisingly, casual workers in India, mostly migrants from a few poorest states,

have similar complaint.

The workers abroad often are made to cough up for getting the exit visas – that allows them to return to India; and that includes reportedly the white collar workers. Devious methods are adopted. They are not allowed to change jobs and have to accept exploitative behaviours.

At various constructions sites Shivaji in NCR or elsewhere they are kept under strict observation and mostly not allowed to leave. At both, they are promised some wages and paid less, made to work in extreme weather conditions, labour laws are defied with impunity, 15 to 20 made to share a room and women face the worse.

It’s a life of, what the UN recently says, modern neo-slavery. The numbers as per the latest union cabinet meet is eight crore of such migrant workers in India, who are rushing home for last two months.

General secretary of Mankind in Action for Rural Growth, NJ Chhetri, says that thousands of people from Darjeeling migrate to Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru Goa and Middle East. While working away from home they

face severe problems of loneliness, depression despite in some case being paid just wages.

Many urban middle class are critical of these workers and their families walking down the highways. They are not aware that how difficult the working or living conditions are.

The government-proposed free food grain or pulses often are Sarkar n o t g i ve n to them or even to local casual workers. In some of the western UP villages, the common complaint is that the ration shops owned mostly by village muscle men do not give them either the full quota or pulses or the good stuff.

Leaving their work place for no wages and starvation is a compulsion. They are just trying to survive. They are forced to compromise their selfpride that they enjoy at their home.

According to the Fifth Annual Employment & Unemployment Report (2015-16), casual labourers represent one-third (33%) of those employed in India.

It is the most prevalent form of employment, second only to self-employment. An NSSO report in 2011 stated that during

1999-2010 the share of contract & casual workers in organized employment rose from 10.5 percent to 25.6 and the percentage of regular employees in organized sector fell from 68.3 percent to 52.4 percent in the same period.

The so called reform has empowered the employers. For raking in higher profits the working conditions deteriorated. That is why the recent changes in labour laws, including 12hour inhuman shift, by six states have drawn flak from trade unions, including the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, created by ideologue Dattopant Thengadi.

It is a critical issue.

Post-1991 liberalisation, the jobs started shrinking, which is captured by the 2011 employment report.

The policy slippages have added to the problems of not only low-skilled labourers but also educated ones.

Casualisation and denial of benefits have become routine. Legal process is procrastinated. Somehow, the government’s move to help what it has been saying for the last over two decades, has not helped the workers.

Ever y refor m has meant more denial of the rights. The corona lockdown has added to the

woes. Over 3 lakh hhave registered to be repatriated from the Gulf. Most have lost jobs. This would be a new dimension and social problem in many areas.

Indian policy planners have based their economics on the strength of lowcost casual workers. This has played havoc with not only the job scenario but also poverty alleviation issues. Absolute numbers of poor bothered economists like Raja Chelliah to AM Khusro. Despite three decades of liberalization those numbers have gone up and are estimated at 81 percent of the population.

The rise of the informal sector is now being realized as process of hiring through contracts. It has deteriorated conditions for the poor.

Prolonged lockdown implies worsening of the situation. The household savings ratio has also been steadily on the decline since 2008 global financial crisis.

The post-corona LD, it may be worsening as a number of organisations are tottering. It is also an opportunity to start revival from the villages with a new economic planning.

Carefully carved out it can have inclusive and faster growth.

Post-mortem

Fight against our ignorance and selfish attitude

I

had no intention to write on this pertaining situation. However, over some pass weeks we all have been witnessing in the social media and through different sources about the push and pull magnitude for our stranded fellow Nagas living outside Nagalnd, whether to let them come back to Nagaland in time like this? and finally when the government, NGOs and also individual personalities of the other states has taken all the trouble, inconvenience and initiatives to arrange the travel back home for our people, I believe that Nagas out there outside Nagaland would have felt HAVEN at the very fact that they are finally going back home.

However with that excitement and the feeling of joy just to reach home and moreover no time to prepare for the unusual journey, they were less prepared. The journey back home would be so challenging had never in the wildest dreams did they imagine, no drinking water, no pantry facility, no enough food (Rice), no shops in the railway stations open, the sojourner would remember this journey for the rest of their life.

But here in own homes their own people of same blood remain so insensitive to all this pain and struggle that they took just to come back home, knowing the fact that our state is not prepared to tackle with the corona pandemic, yet in their heart wish that it’s better to die in our own land to die outside, to the fact some even could not make it to the cruel exodus to Nagaland and gave up on their life in the journey, sources states that poor lady was not keeping well because of liver issues, and her doctor stopped her from under taking the journey, yet nothing stopped her from taking the journey, why? Because her home is where her heart was and was ready to breathe her last just to be home. Yet at Home we await for them with our troll, suspicious, rejection, and treatment like given to a group of zombies, and colonies barricade and

sending clear message not to allow quarantine centre in locality though assurance are made to take all the safety measures.

My people, my heart cries and breaks at the very realities of our insensitivity and our attitude rendered towards our own brothers and sisters at their home coming.

My heart goes numb realising that we all called ourselves as follower of Christ. Where is the so called loved, the love of Christ? Teaching of Christ and His love had not even penetrated our skin even though many of us are very enthusiastic worshipers and Church goers.

I fear that waiting for the coming Christ our whole life, we might fail to receive Him if HE comes today in the person of COVID infected person. Because we lust for power, glory, blessing, wealth, well being, position etc. which we cannot imagine, how a COVID infected Christ can give that to us, we only imagine Christ coming as King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, but what if He comes to us amongst the returning Naga sojourner?

Would you still troll, and reject? No because all we want are blessings.

We very often criticize Humanism, rationality in comparison to our faith and religious belief. However in this case the ethical realm of our religion had shrink down to such a narrow dot where we cannot even accommodate our own brothers and sisters, who had to pay so much just to be back home.

“Humanity is a virtue associated with basic ethics of altruism derived from the human condition. It also symbolises human love and compassion towards each other. Humanity differs from mere justice in that there is a level of altruism towards individuals included in humanity more so than the fairness found in justice.

That is, humanity, and the acts of love, altruism, and social intelligence are typically individual strengths while fairness is generally

Reader’s Post

expanded to all. Humanity can be classed as one of six virtues that are consistent across all cultures.”

Sir, This is what Humanism Two months back an invitation was sent, through newspapers, to all has to say about loving fellow Nagas of 80+ ageto share one’s ‘concerns or interests’ and experiences so humans, however religion as to preserve them in book form. goes steps ahead when it You may refer newspaper publication of 17-3-20. There, I sought from comes to loving each other, interested members of 80+ category Naga citizens to write an article in and specially Christianity 500-2000 words or say a page; Contributors to write their names and date teaches “Love is patient, of birth clearly; enclosure of latest passport size photo, preferably taken in love is kind. It does not envy, 2020. A timelinewas also drawn for submission of the write-up i.e. before it does not boast, it is not the end of this May. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has alarmed and worried us all during proud.

It does not dishonor the last two months. But, I hope my dear aged-friendsare still continuing with others, it is not self-seeking, the same spirit to pen down your thoughts. I have received calls from some it is not easily angered, it friends that they have attended the call. Surely, there are still some turning keeps no record of wrongs” their pages wanting to complete and be part of this rear initiative.

