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review of NM

(AGENCIES):

India has been witnessing an uptick in H3N2 influenza cases.

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Seasonal influenza is a respiratory tract infection caused by four distinct types of viruses (A, B, C, and D) belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. H3N2 has been the dominant subtype followed by H1N1. According to doctors, there is also a spike in ICU admissions of the elderly and kids due to H3N2 influenza.

As the symptoms of this viral infection are similar to COVID-19, the doctors have advised to extreme precautions and masking up to prevent the spread of the virus.

Other than H3N2, the country is also witnessing a surge in COVID-19 and swine flu infections. According to the real-time surveillance data by the integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP), 955 cases of H1N1 also

Tovihoto gets additional charge of Election deptt

DIMAPUR, MAR 15

(NPN): State chief minister has assigned H. Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA and Advisor, the charge of election department in addition to his existing assignment of tribal affairs department with immediate effect:

In a notification, the cabinet secretary J Alam stated that the arrangement would help utilize the vast and practical experience of the MLA for the benefit of public at large.

The notification stated that the advisor would render his advice on the matter that were referred to him by the conceded department for his views/suggestions before the issue is put up to the conceded Minister in charge for decision.

KT Koza appointed as Upa-Lokayukta

DIMAPUR, MAR 15 (NPN): Former secretary Khanrila T.Koza was appointed as the Upa-Lokayukta, Nagaland on March 15. Koza was administered the oath of office by Nagaland governor La.Ganesan at Raj Bhavan.

With this, Nagaland will have two Upa-Lokayuktas- Mayanglima and Khanrila T.Koza.

It may be recalled that the state government had appointed the first female Lokayukta in Nagaland, when retired chief secretary Bano Z.Jamir IAS(Retd) was administered oath of office on January 18, 2023.

known as swine flu have been reported by states till 28 February.

Genome sequencing data has revealed that Influenza A H3N2 and influenza B Victoria are two viral strains driving the current surge of flu cases in the country. In the nine weeks between January 2 to March 5, laboratories connected to the surveillance network of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found 451 positive results for influenza A H3N2, 91 positive results for influenza B Victoria and 41 for influenza A H1N1, a government statement said. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued an advisory asking people to avoid selfmedication and the use of antibiotics in case of contracting the virus.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus (H3n2) is typically found in pigs and is a nonhuman influenza virus that has now infected humans.

Symptoms include fever for 3 to 5 days, persistent cough, chills, breathlessness, wheezing, runny nose, nausea, sore throat, body ache, and diarrhea in some cases. According to doctors and health experts, the virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, and close contact with an infected person and is highly contagious.

Newvariantcouldbe behindfreshspike

A fast spreading XBB.1 descendent - XBB.1.16could be behind the recent surge in Covid cases in India, international and Indian scientists tracking the SARS-CoV2 variants told TOI on Tuesday, reports Times of India.

According to an international platform tracking Covid variants, the highest number of this sublineage’s sequences have come from India (48), followed by Brunei (22), the United States (15) and Singapore (14).

According to reports, this subvariant is showing a big jump in prevalence in at least four countries, includ- ing India. Experts tracking the Covid variants around the world have found the XBB.1.16 spreading rapidly in some regions.

“In India, XBB.1.16 is showing a high prevalence in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, as per covSPECTRUM. XBB.1.16 has not descended from XBB.1.5, but both have descended from the recombinant ancestor XBB and more recently XBB.1. XBB is currently dominating in India, and the latest uptick in cases in the country could be a result of XBB.1.16 and perhaps XBB.1.5, but a few more sample runs would clear the picture,” a top expert from India’s genome sequencing network said.

“Most strains isolated from Indian travellers to Singapore, the US and Brunei recently have been XBB.1.16. So, this subvariant could be driving the ongoing spike in cases in India.

Zeliang reviews road works ahead of G20 meet

DIMAPUR, MAR 15 (NPN): State deputy chief minister TR Zeliang on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing works along the National Highway passing through Dimapur-KohimaKisama in view of the ensuing G-20 Business Summit scheduled to be held on April 5, 2023.

In a press release, office of the deputy chief minister informed that Zeliang, who holds the portfolio of national highway, convened first coordination meeting of national highway department at his official chamber at civil secretariat with officials from state PWD (NH),

Act warn AWUMT, Sumi Hoho, KVC

DIMAPUR/MOKOKC -

HUNG, MAR 15 (NPN):

Despite Supreme Court’s ultimatum served on the state government to conduct schedule for election to Urban Local Body (ULB) and the notification issued by Nagaland State Election Commission that there should be no disturbance to ULB polls at any cost; some organizations like the All Ward Union Mokokchung Town, Sumi Hoho and Kohima Village Council cautioned that they would oppose polls unless certain sections of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 were reviewed.

AWUMT: All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUMT) has also resolved to not allow election to urban local bodies (ULB) in Mokokchung town until the demand of Association of Kohima Municipal Ward Panchayat (AKMWP) and Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation’s (DUCCF) and AWUMT, for amendment of some sections of the NMA, 2001 stated that similar meetings would be convened more frequently so there was better coordination among all agencies. At the meeting, commissioner & secretary for works & housing, Kesonyu Yhome, gave an overview of the ongoing works. He said that the target has been given to all agencies to complete all major works by March 20, 2023.

NHIDCL and concern contractors in attendance. He impressed upon the urgency and the importance of such an important event being organised in the State. As delegates from various parts of the world were expected to attend the

6-member Independent panel to inspect NIMSR

DIMAPUR, MAR 15 (NPN): Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench constituted a six-member independent committee to inspect and verify the status report of the ongoing works of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research (NIMSR) at Phriebagie, Kohima.

