May 4, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 147

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020 Pages 6 (Online Edition)

HC hears petition against Netanyahu’s govt

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States asked to prepare second line of defence Suggests deployment of home guards, civil defence and NCC cadets among others to contain spread of COVID-19

confirmed COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, breathing difficulty, etc.) is at risk of contracting the disease.

The home ministry said the police and security personnel are among the frontline workers performing duties to implement lockdown orders and government guidelines for containing the spread of the disease.

Since they have to interact with the public on a daily basis, they are likely to be more vulnerable to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Instances have been noticed of police and security personnel getting infected. Hence, it is imperative to make police personnel aware of the precautions to be taken while performing their assigned tasks in order to ensure that the strategy adopted for containing COVID-19 spread remains sustainable,” it said.

In view of such cases, it is considered expedient to issue the guidelines to reiterate the precautions and measures to be taken, it said. The home ministry said police authorities may take necessary precautions to sanitise the physical en-

vironment at the place of duty of police and security personnel.

Police or security personnel may be advised to keep themselves safe by practicing proper hygiene and physical distancing, it advised.

Po l i c e a u t h o r i t i e s should also take care of safety and hygiene of its personnel by providing all necessary materials like hand sanitizers, soaps, masks, face shield, gloves, safe food, etc. and also train the personnel in their proper usage and disposal, the ministry said.

It said home guards, civil defence, NCC cadets, Scouts and Guides and Student Police Cadets may be utilised in areas where there are not imminent law and order issues. They can especially be of help in maintaining order at the relief centres and in facilitating the maintenance of supply chain and for coordinating other essential services, according to the ministry.

While performing COVID-related duties, police and security personnel should help general public and deal with them with empathy and compassion especially with the weaker

NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (PTI): Concer ned over scores of frontline security personnel catching the COVID-19 disease, the Centre has suggested to states to prepare an effective second line of defence by deploying home guards, civil defence and NCC cadets among others wherever feasible to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

In a communication to all states and UTs, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the police chiefs may consider the option of ‘work from home’ for personnel not deployed on the frontline, and wherever possible.

“To meet the challenge of COVID-19, and to ensure sustainment of control strategy for COVID- 19, police forces need to prepare an effective second line of defence to make up for the police personnel who may be rendered ineffective due to COVID infection during

the pandemic,” the ministry said. Over 200 central paramilitary personnel have been infected with COVID-19 till now, with a 55-year-old CRPF man succumbing to the disease last week.

At least three police personnel of different state police forces have also died because of the virus.

The home ministry said police authorities should strictly apply self-quarantine rules to its members, when needed, as per the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. The home ministry said the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health crisis which has affected a huge population the world over.

The virus which causes the disease is highly infectious and even pre-symptomatic people can infect others. Any person who is in close contact with someone who has suspected or

African Swine flu: 2,500 pigs killed in Assam villages

Record jump in COVID-19 deaths in 24 hrs

GUWAHATI, MAY 3 (PTI): The Assam government on Sunday said the first instance of African Swine Flu has been detected in the state and it has already killed around 2,500 pigs across 306 villages.

Despite a go-ahead from the Centre, the state government will not resort to culling of the pigs immediately and will adopt an alternate mechanism to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease, Assam Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Atul Bora said at a press conference.

He said the disease has no relation at all with COVID-19. “The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal has confirmed that it is African Swine Flu. The central government has informed us that it is the first instance of the disease in the country,” Bora said.

As per a 2019 census by the department, the pig population was 21 lakh, but it has increased in recent times to around 30 lakh, he added. The department will collect samples within one km radius of the infected area and test them, he informed.

This is it!

“TV channels seem to be short of news these day. Only showing stars baking, cooking or gardening.”

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Toll rises to 1,306, total case tally 40,263 NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (PTI): India registered a record jump of 83 deaths and 2,487 cases in 24 hours as the number of COVID-19 fatalities rose to 1,306 and total cases climbed to 40,263 on Sunday, according to the Union health ministry.

The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 28,070, while 10,886 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, it said.

The total number of cases also includes 111 foreign nationals.

Of the 83 deaths reported since Saturday evening, 36 were from Maharashtra, 26 from Gujarat, 11 from Madhya Pradesh, three each from Rajasthan and Delhi, two from Telangana and one each from Tamil Nadu and Bihar. With 521 fatalities, Maharashtra accounts for the maximum of the nation-

wide 1,306 deaths.

According to the health ministry data updated on Sunday evening, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country is from Maharashtra at 12,296, followed

by Gujarat at 5,055, Delhi 4,122, Madhya Pradesh 2,846, Rajasthan 2,772, Tamil Nadu 2,757 and Uttar

Pradesh 2,626.

However, a PTI tally of figures reported by states directly showed at least 1,328 deaths across the country while the number of confirmed cases of infection had reached 40,440 as on Sunday evening. Of them, 10,661 have been cured and discharged.

Nagaland: Results of 21 samples awaited status REPORT AS ON may 3, 2020 North East

Nagaland Assam Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh Tripura

Confirmed Recovered Nil 43 2 12 1 1 4

Nil 32 2 Nil Nil 1 2

Death Nil 1 Nil 1 Nil Nil Nil

DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN): State principal secretary (Home) Abhijit Sinha on Sunday said that out of the 684 samples sent for testing from the State, results of 663 samples had been received and all were negative, while results of the remaining 21 samples were awaited.

Further, 1,264 individuals were screened on Sunday and a total of 28 persons are under facility quarantine, even as the number of persons out of home quarantine now stands at 6,361.

sections of the society. They should monitor religious and social congregations during festivals to ensure social distancing, it said.

Police should also be watchful of migrant labourers and slums to contain any unexpected and undesirable mass movement, it said, adding most state polices have already set up Control Rooms. It is reiterated that control rooms are the nerve centres of policing and must monitor, round the clock, the minutest concerns of policing during the pandemic, it said.

The control rooms may be expanded, resourced and designed to incorporate special COVID-19 Cells, to exclusively look after all issues relating to the pandemic.

The staff manning these cells should be trained on elementary modules relating to the epidemic and briefed about appropriate responses to help engage with issues and scenarios they are likely to be confronted with, the ministry said.

Such cells should be adequately equipped with men and material, including drones which may be used for aerial reconnaissance, if required on urgent basis.

Lockdown 3.0 begins today NEW DELHI, MAY 3 (PTI): India is prepared for the third phase of the national lockdown from Monday with “considerable relaxations” in several districts but curbs will continue in containment areas.

As coronavirus cases jumped by 2,487 in the highest ever 24-hour spike and the fatalities rose by a record 83, officials cautioned against any violation of the lockdown curbs so that the gains achieved so far in the battle against COVID-19 are not “squandered away”. The lockdown was imposed on March 25 and is slated to last till May 17 after two extensions putting the total period of restrictions at 54 days. Retailers and traders expect to re-open more shops under the new relaxed guidelines although they are still seeking clarity from local authorities.

5 security personnel killed in encounter in J&K national, Page 3

State govt ready with cautious exit plan from lockdown, says Rio D I M A P U R , M AY 3 (NPN): The State government has made a cautious exit plan from the lockdown and various arms of the government machinery will begin to resume responsibilities and assignments. This was announced by chief minister Neiphiu Rio. In his message to the people of Nagaland, Rio however cautioned that end of the lockdown did not mean the virus was no more and stressed that lockdown was only one of the measures aimed at slowing the rate of infection.

He appealed to all sections of people to continue to diligently follow the official advisories, maintain social distancing and practise highest standards of hand hygiene.

Mentioning that the battle was not over and that there was a long way to go, he said “Yet, we must continue to move ahead and march forward. We must join hands to rebuild our economy. “ As the Government of India extended the lockdown by another two weeks and “we” cautiously exit the

Neiphiu Rio

lockdown, “we will open up to a different and a changed world. Many aspects of our lives will never be the same again. The dynamics of global village have altered,” the message read.

The chief minister called for adapting, acclimatising and moving on, adding the quicker and more efficiently people do, the more successful they would emerge.

Stating that this was health, economic and educational crises, he assured that the State government would be undertaking various measures and strategies to address them. He hoped people would continue to extend their fullest cooperation, support and participa-

IAF to drop last consignment of BSL lab equipment by today D I M A P U R , M AY 3 (NPN): Having become the first State in the country to receive equipment for combating COVID-19 through airlift, Nagaland is now set to receive the final consignment of bio safety level (BSL) laboratory Monday.

An aircraft– C-130 Super Hercules – of Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to fly from Mumbai with the consignment and reach here on Monday.

The consignment will help in operationalisation of the much-awaited laboratory in the State. Even as Nagaland was reeling under lockdown with zero movement of transport etc. after imposition of Disaster Management Act, 2005 for the past 40 days, IAF played an instrumental role and unflinchingly supported the State government in getting basic emergency

requirements with almost nine special air relief missions comprising of latest C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Super Hercules, IL-76 MD and Dornier-228 at short notices.

According to a DIPR release, collective efforts of officials of different line departments and their dedication under most difficult conditions, along with the active involvement of the State government to enhance disaster mitigation measures early had led to zero COVID-19 case in Nagaland.

The release claimed this was praiseworthy and a great achievement of the State government. The unflinching support of IAF to the State would be remembered in the years to come and the Naga people extended their gratitude to the air warriors, the release added.

tion in the fight to overcome the crisis.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for the “forthright and decisive leadership”, claiming that India was in a much better position today than many other countries in the fight against the pandemic.

Asserting that he had full trust and belief in the resilience of “our people” in these difficult times, Rio said his motivation came from the strength and the energy drawn from each one of them. He said all were members of Team Nagaland and called for working as one to win this war together.

He pointed out that the world continues to battle novel coronavirus pandemic that had spread to every continent on the planet and no country had been spared.

Even the most developed and advanced nations continue to grapple with a situation that was unparalleled in history. Millions have been infected and affected by it, and hundreds of thousands have died.

(Cont’d on p-3)

Why a COVID-19 vaccine could never be around LONDON, MAY 3 (IANS): While over 100 vaccines are currently under pre-clinical trials and a couple of those have entered human trial stage, leading health experts have raised alarming questions about what if the world never sees a COVID10 vaccine, as in the case of HIV and even dengue where there is no vaccine even after years of research.

According to a CNN report, “there is another, worst-case possibility: that no vaccine is ever developed”.

In this outcome, “the public’s hopes are repeatedly raised and then dashed, as various proposed solutions fall before the final hurdle”, the report said on Sunday.

Nearly four decades and 32 million deaths later, the world is still waiting for an HIV vaccine.

