All the Nine Honorable Members of Nagaland

A casing valve used during the operation ruptured causing gas to flow again. Gu wa hati , Sep 2 (PTI):

Assam government Wednesday said two more months are likely to be taken by the experts to douse the flame at Oil India’s damaged gas well at Baghjan, where the gas is flowing uncontrollably for the past 99 days.

Responding to a Zero Hour notice by Congress MLA Durga Bhumij, Commerce and Industry minister CM Patowary said that a team of experts from Canada is on the way to Baghjan in Tinsukia district to “kill” the well through snubbing technology. “The experts are on their way to Assam from Canada with all advanced equipment. They will kill the well through snubbing technology. After carrying out preparatory works, the exercise may take 6-8 weeks to complete,” Patowary said. Snubbing is a type of heavy well intervention performed on oil and gas wells.

In the meantime, the Oil India Ltd (OIL) is working on to control the well temporarily by shifting the flowing gas through a diverter and then producing the gas in two parallel lines, he added.

The well no. 5 at Baghjan in Tinsukia district has been spewing gas uncontrollably for the last 99 days since May 27, and it caught fire on June 9 killing two of OIL’s firefighters at the site. The minister said that a total of 3,000 families have been shifted to relief camps and the OIL along with the government are taking care of them.

“The 12 houses that were completely burnt are being offered Rs 24 lakh each. In addition to that 1,484 families living nearby the well have been offered one-time relief of Rs 30,000, while 1,197 families staying little far were given Rs 25,000 each,” he added.

Besides, 57 families affected by the blaze will be provided Rs 10 lakh each and 561 more families with partial impact will be given Rs 2.5 lakh each as per the suggestions of the district administration, Patowary informed the House. Shillong , Sep 2: Another COVID-19 patient died in Meghalaya on Wednesday, taking the fatality tally to 13, even as 77 more persons tested positive for COVID-19, taking the number of active cases up to 1186.

Director of Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War informed that a 72- year-old man Dil Bahadur Biswa from Shillong died of COVID-19 on Wednesday morning at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) hospital.

He was admitted at NEIGRIHMS hospital on September 1 and was suffering from chronic obstructive airway disease.

“The immediate cause of death was Type II respiratory failure, the antecedent cause was COVID-19 pneumonia,” War said.

Updating on details of the 77 new COVID-19 positive cases, the top medical official informed that East Khasi Hills detected 41 cases, 6 from West Garo Hills, 2 from East Garo Hills, 16 from Ri-Bhoi, 3 from South Garo Hills and 9 from East Jaintia Hills district.

With 813 active cases, East Khasi Hills is the most affected district in the state, followed by West Garo Hills with 118, East Garo Hills83, Ri-Bhoi-71, West Khasi Hills-45, East Jaintia Hills23, South Garo Hills-19, North Garo Hills- 9, South West Garo Hills- 3 and 2 cases in West Jaintia Hills. War further informed that 92453 samples have been sent for testing so far, of which 89162 were negative while the results of 774 were awaited.

On the other hand, the state also registered the highest number of recoveries on a single day today at 83, taking the total number of recovered patients to 1318 as of now. War said that 68 persons recovered in the East Khasi Hills, 5 in Ri-Bhoi, six in West Garo Hills and 4 in East Jaintia Hills.

The total number of detected Covid-19 cases in Meghalaya stands at 2517 till date with 1318 recoveries, 1186 active cases and 13 deceased.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Sep 2: Former Manipur chief minister and opposition Congress leader O Ibobi Singh and his family members were on Wednesday subjected to COVID-19 test after 11 of his personal escort cum house guards tested positive for COVID-19.

Singh and his family members tested negative for the virus, official sources said.

However, O Ibobi Singh’s premise in Imphal’s Babupara has been sealed in view of the impending threat of COVID19 pandemic in the area, an official source said.

Escorts cum house guards who were symptomatic were admitted at a Covid care centre in Imphal while those asymptomatic were kept isolated from others, the source said.

It may be mentioned that senior Congress leader attended a function held at Imphal Congress Bhavan on August 31.

Subsequently, the state health department has taken up steps to collect swab samples of the state Congress leaders and workers who attended the function for testing.

The Imphal Congress Bhavan was also sanitized, the source said.

