October 28, 2020

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 323

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

SRH outclass DC; keep play-off hopes alive

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sports, Page 12

8 killed, over 120 injured in bomb blast in Pak

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

international, Page 9

Myanmar launches ops against NE ultras Rio, Zeliang hit campaign trail for by-poll

NEW DELHI, OCT 27 (AGENCIES): Myanmar army has launched ‘Operation Sunrise-3’ to crack down on various insurgent groups gathered at the IndoMyanmar border, a Zee News report stated. In its earlier report, Zee News revealed that the NSCN (K), led by Yung Aung, was consolidating its position inside Myanmar and various NSCN groups are planning to attack Indian security forces at vulnerable points in the North East region. Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and Indian Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane were on a two-day visit to Myanmar this month. It is said that talks were held between the two countries about joint actions against insurgents groups operating in the North East regions and in Myanmar. “Specialized Myanmar Army units are engaged to carry out combing operations in search of NSCN-K and other groups at various places in the Sagaing region of Myanmar. Infantry units of the Myanmar army is also carrying out operation towards the eastern side

IDANSB decries selection process DIMAPUR, OCT 27 (NPN): Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch (IDANSB) has expressed resentment over the selection process carried out by the Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department for the five junior dental surgeon posts. In a letter to the principal director, H&FW, the IDANSB president Dr. Kaketo Yepthomi and honorary secretary Dr. Vichovol Temi stated that the department, in view of COVID-19 pandemic, decided to adopt a fast track recruitment policy instead of conducting written examination. IDANSB stated that the department set and notified “certain terms and conditions” for the recruitment under fast track recruitment policy. IDANSB has, however, claimed there were gross discrepancies in the distribution of marks. It claimed that applicants with higher qualification were not awarded points. Besides, the association claimed that there was discrepancy in marks distribution for candidate with work experience. It alleged that some applicants with work experience, who had furnished documents of their work experience, were not awarded due points.

Myanmar army commandos during a drill. (File)

of Manipur river,” said an Indian security officer aware of these developments. The Operation Sunrise-3 of the Myanmar Army in the Sagaing Division is mainly due to the latest input of insurgents groups consolidating its position from Sagaing and other areas to Northern Chin state. The security agencies of both countries are apprehensive that the insurgent’s groups along the Indo-Myanmar border are conspiring to infiltrate into the Indian side through the Mizoram border. It may be recalled that the Myanmar government in May this year report-

K Y M C

Nagaland requires stable govt: Rio Zeliang hits out at PDA over 4-lane

Neiphiu Rio Correspondent

KOHIMA,OCT 27 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio said since the Naga issue was at its final stage and with various issues confronting the State, people needed a stable government during the crucial stage. Rio urged the people to empower the r uling coalition, which strived for welfare of the Nagas, by voting in favour of its consensus candidate. He said this while addressing campaign meeting for NDPP/PDA consensus candidate Medo Yhokha at Pfuchama Panchayat Hall on Tuesday adding victory of the ruling candidate would strengthen the hands of the PDA coalition for a stable and stronger government at such a crucial stage. Rio said while the PDA coalition government still had two and half years of

tenure remaining, anything could happen once solution was attained. The chief minister disclosed that at his recent meeting the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and officials from the Intelligence Bureau and special secretary Home, he was informed that all competencies on Naga political issues had been resolved while discussions were on to resolve the contentious issue of “separate flag and constitution (yehzabo)”. He also said there was need to overcome the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic in the state for which the government was working hard on to improve the economic condition through focused agricultural activities. Rio said all these needed a strong and stable government which can be achieved by voting for the ruling party candidate Yhokha in order to fulfil the aspirations of the people. “I beg you to help me by helping Yhokha,” he pleaded. Earlier, in his campaign speech at Mima village on Monday, Rio claimed that on his proposal, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Cont’d on p-5)

Campaigning for the NPF candidate for the November 3 byelection to the 14 Southern Angami-I constituency at Kuchukitazho ,Jakhama village Tuesday, Leader of opposition TR Zeliang urged the electorate to ponder over what he termed as “technical problem” as both MLAs of Southern Angami-I and II constituencies were from the ruling NDPP Party. Seeking to draw attention on the need to question the government when required, he said if both MLAs are from the ruling party then no questions are raised during assembly sessions and thereby resulting in lack of development. To illustrate his point, Zeliang said the PDA government in Nagaland cancelled the Kohima By-pass from Jotsoma approved as four-lane by the Centre and reduced it to 2-lane. Zeliang during the NPF-led DAN government, the Centre had approved road projects worth more than Rs.10,000 crore for Nagaland such as six highways, by-pass and a fourlane road. He said during NPF rule, Rs.11.50 crore

COVID-19 SOPs not being followed: H&FW Ruling and oppn asked to be on Correspondent

