April 14, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 127

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

SC modifies free testing order

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COVID Hospital Dimapur unprepared Doctors decry ‘inferior quality’ of protective gears Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 13 (NPN): After the rude awakening on April 13, when news of the first COVID-19 case from Nagaland spread like wildfire, District Hospital Dimapur, recently designated as COVID-19 Hospital, is not ready to admit any COVID patient since major renovation works have been slowed down due to unavailability of funds and worse, doctors are up in arms against inferior quality of PPE supplied.

It may be recalled, that Nagaland Post in a recent report, had exposed the problems in converting the deplorable condition of the Hospital into a 100-bedded COVID District Hospital.

Since the renovations were done as per verbal directives of state chief minister Neiphiu Rio when he visited the hospital on April 3, the doctor said they (doctors) have become like

STF personnel tender apology

DIMAPUR, APR 13 (NPN): Special Task Force (STF) personnel and the doctor who was physically assaulted on April 3 have mutually compromised after the STF personnel tendered public apology, a DIPR report stated. At a meeting on April 13 at Kohima, the three STF personnel tendered their apology to Dr. Nosezol Sezo Rote, senior medical officer under CMO Dimapur, and quarantine officer for COVID-19 duty, family members, Kidima village, Medical department, Police, Indian Medical Association Nagaland

Renovation work at COVID hospital Dimapur on April 7. (NP File)

“thikadars” (contractors).

He said doctors have to monitor and supervise works on a daily basis in addition to performing COVID duty.

A senior doctor of the hospital, disclosed to Nagaland Post, that despite plans to have at least one ward ready to admit four to five COVID patients, the hospital is not in a position even to admit a single patient. He said the hospital would be in a position to admit patients at least five patients, if labourers who come from Assam are able to complete a small ward (five beds) by April

14. Though District Hospital Dimapur has around 14 cabins including “VIP cabins”, these did not meet the requirement/criteria for COVID-19 patients because of their dilapidated state.

Inferior quality PPE Another doctor, speaking to Nagaland Post alleged that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) procured and distributed to the COVID-19 Hospital were “incomplete set” and of “inferior quality”.

The doctor also alleged that masks/respirators supplied for the caregivers at the COVID-19 Hospital Dima-

Accommodation: Teams of medical staff on COVID-19 duty are to be provided with decent food and accommodation during the five-day COVID-19 duty period, since they cannot go home after work and risk infecting their families.

However, it was revealed that the H&FW department has not identified any lodging place for the five-day duty period.

On completion of the five-day duty, two private hotels in Dimapur, have been booked to accommodate the COVID-19 duty teams for the 14-day quarantine period.

Each of the team members are to be provided a separate room with attached bathroom in order to prevent or minimise any form of contact or interaction during the quarantine period.

Since the total incubation period of COVID-19 was 28 days, every team member, on completion of the five-day duty, would be quarantined at the designated quarantine facility for 14 days and allowed to go home for another 14 days home quarantine before repeating the five-day duty cycle.

Team to visit BSL-3 lab site at NHAK

Correspondent

the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nagaland, the state government has admitted that not sending the patient to a quarantine centre upon his arrival from outside was a mistake. Yhome admitted that it was a fault on the part of the department to have not sent the person, who had tested positive for the virus, to a quarantine centre when he returned to Dimapur on March 24.

Commenting that perhaps the standard operating procedure (SOP) was not well defined then, he however claimed that the department was developing an upgraded app with more features.

On revealing of the identity of the first COVID patient which contradicted the State government’s order and could be penalised under sections 188 of IPC 1860 (45 of 1860), Yhome said he was also shocked to see the identity of the patient being revealed on the official statement. He added that it was a universal practice that the identity of

KOHIMA, APR 13 (NPN): Representatives and technical experts from Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd will be visiting Naga Hospital Authority Kohima on Tuesday to set up bio safety laboratory (BSL) 3 even as the first consignment related to the lab was expected to reach the same day.