(Cont’d on p-3)

‘Evidence’ that coronavirus came from China lab: US COVID cess: NPP, KCCI & others flay govt WASHINGTON, MAY 3 (AGENCIES): US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Sunday said “enormous evidence” showed the new coronavirus originated in a lab in China, which only served to fuel tensions with Beijing over its handling of the outbreak.

The US secretary or state’s comments came as Europe and parts of the United States prepared to cautiously lift virus lockdowns as signs emerge that the deadly pandemic is ebbing and governments look to restart their battered economies.

Globally, more than 243,000 people have been killed and 3.4 million infected worldwide by the virus, which has left half of humanity under some form of lockdown and pushed the global economy towards its worst downturn since the Great Depression.

US President Donald Trump, has been increasingly critical of China’s management of the first outbreak in the city of Wuhan in December, last week.

He claimed that the US has proof it started in a Chinese laboratory.

Scientists believe the virus jumped from animals to humans, after emerging in China, possibly from a market in Wuhan selling exotic animals for meat.

Trump, without giving details, on Thursday said he had seen evidence the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the source, appearing to echo speculation fuelled by US right-wing radio commentators about a secret lab. China however, denies the claims and even the US Director of National Intelligence office has said analysts are still examining the exact origin of the outbreak.

Pompeo, a for mer CIA chief, told the ABC he agreed with a statement from the US intelligence community about the “wide scientific consensus that the COVID-19 virus was not man-made or genetically modified.”

But Pompeo went further than Trump, citing “significant” and “enormous” evidence that the virus originated in a Wuhan lab.

“I think the whole world can see now, remember, China has a history of infecting the world and running substandard laboratories.”

Pompeo said early Chinese efforts to downplay the coronavirus amounted to “a classic Communist disinformation effort. That created enormous risk.”

“President Trump is very clear: we’ll hold those responsible accountable.”

US news reports say

Trump has tasked US spies to find out more about the origins of the virus, as he makes China’s handling of the pandemic a centerpiece of his campaign for the November presidential election.

The United States has the most coronavirus deaths in the world at more 66,000 and Trump is keen for a turnaround to help reduce the economic pain, with tens of millions left jobless.

Florida is set to ease its lockdown Monday, as other states wrestle with pressure from demonstrators -- some armed - who have rallied against the restrictions.

There are signs the pandemic is slowing in some parts of the United States.

In New York, the epicenter of the US outbreak, an emergency field hospital erected in Central Park is set to close as virus cases decline.

D imapur , M ay 3 (NPN): Various organizations like the National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland unit, Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others have criticized the government for imposing the COVID-19 cess on petroleum products.

NPP: State National People’s Party has expressed surprise over the imposition of COVID-19 cess and termed it as “an inhuman and illogical cess” which would only double the burden of the common man and result in price rise across the state.

In a joint statement NPP president Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema and general secretar y Limanuksang Longkumer claimed that when prices of commodities were already at an all-time high due to illegal hoarding by shopkeepers, the addition

KCCI demands immediate rollback

Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the government to immediately invalidate the order of imposing the COVID-19 cess in the interest of all. In a press note, KCCI president Medozhatuo Rutsa and secretary (I&P) K. Henry Chisiite pointed out that when the state along with the world was facing COVID-19 pandemic, the hiking of fuel prices was “an act of showing its utter indifference upon the downtrodden public.”

KCCI said when crude oil price in the international markets was dropping, the government seemed to be “taking the advantage of filling up their chests by upheaving.”

It also expressed support to the representation submitted by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the government. KCCI urged upon the government to come out with adequate plans and strategies and also assured it of its support to bring back the state economy to normalcy at the earliest.

Cess unacceptable, says NPF Dimapur

NPF Dimapur division has demanded immediate rollback of COVID-19 cess levied by the state government on diesel, petrol and motor spirit in the state.

In a statement, NPF division said imposing such cess during difficult times was unacceptable, as people were already burdened by the lockdown and such a step would lead to price rise. It said that instead of helping out the public at such an alarming point of time, resorting to levying tax upon tax was nothing but immaturity of governance, which (Cont’d on p-3) could put the condition of the state into more jeopardy.

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state

2

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020

COVID-19: Preventive measures intensifies in Nagaland

DIMAPUR: Meetings, mock drill and other preventive measures against possible outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic continue in the state. The government including its various agencies are intensifying preparedness level even though Nagaland is a declared green zone. These measures and other government guidelines are to be strictly followed till further notice from higher authorities. Meanwhile, each of the eleven districts of the state under respective administration is putting in their best efforts to ensure that prevention comes as top priority against the dreaded pandemic. Constant reminders and monitoring of public places and border areas are carried out by the frontline workers for safety of the state inhabitants. Civil organisations also continue to disseminate awareness in their respective jurisdictions.

KIPHIRE District

DC Kiphire, Sarita Yadav chairing the DTF meeting held at DPDB hall on May 2. (DIPR)

Kiphire DTF meeting held: Kiphire District Task Force (DTF) held its meeting on May 2 at DPDB hall, chaired by deputy commissioner Sarita Yadav. According to DIPR report, the DC sought opinions from the members in regard to the stranded citizens in Dimapur, Kohima and other districts in the state who were likely to return back. Deliberating on this, members of the church/ civil societies such as USLP, ESH and ward authorities representing the public have

news in Brief DC Kohima on permit/ car passes: Deputy commissioner Kohima has notified all concerned departments on official duty, banks, KMC, media/press and medical patients/hospital duty that the permit/car passes issued by the office upto May 3 will continue to be valid till further notice.

This was informed by the movement in-charge officer, SDO (C) Kohima, R. Daniel Angami.

ADC Tening on sealing of borders: Additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Tening, Rhosietho Nguori has issued an order for sealing of borders on May 3. All the village councils/ village authorities under Tening sub-division have been directed to strictly monitor and implement the sealing of borders and to report any unauthorised entry of people in the respective villages, whether from within or outside the state. Failure to do so would invite penalties.

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Will China lose much of its economic growth due to blame for COVID-19?

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

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

A

B

C

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

47% 41% 12%

Next poll

Q: Is the state govt justified

in imposing COVID19 cess dur ing the lockdown?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST May 4

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A stray morning thunderstorm 32 23 Aizawl

A thunderstorm in spots

Guwahati An afternoon t-storm or two Imphal

A thunderstorm in spots

26 17 33 20 30 17

Itanagar Some sun with a thunderstorm 30 20 Shillong

Some sun, a t-storm in spots

Kohima

Some sun with a thunderstorm 22 14

Dimapur An afternoon t-storm or two

22 14 31 20

A thunderstorm in the area

25 15

Tuensang A t-storm in the afternoon

18 11

A stray afternoon t-storm

25 18

Mkg Wokha

Zunheboto A shower or t-storm in spots

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22 13

accepted to let stranded citizens to return back to the district. Civil societies also informed that detailed statistics of people are being prepared and they have been directed to intimate to the administration at the earliest in order to work out logistic arrangements with higher authorities. CMO reported that so far, there was no positive case in the state which was still a green zone, adding that proper screening will be carried out for incoming citizens from outside the district. These people will

be home quarantined for14 days which can also be extended depending on the case of individual, he added.

DTF chairperson informed that works/activities in all the areas given relaxation by the government was going in accordance with the given guidelines. She also notified that all the existing guidelines given on April 20 such as no social gathering, no religious gathering, number of funeral attendees not exceeding 20, and to maintain social distancing in all the relaxed activities shall be followed till further order is issued.

Police department and Assam Rifles have been requested to intensify monitoring in their respective duties.

In regard to the food stock availability, department of Supplies informed that 1861 bags of rice in the normal stock and 2437 bags from PMGKAY were available in the godown at

Mon DISTRICT

present. Veterinary department informed the members in regard to the outbreak of African Swine Flu in the neighbouring states and requested the administration for passing order banning import of pigs from other states. Church and civil societies informed that the public have no objection towards burial in the eventuality of death due to COVID-19.

Earlier, in the District Disaster Management meeting, DC encouraged all the members to focus on other activities as well apart from COVID response and control programme. Fire and Emergency department reported that disinfection in the town areas had been carried out in March, while RD department also highlighted activities of NREGA. PHED department reported that connectivity/water supply to the consumers was going properly. DTF also attended video conference with the chief secretary Nagaland.

Dimapur District

Dimapur church leaders ready to move out from DC Dimapur Screening conducted on about 100 people leaving for office premises on Sunday. (DIPR) Assam at DC complex, Chümoukedima on May 3. (DIPR)

Church leaders reach out to public: With the initiative and permission from deputy commissioner Dimapur Anoop Kinchi, like minded church leaders of Dimapur has been spreading the message of love and peace

at various locations under Dimapur district for the third consecutive Sunday through public announcement system in coordination with DPRO Dimapur. According to DIPR report, the group has covered almost

the whole of Dimapur town during the two previous Sundays and on May 3, the church leaders visited the police stations, hospitals and jails to pray, encourage and thank the front line workers.

Meanwhile, the town announcement which started since April 4 to sensitise and disseminate important information to the general public of Dimapur is continuing till date as directed

by DC Dimapur.

Longleng DISTRICT

District administration led by additional deputy commissioner Aboi, Ajit Kumar Ranjan along with Medical staff of Aboi conducted a mass social work in the Quarantine Centre at Aboi Polytechnic staff quarters. 12 beds with attached toilet facilities have been set up for utility in the event of any eventuality related to COVID-19 pandemic. (DIPR)

Longleng district to conduct mock drill: Medical department Longleng under Health and Family Welfare Nagaland will be conducting mock drill at the district headquarter Longleng on May 4, 8 a.m onwards on account of COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken at the district level. According to DIPR report, line departments such as Police, Fire and Emergency Services and district administration have been requested to cooperate with the Medical department for smooth conduct of the said drill. In addition, the general public has also been requested not to panic during the mock drill as it will be only a review on emergency preparedness plan of the department and to evaluate standard operating procedure of the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

Wokha DISTRICT

SACs installing indigenous bamboo pole hand wash unit for public hygiene.

SACs Bhandari block disseminates social awareness: Social Action Committees (SACs) formed from various SHGs and VLOs under NSRLM-RD Bhandari block, Wokha district, has been engaged in undertaking various social activities for safety of public during its fight against COVID-19. A press release

from NSRLM-RD Bhandari block area coordinator Chichanthung Shitiri stated that, they have installed indigenous bamboo poles for hand-wash, production of homemade face-masks, setting up and disinfecting community based quarantine centres, demonstration of clean handwash by ASHA and Anganwadi workers. Clean and hygienic habits were also inculcated into places of worship as well as living spaces by the SHGs. SACs has also been assisting village council to disseminate the advisory given by the state Home department to the general public to refrain from hunting or consuming any wild meat because of the strong possibility of the virus being present in them.

