May 28, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 171

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 Pages 8

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MHA extends national Covid-19 containment norms till June 30

NJCF reminder to observe June as prayer month D I M A P U R , M AY 2 7 (NPN): Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) president Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho has reminded all churches and believers to observe June as the prayer month for Covid-19.

While urging local pastors to come out with a daily prayer roster for the members, NJCF said that a convenient time for the members can be set forth with daily or weekly prayer points.

While thanking all the churches and believers in joining together in prayer seeking God’s mercy and intervention, Keyho said “We are in a difficult and challenging time. As we pray, we believe that God is the ultimate healer. Our faith rest on this unshakable truth. But God has also given us the responsibility to exercise and do all that we can to protect ourselves and the community.”

While “social distancing” might be the order of the day to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, spiritual and non-physical closeness in these times of isolation and quarantine is called for more than ever before, he added.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS States asked to ensure local containment measures in high caseload districts.

Any relaxation by states may be considered at an appropriate time, in a graded manner.

States asked to work on strategy to bring down the number of Covid-19 cases.

To to take necessary action to ensure sufficient oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators etc.

considered at an appropriate time, in a graded manner, after assessing the local situation, requirements and resources,” Bhalla said in his order issued to chief secretaries of the states and union territories.

The home secretary further asked states to work on strategy to bring down the number of Covid-19 cases.

He said the guidelines issued on April 29 for the month of May will continue till June 30.

According to the guidelines, the home ministry told the states to take necessary action to ensure sufficient oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators, ambulances including creation of makeshift hospitals, oxygen, as needed, besides sufficient quarantine facilities.

The MHA also directed the states and Union territories to go for intensive and local containment measures in districts with a high number of Covid-19 cases to check the spread of the viral disease.

It asked the states and Union territories to identify the districts Covid positivity rate was more than 10 per cent in the last one week.

The MHA also asked the states to consider the containment measures, as conveyed in an advisory issued by the Union health ministry for immediate implementation based on an assessment of the situation.

The home ministry,

however, did not mention anything about the imposition of lockdown anywhere in the country in the fresh guidelines issued in view of the pandemic.

The fresh guidelines for COVID-19 management came amid some decline in the daily count of the coronavirus cases and improvements in the situation of the availability of the beds, ICU and oxygen in some parts of the country like Delhi.

The health ministry said on Thursday that the second wave of Covid-19 is on the “downswing” in the country. It, however, highlighted that the current number of active cases is “still very high”.

NITI Aayog member (Health) V K Paul told a news conference here that the country continues to witness the stabilisation of the second wave in most parts, both by the number of cases and positivity rate, and despite a sustained and high overall testing coverage which is “reassuring”.

“Everyday new information of Covid is coming out. I myself am confused.”

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Vax trials on children in India to begin soon NEW DELHI, MAY 27 (IANS): Centre on Thursday announced that Covid19 vaccine trials on children in the country would begin soon. Member (Health) in NITI Aayog and the chair of National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC), Dr Vinod K. Paul, made the announcement on behalf of the government while clearing several myths on India’s Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Paul said that there have been studies about safety of vaccines in children, which have been encouraging. “Trials in children in India are also going to begin soon.

However, vaccinating children should not be decided on the basis of panic in WhatsApp groups and because some politicians want to play politics,” Paul said.

Paul further said that the decision in this regard is taken by our scientists after adequate data is available based on trials.

Paul also announced that Vaccine availability is going to increase in near future and much more supply would be possible.

‘Israeli strikes in Gaza may be war crimes’ international, Page 7

Covid: Biden orders investigation into virus origin as lab leak theory debated WA S H I N G TO N D C, MAY 27 (AGENCIES): U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he has asked American intelligence agencies to “redouble” their efforts to analyse the origins of COVID-19, to determine whether it emerged from human-animal contact or via a laboratory accident, reports The Hindu.

With this, Joe Biden adds significantly to the growing pressure on China to be more open about the origins of the SARSCOV2 virus, an outbreak of which was seen first in early 2020 in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which houses the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

Biden said he had reviewed a report on the origins of the virus, authored by his National Security Adviser (Jake Sullivan) and intelligence officials and that the intelligence community had “coalesced around two likely scenarios”, yet not reached a “definitive conclusion” as to the origins of the virus.

Currently, there is “low to moderate confidence” at-

Joe Biden (File)

tached to each of the two theories on the virus’s origins, Joe Biden said.

“I have now asked the intelligence community to redouble their efforts to collect and analyse information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days,” Biden said in a statement, adding he had asked that specific questions for China be drawn up with input from U.S. national labs.

“The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidencebased international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence,” Biden said.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) investigation concluded, earlier this year, that the lab leak theory was “extremely unlikely”.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told a WHO ministerial meeting earlier this week that experts should be given the independence to fully assess the origins of the virus.

On May 14, a group of scientists, including from Harvard, Yale and Stanford, published a letter in the journal Science saying an accidental lab leak and “zootonic spillover” (i.e., from animals) remained “viable” theories.

The Trump administration had floated the idea that the virus might have got out of control after a laboratory accident.

H oweve r, D o n a l d Trump had muddied the waters around the issue including by referring to the SARS-COV2 virus as the ‘Wuhan virus’ or ‘Chinese virus’ — contributing, some argued, to violence against Asians in the U.S. (China reacts, see on p-7)

H&FW dept to start RAT in all health centres Row escalates, Centre says Twitter defaming India; Delhi Police slams co

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAY 27 (NPN): State Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department has decided to start Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) facility in all SC-Health and Wellness Centre, Primary Health Centre and Community Health Centre with doctors, besides providing oxygen-supported beds in all SC-HWC, PHC and CHCs. A review meeting on Covid-19 held at Kohima on Thursday by Health minister S Pangnyu Phom with principal secretary, secretary,

Pangnyu during the review meeting on Thursday.

principal director and other senior officers from the department also decided to provide pulse oxymeters and thermometers on loan to Covid-19 positive individuals under home Isolation and emergency oxygen facil-

ity in all community Covid care centres (CCCs) as per requirement.

Further, all community CCCs will be linked to nearest health facility with one dedicated functional ambulance, while arrangements

State logs 228 new cases, 11 Covid deaths

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 7 COVID-19 STATUS AS ON May 27, 2021 (NPN): Nagaland on ThursACTIVE CASES Symptomatic Non Covid day recorded 228 fresh Deaths ModerSevere RecovMiTotal Covid-19 positive cases District AsympDeath with ate ered grated Cases On ICU ICU Covid 19 tomatic Mild On while 11 more patients sucPositivity Oxy- Oxy- (without (On cumbed to the contagion. vent gen gen vent) Of the fresh cases, 98 Dimapur 2345 95 59 41 26 11 8027 239 10 463 11316 were from Dimapur, KoKiphire 25 7 0 0 0 0 72 1 0 0 105 hima-54, Mokokchung-25, Kohima 1598 28 6 8 0 3 4779 50 0 97 6568 Tuensang-20, Phek-15, six Longleng 33 13 0 1 0 0 36 0 1 10 94 0 287 13 0 25 495 from Zunheboto, four from Mokokchung 156 12 2 0 0 Mon 89 3 0 0 0 0 702 4 1 15 814 Wokha, two each from LonPeren 17 1 0 0 0 0 535 0 0 2 555 gleng and Mon and one each Phek 110 0 0 0 0 0 96 6 0 0 212 from Kiphire and Phek, 0 336 3 0 2 466 taking the total caseload to Tuensang 120 4 0 1 0 Wokha 39 3 0 0 0 0 60 3 0 3 109 21023.

0 194 7 0 3 289 The death toll surged Zunheboto 80 3 0 2 0 Total 4612 169 67 53 26 14 15124 326 12 620 21023 to 338 (326 Covid deaths and 12 non-Covid but with fatalities were reported from one each in Mon, Tuensang Dimapur, two in Kohima, and Wokha.

(Cont’d on p-5) Covid positivity) after six

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N E W D E L H I , M AY 27 (PTI): The Centre on Thursday directed states and union territories to continue the ongoing Covid-19 guidelines till June 30 and asked them to go for intensive and local containment measures in districts with a high number of cases to check the spread of the deadly disease.

In a fresh order, Union Home Secretar y Ajay Bhalla said strict implementation of containment and other measures has led to a declining trend in the number of new and active cases, across states and union territories, barring some areas in the southern and northeastern regions.

“I would like to highlight that in spite of the declining trend, the number of active cases presently is still very high. It is, therefore, important that containment measures may continue to be implemented strictly.

“Any relaxation by states and UTs, may be

`4.00

will be made for transportation of asymptomatic cases from testing centre to his/ her own village to CCC or for home Isolation, if proper facility is at home. These were among some of the decisions taken at the meeting.

In a tweet Phom said representations from various NGOs regarding manpower shortage and other grievances were deliberated in length. He also said 102 oxygen concentrators were distributed to different private hospitals and some strategic government institutions in Dimapur and Kohima.

Petrol, diesel prices hiked D I M A P U R , M AY 2 7 (NPN): State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) Thursday increased petrol price by 24 paise per litre and diesel by 29 paise per litre taking prices of the two fuels to an all-time high across the country.

After Thursday’s rate revision, petrol price in Dimapur climbed to Rs.92.46 per litre while price of diesel surged to Rs.86.71 per litre.

Similarly, in the state capital Kohima, price of petrol increased to Rs.93.41 per litre and diesel price rose to Rs.87.47 per litre.

Include State’s eminent people in advisory panel: NPCC D I M A P U R , M AY 2 7 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has called for including eminent people from the State in the advisory panel constituted for advising Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) and State Executive Committee (SEC).

Noting that the panel experts are all from outside the State and would be communicating virtually, NPCC in a press release said this left much to be desired. It feared that a situation could

arise when the panel, bereft of understanding of real time ground situation, might become counterproductive in the battle against Covidd19 pandemic.

Hence, the party called for including more eminent people from the State who could contribute for effective monitoring and controlling of this raging pandemic situation.

Welcoming the State gover nment’s “belated move” to constitute the advisory panel of experts to give expert opinions on

emergency response for Covid-19 to NSDMA and SEC, NPCC said by, however, concealing the order until it was revealed through a particular local daily, the government had only exposed its own insecurity and inability to inspire confidence in the people.

Accusing the government of being clueless in functioning and relying more on ad hocism ever since the pandemic lockdown began in March 2020, Congress pointed out that when provisions of the Na-

tional Disaster Management Act (NDMA), 2005 were invoked for the first time on March 24 2020, it automatically meant that NSDMA under the chairmanship of chief minister and SEC headed by chief secretary were to take full control of the extraordinary situation.

However, contrary to provisions of NDMA, the party recalled that an Empowered Committee headed by an additional chief secretary was entrusted for over two months.

(Cont’d on p-5)

NEW DELHI, MAY 27 (PTI): The row over Twitter’s handling of certain messages escalated into an all-out war of words on Thursday, with the government saying the messaging platform was levelling baseless and false allegations to defame India and dictating terms to the world’s largest democracy.

It started with Twitter calling the visit by Delhi Police to its offices a form of “intimidation” -- a statement which met with vociferous protests from both the government and the Delhi Police. While the government called it “totally baseless, false and an attempt to defame India”, Delhi Police said the statement was “mendacious” and designed to impede a lawful inquiry.

Twitter had marked several tweets by ruling BJP leaders on an alleged strate-

gy document of Opposition to target the government over COVID as containing ‘manipulated media’, which prompted the police to visit its offices late on Monday.

Twitter said it was committed to India as a vital market, but criticised the new IT rules and regulations that it said “inhibit free, open public conversation.”

It went on to express concern over the safety of its employees in India and said it will continue to be strictly guided by principles of transparency and protecting freedom of expression.

Within hours, the Delhi Police issued a stronglyworded statement saying Twitter was purporting to be both investigating and adjudicating authority and had “taken upon itself, in the garb of terms of service, to adjudicate the truth or otherwise of documents in

public space”. The reference being of the alleged ‘toolkit’ -- the one that Twitter, which uses fact-checking websites, tagged as ‘manipulated media’. Delhi Police is investigating it on a complaint

by Congress of the ‘toolkit’ being fake.

Delhi Police said it had gone to the Twitter office to ask its India head to join the investigation as the messaging platform seemed to have information based on which it declared the ‘toolkit’ manipulated media.

Shortly thereafter, the Ministry of Electronics and IT issued a statement saying India has a glorious tradition of free speech and democratic practices dating back centuries.

“Twitter’s statement is an attempt to dictate its terms to the world’s largest democracy.

(Cont’d on p-5)

Border issue: Vikuto village accuse Assam Police of destroying properties D I M A P U R , M AY 2 7 (NPN): Vikuto villagers of Mokokchung district have accused Assam Police personnel of destroying their properties.

In a letter to Lirmen Tsurangkong border magistrate, Vikuto village head GB Inato Awomi and Vikuto Village Council chairman Vikheshe Awomi alleged that around 25 armed and uniformed Assam Police personal along with some man in civil dress came to the field where the villagers were working around 12.30 pm on May 24 and told them that it was a disputed land and destroyed their farmhouse, besides cutting down around 500 areca plants They said the high handedness of Assam Police was unimaginable, causing sufferings to the peace loving villagers and loss of proper-

ties. They claimed that Vikuto village was a recognised village under Mokokchung district without any dispute.

They further requested the border magistrate to take necessary action to stop this kind of atrocities meted to “our people” in particular and the area in general.

Firing in border area: Meanwhile, Assam-based media reports claimed that some miscreants from Nagaland side had fired upon Mariani MLA, Rupjyoti Kurmi and his entourage while on the way to Disoi valley along the border area to take stock of encroachment on Assam side.

Kurmi told the media that his entourage was fired upon by miscreants and thanked his PSOs and Assam police constables for their prompt response and saving their lives. The

Assam Police and Kurmi’s PSOs fired several rounds in retaliation, The Sentinel report stated.

Correspondent adds: When contacted Mokokchung police said that the MLA from Assam had visited the disputed are near Vikuto village under Mokokchung district. On learning about the presence of the MLA and his entourage, the villagers gathered at the site and shouted at them for allegedly destroying the plantation and some few huts. It was then that the security personnel of the MLA reportedly fired some blank shots before leaving the area.