Interacting with media persons at Health & Family Welfare directorate here on Monday, H&FW secretary Kesonyu Yhome said some technicians of the company visited NHAK on April 11 to inspect the site. He claimed that the department was in (Cont’d on p-5) touch with district administration of Palgrah in Maharashtra from where equipments for the lab would be transported. He Due to the total lock- said a letter has been written down enforced throughout to the Maharashtra governNagaland especially Di- ment to exempt the team and mapur, Nagaland Post has consignment from the purview been compelled to suspend of the lockdown. publication temporarily Not sending patient to from April 14,2020 till situ- quarantine centre a mistake: ation improves. However, Following the discovery of daily news and updates will be available at www. nagalandpost.com (e-paper) including information through our YouTube channel: NE8, Instagram#nagalandpostofficial and twitter- @Nagaland_Post.

Nagaland Post also ap- DIMAPUR, APR 13 (NPN): peals to all citizens to ‘Stay Nagaland Pradesh Congress ComHome and Stay Safe’ to mittee (NPCC) Monday slammed contain the spread of the the state government and said that announcement of Nagaland’s first COVID-19.

COVID-19 positive case caught the government “completely” unaware and “confirmed the worst fears of people” living under lockdown for past 20 days” NPCC through its communication department said that the “incompetence” of political leadership in Nagaland was more glaring than ever before even as the threat of pandemic increased. It said that the state government’s “reluctance” to opt for participatory approach from all political parties was “baffling.” NPCC has urged the state government to rise to the occasion at this juncture and create an all inclusive approach.

“Working at home is Congress party maintained great. All I do is rewrite that last minute work in sprucing stories about COVID-19 up some hospitals or health centres only.” would not be enough to handle the

INFORMATION

pur were of FFP1 grade and not the recommended FFP3 or N95 grades.

The doctor informed that the recommended items were FFP3 mask capable of filtering 98% and N95 capable of filtering 95%.

However, he said filtration of FFP1 is only 80% and not recommended for attending to COVID-19 patients.

The doctors were totally dissatisfied with being provided inferior and incomplete PPEs despite being the front line workers against COVID-19.

A doctor divulged that after inspecting the equipments on April 12, the doctors and staff approached the Medical Superintendent (MS) of DHD to address the issue. He said the MS assured to take up the matter with the “higher authority”.

He told Nagaland Post: “We have resolved not to attend to patients without proper and good quality PPE. How can they send us to the battlefield without needed ammunition?” He said the lives of doctors, nurses and medical staff cannot be put at risk by making them use inferior quality and incomplete PPEs.

patients suffering any illness should be kept confidential.

On allegation of substandard protective gears being distributed to district hospitals, including Dimapur, Yhome clarified that no such complaints had been received from Dimapur while complaints received from other districts had already been addressed.

He said Quality Control Board had been constituted to ensure that every item that went to districts were verified and certified. He added that the department had also deployed neutral observers to assess the preparedness of COVID-19 hospitals on ground.

H&FW deputy director Dr Kika Longkumer, who too was present, said the patient was under home quarantine and that the district surveillance team was in touch with him. He however alleged that the patient did not reveal his travel history in hospitals he had visited prior to him being sent to Guwahati.

China’s new COVID-19 cases near 6-week high international, Page 6

Health minister suggests total lockdown AREAS SEALED IN DMU; CONTACT TRACING INITIATED

Staff Reporter/Correspondent

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, APR 13 (NPN): Nagaland Health and Family Welfare minister S Pangnyu Phom on Monday confirmed the report about one person from Dimapur that had tested positive of the novel coronavirus at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.

In this regard, Pangnyu, in a letter to chief minister Neiphiu Rio suggested imposing total lockdown of the state, particularly Dimapur (as Red Zone), to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Pangnyu requested Rio to examine the case and issue necessary directives for implementation of the total lockdown in the interest of public health and safety.

However, no decision was taken by the government till Monday late night.

Meanwhile, Pangnyu appealed to the citizens to strictly maintain social distancing and to stay home and also follow the do’s and don’ts issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Health & Family Nagaland. He also urged people not to spread rumours, but to

Zion Hospital clarifies on COVID-19 patient DIMAPUR, APR 13 (NPN): Following reports that the patient from Dimapur who had tested positive was referred from Zion Hospital and Research Centre (ZH&RC), the hospital authorities on Monday clarified that the statement made by Assam Health minister that the patient was directly referred from ZH&RC, Dimapur to GMC Hospital, Guwahati was unfounded.