They have also been instrumental in the preservation and conservation of wildlife and environment. Procurement of agricultural produces is currently underway to facilitate sustainable market linkage for the affected farmer communities despite the challenges of Bhandari block being located at the border of Assam.

Various organisations continue to donate towards needy people DIMAPUR: With the extension of the nationwide lockdown for another two weeks, various organisations continue to reach out with relief supply to alleviate the plight of the needy people in different districts of the state.

BJYM Nagaland state unit: Nagaland state unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in a coordinated effort have identified families in need across different districts and provided relief materials and also provided meals to migrant workers.

The state BJYM has also coordinated with its counterpart in others states and were able to help hundreds of stranded students outside the state. Meanwhile, a group of six young schoolgoing boys from Lhomithi Colony, Dimapur collected their savings which enabled them to purchase three bags of rice and contributed the same towards the initiative of BJYM.

STMS, MGM, MGOS Church: St. Thomas Mission Society (STMS), MGM institutions and MGOS Church extended relief of essential food commodities to 100 families in and around Midland Dimapur.

The team led by Rev. Fr. Dr. P.S Varghese, principal, MGM Higher Secondary School, Dimapur distributed ration to identified families.

Fr. Varghese informed that it 100 families were covered in the first phase.

SHGs and VLOs of Bhandari block: Various SHGs and VLOs under NSRLM-RD Bhandari block, Wokha district, have been extending services like providing firewood, fresh fruits and vegetables for the police personnel on duty in the villages. The groups have provided essential items such as face mask, hand sanitiser, as well as food items and soap to over 150 households.

Altogether, over 400 village households have been the

recipients. NSRLM-VLO social action committees that were present or engaged in the distribution of the essential items include AWWs, ASHA workers, VLO presidents, VF cum MBK, community cadres and SHGs members.

SSUB and SFB assist: Sumi Students’ Union Bengaluru (SSUB) in collaboration with Sumi Fellowship Bengaluru (SFB) has extended assistance to Sumi community stranded in Bengaluru since April 5.

A press release from SSUB president Aloto Chishi and SFB pastor Piketoli Kinimi stated that more than three hundred fifty Sumis were facilitated during this period. SSUB and SFB further stated that for any assistance, one may contact at 8317398623/8197848530, ssubangalore1991@gmail. com or 9436888869/ 7005568319, sumifellowshipbangalore@gmail. com.

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5 security personnel killed in encounter in J&K A Colonel and Major among five killed

encounter were identified as Naik Rajesh and Lance Naik Dinesh.

Col Sharma was the Commanding Officer of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles and had been decorated for gallantry twice in Kashmir.

A wreath-laying ceremony would be held here after which the Col Sharma’s body would be flown to Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh and that of Major Sood to Chandigarh, the officials said.

PM Modi pays tributes

Condoling the death of security personnel in an encounter with terrorists in Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

“Tributes to our courageous soldiers and security personnel martyred in Handwara. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. They served the nation with utmost dedication and worked tirelessly to protect our citizens. Condolences to their families and friends,” Modi said in a tweet.

Security forces personnel during an encounter with the militants in the Chanjmullah area of Handwara in Kupwara district, Kashmir on Sunday. (PTI)

Srinagar, May 3 (PTI): An Army Colonel and a Major were among five security personnel killed in an encounter with terrorists at a village in north Kashmir’s Handwara area, Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said on Sunday.

“Sad to inform that five brave personnel including Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Major Anuj Sood and subinspector of JKP Shakeel Qazi were martyred in the line of duty,” Singh told PTI. He said the Colonel and his team bravely rescued civilians held hostage

by the terrorists. The two terrorists were killed in the encounter.

Giving details, the Army said based on the intelligence input that terrorists were taking hostage some civilians in a house in Changimulla at Handwara of Kupwara district, a joint operation was launched by the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

A team comprising of five Army and police personnel entered the target area occupied by the terrorists to evacuate the civilians and successfully extricated them, it said.

However, during the process, the team came under a heavy volume of fire by the terrorists and in the ensuing firefight, two terrorists were eliminated and the five Army personnel and a policeman were killed in the line of duty, the Army said.

The terrorists are believed to have come to Handwara to receive an infiltrating group from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, officials said.

Besides Colonel Ashutosh Sharma and Major Anuj Sood, the other Army personnel killed in the

Exempt middle class citizens from COVID cess: KU asks govt

D I M A P U R , M AY 3 (NPN): Konyak Union (KU) has described the recent imposition of COVID-19 cess on fuel as “doubling the burden upon the struggling citizens of the state” and appealed to the state government to exempt those struggling citizens from the purview of COVID-19 cess.

KU through its media cell maintained that when the state exchequer was facing “financial crunch”, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic had caught the state government unprepared.

Stating that fortunately Nagaland has been declared as a “green zone”, the union said the state government must judiciously execute a policy considering people’s plight and suffering on account of continued lockdown.

KU suggested that the state government consider dual aspects regarding the current pandemic and the subsequent socio-economic implications while framing any policies. Further,

the union suggested that the state government, before justifying imposition of COVID-19 cess, should meticulously recognise the structural dynamics of society, its component, and its implication.

Konyak Union asserted that the government while considering the existence of “three layered class of society” in the state must duly examine the “dynamics of existence and survival of these societies.”

Seeking to place the “factual realities that exist”, the union said that the rich and upper-class Naga society was “immune to any form of hardship” and had better access to modern health care facilities.

However, it said that the middle-class Naga society without much avenues or support from the government was least privileged section and most vulnerable to succumb to the pandemic.

While the middle class was struggling for sustenance and livelihood

on account of lockdown, Konyak Union said imposing COVID-19 cess on petroleum products would be a double burden for them.

The union has, therefore, urged the state government to consider the plight of the struggling citizen before implementing such policies.

With regard to poorer section of Naga society, KU said they were the poorest class in the society, but were “privileged to be benefited by various government schemes available.”

O n t h e c o n t r a r y, Konyak Union said poorer section of society was least vulnerable to the current pandemic since they were mostly rural inhabitants.

It also said that COVID19 cess would not affect them.

The Konyak Union has, therefore, appealed to the state government to duly exempt those struggling citizens from the purview of COVID-19 cess.

CRPF headquarters in Delhi sealed

New Delhi, May 3 (Agencies): The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) headquarter in Delhi was sealed on Sunday after a staff associated with a senior official tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

CRPF Additional Director General Jawed Akhtar’s stenographer tested positive for Covid-19 early Sunday.

The force has informed the district surveillance officer for “initiating required protocols” as per medical guidelines, for time-bound proper seal-

ing of the building located in the CGO complex on Lodhi Road. Jawed Akhtar and 10 other personnel have been homequarantined, even as authorities began contact-tracing of all the personnel who came in contact with the staffer at the headquarter building.

Earlier, a driver attached with CRPF had tested Covid-19 positive.

So far, 144 CRPF personnel have tested positive -- 135 from 31 Battalion in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar phase 3. The entire battalion has been sealed since then.

Ex-servicemen dismayed by CDS’ flypast N e w D e l h i , M ay 3(AGENCIES): Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat and three service chiefs’ announcement of IAF flypast on Friday, 1 May, was met with incredulity and surprise by ex-servicemen.

Amid the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs addressed a press conference to express gratitude to the “COVID-19 warriors.”

Rawat announced that the Indian Air Force will conduct a flypast from Srinagar to Thiruvananthapuram and another one starting from Dibrugarh in Assam to Kutch in Gujarat.

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national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020

It’ll include both transport and fighter aircraft, he said.

While some ex-servicemen felt that this was an unnecessary display by the armed forces and a waste of precious resources, others suggested deploying resources to evacuate migrant workers who are stranded.

General Birender Dhanoa (retd), remarked that he was “saddened and disappointed” by the move and asked why are the “Armed forces being used as the official cheer leaders to express gratitude (sic).”

Maj General Thapar (retd) felt an “inane announcement” like this

could have been handled by the Ministry of Defence’s publicity division.

As an alternative, Lt Col Rohit Agarwal (Retd) suggested that a more constructive contribution of the armed forces could be achieved through “mobilising resources to assist in the movement of migrants back to their states.”

Capt KP Sanjeev Kumar, a former navy test pilot, writing for The Quint, stated that “to folks from a different military generation, the spectacle must have amused as much as it disappointed.”

“The statements made were largely political in nature,” Capt Kumar writes in his opinion piece.

Deeply disturbing and painful: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday described as “deeply disturbing and painful” the killing of five security personnel including two senior Army officers, a colonel and a major, in an anti-terror operation in the Handwara area of north Kashmir.

Singh said the security personnel showed exemplary courage in their fight against the terrorists and that their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

“The loss of our soldiers and security personnel in Handwara (J&K) is deeply disturbing and painful.

They showed exemplary courage in their fight against the terrorists and made supreme sacrifice while serving the country. We will never forget their bravery and sacrifice,” the defence minister tweeted.

The operation at a village in Handwara began on Saturday and continued till late last night.

“I offer my tributes to the soldiers and security personnel who fell in action. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones today. India stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of these brave martyrs,” Singh said.

HRD Ministry to announce JEE, NEET dates N e w D e l h i , M ay 3 (PTI): In a relief for engineering and medical aspirants, the HRD ministry on Sunday said fresh dates for competitive exams— Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)—will be announced on May 5.

The exams were postponed due to nationwide lockdown announced to contain the COVID-19 spread.

“The fresh dates will be announced by HRD Minsiter Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on May 5. This will put an end to uncertainty for the aspirants. The minister will also interact with students online the same day,” a senior ministry official said.

While Joint Entrance Exam-Mains (JEEMAINS) is conducted for admission to engineering colleges across the country, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is conducted for medical colleges.

Why a COVID-19 vaccine could never...

(From p-1) An effective vaccine for dengue fever, which infects as many as 400,000 people a year according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), has eluded scientists for decades.

A vaccine to prevent dengue (Dengvaxia) is available in some countries for people ages 9-45 years old. But the WHO recommends that the vaccine only be given to persons with confirmed prior dengue virus infection. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, announced in 2017 that “people who receive the vaccine and have not been previously infected with a dengue virus may be at risk of developing severe dengue if they get dengue after being vaccinated”.

“There are some viruses that we still do not have vaccines against. We can’t make an absolute assumption that a vaccine will appear at all, or if it does appear, whether it will pass all the tests of efficacy and safety,” Dr David Nabarro, professor of global health at Imperial College London, was quoted as saying in the report.

According to Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of National Institute of Allergy and

Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the vaccine could happen in 12-18 months.

However, “we’ve never accelerated a vaccine in a year to 18 months,” Dr Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, was quoted as saying.

The COVID-19 disease could be with us many years into the future and lockdown are not sustainable economically.

