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2 April 2023

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXIII No. 115

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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State prepared to tackle Covid situation: H&FW HM urges NE militants to join mainstream Mock drill on Covid preparedness to be conducted on April 10 and 11, 2023 1st wave: 1,2,0,246 tests conducted, 11,927 tested positive and 79 deaths. Positivity rate was 9.91%. 2nd wave: 30,25,26 tests conducted, 20274 positive and 623 deaths. Positivity rate was 6.70% 3rd wave: 63,382 tests conducted, 3785 positive and 80 deaths. Positivity rate was 5.97%.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 1 (NPN): Amid spike in Covid-19 cases across the country, state Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department has reassured the public that the state was well-equipped to deal with the Covid situation/fourth wave. Addressing the media along with senior health officials here at the directorate, commissioner & secretary H&FW Kikheto Sema said there is already a system in place and appealed to the public to not panic. He also said that the department was also closely monitoring and in touch with other states that have been reporting fresh Covid cases. Though the state was fully prepared to tackle Covid crisis, he, however, appealed to the public not to be complacent and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. “We will not allow our people to be a victim like

Health department officials during the press meet on Saturday. (NP) Data by H&FW deptt.

the first and second wave because today we have better infrastructure,” he said. He also urged upon the civil society organizations, faith-based organizations to spread awareness about Covid-appropriate behaviour. While reminding all that Covid was not over yet and will continue to stay, Kikheto said the pandemic has made people across the globe realize the importance of healthcare. He, however, assured that there was nothing to panic as the current wave

was not as severe as the first, second and third wave. Though there has been a fresh spike in Covid cases across the country, the commissioner and secretary, however, said that the last reported case of Covid-19 in the State was on February 11, 2023. He also informed that the state has been conducting an average of 20-30 tests on a daily basis. Hospitals well equipped: Kikheto further said that all state-run government hospitals were well equipped with a good num-

ber of ventilators, ICU beds, oxygen supported beds as well as normal beds and improved infrastructures. He also informed that the department was planning to set up ICU beds at police hospital at Chümoukedima. When asked about Covid preparedness in the newly created districts, he said Tseminyu, Niuland, Chümoukedima and Shamator would not face any issues as these districts were close-by other districts having proper set up and infrastructures. As for Noklak district, he

AIZAWL, APR 1 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday appealed to the remaining active militants of the Northeast to join the mainstream. Addressing a rally in Aizawl after virtually inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 11 projects worth Rs 2,414 crore, he asserted that the establishment of peace in Mizoram is an example of the victory of Indian democracy. “I appeal to the few remaining active militant organisations in the Northeast to return to the mainstream, become a part of the democratic process and contribute to the development of the region and the country as a whole,” he said. “Peace has been established in Mizoram, which had faced insurgency. This is an unprecedented example of the victory of India’s (Cont’d on p-8) democracy,” he said.

said ICU beds were already put in place. Supplementing Kikheto, H&FW principal director Dr. Vibeituonuo Mepfuo reiterated that the state was well prepared and that if a situation arises, ICU beds can be ramped up. She also said that genome sequencing of positive samples can now be conducted at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) BSL-3 lab as an when required. When asked on XBB.1.16 Covid variant responsible for the recent spike in cases, State Nodal Officer IDSP and deputy director H&FW Dr. Nyan Kikon explained that it was a new subvariant of omicron detected in December 2022 and there were about 4000 cases across the country. However, as per the available data till date, he said that there was no indication of severity and hospitalization.

Amit Shah (PTI)

Shah inaugurated the new Assam Rifles battalion headquarters complex in the state. He said that the Northeast was suffering from insurgencies, lack of rail, road and air connectivity and there was “no trace of development” when the Modi government came to power at the Centre in 2014. “In the last nine years, we have succeeded in bringing peace in Northeast, improved connectivity and brought the region at par with other parts of the country in terms of development,” Shah said.