With the desire to take all interested persons on board, time for submis(1 Corinthians 13:4-5), “And sion of the write-up is extended to June 2020. You are all requested to kindly so we know and rely on the mail your papers through my son @ email ID: rajuselielhousa@gmail.comIf love God has for us. God is anyone who happens to come across this invitation only today and wishes to love. Whoever lives in love personally know more on this plan you may contact me at+91 9383011478 lives in God, and God in without any hesitation. them” (1 John 4:16), “My Zapuvisie Lhousa Mezoma Village, Kohima command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12), “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13).

But the sad reality is that we as follower of Christ only Sir, That with regard to monthly electricity bill during the nationwide tries to follow Him in the lockdown the concern department could not generate the monthly bills but metaphorical realm of faith, lately with some relaxation the electricity monthly bills are issued but bills and when the time comes for with inflated amount and best part with late fees added for the lockdown the real praxis of the Love of period/months.

Christ we take back refocusI am sure though there are some rich who can afford to foot the bill ing on how insecure we are, for any amount but almost the entire population is struggling with this however who ever tries to unprecedented wave of pandemic and as a result of covid-19, all kinds of safe oneself will lose it and economic activities are shut, thinking how to over come such a pandemic whoever lose it will gain psychologically, emotionally, physically and financially. as the lockdown it, Christian faith is about keeps prolonging business of loss, and anyone We may not be as near to self sufficient in the concern field as New who follow this principle of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Christ of losing self for this Maharashtra but we can learn and follow their humanitarian act of Kindness whose CMs have ordered deferment of Electricity and water bills over and cost will gain.

Fellow Naga Brothers above that some of them have given certain percentage of discount in the and Sisters let us take the electricity bill. having said that though needless to say our so called christian courage in the Love of Christ elected leaders should be the ones showing the way to others during such an and embrace our returning extraordinary time as this May I draw your kind attention as I quote, Twesh Mishra. New Delhi. brothers and sisters seeking Published on March 28, 2020, Updated on March 29,2020. The order will for our help and love, Christ be in effect till June 30, 2020. The ministry of power has relaxed the payoften spoke the word “with the fullness of time” I believe ment security mechanism to be ensured by power distribution companies it is such a time like this that (Discoms), This has been done to give support to discos that are finding it difficult to collect payments for bills raised on consumers in light of the this words from our lord coronavirus lockdown. make sense to the fullest of its “Considering the unprecedented and force majeure situation, it has been potential, because the Love decided that power may be scheduled even if payment security mechanism of Christ cannot be stopped is established for 50 percent of the amount for which payment security to be displayed by His faithful mechanism is to be in effect till June 30, 2020, We will also request States follower in such a time like not to charge late payment surcharge on end consumers who are not able this, though it might cost our to pay bills timely because of the covid-19 lockdowns,” Minister of State life. Let us all join our hands (Independent Charge) for Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Sing as we embrace our brothers said. end code. and sister coming back home, As a result of continuous several time nationwide lockdown payment of and let us all fight against electricity is not only an issue with the residents but also with the daily wage our ignorance and selfish at- labours, people living on rent, small traders whose businesses are shut.

Therefore I would like to request on the above account to defer the paytitude, as our Lord God Jesus ment of electricity bills till June 30, 2020, without late fee surcharge.

Christ rule over our life.

Imli Longcharm 107, Duncan Basti, Dimapur Bendangsashi Walling 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.

Calling on all 80+ Nagas

Appeal to CM on electricity bills and surcharge

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

Domestic flights to resume today

Aeroplanes parked at IGI Airport during the ongoing COVID-19 nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi, Sunday. (PTI) announcement of separate conditions by various state governments. However, it is not immediately clear whether uniform quarantine rules as envisaged could be finalised in the meetings.

The government last week announced resumption of the domestic flight services from May under specific rules and guidelines like cap on ticket pricing, wearing of face masks by passengers, no food served on board planes and making available details of medical conditions by travellers through Aarogya Setu app

Ao churches, CSOs NPYF alleges gross anomalies to support 300... by state to contain COVID-19

(From p-1) Mentioning this, Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Churches & Ao Civil Societies on COVID-19 War convener Supu Jamir and secretary Imti Jamir in a release said the church and CSOs understood that it was their spiritual and social obligation to share the burden of the State government as well as Naga people in difficult times like now.

Moved by the appeal of the State government to churches and CSOs in Nagaland to extend spiritual and physical support in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, they said they felt the need to urgently respond in view of the apprehension expressed by the government itself about its inability to make available adequate infrastructure and other needs in managing the quarantine centres for Naga brothers and sisters coming from different parts of the country.

Hoping that the quarantine period at the centres would be another good time for everyone to share their feelings and love of God through various social media platforms with presentation of gift bags and word of hope from God’s servants and counsellors from the respective churches, Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Churches & Ao Civil Societies on COVID-19 War appealed to all citizens to keep praying for God’s mercy and His divine protection and render all possible support to contain this unprecedented pandemic of “our time”.

(From p-1) NPYF also alleged that drivers of NST buses and other buses during COVID19 duties were not provided with tea or lunch . It said during off duty hours, the drivers were given “unpalatable” rice and dal only whereas they should have been provided with food pack worth Rs.200 each.

The drivers were also sent made to drive on journey through bad roads for 6 to 7 hours and asked to return on the same day.

NPYF also lambasted the gag order on doctors and nurses not to talk to anyone including media to air their grievances.

At quarantine centres, NPYF alleged that norms were flouted and inmates were provided only little assistance. The inmates were to be provided non-veg meals thrice a week but were given only once a week.

It also alleged that some people travelling from Manipur to Nagaland, were made to wait at Khuzama check post for screening for nearly three to four hours.

Since there was no one, it said the same people volunteered to be screened at Dimapur quarantine centre but again had to wait for 3 to 4 hours to get registered.

NPYF also expressed surprise that some nonmedical staff of other departments were deployed as frontline workers without any training to undertake such a critical job.

NPYF also alleged that when its members wanted to visit the BSL-2 (laboratory)

at CIHSR, the director did not allow them to see the works. It said this only indicated a lack of transparency as the proposed BSL-2 set up still has a long way to go before completion. NPYF lamented that the laboratory was still not ready when so many people were arriving Nagaland from various states including Red Zones.

It opined that the laboratory in Kohima would not be able to cope up with testing for such a huge number of returnees.

NPYF also regretted about the lack of security in Special Shramik Trains bringing in thousands of stranded citizens of Nagaland. It pointed out that lives of returnees were put at risk by the indiscriminate incident when locals in Bihar forcibly boarded the train.

Most seriously, NPYF said the special trains brining stranded people breached all protocols by halting for hours on end with fans switched off during the stops under scorching sun.

It also pointed out that at a certain station, some locals attacked the trains carrying the stranded passengers by breaking windows even in presence of security personnel. In addition, NPYF said the trains did not even provide enough drinking water for the stranded passengers from Nagaland.

NPFY has demanded that the railway ministry and the state government take up the matter and ensure that trains carrying citizens from Nagaland provided safety and timely service.

Mob in Bihar attack Dimapur bound train

proximately 36 lakh mi- out that 80% of these trains (From p-1) He said the matter was grant workers back to their were bound to traverse UP taken up with appropriate home States, he pointed and Bihar. authorities and had been settled, claiming that he was in constant touch with the passengers travelling through the route.