“It means the culture of shrugging off a cough or light cold symptoms and trudging into work should be over. Experts also predict a permanent change in attitudes towards remote working,” said the report.

Currently, a vaccine candidate for COVID-19 was identified by researchers from the Oxford Vaccine Group and Oxford’s Jenner Institute.

The potential upcoming vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, is based on an adenovirus vaccine vector and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

According to the WHO, from a total of 102 candidate vaccines in the race, eight leading vaccines are in human testing phase. What probably separates ChAdOx1 - known as recombinant viral vector vaccine - from the rest is the time it has promised to take in order to deliver mass quantities. However, no one is 100 per cent sure, yet.

State government directive to DCs DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (NPN): Since the state was still under lockdown and state boundary continued to remain sealed, the state government has directed all the deputy commissioners to strictly ensure that movement of people/vehicle was not allowed except those exempted under MHA guidelines. In an order, the additional chief secretary & commissioner Nagaland, Sentiyanger Imchen, reminded the DCs that the order was for strict compliance. On Saturday the Assam government decided to open the interstate borders with all the North Eastern states starting May 3, 2020. However, the state chief secretary Temjen Toy said that the state borders would continue to remain sealed.

He said that though Assam had contacted Nagaland to inform that it was opening the borders, Nagaland borders would continue to remain sealed. It was also learnt that Manipur has decided to open its borders. Meanwhile, all existing guidelines of lockdown will continue in Nagaland until fresh guidelines are issued. This was confirmed by principal secretary (Home) Abhijit Sinha on Sunday.

Rate of growth of new COVID-19 cases steadying: Vardhan New Delhi, May 3 (PTI): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said the rate of growth of new COVID-19 cases has been steadying for a while and the recovery rate improving, adding that India is on the path of success and will win the war against the pandemic.

He said around 10,000 COVID-19 patients have recovered so far.

“The recover y rate of COVID-19 patients has steadily increased which shows that more and more of these patients are getting better and going back home,” he said.

“The rate of growth of new cases has also been steadying for a while,” Vardhan said. According to the data received on Sunday, for the past three days, the doubling rate of the virus is 12.0, for seven days it is 11.7 and for 14 days it is 10.4, the minister was quoted as saying in a statement.

“We have crossed over 10 lakh tests till date and are performing over 74,000 tests in a day presently,” he said. The minister added that the government has

Harsh Vardhan distributed around 20 lakh PPE kits all over India and supplied medicines [both Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Paracetamol (PCM)] to more than 100 countries.

He said India is on a “better footing” as compared to other nations, adding the country is capable to pull off any eventuality with more than 2.5 lakh beds in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals and health centers.

Vardhan also urged the people to observe the extended period of lockdown 3.0 (till May 17) in letter and spirit and treat it as an effective intervention to cut down the chain of transmission of COVID-19.

“We are on the path of success and we will win

this war against COVID19,” he asserted. The health minister urged people to not ostracize the doctors treating COVID-19 patients or stigmatize the patients who have won the battle against the deadly disease.

“They are our heroes and need a worthy treatment,” he said.

The minister also had a word of praise for the “corona warriors”.

“Today, the Indian Air Force is acknowledging these warriors, throughout the country, by sprinkling them with flower petals through helicopters,” he said. Fighter jets and transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force on Sunday carried out fly-pasts over major cities and towns, while military choppers showered petals on leading hospitals across the country as part of a mega exercise to express gratitude to lakhs of doctors, paramedics and other front-line workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Vardhan said the fight of India with COVID-19 is “lauded not only by WHO, but by the whole world in unison”. He also paid a

visit to the Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), one of India’s oldest and established medical colleges, to review the status of COVID-19 management.

At the COVID-19 block in the hospital, Vardhan spoke through video call to two intern doctors who got infected with the virus while treating patients at LHMC, and were admitted at the facility.

He also interacted with two patients admitted in the COVID-19 ward through the digital platform, who, in turn, apprised him about the facilities in the coronavirus ward.

“In last few days, I have been visiting various hospitals like AIIMS (Delhi), LNJP, RML, Safdarjung, AIIMS Jhajjar, Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty and now LHMC to review the preparedness of COVID19 and I am satisfied with the arrangements made by these hospitals to deal effectively with the outbreak,” he said.

He said there are 130 Hotspots Districts, 284 Nonhotspots Districts and 319 Non-infected Districts.

State govt ready with cautious COVID cess: NPP, KCCI & others flay govt exit plan from lockdown, says Rio (Fromofp-1) cess would only provide an opportunity to further hike up prices,

(From p-1) “By the grace of God, we do not have a single positive case in our State, and we hope that the pandemic will continue to stay away from us,” he remarked.

Rio said Nagaland joined rest of the country and world in a united effort to break the chain by going into a lockdown on March 25. He thanked and complimented every citizen of the State for their sacrifices, contributions and cooperation in making the efforts of the government and the civil societies successful. He observed that no strategy of any government could be successful unless the people came forward with support and solidarity, asserting Nagas had stood up to the occasion.

As the pandemic spread alarmingly across the world, he admitted the State was not prepared for the monumental challenges. But, all sections joined the government machinery to collectively face the hurdles and today the State was in a better position to address the challenges. He appreciated and praised frontline workers for their tireless efforts.

Thanking doctors, nurses and other health workers who are risking their lives to identify and treat COVID patients, many

a time without adequate gears, the chief minister said the police, administration, local bodies, field workers in municipalities and departments, village councils, tribal hohos and countless people in the government and non-government set-ups were doing commendable work and were at the forefront of this battle.

Stating that the world was not prepared and that nobody had anticipated this crisis, Rio admitted there were shortcomings and mistakes. But he asserted that the efforts of the agencies concerned that battled against all odds were not lacking in any manner.

He observed that Nagas united as a people, opposition extended their hands of support, civil societies rose to the occasion and every believer joined the church in arming with prayer support, mentioning that the fight had been collective.

“Despite our shortfalls, we have shown the world that our strengths of strong social bonds, our culture of collective oneness and our nature of discipline and generosity are values and assets which help us through difficult times. Even as we learn from others, it is also a fact that our unique qualities emerged as a rainbows of hope,” he said.

adding this was happening right under the noses of authorities who were not even monitoring the situation.

Further NPP said the cess was totally intolerable and imposed in an “illegitimate manner” and was nothing but an attempt to fill the state coffers at the expense of the common people NPP likened the action of the state government to the infamous remark of French Queen Marie Antoinette in 1789, who when told that people were rebelling due because they had no bread, said “let them eat cake.”

It also said the government’s burden had been lessened by humanitarian efforts through donations by various NGOs and civic bodies besides many people-centric schemes for the benefit of the public during the present distress. Attacking the government for levying the additional cess, NPP said “this is just the tip of the iceberg” as the corruption was the real reason underneath the decision.

Further, NPP said when Nagaland was not severely affected by COVID19 other states such as Maharashtra or Gujarat where thousands lost their lives. It said Nagaland has only one COVID-19 case who was successfully treated in Assam NPP therefore demanded to know from the state government as to how much more additional funds it required, when the Centre had already poured huge amount of money and when the health & family department had already professed that it was adequately equipped with all infrastructure required to meet the eventualities of the pandemic?.

Mentioning that not even two months of the lockdown had elapsed and the State’s finances were already in shambles, the party said the government seemed to be on its knees with a begging bowl.

NPP questioned the State government why it had levied such a huge cess on fuel all of a sudden, which was in itself was an infamous national record never been achieved by any government, especially at a time when fuel prices had decreased considerably in the international market?.

NPP said the matter had even been covered by numerous national TV Channels and media houses and was very embarrassing considering the fact that the State had been projected in a bad light during the pandemic, and at a time when every government and organisation was trying its level best to help the poor and needy.

Stating that such an arbitrary taxation was nothing short of a daylight robbery on the common people, the party said its questions were pertinent and demanded a satisfactory reply from the State government.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 147 Dimapur, MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020

Difficult balancing act

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ndia as well as nations across the world are facing serious problems on two fronts- saving society and saving economy. The entire world is caught in this virtual Catch 22 situation. By focussing only on saving society, the economy would suffer and vice versa. There appears to be no option but to try and attempt both. While coronavirus cases continue to climb and which, till May 3 recorded over 40,000; the government cannot afford to let its guard down.

The economy has been ignored since health was more important than wealth. On the other hand, even before coronavirus, the Indian economy was precariously slowing down and growth projection was 4.8 per cent for the last fiscal. Today, as per the International Monetary Fund(IMF)India’s growth rate is expected to slide further down at 1.9%. The problem has been demand destruction, which has only worsened. According to CMIE, 12 crore jobs were lost just a few weeks after the lockdown was imposed. Therefore, the Modi government has to come up with a large fiscal stimulus that will put money in the hands of people - just enough that they start spending. Only then can demand begin to come back and trigger virtuous cycle of economic activity. It certainly won’t happen overnight. In order to initiate the process of economic activities, the Modi government sought to do when it announced a slew of measures that would be followed simultaneously with extension of the nationwide lockdown. The challenge from both fronts is humungous and would take more than the relaxations announced. The Narendra Modi government is correct to shift from its policy of only containing Covid-19 to balancing the attempt to contain the virus spread with the revival of the economic activity. There is no option but to allow migrant workers to return because of the fear that pervades their lives right now. Thus, dissuading chief ministers from calling back migrants to their home states is crucial for the success of this policy. Though the government looks to gradually restart the economic activity, states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have started bringing their migrant population back. Bringing migrants back home may be helpful to these states from where the labourers came from but the problem is what about most states that depend on such migrants for economic activities? When the migrants return to their home states, it will mean that many states will not have the labour required for construction work and MSME sectors. Movement of millions of migrants is likely to continue for weeks. Even if migrants arrive home, they will have to undergo the 14-day quarantine period and if required, repeat the period. Most migrants belong to states that have poorer capacity for welfare distribution and health services. Citizens have a right to return to their homes, but there will likely be widespread consequences, which some CMs have rightly underlined. Basic minimum living conditions would encourage them to get back to work quickly. Currently, the requirement of rent and absence of support while looking for new work in the case of job losses is constraining workers from coming back to zones of employment. Industry representatives are concerned over resumption of units if labourers go back to their native places. They asked if the government had to allow migrant labourers to go back then why industry was being asked to restart their operations?. This is indeed a catch 22 situation that India finds itself in.