Noting that the Centre is dedicated to the development of the Northeast, he said the Modi government has increased budget allocation for the region by 276 per cent. Shah said that since 2014, incidents of violence in the Northeast have dipped by 67 per cent, while deaths of security forces have reduced by 60 per cent and civilian deaths have gone down by 83 per cent. “Around 8,000 militants in the region have surrendered since 2014. We have signed a peace agreement with NLFT in Tripura in 2019, rehabilitated 37,000 Brus in Tripura, and brought peace in Assam by signing the Bodo Accord in 2020 and a peace agreement in Karbi Anglong in 2022. Also, there has been a 70 per cent reduction of areas under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958,” he said.

XBB.1.16 is ‘one Therie regrets that people vote for money & power NSF seeks CM’s intervention on ‘pressing issues’ to watch’, WHO DIMAPUR, APR 1(NPN): reason to delay his resigna- tion, restoration of gover- DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): dialogue with the negotiatNEW DELHI, APR 1 (AGENCIES): With COVID XBB.1.16 triggering a recent infection spike, World Health Organization said that the new variant is ‘one to watch’. Further, noting that the variant needs close monitoring, Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead asserted ‘we are very concerned about the potential of the virus to change to become more severe’. Kerkhove has also shown concerns about the recent spike in India. “In India, XBB.1.16 has replaced the other variants that are in circulation,” Kerkhove said. “So this is one to watch.” So far, the variant has been reported in 22 countries. Kerkhove pointed out, the subvariant has been circulating for a few months, and it doesn’t appear to cause more severe disease. “We haven’t seen a change in severity in individuals or in populations, but that’s why we have these systems in place,” she said. “Systems to track the virus variants, global collaborations to assess transmissibility, immune escape, severity and the impact of any of our interventions including diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.” However, “One of the things we are very concerned about is the potential for the virus to change to become not only more transmissible but more severe,” Van Kerkhove said. “So we have to remain vigilant,” she added.

K. Therie who recently resigned as president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) said it was in response to the verdict of the people in the 2023 assembly election where Congress drew a blank in all 24 seats it contested. Therie, in a statement, said he had initially withheld his resignation in view of announcement of ULB election but after the cancellation notice on March 30, 2023 by the state election commissioner, he saw no

This is it!

NEW DELHI, APR 1 (PTI): Most of India, barring parts of northwest and peninsular region, is expected to experience above-normal maximum temperatures from April to June, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday. It said above-normal heatwave days are predicted in most parts of central, east and northwest India during this period. “During the 2023 hot weather season (April to June), most parts of the country are expected to experience above-normal maximum temperatures, except for south peninsular India and some parts

“When I was to contest as woman candidate, you did all the work. Now that there’ll be no election, I’m back to where I was.” K Y M C

tion.

Therie said he enjoyed having served the people through the platform of the Congress for eight years as NPCC president and the support he received from people all over the state especially rank and file of the party. He also said friends in the local media were his source of strength. Therie regretted that he misled himself into believing that people would vote for Congress on demand for implementation of the agreed political solu-

nance and infrastructure. Therie said issues raised by the Congress won appreciation from “many elite leaders and intelligentsia” but expressed disappointment that the “economically poor multitude’s consideration was money and ruling power.” Therie expressed shock to note that those people protesting in the streets against the government instead, worked the hardest for the ruling government they had opposed.

Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) sought the state chief minister’s “immediate and effective intervention” on several pressing issues including “Indo-Naga” political issue, NSSB and ILP among others. In a representation chief minister, NSF president Kegwayhun Tep expressed concern over the growing divide amongst the various sections of the Naga society and appealed to the government to “sincerely and proactively work” to(Cont’d on p-8) wards ensuring peace and

