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Vol XXX No. 172
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00
SC directs states not to charge fare from migrants NATIONAL, PAGE 5
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Protest marks visit of ministerial team
Correspondent/DIPR
KO H I M A , M AY 2 8 (NPN): In an effort at damage control following the controversy over sending off all quarantined returnees of Tuensang even before test results for COVID was out, a ministerial team flew by chopper to Tuensang for an emergency meeting with Tuensang District Taskforce at Tuensang on Thursday. According to DIPR, the meeting was chaired by DC Tuensang Kumar Ramnikant, who is also chairman of the taskforce and attended by H&FW minister S.Pangnyu Phom, I&PR, SCERT and village guards adviser Toshi Wungtung, H&FW principal director Dr Vizolie Suokhrie and representatives of
ENPO, CKS, YTC, USLP, COC, All Wards Union Tuensang, church associations and Red Cross Society. Those who spoke focussed on the send-off of returnees to Tuesang from Kohima before COVID tests results were out and how this has caused huge damage to the preventive measures taken by the district authorities. They demanded setting up of BSL-3 laboratory at Tuensang at the earliest, besides highlighting the issue of manpower shortage to run the COVID hospital. Speaking at the meeting, minister of health and family welfare S. Pangnyu Phom called upon all to learn from the incident and come together to fight the pandemic. (Cont’d on p-7)
CM, CS admit lapses in sending off returnees
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and chief secretary Temjen Toy have admitted lapses on the part of the state government in sending the Chennai returnees to Tuensang even before waiting for results of test done for COVID-19. Informed sources said this was conveyed at a joint meeting held with Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization, Eastern Nagaland Legislator Union (ENLU) and other senior government officials Thursday. Sources who attended the meeting informed Nagaland Post that both Rio and Toy had expressed regrets for the unauthorised sending-off.
HSLC, HSSLC exam results on May 30 D I M A P U R , M AY 2 8 (NPN): Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) on Thursday announced that the provisional results of the HSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2020 would be declared in the late afternoon of May 30, 2020. In a notification, NBSE chairman Asano Sekhose stated that the results would be made available in four modes—inter net, SMS, Android Mobile App and printed form. Meanwhile, NBSE has informed that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and in order to maintain social distancing, the documents would be issued to the centre superintendents only from June 5, 2020. The centre superintendents have been asked to collect and distribute to the schools coming under his/ her centre. The dates of collection would be prepared districtwise and made available in the Board’s website and the district Whatsapp groups. All centre superintendents have been requested to check the dates and collect accordingly. NBSE informed that standard operating procedure for distribution of documents was available in its website www.nbsenagaland.com
This is it!
“Since we have a war room with CS as commander in chief, why not make all HoDs as generals? K Y M C
CCSU, others stage protest in Tuensang
A banner being displayed during the protest in Tuensang.
Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU) activists and others staged a protest against the treatment meted out to returnees from Chennai, quarantined at Kohima and who were made to leave for Tuensang Tuesday before result of COVID-19 tests were out and also on how the returnees were sent off with only three Marie biscuits and a small bottle of water. The CCSU earlier held a meeting with the visiting ministerial team led by health & family welfare minister S.Pangnyu Phom and others. According to CCSU president Chingmak Kumchuba, the meeting with the ministerial team that also included I&PR minister Toshi Wungtung and principal director H&FW Dr. Vizo-
lie Suokhrie was initiated by DC and SP Tuensang. He said the returnees of Tuesang who had arrived Nagaland from Chennai on May 22 and quarantined at Kohima were sent off even before COVID test results were out and also after being given only three marie biscuits and water each. At the meeting the union offered the visiting team marie biscuit and water to visiting team led by health & family welfare minister S. Pangnyu Phom. Kuchumba also informed that the minister had apologized for the lapses and appealed for working together. Kuchumba also informed that all the COVID-patients were shifted to Tuensang COVID Hospital and their health condition was stable.
ENPO demands disciplinary action against erring officials for Tsg fiasco KOHIMA, MAY 28 (NPN): Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has demanded that the chief minister should immediately initiate disciplinary action against the State government officials involved in the deliberate mismanagement that led to a COVID-19 positive person being sent to Tuensang along with other passengers, resulting in a spike in the number of cases in the district. In a representation submitted to Rio during a meeting along with chief secretary Temjen Toy and other senior government officials here on Thursday, ENPO president Kekongchim and general secretary Manlang Phom said the incident occurred due to absolute mismanagement, utter negligence and discrimination verging on criminal carelessness in handling of COVID19 cases by the officials.
They said the complacency of the authorities concerned in handling suspected COVID cases became evident as test results of one of the Tuensangbound passengers came positive, and by that time the patient along with 168 others had already reached Tuensang. The representation stated that people of Eastern Nagaland were outraged by the discrimination and mistreatment meted out to them and demanded immediate action within three days, failing which ENPO would take its own course of action and the State government would be solely held responsible. The Organisation submitted a five-point charter of demands, which included initiating disciplinary action immediately against the government officials involved for deliberately
violating SOP and forcefully directing transportation of the stranded people to Tuensang without waiting for results of tests conducted on them. This, the organisation said resulted in sending a COVID-19 positive case along with 168 others, thus endangering the lives of many. The ENPO representation also demanded that the State government should immediately send more doctors and experts to the four districts of Mon, Longleng, Tuensang and Kiphire, sanction required funds for the four districts for handling the COVID crisis, immediately set up BSL-2 laboratory as committed by the government, set up isolation wards in the four districts and update of daily status reports to the district in-charge legislator in order to ensure proper coordination.