In retaliation, the villagers reportedly fired two blank rounds of muzzle loading gun. Though the situation was under control, police said that investigation was on to ascertain the matter.

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state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021

COVID-19 containment measures, meetings and advisorie

DIMAPUR: In an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus disease, the district administrations continue to issue orders and advisories for strict compliance. Meanwhile, meetings are being held to discuss issues pertaining to COVID-19 while DTF and government agencies have been visiting various places converted to Covid Care centres (CCCs).

KOHIMA: Following the visit of District Task Force Kohima in Sechu Zubza on Thursday at Don Bosco which would be converted to CCC and government high school to be utilised as quarantine centre for health workers, the DTF insisted that samples test should be encouraged so that CCC can be activated.

The issue cropped up on learning that many citizens were refusing COVID testing which posed greater threat to the people in the area.

Led by minister and Ko-

hima DTF in-charge Tongpang Ozukum along with advisor Dr. Nicky Kire, advisor Medo Yhokha and host of officials from district administration, CMO and others visited the two centres on Thursday.

In a brief interaction, the minister thanked Sechu-Zubza sub-divisional block level task force (S-DBLTF) for the prompt action in identifying and arranging the CCC as entrusted and also thanked Don Bosco School authority for providing the school building to be used as CCC for the people of Western Angami area covering 14 villages.

The minister directed the Sechu-Zubza SDBLTF to immediately start preparing both Don Bosco CCC and Sechu GHS building.

While appreciating the decision of the power department to provide uninterrupted power supply in COVID hospitals and CCCs, he appealed to the dif-

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A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

70% 25% 5%

Next poll

Q: Should IMA file criminal defamation against Ramdev?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST May 28

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Mostly cloudy

31 34

Aizawl

Some Coluds

Guwahati Light fog

25 29 28 31

Partly cloudy

29 31

Itanagar Mostly clear

27 33

Imphal Shillong

Mostly coludy

19 22

Kohima

Partly coludy

21 26

Dimapur Partly coludy

28 36

Some clouds

24 30

Mkg

Tuensang Mostly cloudy

17 24

Some clouds

24 31

Zunheboto Some clouds

21 26

Wokha

Zubza Village Council and others also accompanied the visiting team. (Correspondent) OKM: Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (Ongpangkong Student’s Conference) met the DC and CMO Mokokchung on May 26 and 27 respectively to discuss and get an update on the preparedness of the district administration with regard to the increase in COVID positive cases in the district.

In a press release, OKM president Limatongzuk Jamir and general secretary Waluniba Kichu stated that the OKM office bearers and team met DC Limawabang Jamir and CMO Dr. R. Chubala Aier and informed on installation of oxygen generation plant at COVID-19 hospital Mokokchung which was completed and that the department would fix the oxygen tanks to the beds at the earliest.

The DC and CMO also informed that the setting up

of CCC in Marepkong would start from May 27 so as to cater to the needs of the patients in Mokokchung and the COVID19 hospital was fully equipped with 50 beds and four ventilators.

Meanwhile, after meeting with the DC and CMO, OKM found that the district was in dire need for a true-nat machine and one portable x-ray machine and urged the government to look into the needs of the districts tasks force and respond to its needs. The OKM appreciated the tireless efforts and sacrifices of the district administration and all frontline workers. It also urged the public to follow the SOPs and to cooperate with medical officials and frontline workers.

Wokha: As per the decision taken during the DTF meeting to continue with random COVID-19 test, Wokha DTF conducted random test at various location in the town

DIMAPUR: While calling upon the public to give concerted efforts in the fight against COVID-19, Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has appealed to the public to shun stigmatisation and “late presentation” in hospitals.

In a press release, AYO president Kekhrie Pfukha and joint secretary Keneilhoulie Theùnuo said that one concern that required urgent attention was stigmatisation associated with the pandemic.

The stigma, AYO said, had “unfortunately led to several incidences of families not willing to perform burial of bodies of coronavirus patients fearing contamination, colonies, and villages denying burials in its jurisdiction”.

AYO, therefore, urged the medical fraternity to come up with clear dos and don’ts which were in consonance with burial practices so that the dead could be given a “safe and dignified burial at any given place

without any jurisdictional concerns”.

The organisation said that this stigma was also preventing people with possible covid symptoms from getting tested and seeking timely treatment.

“The feedback from our medical community points out that there is a definite benefit of early treatment in COVID-19 and most of the recent casualties of COVID-19 have been due to late presentation to the hospital”,

AYO stated. It suggested that for awareness and to prevent stigmatisation, helpline numbers, easy to use mobile applications and dedicated portals be created preferably in local dialects, where all the information regarding nearest testing facilities, safe and dignified burial practices, benefits of early treatment, etc. may be collected.

It also appealed the state government to “accelerate the vaccination drive with utmost transpar-

Poor internet service irks TSU

DIMAPUR: With the Nagaland University (NU) online under-graduate examination scheduled to start from May 27, the Thenyizumi Students’ Union (TSU) has appealed to the responsible authority to provide uninterrupted internet connectivity.

In a press release, TSU through its media cell drew attention to the network service providers in Chetheba circle under Chozuba sub-division, Phek district and requested for a positive response for the welfare of the student community.

TSU informed that of late, there was poor network service and that most of the network subscribers

were Airtel and Jio. In this regard, the union said that the irregularity of service providers was a concern for the student community.

It said that the hardships faced by students with the ongoing online class which had already created a digital divide coupled with poor internet service were of concern for both the students and parents. Further, the union appealed to the responsible authorities to consider this “on matter of urgent importance”.

Meanwhile, TSU extended its best wishes to the students for the scheduled examination.

ency, give assurance to the people with regards to vaccine stock, oxygen supplies, medication supplies for covid, and other emerging diseases associated with it like black fungus infection, etc”.

On the second wave not only bringing a huge rise on the number of cases and deaths, AYO said that it had also escalated the economic hardships.

In this regard, AYO urged the government to put sound policies and so-

In your life you touched so many, In your death many lives were touched, You always will be in our hearts, Because in there you are still alive.

Late Maong Imchen (Nokpu) Died : 23-05-2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In these unprecedented crises of humanity, the selfless sacrifices and compassion demonstrated by various individuals and communities at the untimely demise of our loving father Late Maongtemjen Imchen, Dobashi (Nokpu), is indeed “an exemplary manifestation of bringing and giving the best we can be while adapting to adversity and breathing life, literally, to the bereaved family members.”

Overwhelming responses in terms of cash & kind, prayers & noble assistance rendered by one and each individual would not go unheeded and your immeasurable benevolent gestures shall be blessed in manifold as we implore to pray in chorus to our Living Almighty God. In addition, special thanks may be mention to: 1) Dr Roukuolhoulie & staff of Faith Hospital, Dimapur 2) Dr Asang Longchar & staff of Eden Hospital, Dimapur 3) Dr & Mrs Merang Longkumer, Zion Hospital, Dimapur 4) Pastor Imtiakum & Pastor Imnatoshi Longkumer, DABA 5) Shri Temjen Imna Along, Minister of HE & Tribal Affairs, Nagaland 6) Shri Rajesh Soundararajan, the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur 7) Shri Albert Ezung, SDO, Dimapur 8) Shri Bendang Longkumer, EAC, Dimapur 9) The SDO(C) & staff, Kuhuboto 10) Shri Temsu, Head Dobashi & Members, Dimapur District Dobashi Association 11) The President & Members, All Nagaland Dobashi Association.

12) Kevijau Village Council, Dimapur 13) Dimapur Nokpu Senso Telungjem 14) Dimapur Nokpu Tamang Telungjem 15) In-laws, friends, neighbours & relatives May the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Lovingly, Son, Daughters, Grandchildren, Wife & Family Members

K Y M C

lutions at the earliest so that livelihoods were not threatened, while the future of students is also not compromised because of the lockdown.

Fur ther, AYO appealed to the business community not to sell essential commodities at exorbitant rates and urged them to

take note of the imposition of the lockdown which had affected the entire population and not one particular section of the community.

The organisation therefore stated that this was the hour where “every section of the society should come together and contribute as a team”.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

- 2 Timothy 4:7

Lt. Dr. KEREILHOUVI SOLO (31.10.1952 - 05.5.2021)

We, the bereaved family members would like to convey our profound gratitude to all of you who have selflessly stood by us during the illness and untimely demise of my most beloved husband and our father.

We remain forever grateful for all your unceasing prayers and support.

May the Almighty God bestow His abundant blessings to you all.

-Loving Wife, Children and Grandchildren

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DP-2558

area on Thursday. The rapid/ random tests were conducted at PWD junction, police point, power house area, Dobashi court and police station, Wokha. Altogether 72 person were tested and all turned out to be negative.

CMO Wokha Dr. C.W. Tungoe informed that as on May 26, 2469 samples were tested in the district, out of which 103 detected positive.

CMO also informed that nine persons were at CCC, three at Covid hospital and 34 under home isolation. The total number of death stands at two while 69 have recovered.

Mon: DC Mon, Thavaseelan K has issued an order informing all concerned that any complaints relating to selling of goods/essential commodities beyond MRP by shopkeeper may be reported along with relevant proof to Mon district 24x7 helpline number at 9368218945.

Acknowledgement

Wo r d s a r e i n s u f f i c i e n t to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us during the brief illness and sad demise of Angrung Tarao, who was a soul winner, church planter, loving father and husband.

Our heartfelt thanks to the many friends and well-wishers, who stood by us, prayed for us, gave us charitable donations, moral and financial support.

We also want to convey our Late Pastor Angrung Tarao special thanks to: (06/10/1970 – 21/05/2021)  Sir Rajesh Khartu Monsang, UNDP Project Officer, Nagaland  Sir Kashungnao Worshim, General Secretary, SNUNS  Rev. Nicodemus Chothe, Pastor, Chandel Union Church, Dimapur  All the leaders, members and families of South Nagas Union of Nagaland State  All Manipur Naga Churches & Associations, Dimapur ∙ Kuda Village B/Church, Dimapur  Manipuri B/Church, Dimapur  Leishokching B/Church, Manipur  Doctors and nurses of Dimapur Civil Hospital  Well-wishers from all over the country & abroad We regret our inability to thank each one of you individually, but may God bless you abundantly for your kindness and generosity. We appreciate having you with us at this difficult time in our lives.

DP-2554

Loving Wife, Children & Family

BORN : 9th January 1933 – DIED : 22nd May 2021

K-988

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

to go for testing was raised to which CMO Kohima Dr. Vezokholu Theyo suggested SDBLTF to work out how to go for more testing.

The CMO said that citizens should come forward and be more open to undergo testing without refusal and reminded that unless tests were conducted, CCC could not be activated.

Rector and Parish Priest of St Maria Goretti Church Sechu Zubza, Father Joseph in an interaction with Nagaland Post expressed joy to be able to assist the government.

He informed that there were eight rooms which would be able to accommodate 40 people, (20 males and 20 females) and was confident that with better cooperation others would also join the same to fight the pandemic together.

The team also visited the GHS Sechü proposed to convert quarantine centre for health workers. WAPO, SZYO, Sechu

AYO against stigmatisation of COVID-19 patients

nagalandpost.com Poll Q . : Can the state govt do better in its fight against the second wave covid-19?

ferent departments to cover the two centres.

The minister also acknowledged the dedicated and unwavering service of the Kohima CMO and her team for their selfless and committed service and also the civil society organisations, churches of Western Angami area led by Western Angami Public Organisation for their cooperation and support.

Advisor Dr. Nicky Kire thanked urged the gathering to accommodate COVID patients from neighbouring villages at the CCC and assured to see the shortage of health workers in Sechu Zubza. Advisor Medo Yhokha assured to facilitate and extend help in all possible ways, while MLA Keniezhakho Nakhro thanked DTF team led by the minister for visiting the CCC and assured to cooperate and work together in the fight against the pandemic.

During the course of discussion, the refusal of villagers

We, the bereaved family of Late Noksangtemba Amri, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual who stood by us physically, financially, materially and in prayers at the sudden demise of our beloved father on 22nd May 2021.

Though we are unable to thank all individually, it is our earnest prayers that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving family members and relatives DP-2553

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Late TAKETYUBA JAMIR 22/02/1922 to 24/05/2021

We, the family members of Lt. Taketyuba Jamir would like to convey our sincere gratitude to each and everyone who had comforted our hearts and stood by us physically, morally, financially and with constant prayer at the demise of our beloved father.

We pray that the Almighty God bless each and everyone abundantly.

We especially want to thank : 1. Mangmetong Baptist Church 2. Mangmetong Village Council 3. Jharnapani Ao Baptist Church 4. Jharnapani Ao Union 5. Longkong families of Jharnapani DP-2551

Loving wife, children, grandchildren and in-laws K Y M C

3

Northeast/State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021

Fasting service turns mass COVID spreader M’laya records 12 deaths, 809 new cases Correspondent

Manipur’s COVID-19 infections cross 47,000-mark, 18 deaths

Correspondent IMPHAL, May 27: Four adjoining villages in Manipur’s Senapati district where mass infection by COVID-19 was recorded have been placed under complete curfew to prevent further spread of the virus.

As many as 147 persons of four villages who allegedly attended a religious congregation hosted by one of the villages defying COVID-19 SOPs were found to have been infected by coronavirus during a random testing on Wednesday.

The infected persons were from the villages of Koide Mathak, Koide Makha, Koide Biisho and Koide Zho under Purul sub-division of Senapati district.

They were among 254

File photo of Senapati

attendees of a 10-day fasting programme held at Koide Lower Baptist Church from May 11 and 21.

The mass testing for the virus was done as a part of contract tracing when six of the attendees who stayed away from attending the fasting programme midway on health ground were found to have been exposed to the virus earlier.

Of these 254 attendees, 86 were from outside

the villages like Imphal and Kohima of Nagaland, reports said.

Following the detection of mass infection, Senapati district administration today promulgated curfew restricting villagers moving out of their respective homes till June 5 to check further spread of the pandemic.

While restricting the villagers of the four villages moving out of their respective homes, the district

Covid insurance enhanced in M’laya Correspondent

SHILLONG, MAY 28: The Meghalaya Government on Thursday decided to substantially increase daily insurance coverage for Covid19 patients to Rs 60, 000 per day from the existing Rs 4, 900 and also raised ex-gratia payment to the family of the deceased in the backdrop of relentless rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma with the Health and Family Welfare department and Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) officials following the growing demand from various sections to cover the medical treatment expenses for COVID-19 in all private-run hospitals across the State.