Meanwhile, with 125 new cases reported on Wednesday, the COVID19 infection toll in Manipur rose to 6507.

The death toll stood at 29 as there was no report of fatality from any part of the state in the last 24 hours.

Out of these total infections, 1871 were active cases.

Recovered cases increased to 4607 with the discharge of 157 patients including 63 Central security force personnel on Wednesday.

The recovery rate of the state stood at 70.80%, according to a report of the state health department.

The report showed that only two of the 125 new cases detected in the last 24 hours (till 5 pm of September 2) were Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel.

All 123 new cases from the general populace have no significant travel history in the recent past. Among them 40 were from Imphal West district, 18 from Imphal East, 14 from Thoubal, 17 from Bishnupur, 28 from Churachandpur, five from Kakching and one from Chandel district.

Giving a detailed account of the status of the pandemic in the state, a report of the COVID-19 Common Control Room said that 1602 of the total infections of 6507 were CAPF personnel and the rest 4905 were from the general population of the state.

Of the total 1602 infected CAPF personnel, 947 have recovered while the remaining 653 were currently treated at various COVID care centres.

Of the 4905 total infections among the general population, 3660 have been recovered and 1218 are active cases.

STATE

Will give best efforts to facilitate early resolution of Naga issue: NPF

DIMAPUR, SEP 2 (NPN):

NPF has asserted to work and give best efforts in facilitating an early and acceptable resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue despite its legislative wing having withdrawn from the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF).

In a communiqué, NPF further declared that with the formation of Political Affairs Mission (PAM), it would walk the extra mile to assist in any possible manner any approach for peaceful resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue.

Being a responsible political party, NPF said it had played an active facilitator’s role since its inception for resolution of the Naga political issue and that it would continue to work with the same spirit so as to fulfil the aspirations of the Naga people.

The party reiterated its endorsement to its legislative wing’s decision to withdraw from JLF as the platform has allegedly failed to make any tangible progress towards the cause of the Naga political Issue with the PDA government paying less heed without any proper roadmap.

With the formation of JLF, NPF said it was expecting that the forum would play an active role as a facilitator in the ongoing peace process. However, it alleged that the State government did not have confidence on its legislators.

“And when there is huge trust deficit in JLF, the party has no point to remain in the forum but work on its own for the betterment of Naga people,” the communiqué stated.

Mentioning that its decision to pull out from JLF could be a shocking political development for the PDA, NPF explained that being a responsible party with the Naga political issue as one of its topmost, it had genuine reasons to withdraw from the forum and work on its own as the forum under the current dispensation has no concrete plan on the Naga political issue.

Since the formation of JLF, the party claimed to have eagerly volunteered to be its part with the hope of rendering best service towards the Naga cause, but, regretted that the PDA government had miserably failed to discharge its responsibility and taken the opposition party for a ride.

Gov, CM Dy.CM extend Mongmong greetings

D I M A P U R , S E P 2

(NPN): Nagaland governor RN Ravi, chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief minister Y Patton have extended Mongmong greetings to the people of Nagaland especially to the members of Sangtam community.

In his message, Ravi said Mongmong was celebrated as a festival of togetherness and forgiveness.

He also said that love, unity, forgiveness and care were the “wonderful” essence of Mongmong festival.

On the occasion, governor prayed that God’s blessings be upon each one of them and they all have a bountiful harvest and good health.

CM: Extending greetings to the Sangtam community on the happy occasion of Mongmong, the chief minister Neiphiu Rio prayed that the Almighty bless them with a bountiful harvest, good health, happiness and peace. He also expressed hope that the festival fosters amongst them a spirit of togetherness and unity.

Dy. CM: Conveying greetings to the Sangtam community on Mongmong festival, state deputy chief minister Y Patton said that the Sangtams were a group of hardworking and courageous people.

Patton, on behalf of the state BJP legislators, wished the community members a very happy Mongmong as they celebrate the festival in the true sense of “togetherness forever”.

Agri deptt: State level orientation programme on 0.1, RAD and SMAF

Director of Agriculture, M. Ben Yanthan addressing at the orientation programme on September 2.