DailyDevotion Vital Intercession …praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… —Ephesians 6:18 As we continue on in our intercession for others, we may find that our obedience to God in interceding is going to cost those for whom we intercede more than we ever thought. The danger in this is that we begin to intercede in sympathy with those whom God was gradually lifting up to a totally different level in direct answer to our prayers. Whenever we step back from our close identification with God’s interest and concern for others and step into having emotional sympathy with them, the vital connection with God is gone. We have then put our sympathy and concern for them in the way, and this is a deliberate rebuke to God. It is impossible for us to have living and vital intercession unless we are perfectly and completely sure of God. And the greatest destroyer of that confident relationship to God, so necessary for intercession, is our own personal sympathy and preconceived bias. Identification with God is the key to intercession, and whenever we stop being identified with Him it is because of our sympathy with others, not because of sin. It is not likely that sin will interfere with our intercessory relationship with God, but sympathy will. It is sympathy with ourselves or with others that makes us say, “I will not allow that thing to happen.” And instantly we are out of that vital connection with God. Vital intercession leaves you with neither the time nor the inclination to pray for your own “sad and pitiful self.” You do not have to struggle to keep thoughts of yourself out, because they are not even there to be kept out of your thinking. You are completely and entirely identified with God’s interests and concerns in other lives. God gives us discernment in the lives of others to call us to intercession for them, never so that we may find fault with them.

Quotes

Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. ~ Mother Teresa

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he country is facing severe economic crisis and its working classes are paying for it by subsisting the national efforts at restoring semblance of normalcy. Infusion of cash in the economy is the solution and every worker should be given cash for a fast revival.

It may not cost much, a mere Rs 65,000 crore, as per former RBI governor Raguram Rajan.

Had they had cash, the states today would not have faced the daunting task of evacuating about a crore people. The states still can send cash to them. Besides, the centre has to ease its norms on taxes and ensure free highway traffic movement. The budget has to be redrafted to address the remedies. About 65 percent of the economy is in the unorganized sector.

Corona is the third major economic crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union’s socialism, followed by liberalized cross-border MNC domination and denuding of banks accentuated by the 2008 sub-prime meltdown. India’s poor lost Rs 50 lakh crore they had put in banks since 1992.

Now, the teeming millions are taking the brunt

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020

Third major hit in 30 years

of the closure of activities almost since March 15 by losing their wages whether in informal employment or government jobs or in semiorganised sectors. Despite the government’s Rs 1.7 lakh crore packages and free food grain, the march to the villages continue for survival. The austerity measures of state governments and schemes to freeze allowances and pay cuts for 12 months recover about Rs 2 lakh crore or more from state and central employees.

The loss to the informal sector labourers are not easy to collate. The damage to the millions of families is unfathomable.

Even their numbers are guesses though they are important contributors to the GDP. The family, not state, is found to form the most important unit in providing emotional, economic and physical safety and not the society or its organs, corona crisis discovers.

The latest proposed mega operation to evacuate about 2.5 Indians in Gulf and Oman would add to the crisis and may hit majorly economies of a few states.

Future job prospects look grim as the petro economy is collapsing.

In such scenario, it becomes imperative for the authorities to lubricate the economy. The first step is to increase cash flow by empowering those who are in jobs to increase demand. It is key to raising productivity and revival.

The corona has exposed the myth of poverty alleviation by global institutions like World Bank, IMF, UN, ADB and others. The pandemic has revealed Shivaji that poor were never taken care of during the last 30 years.

Poverty in all countries, not only India, but even in the richest US and Europe, has increased phenomenally. In a decade, it has doubled in the US, says UN reports.

India has been debating whether having Rs 16 or 32 a day is enough for survival. The poor have been living a life worse than that of cattle in the slums like Dharavis. Nobody knows their numbers. But different methods estimate it from 18 crore to 80 crore. The syndrome is global. The world instead of removing poverty has added to it.

India, however, does not have a figure of those working in the informal sector. Total workforce as

per NSSO survey 2011-12 is 47.41 crore, the then minister for labour Vishnu Deo Sai told Parliament in 2014.

Of this 33.69 crore were rural workers and 13.72 crore were urban workers.

Of this 35.3 percent, about 11 plus crore are mentioned as rural casual workers and 14.6 percent about 1.6 crore urban.

The IMA India estimates it as 18 crore urban informal Sarkar workers in 2017. Of these 3.5 crore are registered construction workers as per central government, says India Development Review (IDR), an NGO. The IDR says the actual number of construction workers are over 5.1 crore and 87.4 percent are casual labour.

But there are other countless in sectors like agarbatti (incese stick) rolling, bidi rolling, part-time garment finishers, brass band players, tea and snack vendors, roadside eateries, car, scooter, bicycle repair mechanics, wedding event organizers, coolies, loaders, sex workers and many tiny businesses. Corona has hit these people hard as LD has virtually put them off any work.

The migrant marchers to villages include all these people.

If the income of government or organized sector workers is hit, as it is evident that every government employee would be losing Rs 50.000 to over lakh during the next one year, they would not have surplus to spend. All other sectors would also have their earnings reduced.

It would reduce demand and hit productivity of all sectors.

The decision to cut wages would have deleterious impact on all businesses. The government may have overestimated its losses during the LD. It has not taken into account huge savings due to closure of offices, transportation and many other counts. If the GST loss is also taken into account it would not be more than Rs 90,000 to Rs 1 lakh crore during this period. Thus the government is hardly losing due to LD. The financial downturn is being noticed since December 2019 as a result of economic contraction since December 2016.

Post-corona the wagecut prescription might create more problems. The government instead of re-

ducing wages should ideally try to incentivise each worker specially those in informal sector with cash dole so that they do not feel distressed.

The IDR, in respect of construction workers, says the situation is deteriorating since 1996. The present official move of pay-cut would be a repetition of that folly.

The government has to come out with a new budget to address the smallest worker to boost the confidence of the poorest. This is corona wisdom. If the poor, particularly poorest families, survive today, the country would be on a path to growth.

The nation has to reorient its economy keeping the poor as the pivot. The present crisis opens up doors to the new growth path.

Rejuvenating the informal sector through cash infusion is a necessity. Large industry cannot solve the widespread problem. All heads have to be brought together by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for path-breaking solution by making poor the essential to country’s progress. Post lockdown a new low-cost vibrant economy has to be evolved.

Post-mortem From which side the Congratulatory note to virus is going to enter Dr. Michael Van Walt Van Praag

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he Tobu Area Students’ Union Shinnyu, Yongkhao and Eyeang, with h i l e t h e U n i t e d Political Negotiation with the the order of Orange-Nasseu for (TASU) while appreciating the no network connection making it very Nations (UN) was government of India in 1997. It your “exceptional service to state Govt. and all the front liners hard to reach them at the time of emerformed in 1945 to was then, in the post-ceasefire society with a global impact”. in battle against the COVID-19, would gency. Proper electric supply and good save humankind from the situation, that you came into This is indeed an honour not like to draw the attention of the state network is interconnected and as such Govt. to understand the gravity of the the irregularity of the power for last so scourges of war and to pre- close contact with the Naga only for you, but an honour for situation in one of the most remote many years have caused lots of problem vent further conflicts in the Civil Society Organizations all the unrepresented and opbackdrop of World War II, as in which the Naga Peoples pressed Nations and peoples of corner of the state sharing inter-district towards the community.

ADMINISTRATION: Consider- the most powerful intergov- Movement for Human Rights the world, including the Nagas, boundary with Longleng and Tuensang District and international boundary with ing the distance from the District Hq, ernmental organization of the (NPMHR) played critical roles whom you had so humanely Myanmar. Tobu area is located as far as posting of separate administrative world, consisting of Sovereign in coordination works and touched.

Words are inadequate to 180 kms from District Hq, with a total officers for SDO (C) Monyakshu and States, many Nations and developed a friendship of goodexpress our profusely heartfelt Peoples Organizations were will towards finding sustainimmediate posting of EAC at Mopong No. of 16 recognized village and two gratitude to you, Dr. Michael denied voices within the sysable peace, human rights and Town Hq. and a population of more is urgently needed without giving adVan Walt Van Praag, for the tems of the United Nations. a just and dignified political than 40,150 as per the 2011 census ditional incharge as it is becoming very record. And being located in border, difficult for only the ADC and SDO(C) It was in this context that The solution for the Naga peoples, achievement you have made the community have list of issues while who are currently posted at Tobu to Unrepresented Nations and keeping in mind the concerns and to thank the Government tackling with the C-19 starting from monitor and look after the entire popula- Peoples Organization (UNPO) of the Government and people of The Netherlands for honouring you at such a crucial deplorable road condition which does tion especially during the law and order was established in 1991 as of India. period of human history and an international membership And at a time when the situation in times of emergency.

The not allow the villagers to transport the for bringing joy and glory to the organization to facilitate the whole world is struggling with PHH, AAY and other essential com- union felt the need for early establishhearts and minds of millions of voices of unrepresented and the corona virus pandemic, modities, home Quarantine, where ment of additional EAC Hq under Tobu oppressed nations and peoples the majority of the traditional house Sub-division to cover up the villages of marginalised Nations and news of your being awarded across the world. Having said peoples of the world, with its and honoured with a Knightis constructed in such a way that we Pessao, Yongkhao, Shinnyu and Tamthat, we are also reminded toheadquarters in The Hague, hood by the Government of koang in the border area. have only single room with common day, how under the facilitation Netherlands.

The Netherlands on the 24th EDUCATION: In Education kitchen at the entire area. However the of the Dutch Government that You, Dr. Michael Van of April 2020, in recognition union would like to share the ground sector, the entire Tobu Sub-division is the Government of India, for Walt Van Praag, under your of “His life-long dedication and realities so as to develop a mechanism under the establishment of the Subthe first time in the history of leadership as a key Founding commendable achievements where both urban and rural population divisional Education Officer (SDEO) our political conflict, have in Member of UNPO and also in support of the unrepreas the controlling officer of the departgets equal benefit of all the initiative by writing recognised “the Unique as the first General Secretary, sented and oppressed nations ment. There are 45 Govt. schools and 8 the State Govt. history and situation of the many Nations and Peoples and peoples of the world; his private schools under this establishment.

HEALTH: A total number of 4 Nagas” in 2002, at Amsterdam, Organizations who joined the tireless mediating activities Sub-Centres, 3 PHC and the only CHC However, in the absence of the controlwhich has sustained the peace Organization has since gained to resolve intrastate conflicts at Tobu Hq. are functioning under Tobu ling officer, the smooth functioning of talks in many ways, till date.

Sub-division with lack of manpower the department is beyond expectation. full Independence and have through the non-profit organi- NPMHR takes this opportunity joined the United Nations. zation Kreddha; as well as his and medical equipments. The Doctors The SDEO of Tobu was transferred in once again to Congratulate you posted at PHC Yongkhao and Pessao the middle of 2019, without any replace- Nagas were also admitted as a academic pursuits,”, came with and wish you a healthy and member of UNPO under your so much encouragement.