The APC said State DGP T John Longkumer had conveyed that police personnel were escorting the passengers. He informed that Nagaland had received about 3,500 passengers till date.

He also said 42 buses carrying more than 1,400 stranded people of Nagaland from 12 States would be reaching the State in the next few days.

Mentioning that Indian Railways planned to operate 2,600 Shramik special trains to ferry ap-

or by filling up of a selfdeclaration form.

The government’s decision came as the aviation sector was reeling under severe stress triggered by the coronavirus lockdown that began on March 25.

However, many states expressed serious reservations to the Centre’s decision to start the flight services. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar, Punjab, Assam and Andhra Pradesh have announced their respective quarantine measures for passengers arriving at their airports.

There will be no delay in supply of Rafale jets to India: France NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (PTI): There will be no delay in delivery of 36 Rafale jets to India as the timeline finalised for the supply of the fighter jets will be strictly respected, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain has said.

India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore.

“The contractual delivery schedule of the Rafale jets has been perfectly respected till now, and, in fact, a new aircraft was handed over to the Indian Air Force in end-April in France, in keeping with the contract,” Lenain told PTI. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received the first Rafale jet at an airbase in France on October 8.

“We are helping the Indian Air Force in arranging for the ferry flight of their first four Rafales from France to India as soon as possible. So there’s no reason today to speculate that the schedule will not be maintained,” the envoy said. France is reeling under swelling cases of coronavirus and has emerged as

one of the worst-hit in Europe. Over 1,45,000 people were infected by the virus while the death toll stood at 28,330.

There were apprehensions that the delivery of Rafale jets could be delayed due to the pandemic.

However, Lenain asserted that the original timeline for delivery of the jets will be adhered to.

The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-toair missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.

Meteor is the next generation of BVR air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise airto-air combat. The weapon has been developed by

MBDA to combat common threats facing the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden.

Besides the missile systems, the Rafale jets will come with various Indiaspecific modifications, including Israeli helmetmounted displays, radar warning receivers, low band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking systems.

The IAF has already completed preparations, including readying required infrastructure and training of pilots, to welcome the fighter aircraft.

The first squadron of the aircraft will be stationed at Ambala air force station, considered one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF. The Indo-Pak border is around 220 km from there.

Subdued Eid celebrations in India in shadow of pandemic

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 24 (PTI): Celebrations on Eidul-Fitr were subdued in Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday with no major congregational prayers and community feasts due to the coronavirus lockdown.

While Eid will be celebrated in the rest of the country on Monday, the festive buzz was missing as markets and other public places remained deserted, whether it was in Lucknow, Kolkata or the old Delhi areas as people mostly remained indoors.

Major mosques and idghas, which see tens of thousands of people offering namaz on Eid and then embracing each other, remained mostly empty perhaps for the first time on the festival as the government has prohibited all kinds of religious gatherings to prevent the spread of the

coronavirus.

In his message, President Ram Nath Kovind asked citizens to reaffirm their belief “in sharing with and caring for the most vulnerable sections of society”.

He also asked people to resolve to adhere to social distancing norms and all other precautions to stay safe and overcome the coronavirus challenge soon.

Prominent clerics and religious organisations like Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind have also appealed to people to adhere to social distancing and lockdown guidelines of the government and stay at home to offer Eid namaz.

In Palayam mosque in Thiruvananthapuram, the cleric live-streamed the Eid prayers for the faithful.

Many joined their families and friends on video calls as lockdown restrictions prevented them from travelling. The Kerala government had eased the curbs on Sunday in view of Eid,

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but the festival was shorn of its usual gaiety and not many people ventured out.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan greeted the people on Eid, mentioning that the world was passing through a difficult time due to the pandemic.

“May we also have the blessing to prevent and eliminate the COVID-19 disease,” Khan tweeted.

No mass congregations were held in major mosques and shrines of Kashmir as police enforced restrictions in most parts of the valley including Srinagar city, of-

ficials said.

Last year too, authorities had imposed strict curfew in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 and division of Jammu and Kashmir state into two union territories. People preferred to offer Eid prayers at home, either individually or in small groups comprising family members, on Sunday.

However, there have been reports of congregation Eid prayers being offered in mosques located in the interior parts of cities and towns. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu had urged the people to adhere to the

guidelines and norms issued by the administration while celebrating the festival.

“The festival is one of many examples of India’s multi-dimensional culture.

May this festival promote and maintain inter-religious understanding and co-existence and instill the spirit of brotherhood, harmony, and amity among the people of all faiths,” he said.

Police personnel made announcements early in the morning on public address systems, appealing people not to congregate for Eid prayers as restrictions were still in place as part of the lockdown.

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would “not be responsible for repatriating or bearing any quarantine or related costs of any guests”.

In the midst of uncertainty and confusion, representatives of airline and several states held multiple meetings with top officials of the Civil Aviation Ministry on Sunday covering a range of contentious issues like quarantine rules for flyers and standard operating procedures for leading airports, officials said.

The focus of the deliberations was to have uniform quarantine rules following

Some states decided to put passengers on mandatory institutional quarantine while several others talked about putting them under home quarantine.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday questioned the need for quarantine if a passenger is shown green status in Aarogya Setu app. The green status signifies that a passenger is safe.

However, as the states remained adamant on the matter, the central government is trying to create coherence in quarantine rules for flyers, officials said.

They said bookings have been opened for around 1,050 domestic flights that will operate on Monday. Several executives from a number of airlines said since Mumbai airport and Kolkata airport handle a significant share of domestic flights, the operators are expecting the Centre to clarify the “prevailing confusion” relating to quarantine.

“Clarity is required on matters regarding quarantine and flights to Mumbai and Kolkata as it is affecting our bookings. Passengers are reluctant to book in such an environment,” said an executive of a low cost carrier.

K-927

NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (PTI): Indian skies will open up for domestic passenger flights from Monday after a gap of two months but there was confusion following imposition of own set of conditions and rules by several states which are at odds with each other.

Many states like Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu were opposed to opening up of their airports in view of rising cases of the coronavirus infection, making it difficult for the airlines as well as the civil aviation authorities to resume services.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are home to some of the busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Twitter on Sunday that it is “extremely ill-advised” to reopen airports in red zones.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she will urge the Centre to postpone resumption of domestic flight services at Kolkata and Bagdogra airports by a few days.

On Sunday afternoon, AirAsia India said on Twitter that all passengers must read the health protocols of the destination states and it

5

6

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

up in Sri Lanka as 2-day Taliban, Ghani declare 3-day ceasefire for Eid Security nationwide curfew imposed

Islamabad, May 24 (AP): The Taliban and Afghanistan’s president announced late Saturday a three-day ceasefire ahead of a major Islamic holiday that begins Sunday to mark the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramzan.

The Taliban order, which was soon followed by an announcement via Twitter from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announcing the government “extends the offer of peace”, comes just days after US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in Kabul and Doha.

Khalilzad on his trip urged both the Taliban and the Afghan government to reduce violence and move ahead with intra-Afghan negotiations, a key pillar of a US peace deal with the Taliban signed in February to allow American troops to leave Afghanistan.

The deal was also touted at the time as Afghanistan’s best chance for peace after nearly four

Ashraf Ghani decades of war.

The Taliban’s ceasefire announcement follows an Eid al-Fitr message from the Taliban leader which said the insurgent group was committed to the peace deal, was not seeking to monopolize power and promised to guarantee the rights of women and men under an Islamic system.

