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5 june 2023

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXIII No. 178

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00

China-US war would be ‘unbearable disaster for world’, says Li Shangfu INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

FIFA U20 WC: Italy beat Colombia to reach semis

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SPORTS, PAGE 12

train crash: ‘Criminals’ identified, Windfall from Oil exploration (survey) Triple sabotage angle being probed: Railways

Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUN 4 (NPN): Three decades after the state government asked ONGC to stop extraction of crude oil from the Chanpang and Tssori oil wells in Wokha district and a decade after the central government in 2013 shot down the state government’s attempt to frame its own oil laws under Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas (NPNG) Regulation 2012, much has changed as oil and gas exploration is to be undertaken in Nagaland to confirm oil deposits. After a tripartite talks between the Centre, governments of Assam and Nagaland, to undertake oil operations; on April 21, 2023 Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, agreed in principle for oil operations along the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) on equal rev-

(Representational image)

enue sharing. Oil India Limited (OIL) which has been awarded oil blocks in Nagaland, is seeking Petroleum Exploration Licence( PEL) in order to invest in the State specifically to ascertain hydrocarbon prospects and reserves within the awarded block. This would be only to explore and the activities would open up a colossal avenue for generation of employment to hundreds of local inhabitants besides related commercial activities estimated at hundreds of crore rupee which would

immensely benefit the local people. The most important factor is the initial step to obtain Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) or license to ‘explore.’ After confirming crude reserves, the next step would be to award Petroleum Mining Licence (PML) or license to ‘extract’ to drill oil wells for extraction. An official source under the petroleum ministry explained applying this distinction in the present context would make public understand the difference between exploration (sur-

vey) and production/extraction (mining). In order to carry out the first phase (exploration), the oil company will construct roads, bridges to access facilities in operational areas and provide employment generation etc. As OIL mulls to start exploration in Nagaland, the company is planning to do a 3D seismic survey of 4000 sq km of area in Upper Assam. OIL has 3000 sq km of exploration acreage in Nagaland. Though, geologically Nagaland is considered to be a prolific hydrocarbon bearing area, an official source disclosed that without knowing or having the accurate data of the oil reserves in Nagaland, the question of oil production does not arise. The official explained that there are five phases (from exploration to production)- discovery, evaluation, development, pro-

duction and abandonment. Oil and gas exploration encompasses the processes and methods involved in locating potential sites for oil and gas drilling and extraction. It takes at least 10-15 years from exploration to production phase. For instance, if exploration (first phase) is carried in 2023, the actual production/extraction can only be carried out by 2035-38. Assuming that Nagaland reaches the production phase in 2035-38, the state will have about 10-15 years of production provided crude oil still remains relevant till 2050. Besides a few square kilometres of seismic survey carried out in Wokha and Chümoukedima areas, the major portion of Nagaland remains devoid of any scientific and systematic geological and geophysical (G&G) studies. (Cont’d on p-8)

STSU supports STPF ‘Good image of NC tarnished’: Rengma bodies flay May 27 incident ultimatum on H&FW DIMAPUR, JUN 4 (NPN): legacy of the club whom it people reposed on the club. that belonged to all Nagas

DIMAPUR, JUN 4 (NPN): Shamator Town Students’ Union (STSU) has extended its support and solidarity with Shamator Town Public Forum (STPF) one month ultimatum served on the Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department to fulfil its demands. The ultimatum pertained to lack of basic medical amenities, shortage of manpower and essential surgical instruments at Community Health Centre, Shamator. STSU general secretary Rikhum and press and information secretary Kumriming alleged that the Primary Health Centre, Shamator and its consequent upgrade to CHC on May 7, 2014 had been deprived of various facilities since the inception. They said there was no healthcare equipment, medicines and proper infrastructure, let alone shortage of doctors, specialist, nurse and other technicians. Citing the State budget allocation data, they said H&FW received one of the highest fund allocation. Even after 59 years of Statehood, they lamented that the suffering the people of Shamator had to endure was unimaginable, which they attributed to poor healthcare facilities. They said the people of Shamator would lose faith if the department continued to display apathy. They pointed out that health was a fundamental human right and the district without access to proper healthcare was at risk. Hence, they urged the department to take note and give priority to STPF’s demand.

Rengma Hoho (RH), Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ) and Rengma Mothers’ Association (RMA) have condemned the action of Naga Club of vandalising the NSF office in the wee hours of May 27. In a joint statement, RH president Pollem Tep, RSZ Kenneth Kath and RMA Sojule Tep said that the consultative meeting of the Rengma frontal organisations held on June 2 appreciated both Naga Students’ Federation and Naga Club office bearers of the past and present for their yeoman’s service for persevering the

This is it!