We have been on study leave for more than ment, which faces lots of hardship/ happy long life. a decade and is managed by staff nurse problem in the department, especially in leadership in January 1993 also understand that you are enabling our people to gradualso honoured with the Royal Neingulo Krome, and attendant, three Doctors (1 MBBS, this situation where the department of BAMS & Dentist each) are currently school education has introduced to initi- ally enter into a Ceasefire and Distinction of Commander in Secretary General, NPMHR posted at CHC Tobu. And as per the ate online classes for students of classes data collected by the union, the Depart- 8-12. The teacher of the sub-division has ment have appointed only 4 Doctors and no knowledge about the same. Since, the 14 Nurses to tackle the entire 40,150 clear information or guideline from the population which is not at all justified concerned department is not provided and also does not meet the minimum yet. Therefore, the immediate posting of standard of any health centre. Having SDEO at Tobu Hq. is an urgent need access to good health is not a privilege to meet the grievances of the teachers but the right of every individual and and students.

SECURITY: The area shares in- Sir, we call upon the department officers The Naga Christian Fellowship (NCF) and North East Christian Fellowship pastors for quick intervention to help the hard ternational boundary with Myanmmar to reach community which have been and since time immemorial the relation under Nagaland Missions Movement (NMM) the Mission’s wing of the Nagaland Baptist neglected for last so many years. The between the villages of both the sides Church Council (NBCC), all over India had a video conference on May 2, 2020 and resolved union would also like to seek support have been very close, however after the to submit a memorandum in acknowledging the efforts taken up by the Government of Nafrom the department for immediate notification from the state Govt. was galand to fight COVID-19 pandemic and we would like to bring before your esteemed office deployment of MO at all the PHCs, received, the union with support from to kindly arrange transportation for stranded “vulnerable Nagas” in various cities of India Ambulance for PHC Changlangshu and Village Council have sealed the border at the earliest.

There are many Nagas who are in difficult situation and are vulnerable due to COVID-19 for immediately sending the thermal as a precautionary measures and regular scanner, more PPE and other needed duties are maintained by volunteers us- nationwide lockdown. The majority of the Nagas working outside are employed in unorgaequipments at CHC Tobu, considering ing only mask and hand sanitizer and as nized sectors and are now left without salary or have lost their job. Many students are not such establishment of VG post at border allowed to stay in their hostels or paying guests, because of which they are now taking shelter the distance from the District Hq. NETWORK CONNECTION Village such as Shinnyu Village is of with their friends, and some of them are asked to vacate by house owner. Many are facing AND POWER SUPPLY: While the urgent needs as it is more difficult to problems with regards to financial difficulties, food scarcity, accommodation, payment of rest of the children in the state are be- reach them without electricity connec- rent, psychological and mental stress. Some are surviving somehow in shelter homes. It is very ing facilitated by different Government tion and no network connection at the disheartening for us to have come across our own people who have been surviving with just agencies for compensating the loss of village. Addition of security personnel at tea and biscuits; some who have nothing more to cook. There are also many Naga patients instructional days due to lock down by 6th NAP B Coy, Tobu and upgradation with their family members stranded in the cities with very little resources and wanting to go initiating online teaching and broad of OC Police station to SDPO Tobu is home. Moreover, Nagas/ Northeast people are more prone to racial discrimination due to casting of video lessons at Doordarshan, required for the smooth functioning of our mongoloid feature, which aggravates in a situation like this.

The NCF pastors and the Naga Students’ Union leaders in various cities have been Kohima, the children of Tobu area are security coverage as with the present left with no choice but to waste their aca- strength, untold hardship and challenges bombarded with numerous frantic calls from stranded Nagas and we have been doing our demic classes along with the lockdown. are faced for normal conduct of duty. In best to help them survive. Now, with the MHA announcement of allowing the State governA total number of three villages, namely a fight to stop the Novel Corona Virus, ments to bring back their people back home, we have been receiving more phone calls from Shinnyu, Mienchangle and Yeangmai the State Govt. is fervently requested to distressed Nagas inquiring about the transportation to go back home.

Hence, we urgently appeal to the Government of Nagaland to kindly arrange transportaVillage, is yet to be electrified even after look at all the angles as we are uncertain the state Govt. have announced 100% from which side the virus is going to tion at the earliest time possible for those “vulnerable Nagas” stranded outside of Nagaland and provide them all the necessary medical facilities on their arrival in Nagaland. electrification in the state during 72nd make its way in our state.

Be assured of our prayer for Nagaland. May God bless you.

Independence Day speech. The sub- TASU President Sangti Konyak and Wapangtoshi Convenor, NCF Forum division also has three village, namely General Secretary Davidson Ngushu 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.

Reader’s Post Appeal to CM Nagaland

northeast/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020

IAF showers petals on COVID-19 hospitals in NE 30 kgs of petals showered on TRIHMS

ITANAGAR, GUWAHATI, SHILLONG, MAY 3 (PTI/Correspondent ): Defying haze over the mountains of the Arunachal Pradesh capital, two advance light helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) showered petals on the lone COVID-19 hospital in the state on Sunday to express gratitude to the medical personnel engaged in the fight against COVID-19.

Around 30 kg of petals were showered on the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), a view which thousands of people witnessed from the rooftop of their houses.

The choppers showered the petals on the hospital between 12.03 pm and 12.15 pm.

The IAF choppers flew from the Tezpur Air Base under the Eastern Air Command and returned to the base after conducting the flypast, Defence spokesperson Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande said.

“The exercise was conducted to express gratitude

Medics wave as an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter showers flower petals to show gratitude in Guwahati, Sunday. (PTI) to corona warriors, including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. It also aimed at sending a message that the nation is united in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.

Commending the gesture, Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra hoped that the goodwill message will reach every frontline worker, police personnel, official, gaon burha (village headman) and NGO. “This was a true recognition of the committed services rendered by us at the

cost of our lives. We have taken oaths to save people’s lives. This salutation will energise us to work with more dedication,” TRIHMS Director Dr Moji Jini said.

Assam: An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter on Sunday showered rose petals on doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and sanitation workers of two hospitals in Guwahati to express gratitude for their fight against COVID-19.

The Mi-17 chopper showered the petals on the staff assembled in the prem-

ises of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and the MMC Civil Hospital here.

Three Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets also flew past the Assam Legislative Assembly building.

An IAF band also played patriotic songs to express gratitude to the frontline personnel.

The doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers said they were overwhelmed by the gesture.

“This expression of gratitude is a blessing and

encouragement to us to serve the people in this battle against COVID-19 and other diseases,” a doctor at GMCH said.

An emotional nurse at GMCH said that the medical fraternity has been encouraged by the gesture to continue the fight against COVID-19. Volunteers of a local NGO also honoured the health personnel with ‘Gamosa’, a traditional hand-woven Assamese scarf.

Meghalaya: As a display of gratitude and respect to the frontline medical professionals and others, a chopper from Indian Air Force flew past and showered flowers on them in this mountainous state capital of Meghalaya on Sunday.

An Advanced Light helicopter flew past over three hospitals – Shillong Civil Hospital and North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) besides Bethany Hospital, whose founder Dr. John L Sailo Rynthathiang succumbed to COVID-19 two days later after he got infected to the virus on April 13.

Led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Health and Family Welfare Minister Alexander

Laloo Hek, doctors, nurses, technical staff, sanitation workers and police personnel stood in Civil Hospital premises for this rare honour.

The Civil hospital which is converted into a COVID-19 hospital, has three COVID-19 patients who have now tested negative for the deadly virus.

While the super-specialty NEIGRIHMS hospital is the nodal hospital for testing of samples for COVID-19.

Thanking medical professionals and others who have been in the forefront to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Minister said, “I have no words to express the gratitude to all of you.

These past few days, I know it has been very difficult for all of you, but still you have not lost the faith and you continue with complete dedication.”

“So, once again really all of you deserve a big hand,” he told the medical professionals at Civil Hospital amid claps to laud their service in these times of health crisis.

Meghalaya had a total of 12 COVID-19 positive cases out of which 11 are now recovered and one dead. ( Correspondent).

5

Assam CM seeks views, suggestions from journalists Guwahati, May 3 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday held an interactive session with editors and senior journalists of 47 media houses in the state to seek their views and suggestions on the prevailing situation in the state during the lockdown.

He welcomed suggestions like non-conversion of schools into relief camps for flood-hit people during the forthcoming monsoon as students have already missed classes due to the lockdown. He also appreciated suggestions like the closure of rural roads in bordering districts often taken by people of other states to sneak into Assam and testing of police personnel engaged in frontline work.

Sonowal thanked the participants for their suggestions which he said would help the state government chart its future course of action.

Terming the media as conscience keepers and opinion moulders of the society, Sonowal said the media’s conscientious decisions will determine the direction the society will take. He appreciated the role played by the media

during the lockdown by disseminating correct information and generating awareness, besides acting as a bridge between the government and the people. Sonowal, however, called on the media outlets to exercise utmost restraint while reporting about the administrative machinery engaged in the fight against COVID-19 as incorrect news could de-motivate frontline workers.

Noting that he had travelled to the districts to motive the officials, Sonowal said that constantly reviewing the preparedness helped in ironing out several issues faced by different district administrations.

Due to high work ethics and a planned approach, Assam performed considerably well in containing COVID-19. The roles played by health, food and civil supplies, police, public health engineering, power and transport departments during the crisis must be appreciated, he said.

Sonowal said a guarded approach has been taken to allow certain economic activities to bring the state’s economy back on track after COVID-19 is contained.

COVID-19: Tripura doctor develops COVID-19: Assam-Nagaland 92 returnees in Mnp test -ve for COVID-19 PPE face shield costing only Rs 40 border opens in Karbi Anglong Correspondent

Field checkpost at Lahorijan over NH 39 and Dillai Gate over NH 36 in Karbi Anglong. However, the Nagaland border will continue to remain sealed and the lockdown norms shall remain in force. The Assam police have arranged for health checkups of returnees and have ensured that all returnees are thoroughly screened before entry into the state. “A total of 267 people have entered into Assam through Karbi Anglong today.” Informed Bokajan SDPO John Das.

product and placed an order for 2,000 more units at the rate of Rs 40 per piece.

“The manufacturing cost of a face shield used in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is only Rs 20-25, but is sold in the range of Rs 250 to Rs 499 in pharmacies and online retail platforms,” the 31-year-old medical practitioner told PTI. “According to the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health, PPE kits, including face shields, are given only to personnel treating confirmed COVID-19 patients. However, with the number of asymptomatic patients on the rise, the medical personnel are at a higher risk of contracting the disease,” he said.

His products are already in use in the ENT, ophthalmology and gastroenterology departments and at the OPD of the hospital.