The directive ordered Taliban fighters not to fight but also not to fraternize with Afghan national security forces. The instructions seemed intended to avoid

images that circulated during the last cease-fire in 2018, also during Eid celebrations, including Taliban fighters sharing ice cream and laughing with Afghan national security force soldiers.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement and urged all parties “to seize the opportunity and embrace an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process”, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Guterres, who called for a cease-fire in all global conflicts on March 23 to tackle the coronavirus pandemic stressed that “only a peace settlement can bring an end to the suffering in Afghanistan” and said that “the United Nations is committed to supporting the people and government of Afghanistan in this important endeavour”, the spokesman said.

In instructions issued Saturday, Taliban fighters

were told “not to attack the enemy in any place but if there is attack from enemy in any place then a befitting defensive response shall be given”. The order also warned Taliban fighters against entering “enemy” territory.

Since signing the peace deal with the United States, the Taliban have not attacked US and NATO troops but have staged numerous attacks against Afghan National Security forces.

The peace deal calls for the full withdrawal of US and NATO troops by the end of next year but only if the Taliban honour their commitment to fight against terrorist groups and guarantee that Afghanistan cannot be used as a staging ground of attacks against the United States and its allies.

The agreement also calls for talks between Taliban and the often-bickering political leadership in Kabul

to decide the future of a post-war Afghanistan. It also calls for the release of prisoners by both the government and Taliban as a good will gesture ahead of the talks.

An increase in attacks claimed by the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan, including a horrific attack on a maternity hospital in the Afghan capital last week, blamed on the IS affiliate, has given an urgency to finding a settlement between the government and Taliban.

US Department of Defense officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, said the Taliban is seen as an asset in the fight against IS in Afghanistan.

The US military in Afghanistan welcomed the cease-fire announcement saying “we reiterate our call for the militaries of all sides to reduce violence to allow the peace process to take hold.”

C o lo m b o, M ay 2 4 ( IA N S ) : S e c u r i t y wa s strengthened across Sri Lanka on Sunday as a twoday nationwide curfew came into effect to prevent people from leaving their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, police said.

According to the police, nearly 1,000 roadblocks have been set up across the country, which will be manned by police officers who will be deployed on a shift basis, 24 hours of the day, reports Xinhua news agency. The curfew will be lifted on Tuesday at 5 a.m., in order to resume economic activities.

The epidemic has so far infected over 1,000 people and caused nine deaths in the island country.

Police said that all vehicles and people on the streets on Sunday and Monday will be strictly checked and those defying the curfew will be arrested.

From May 26, curfew will be effective in Sri Lanka, in all districts, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily.

Further, the police in capital Colombo and the urged the minority Mus- outskirts of Gampaha since lims, celebrating the Eid March 24 will be lifted on al-Fitr festival in Sri Lanka May 26 as the spread of the on Sunday, to avoid pub- COVID-19 has been limited lic gatherings and confine in the island country. celebrations within their From May 26, curhomes. few will be effective in Sri “Anyone caught break- Lanka, in all districts, from ing the rules, will be arrested 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily. for breaking the quarantine Economic activities laws,” the police said. will resume normally after In a statement, the curfew is lifted but strict government information health guidelines will need department said that the to be maintained, the govcurfew which was imposed ernment said.

N Korea’s Kim holds meeting to Inquiry initiated into deadly Karachi plane crash discuss bolstering nuke forces

Su doku

KAKURO

No. 9573 Yesterday’s solution No. 9572

No. 4192 Yesterday’s solution No. 4191

No. 3217 Yesterday’s solution No. 3216

Across 1. Rot (5) 6. Vote in (5) 9. Be prominent (7) 10. Terminate prematurely (5) 11. Ancient artefact (5) 12. Sucrose (5) 13. Tolerant (7) 15. Metallic element (3) 17. Among (4) 18. Savage (6) 19. Of a city or citizens (5) 20. View or glance (6) 22. Quote (4) 24. And not (3) 25. Smoked herring (7) 26. Churlish (5) 27. Perfect (5) 28. Whole range or scale (5) 29. Jelly-like sweet (7) 30. Attempts (5) 31. Discourage (5) Down 2. Symbol (6) 3. Frightened (6) 4. Nevertheless (3) 5. Portly (5) 6. Irregular (7) 7. Look lasciviously (4) 8. Reviewer (6) 12. Escargot (5) 13. Loaded (5) 14. African river (5) 15. Characteristic (5) 16. Not ever (5) 18. Yo u n g f e m a l e horse (5) 19. Cloud type (7) 21. Over there (6) 22. Savoury snack (6) 23. Term of office (6) 25. Knife part (5) 26. Savant (4) 28. Deity (3)

Apart from the government, a team from the aircraft’s makers will also investigate the crash.

Two people survived gency exit, and he controlled the crash including an en- his nerves to quickly open gineer who got burn inju- the exit door after the plane ries, and the president of crashed while the engineer the Bank of Punjab who was sitting on the back seat got multiple fractures but and when he saw the door the condition of the two is opening, he restored his constable, she said. scious and quickly jumped “The bank’s president off the burning plane. Both was sitting close to the emer- of them were later shifted to

hospital,” Yousuf added.

According to Director Management of Operations PIA Jawad Haider, the plane was not fully loaded due to COVID-19 safety measures.

The PIA flight PK-8303 with 91 passengers and eight crew members onboard took off from the Allama Iqbal International Airport in the eastern city of Lahore at 1.08 p.m. and crashed at 2.45 p.m. local time on Friday, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez said.

The Pakistani government has suspended domestic flight operations in March this year due to its measures against the COVID-19 spread. It resumed the domestic flight operations on May 16.

COVID-19: 10 days of national mourning in Spain M a d r i d, M ay 2 4 (IANS): Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared 10 days of national mourning for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He made the announcement in a televised TV broadcast on Saturday, a day after the Health Ministry gave the regions of Madrid, the Barcelona metropolitan area and the urban areas of Castilla-Leon permission to move to Phase 1 of Spain’s four-stage plan to ease lockdown restrictions, reports Xinhua news agency.

“From next Tuesday (May 26), when all of the country is in Phase 1, the government will declare 10 days official mourning - the longest in the history of our democracy,” said Sanchez.

Over 28,600 people have lost their lives in Spain due to the novel coronavirus and the Prime Minister said that “flags will fly at half-mast on all public buildings and all naval vessels and when the scale-down is over, the Head of State will preside over a homage” to the victims.

Sanchez celebrated the easing of restrictions, saying that from Monday everyone

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“will be able to see our families and friends, who live in the same provinces... Shops will reopen and streets will recover their normality”.

However, he insisted

that the pandemic is not over. “We are a step away from victory, but the virus has not disappeared, we have to keep it at a distance,” the Prime Minister noted.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Office of the GBs Union Dimapur(s) would like to acknowledge and appreciate Dr. Roland Lotha for providing 100 bags of rice, Mr. Bimal (Niholu) and Basu Damani for providing 2500 masks each to the most needy people in 98 colonies during the lockdown.

The union truly values your kind services and prays that God Almighty bless you and family members.

M.Y Ngullie Rangau President, GBUD Joint Secy., GBUD

DP-2417

Crossword

lack of progress, Kim later said he would unveil “a new strategic weapon” and would no longer be bound by a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and longrange missile tests.