According to ZH&RC, the patient was referred as a case of anaemia from other nursing home. At the time of admission, the patient “did not give any history of travel in spite of asking the same.” The patient then again came back the following day-- on April 11, 2020 with fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. It was only then, repeated questioning, that the patient’s father admitted that his son returned from Kolkata on March 24, 2020. After examining the patient and finding high index of clinical suspicion, ZHRC said they contacted COVID-19 Hospital (Dimapur District Hospital) and thereafter refereed the patient to COVID Hospital Dimapur. “All possible aseptic measures were taken so that no staff or any other patients in the Hospital would be infected,” it added.

ZHRC also clarified that they had no knowledge how the patient reached GMC Hospital, Guwahati, Since the because the patient was referred to COVID hospital Dimapur.

Road leading to Marwaripatti area sealed on Monday. (Social media)

rely only on official information and extend cooperation to the government and the department.

On Monday, Dimapur district authorities sealed/ quarantined several pockets of Dimapur like Marwaripatti, Ghorapatti, main town areas, Dhobinala to Signal Basti area etc. The residential complex of the patient and the private hospital, where the patient was

initially treated, were also sealed on Monday.

With rumours going about on social media that Army/Assam Rifles had been roped in to enforce lockdown, Assam Rifles sources clarified that the AR personnel had only assisted the district police force to setup tents along the road where the area had been sealed.

(Cont’d on p-5)

74 samples test negative: H&FW

Health & Family Welfare department informed that there was no positive cases from amongst the sample sent from the state till April 13. According to, 111 samples were sent for testing including 37 samples on April 13. It said results of 74 were received, but all tested negative.

AYO to impose total lockdown of Kma DIMAPUR, APR 13 (NPN): Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has announced a total lockdown in Kohima from Tuesday. Informing this in a letter to chief secretary Temjen Toy, AYO president Kekhrie Pfukha and vice president Neidilhoutuo Sechu said the organisation observed lackadaisical approach from the public in complying with the directives issued by the state government during the lockdown, particularly in maintaining social distancing and random vehicular and public movement.

All essential commodities were being transported from Dimapur and there was a fearpsychosis among the people in Kohima that could not be ignored at any cost, it added.

“In the failure to come up with timely preventive measures, we are apprehensive of the virus spreading further in our land.

The safety of our people is our top priority and AYO is always prepared to go to any extent in rendering our services for the well-being of our people and our

land,” the letter added.

AYO also strongly opposed the state government’s move to resume offices. At a time when all stakeholders should be on war footing to combat the virus, AYO felt it was a blunder on the part of the government to come up with such a decision.

Following reports of a positive case from Dimapur, AYO demanded that the government rollback its decision and not allow offices to resume before April 30.

Meanwhile, AYO has announced exempting certain vehicles and persons from the purview of the total lockdown in Kohima. These include chief minister’s office, home, planning and finance departments, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, paramilitary forces, police, home guard & civil defence, medical, NIC, DIPR, fire & emergency services, PHED, media, Kohima district administration, Kohima Municipal Council, people on medical ground and essential commodities-carrier trucks.

NPCC, NPF slam state govt’s handling of COVID-19 crisis Dimapur CSOs appeal to CM State government caught unaware, says NPCC Nothing on the ground to combat pandemic: NPF

This is it!

K Y M C

Naga People’s Front (NPF) has lambasted the PDA government for “proudly claiming” that the state was fully prepared while in reality nothing was installed and instituted on the ground to effectively combat the pandemic.

NPF through its press bureau said some consignment of medical kits and equipment reaching the state through a special chartered plane gave a sigh of relief. It, however, questioned whether those medical kits and equipment were of international/national standard or sub-standard ones?