Kumchuba expressed disappointment at the way the State machinery handled the situation, when passengers who left Kohima around 3-4 p.m. were not served lunch. He said the returnees arrived Tuensang after 12 hour at 4.50 a.m. Wednesday in five buses . He expressed gratitude to Ao Senden for providing refreshments to the travellers at Ungma village gate. Even as the ministerial team were on their way to the helipad, activists of CCSU and some protestors showered Marie biscuits and some quarter bottles of water as a sign of protest. The protestors carried placard some which read: “Shift the capital to Tuensang, we can shoulder every citizen of Nagaland”, “We are not second class citizens”, “Don’t appease us with Marie biscuits and a glass of water”, etc, as they demanded suspension of officials involved for violating all safety norms and protocols. They also demanded suspension of officials involved for sending off the returnees after violating all safety norms and protocols.
HM seeks views on lockdown extension
NEW DELHI, MAY 28 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to all chief ministers on Thursday and sought their views on extension of the ongoing nationwide lockdown beyond May 31, officials said. The telephonic conversations of the home minister came just three days before the end of the fourth phase of the lockdown. During his talks with the chief ministers, Shah sought to know the areas of concern of the states and the sectors they want to open up further from June 1, the official said. Details of the views of the chief ministers were not known immediately but it is understood that majority of them wanted the lockdown to continue in some form but also opening up of the economic activities, an official said. The Centre is expected to announce its decision on the lockdown within the next three days.
Over 500 stranded persons to arrive today Visitors App since May 23 and during the past 14 days, D I M A P U R , M AY 2 8 2492 persons submitted their (NPN): Around 545 strand- travel self-declaration. ed persons from Nagaland were expected to arrive on May 29 from various places of the country. Agriculture ProducAccording to a report of the control room em- tion Commissioner (APC), powered group Dimapur, 19 Y Kikheto Sema, who is passengers were expected to also in-charge of Dimareach Dimapur from Delhi pur district for COVID-19 by train, two from Dibru- activities, has appealed to garh, 128 from Kolkata by Mon and Peren districts four buses and 396 from to get mentally prepared Rajasthan will reach Lum- to receive returnees, who ding by a special train and have tested negative and thereafter leave for Dimapur undergone institutional quarantine in Dimapur for on May 29 morning. Further, 52 stranded stipulated days. Addressing a press citizens on May 28 reached Nagaland-- 41 from Delhi conference at Saramati and Dibrugarh by train, 4 Hotel here Thursday, Sema from Guwahati by ambu- said the move to send those lance and 7 from Arunachal returnees to their districts was being initiated so other Pradesh by bus. Meanwhile, 12,677 returnees, who would be citizens have signed up in reaching the state in a few the nCOVID-19 Nagaland- days, could be accommoStaff Reporter
Be mentally prepared to receive returnees: APC
dated at the quarantine centres. It may be mentioned that around 3200 returnees are expected arrive in the state soon. Dimapur currently has around 46 to 47 quarantine centres with a total capacity of around 4000 plus beds. According to APC, Dimapur was accommodating around 75% of the total returnees, which is around 3200 of the total 4000 returnees. Sema also disclosed that 12 COVID19 positive cases in Dimapur comprised of four women and eight men and said that their condition was currently stable. M e a n w h i l e, A P C expressed gratitude to all those responsible for providing spaces to the government for quarantine centres. He also acknowledged the Ao community and Ao Churches, Western Sumi Hoho and Western
Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu, and Kuda Baptist Church, for volunteering to sponsor and take care of returnees. APC also heaped praise on all frontline workers in Dimapur, which he described as team Dimapur, for keenly adhering to any instructions given by the government. He further acknowledged team Dimapur for all their hard work and sacrifices and requested them to give their best even in days to come. Sema also acknowledged Dimapur citizens for being supportive and rendering support to the government. APC requested doctors of all private hospitals to continue rendering their support. He also appealed to all civil society organisations in the state to unite and fight the pandemic together.
China approves HK security bill INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 6
`79.21 cr spent for COVID in Nagaland
Emilo K. Konyak
KO H I M A , M AY 2 8 (NPN): To set aside speculations over how much the state government has spent in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic, Nagaland Post has obtained relevant data showing the break-up of expenditure under various heads. As per the copy of receipts from the Central and State governments made available to Nagaland
Post upon inquiry, the state government had spent Rs 79.21 crore in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic between March and May 28, out of which Rs 61.62 was released from State resources to the Health & Family Welfare and other departments. (See Table) The expenditure of Rs 79.21 crore included Rs 2.99 crore spent on construction of BSL-3 lab in Kohima and releasing a similar amount to Tuensang district and Rs 2.80 spent
on purchase of TrueNat testing machines (Rs 14 lakh x 20 machines). Further, a total of Rs 47.22 crore was released to the health department from State resources, while Rs 3.60 core was released to the food & civil supplies (food grains) department, Rs 10 crore to home department for quarantine centres and relief, etc and Rs 0.80 crore to SDRF (State share of 35% of SDRF of Rs 20.50 crore first installment) from State resources.