Kim hasn’t still followed through with those threats though he conducted a slew of short-range missile tests.

On Sunday, the North’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper released photos showing Kim clad in his trademark dark Mao suit and delivering a speech, writing down on a document and pointing his stick at a board on the podium.

Elderly military generals wearing olive green uniforms were seen taking notes when Kim, 36, spoke — something that’s typical in North Korean state media-distributed photos.

DP-2371

ing were new policies for further increasing the nuclear war deterrence of the country and putting the strategic armed forces on a high alert operation,” the Korean Central News Agency said, without saying exactly when the meeting was held.

The meeting also discussed increasing the capabilities for deterring “the threatening foreign forces”, it said.

It was held amid a prolonged deadlock in negotiations with the United States over the North’s nuclear programme. The two countries’ diplomacy faltered when a second summit between Kim and President Donald Trump in February 2019 ended without any agreement due to disputes over US-led sanctions on North Korea.

Frustrated over the

Talking to Xinhua, Meeran Yousuf, media coordinator of the health minister of Sindh province, said that all the 97 people were the passengers and 21 of them have been identified and their remains were handed over to relatives while identification of the rest was underway.

“We have requested the families of the deceased people to cooperate with us for DNA test to identify the remaining bodies, and currently samples are being taken for the test. It will take 21 days to identify the bodies through the test after which they will be handed over to the families,” she added.

She said the plane fell in a street, and 17 houses were damaged, adding that the families of the affected houses have been shifted to various state-owned accommodations, and they will be compensated later.

DP-2416

Seoul, May 24 (AP): North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un convened a key military meeting to discuss bolstering its nuclear arsenal and putting the country’s strategic armed forces on a high alert, state media reported on Sunday, in his first known public appearance in about 20 days.

In early May, Kim quelled intense rumours about his health by attending a ceremony marking the completion of a fertiliser factory in his first public activities in 20 days.

But he hadn’t again made any follow-up public appearance in about another 20 days until the state news agency on Sunday said that he led a meeting of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party.

“Set forth at the meet-

K a r a c h i , M ay 2 4 (IANS): An inquiry has been launched into the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crash at a residential area in Karachi that left 97 people dead, the country’s aviation minister said.

Apart from the investigation board formed by the government, a team from the aircraft’s makers will also visit the crash site for investigation, and the plane’s black box will be sent for decoding to further help the probe, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan told a media briefing on Saturday.

He added that the report will be made public within three months after which stern action will be taken against those found guilty, reports Xinhua news agency. He also announced a compensation of 1 million PKR ($6,227) each for the families of the 97 deceased passengers.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND OFFICE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

NAGA HOSPITAL AUTHORITY KOHIMA: NAGALAND

NO.MD-NHAK-10/32/COVID/2019-2020/330 Dated Kohima, the 22nd May, 2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima expresses our deep appreciation to various departments/ Organizations and individuals for their kind contribution in cash and kinds during this COVID19 Pandemic crisis. NHAK wishes our patrons to continue their good endeavors and look forward for their meaningful participation in the coming days. Further, NHAK informs any well-wishers intending to contributes may kindly contact the Medical Superintendent cum Liaison Officer COVID-19 EOC, NHAK: 85752 48951.

1. City Church, Kohima 2. Shri. Abeilie Solo 3. Khonoma Women Self Help Group 4. Smt. Zakiebeiu Loris 5. UBC – Thenuko Krotho 6. Green Caravan & Nerhema Village 7. Chesezu Christian Revival Church 8. Lekhro Foundation 9. Shri. Seyiekhriezo Nakhro 10. Smt. Neinuo Deo 11. Shri. Neivikuolie 12. Kohima District Congress Committee 13. Shri. Abhijit Sahu 14. Shri. Y. Patton, Dy. CM K-932

(DR. THORHUSIE KATIRY) Managing Director Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

4 new COVID-19 cases in Assam; tally rises to 350 Guwahati, May 24 (PTI): A day after Assam recorded the highest of 87 COVID-19 cases on a single day, four fresh cases have been reported in the state on Sunday, a senior minister said.

With this there are total 350 COVID-19 positive cases in the state.

Of the 350, 286 are active cases, while 57 have recovered, four have died and three migrated out of the state. “ F o u r n e w #COVID19+ confirmed.

Two from Chirang, at Tezpur quarantine centre; two from Jorhat with travel history to Chennai”, Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.

The state has so far carried out 55,862 tests which the minister claimed was higher than that of Kerala.

“In a strong testimony to excellent team work and our steely resolve to do the best in a crisis like #COVID19, I am humbled to share that #Assam has carried out 55,862 tests so far. This is higher than Kerala’s (52,771), a state

Himanta Biswa Sarma

known for its healthcare excellence”, the minister said in another tweet.

Guwahati Medical College Hospital recorded the highest of 15,807, followed by 12,096 at Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College Hospital, Barpeta, 7,276 at Regional Medical Research Centre, Lahowal, 6,716 at Tezpur Medical College Hospital, 6,334 at Jorhat Medical College Hospital, 5,140 at Silchar Medical College Hospital and 2,502 at Assam Medical College Hospital, Dibrugarh, the minister said.

He also congratulat-

ed the “behind-the-curtain #COVIDHeroes - our lab technicians, scientists, microbiology faculty of medical colleges, and team RMRC who made extraordinary efforts to make this happen. And most certainly kudos to our dedicated teams from #HealthDeptt @nhm_assam”.

The minister had said on Saturday that the situation in Assam has reached a challenging phase and the government will write to other states to ensure that buses and trucks carrying people without maintaining social distancing are not allowed movement.

170 Shramik Spl trains ferry stranded people from NE

Maligaon, May 24: The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) has informed that as of May 22, 170 Shramik Special Trains have reached NFR areas with about 225000 stranded people. The NFR said Passengers were given free meals, water, and necessary medical help by railways as and when required during the journey.

A press statement by Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Subhanan Chanda stated passengers of Shramik Special Trains are mainly students and migrant labours and their family members. Out of the 170 trains, 22 trains arrived in various N.E. states like Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam till yesterday with around 30000 stranded people from NE states including Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.

NFR informed another 23-24 trains will be arriving in the coming days in NE states with stranded people.

While 145 trains arrived in Bihar areas under NFR till yesterday, 3 trains arrived in North Bengal under NFR. In NFR areas under Katihar division of Bihar, trains arrived at stations

like Katihar, Purnea, Arraria, Kishanganj. Another 45 trains will be arriving in these areas of Bihar and 1(one) at New Jalpaiguri by tomorrow carrying stranded people, the release added.

NFR stated that these Shramik Special Trains mainly originate from Kozhikkode (Calicut), Kota, Jaipur, Nandurbar, Hisar, Surat, Sirhind Jn, Vadodara, Udaipur, Bharuch, Ghatkesar, Ludhiana, Ambala, Aligarh, Rohtak, Kalyan, Bibinagar Jn, Bhiwani, Jalandhar, Meerut, Dehradun, Rampur, Habibganj, Rayanapadu, Karaikal, Bengaluru and various stations in Mumbai, Chennai etc.

NFR stated that few Shramik Special trains have also left from Northeast with stranded persons to states like Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, Goa and Karnataka. More such trains will run in the coming days, NFR added.