Ex-PAN urges upon Dy CM not to withdraw bodyguards DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): Drawing attention to deputy chief minister in-charge of home, Y Patton, stressing the need to minimise deployment of police personnel as bodyguards to former MLAs, retired bureaucrats and leaders of political parties, the Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) has appealed to the deputy chief minster (home) to exempt ex-parliamentarian due to “sensitive nature” of their duties and responsibilities. In a joint statement, president Ex-PAN Joshua Sumi and general secretary Supongmeren Jamir while lauding Patton’s sincere and dedicated effort to reform and modernize the police force, appealed on him to exempt the Ex-PAN members from its purview due to their “sensitive nature” of duties and responsibilities. The duo explained that ex-PAN

members had handled sensitive issues while fulfilling their constitutional obligation as erstwhile elected members and which has also made them vulnerable to “anti-social elements even after retirement”. The duo said as erstwhile elected members, the ex-PAN members had also contributed to society as MLA or MP and continue to do so for society in giving opinions, advice and participation as former ex parliamentarians and senior citizens. Further, the ex-PAN also pointed out to Patton that the present members are ex-parliamentarians and now to demean them through the decision would also demean himself in future and therefore, urged upon him in the interest of past and present ex-parliamentarians to exempt them from the purview of the order for withdrawal of personal bodyguards.

NSF functionaries with chief minister Neiphiu Rio. (NSF)

unity prevailed among the Nagas. NSF also urged the government to work towards ensuring that Naga Political Groups (NPGs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) come together under one table for an early, inclusive,

honourable and acceptable solution to the protracted “Indo-Naga” political issue. Further, NSF appealed to the state government to effectively liaise with the Government of India a facilitator to expedite the process of “Indo-Naga” political

ing parties and ink the final agreement in line with the unique ‘history and situation’ of the Naga people. Nagaland Staff Selection Board: The federation reiterated its demand for reducing viva-voce component in all categories to 5% of the total marks against 12.5%. NSF described as “misleading” the NSSB’s justification that 12.5% marks allocation for viva-voce component cannot be rolled-back due to the provisions contained in the NSSB regulations, 2022. (Cont’d on p-8)

Kohima police traffic advisory for G20 meet DIMAPUR, APR 1 (NPN): With various programmes planned at different locations G20 Business Summit at Kohima town from April 4-6, 2023, the Kohima police have put in place traffic plan for three days to ensure smooth conduct of the summit and in the interest of public convenience. According to Kohima police PRO, the following locations have been declared as ‘No Parking Zones’— Aradura Retreat to TCP Gate via Mohonkhola/ BOC/PHQJn/Classic Island/SKV petrol pumb; TCP Gate to High School Junction via Phoolbari/Old NST/ Razhu Point/ Kezieke/Teenpati and High School Junction to Vivor Hotel via Ruzhukhrie GHSS/ DUDA Guest House. PRO warned that any vehicle parked within or in the ROW (Right of Way) of a two-lane road within Kohima Municipal limits would be towed and penalized. Further, PRO said that towing charges would be recovered from the vehicle owner. ROW can be identified (Cont’d on p-8)

More heatwave days from April to June: IMD of northwest India where normal to below-normal maximum temperatures are likely,” the IMD said. “A significantly higher number of heatwave days are predicted over parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana,” IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mahapatra said in a virtual press conference. A heatwave is declared if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, at least 37 degrees Celsius in coastal areas and at least 30 degrees Celsius in

hilly regions, and the departure from normal is at least 4.5 degrees Celsius. India logged its hottest February this year since record-keeping began in 1901, according to the IMD. H o w e v e r, a b o v e normal rainfall (37.6 mm against a normal of 29.9 mm) due to seven western disturbances, including five strong ones, kept temperatures in check in March. March 2022 was the warmest ever and the third driest in 121 years. The year also saw the country’s third-warmest April, eleventh-warmest August and eighth-warmest September since 1901.

The IMD said normal to above-normal minimum temperatures are very likely over most parts of the country, barring some areas in northeast and northwest India and isolated pockets of the peninsular region. Last month, the Centre For Policy Research (CPR) said a review of 37 heat action plans in India shows most of them do not explicitly carry out vulnerability assessments, leaving the authorities with little data on where to direct their scarce resources. The weather bureau said India is expected to see normal rainfall in April. (Cont’d on p-8)

K Y M C


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