DIMAPUR: State level orientation programme on Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (0.1) and Rainfed Area development (RAD), Sub Mission on Agro Forestry (SMAF) under National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture was held at directorate of Agriculture conference hall Kohima on September 2. A press release from the directorate of Agriculture stated that, director M. Ben Yanthan in his brief spoke on the background of the scheme and programmes. He also encouraged all the DAOs and SDAOs in the districts to include and give assistance to the women folks and youths in implementing of agriculture activities. Ben also informed all the agriculture officers to have accountability and transparency in record keeping and also in implementing all the activities programmes.

Joint director, N. Jacob also presented powerpoint on various activities of the schemes on PMKSY (0.1) RAD and SMAF under the NMSA. Jacob also encouraged the agriculture officers that their participation as teamwork will bring achievement in implementing of the various programmes. All the joint directors of CSS programme also highlighted their various activities programmes in the programme chaired by S. Kivikhu Achumi ADA. OSTD flays Aug 26 kidnapping incident DIMAPUR: Ongpangkong to condemn such barbaric Senso Telongjem Dimapur action by any group or orga(OSTD) has vehemently connization. demned the alleged kidnapping Meanwhile, the union has of an employee of Symbios crelauded the swift action taken ation Pvt. Ltd on August 26. by the law enforcing agency

A condemnation note by and endorses its full support OSTD president Temsupok to the state investigative agency Jamir and general secretary to bring the case to its logical Imnatoshi Lkr has called upon conclusion as per the law of every right thinking citizens the land.

News in BRIE F

DEO Mokokchung informs: District education officer (DEO) Mokokchung has informed all head of institutions that only district education office and sub-divisional education office will observe Teacher’s Day 2020 on September 5 at their respective offices with strict SOP adherence. No teacher’s day token will be distributed this year. Announcement of the names of the teacher awardees is to be made in respective offices and department shall announce the state teacher awardees in the function at state headquater. Certificate & cash award for the state awardees and certificates for the district awardees shall be handed out to them at a later date. GPRN/ NSCN informs: GPRN/NSCN through its MIP has informed that as per directive from ministry of Keeya (defence) affairs, a strict notification has been issued to all cadres of Naga army, GPRN/NSCN other than those on official assignments to report and be stationed in their respective designated camps within five days time with effect from day of publication of this order. Directive would be strictly monitored.

Organisations condemn rape of minor

DIMAPUR: Various organisations have condemned the alleged rape of a minor girl by Nungsang Lemtur, alias Nungsangoba on August 23.

KUC: Konyak Union Chumukedima (KUC) in a condemnation note by president W Lemwang Konyak and general secretary T Lampang Konyak has urged upon all right thinking citizens to come forward and condemn this kind of heinous crime. Union also urged upon the law enforcing authority to take appropriate action as per the provision of law. Union strongly stands against any bail for the accused.

KNSKC: Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong Chumukedima unit (KNSKC) president L Ngiplem Konyak and general secretary Ngapjao Konyak in a condemnation has expressed serious concern on the safety of women and girl child which “is put to threat when such primitive instinct overrules the minds of the people.” KNSKC requested the concerned authority to investigate the matter with utmost seriousness and award befitting action to the culprit as per the law and not bail out under any circumstances.

KSUC: Konyak Students Union Chumukedima (KSUC) in a condemnation by president Nathan Konyak and general secretary Methung Konyak urged upon authority to award befitting punishment for such heinous crime “which is an utmost intolerance and unacceptable in the present day society.” Union also pleaded for justice to the victim and her family and also urged the concerned authority to take stern action as per the provision of law against such heinous crime.

TASU: Tizit Area Students' (TASU) in a condemnation note by TASU president, James Konyak stated that, “no individual has the power and right to sexually harassed and rape even to his own domestic maid” and such act is a barbaric act which is not acceptable in any parts of the society. Union also appealed that the case should be taken up “in fastrack court and must be given severest punishment under non bailable as per the law of the land” and further warned that no advocate, organizations or any individual must come in support of the culprit. TASU also cautioned that it would expose openly if any foul play is found in the course of investigation. Union appealed to all the citizens and organizations in Nagaland to condemn such kind of “soulless act.”