The NFR also informed stranded people of the Ministry of Railways decision to operate 2600 more Shramik Special Trains in the next ten days across the country as per the needs of State Governments which is expected to benefit 36 lakh stranded passengers across the country.

Meghalaya to decide reopening of markets today Correspondent

Shillong, May 24: The Meghalaya government will take a final call on Monday on whether to partially open main markets like Ïewduh and Khyndai Lad. Ïewduh, the biggest market in the State, and Khyndai Lad (Police Bazaar) has remained closed since March 21 as a preventive measure to combat the possible spread of Coronavirus in the State.

Several shopkeepers from Ïewduh and Khyndai Lad feel that business should resume with strict health guidelines business establishments and consumers should adhere to.

“It is high time economic activities re-start in order to ensure livelihood of tens of thousands of people but the government

must issue guidelines which both the shopkeeper and costumer should mandatorily follow,” said Susana Wankhar, a vegetable vendor in Ïewduh.

Echoing Wankhar, Nana Modrani, who owns a garment shop at Khyndai Lad said, “Retail outlets should be given a chance to open for a certain time and if the administration wants, shops can be open for alternative days of the week.

“This step will help the shopkeepers to generate some income to tide over the crisis they are experiencing throughout the lockdown period. All care should be taken by the stake holders to maintain proper social distancing and hygiene as per the guidelines laid down by the government,” he said.

On Saturday, Chief

Cloudburst wreaks havoc in Meghalaya

Correspondent

Shillong, May 24: A cloudburst on Saturday night wreaked havoc in several villages in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district, an official said on Sunday.

No loss of life has been reported so far and people are being evacuated to the upland areas following the flashflood.

A State Disaster Response team has reached the site to take stock of the situation.

District Magistrate Ram Singh said several markets, educational institutions and private properties have been submerged under water.

“Heavy rainfall following cloudburst wreaked

havoc in Raksamgre and Tikrikilla area causing flash flood and many villages between Nidanpur, Tikrikilla and Raksamgre are inundated,” Singh said.

He informed that three bridges – two wooden and a concrete bridge – were washed away by the raging floodwaters.

“The Holaidonga road between Phulbari and Tikrikilla has been submerged under water with light vehicles finding difficult to drive,” Singh said, adding that Chibinang road was also waterlogged, but vehicles can pass through with difficulty.

Singh said that people are advised to avoid travelling to those areas till further orders.

16 Maha returnees found COVID-19 positive in Tripura; total now 191 Agartala, May 24 (PTI): Sixteen people who recently returned from Maharashtra have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura, taking the total number of cases to 191 in the state, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said.

Deb urged travellers returning to the state to follow coronavirus-related guidelines and sought their cooperation. The chief minister said 996 samples were tested for COVID-19 in Tripura on Saturday.

“Among them, 16 persons found COVID19 positive.

All of them have returned from Maharashtra. They have been admitted to hospital,” Deb tweeted on Saturday.

“Requesting all travellers to follow the quarantine instructions & co-operate with Govt,” he added.

Officials said 23,418 people have been placed under surveillance in Tripura so far. Of them, 15,736 have been discharged after completing 14 days’ observation.

Altogether, 359 people are in institutional quarantine in different places at present, while 7,327 are in home quarantine.

K Y M C

Minister Conrad Sangma held a review meeting with his cabinet colleagues and senior government officials following request from various stakeholders to open markets.

“The need to reopen markets including Ïewduh was discussed and the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district was asked to work out the modalities along with the Chief Secretary M.S.Rao and come back on Monday to take decision accordingly,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said.

In fact, the opposition Congress legislator Mohendro Rapsang, raised the matter during the reassembled budget of the State Assembly, urging the State government to partially open 15 percent of the market.

“The closure of shops in Ïewduh for two months has badly affected the livelihood of the people. At least 15 percent of shops dealing with farming and other sectors should be allowed to open in Ïewduh,” Rap-

sanh said, suggesting Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Health and Family Welfare Minister, A.L.Hek to visit the market for a joint inspection to explore the idea of opening up of shops partially.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Words are inadequate to express our heartfelt gratitude to one and all those who stood by us shared our grief, sorrow and supported us morally, spiritually, physically and materially during the prolonged illness of our beloved Late Molungsunep Jamir. We found strength and solace through your immense love, care, concerns, prayers and support rendered to us in every possible ways.

We fall short of words to acknowledge each of you Born on 25.05.1988 individually however it is our Died on 03.04.2020 sincere prayer that our Almighty God shower His abundant blessings upon you all. We sincerely convey our special gratitude to all.

DP-2415 Loving Son, Parents, Sisters, In-laws & Relatives .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

7

COVID-19 cases in Manipur rise to 32

Special train from Pune brings back 972 stranded state people on Sunday.

Correspondent

I M P HAL , M ay 2 4 : COVID-19 positive cases among the returnees in Manipur increased to 32 with three new cases were reported in the last 24-hour.

Of the 32 cases, 28 are active cases . Four cases, including a cancer patient, have recovered and been discharged from the COVID care facilities at RIMS and JNIMS hospitals.

The latest official release of COVID-19 Common Control Room of Manipur government on Sunday showed an increase of three cases in the state during the last 24 hours.

Two new active cases

of COVID-19 (one male and one female) were confirmed last night at the VRDL, RIMS. The 32 year-old male is from Jiribam district while the 25-year-old female from Thoubal district.

An 18-year-old male was also confirmed last night at the VRDL, JNIMS. He is from Churachandpur district and recently returned from Chennai, the release informed.

Of the 28 active cases, 21 are currently treated at the COVID care facility of JNIMS hospital while the remaining 11 are in RIMS hospital.

Meanwhile, with 470 tested for the virus in the last 24 hours, the two state

level VRDLs at RIMS and JNIMS have tested 4,583 for COVID-19 in the state so far. Of the total tested, 15 were tested at NIV, Pune before the two VRDLs in the state were approved as COVID-19 testing centres by the Centre.

On the other hand, stranded people continue to arrive by special train with as many as 973 including 20 children of the state arrived at Jiribam Railway Station at around 10.50 in the morning on Sunday.

All the returnees have left Jiribam on buses for their respective districts where they will be lodged at community quarantine centres.

OBITUARY “As is a tale, so is life. Not how long it is but how good it is, is what matters.”

Our dearest Asha unexpectedly left our loving embrace on a cloudy morning, embarking on her journey to Heaven. She was a bright young girl who loved life and all those who knew her have lost a shining light in their lives. We know she is now united with her beloved mother in Heaven.

We the bereaved family would like to express our deepest gratitude to every single person who stood by us during this time of sorrow. She will be immensely missed.

Loving, Dad, Brothers and Relatives DP-2419

Late Senthangle Kez 26 August 1999 – 21 May 2020

IN GRATITUDE Late DR. WEPRENYI MERO (Retd.) Managing Director, NSDCF Ltd. (Dept. of AH & Vety Services) Nagaland Kohima.

Born in: 1954 Died on: 31.03.2020

Born on : 15.06.1921 – Died on : 15.04.2020

We do express our heartfelt gratitude to every individual, churches, organizations, neighbours, relatives and well-wishers who stood by us sacrificing their time and helped us spiritually, physically and financially when our family was undergoing grief and sorrow for the demise of our beloved father Late Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi on 15th April 2020.