DIMAPUR, JUN 4 (NPN): On the eve the World Environment Day, Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) along with Urban Development Engineering Wing repaired the potholes and damaged portions of the road from DC Court junction to Clock Tower section (Tajen Ao road) here Mon day late night. DAYO office bearers said the drive to repair the potholes was taken up as the stretch was one of the major roads passing through middle of the city. In order to spread

“These days decisions are made only after holding consultative meetings.“ K Y M C

described as the champion of Naga political movement through the years. However, they viewed that the good image of Naga Club had been tarnished by the incident, which it described as an unprecedented act that bewildered and astounded entire Naga populace. “...the club office bearers owning responsibility, has provoked incredulity from all level of our Naga society,” they said. They said that the act had not only shattered the good image of Naga Club, but also had done an irreparable damage to the trust

They cited a Rengma tradition where it was a taboo to reuse a property once it was destroyed in anger. Unless there was an ulterior motive, they contended that one would never destroy his or her own property. Hence, they declared that, as per the Rengma tradition, the people who demolished the Naga Club building had committed a crime. Whilst NSF had been safekeeping numerous official and historical documents of Nagas, the Regma bodies said anyone destroying those irreplaceable records

was condemnable. Further, justifications and clarifications doing the rounds in public domain revealed that the demolition of the historic building was not in good motive. They asserted that the foundation of Naga polity laid down by Naga Club should not be pulled down by few people who did not adhere to the core principles of the yesteryears’ club. In order to let goodwill prevail among Nagas, they declared that Rengma people would not be a party to the destruction of building and properties housed under it.

NEW DELHI, JUN 4 (AGENCIES/PTI): Amid allegations and blame game swirling around the horrific Odisha train tragedy, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Sunday that the “root cause” of the crash and the “criminals” behind the act have been identified. “It happened due to a change made in the electronic interlocking and point machine,” the minister told reporters in Balasore. The Commissioner of Railway Safety has finished an investigation and the govt is awaiting the report, he added. I n d i a n R a i lway s, meanwhile, virtually ruled out driver error and system malfunction. Rail officials suggested a possible “sabotage” and tampering of the electronic interlocking system behind the crash that took at least 288 lives and left 1,175 people wounded. In view of the emerging twists and turns, the Railway Board on Sunday recommended a CBI probe into the crash. Explaining to media how the point machine and the interlocking system work, railway people insisted that the system is “error proof ” and “fail safe”. They, however, did not rule out the likelihood of intervention from outside. This kind of tinkering with the “logic” of the AI-based electronic interlocking system can only be “intentional”, PTI reported quoting a senior railway official who did not want to be identified. According to Jaya Ver-

An aerial view of the accident site where a rescue operation being conducted after the triple train accident, in Balasore district. (PTI)

ma Sinha, Member of Operation and Business Development, Railway Board, “It is called a fail safe system, so it means that even if it fails, all the signals will turn red and all train operations will stop. Now, as the minister said there was a problem with the signalling system. It could be that someone has done some digging without seeing the cables. Running of any machine is prone to failures.” “It could be a case of tampering or sabotage from within or from outside. We have not ruled anything out,” another senior officials told the news agency. The crash that involved Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and ShalimarChennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train took place around 7 p.m. on Friday near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore. The accident site is about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar. The driver of the Coromandel Express, meanwhile, was given a clean chit, with

officials confirming that he had the green signal to move forward. They also affirmed he was not over-speeding. The preliminary ground report, widely reported in media, had said that the “Coromandel Express had entered the loop line at the station on which an iron ore-laden goods train was parked.” It had also suggested that tampering might have occurred as the signal was “given and taken off for the up main line for train number 12841 (Coromandel Express), the train entered the loop line, dashed the goods train and derailed. In the meantime, train number 12864 passed through the down main line and two of its coaches derailed and capsized.” The electronic interlocking and point machine are key to train operations, Sandeep Mathur, Principal Executive Director of Signalling, Railway Board, told PTI. These two components work in tandem, indicating to the driver whether the track is clear or not.