NPF said inferior quality product would put the safety of the frontlines workers at risk. It maintained that a person from Dimapur, who was tested positive for covid-19 been, might have also gone through screening when he landed, but could not be detected was “a solid ground” to cast aspersion on the medical kits and (Cont’d on p-5) equipment supplied and used in

flow of patients if COVID infection spreads.

It said that Nagaland should have COVID-19 testing lab in place by now other than being assured that it was in progress. NPCC said deficiency of PPE and other critical medical equipment still continued, which it added was “utterly disgraceful and demoralizing to those frontline health care workers.”

Visits to hospitals, distribution of some medical kits and food items, the Congress said were the only visible work of PDA government headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who it said had been at the helm for major part of past 17 years. “If only importance was given to social and health sectors, things would have not been as bad as it is now,” NPCC said. It further said that the “uninterrupted focus” on festivals, entertainment and other merry making activities has exposed Nagaland badly before the nation.

the state.

NPF has urged the state government to “clear this doubt” in order to boost the morale of the frontline workers in particular and to ease the tension of the general public at large.

Further, the NPF alleged that confirmed case of corona virus proved that government was not seriously and effectively handling the present pandemic, which it said was “extremely disturbing and worrisome.”

Despite getting support and cooperation from the entire citizens including the opposition party, NPF said the government could not take care of one single patient whose case have been finally confirmed from Guwahati.

NPF wondered how the state government was going to curb the situation in case the state was faced with more of such confirmed cases.

(Cont’d on p-5)

DIMAPUR, APR 13 (NPN): Civil society organisations (CSOs) of Dimapur have demanded restriction in movement of passenger trains, flights and vehicles passing through Dimapur.

In a joint memorandum to chief minister Neiphiu Rio through Dimapur deputy commissioner, Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD), Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), GBs (Sadar) Union Dimapur and Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) said in the light of resumption of passenger trains and commercial flights, the State government had issued travel advisory and follow-up mechanism for flight passengers. However, they observed that no concrete system was in place to take stock of those coming by trains and feared that restoration of commercial

flights and trains would pose a serious threat and an invitation to spread the dreaded COVID-19 in Nagaland.

Noting that restriction on all modes of movement had helped in containing the outbreak of the pandemic in the State, the organisations sought Rio’s personal intervention to restrict movement of all modes of transport passing through Dimapur.

The CSOs said absence of a testing laboratory for COVID-19 in the State was one of the biggest challenges for the people. And given that Dimapur was the entry point and commercial hub of Nagaland, they demanded his intervention in setting up a testing laboratory at the town at the earliest.

Mentioning that services rendered by frontline medical staff and police personnel were very precious during these unsettling (Cont’d on p-5) K Y M C

state

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Advisories and preparedness for COVID-19

DIMAPUR: Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of virus from spreading further, various advisories and preparedness have been issued to control COVID-19 in the state.

DH&FW issue work place advisories

In addition to the Standard Operating Procedure on disinfection of common public places including offices issued by GOI, the Department of Health & Family Welfare (DH&FW) has requested all concerned to strictly follow the advisories to maintain safe environment at the work place.

According to DIPR report, the following are the advisories issued by the department: No hospital based personnel are to enter the office premises. Instead of physical visits, they are advised to leverage electronic means of communications including webinar. All working places and work stations particularly frequently touched surfaces should be sanitized with 1% sodium hypochloride solutions at least 2-3 times and whenever required. Do not shake hands; do not touch eyes, nose and mouth. Practice hand hygiene by frequently washing with soap and water as well as with hand sanitizers where hand washing facilities are not available.

Practice respiratory hygiene by using handkerchief while coughing & sneezing and avoid random spitting. Everyone “Need

not Wear” a mask. Only wear a mask if (a) you have symptoms (Cough, fever or difficulty in breathing), (b) You are caring for a COVID-19 suspect/confirmed patient, (c) You are a health-worker in the health centre, or (d) Need to go to crowded places.

Avoid non-essential travels, crowded places, social gatherings etc. All contaminated items such as used masks, tissue papers etc should be disposed off safely.