“The virus we are dealing with is a respiratory one which enters the body through mouth or nose.

So, I helped the medical personnel cover their faces,”

NSCN (R) terminates one

Improved COVID-19 situation leads ENPO condolence to further relaxation in Meghalaya

K Y M C

Correspondent

Shillong, May 3: The Meghalaya government on Saturday announced further relaxation in curfew and market activities after no report of any fresh positive COVID-19 case in the last 14 days.

Meghalaya has just one active case. The 12th patient has tested negative for COVID-19 in the first test and if the second test report comes out negative, the patient would be also declared recovered, a health official said.

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong sounded confident that Meghalaya would be COVID-19 free soon.

“We are yet to receive the last test of the last patient. We are safe and there is nothing to worry. We would be able to contain this infection very soon and be able to declare Meghalaya as a COVID free state,” he told journalists in his daily briefings.

“The government with the various departments is working tirelessly to ensure that there is no new infec-

tion in the future,” he said, adding that the government with the various departments is working tirelessly to ensure that there is no new infection in the future.

As on Saturday, the Deputy Chief Minister said samples of 1,707 individuals have been tested. From these, 1,655 samples yielded negative while the outcome of 40 samples were awaited.

On Friday, East Khasi Hills district, which had reported 12 COVID-19 cases so far and] declared a hotspot, has moved from red zone to orange zone.

Tynsong also informed that the government in its review meeting chaired

by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Saturday decided to open up the economy and restore some normalcy from Monday onwards while taking a slew of important decisions.

“We have decided to resume various activities in the state from May 4. Day curfew will be lifted from May 3, only night curfew from 7.00 p.m to 7.00 a.m in the Shillong agglomeration areas would continue,”

Mnp docs protest over allowance cut amid COVID-19 crisis

Imphal, May 3 (PTI): A majority of government doctors in Manipur started treating patients on Saturday wearing black badges, protesting against the state’s decision to scrap an allowance from their pay.

At a press conference, All Manipur Health Services Doctors Association (AMHSDA) president Potsangbam Radheshyam Singh said if the Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) is not restored within a week, the doctors will go on “cease work” the next day. The doctors feel demoralised because of the reduction in pay due to the scrapping of the allowance while they continue to work on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19, he said. Singh said the AMHSDA will be holding discussions with the state health minister over the issue.

he said.

“Besides the existing relaxation in construction works, the opening of electrical shops, hardware shops and wine stores will also be allowed in Shillong agglomeration, even as the district administration has been directed to work on ensuring that strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are maintained,” the Deputy Chief Minister announced.

Furthermore, Tynsong also informed all officers and heads of departments in the State Secretariat to report for duty while Grade C and Grade D employees would function with 33 percent attendance.

“Health protocols would have to be adhered to in totality. This in fact means that physical distance and proper hygiene would have to be maintained at all these places,” Tynsong maintained.

Meanwhile, the government said that stranded citizens from the state scheduled to return in phase wise from May 5 will have to adhere strictly to the health protocols.

IMPHAL, May 3: After testing negative for the COVID-19, Manipur government on Sunday sent back all those who were recently travel into the state from Guwahati.

Including 87 from Guwahati, a total of 92 individuals stranded outside the state due were brought back to Imphal on Saturday. The remaining five were transported from Mizoram, officials said.

Even as no symptomatic individual were detected during repeated screening while transporting them, the state government has decided to put them at the government designated quarantine centre. Accordingly, they were lodged at Imphal Valley Academy campus in Imphal, one of the government designated quarantine centre.

However, the state government changed its mind and subjected all returnees to COVID-19 test. They were sent them to Centre approved testing laboratories at RIMS and JNIMS hospitals and their swab samples were

Even as Manipur recorded two positive cases of COVID-19, one each from Thoubal and Imphal West districts - all districts of the state are in the green zone as no further positive case has been detected and no cases of community transmission. Both the patients have also been discharged from the hospitals where they were treated after they recovered from the disease.

The state has also screened as many as 1,98,124 people who entered the state at various entry points including Imphal airport till Saturday.

The total number included 952 truckers and 113 commuters screened on the day.

Besides screening at Mao Gate bordering Nagaland and Jiribam bordering Assam, truckers shipping essential commodities to the state were screened at the dedicated screening centre at their parking lots in Imphal.

Of the 10,454 truckers screened so far at the dedicated screening centres, five truckers were reported with symptoms of the virus. None of them has however tested positive for the virus.

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DIMAPUR: Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has expressed deep sadness over the demise of Yalathong, former DB of Pungro town on May 1 at Pungro and father of Y. Makhezo, secretary ENPO. ENPO in a condolence note conveyed deep condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

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Tezpur, May 3 (PTI): Four persons have been arrested for allegedly attempting to molest three nurses in Assam’s Bishwanath district, police said on Sunday.

The three women while going for their duties were accosted by four men who tried to allegedly molest them in front of a petrol pump at Dagaon on Saturday night.

One of the accused was nabbed by the public and handed them over to police while the other three managed to escape. The police arrested the three on Sunday morning. A case has been registered at Biswanath police station against the four, the police added.

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DIMAPUR: NSCN/ GPRN (Reformation) has terminated the service of Kakheto Zhimo ‘leacy’, son of Vishito Zhimo of Nihokhu village, from both active and primary membership of the NSCN (R).

A press release from NSCN/GPRN (R) through its MIP informed that, the order for termination was signed by ‘kilo (home) secretary’ Akheli Yepthomi. MIP stated that “numerous callous and insensitive actions (with impunity) of Kakheto were found detrimental to the NSCN,” which attracted punitive action upon the defaulter.

MIP also informed that Kakheto was no more connected with the NSCN (R), whereby any senseless acts by him shall not reflect upon the image of the NSCN, whatsoever.

Reiterating on its earlier notification, the NSCN (R) shall continue to strictly maintain “zero tolerance against any civil or Naga army cadres found unnecessarily harassing the innocent public.” NSCN (R) also appealed to the public to report to the NSCN (R) authorities, if any such deterrent acts or predicaments are faced.

he said.

Dr Arindam Dutta, Medical Superintendent of the hospital and chairman of the institution’s COVID19 task force, said, “We are using the face shields at our hospital. Doctors are very happy and find them very handy. Dr Choudhury has also made slight modifications to the face shields as per the requirements of various departments.”

ENT Department head Dr Prabir Saha said Dr Choudhury’s face shield effectively prevents medical personnel from coming in contact with respiratory droplets.

“When a medical personnel collects samples from a patient’s mouth, he or she is at risk of contracting the disease. Dr Choudhury’s face shield is very useful as PPE is issued only to personnel dealing with confirmed COVID-19 patients,” he said.

Dr Shivasekhar Dutta, a professor of preventive medicine at the hospital, said ‘Stopdrop’ is entirely Dr Choudhury’s brainchild.

B o k a j an, M ay 3 : Amidst the nationwide lockdown and restrictions on interstate movement of people, Assam has opened its interstate borders to allow entry of people stranded in the six neighbouring states- Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur.

Hundred of migrant workers and people stuck in Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland breathed a sigh of relief as they entered Assam through the New

Agartala, May 3 (PTI): A doctor from Tripura has developed a PPE face shield costing only Rs 40, to protect frontline medical personnel from contracting COVID-19 while treating patients.

A face shield is a protective gear with a transparent visor attached to a headband. It protects the wearer from coming in contact with respiratory droplets through which, according to the World Health Organisation, the novel coronavirus spreads.

Dr Arkadipta Choudhury, an assistant professor at the Tripura Medical College (TMC), said that he developed the face shield, ‘Stopdrop’, using readily available inexpensive materials.

With the coronavirus outbreak affecting delivery of products, Dr Choudhury made the face shield using compressed polyester, inexpensive straps and visors.

The medical institution he is employed in, procured 300 pieces of ‘Stopdrop’ after rigorously testing the

collected.

All the returnees tested negative for the contagion, said Dr L Arkey, additional director of state health department in-charge of COVID-19 in the state.

“We considered the development as 90% safe and decided to send them back to their respective homes where they will be on home quarantine for 14 days as per COVID-19 protocol,” he said. Besides, they will be under surveillance during their home quarantine period by the State COVID-19 Surveillance Team, he added.

Meanwhile, confirming the negative test results of all the 92 returnees, a statement of the state government’s COVID-19 Common Control Room said that they were sent home after adequate counselling for strict adherence to quarantine rules as per protocol.

The concerned district authorities will closely monitor them, it added.

The state government has been following protocols and taking all preventive steps, the control room asserted in the statement.

K Y M C

6

INTERNATIONAL

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020

and North Korean HC hears petition against Netanyahu govt troopsSouth exchange fire along border Jerusalem, May 3 (PTI): In a rare move, the Israeli High Court on Sunday began hearing petitions against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forming a government while facing criminal indictments in a session being broadcast live given its significance.

The hearing, held by an exceptionally large panel of 11 out of the court’s 15 justices, focuses on the issue of whether a politician can form a government while under indictment. Israeli law mandates that cabinet ministers and mayors resign if indicted, but does not explicitly prohibit a politician from becoming a Prime Minister if backed by the majority support in the Knesset (Israeli parliament).

Netanyahu, 70, was indicted earlier this year on charges of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust.

He has denied any wrongdoing. His trial was postponed due to restrictions his handpicked interim justice minister placed on the courts after the coronavirus crisis erupted and is scheduled to commence later this month.

A couple wearing masks hold Israeli flags during a protest against the government and the corruption, at Rabin square in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit last week said that while Netanyahu’s indictments “raise significant problems,” there was no legal basis for barring him from serving while facing criminal charges.

Speaking at the opening of the High Court hearing on Sunday, Anar Helman, representing the Attorney General’s Office, reiterated the same opinion saying that there is no legal obstacle despite “serious crimes of per-

sonal integrity”. “The main consideration that must be taken into account is the realization of the voters’ will.

This is the democratic system,” Helman said, arguing that the law differentiates between a Prime Minister and a Minister, who is not allowed to serve under indictment, due to the fact that the Prime Minister is elected by the people. “The fact that a person has been indicted for serious crimes of personal integrity does not pre-

Merkel calls for cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine development

N-deal will die forever if arms ban extended: Iran

Berlin, May 3 (IANS): German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for global cooperation in developing a vaccine against COVID-19.

“This epidemic is a pandemic and a worldwide spreading disease that we cannot fight nationally but only together,” said Merkel in her weekly podcast speech on Saturday, referring to the video conference of G20 members in late March when the group decided to fight the pandemic together.

Merkel’s remarks came two days before the donor conference for coronavirus vaccine initiated by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

“Everyone can get the virus, and that’s why we have the task of acting together worldwide. It is not just an opportunity for joint action, but I would say it is a must,” said Merkel, adding

Angela Merkel (File)

that it should make sure that vaccine benefits everyone.