KOHIMA, OCT 27 (NPN): Expressing dismay over citizens flouting all COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) principal director (PD) Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie has once again cautioned that if the people did not follow the SOPs, then the State government would be forced to go for lockdown again like in European countries now. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Dr. Suokhrie said the SOPs were very clear and meticulously mention everything, but regretted that their implementation at district and village levels was not happening. He warned that if the lockdown has to be reimposed, then the State could face unprecedented situation very soon. The principal director regretted that despite repeated appeals and strict guidelines being issued cautioning people to follow the SOPs, the citizens were being careless and cautioned that the State could witness a crisis, if this continued. He reminded everyone that as there was no definite treatment yet for COVID-19, the only way to control the pandemic was prevention. Referring to the onset of festive season, Suokhrie remarked that such celebrating festivals should not encouraged at the moment and held mostly virtual, stressing that holding events should be restricted no matter how important they are. He reiterated his appeal to maintain social distance, wear mask and wash hand frequently.

Nagaland COVID-19 tally 8726 same page on Naga issue: NPF Correspondent

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON october 27, 2020

ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsDeath ReMi- Total ympunder Critical-ICU cov- Death grat- CastomInvestiMod- Se- With- With On ered ed es atic Mild erate vere out gation Oxy- VentiOxygen gen lator 1288 60 12 3 0 0 1 3380 24* 5 42 4815

District

Dimapur Kiphire

8

2

0

0

0

0

0

12

0

0

0

22

Kohima

293

5

4

1

0

3

2

2302

5

0

11

2626

Longleng

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

9

0

0

7

16

Mokokchung

49

0

0

0

0

0

0

57

1

0

1

108

Mon

74

1

0

0

0

0

0

399

2

0

9

485

Peren

19

0

0

0

0

0

0

287

0

0

0

306

Phek

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

36

0

0

0

36

Tuensang

21

0

0

0

0

0

0

127

0

0

0

148

Wokha

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

26

1

0

0

28

Zunheboto

11

2

0

0

0

0

0

120

0

0

3

136

Total

1764

70

16

4

0

3

3

6755

33

5

73

8726

*6 deaths not due to Covid-19 *5 deaths in under investigation

DIMAPUR, OCT 27 (NPN): Nagaland on Tuesday reported 63 new COVID-19 positive cases– 36 in Dimapur, 18 in Kohima, 8 in Mon and 1 in Tuensang, taking the tally to 8726. Further, out of 8726 positive cases, the distribution across various categories of people include 3815 from the armed forces/

police, 1636 returnees, 2847 traced contacts and 426 frontline workers. PTI: India’s COVID19 caseload mounted to 79,46,429, with 36,470 new infections being reported in a day, while the death toll due to the disease climbed to 1,19,502 with 488 new fatalities being recorded, the Union Health Ministry data updated at 8 am showed

KOHIMA, OCT 27 (NPN): NPF leader and former chief minister T.R.Zeliang disclosed that Union Home minister Amit Shah had asked both ruling party and opposition to come together for Naga solution. He said that NPF will hold a consultative meeting at party and legislative levels on October 30. The party would discuss how to take the issue forward, work out a formula and place suggestions before the PDA government, he added. Speaking on the sidelines of the NPF campaign rally at Jakhama village to the 14 Southern Angami-I constituency on Monday, Zeliang said during his recent meeting with Amit Shah in Delhi, he was also informed that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was working to resolve the issue of separate Naga

flag and constitution. Zeliang said chief minister Neiphiu Rio and senior BJP leader and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were also part of the high-level meeting with Shah. Arvind Kumar, Director Intelligence Bureau and Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary were also part of the meeting. He also said the central government leaders had also advised both PDA and NPF to hold a joint press meeting over the issue and for which modalities were being worked out as early as possible, even before the November 3 polling. Zeliang also admitted that through NPF did not attend the PDA government’s consultative meeting on October 15, yet the resolution adopted indicated that NPF and the PDA government were on the same page on “one solution one people”.

T.R. Zeliang

was sanctioned for survey and preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a 4-lane bypass and for which Rs.542.47 crore was sanctioned. However, Zeliang said after PDA came to power the project was not implemented but that the 4-lane road was made into a 2-lane road and tender floated with a new consultant. He therefore stressed that if voters of 14 Southern Angami-I elected NPF candidate, it would strengthen the opposition’s hands in raising questions with the ruling party over why the road project was cancelled and retendered. On the other hand, a ruling party MLA rarely questions one’s party government and so Zeliang appealed to elect NPF candidate Kikovi Kirha. (Cont’d on p-5)

BAN flays forced closure of EITA DIMAPUR, OCT 27 (NPN): Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has condemned the act of some unidentified persons shutting the shutters of East India Transport (EITA), whose franchisee are two Naga women entrepreneurs, on October 19. BAN president Vitho Zao and vice-president Akum Jamir appealed to the police to apprehend the culprits and masterminds involved and make public the cause and reason for the closure. They expressed confidence that the police would delve into the matter so that such issues did not recur and obstruct the peaceful Naga business fraternity. Stating that it was most shameful that Nagas desiring to do business were not being able to do so freely without interference from syndicates, BAN alleged that there was no free trade as every trade was controlled by syndicates that controlled supply, sale and price. It added that every commodity, from basic kitchen needs, vegetables to housing materials, was controlled by syndicates. (Cont’d on p-5)