Adopt healthy lifestyle- proper diet, adequate sleep, exercise and avoid social physical visits instead use electronic means to contact other family and friends as well as avoid smoking, consumption of alcohol and other addictive substances.

Wearing mask mandatory for public of Bhandari

Additional Deputy Commissioner ()ADC Bhandari, Tiameren Chang issued an order on April 13 stating that wearing masks has been made mandatory for the public of Bhandari sub-division, under Wokha district.

According to DIPR report, the directive for prevention and containment of coronavir us (COVID-19) pandemic comes into immediate effect as Bhandari sub-division is placed on high alert with positive cases having been reported from the neighbouring Golaghat district of Assam.

The ADC also issued directive on regulation on essential commodities with a prescribed

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

quantity permissible for purchase by 1 (one) team comprising of by a family per day for strict adher- two members known as the Active ence by the public.

Case Search Group. Anganwadi Mon following graded response Workers/ASHAs/ANMs/teachers/ NGOs/volunteers etc. are approach to prevent COVID-19 envisaged to be part a part of the With the rapidly evolving team.

COVID-19 cases and taking into The Active Case Search consideration the constant vigi- Group shall conduct house to lance as the need of the hour as its house enquiry and fill up the immediate neighbour Assam has relevant format for the following reported COVID-19 cases, Mon persons: Who have travel history district administration is follow- outside the state during the past ing a graded response approach to 90 days; who have had contact prevent and contain COVID-19 in with COVID-19 infected persons; the district. any members in the family having According to DIPR report, symptoms such as fever, cough, the district administration in its difficulty in breathing or having notification stated that the district hypertension/diabetes/asthma or will be contacting the Active Case any other chronic illness; who are Search exercise throughout Mon above 60 years old, and pregnant District administration and Shamator town council has began town sanitizing district from April 13 to 17. women.

The district administration It stated that if one is tested by spraying disinfectants in and around Shamator town. (DIPR) Mon stated that it cannot ignore positive for COVID-19, the next the danger that is looming right at step would be contact tracing, their doorstep. “The adoption of which is the process of identithe strategy of Active Case Search fying, assessing and managing and contact tracing can significant- people who have been exposed ly supplement the other preventive to the person confirmed positive and control measures aimed at re- for COVID-19. This is critical to ducing the spread of the disease”, prevent transmission. The contacts the release said. The district ad- with whom he/she interacted ministration also said that the best would be traced and will be kept way to find undiagnosed cases is under observation for a period when a large fraction of the popu- of 28 (twenty-eight) days (home/ lation is diagnosed and tested so institutional quarantine). The aim as to prevent them from infecting is to map the contacts to deteranyone else; this will help break mine the potential spread of the the chain of transmission. disease.

Mon district administration The notification appealed mentioned that, the village or ward to the citizens of Mon district to will be divided into units of 50 co-operate and provide necessary households which will be surveyed information to the survey teams.

Chingwang Konyak, PPC condolence messages

Advisor DUDA, Bongkhao Konyak visited the Monyakshu check gate, Myanmar junction and also donated Rs. 10,000/- (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Organisation and individual have mourned the demise of NDPP Longleng region, B Longphe Phom, who was also the former vice president of Phom People’s Council (PPC) on April 13 at District Hospital Longleng after a brief illness.

Chingwang Konyak: NDPP Nagaland president, Chingwang Konyak has expressed shock over the unfortunate demise of advisor NDPP Longleng region, B Longphe Phom on April 13.

A condolence message issued by NDPP Nagaland president, Chingwang Konyak stated that though his association with NDPP party was brief, yet him holding key positions in influential organisations like being the vice president of the Phom People’s Council, vice chairman of Longleng Town Council, former president NPP Longleng and others, spoke volume of his calibre and devotion to serve the people as an exemplary leader.

It stated that his demise was felt as a great loss for NDPP party and also for Naga society in general and people of Longleng in particular.

The rank and file of NDPP joined with Chingwang Konyak in conveying heartfelt condolence to his children and family members and prayed that almighty God give strength in this hour of grief.