“For ICU with ventilator Rs 4,900 per day package, an add on package of ARDS for Rs 60,000 will be added for patients suffering from multiple complications,” Sangma tweeted. Briefing journalists after the review meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the

government has decided to increase the coverage from Rs. 4,900 per day to Rs. 60,000 for six days. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 50,000 each for the next of kin of the COVID-19 deceased.

“The impact of COVID-19 this year has been severe. Therefore, we decided to provide an ex-gratia to those families who have lost their members from April 1, 2021,” Tynsong said. Till date, more than 350 COVID-19 deaths were registered since April 1, 2021, he said.

“The benefits would be released immediately to the beneficiaries,” Tynsong said, adding that only beneficiaries covered under the MHIS would get the benefits on their hospitalisation.’

Pointing out that only 58.5 percent of the population is covered under the MHIS, the Deputy Chief Minister urged all citizens of the state who are eligible to register themselves under the MHIS. The State-sponsored MHIS benefit is available for all the residents of the state, except state and central government office employees.

Meghalaya declares journalists as Covid-19 frontline workers

Correspondent

Shillong, May 27: The Meghalaya government has officially announced its decision to recognize journalists as COVID-19 frontline workers. “I want to place on record that the state government has decided to recognize media persons as frontline workers of the state,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after a review meeting held on Thursday. “We are thankful to all media persons and we are so proud of you (for your contribution),” he said in the course of a media briefing on Thursday.

administration prohibited people from outside entering the four villages except permitted activities.

On the other hand, Manipur’s COVID-19 overall caseload crossed 47,000mark with 813 fresh infections registered in the past 24 hours even as 18 more patients succumbed to corona virus complications during the same period.

The state health department, in its report updated today at 5pm said that 813 persons including a CAPF personnel were confirmed as new COVID19 cases.

Adding today’s spike, the overall infection caseload of the state rose to 47,111.

Of the 812 fresh infections among the general population, 300 were from Imphal West district, 168 from Imphal East and

Mnp launches Mobile App for COVID-19 home isolation patients Correspondent IMPHAL, May 27: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Thursday launched Manipur Home Isolation Management (MHIM) Mobile Application for home isolation patients.

The mobile application was developed by Pentabyte Technologies LLP with a mission to avail real time health data and information of home isolation COVID-19 patients at monitoring level. With this App, patients can upload their health status including pulse rate, SPo2, body temperature and blood pressure among others using fixed parameters at fixed intervals as set by the health department from time to time.

The data uploaded will then be divided as critical and normal depending on the parameters and conditions set by the health department.

In case of detection of any critical data, the system will raise an alarm to the monitoring team so that immediate attention and precautionary measures can be provided to the patients preventing further health deterioration.

The chief minister launched the application in a simple function held at chief minister secretariat. State principal secretary (health) V Vumlunmang was also present during the launch of the application. The mobile app can be downloaded from Google Play Store for android users. MHIM App which is meant for use by health workers and staff to upload health status of home isolation patients will also be launched soon.

109 from Churachandpur district.

Districts like Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching and Senapati districts reported above 20-mark, other districts less number compared to these districts.

Of the 18 fresh deaths reported in the last 24 hours, five each were from Imphal East and Kakching districts, four from Imphal West, two in Churachandpur and one each in Kamjong and Tamenglong districts.

During the past 24 hours, 576 patients were discharged upon recuperation, taking the recovery tally of the state to 38,901 with 82.57% recover y rate.

The state has currently 7,462 active cases which included 96 CAPF personnel.

CP Dimapur along with officers and staff during the tree DFO personnel and others at the launching plantation drive. programme.

DIMAPUR: In view of the World Environment Day (WED) 2021 which would be celebrated on June 5, departments in the state have been conducting plantation drives.

The police department has also been leading the way in planting saplings to encourage the masses to do their bit to stop the collapse of biodiversity.

In Dimapur, a plantation drive was conducted in police reserve/ family line/ police stations and other establishments on Thursday, under the theme “plant a tree for free oxygen”.

The drive was led by commissioner of police Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo

along with officers and staff.

During the short programme, the CP stated that in the midst of the pandemic, it was a reminder of the importance on rejuvenating our natural environment which had a direct impact on our general health.

The programme was conducted under the aegis of police headquarter Kohima in collaboration with the state forest department.

Zunheboto: A plantation drive was organised

by Zunheboto forest division under the initiative of IFS, district forest officer (DFO), Dr. Sentitula on the theme “connecting

forest conservation & livelihood” in partnership with district executive force Zunheboto, 32 Assam Rifles Zunheboto, 8th NAP Naltoqa and 111 BSF Satakha.

Dr. Sentitula said that the target set was 50,000 saplings to be planted by joint effort of forest department, police and armed forces.

She encouraged individuals, departments and organisations to come forward and be a part of the activity.

The plantation drive commenced from the divisional forest office, Zunheboto on Wednesday and would culminate on June 5.

The event was witnessed by additional superintendent of police Zunheboto, Masetshilong, Y Kumtsu Yim, deputy commandant 8th NAP, Naltoqa, major Sebastian, 32 Assam Rifles Zunheboto, forest officers and staff.

Earlier, forest beat officer Aghunato, Shikavi while chairing the event expressed joy to be working together with the police and armed forces for eco-restoration works.

The FBO hoped that the tree plantation drive would prove as a start to work together towards not only securing livelihoods but also securing the ecosystem.

cases and nine fatalities.

Of the 796 COVID19 patients admitted to hospitals across the state, 89 are of A category, 273 of B Category and 308 of Category C, while 126 patients are of Category D who are in Intensive Care Units at the various hospitals across the State as on date .

Meanwhile, 29,399 healthcare workers across the state have received the first dose of Covishield and 19,480 have received the second dose, 83,611 frontline workers got the first shot of the vaccine and 26,480 got the second jab, while 2,66,611 from among the general public were inoculated with the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 and 28,259 were fully vaccinated as on Thursday, War said, adding that 3,176 citizens under the 18 plus category were also inoculated on Thursday.

Assam gives Rs 500 cr to OIL to increase its stake in NRL

GUWAHATI, MAY 27 (PTI): The Assam government on Thursday handed over a cheque of Rs 500 crore to Oil India Limited (OIL) as a part of its enhanced 26 per cent share in the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL).

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing a press conference, said that the state government had decided to increase its stake in the NRL from 12.5 per cent to 26 per cent in the budget proposals of 2020-21 and it’s then assessed value was Rs 1,400 crore but this subsequently increased to Rs 2,150 crore.

“The matter was, however, not simple and it was a tough call for the Union government to segregate NRL from Bharat Petrochemicals and hand over the refinery’s stake to OIL”, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a decisive step to ensure that the NRL remains a stand-alone refinery with OIL and Assam government as a major stakeholder.

“The decision to enhance the share of Assam government in NRL was taken in March this year but by then the value of the 26 per cent share had increased to Rs 2,150 crore which we had to pay by March 31 and

State

WED 2021: Police deptt carry out plantation drives

Shillong, May 27: Meghalaya on Thursday recorded 12 more Coronavirus-related deaths, mounting the fatality figure to 524 and 809 new cases surged the number of active cases to 8,255, health officials said.

Health officials said 597 more recoveries were recorded on Thursday, pushing the number of recovered patients up to 24, 325 in the State, which has so far registered 33, 104 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War said 11 new deaths were reported from East Khasi Hills district and a one in West Jaintia Hills district.

He said the new COVID-19 cases recorded were 419 in East Khasi Hills district, 109 in West Jaintia Hills district, 63 in South West Garo Hills dis-

trict, 59 in West Garo Hills district, 50 in West Khasi Hills district, 46 in Ri-Bhoi district, 26 in East Garo Hills district, 17 in South West Khasi Hills district and 11 in East Jaintia Hills district.

Of the new recoveries, War said 429 in East Khasi Hills district, 59 in Ri-Bhoi district, 23 in West Garo Hills district, 21 in East Jaintia Hills district, 18 each in North Garo Hills district and West Jaintia Hills district, nine in West Khasi Hills district, eight in East Garo Hills district, seven in South West Garo Hills district and five in South West Khasi Hills district.

With 4,232 active COVID-19 cases and 428 related deaths, East Khasi Hills, which includes Meghalaya’s state capital Shillong continues the be worst COVID-19 hit district followed by Ri-Bhoi district with 1,225 active

we did not have that much money”, the chief minister said.

Sarma said that as the then state Finance Minister, he had approached Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with the problem, who had suggested that the state government pay a token amount while OIL will deposit the remaining amount with the Centre.

“We had paid Rs 500 crore in March and Rs 500 crore today while the remaining Rs 1,150 crore will be cleared by September and the state government will now have 26 per cent share in NRL”, he said.

Sarma said that NRL was a very important organisation for the state government as it was a refinery set up under the provisions of the Assam Accord and has an emotional connect with the people of the state.

“The emotional connect is a factor but financial decisions cannot be taken on this basis alone. The enhancement of the state government’s share is a very prudent business decision as well”, Sarma said.

He pointed out that with a share of 12.5 per cent, the state government received a dividend of Rs 335 crore and now with 26 per cent share, if there is no major upheaval in the market, a

dividend of Rs 500 crore was expected. “We expect to recover the investment made in the share along with the interest it would have earned within the next four to five years”, he added.

Besides, NRL has embarked on major capacity building projects with its current refining capacity of three Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) to be increased to nine MMT by 2024.

“This will definitely lead to more earning for the state government as with 3 MMT, the state government is getting Rs 500 crore and with 9 MMT, it will definitely get much more”, he said.

A pipeline is being set up at Paradip which will transport six MMT of crude to NRL, Bongaigaon and Guwahati Refineries where it will be refined and sold in Myanmar, Bangladesh and other states of the country, he said.

NRL will also consume five lakh bamboo in its biorefinery and will produce sustainable fuel by mixing ethanol and diesel, Sarma said. “All these projects will prove to be financially viable and will economically benefit the state government”, he said.

Referring to OIL as the major stakeholder of the company, the chief minister

said that the oil major may be a Central PSU but it is linked inextricably with the economic development of the state and the people of the state consider the company as its own.

Besides NRL, OIL and the state government are engaged in several joint projects and these include the Assam Gas Company Limited, DuliajanNumaligarh pipeline, Assam Petrochemicals and Purbabharati-Indradhanush projects, he said.

OIL is also engaged in the Brahmaputra Gas Cracker and Polymer Limited which has earned a profit and the state government will get a dividend while it will also help in re- energising the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited at Namrup. The state government will also have a 10 per cent stake in exploration at Namrup where OIL has got a bloc.

“The more exploration OIL conducts in Assam, the PSU will make more investment and this will contribute to the economic development in the state”, Sarma said.

The chief minister claimed that a lot of positive developments are taking place in the state since 2014 and the economic developments will be visible in the next four to five years.

Organisations extend condolences

DIMAPUR: National People’s party (NPP) Nagaland state has expressed grief over the demise of its youth wing president Muluvoto Cukhamu, 17 Chizami A/C who passed away on May 26 at his home town Sakraba.

In a condolence note, NPP president Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema said that late Muluvoto was a vibrant upcoming and dynamic leader who had exceptional potential to do even greater work for his people and the society at large.

It also said that his commendable contribution to the organisation shall never be forgotten.

Further, the NPP members conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family members, friends and party workers.

CVC: Chümoukedima Village Council (CVC) has expressed grief over demise of Er. Hewoto Chishi, who passed away on Thursday.

In a condolence note, CVC chairman Razouvotuo Chatsu said that late Hewoto Chishi was a well known figure of Chümoukedima who gained much respect and admiration from the people not only as an officer but also as a “true gentleman”.

While stating that he contributed immensely to society CVC said that in his demise, the people of Chümoukedima had lost an invaluable member and the void left in his stead would be impossible to replace.

CVC and its citizens conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family members and all near and dear ones and prayed that God would grant them peace and solace NFHRCC: Expressing grief over the sudden demise of Er. Howoto Chishi of PWD (R&B) Dimapur division, the fraternity of Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Commit-

tee (NFHRCC) said that late Hewoto contributed towards the historic Naga People’s project of the Foothills road since the beginning of the project.

In a condolence note, its convenor Supu Jamir and general secretary W. Lembe Chang said that “His best efforts and dedicated contributions especially towards the Doyang bridge constructions at the governor’s camp, Liphanyan shall go a long way in history”. The committee also said that his demise was a great loss for NFHRCC and that the Nagas lost a dedicated officer.

Further, the committee conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that the Lord would provide them solace DPC: Dimapur Press Club (DPC) has expressed grief over the demise of Loho Pukini, father of Ashikho Pfuzhe, senior journalist associated with The Morung Express and DPC member on Thursday in Dimapur.

Late Pukini had retired as registrar from the department of legal metrology & consumer protection, government of Nagaland.

Further, DPC conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members.

KPC: Kohima Press Club (KPC) while expressing grief over the demise of Loho Pukini conveyed its sincere condolences to the bereaved family and offered prayers to the Almighty to grant them solace at this time of grief.

RH: Rengma Hoho (RH) has expressed grief over demise of its former general secretary, Thanchilo Kath who passed away on Thursday.

In a condolence note through its general secretary Sinhilo Thongseb, Rengma Hoho described late Thanchilo as a tall leader, a man of

word and a fine gentleman, whose demise had created a vacuum which would be difficult to fill. While maintaining that the Rengma community had lost a tall leader and a good soul, the Rengma Hoho extended its condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that the Lord would grant them comfort at this hour of grief.

TUD: Tangkhul Union Dimapur has expressed grief over the demise of AP Shimray who passed away on Thursday. He was 86.

In a condolence note through its president Ayo Vashum, TUD said that Shimray, whom Tangkhuls fondly called him “Awomeng”, was an employee of the elsewhere Sugar Mill and one of the oldest settlers among the Tangkhuls in Dimapur.

It also said that he served as union president and advisor with extraordinary guts and willpower for a long period. TUD described him as an outspoken, yet profoundly deep and humane and that his demise was a great loss for the Tangkhul community in Dimapur.

Further, the union conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family.