TAJCF for early political solution

DIMAPUR: In its meeting held on August 31, the Tuli Area Joint Council Forum (TAJCF) seriously viewed the present Indo-Naga political talk going on between the GoI and NSCN (I-M) led by collective leadership and co-ordinated by seven political factions.

A press release by TAJCF president L. Lepzuk Lemtur and secretary, M. Mar Lemtur regretted that, even after the lapse of 23 years since the signing of ceasefire agreement and another 5 years after the signing of Framework Agreement, nothing has been fulfilled till now.

Recalling that in 2005 all Nagas and organizations of Naga homeland made a solemn declaration supporting honourable and acceptable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue, the TAJCF said that this declaration clearly conveyed the wishes that Nagas needed political solution at the earliest.

Pointing out that time was ripe for Naga solution, the TAJCF appealed all Naga political groups and Naga civil societies to “come together under one banner, leaving aside all other differences to achieve final solution, honourable and acceptable to all, under the dynamic collective leadership.”

While Framework Agreement was brought out based on the uniqueness of Naga history, the TAJCF is of the view that solution without Naga national flag and constitution was totally baseless, meaningless and incomplete.

In this regard, the TAJCF appealed all Nagas to keep alert so that “future generation would not blame us.”

District administrations notify on movement of vehicles, new SOPs

DIMAPUR: Deputy commissioner, Wokha, Orenthung Lotha has informed all passenger vehicles plying towards Kohima/Mokokchung/Dimapur from Wokha are herby permitted movement of vehicles within the district/state with effect from September 1.

According to DIPR report, movement of vehicles are allowed with following conditions: Drivers and attendant of commercial taxi and passengers should compulsorily wear masks at all times; Drivers/attendant should make mandatory provision for hand sanitizers for use by the passengers; Only passengers wearing masks must be allowed to travel; Non locals travelling to Wokha without proper ILP/government official ID card should not be allowed to board the vehicle or pass any of the check gates; Rates of commercial taxi bound for Wokha to Kohima Rs.500 per person, Wokha to Mokokchung Rs.500 per person and Wokha to Dimapur Rs.1000 per person; The number of passengers for all vehicles should be as per the norms of social distancing, Sumo 5 passengers, Alto/van 3 passengers.

The above provisions for all commercial passenger vehicles shall be monitored and enforced by a joint team comprising of district administration, Police and DTO.

DC Noklak on new SOPs:

Deputy commissioner Noklak, Reny Wilfred has informed that all provision as mentioned in the new consolidated guidelines of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) shall be strictly followed in the district uniformly till September 30. Further, the District Task Force on COVID-19 meeting will be held to re-assess the COVID-19 situation in the district.

DC Mon lifts total lockdown, informs on new SOPs:

Deputy Commissioner, Mon, Thavaseelan K informed that the total lockdown which was imposed under Aboi town, Ngangching and Aopao villages has been lifted on September 1. DC also informed that activities are allowed in Mon district with immediate effect, outside the containment zones, subject to strict compliance of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): All shopping malls are allowed to open and function subject to strict adherence to the SOP; All restaurants are allowed to open and function to strict adherence to the SOP; All hotels and other hospitality units are allowed to open and operate subject to strict adherence to the SOP; All gymnasium and yoga institutes are allowed to open and operate subject to strict adherence to the SOP; In addition to the above, the barber shops, salons, beauty parlors are also allowed to open and function subject to strict compliance of the guidelines.

ADC Kohima notifies on

sealed areas: Additional Deputy commissioner, Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa has notified that in view of the detection of a COVID-19 positive person residing at the following locations viz. Oking Hospital, Mission Compound, Sepfuzou, Bayavü, C.M. Residential Complex, Phesama Village, Middle AG, Old Minister's Hill, Lerie and Paramedical Colony Kohima, the areas are demarcated as sealed area in order to contain the spread of the disease/infection and for necessary contact tracing. All movement of person/vehicles within the defined sealed area is strictly restricted/prohibited and under active surveillance with effect from the date of sealing.

ADC Pughoboto on check

gates: ADC Pughoboto, Thungchanbemo Tungoe issued an order that the following check gates under Pughoboto sub-division which were set up to monitor the movement of people and vehicles during the pandemic has been lifted with immediate effect from the date of the issue of this order: Lazami check gate; Asukiqa check gate; Ghathashi check gate.