PPC: Phom People’s Council (PPC) has expressed grief over the untimely demise of former vice-president Peren DTF attending video conferencing with CM on April 11 at DC complex, district headquater Peren. (DIPR) PPC and a well known public leader of Phom tribe, P. Lungphe Phom, who passed away on April 13 at Longleng. A press release from PPC president, P. Chingan Phom and vice president, N.T. Thamlong Phom stated that late P. Lungphe Phom was a “decisive, fearless and outspoken leader” whose passing away was a great loss for Nagas in general and Phom people in particular.

PPC also conveyed its deepest sympathies to the Angami Pubilc Organisation (APO) assisting in distribution of relief materials bereaved family members and prayed that the Almighty at Relief Distribution Centre local ground Kohima on April 11. Newspaper God grant them strength and solace as the departed soul rests in eternal peace. hawkers in queue to collect relief materials. (DIPR)

Deer calf rescued at Dihoma village Condolence messages

on demise of Kaka D Iralu

Vizotuonyü Lhoungu with uniformed officials of forest department handing over a female deer calf at Nagaland Zoological Park, Dimapur

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP) Rangapahar, Dimapur received a female deer calf, which was handed over to the department of environment, forest and climate change by NDPP Northern Angami-II youth wing president, Vizotuonyü Lhoungu.

In a press release, K Y M C

Lhoungu reportedly rescued the deer calf from the forest of Dihoma village, Kohima on April 10 and handed it over to deputy ranger and in-charge of Blyth’s Tragopan breeding centre Kohima, Medolezo Kire.

Meanwhile, deputy ranger along with staff has handed over the calf

to NZP Rangapahar and is currently within the safe zone.

The department appreciated the gesture of Lhoungu towards protecting the wild animals.

For further details one may contact official of Blyth’s Tragopan Breeding Centre, Kohima at 9612733554.

DIMAPUR: Organisations have condoled the untimely demise of Kaka D Iralu, who passed away on April 9 at Referral Hosptial Dimapur.

TUD: Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) expressed grief over the sudden demise of Kaka D Iralu on April 9.

A condolence message from its publicity and information stated that late Iralu was a well-known writer, philosopher and a visionary and that he was one of the great patriotic leaders of Naga society.

Tenyimi Union Dimapur held that his passing away has created a vacuum for Nagas as he was a man “who loved Naga Nationalism and fought for the cause with all his heart and soul”.

Further, the union lamented not being able to attend the funeral due to the pandemic. Yet, Tenyimi Union Dimapur hoped and prayed that their Lord God would shower mercy on the soul.

NASU: The Northern Angami Students’ Union (NASU) has expressed grief over the demise of foreign

minister to Federal Government of Nagaland, Kaka D. Iralu on April 9.

In a condolence message, The Northern Angami Students’ Union stated that late Kaka was an unsung hero, fearless and uncompromising leader whose soul endured worse has selflessly devoted his life so that they can lead a fearless life, a carefree life where they don’t have to suffer at merciless hands of alien enemies.

“A tr ue son of the land, a freedom fighter who fought with just one focus to see free Nagas, a voice of Nagas all over the globe”, it added.

Late Kaka was a prolific writer and a historian who authored several iconic books translated in several languages world-wide.

NASU while immensely grieving his demise said that a central figure of turbulent and one of the brightest lights of its land has gone out.

The The Nor ther n Angami Students’ Union offered our deepest condolences to bereaved family and all loved ones.

Village Councils and VDB Union, Tuensang district donated Rs, 1,01,000 to Tuensang DTF for COVID-19 at DC’s office chamber on April 13. (DIPR)

VDB and VCC Association under Aboi sub-division contributed Rs. 50,000 towards COVID-19 to ADC Aboi, Ajit Kumar Ranjan at his office chamber. (DIPR) K Y M C

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

COVID-19 pandemic: Visits, meetings and donations continue Zunheboto district

Longleng district Pohwang Konyak brief party leaders on COVID-19 in Longleng

Thermal screening being done at Shutap check gate, under Longleng in the interstate border of Assam-Nagaland. (DIPR)

Bank officials along with doctors & medical staff after donating inverter and battery to District Hospital, Longleng. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: In the fight against COVID-19 pandemic amid nationwide lockdown, several non-governmental organisations and government departments have been immensely contributing to contain the spread of COVID-19 by donating to needy people, organising meetings and visits to several places across the state.