Nagaland Post Editor, staff mourn

Editor and staff of Nagaland Post express pain on learning of the untimely demise of P. Nyamphe, wife of Francis Chingmei, Longleng correspondent Nagaland Post.

In a condolence message, the editor and staff prayed that the Almighty God provide comfort and strength to the family in their hour of grief and also for eternal rest to the departed soul.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO.171 Dimapur, FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021

Litmus test of democracy

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t is becoming clearer by the day, that the government in India has charted a course towards stifling dissent in any form and the new IT rules that it drafted in February 2021 is evidence to that. The IT rules was to exert tight control over information under the guise of “regulating” social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter etc. The new intermediary rules have conferred unbridled powers to the executive, potentially in complete disregard to the constitutionally guaranteed rights of freedom of speech and expression. The new IT rules, came about under the guise of finding out why press freedom in India was declining. One would have expected that the objective would be to encourage freedom of expression while at the same time ensure that originators of fake news, if proven guilty, be held accountable. However this was far from the minds of the government who has hardly bothered to hide its intolerant streak, especially to criticism.

When it came to information that India’s rise in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index was a reflection of its progress, the government strutted this as evidence of the positive leadership under prime minister Narendra Modi. However, when India’s raking in the Press Freedom Index , compiled by the Paris-based collective Reporters Without Borders, was compiled, the government chose to dismiss it as a “mischievous and unwarranted intervention” by foreign media and an unwanted certification. Worse, India in 2020 raked142nd on global press freedom index certification. Again in 2021 India’s position on Human Freedom Index plummeted to 111th out of 162 nations. Much of the negative development has been India’s changed political climate where majoritarian politics has taken over and narrative changed from secularism to terrorism.

Worse than dwindling freedom of expression has been the almost repressive measures adopted by the law enforcement to dissident voices against the ruling dispensation. The dichotomy of justice being one sided or double standard is highlighted in the case of Disha Ravi a rights activists who was jailed for eliciting support for the farmers agitation. On the other hand, BJP leader Kapil Mishra who made threatening speeches and incited violence against anti-CAA protestors right in front of Delhi Police in February 2020 has never been even charged under sedition or incitement to violence. Later, a year after the Delhi riots that was sparked by his speeches including that of other senior BJP leaders, Mishra expressed no regrets and even said he was willing to do the same if needed. The new IT rules are part of the multi-pronged strategy of the government to innocuously control and manipulate media under various pretexts. It may be noted that the BJP never tires of condemning the black days of emergency in 1975 when the Indian press collapsed after passive resistance. However, then there were opposition stalwarts and veteran renowned journalists who raised their voices against the forces of emergency.

Today, the fight is not between freedom of speech and an intolerant government. It is about the ability of the opposition to galvanize public opinion.

Unfortunately the main opposition, the Congress has proved totally incapable as much as a leader who still believes he’s doing the party a great favour by being entitled to play the lead role. So long the Congress remains a party of the past, the BJP has no worry even till 2029.

DailyDevotion Thinking of Prayer as Jesus Taught Pray without ceasing… —1 Thessalonians 5:17 Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong, is based on our own mental conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts.

Our blood flows and our breathing continues “without ceasing”; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. “Pray without ceasing…”— maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.

Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered. Do we have through the Spirit of God that inexpressible certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when it seemed that God did not answer our prayer? Jesus said, “…everyone who asks receives…” (Matthew 7:8). Yet we say, “But…, but….” God answers prayer in the best way— not just sometimes, but every time.

However, the evidence of the answer in the area we want it may not always immediately follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?

The danger we have is that we want to water down what Jesus said to make it mean something that aligns with our common sense. But if it were only common sense, what He said would not even be worthwhile. The things Jesus taught about prayer are supernatural truths He reveals to us.

Quotes

Unless we remember we cannot understand. ~ E. M. Forster

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021

Post-mortem

Why migrant workers coming back home could be good news

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f you spoke to a business owner in one of India’s sprawling cities any time in the last 15 years, it is likely that a certain crop of employees was mentioned with a touch of gratitude, even affection.

Young men and women from the North East have earned a reputation for being efficient and efficacious, with an unwavering commitment to being and looking professional at all times. Their mere presence seems to make the establishment look like a well-oiled machine. One consequence of the year of the plague is that these industrious people are returning in tens of thousands to their home states.

Mostly they are returning to places that still have what made the workers leave them in the first place - low levels of industrialization and few jobs outside of a limited set of sectors such as tea, timber, and crude. But in the year 2021, there is much potential upside. Two things will be different this time. First, in a region marked by low road connectivity and impossible terrains, one kind of connectivity has grown rapidly - the Internet. As the migrants go home, they will be carrying their low cost Android smartphones with them. Second, the central government’s push towards cross-border trade has increased exports to the countries that the North East shares a border with,

namely Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, and China.

Smartphones, Internet connectivity, and Amazon have opened up a nationwide market for North Easterners. Those returning bring back knowledge acquired over years and decades about consumer preferences across the country.

Those in the hospitality sector know intimately the food habits of Indians everywhere from Delhi to far off Kochi. Many have worked in retail and have deep experience in merchandise across a broad range of categories, from fashion to sportswear. Simultaneously, the large North Eastern diaspora has elevated the region’s presence in the minds of those in the other 22 states to the west of the region. There is awareness of, and demand for, the cultural artifacts of the seven states. This opens up opportunities.

Naturally, the statement above comes with certain qualifiers and caveats. This isn’t a region that has seen much in the way of capital investments.

Banking penetration is low, loan disbursement rates are some of the lowest in the country. There is no culture of risk capital.

Large-scale manufacturing is therefore ruled out in the short term. Small-scale industry, of which there is a strong tradition in the North East already, is the way to go. There have been

multiple attempts at boosting small-scale industry in the region between 1997 and 2017. These failed largely due to insufficient investments and the lack of market linkages. A break with the past was made in 2018 with the announcement of the North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS), which had a funding of Rs. 3,000 crores. The NEIDS needs to specifically target those returning with valuable knowledge of the market elsewhere. This group can lead the charge, and businesses started by them can have knock-on effects on the rest of the region. This combined with the Look East and Act East policy could bolster small-andmedium-sized industry in the region.

Again, to the above one must add that the main thrust of trade must be high-value, small-batch, high price-to-weight ratio goods. The region’s age-old problems of low capital accumulation, terrain unsuitable for heavy engineering and large-scale industry, and the logistics of moving bulk raw materials and produced goods will not recede in a hurry.

Horticulture and handicrafts are good examples of what could work with the diaspora resettling.

These are already important features of commerce in the region. Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh have

Researchers reveal key protein structure in COVID-19 virus

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team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi), led by Dr. Rajanish Giri, Assistant Professor, School of Basic Sciences, have elucidated the part of structure of a key protein in the COVID-19 virus, which helps in understanding its mode of action, its role in the spread and severity of the disease and development of antiviral therapeutics.

Current COVID-19 treatments simply manage symptoms while the body fights off the infection with its immune defence system. There are, as yet, no confirmed antiviral drugs that can stop the virus from replicating. One route to neutralising any virus is to attack its proteins; such an approach holds true for the COVID19 virus as well and scientists across the globe are involved in studies to elucidate the structure and functions of these proteins to understand the viral disease and develop drugs that are effective against the virus.

“From a conformational or ‘shape’ point of view, several proteins contain ordered and intrinsically disordered regions. These classical conformations are in the proteins in the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well. The structure of non-structural protein 1 (NSP1) is composed of 180 amino acids. The first 1-127 region has been experimentally shown to form an independent structure by Clrak, Green & Petit from University of Alabama. However, there was no experimental proof given by any group on the 131 to 180 amino acid regions of this NSP1 protein, which plays a key role in suppressing the host immune system. With the support of Circular Dichroism spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations our group at IIT Mandi has deciphered the conformation of this region in isolation.”, explained Dr. Rajanish Giri, Assistant Professor of Biotechnology, IIT Mandi.

This virus has sixteen nonstructural proteins (NSP1–NSP16), of which, the NSP1 plays a vital role in the pathogenicity (ability to cause disease) of the virus. The NSP1 disrupts the proteins of the host cell and suppresses its immune functions.

Its importance can be understood by the fact that it is also called the ‘host shutoff factor’. Particularly Nenad Ban and colleagues have found that if the C-terminal region of NSP1 i.e.

131-180 residues are removed from NSP1 then NSP1 is unable to stop the translation by ribosomes. It is therefore important to understand

the molecular mechanisms, biophysical interactions, and chemistry of the interplay of the NSP1 with the host cell.

“Earlier in 2020, we have shown through bioinformatics studies that NSP1 C-terminal region has intrinsic disorder propensity between 0.4 to 0.5 scales, i.e. very close to borderline of intrinsic disorder prediction.

However, without experimental studies we were not sure that this 131-180 amino acid region is actually an intrinsically disordered protein region. Generally, these regions are unfolded in solution but are folded into particular conformations when binding with specific molecules or partners inside the host cells”, said Dr. Giri.

The IIT Mandi team has experimentally studied the structural conformations of SARS-CoV-2 NSP1 under various conditions – in an organic solvent, membrane mimetic environment, and inside liposomes.

Using analytical techniques such as circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, the researchers have shown the dynamic changes in the conformation of the IDR of the NSP1, in response to its surroundings, due to hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between the protein and the environment.

“Our finding provides valuable insight into disorder-order conformation of the NSP1 C-terminal region (residues 131-180) of the SARS-COV2 virus under various environments, which will help in understanding the broader aspect of NSP1 and its interactions with binding partners that are currently unknown”, said Dr. Giri.

Understanding the conformational structure and associated functions of key viral proteins such as the NSP1 can eventually help develop therapeutics that can target these proteins and stop the virus in its tracks.

Studies such as those conducted by Dr. Giri and his co-workers can bring this approach closer to reality.

This study has been published in the journal ‘Current Research in Virological Science’, in a paper coauthored by Dr. Giri and his research scholars, Mr. Amit Kumar, Mr. Ankur Kumar and Mr. Prateek Kumar, along with Dr. Neha Garg from the Banaras Hindu University.

Dr. Rajanish Giri, Assistant Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi

over 30% of area under horticulture. Besides the standard set of sub continental fruits and vegetables, the North Eastern states are known for medicinal plants, essential oils, dyes, and phytochemicals. When this rich culture combines with the deep knowledge of the market elsewhere and a facility with technology (and therefore direct access to consumers), good things can happen with the right kind of government assistance, and a targeted loan disbursal mechanism.

Connectivity opens up several other possibilities, that of outsourcing and linkages with the global talent and services marketplace. In the pre-pandemic days of outsourcing, there was some skepticism in the West about small outfits and freelancers. IT security and data confidentiality norms favoured large outsourcing vendors in known hubs such as Bangalore and Hyderabad. With technology evolving to a point where secure computing environments can be assured even in unmanaged, distributed environments, the rise of the global gig economy, and work-fromhome becoming the norm - there is now much higher acceptance of smaller outfits. North East has a deep tradition of fashion and music, with widespread awareness of the repertoire of the US and Europe, and more broadly - the western zeitgeist. The global fashion

industry is increasingly digitized and the importance of AI is growing in terms of training algorithms to better recognize fashion categories and styles. Training AI algorithms requires human input. Such algorithms thus trained power use cases such as ecommerce search, recommendation engines, and merchandising decisions. In addition, the demand for fashion curation - remote, low-cost stylists - is rising. Someone from Mizoram could curate an ensemble for a fashionista in Minnesota, all digitally and at the fraction of the cost of a local stylist. There is no other part of India (which does US$180 billion annually in IT and ITES revenues) that can take up the mantle of fashion AI and outsourced styling better. Similar opportunities exist in outsourced commercial music production as well.

Lastly, the North East has immense untapped hydroelectric power. The eight states (counting Sikkim) account for 40% of the country’s hydropower potential. The primary impediments to development have been the capital costs (estimated at Rs.10 crore per megawatt), clearances, seismic activity, and adverse weather events.

What the hydropower ecosystem lacks is a strong demand pull. With low industrialization, the bulk of proceeds came naturally from retail, and therefore

the state electricity board, and the consequent revenue risks, combined with production risks, become untenable for private enterprise. If one looks to the burgeoning field of cryptocurrency mining, there appears more than a glimmer of hope for a better demand vector. Cryptocurrency mining requires power to be cheap, and marginal cost of production to approach zero. It requires renewable energy ideally, and with the soaring price of Bitcoin (despite a crash at the time of writing, BTC is still in the neighborhood of US$40,000) can be the pull function that acts as a catalyst, fixing supply side constraints. China offers a case study on how cryptocurrency mining can revive the fortunes of remote areas.

The return of a highly productive and motivated workforce could mark the beginning of a new era in the North East, if policy is carefully calibrated and directed to opportunities with potential for scaling.

Typically, it is the natural risk-seeking buccaneers of a society who emigrate, and when the emigree returns with a wealth of knowledge of the wider world, it behooves society to provide the risk seeker with the best tools for full articulation of their ambition.

Prabir Banerjea, Group CEO, Globally Managed Services and Balipara Foundation

Christian response to adversity

T

he Christian Forum Dimapur conveys a heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families who lost their beloved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic battle. May God grant you peace and comfort from the living God! May the Good Lord grant them eter nal rest. The CFD assures you of our prayers in this common struggle for a victory under God. The Forum extends our sincere thanks to the Special Task Force of Nagaland Government, medical personnel, and police, all NGOs, and churches for sacrifice that you make to save bodies and souls in this hard time.

We assure you of our prayers and support. May God grant you His grace, patience, and ability to tackle the challenge toward sunshine behind the present turbulence.

The CFD appeals to the Churches to continue to pray for God’s sovereign intervention in the struggle since the pandemic is not outside of spiritual warfare.

The Forum also requests all Christians to extend all possible cooperation and support to the government and civil societies as we continue the battle for cleansing and victory.

As a spiritual body of Christians, the Christian Forum Dimapur wants to encourage one and all to look

beyond your days of physical uncertainty. Many beloved relatives are suddenly disappearing before a chance to say ‘Goodbye’. Amid such days, we can find peace and comfort from God. The offer of the living Lord Jesus is still relevant and can give you peace when he said, “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Our Merciful God is always welcomes and grant His graces to those who seek and repent. The need of the hour is not a speculation but faith-based fact.

There is life beyond rapid cremation or burial. Spiritual security must precede physical safety.