“Germany will also make a significant financial contribution. I would like not to announce that today, but I can say that we will then also be very active in observing further development,” added Merkel.

The German Chancellor said the country wanted to work closely with the WHO, which has a key role in this issue.

Tehran, May 3 (IANS): Iran’s top security official on Sunday warned that the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), will “die forever” if a UN arms embargo against the Islamic Republic was extended. “The JCPOA will die forever by circumventing UNSC Resolution 2231 and continuing Iran’s illegal weapons sanctions,” Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani tweeted.

“Sanctions’ virus is the US tool for survival of its declining hegemony,” he said. Shamkhani also urged the European partners to the deal for their action in the face of US pressures, adding that “what will EU do: save dignity and support multilateralism or accept humiliation and help unilateralism?”

Roma, Real Betis in race to sign Chelsea’s Pedro

Pedro

L o n d o n , M ay 3 (Agencies): Chelsea forward Pedro is facing a decision on his future as a host of club aims to sign him on a free transfer, with Roma and Real Betis having entered the race to secure the 32-year-old’s services.

The interest around the former Barcelona man could create problems for Chelsea, who will likely not finish the Premier

League season until after his contract expires on 30 June.

FIFA guidelines have recommended that players see out their obligations for the season even if they agree on a pre-contract elsewhere, but the ruling by football’s governing body is not legally binding.

Pedro makes up just a small part of a list of targets Roma are looking

at to bolster their forward line, while Betis feel they can offer the Spaniard a comfortable homecoming back in La Liga.

The Seville-based outfit are prepared to resist approaches from Premier League clubs for key man Nabil Fekir and add Pedro – who would likely earn a similar salary to Fekir – to their squad.

Moving to Betis would mean taking a small pay-cut, but the offer of a longer-term contract in his home country may well be enough to convince Pedro to make the switch.

The La Liga side are understood to be keen to offload Christian Tello, Javi Garcia, Aissa Mandi and Sidnei to free up funds in order to bring in Pedro.

Elsewhere, interest from New York City FC and Inter Miami could see Pedro finish up his career in Major League Soccer, while Vissel Kobe – whose squad currently includes former Barca stars Andres Iniesta, Thomas Vermaelen and Sergi Samper – also harbour an interest.

Given the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on club finances, the free transfer market has become increasingly important to teams across the globe in their efforts to prepare for next season.

vent the Knesset members from recommending him to assemble the government.

The Attorney General’s Office believes that there is no impediment that Knesset Member Netanyahu will form the next government,” Helman asserted.

The court will address additional petitions concerning Netanyahu’s powersharing deal with his main rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, on Monday.

Netanyahu and Gantz

signed the agreement to form a national government last month after an unprecedented third round of polls which again did not give anybody a clear verdict to form the government. The deal allows Netanyahu to serve the first 18 months as Prime Minister after which Gantz would assume power for the next 18 months.

Israel could plunge into a deep political chaos if the court decides against Netanyahu forming a government under indictment. Protesters opposing Netanyahu’s continued rule have been taking to the streets despite the ongoing lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last week saw counter-protests from Netanyahu supporters who demonstrated against “court’s interference in a democratic process”.

The petitions against Netanyahu were filed by advocacy groups that have asked the high court to ban any indicted politician, including Netanyahu, from being allowed to form a new government. They also say that parts of the coalition deal are illegal.

Seoul, May 3 (AP): North and South Korean troops exchanged fire along their tense border on Sunday, the South’s military said, blaming North Korean soldiers for targeting a guard post.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said in a statement that North Korean troops fired several bullets at a South Korean guard post inside the heavily fortified border. South Korea fired two rounds in response after issuing a warning broadcast, it said. South Korea suffered no casualties, the military said. It’s unknown whether North Korea had any casualties. The North’s official Korean Central News Agency hasn’t reported about the incident.

It comes a day after North Korea broadcast images of leader Kim Jong Un reappearing in public after a 20-day absence amid intense speculation about his health.

KCNA said Kim attended Friday’s ceremony marking the completion of a fertilizer factory near Pyong-

Soldiers walk up the stairs of their military guard post in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea on May 3.

yang along with senior officials. State TV showed Kim smiling and walking around factory facilities.

Kim earlier vanished from the public eye after presiding over a Politburo meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party on April 11 to discuss the coronavirus. Speculation about his health began swirling after he missed an April 15 event commemorating the birthday of his grandfather and state founder, Kim Il Sung, something he had never done since inheriting

power upon his father Kim Jong Il’s death in late 2011.

The Koreas are split along the 248-kilometer (155-mile) -long, 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) -wide border called the Demilitarized Zone that was originally created as a buffer. But unlike its name, the DMZ is the world’s most heavily fortified border. An estimated 2 million mines are peppered inside and near the DMZ, which is also guarded by barbed wire fences, tank traps and combat troops on both sides.

US warns Taliban of response if violence continues Kabul, May 3 (IANS): The US military in Afghanistan warned the Taliban of a response if the militant group continued with its attacks in violation of an agreement that was inked by the two sides in February.

In a rare open letter to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid posted on his Twitter handle, Sonny Leggett, the spokesperson for US forces in Afghanistan, said on Saturday that it was time for all sides to “return to the political path” and reduce violence as pledged under the February 29 pact, reports Efe news.

“Reducing violence is an absolute necessity and this is up to the leaders of all military forces – Afghanistan security forces, Taliban fighters, and yes, the coalition,” Legget said.

“Attacks generate attacks, while restraint produces restraint. All sides must choose restraint to

U.S troops walk at their base in Logar province, Afghanistan on August 4, 2018. (File)

prevent more killing and violence. If the violence cannot be reduced, then yes, there will be (a) response.”

Mujahid replied to Legget’s tweet, urging the US to implement the Doha agreement. “Do not harm the current environment with pointless and provocative statements. We are committed to our end, honour your

sports

Plan to resume national camps from May end: Rijiju New Delhi, May 3 (PTI): Spor ts Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said his ministry is devising a plan for phase-wise resumption of national camps for Olympic-bound athletes by the end of this month.

Rijiju said the coronavirus-forced nationwide lockdown, which has been extended till May 17, forced his ministry to delay the resumption of the training camps at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres. The lockdown was earlier meant to end on May 3.

“The camps will start in a phase-wise manner.

First we will start training in NIS Patiala and SAI, Bengaluru where athletes are based currently... by the end of this month train-

Kiren Rijiju

ing is expected to start in Bengaluru and Patiala,” Rijiju said at FICCI’s webinar titled ‘Corona & Sports: The Champions Speak’.

“The camps will be for those sports which have qualified for Olympics or the sports whose Olympic qualification is in future,” he said...

We will relax things partially looking at the Olympics,” he added.

obligations,” he said.

The Taliban had earlier warned that it would “react and respond” to “repeated violations” by the US and the Afghan government’s airstrikes and attacks against the militant group and civilians.

Leggett in the letter acknowledged that there was a reduction of violence

against cities and coalition forces. “But we spoke of all sides reducing violence by as much as 80 per cent to pave the way for peace talks,” he said.

“During those long negotiations, there were written and spoken commitments. Some commitments are being observed, while others are not.”

He said the US had “not conducted a single offensive strike or operation since before the start of the reduction in violence period”.

However, he justified strikes in support of the Afghan security forces because “in Doha, we agreed the US and coalition forces would continue to partner, support - and when necessary defend - our Afghan brothers and sisters”.

The Afghan government also claimed that the Taliban have increased attacks against security forces and civilians after signing the peace agreement.

Ta r i q A r i a n , t h e spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, told reporters that Taliban attacks have killed 387 civilians and injured 590 across the country since the day the group signed the deal with Washington.

Currently, some 14,000 US troops are in the country.

IPL is where I get most goosebumps: Andre Russell New Delhi, May 3 (PTI): Big-hitting West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell says playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL is where he gets the “most goosebumps” and wants to remain in that side till his very last game in the league.

The 32-year-old was speaking to KKR’s official ‘Knights Unplugged’ online show. The Jamaican is currently at home as the IPL has been suspended indefinitely owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Let me confess something, IPL is where I get the most goosebumps. I get that in CPL (Caribbean Premier League) as well but when it comes to playing in IPL,

Andre Russell

especially Eden Gardens, there is no comparison,” Russell said referring to his team’s home ground in Kolkata. “...the welcome I get, that’s love. It puts pressure

on me but it’s good pressure,” he added.

Russell said the Eden crowd has been supportive towards him even when he hasn’t exactly delivered and that’s why it’s the one place, he would like to call it quits as and when he does.

“I would love to be at KKR until that moment when I say that this will be my last IPL. I have been at KKR for six seasons and I enjoyed every bit of it,” he said.

“I know even if I fail two games straight, when I come out to bat for the third game, it is the same deafening reaction I will get from the crowd. It’s always a welcoming thing,” he said.

De Bruyne hints at Man City exit if ban upheld

L o n d o n, M ay 3 (Agencies): Kevin De Bruyne has admitted he will consider his future if Manchester City’s two-year ban from European competition stands. The Premier League champions have been banned from all UEFA competitions for the next two seasons for “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play rules but have appealed against the punishment to the Court for Arbitration of Sport (CAS).

De Bruyne’s current contract with City runs until June 2023 and although

he is “happy” at the club, the Belgium midfielder says a long exclusion from Europe’s elite competition could have an effect on his career path. “The club has told us that they will appeal the decision, and they are 100 per cent convinced that they are in the right,” De Bruyne told Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws. “I have confidence in my club: if they are saying it’s true, then I believe them. We’ll wait and see what happens. Once there’s a final decision I will look at it. Two years [without Champions League

Kevin De Bruyne

football] would be long. One year is something I might be able to cope with.”

De Bruyne has denied his future also rests on manager Pep Guardiola remaining at the Etihad.

Guardiola’s current deal is due to expire in June 2021, although the Spaniard said in November he is open to the possibility of extending his contract.

De Bruyne insists his next career choice will not depend on Guardiola signing a new deal. “Not particularly,” he said. “I think Pep has said that he’ll stay until the end of next year, whatever happens. I think his contract is running out then.” “We’ll have to wait, but I’m not going to make a decision based on what he does of course. I have

already worked under other managers and when Pep leaves, I have to continue working with someone else.”

“The last few years a lot of clubs have enquired, and have asked after my future plans, but I’m very happy at Manchester City. I play for one of the best teams in the world, I play in England, in my eyes from a competitive point of view it’s the best league. It’s a challenge to be the best here, and to win.

That’s something I need to keep on going in my career.

Whatever will come, will come.”

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