Issuing an order after hearing a PIL on Wednesday, a two-judge bench of justice LS Jamir and justice Kakheto Sema directed the committee to verify/inspect NIMSR on March 22 in the presence of Neiteo Koza, counsel for the petitioners,

Z.N. Ngullie (CGC), N. Mozhui, counsel for the Health and Family Welfare department and Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare department. The six-member committee include-- registrar GHC Kohima bench, joint registrar (judicial) GHC, Kohima Bench, advocates-TB Jamir, Tongpok Pongener, Joshua Sheqi, and Apila Sangtam.

Further, the Independent Committee has been asked to file the report by way of affidavit before the Court and listed the matter again on March 29, 2023.

Summit, the deputy chief minister urged the department and the responsible agencies to give full attention to the pending repair works and complete them before March end.

Assuring to extend full cooperation, Zeliang

CUET to be conducted in 3 shifts: UGC chief

NEW DELHI, MAR

15 (PTI): The Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG will be conducted in three shifts in a day this year instead of two and plans for its merger with crucial entrance exams like JEE and NEET will be announced at least two years in advance, according to UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar.

In an interview to PTI, Kumar said the UGC and NTA are prepared to ensure that the second edition of CUET-UG is glitch free.

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Various teams supervising the various stretches presented their views and inspection reports at the meeting. NHIDCL executive director and general manager shared their inputs was met. This was among the two-point resolution adopted at the federal assembly of the union held on Wednesday.

The union pointed out that the above provisions infringed on the rights of Nagas enshrined under Article 371A of the Constitution of India.

The union also warned that it would be compelled to take recourse to other means to protect the rights if the ULB election was enforced by the State government.

Further, AWUMT said it would not allow any person from within the 18 wards of Mokokchung town to file nominations if the amendments to the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 were not to the liking of people and imposed the ULB election.

SH: In a memorandum to the chief minister, SH general secretary Dr. Vihuto Asumi reminded that it had on several occasions, voiced out against certain sections of the NMA and urging the government to review and make necessary amend - ments and deletions.

In this regard, the hoho said that it along with Sumi frontal organizations, held an emergency consultative meeting on March 14 at Zunheboto and deliberated on the issue and adopted several resolutions.

The house noted that Section 120 (1) (a) of the Nagaland Municipal Act vis-à-vis “Taxation on lands and buildings” was an infringement to the protection guaranteed to the Naga people under Article 371-A of the Constitution of India, since Naga people were the absolute owners of their own land.

Therefore, the house resolved that until the state government reviews and completely “deletes” Sec 120 (1) (a) and issues notification, the hoho and the frontal organizations shall “boycott” the ULB election in Zunheboto district in toto. While stating that the SH and frontal organizations had accepted 33% reservation for women, the house, however,

NPCC suggests party-less selection for ULBs

DIMAPUR, MAR 15

(NPN): After drawing a blank in 24 assembly seats contested in the recently concluded assembly election, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has proposed non-partisan democratic election to ULBs under which no party would award tickets but allow ward/constituency leaders to select/elect leaders to represent the wards through consensus and cooperation.

NPCC communication department, explained that such a system would ensure there will be no opposition or ruling but every member will have the right to have a voice in the decision-making process without party backing. NPCC said any decision arrived at would be deemed as the conscience of the majority.

NPCC claimed that its proposal will change the entire situation and bring clean governance at the grassroots levels. NPCC said this plan was decided at a meeting of Congress leaders and workers on Wednesday while reviewing the party’s performance at the recentlyconcluded Assembly election. NPCC said it was decided take the matter forward with the State government, all political parties and civil society groups, including the church. It also decided to recommend to do away with “Tax on land and building” under the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 and find out other resources.

Tobacco ban by NSCN(Khango): CNCCI questions govt’s silence

DIMAPUR, MAR 15 (NPN): While expressing appreciation and full support towards the “good intention” of NSCN/GPRN (Khango) to impose ban on illegal drugs, already banned internationally, and alcohol, the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), has clarified that tobacco products were being legally sold with proper licence and after paying Goods & Service Tax (GST) to the State government.

Reacting to ban on sale of tobacco by NSCN/ GPRN(Khango), CNCCI also expressed surprise at

Delayed salaries: Longkhim teachers launch

DIMAPUR, MAR 15 (NPN): Government school teachers under SDEO Longkhim under Tuensang district have launched protest against delay in payment of salaries and also to press for their two-point charter of demands.

In a press release, graduate teacher, Yotingla Sangtam, on behalf of aggrieved teachers, said that the aggrieved teachers took out silent protest march at Longkhim on March 13, 2023 and affirmed to boycott classes until the department fulfilled charter of demands, which include disciplinary actions against “erring officials” of SDEO Longkhim and proper functioning of SDEO office Longkhim.

The aggrieved teachers stated that SDEO Longkhim was established about five years ago and total bifurcation from SDEO Tuensang on March 1, 2022. Since then, the aggrieved teachers said the office was still not fully functional, adding that they were facing immense hardships because of the indifferent attitude of the SDEO staff. They said that delay in release of salaries and arrears the deafening silence of the State government over the recent ban imposed on sale of tobacco by NSCN/ GPRN (Khango).

CNCCI through its media affairs, clarified that it did not in any way, endorse or promote tobacco consumption, and demanded that the State government clarify on whether tobacco was a banned substance or legal product sold in the market, as Goods & Service Tax is being collected from the sale of tobacco products.

The trade body also demanded that the state government publicly declare as to whether it is the

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