The evangelistic theme “Where will you spend your Eternity” has rescued many people from the shore of hell as testified. With confidence of eternity, many people are in different professions with honesty, integrity and a difference. People who have assurance of next life are fearless, confident, hopeful and joyful amid challenging upheavals. The imminence of ‘Eternity’ is absolutely relevant to us every moment of these days of obscurity.

One can choose Heaven while Covid has no choice.

The symptoms of Eternity are ‘when you are free from doubt of your faith in Jesus, when your inner heart is free

from condemnation, when you are forgiven of your sins, and when you have courage to leave your body’.

The Christian Forum during its meeting held on 21st May decided to have a prayer and worship on every Tuesdays from 5pm to 6pm the zoom connection will be shared through our whatsapp, Pastors will be available for praying for the sick, dead and blessing the tomb kindly contact the office number 6909617895, other services for counseling, medical services and prayer kindly contact the toll free help line number 18001217119.

Lastly, Covid lockdown is not a hibernation but spiritual watchfulness with SOP as Spiritual Opportunity of Preparation, regulating 1. Masking - keeping you holy and pure.

2. Distancing - staying away from sinful habits.

3. Sanitization - surrounding presence of God. 4. Testing - daily spiritual transparency.

5. Quarantine - personal x-raying and cleansing.

6. Vaccination - faith in the blood of Jesus.

7. Staying safe - comfort and confidence in God. The need of the hour is peace and comfort. You can find this in Jesus (John 14:27; 16:33). God bless you!

Christian Forum Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Continuous flouting of SOPs Sir,

The struggle to avail locally produced vegetables and fruits at normal rates is real. The other day I went to purchase vegetables and the scenario scared me for good. No social distancing is maintained and shopkeepers who were expected to be the more careful ones were more ignorant than ever. Wearing masks below their chins, wiping their faces with bare hands and not sanitizing their hands, it seemed as though they were immune to the virus. And not only that, some rowdy customers hoarding all the fresh goods while leaving none for others had been very discerning and discouraging as well. We call ourselves civilized people yet our action says otherwise. Therefore, it is my sincere plea to the concerned authorities to keep a check on the defaulting shopkeepers. In addition, I would also like to appeal to everyone not to indulge in a shopping frenzy and to think about the welfare of others as well.

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

‘Committed to comply with local laws’ Says working constructively with governments

NEW DELHI, MAY 27 (PTI): Google is committed to complying with local laws and engages constructively with governments as they scrutinise and adopt regulatory frameworks to keep pace with the fast evolving technology landscape, its CEO Sundar Pichai said on Thursday.

“It’s obviously early days and our local teams are very engaged... we always respect local laws in every country we operate in and we work constructively. We have clear transparency reports, when we comply with government requests, we highlight that in our transparency reports,” Pichai said in a virtual conference with select reporters from Asia Pacific.

He added that a free and open internet is “foundational”, and that India has long traditions of that.

As a company, we are very clear about the values of a free and open internet and the benefits it brings and we advocate for it, and we engage constructively with regulators around the world, and we participate in these processes, I think it’s a part of how we learn...”

He added that the com-

Sundar Pichai

pany respects the legislative processes, and in cases where it needs to push back, it does so. “It’s a balance we have struck around the world,” he said.

Pichai noted that technology is touching society in deeper and broader ways and the landscape is evolving at a fast pace.

“So, we fully expect governments rightfully to both scrutinise and adopt regulatory frameworks. Be it Europe with copyright directive or India with information regulation, etc, we see it as a natural part of societies figuring out how to govern and adapt themselves in this technologyintensive world,” he said, adding that Google engages constructively with regulators around the world, and participates in these processes.

The new IT rules for social media companies, which came into effect from Wednesday, are aimed at

making digital platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram and Google - which have seen a phenomenal surge in usage over the past few years in India - more accountable and responsible for the content hosted on their platform.

The new rules, which were announced on February 25, require large social media players to follow additional due diligence, including the appointment of a chief compliance officer, nodal contact person and resident grievance officer.

“Significant social media intermediaries” - defined as those with over 50 lakh registered users - were given three months’ time to comply with the additional requirements. Non-compliance with rules, will result in these social media companies losing their intermediary status that provides them exemptions and certain immunity from liabilities for any third-party information and data hosted by them. In other words, they could be liable for action.

Google has previously stated that it has consistently invested in significant product changes, resources, and personnel to ensure that it is combating illegal content in an effective and fair way, and complies with local laws in the jurisdictions it operates in.

Govt owes answer to people on vax shortage: Priyanka

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS): Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday slammed the Narendra Modi-led Central government over the Covid vaccine shortage in the country, wondering why India is facing a shortage despite being one of the leading manufacturers of vaccines, adding the government owes an answer to the people on this issue.

In a tweet, she attached a 30-second video in which she can be heard saying why is India, one of the leading manufacturers of vaccines, facing shortage of it?

“Why were orders for vaccines placed in January 2021 when the other countries placed theirs in the summer of 2020?” she wondered.

She further sought to know why the government exported six crore vaccines to other countries. “The government of India owes and answer to people of India and we have to ask the questions and they will have to answer,” she added.

The Congress leader

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021

The new rules also require these platforms to remove any content flagged by authorities within 36 hours, and take down posts depicting nudity or morphed photos within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

The new guidelines mandate setting up a robust complaint redressal mechanism with an officer being based in the country, and significant social media companies will have to publish a monthly compliance report disclosing details of complaints received and action taken, as well as details of contents removed proactively. They will also be required to have a physical contact address in India published on its website or mobile app, or both.

Interestingly, WhatsApp has moved Delhi High Court challenging the new digital rules on grounds that the requirement for the company to provide access to encrypted messages will break privacy protections.

The government, however, has staunchly defended the new guidelines, saying the requirement of messaging platforms like WhatsApp to disclose origin of flagged messages does not violate privacy and that these rules will not impact normal functioning of the popular free-messaging platform.

R&AW chief, IB director get oneyear extension NEW DELHI, MAY 27 (IANS): The Centre on Thursday extended the tenures of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) Chief, Samant Kumar Goel, and Intelligence Bureau Director, Arvind Kumar, by oner year.

Both Goel and Kumar are 1984-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, who were to retire on June 30 this year.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the extension in service of both Goel and Kumar for a period of one year beyond their present tenure ending June 30.

An order issued by the Minstry of Personnel on Thursday mentioned that both the IPS officers, holding two key posts, have been given extension in service “in relaxation of FR 56 (d) and Rule 16(1A) of All India Services (Death-cumRetirement Benefits) Rule, 1958”.

As per the order, Goel’s service was extended for one year as Secretary, Research and Analysis Wing.

The order also mentioned that Kumar’s service has been extended by one year as Director, Intelligence Bureau.

B’luru police arrest 4 within hrs of Assam police tweeting sexual assault video BENGALURU, MAY 27 (IANS): Within hours of Assam police posting a video showing a young girl being sexually tortured and assaulted by five men that went viral, the Bengaluru police on Thursday nabbed four persons in connection with the case, claiming that all of them were Bangaldeshis.

The police at Ramamurthy Nagar said in a

statement that the video was shot around 10 days ago, and the five men, believed to be Bangaladeshis, were involved in an international human trafficking racket.

While the police have not revealed their names yet, an officer said that that all the four accused had brutally assaulted the 21-year-old woman after raping her.

Effect of Yaas intensifying in Bihar Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

has been critical of the government over the vaccine shortage.

On Wednesday, she asked the government about the shortage of vaccines in the country in her series of “Jimmedar Kaun” (who is responsible) posts.

She has asked three specific questions from the government on her Facebook page -- “When the Prime Minister is saying that they were ready with the plan of vaccination, then why did the government only order 1.60 crore vaccines and why

did the government export vaccines at the cost of Indians, and when India is the largest manufacturer of the vaccine, why did it have to import?”

She said these are the questions people of India want to ask the government.

India has been hit hard by Covid in the second wave.

On Monday, India crossed a grim milestone of three-lakh deaths due to the coronavirus infections, thus becoming world’s third country after the US and Brazil to cross three-lakh deaths.

PATNA, MAY 27 (IANS): After creating devastation in Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, the effect of Cyclone Yaas was visible in several districts of Bihar on Thursday and will continue till Friday.

Heavy rainfall, with strong winds having speed of 30 to 40 kmph, is currently underway in south, southeast and central districts of Bihar and is expected to intensify from Thursday night till Friday. Rain with thunderstorm and lightning are expected in these two days.

The most affected districts are Gaya, Auranganad, Lakhisarai, Shaikehpura, Nawada, Banka, Bhagalpur, Patna, Vaishali, Saran, Bhojpur, and Buxar. Besides, Purnea, Araria, Katihar, Madhepura, and Saharsa are also impacted.

The Meteorological Department has predicted that Yaas would be expected to reach Patna by late Thursday.

Patna is witnessing heavy rainfall with strong winds of speed of 30 kmph now and this is expected to intensify.

The Met Department has recorded around 70 mm rain fall in Gaya and adjoining districts of Bihar.

News broadcasters demand exemption from new IT rules NEW DELHI, MAY 27 (PTI): The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) Thursday urged the government to “exempt and exclude” the traditional television news media and its extended presence on the digital news platforms from the ambit of the IT Rules 2021, saying it is already “sufficiently regulated” by various statutes, laws, guidelines, codes and regulations.

“The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000) had not contemplated the regulation of digital news media. Despite this, the IT Rules, 2021 seek to inter alia include traditional news media, i.e. electronic television news media having a digital news feed and presence on other digital media platforms, within its purview. This appears to be ultra vires the IT Act, 2000,” the NBA said, raising its concerns in a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar.

NBA represents several leading national and regional private television news and current affairs broadcasters which run news channels in Hindi, English and regional languages.

NBA said the media

organisations would have to devote “significant resources and time” in resolving each complaint and in defending themselves before multiple forums.

The NBA also said that the IT Act, 2000 and the IT Rules 2021, and “more specifically” provisions such as the blocking of content in cases of emergency, will “severely” impact the freedom of speech and expression of the media.

The association also urged the ministry to keep the IT Rules, 2021 “in abeyance/suspension”, specifically concerning the NBA members till the pending matters challenging the IT Rules, 2021 in the various high Courts are adjudicated upon and decided.

New rules to prevent misuse of social media: Prasad

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said WhatsApp users have nothing to fear about new social media rules, which are designed to prevent abuse and misuse of platforms, and offer users a robust forum for grievance redressal.

Prasad said that the government welcomes criticism including the right to ask questions.

“The rules only empower the ordinary users of social media when they become victims of abuse and misuse,” Prasad posted on homegrown micro-blogging platform Koo, and also tweeted.

The government fully recognises and respects the right of privacy, he asserted.

“Ordinary users of WhatsApp have nothing to fear about the new Rules.

Its entire objective is to find out who started the message that led to commissioning of specific crimes mentioned in the Rules,” Prasad added.

The new IT rules require the social media companies to set up an Indiabased grievance redressal officer, compliance officer and nodal officer ‘so that millions of users of social media who have a grievance get a forum for its redressal’, he said.

The obligation to reveal the originator of an offensive message already in circulation relates only to offences relating to sovereignty, integrity and security of India, public order, rape, and child sexual abuse. “That too when other less intrusive measures are not effective,” the Minister said.

Row escalates, Centre says Twitter ...

(From p-1) Through its actions and deliberate defiance, Twitter seeks to undermine India’s legal system,” it asserted.

Stating that Twitter has refused to comply with new digital rules requiring identification of the originator of a flagged message and appointing grievance redressal officers, the ministry said the purported commitment of the US-based firm to India not only sounds hallow but completely self-serving.

“Twitter needs to stop beating around the bush and comply with the laws of the land,” the ministry said without saying what action it could take in case noncompliance continued.

It went on to highlight previously raised concerns around certain locations in Ladakh being shown as part of China, alleged reluctance to block content around a “genocide plan” during farmers’ protest, rampant proliferation of fake and harmful content against India, and no action being taken on a type of coronavirus being called the Indian variant.

The government, the statement said, “condemns the unfortunate statement issued by Twitter as totally baseless, false and attempt to defame India to hide their own follies.”

“Twitter has a large user base in India, it earns significant revenue from its Indian operations but is also the most reluctant to appoint an India-based grievance redressal officer and mechanism, chief compliance officer and nodal officer to whom its own users can complain when they are subjected to offensive tweets,” it said.

It went on to say that Twitter employees are safe in India and there is no threat to their personal safety and security.

In its first official statement after the Delhi Police visited the company’s offices in Delhi and Gurugram to serve notice to its country managing director about the investigation into the ‘manipulated media’ tag, Twitter said it will continue to be strictly guided by principles of transparency and protecting freedom of expression.

The company said it

will “strive” to comply with applicable law in India to keep its service available in the country but will “advocate for changes to elements of these regulations that inhibit free, open public conversation.”

“Right now, we are concerned by recent events regarding our employees in India and the potential threat to freedom of expression for the people we serve,” Twitter said in a statement.

“We, alongside many in civil society in India and around the world, have concerns with regards to the use of intimidation tactics by the police in response to enforcement of our global Terms of Service, as well as with core elements of the new IT rules.”

In the new digital rules, social media companies like Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter have been asked to identify within 36 hours the originator of a flagged message as well as conduct additional due diligence, including the appointment of a chief compliance officer, nodal contact person and resident grievance officer.

NJCF reminder to observe June as prayer... Pvt hospitals procured more vax Trials on Covaxin booster underway: Govt Therefore, in this given context, we must hold on to the faith that God will help us fight the virus yet, we also must do our part by cooperating with the authority, the experts and the professionals who are sacrificing their own safety and comfort to protect us,” he said.

Reminding believers “not to become experts in forwarding and disseminating information that are not authentic”, NJCF rather called for educating one another about vaccination.

“We will remember well that last year, we have prayed for the vaccine, we prayed for the people who are responsible.

We must believe that God has answered our prayer. We must not allow faith and prayer to become a mockery by becoming agents of falsehood. Vaccines or medicines are for our good and not to harm us,” NJCF said.

Include State’s eminent people in advisory...

(From p-1) It was only on June 2 that the State cabinet constituted a High Powered Committee (HPC) headed by chief minister that was functioning till date.