We deeply regret our inability to mention all the names individually but it is our prayer that God abundantly bless you all.

Loving family members.

A Tribute to our Grandfather Lt. Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi A humble and spiritually oriented servant of God. A man of high calibre with a calm demeanour.

Fulfilled the Lord's mission to serve, to render peace and deliver the perishing souls.

His heart aligned with God's heart, evangelized the lost and nurtured the faith of believers.

He possessed many virtuous attributes namely honesty, humility, integrity and nobility.

A wise prominent writer and an intellectual who pondered that spiritual aproach is the core to dismantle fear.

With prayer as the ideal weapon, he broke the barriers and hurdles of life.

The flashes of inspiration and courage bided in him.

Strong will power became the pinnacle of his accomplishments.

A fearless and valiant man who refused to succumb to any obstacle and transcended above the things that stood against his goals.

A sharp visionary thinking to renew the world and eradicate hostility through his ethical teachings of Christianity.

The final vision to him from God that said " it's over, it's over" marked the end of his purposeful journey.

He lived a fruitful life, sowed and reaped bountyfully.

The final awakening called the inevitable death reach him.

The road to eternity and forever reunited with the Grand Maker. " Heaven inherited a man who had heaven in his soul" From, Your Grand Children COMP

Late Dr. Weprenyi Mero, B.VSC & AH, Post Graduate, NDAH, IVRI, IZATNAGAR, U.P S/o Late Kedoulo Mero and Mrs Wezoü of Pfütseromi Village expired on 31.03.2020 from Kohima and the mortal remains brought to the village for burial on 01.04.2020.

Besides his professional duty in the dept. late Dr. Mero was ever active in the Lord's work all throughout his life. He translated the Holy Bible and Dieliekevi Tsalida (Gospel hymnal book in Angami, 420 hymns into Kuzhale dialect ( Chakhesang ) Naga, a task that took him more than 10 yrs to complete ( 1995 - 2005). Till he breathed his last, he served as Head deacon at Kuzhami Chakhesang Baptist Church, Kohima, and also served as Vice President of the Kuzhami Baptist Churches Association for the last 5 years. He was also the Vice President of the Kuzhami Literature Board.

We, the bereaved family members would like to express our profound gratitude to all the individuals, Churches, prayer groups, Medical doctors and various organizations who had generously extended financial supports, offered rich floral tributes and condolence messages, different kinds of materials, food items and help in every possible way during the illness and sudden demise of our beloved late Dr. Weprenyi Mero.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Kuzhami Chakhesang Baptist Church, Kohima 2. Kuzhalhü Zawe Organization hqrs : Pfütsero 3. Kuzhami Literature Board, hqrs : Pfütsero 4. Kuzhami Baptist Church, Darogapathar, Dimapur 5. Kuzhami Baptist Church, Chumukedima, Dimapur 6. Calvary Baptist Church, Pfütsero Town 7. Lekromi Baptist Church 8. Kami Baptist Church/ Kami Village Council 9. Chakhesang Baptist Church, Ministers' Hill Kohima 10. Chakhesang Baptist Church Council, T. Chikri, Pfütsero Town 11. Kuzhami Baptist Churches Association hqrs: Pfütsero 12. Pfütseromi Village Council/ Pfütseromi Students' Union 13. Pfütseromi Gazetted Officers' Forum/ Pfütseromi Union Kohima 14. Pfütseromi Lisü Kro/ Pfütseromi Women Ministry 15. Pfütseromi Village Baptist Church (KBCA) 16. Women Ministry KBCAK 17. Lerie Colony Fellowship, Kohima 18. Mrs & Mr. Neiba Kronu, Hon'ble Minister for Planning & Co- ordination, Land Revenue, Govt of Nagaland 19. Mrs & Mr. K.G Kenye, Hon'ble M.P Rajya Sabha, New Delhi 20. Mrs & Dr. Zapulhou Kronu, Sr. Pastor, Kami Baptist Church 21. Mrs & Rev. Neikko Mero, Sr. Pastor, Kuzhami Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima (who conducted funeral rites as Minister- during COVID-19 pandemic in India) 22. Friends, neighbours, relatives and church leaders who accompanied the mortal remains from Kohima to Pfutseromi village on 31.03.20 midnight.

We deeply regret our inability to mention each one of you individually in this column, but it is our sincere and humble prayer that Omnipotent God will bless you all abundantly in return. Thank you all.

Mrs. Atsole Mero (Kedoukhrotsoü) Wife and Children and the relatives K-921 K Y M C

8

sports

Bayern stay on top with 5-2 win over Frankfurt

Bayern Munich players celebrate their goal against Eintracht Frankfurt during the Bundelsgia match on May 23.

BERLIN, MAY 24 (IANS): Bayern Munich stayed on top of the Bundesliga table after crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-2 in the 27th round of the league.

The Bavarians staged a powerful performance and established a three-goal lead before the Eagles scored twice against the run of the game through Martin Hinteregger. Hansi Flick’s men remained unimpressed and

added another two goals to seal the victory, Xinhua news agency reports.

The German record champions took the rein from the kick-off and kept Frankfurt’s defense busy as Robert Lewandowski, Ivan Perisic and Benjamin Pavard came close in the opening period.

Bayer n eventually broke the deadlock with 17 minutes into the game

when Thomas Muller’s pinpoint cross allowed Leon Gortezka to mark the opener into the roof of the net.

Germany international Muller got his name on the scoreboard before the break after tapping home Alphonso Davie’s square pass from very close range in the 41st minute.

After the restart, the German giants put the

result beyond doubt as Kingsley Coman’s chip found Lewandowski, who nodded home the 3-0 lead with only 45 seconds into the second half.

However, Frankfurt shrugged off the shock and reduced the arrears out of the blue as Hinteregger poked home a rebound following a corner to make it 3-1 in the 52nd minute.

The Austrian interna-

tional wasn’t done with the scoring and wrapped up his brace after heading home Sebastian Rode’s corner kick only three minutes later.

Frankfurt gained the upper hand but Bayern capitalized on a misplaced pass from Gelson Fernandes on which Davies overcame goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in the 61st minute.

The hosts remained on the front foot and killed the game in the 74th minute when Serge Gnabry’s solo run and effort forced Hinteregger to make a clearance into the wrong goal.

“It is a deserved win for Bayern. The fourth goal is annoying of course because it is more or less an own goal. After the break we responded well but overall it is upsetting, that we had to swallow five goals,” Frankfurt’s head coach Adi Hutter said.

“We played a dominant first half and that is how we want to play. We want to dominate the opponents. After the third goal we retracted and didn’t look good and therefore I have to talk about the second half with my team,” Bayern’s head coach Flick said.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

LaLiga cleared to start on June 8 by government M A D R I D, M AY 2 4 (IANS): LaLiga has been cleared to return to action on June 8, the league tweeted.

The league is however yet to decide on an official date for resumption with President Javier Tebas expressing his desire to start matches from June 12.

“The Spanish government has given the green light for the return of professional sport - including #LaLigaSantander and #LaLigaSmartBank - as of June 8th, following guidelines from the Ministry of Health,” LaLiga tweeted.

Reacting to the news on Twitter, Tebas said: “We are very happy for the decision, it is the result of the great work of clubs, players, technicians, CSD (National Sports Council) and agents involved. “But we cannot lower our guard, it is important to follow health regulations and ensure the pandemic doesn’t come back.” Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez also supported the resumption of the league.