RECEIPT FROM GOI & RELEASES BY STATE ETC FOR COVID-19
A. RECEIPTS FROM GOI & RELEASED TO MEDICAL DEPTT SL. NO. PARTICULARS 1 GOI-NHM (Medical Deptt) 2 GOI-NHM (Medical Deptt) B. RECEIPTS FROM GOI & RELEASED TO NSDMA 1 35% of SDRF of Rs. 20.50 cr-1st instalment
TOTAL: A
RS. CRORE 3.71 3.71 7.42 7.18
C. RECEIPTS FROM NEC (DIRECT-FUNDED) TO MEDICAL DEPTT 1 Into NHM Account
3.00
TOTAL RECEIPT : (A)+(B)+(C) D. RELEASES MADE FROM STATE’S RESOURCES TO MEDICAL DEPTT 1 From State’s Resources 2 State’s Share for A2 3 Truenat Testing Machines (14x20 Nos) 4 BSL-2 labs at CIHSR and Tuensang TOTAL : C E. TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS FROM STATE’S RESOURCES 1 Civil Supplies - Foodgrains 2 Home Department - Quarantine Centres & Relief etc 3 State Share for B1 (SDRF) TOTAL : D GRAND TOTAL:
17.60 38.03 0.41 2.80 5.98 47.22 3.60 10.00 0.80 14.40 79.21
9 more test COVID +ve; state’s tally rises to 18 India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 1.6L
NEW DELHI, MAY 28 (PTI): Nationwide tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases crossed 1.6 lakh on Thursday to make India the world’s ninth worst hit country by the deadly virus infection, while the death toll went past 4,600 to near China’s official count of 4,634 fatalities. In its morning 8 AM update, the Health Ministry said the death toll due to COVID-19 across India rose to 4,531 and the number of cases to 1,58,333. However, a PTI tally of figures announced by different states and union territories, as of 9.30 PM, showed the number of confirmed cases rising by more than 7,000 to 1,60,666 and the death toll increasing by 187 to 4,633. It also showed more than 70,000 recoveries.
D I M A P U R , M AY 2 8 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday reported nine more COVID-19 positive cases from among those who returned from Chennai on May 22, taking the state’s tally to 18 as on May 28. Six cases were reported from Dimapur and three in Tuensang. Active surveillance and contact tracing were being carried out.
Results of 426 awaited: Out of 1702 COVID-19 suspected samples sent for testing, the results of 1276 were received, out of which 18 tested positive and 1258 negative, while results of 426 are awaited. Further, out of 63 samples tested through Truenat machines, 59 samples were negative and the results of four samples were awaited.
Expedite BSL-2 lab installation in Dimapur: ASTD
DENSU serves ultimatum on CM
D I M A P U R , M AY 2 8 (NPN): Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) has appealed to the state government and its machineries to expedite the early installation of bio safety level-2 (BSL-2) laboratory at CIHSR (Referral Hospital) in Dimapur. ASTD president L Wati Jamir and secretary K Mar Lemtur expressed dissatisfaction over the snailpaced installation of BSL-2 Lab in Dimapur. Meanwhile, ASTD extended solidarity and deepest sympathy to the people of Eastern Nagaland and demanded immediate installation of BSL-3 Lab instead of BSL-2 Lab in Tuensang. ASTD has appreciated State government decision to set up TrueNat testing facilities in all the districts.
D I M A P U R , M AY 2 8 (NPN): Dimapur Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU) has served an ultimatum to chief minister Neiphiu Rio demanding immediate setting up of a BSL-3 lab in Eastern Nagaland. In a representation to the chief minister, its president Bendang and secretary Alem Luklem said the lab should be set up in Eastern Nagaland at the earliest considering its distance, population and threat of COVID19. It also demanded that all positive and suspected cases be shifted immediately to either Dimapur or Kohima as there was no well-equipped medical facility or a virology lab in the Eastern areas. Warns of legal action: DENSU threatened to initiate legal action against erring government officials for alleged violation of COVID19 protocols.
Expressing its resentment at the outrageous and apathetic treatment of the returnees from Chennai, the union alleged that they were intentionally made to board the buses for Tuensang from Kohima quarantine centre without ascertaining their COVID-19 status by not waiting for results of their swab tests. Pointing out that the returnees from all zones were assimilated in a bus, the representation stressed that this posed an enormous risk to the lives of those travelling in the buss and the people of Tuensang district in particular and Eastern Nagaland as a whole. When the entire nation was cautiously dealing and fighting against the unseen virus, DENSU asserted that the ignorance of the officials concerned of Kohima district was unacceptable. (Cont’d on p-7) K Y M C