By deviating from the provisions of NDMA to have an HPC instead of NSDMA taking control, whether intentional or out of ignorance, the party observed that the government had only exposed its shortcomings and ill-preparedness from the very beginning.

Pointing out that the State government had so far preferred to act through HPC rather than constitutionally mandated SDMA, NPCC said this deviation from the provisions of NDMA went down to the level of some villages and colonies enforcing their own lockdown rules, thereby making a mockery of the entire system.

The party, therefore, urged the government to stick to provisions of NDMA through NSDMA instead of duplicating works through HPC as the decisions taken by HPC were not legally enforceable, if one went by the law.

than Delhi govt, BJP slams CM

NEW DELHI, MAY 27 (PTI): The BJP on Thursday said private hospitals in Delhi have procured more Covid vaccines than the Delhi government has done on its own as it sought to put the Arvind Kejriwal dispensation in the dock over its inoculation programme and claims about ramping up oxygen production in the city.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Delhi government has directly procured over 8.17 lakh doses while private hospitals have bought over 9.04 lakh doses, and wondered if the private facilities are stronger than a government.

While Kejriwal does daily press conferences to do his ‘politics’ and engages in a battle of ‘one-upmanship’, the fact is that his government has on its own provided for only 13 per cent of the total vaccination done in the national capital so far, Patra said, adding that the Centre has given over 45 lakh doses free to it.

Noting that exactly a month back, the Aam Aadmi Party leader had

Sambit Patra announced that the city will have 44 oxygen plant, including eight from the Centre in a month, Patra sought his response on how many plants his government has established so far.

The BJP leader also accused him of spreading misinformation over his demand that the Centre should procure vaccines for children as soon as possible after pharma giant Pfizer claimed that its jab has been proved suitable for everyone over 12 years of age.

Patra said as of now nowhere in the world children are being vaccinated.

‘We cannot use children as guinea pigs. Kejriwal should not drag them into his politics,’ Patra said.

New Delhi, May 27 (AGENCIES): The government on Thursday said people do not need to get antibody tests done after taking their Covid 19 shots to determine the level of protection they have acquired against the virus.

The Ministry of Health further said that trials for a booster dose of Covaxin, India’s indigenous Covid vaccine were underway and once the need and the duration of booster shots for available Covid vaccines worldwide are known, related protocols on booster doses will also be made available.

Speaking at a time when some people have questioned the level of antibody generation Covid vaccines produce, Member, Health, NITI Aayog VK Paul said, “You do not need any antibody test after vaccine doses. Antibody is just one measure of immunity but not the only one. The more important measure is the cell mediated immune response. That is more critical and that cannot be tested easily as the test is highly sophisticated.”

Paul said the cell me-

diated response levels tell whether a person’s cells recognise the pathogen and can ward it off when it strikes.

“Antibody presence is one measure and antibodies decline by time and come up not just specific to vaccines but also based on individual predelictions. When we administered vaccines in mass as a large public health response, there is a situation where we are trying to raise herd immunity. So we will have collective immunity after the vaccines and also individual immunity but some individuals may have lower

immunity than the others but we are still protected as a community and as individuals,” the expert explained.

He asked people to go by current protocols – take two doses of Covid vaccines and booster dose trials are underway for Covaxin.

“When to get a booster will be known after worldwide studies conclude on the issue. Follow vaccine guidelines. You are safe after two shots and you do not get severe disease. The need and timing of boosters in relation to different vaccines will be known in time,” said Paul.

NOTICE This is for general information to all, that selling or mortgaging of land under the jurisdiction of Dhansiripar Village Council is not allowed under any circumstances without the approval and consent of the village council. Any unauthorised sale or purchase/mortgaging of land by any individual shall not be recognized and accepted henceforth. This issues in exercise of the power vested under Rule 15(1)(G) of the Village Council Act 1978 and as amended.

(DEJIRAJ GIRISA) Head GB Dhansiripar Village

(JOYBOLAL KHEMPRAI) V.C.C (Designate) Dhansiripar Village Council

DP-2557

(From p-1) “Prayer is a potent force in this. In prayer we are profoundly connected to God and one another in deep and meaningful ways that passes all understanding...

We invite you, with the assistance and direction of your denomination leader and pastors to develop specific ways to reach out and connect with one another, and neighbors near and far, using available technology,” Keyho said.

While stating that a lot has been said and talked regarding suspension of community worship, Keyho however said that the church was not closed, but the nature of the pandemic was such that mass gatherings become super-spreaderagent. “If we are sure who is carrying the virus it could have been much easier for us to contain the pandemic but that is not the case.

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Mamata extends lockdown in WB till June 15 IMA files complaint against Ramdev KO L K ATA , M AY 2 7 (IANS): Besides announcing a grant of 1,000 crore for relief operations in areas affected by Cyclone Yaas, CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced that the restrictions imposed in the state in the wake of the pandemic will continue for another 15 days. The government will review the situation again on June 15.

Congratulating the people for cooperating with the state government that has led to the slow-down of the Covid infection rate, Banerjee said, “Though the infection rate has reduced, the state government has decided to continue on with the restrictions for another 15 days. We are thankful that the people have cooperated with us and we have started getting good results but I urge the people to bear the hardship for a little longer. We will review the situation on June 15 and then decide the next course of action”.

However, the chief minister announced some relaxations for jute and con-

Mamata Banerjee

struction workers. “There have been several requests from Punjab and so we have decided to increase the workforce in jute industry from 30 per cent to 40 per cent but they will have to adhere to all the Covid norms. The construction workers can also go to work provided they have proper vaccination. It is the responsibility of the employers to vaccinate their employees from private places. If they are vaccinated then they can join the work,” the chief minister said. “The rest of the conditions, as declared before, will prevail,” she added.

Speaking on the occasion of a review meeting

with the officials related to relief and rescue work, CM Banerjee said that the government has sanctioned a fund of Rs 1,000 crore for the relief measures but she cautioned that the money should go to the right beneficiaries. Detailing out the mechanism which is in line with ‘Duare Sarkar, the chief minister said, “From June 3 to June 18 there will be relief camps in the affected blocks and Gram Panchayats, where the people will come and register themselves giving the details of their damage along with their personal and bank details. Like ‘Duare Sarkar’ it will be ‘Duare Relief ’.

“The government will inspect all the applications for the next 15 days - from June 16 to June 30 -- and make a list of the beneficiaries. Once the list of beneficiaries is prepared, the state finance department will start disbursing funds according to the damage and the estimation prepared at the block and panchayat level,” she added.

Punjab extends Covid curbs till June 10 Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced extension of the restrictions in the state till June 10, but ordered the limit on the number of passengers in personal vehicles to be removed in view of decline in the positivity and number of active Covid19 cases.

The chief minister also directed the resumption of elective surgeries in both government and private hospitals, as well restoration of OPD operations at all government hospitals in the state in view of the improvement in the overall Covid situation.

The elective surgeries were stopped from April 12 to ensure adequate availability of beds and oxygen for serious Covid cases, but the Chief Minister has now allowed these to be resumed, subject to the condition that there shall, for the pres-

ent, be no reduction in beds for L3 patients in the hospital.

Medical Education Minister O.P. Soni said three government medical colleges have already started 50 per cent OPD operations, which will soon be scaled up to 100 per cent.

On the issue of restrictions, Amarinder said it had been decided to continue with the curbs on the advice of experts.

He clarified that while the limit on personal cars and two-wheelers was being removed as these are used mainly by family members and close friends, those on commercial passenger vehicles and taxis shall continue to be in place at present.

The deputy commissioners will also continue to be empowered to make any adjustments in opening of non-essential shops as are merited by local conditions, he said.

NEW DELHI/DEHRADUN, MAY 27 (PTI): The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday lodged a police complaint against yoga guru Ramdev, seeking an FIR over his “dishonest and wrongful representations” on allopathy.

In the complaint submitted at the IP Estate Police Station, the apex medical body said Ramdev has “wilfully and deliberately spread false, baseless and malicious information” about treatment of Covid patients by established and approved methods and drugs. “We have received the complaint and enquiry is being conducted,” a senior Delhi Police officer said.

The IMA’s complaint dated May 9 said, “Swami Ramdev, in order to take advantage of the Covid situation, on a public platform in furtherance of his ulterior motives has put forth dishonest and wrongful representations with regard to allopathic medicines and other allied treatment techniques of modern medical science for the COVID-19 virus.

Even their father cannot arrest me: Ramdev in another video

Ramdev

“In a video which has surfaced and is being shared widely throughout the social media, Swami Ramdev is seen wilfully and deliberately spreading false, baseless and malicious information with regard to the treatment of various patients suffering from Covid-19 by established and approved treatment methods and drugs,” it said.

The IMA had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that yoga guru Ramdev be booked immediately under sedition charges for alleged misinformation campaign on vaccination and challenging government protocols for treatment of Covid-19.

Amid the raging controversy over Ramdev’s alleged disparaging remarks against allopathy, another controversial video surfaced on social media in which the yoga guru is seen reacting to the demand for his arrest, saying “even their father cannot arrest him”.

“They are just making a noise. They keep creating trends like Thug Ramdev, Mahathug Ramdev, Giraftar Ramdev and so on,” he said responding to #Arrest Ramdev trends on social media.

“Arrest to khair unka baap bhi nahin kar sakta Swami Ramdev ko (even their father cannot arrest Swami Ramdev),” he is caught saying in the video.

Reacting to the yoga guru’s latest video, K S Ravi, a senior doctor and the editor-in-chief of National Journal of Clinical Anatomy, said it shows he is not apologetic at all about making “insensitive” comments about allopathy and allopathic doctors.

No dearth of medicine to treat black Sputnik V manufacturing to start soon in India: V.K. Paul fungus, assures Union Minister BENGALURU, MAY 27 (IANS): Asserting that there will be no shortage of drugs to treat ‘black fungus’ (mucormycosis), Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday said that an additional 29,250 vials of Amphotericin-B, use to cure the fungal infection, have been allocated to all the states and Union Territories.

In a series of tweets, he said the 29,250 vials were allocated, based on the number of patients under treatment which is 11,717 across the country.

Earlier, 19,420 vials of Amphotericin-B were allocated on May 24 and 23,680 vials of the drug were supplied across the country on May 21.

D.V. Sadananda Gowda

According to the Minister, additional 1,220 vials of Amphotericin-B have been allocated for 481 patients who are under treatment for black fungus in Karnataka.

Prior to it, 1,030 vials of the drug were already allocated to Karnataka on May 24 and 1,270 vials on

Crossword

May 21.

The data shared by the Minister shows that Gujarat has 2,859 patients, which is the maximum in the country, followed by 2,770 in Maharashtra, 768 in Andhra Pradesh, 752 in Madhya Pradesh, 744 in Telangana, and 701 in Uttar Pradesh.

NEW DELHI, MAY 27 (IANS): The manufacturing of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine will start soon in India as the country has accomplished technology-transfer to Indian companies, said Dr Vinod K. Paul, chair of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) on Thursday.

Paul made the announcement while clearing the myth that the Centre is not doing enough to buy vaccines from abroad.

Paul said the Central government has also proactively eased entry of vaccines approved by the US FDA, EMA, UK’s MHRA and Japan’s PMDA, and WHO’s Emergency Use Listing into India in April.

He said these vaccines will not need to undergo

prior bridging trials as the provision has now been further amended to waive off the trial requirement altogether for the well-established vaccines manufactured in other countries.

“No application of any foreign manufacturer for approval is pending with the drugs controller,” Paul, Member (Health) in NITI Aayog, further said.

Paul said that Sputnik vaccine trials got acceler-

No. 9929 Yesterday’s solution No. 9928

Su doku

No. 4549 Yesterday’s solution No. 4548

KAKURO

No. 3573 Yesterday’s solution No. 3572

Across 1. Go away hastily (5) 6. Pub game (5) 9. Army officer (7) 10. Vote in (5) 11. Of sound (5) 12. Gaseous element (5) 13. Knead muscles (7) 15. That woman (3) 17. Cupid (4) 18. Demure (6) 19. Involving danger (5) 20. Primary source (6) 22. Assistant (4) 24. Signal agreement (3) 25. Butter up (7) 26. Moderate coldness (5) 27. Criminal organisation (5) 28. Star sign (5) 29. Coach (7) 30. Surrendered (5) 31. Nervy (5) Down 2. Shirt part (6) 3. Entry (6) 4. Floor covering (3) 5. Fixed gaze (5) 6. Refuse to comply (7) 7. Soon (4) 8. Lavatory (6) 12. Once more (5) 13. Fruit (5) 14. Compact, firm (5) 15. Regular practice (5) 16. Allude (5) 18. Art (5) 19. Boy’s name (7) 21. Revolve, spin (6) 22. Clothes, garments (6) 23. Rubble (6) 25. Threshing implement (5) 26. Quote (4) 28. Allow (3)

ated and with timely approval, Russia has already sent two tranches of vaccines and “accomplished tech-transfer to our companies that would start manufacturing very soon”.

The declaration comes after the developers of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine and Panacea Biotec on Monday announced that full-scale production of the doses in India will start this summer.

The Russian Direct In-

vestment Fund (RDIF), or Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, has tied up with Indian pharmaceutical firms such as Gland Pharma, Hetero Biopharma, Panacea Biotec, Stelis Biopharma and Virchow Biotech to make more than 850 million doses a year.

Sputnik V has been granted approval for emergency use by India’s drug controller. The Russian vaccine was registered in India under the emergency use authorisation procedure on April 12 and use of the Russian vaccine started on May 14.

RDIF and Panacea Biotec have agreed to produce 100 million doses a year of Sputnik V. Sputnik V has so far been registered in 66 countries with a total population of more than 3.2 billion. RDIF and Gamaleya

Center have said the efficacy of Sputnik V is 97.6 per cent, based on analysis of data on coronavirus infection rate among those vaccinated in Russia with both doses of Sputnik V from December 5 last year to March 31 this year.

Paul elaborated that the Central government has continuously remained engaged with all the major international vaccine manufacturers right from mid2020 and multiple rounds of discussions have happened with Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna.

“We reiterate our request to all international vaccine makers to come and make in India, for India and for the world,” Paul said, adding “we need to understand that buying vaccines internationally is not similar to buying ‘off the shelf ’ items”.