House of MLA, others torched in Manipur Three-member panel to probe Manipur violence

Security forces during ‘extensive area domination operations’ in Manipur.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 4: Over 100 abandoned houses and shops including the house of a sitting Congress MLA was torched in the wee hours of Sunday even as sporadic violence and arson continued in strife-torn Manipur. According to police, suspected militants torched the houses in Serou, a foot-

hill area in the Kakching district. The house of Congress MLA K Ranjit was among those burned down at Sugnu, police said. Police said armed men launched simultaneous attack on security forces and houses in Sugnu. The incident took place at a time when security forces were carrying area domination out operation to flush out

militants. Officials said that a group of militants opened fire towards the state police and BSF personnel camping at Serou Practical High School, while another group attacked the adjoining Sugnu town and set on fire around 100 houses and shops. While flushing out the militants, the combined force also rescued an injured youth who reportedly went missing after a gunfight broke out on May 29. On the other hand, residents of the Sugnu area demanded immediate withdrawal of all security forces, including state police forces, from the area. They expressed strong resentment over the failure on the part of security forces to protect their life and properties.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 4 (NPN): The Centre on Sunday constituted a three-man commission of inquiry, headed by former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Ajai Lamba as chairman, to probe the chain of violence that rocked Manipur since May 3 and had so far claimed more than 90 lives. Himanshu Shekhar Das, IAS (retd), and Aloka Prabhakar, IPS (retd) have been made its members. This was stated in a notification issued by Ministry of Home Affairs. The commission would submit its report to the Central government as soon as possible, but not later than

DAYO initiates road repair work in Dimapur Staff Reporter

DAYO volunteers carrying out the road repair work.

awareness on “RRR” (reduce, reuse and recycle) of waste, they also disclosed that plastic waste provided by Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) was used

with bitumen mixture for black topping the damaged road. They expressed gratitude to Dimapur Traffic Police, DMC and Urban

Development department for providing manpower and machineries to carry out the task. DAYO also acknowledged all donors and wellwishers, irrespective of tribes, and pointed out that it was a collective responsibility of citizens to think globally and act locally for ecological sustenance. Meanwhile, to observe the World Environment Day on Monday on the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, the DAYO officebearers said they would be undertaking flower and shrub plantation and installation of led streetlights at Tajen Ao Road here.

six months from the date of its first sitting, the notification stated. The formation of the inquiry commission comes barely three days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah had visited the strife-torn State. On the concluding day of his four-day visit, he had announced a probe into the violent incidents and assured justice to all. Shah stayed in the State from May 29 till June 1 and took first hand stock of the violence, while meeting and interacting with leaders of civil society organisations, intellectuals and prominent leaders of the warring Meitei and Kuki communities. A notification by the Home ministry stated that

the commission will probe the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities. The probe will look into the sequence of events leading up to the violence that began on May 3 and all the facts to such violence and whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty in this regard on the part of any of the responsible authorities/individuals. Adequacy of administrative measures taken to prevent and to deal with the violence and riots will also be looked into, besides considering such matters as may be found relevant in the course of inquiry. The commission will also inquire

into the complaints or allegations that may be made before it by any individual or association, accompanied by affidavits. To be headquartered at Imphal, the panel could also submit an interim report to the Centre before the date, if deemed fit. Besides announcing a judicial probe, Amit Shah had also disclosed that the CBI would probe into six specific conspiracy cases. “The judicial inquiry and the CBI probe into the six specific conspiracy cases would be closely monitored by the central government,” Shah told the media in Imphal before leaving for New Delhi after a four-day visit to the restive Manipur.

New low-cost clip can monitor BP using your smartphone’s camera N E W YO R K , J U N 4 (IANS): US engineers have developed a simple, low-cost clip that uses a smartphone’s camera and flash to monitor blood pressure at the user’s fingertip. The clip, developed by a team at the University of California San Diego, works with a custom smartphone app and currently costs about 80 cents to make. The technology, published in the journal Scientific Reports, can help make regular blood pressure monitoring easy, affordable, and accessible to people in resource-poor communities. “Because of their low

cost, these clips could be handed out to anyone who needs them but cannot go to a clinic regularly,” said Edward Wang, Professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC San Diego. To measure blood pressure, the user simply presses on the clip with a fingertip. A custom smartphone app guides the user on how hard and long to press during the measurement. The clip is a

3D-printed plastic attachment that fits over a smartphone’s camera and flash. When the user presses on the clip, the smartphone’s flash lights up the fingertip. That light is then projected through a pinholesized channel to the camera as an image of a red circle. A spring inside the clip allows the user to press with different levels of force. The harder the user presses, the bigger the red circle appears on the camera. By looking at the size of the circle, the app can measure the amount of pressure that the user’s fingertip applies. K Y M C


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5 june 2023 by Nagaland Post - Issuu