“From 8 June, LaLiga will be back. Spanish football has a huge following but it will not be the only recreational activity that will return.”

Indian govt to decide fate of IPL, not cricket board: Rijiju

Kiren Rijiju

M U M B A I , M AY 2 4 (AGENCIES): India’s sports minister on Sunday said any decision to allow the Indian Premier League to go ahead this year would be taken by the government, not the Indian cricket board, and would be based on how well the country has contained the novel coronavirus.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said the IPL would go ahead only if there was no risk to public health.

“In India the government has to take a call and it will be depending on the situation of the pandemic, how we progress as a nation,” Rijiju told the India Today television channel.

“We can’t put health of the nation at risk just because we want sporting events to be held. Our focus

is fighting COVID-19.”

The BCCI, the richest cricket body in the world, had said it would consider staging the lucrative IPL in October/November if the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Australia during those months, did not go ahead.

The IPL is worth almost $530 million to the BCCI and attracts the best international and Indian cricketers. It was scheduled to start at the end of March but was indefinitely postponed because of the pandemic.

India has repor ted 131,868 infections from the new coronavirus, with 3,867 deaths.

The IPL brand value was estimated at $6.7bn last year by the Duff and Phelps financial consultancy.

Alonso wins Legends Trophy at Indianapolis Winning goal in 2010 WC final saved me from depression: Iniesta

Fernando Alonso

NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (IANS): Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso won the Legends Trophy at Indianapolis in a virtual game on Saturday.

Alonso beat former great Jenson Button by a margin of just 0.037 in the first race while he got the better of World Touring Car veteran Tiago Monteiro in the second to clinch the trophy.

“I was super scared of losing the first (Legends Trophy) race,” Alonso told The

Race as per NBC Sports.

“Jenson is a very smart guy, and we were both playing games trying to be in front or behind.

“We were studying each other, but with Jenson you never know. He’s always one step ahead, and I was very worried that I would slip. He had a moment in turn four one lap before the end, and that was enough of a gap for me.”

Racing legend Mario Andretti was also part of

the race won by Alonso.

Andretti, one of only two drivers to have won races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR, stated he had a great experience fighting against the best in the virtual world.

“I had a blast,” Andretti said. “Obviously, it seemed like I was part of every situation that was happening out there, but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will I do it again? You never say never. We have the rig here, I have to get a lot more familiar with it.

“It was not natural. It was so different. What I have going against me is that you drive it differently. The line is a little different, so you have to understand just what the rig wants, what the sim likes and how aggressive you can get. There’s a definite learning curve, no question about it.”

Barcelona, May 24 (Agencies): The Barcelona and Spain icon says he endured the hardest phase of his life following the death of close friend Dani Jarque in 2009.

Andres Iniesta says scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final helped him recover from depression and move on from the hardest time in his life.

Iniesta had suffered terribly following the death of his close friend Dani Jarque in 2009. The former Espanyol midfielder died at the age of just 26 following a heart attack.

When the Barcelona icon, now playing in Japan with Vissel Kobe, scored the decisive goal in South Africa, he revealed an undershirt reading “Dani Jarque: siempre con nosotros”, meaning ‘always with us’.

“Unfortunately, I had to experience several misfor-

tunes in a row, even though I was really successful at the time,” Iniesta told Bild am Sonntag. “But then my friend Dani Jarque died in August 2009, which really put me in such a fragile situation that I needed professional help.

“It was certainly the hardest phase of my life.

It was very good for me to have the support of Anna, my then girlfriend and current wife, and of course that of my parents.”

Iniesta said his goal against the Netherlands was “the beginning of the improvement.”

“Fortunately, this phase is a thing of the past,” he added. “A phase that made me stronger and better.”

Iniesta has been incredibly honest about his struggles with depression in the past, as well as the early difficulties he faced in adapting to life at Barcelona.

Andres Iniesta

As one of the most successful players in Barca’s history – and arguably Spain’s greatest ever – his story is a reminder that mental health issues can affect anybody.

“You feel that it’s not you, that you don’t enjoy things, that the people around you are just people,” he once explained to Antena

3 TV. “You have no feelings or passion. You end up feeling empty inside and there is a moment that you realise that you cannot take it anymore.

“I had the ability to see that I needed to see someone to get out of that situation.

The important thing is that in that period I never lost

the spark.”

As well as the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain, Iniesta won nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues at Barca. He has also lifted the Emperor’s Cup and Japanese Super Cup since his emotional exit from Camp Nou in 2018.

Elite athletes to start training at NIS Patiala from today Australia’s Taylor urges ICC to make decision on T20 World Cup this week

A view of National Institute of Sports in Patiala.

PAT I A L A , M AY 2 4 (AGENCIES): After a gap of two months, elite Indian athletes will start training at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) here from

Monday.

The announcement came after an online meeting between the NIS officials and the athletes on Saturday evening.

Authorities have made a task force under the chairmanship of senior executive director Col Raj Singh Bishnoi to implement the standard operating proce-

dure (SOP).

Following the SOP, issued by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), NIS has cordoned off the athletics tracks, weightlifting hall and players’ hostels to keep the onlookers and other visitors at bay.

Except the coaches, no one will be allowed in the area where the athletes will be training. Besides, all the guidelines from the central government and local authorities on the coronavirus will be followed.

Sports activities have been suspended since March due to the nationwide lockdown. The elite athletes who have been staying indoors at the NIS campus since March include javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra and Shivpal Singh, sprinter Hima Das and weightlifters Mirabai

Chanu and Sathish Sivalingam.

“Can’t wait to get back to full training sessions for the preparation of future international competitions,” Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sivalingam told the Tribune.

Shivpal, who along with Chopra has qualified for the Olympics, said, “I have been working on my core strength during the lockdown. But I want to get to the field as soon as possible and start training with the javelin and prepare for the Olympics.”

Bishnoi said that all the precautions had already been taken. “Initially, we will start with weightlifting and athletics. Everyone has been briefed about the SOP. The safety of the players is of paramount importance,” Bishnoi said.

S Y D N E Y, M A Y 2 4 (AGENCIES): For mer Australia cricket captain Mark Taylor has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to make a decision this week on whether the men’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup will go ahead in October.

The ICC board is due to meet on May 28 to discuss a number of issues related to the novel coronavirus outbreak and Taylor said he thought they should also address the World Cup, which is due to be held in Australia from Oct. 18 to Nov. 15.

“It would probably be good (if a decision is made)” Taylor, who is also a Cricket Australia director, told the Nine Network on Sunday.

“Because then everyone can

Mark Taylor

start planning and we can stop sitting here and saying ‘well ifs, buts or maybes’.

“My feeling is the World T20 won’t go ahead in Australia in October as planned.

“Is it going to be viable to have a world tournament in October or November?

The answer to that is probably no.”

The ICC had previ-

ously said a decision on the World Cup would probably not be made until at least August.

The decision has been complicated by suggestions that administrators are also keen to reschedule the money-spinning Indian Premier League (IPL) for later this year after it was indefinitely postponed in April.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said it would not look to reschedule the tournament until after the dates of the T20 World Cup have been decided. Taylor, however, felt the financial clout of the BCCI and the scale of salaries that players can earn for their stints in the tournament could sway decision makers.

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