Hand Choksi over to India, Antigua PM asks neighbouring Dominica NEW DELHI, MAY 27 (AGENCIES): Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has asked neighbouring Dominica, where fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi was caught, to hand the diamantaire over to India directly, local media reported.

After news of Choksi’s arrest in Dominica came on Tuesday night (local time), Mr Browne told local media that he has given “clear instructions” to the Dominican authorities to repatriate Choksi to India.

“We asked them not to repatriate him to Antigua. He needs to return to India where he can face the criminal charges levelled against him,” Antigua News Room, a media outlet, quoted Browne’s interaction with journalists in Antigua and Barbuda.

Choksi will not have the same rights in Dominica as he has in Antigua and Barbuda, where he had been staying since 2018 after taking citizenship in 2017 under the Citizenship by Investment programme, Mr Browne indicated.

The prime minister believes for this reason, it would be easy for Dominica

Mehul Choksi

to repatriate him directly to India, the report said.

Choksi, who had recently fled from Antigua and Barbuda, was captured after an Interpol Yellow Notice was issued against him.

A Yellow Notice is issued by the Interpol to track missing persons.

Choksi, who is wanted in a Rs. 13,500-crore loan fraud in the Punjab National Bank, was last seen going for dinner in his car in Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday.

His staff had reported him missing after his car was found.

The businessman’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, had confirmed that Choksi had been missing since Sunday.

The reports of Choksi gone missing created a flutter in the Caribbeans island

country after the opposition raised the issue in the Antigua and Barbuda Parliament.

Responding to the opposition, Prime Minister Browne had said his dispensation was “collaborating” with the Indian government, neighbouring countries and international police organisations to try and locate him.

Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi allegedly siphoned off Rs. 13,500 crore of public money from the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) using fraudulent letters of undertaking.

Nirav Modi, lodged in a London jail, is contesting his extradition to India after repeated denial of his bail by courts.

RAFFLE DRAW RESULT New Creation Church Kohima In aid of Church land

1st – 4375 2nd – 6683 3rd – 6694 10 consolations – 1990, 6697, 3683, 6623, 4929, 12981, 14364, 13669, 14533, 6382 K-987

‘Israeli strikes in Gaza may be war crimes’

in densely populated civilian areas, or to launch attacks from them.

Hamas “rockets are indiscriminate and fail to distinguish between military and civilian objects, and their use, thereby, constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” she added. “However, the actions of one party do not absolve the other from its obligations under international law.”

“Unless the root causes of

the violence are addressed, it will certainly be a matter of time until the next round of violence commences with further pain and suffering for civilians on all sides,” she also said.

The day-long debate involved personal accounts from Palestinians — such as that of a young woman journalist from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in east Jerusalem, an early flashpoint that led to the violence — as well as statements from the council’s 47 member states and also observer states.

The Organisation of Islamic Conference has presented a resolution that, if passed by the council, would mark an unprecedented level of scrutiny authorized by the council by setting up a permanent commission to report on human rights violations in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

A vote on the draft resolution was likely at the end of the session, which is largely virtual.

Mali’s military releases transitional president and PM

EU eyes Belarus sanctions targeting sectors close to leader

Bamako, May 27 (AP): Mali’s military has released the transitional president and prime minister from detention, a top officer said Thursday. The release of President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane came after they resigned Wednesday in the presence of international arbitrators who are in the West African nation to mediate the political crisis, according to Maj. Baba Cisse.

The UN Security Council said Wednesday after a closed meeting that the resignations were forced and demanded an immediate resumption of the civilian-led transition and said the military should return to their barracks.

Brussels, May 27 (AP): European Union nations sketched out plans for new sanctions Thursday against Belarus that will target economic sectors close to its authoritarian president, as they sought to strike back at him for the forced diversion of a passenger jet to arrest a dissident journalist.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Lisbon vowed to continue to ramp up the pressure on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko — whose disdain for democratic norms and human rights has made his country a pariah in the West.

The latest plans for sanctions, which could target the country’s lucrative potassium industry among others, comes after Belarusian flight controllers instructed a Ryanair jetliner’s crew to land in the capital of Minsk on Sunday, citing a bomb threat. No bomb was found, but 26-year-old journalist and activist Raman Pratasevich was pulled off the plane and detained. EU leaders have denounced the move as a state-sponsored hijacking, while Lukashenko has defended his actions and accused the West of trying to “strangle” his country with sanctions.

Michelle Bachelet

structure,” she said. “Such strikes raise serious concerns of Israel’s compliance with distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law.”

“Such attacks may constitute war crimes,” she added, if deemed to be indiscriminate and disproportionate in their impact on civilians. In an apparent allusion to tactics of Hamas, she said it was a violation of international humanitarian law to locate military assess

Bah N’Daw

Moctar Ouane

The UN, the African Union and other international bodies, as well as the US, had also urged Mali’s military to release the transitional leaders.

N’Daw and Ouane were arrested Monday, along with other leaders of the transitional government, hours after naming a new Cabinet that did not include two key military leaders. By deposing the two transitional leaders,

the head of Mali’s 2020 coup, Col. Assimi Goita, who has been serving as the transitional vice president since September, regained control of the West African country. The political crisis in the midst of an 18month civilian transition to democratic elections following the 2020 coup risks plunging the troubled nation into further instability and has sparked international condemnation.

France’s Macron admits some guilt for Rwanda’s genocide Kigali, May 27 (AP): In a key speech on his visit to Rwanda, French President Emmanuel Macron said he recognises that France bears a heavy responsibility in the 1994 genocide in the central African country.

Macron solemnly detailed how France had failed the 800,000 victims of the genocide but he stopped short of an apology.

France “was not an accomplice” in the genocide but ended up siding with

Rwanda’s “genocidal regime” and bore an “overwhelming responsibility” in the slide toward the massacres, the French leader said, speaking Thursday at the genocide memorial in the capital, Kigali.

“France has a role, a history and a political responsibility in Rwanda. It has a duty: That of looking history in the face and recognising the suffering that it inflicted on the Rwandan people by favoring silence over the examination of truth for too long,” Macron said.

China says politics behind US call for virus origin probe

Zhao Lijian

Beijing, May 27 (AP): China on Thursday accused the Biden administration of playing politics and shirking its responsibility in calling for a renewed investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic that was first detected in China in late 2019.

Fo r e i g n M i n i s t r y spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily briefing that President Joe Biden’s order showed the US “does not care about facts and truth, nor is it interested in serious scientific origin tracing.”

Biden told US intelligence officials to redouble their efforts to investigate the origins of the pandemic, including any posK Y M C

sibility the trail might lead to a Chinese laboratory.

After months of minimising that possibility as a fringe theory, the Biden administration is joining worldwide pressure on China to be more open about the outbreak, aiming to head off Republican complaints the president has not been tough enough to press China on alleged obstruction.

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have promoted the theory that the virus emerged from a laboratory rather than naturally through human contact with an infected animal in Wuhan, China. Zhao also said the US must open itself up to investigations into its biological laboratories, including at the military’s Fort Detrick base.

“The US side claims that it wants China to participate in a comprehensive, transparent, evidence-based international investigation,” Zhao said.

“We would like to ask the US side to do the same as China and immediately cooperate with the World Health Organization on origin tracing research in a scientific manner.”

Armenia says 6 soldiers captured

by Azerbaijan Yerevan, May 27 (AP): The Armenian military said Thursday that six of its troops have been taken prisoner by neighbouring Azerbaijan, an incident that further exacerbates tensions between the two ex-Soviet nations in the wake of an outbreak of hostilities over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry claimed that the Armenian soldiers were seized early Thursday when they attempted to cross the border and place mines on supply routes leading to the Azerbaijani positions.

The Armenian authorities insisted that its soldiers were captured on Armenia’s side of the border while conducting engineering works, and demanded their immediate release.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a government meeting that the soldiers were planting a minefield with warning signs on Armenian territory near the border.

Facebook reverses course, won’t ban lab virus theory

WASHINGTON, MAY 27 (AFP): Facebook has reversed its policy banning posts suggesting the Covid19 was man-made, on the heels of renewed debate over the origins of the virus which first emerged in China.

The latest move by Facebook, announced late Wednesday on its website, highlights the challenge of policing misinformation and disinformation on the world’s largest social network.

“In light of ongoing investigations into the origin of Covid-19 and in consultation with public health experts, we will no longer remove the claim that Covid-19 is man-made or manufactured from our apps,” the statement said.

“We’re continuing to work with health experts to keep pace with the evolving nature of the pandemic and regularly update our policies as new facts and

trends emerge.”

The new statement updates guidance from Facebook in February when it said it would remove false or debunked claims about the novel coronavirus which created a global pandemic killing more than three million.

The move followed President Joe Biden’s directive to US intelligence agencies to investigate competing theories on how the virus first emerged -through animal contact at a market in Wuhan, China, or through accidental release from a research laboratory in the same city.

Biden’s order signals an escalation in mounting controversy over the origins of the virus.

Facebook’s actions impact content posted by some 3.45 billion active users of its applications, including its core social network, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger.

Hong Kong changes electoral law, reduces direct public vote Hong Kong, May 27 (AP): Hong Kong’s legislature on Thursday passed a bill amending electoral laws that drastically reduces the public’s ability to vote and increases the number of pro-Beijing lawmakers making decisions for the city.

The new law empowers the city’s national security department to check the backgrounds of potential candidates for public office and a sets up a new committee to ensure candidates are “patriotic.”

The number of seats in Hong Kong’s legislature will be expanded to 90, with 40 of them elected by a largely pro-Beijing election committee.

The number of legislators elected directly by Hong Kong voters will be cut to 20, from the previous 35.

The bill, passed by a 40-2 vote, was met with little opposition, as most

of the legislators are largely pro-Beijing. Their pro-democracy colleagues resigned en masse last year in protest over the ousting of four lawmakers deemed to be insufficiently loyal to Beijing.

Pro-Beijing lawmakers lauded the bill during the debate on Wednesday and Thursday, saying that reforms would prevent those not loyal to Hong Kong from running for office.

Some pointed out that multiple bills that impact people’s livelihoods have been passed with more ease this year compared to in 2020, when pro-democracy lawmakers would at times filibuster or behave disruptively during meetings to stall the passage of bills that they disagreed with.

The changes to Hong Kong’s elections come as Beijing further tightens control over the semi-autonomous city that saw

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

months of anti-government protest and political strife in 2019. Authorities have arrested and charged most of the city’s outspoken prodemocracy advocates, such as Joshua Wong, who was a student leader of 2014 protests, as well as media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who founded the Apple Daily newspaper.

China’s rubber-stamp parliament in March endorsed changes to the city’s electoral system, which then led to Hong Kong’s proposals.

They are the latest in a string of moves to ensure people elected to office or serving the city are loyal to Beijing. An amendment the legislature approved earlier this month requires the city’s over 400 district councilors — who mainly deal with municipal matters — to take an oath pledging loyalty to Hong Kong and to upholding its mini-constitution.

Facebook has relied largely on independent factchecking groups, which up until now had widely dismissed the theory of a laboratory release.

One of these groups, PolitiFact, reported last September that public health authorities had “repeatedly said the coronavirus was not derived from a lab” but earlier this month revised its guidance, said “that assertion is now more widely disputed,” saying it would continue to review the matter.

Facebook in a separate statement said it was stepping up its efforts to curb misinformation by limiting the reach of users who “repeatedly” share false content.

Until now, Facebook had only taken this action on individual posts, but now will clamp down on the users who are the largest spreaders of false content.

Top Pakistan Taliban leader killed in Balochistan: Police K a r a c hi , M ay 2 7 (PTI): A top commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, who was believed to be involved in the deadly attack on the Civil Hospital in Quetta in 2016, has been killed, along with three members of the banned militant outfit in Balochistan province, police said on Thursday. Based on a tip-off, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) launched an operation in Agbara area of the restive Balochistan province on Tuesday and killed Riaz Thekedar.

“Four of the terrorists were killed in heavy firing, while two of them managed to escape,” police said. A large cache of guns, ammunition and weapons was seized from the spot. A CTD spokesman said top Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Thekedar, was killed in the encounter.

“Thekadar was involved in several attacks on security forces and the attack on the Civil Hospital in Quetta in 2016,” he said.

CONDOLENCE WE ARE DEEPLY GRIEVED AND SHOCKED AT THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF MR. YEHOVI YEPTHOMI, HEAD DB NIULAND. HE WAS IN ACTIVE SERVICE AND SERVING AS ADVISOR DIMAPUR DISTRICT DOBASHIS ASSOCIATION. HE WAS A GREAT LEADER AND A FINE GENTLEMAN. HIS GUIDANCE AND ADVICE HAVE LEAD THE ASSOCIATION IN MANY WAYS, AND HIS PASSING IS A GREAT LOSS FOR OUR ASSOCIATION. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND MAY GOD COMFORT THEM AT THIS TIME OF GRIEF AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE. DP-2552

PRESIDENT, DDDA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lt. INAHOTO AWOMI

1st June 1981 – 12th May 2021 We, the bereaved family members of Lt. Inahoto Awomi would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the well-wishers, individuals, friends & relatives who stood by us with your prayer, presents and contribution during the time of brief illness and sudden demise.

We earnestly acknowledge and will cherish your act of kindness.

It is our prayer that the Lord bless you abundantly.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Shri. Azheto Zhimomi, MLA, Govt. of Nagaland 2. Shri. H. Khehovi Yepthomi, Advisor, Tourism, Art & Culture Govt. of Nagaland 3. Er. Khetoi Awomi, S.E. PHED, Doragapathar 4. Mr. Hukato Aye, Chairman, Dimapur Surumi Community 5. Mr. Kisheto Kiho, President, 3 Dimapur III NPF 6. Mr. Ahito Yepthomi, Chairman, Padampukhuri Village Council 7. Mr. Solomon L. Awomi, Convener Advisor Board EDBA 8. Senior Pastor & staff SBC Padampukhuri Village 9. Doctors & nurses Faith Hospital Dimapur 10. Mr. Toshika Murru, Padampukhuri 11. Mr. Kasheto Kiba, Pheto Music 12. Mrs. Hukheli P. Awomi, 4th Mile Dimapur 13. Mr. Hokato Awomi, Chekiye Village 14. Mr. Hewoka P. Awomi, Contractor Kohima 15. All family members & well-wishers We will miss you till we meet again.