MHA extends guidelines for re-opening till Nov 30 Late CM Chang’s wife, Alemla passes away

NEW DELHI, OCT 27 (PTI): Centre on Tuesday said the current guidelines allowing various activities like opening of cinemas, theatres and multiplexes (Cont’d on p-5) with up to 50 percent of their seating capacity will continue to be applicable till November 30 in areas outside the containment zones. Earlier, the guidelines for reopening activities issued on September 30 were to be in force till October 31. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order today to extend this period till November 30, an MHA spokesperson said. The guidelines said that international travel, except those permitted by the Centre, would remain “ A f t e r d o z e n s o f shut while state and UT consultative meetings, I governments were given gather solution is delayed the flexibility to decide on because of uniqueness of reopening of schools and our history.” coaching institutions in a

This is it!

edly handed over at least 22 militants from the North Eastern, thus becoming the third neighbouring country to act against the Indian frontier region’s insurgents at New Delhi’s request. Though Myanmarese soil has been used by North Eastern insurgents, mainly from Nagaland and Manipur, for a long time, this was the first time that the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) had acted on India’s request and handed over any North Eastern insurgent. According to The Wire, the Myanmar government had also signed a memorandum of understanding on

the governance of the areas contiguous to India with the NSCN (K), even though it was then a banned insurgent group in India. However, from early 2019 onwards, the Myanmar government has been actively cooperating with India to crack down on northeast insurgents and take full control of those areas. In January 2019, the Myanmarese military had conducted raids on some camps in the frontier areas and reportedly arrested 24 militants belonging to Assam and Manipur. In February last year, the military took control of the NSCN (K) headquarters in the Sagaing region after the death of its supremo S.S. Khaplang, thus sending out the strongest signal that it would no longer allow its soil to be used for insurgency in India. The Centre in September this year extended the ban on NSCN (K), saying the insurgent group has been engaged in violence, extortion and secessionist activities. Home Ministry said the rebel group was involved in 104 violent incidents resulting in the killing of seven security personnel, six civilians and abduction of 75 civilians since September 28, 2015.

graded manner. The decision is be taken in consultation with the respective school and institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to certain conditions, according to the guidelines. The activities permitted in areas outside the containment zones were -- cinemas, theatres and multiplexes with up to 50 percent of their seating capacity, Business to Business (B2B) exhibitions, swimming pools used for training of sportspersons, entertainment parks and similar places. Various ministries and departments have issued standard operating procedures for the reopening of activities. While most of the activities have been permitted, some activities involving large number of people have been allowed with

some restrictions and subject to SOPs being followed regarding health and safety precautions. In respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of COVID infection, state and UT governments have been permitted to take decisions for their re-opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs. The home ministry said the essence behind graded re-opening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead. However, it does not mean the end of the pandemic and there is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behaviour by every citizen in their daily routine. The home ministry said where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend

online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so. Students may attend schools and institutions only with the written consent of parents. The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of colleges and higher education institutions, in consultation with the home ministry, based on the assessment of the situation. Online and distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged. The home ministry again said that the states will not impose any local lockdown outside containment zones without prior consultation with the central government.

DIMAPUR, OCT 27 (NPN): Late Tonching Lemla (Alemla), wife of late minister CM Chang, reportedly passed away at Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR) Dimapur on October 26, 2020, barely two weeks after the passing of her spouse at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK). According to reports, late Alemla, who had several health issues, was earlier admitted to NHAK and had contracted COVID. However, after her second test returned negative, she was shifted to CIHSR for treatment. State chief minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed deep pain over the demise of Mrs. Alemla Chang and said that she was a cheerful and friendly person, who stood beside “my former colleague and friend, Late CM Chang through all thick

and thin.” In a condolence message, chief minister said she was a person with a big heart and a pleasant personality and would always be remembered for her warm-heartedness. “It is indeed heart wrenching for the family to lose two important loved ones in such a short span of time,” Rio said, adding that he cannot fathom the feeling the family must be going through at the moment. The chief minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members in this hour of grief and prayed that God give them strength and courage to bear the irreparable loss. Dy.CM: Expressing grief over late Alemla’s demise, state deputy chief minister Y Patton said her passing has “left us all shattered, more so because the family has lost two beloved persons in such a short time.”

In a condolence message, Patton described late Alemla Chang as a wise, kind woman who would be greatly missed by all who knew her. The deputy chief minister said her legacy was “sure to live on through the many lives she touched...” and added that she will never be forgotten. Patton also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that departed soul rest in eternal peace. NDPP: NDPP expressed immense pain over the sudden and untimely demise of Mrs. Tonching Lemla (Alemla). In a condolence message, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak said it was “indeed very saddening and difficult to bear the unfortunate loss, and late Alemla would be greatly missed by her family members and all dear to (Cont’d on p-5) her. K Y M C


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