Loving Wife, Children and Family Members DP-2556

Born : 21/04/1957 – Died : 21/05/2021

We, the family members of Lt. Anungla Jamir (Süngratsü), would like to thank most sincerely to all who sympathized us in times of our great loss.

We offer our heartfelt gratitude to friends, families, churches, neighbours and well wishers who stood with us emotionally and physically in times of our bereavement. We are empty handed to repay you back but it’s our prayer that Almighty God bless you all. We are truly grateful.

“Those we love don’t go away, They walked beside us everyday.

They are loved beyond words And missed beyond measure.”

You will be missed deeply, DP-2555

Geneva, May 27 (AP): The UN rights chief said on Thursday that Israeli forces may have committed war crimes in the latest, 11-day war with the militant group Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip.

The remarks by Michelle Bachelet came as the UN’s top human rights body opened a one-day special session to discuss the plight faced by Palestinians in the fighting this month. She said that Hamas’ indiscriminate rocketing during the conflict was also a clear violation of the rules of war.

The UN high commissioner for human rights spoke to the Human Rights Council, chronicling the “most significant escalation of hostilities since 2014” that left devastation and death in the Gaza Strip before a cease-fire last week.

“Air strikes in such densely populated areas resulted in a high level of civilian fatalities and injuries, as well as the widespread destruction of civilian infra-

7

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021

Beloved husband, son, daughters, in-laws and grand children

Lt. Zhekugha Yeptho Died on : 26/05/2021 Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to all the individuals, friends, neighbors, churches, relatives and well-wishers for the love and constant prayer support during the brief illness and untimely demise of our beloved Late Mr. Zhekugha Yeptho.

We extend our special thanks to: 1. Directorate of Excise.

2. Deputy Commissioner (Narcotic Cell), officers and staff of NC. 3. Nagaland State Excise Field Staff Association (NSEFSA).

4. Er. Picto Shohe, Hon'ble MLA, GoN 5. Thilixu Village Baptist Church.

We deeply regret our inability to mention each and everyone individually who stood by us physically, financially and spiritually.

However, we pray that our Almighty God bless each and everyone of you abundantly for your act of kindness bestowed upon us.

"You are dearly missed. Your memories will forever remain afresh in our hearts".

Loving Wife, Parents, Children, In-law, Grandchildren and Family Members DP-2550 K Y M C

8

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021

leaves Real Madrid for Villarreal beat Man Utd to win Europa League Zidane second time as manager

GDANSK (Poland), MAY 27 (AP): The penalty shootout was going badly for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea in the Europa League final, beaten by every Villarreal player who stepped up to the spot.

At 11-10, it got dramatically worse. The shootout — after a 1-1 draw following extra time — went on so long that all of the outfield players took penalties, meaning De Gea and Villarreal goalkeeper GerónimoRulli were the 11th men up.

Rulli sent his penalty into the top corner, but De Gea’s lacked power and was stopped by the Villarreal keeper.

As Rulli lay on the grass after his save, the entire team ran over and piled on top of him. It was an upset to savor as Villarreal — a team from a city of about 50,000 people — secured the first major trophy in the 98-year history of the club by beating one of European soccer’s giants. It also secured a lucrative Champions League spot for next season rather than playing in the new third-tier Europa Conference League after Villarreal only finished seventh in the Spanish league. And it stopped an English sweep of the two big European competitions before Chelsea and Manchester City

Villarreal players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Europa League final match against Manchester United in Gdansk, Poland, May 27.

play the Champions League final on Saturday. For Villarreal coach Unai Emery it was a record fourth Europa League title, and it offered a measure of redemption after he was fired by Arsenal last season. Emery was hoisted aloft by his players before they received their medals. He won three Europa League titles in a row with Sevilla from 2014-16 and lost the 2019 final with Arsenal against Chelsea. “We worked hard this season and I think we deserved to win and to do something important,” Emery said.

“We are going to enjoy each moment but above all we are going to prepare for the next season to prepare in the Champions League and have this opportunity with very big teams.”

Villarreal’s win also ensured that United went a fourth consecutive season without a trophy for the first time since the 1980s and left its manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still looking for his first title. United’s last silverware was the Europa League in 2017.

“That’s football for you. Sometimes it’s decided

Osaka to avoid media in French Open

TOKYO, MAY 27 (IANS): Japanese Naomi is the world’s highest earning four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi female athlete and will be fined by tournaOsaka has said she will not interact with ment officials should the world number two not take part in news conferences. She hopes the fines she will receive can be donated towards mental health charity.

“I’m writing this to say that I’m not going to do any press during Roland Garros,” Naomi wrote on Twitter.

“I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes’ mental health and this rings true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one.

“We’re often sat there and asked questions that we’ve been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds and I am not going to subject myself to people who doubt me. “I’ve watched many clips of athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room and I know you have as well. I believe that whole situation is kicking a person while they’re down and I don’t understand the reasoning behind it. “Me not doing press is nothing personal to the tournament. press in her upcoming However, if the organisations French Open camthink that they can just keep saypaign, citing mental ing, ‘do press or you’re gonna health reasons. be fined’, and continue to igNaomi -- the nore the mental health of the reigning Australian athletes that are centrepiece Open champion -- anof their co-operation then I nounced the media just gotta laugh.” boycott ahead of the Naomi heads to Paris Roland Garros event, having never progressed bewhich will get underyond the third round of the way on Sunday, DPA French Open. The 23-year-old reports. Under French former world No.1 skipped last Open rules, players are required to hold year’s French Open amid the Covid-19 media conferences after each match. pandemic.

on one kick and that’s the difference between winning and losing,” Solskjaer told broadcaster BT Sport. “Got to ... taste this feeling and make sure you don’t get it again.”

The marathon shootout had more excitement than the entire 120 minutes of the game. United dominated the early possession but it was Villarreal which made the breakthrough. Gerard Moreno pushed past Victor Lindelöf at a free kick in the 29th minute and strained to prod Daniel Perejo’s cross past De Gea in the United

goal. United equalized at a set piece when EdinsonCavani reacted quickest to knock the ball in after Marcus Rashford’s low shot was deflected following a corner. A video review ruled the Uruguayan onside for his sixth goal of the season in the Europa League, all of them in the last four games.

United could soon have had a second, if not for Rashford scuffing a shot wide when one-on-one with Rulli.

Another missed chance followed when Torres blocked a Cavani header.

When the game went to extra time, United’s hopes of repeating a 2-1 comefrom-behind win over Bayern Munich 22 years ago to the day in the Champions League final began to fade.

Villarreal looked the fresher team in extra time as Solskjaer — the substitute goalscoring hero in 1999 — held back all but one of his substitutions until the second half of extra time.

Solskjaer brought on two penalty specialists, Juan Mata and Alex Telles, for the shootout. They both scored but that meant little against Villarreal’s perfect 11 penalties from 11 players.

Rulli had come close to saving a couple of previous penalties, including when Luke Shaw’s kick eased in over his outstretched hand.

Novak Djokovic reaches Belgrade Open semifinals

Novak Djokovic

BELGRADE, MAY 27 (IANS): World No.1 Novak Djokovic eased past Argentina’s 96th ranked Federico Coria in straight sets to reach semi-finals of the Belgrade Open on Thursday.

Djokovic beat Coria 6-1, 6-0 in just 56 minutes to record his 952nd career win as a professional.

This put him fifth on the all-time list for match wins in the Open Era, ahead of Argentine great Guillermo Vilas (951).

Djokovic will now face either compatriot Du-

san Lajovic or qualifier Andrej Martin.

Djokovic improved to 18-3 in the season. He is seeking his third final of the year after winning the Australian Open and falling in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome.

Coria was appearing in only his third tour-level quarter-final and struggled to find any way past Djokovic. The only game the 29year-old Argentine would win would end up an unexpected break of Djokovic’s serve at 0-4.

M A D R I D, M AY 2 7 (AGENCIES): Manager Zinedine Zidane has left Real Madrid for the second time in his coaching career.

Real failed to win a trophy this season and were pipped to the La Liga title by city rivals Atletico Madrid on a dramatic final day on Saturday.

Real said in a statement that they “must now respect” Zidane’s decision.

They thanked Zidane, 48, for his “professionalism, dedication and passion over the years and what he means to Real Madrid”.

Former France forward Zidane, who played for Real from 2001 to 2006, won three consecutive Champions League titles and a La Liga title in his first period as manager between 2016 and 2018.

He returned to a club in disarray 10 months later and secured a second La Liga title last season.

Not since the 2009-10 campaign have Real failed to win a trophy.

They suffered an early exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of third division side Alcoyano and lost

Zinedine Zidane

to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals.

“Zidane is one of Real Madrid’s great icons and his legacy extends beyond what he has achieved as a coach and player at our club,” read the Real statement.

“He is aware that he has a place in the hearts of the Real Madrid fans and that he will always have a home at Real Madrid.”

Earlier this month, Zidane, who had a year left on his contract, denied reports that he had informed

his squad he would leave at the end of the season.

His future was a constant topic of discussion in the Spanish press this season, contributing to several spiky exchanges, with Zidane saying he and his players deserved more respect.

He is the only manager to win the Champions League three times, and his trophy haul at Real also included two Club World Cups, two Uefa Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.

Asian boxing: Marykom, Sakshi storm into gold medal round

DUBAI, MAY 27 (IANS): Six-time world champion MC Marykom provided a flying start to India by entering the gold medal round of the women’s 51kg category with a 4-1 win against Mongolia’s Latsaikhan Altantsetseg in the Asian Boxing Championship here on Thursday.

Seasoned Marykom, 38, took time to settle down into her groove, and as the match progress she became more aggressive in the second round and went all in the third round. The Tokyo Olympic Gamesbound boxer made a cautious start, testing strength of her opponent. She surprised her Mongolian rival with speed and skill.

Marykom will face Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay in the final.

Nazym, a two-time world champion, had an easy semi-final encounter against Sri Lanka’s Nadeeka Pushpakumari as referee stop the contest in

MC Mary Kom (left) after the semi-final bout during the Asian Boxing Championship on Thursday in Dubai.

the first round.

Two-time world youth champion Sakshi also entered the final as she defeated top seed Dina Zholaman of Kazakhastan 3-2 in the semi-finals, and set up title clash with Sitora Shogdarova of Uzbekistan.

Earlier, in the opening match of the day, Monika settled for a bronze as she lost her 48 kg semi-final match to Alua Balkibekovaof Kazakhstan.

Jaismine, too, lost, going down 0-5 to Kazakhstan’s Vladislava Kukhta in a 57kg semi-final match.

Ankita, Ramanathan crash out of French Open Paris, May 27 (IANS): India’s topranked singles tennis player Ankita Raina’s bid to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam ended in disappointment, as she bowed out in the French Open Qualifiers with a second-round loss on Wednesday.

The 125th ranked Ankita lost to higher-ranked German Greet Minnen 2-6, 0-6 in one hour and 21 minutes.

RamkumarRamanathan also crashed out, losing to Asian Games gold medallist, Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin, 1-6, 2-6 in the second round of the qualifiers.

England batsmen don’t read deliveries from my hand: Patel Tokyo Games could lead to ‘Olympic

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS): India left-arm spinner Axar Patel has said England batsmen don’t read deliveries from his hand and h ave o n ly sweep and revers-

esweep shots to counter spin.

Patel, who is part of India squad that is embarking Eng-

for

land next month for World Test Championship final against New Zealand as well as five Test matches against England, took 27 wickets in three Tests against Joe Root’s team in home series that concluded in March. “ I f

they are in doubt whether it’s spinning or not, they just play sweeps and reverse-sweeps. If one bowls stump-to-stump, then it gets tough for them but if the ball is pitched outside off-stump or leg-stump they go for the sweep. They don’t read the ball from my hand, instead, they go by where it’s pitched,” said Patel in an interview to Indian Express newspaper.

Patel said performances given by spinners R Ashwin and RavindraJadeja over the years did not allow him to break into India Test side even though he felt he wasn’t lacking anything.

“I don’t feel I was lacking anything. Unfortunately, I was injured and lost my place in the ODIs. In Tests, [Ravindra] Jadeja and [Ravichandran] Ash-

win were doing well. The way Jadeja was performing, it was very hard for any other left-arm spin allrounder to find a place.

The wrist spinners - Kuldeep [Yadav] and [Yuzvendra] Chahal - were doing well. It was due to the team combination that I was out.

When I got a chance, I just tried to prove myself,” he added. Patel said that he never got frustrated despite not getting opportunities since he knew he was in the scheme of things and had to grab opportunities.

“I don’t get easily frustrated. I was part of India A side and was in the scheme of things. It was about grabbing my chances.

There were days when I did get frustrated. I was doing well but was not

finding a place. But there are many players who are performing in domestic cricket but can’t get a break because players in the Indian team are performing well. It is important to wait for your time and when a chance comes, just grab it,” he added. The 27-year-old said he is different from others since he bowls quicker ones and with pace.

“I don’t think much, I have played in all conditions. It depends on how consistent I’m. My bowling is different from others, I bowl with pace and bowl quicker ones. I can add that ball which can spin and I’m practicing it. Whenever I meet any senior player, be it Anilbhai [Kumble] or Ashwin, I ask them what more I can do. I take inputs and try to improve my bowling,” he added.

virus’ strain, Japanese doctor warns

TOKYO, MAY 27 (AGENCIES): The head of a Japanese doctors’ union warned on Tuesday that holding the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, with tens of thousands of people from around the world, could lead to the emergence of an “Olympic” strain of the coronavirus.

Japan has pledged to hold a “safe and secure” 2020 Olympics in Tokyo after a year-long postponement but it is struggling to contain a fourth wave of infections and preparing to extend a state of emergency in much of the country.

Japanese officials, Olympics organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have all vowed the Games will go ahead, albeit under strict virus-prevention measures.

People wearing masks walk in front of the Olympic rings in Tokyo, Japan.

Foreign spectators have been banned and a decision on domestic ones is expected next month.

But even with those steps, worries remain about the influx of athletes and officials into Japan, where a vaccination drive remains glacially slow, with just

over 5% of the population having had a shot.

With people from more than 200 nations and territories set to arrive, the Games, due to begin in eight weeks, pose a danger, said Naoto Ueyama, head of the Japan Doctors Union.

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