Departments hold meeting in Longleng

Host of officials comprised of district administration, police, medical and rural development led by ADC Tamlu, Y. Chingak Konyak and additional superintendent of police, Atopu Sumi visited the interstate border village of Bura Namsang, Yonglok, Setap (Shutap) and Namhaching on April 11 to take stock of the situation in the border areas of the district adjacent to Assam.

According to DIPR report, the team interacted with village councils, duty personnel deployed at border check gates and IR patrol enforcing lockdown for complete sealing of Assam Nagaland border to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Accordingly, thermal screening was also initiated at Setap check gates by the medical department. EAC Tamlu, EAC Sakshi and BDO Tamlu also accompanied the team.

Meanwhile, they also encouraged the villagers to maintain strict discipline on lockdown and ensure complete sealing of border crossing while distributing masks, hand

sanitizers, soaps, gloves, etc to the villagers.

Earlier, State Bank of India (SBI) Longleng branch donated an inverter along with a battery to the District Hospital, Longleng. DEF Longleng also provided vehicles, manpower and security towards the lone hospital of the district for transportation of beds and other medical equipments to the new makeshift hospital at GHSS, Longleng.

It may be noted that District Hospital Longleng was reserved and converted to district COVID-19 hospital. All necessary arrangements were done at the new makeshift hospital and will be dedicated on April 14.

Medical Superintendent of District Hospital, Longleng thanked the district administration, police, civil societies, SBI Longleng, DTF on COVID-19 and other government agencies and individuals who had contributed towards the district hospital and the medical department through various means to combat COVID-19.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, office of the Deputy Commissioner Zunheboto has donated rice while Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto donated dal and vegetable oil to help Persons with Disability (PwD) affected by the ongoing lockdown in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

A press release from Salvatus Christian Society (SCS) stated that the SCS in collaboration with office of the state commissioner Nagaland State Disability Forum, Diethono Nakhro, three volunteers delivered 10 kgs of rice, dal and vegetable oil to 78 households on door to door. Further, the team is working more on to ensure that every person with disability gets the immediate support.

Mon district

Tongpang & Nicky visits quarantine centre at K. Badze, Kohima

Mopong Hongkong holds consultation; adopt resolutions

Minister Housing & Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum and advisor Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, the legisla-

tors in-charge of monitoring Kohima COVID-19 situation along with Kohima DTF members led

by Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Gregory The-

jawelie and Sr. SP, K. Sophie visited the upcoming quarantine facility centre at K. Badze, Kohima on April 13.

According to DIPR

report, the team visited the designated site to review the ongoing work at the upcoming quarantine facility centre, which has a total number of 304 rooms for quarantine facilities in ten buildings. S.E. PWD (Housing), K. Nakhro informed that altogether, there are 26 buildings, out of which it is targeted to activate eleven buildings at present including the control room.

He said that with the help of the community and line departments the clearing and repairing works commenced from last week and hoped to be operationalized in a week time.

The team along with senior government officials from the line departments inspected the ongoing works, where the legislators applauded the efforts of all concerned officers and line departments for taking the task seriously and implementing the work in much progress.

In the event of economic breakdown owing to the nationwide lockdown following the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, a consultation of Mopong Hongkong Students’ Union, KU Mopong unit, village councils and students’ union was held on April 13 at Mopong.

A press release from Mopong Hongkong Students’ Union president, A. Moba Konyak secretary stated that the consultation meet has adopted the following resolutions: All routes and services connecting via Tobu, Longleng and Mon entering the range will remain restricted and even the transportation carrying essential commodities unless certified/sanitized; the rate of existing commodities at stock in the shop should be sold at the profitable price not exceeding Rs. 4 from the whole sale rate.

Failing to comply with, the concern shop owner license

E. E. Pangteang Konyak (MLA) and Yanithung N. Ngullie donated masks, hand sanitizer, soap, cash amount and rice as a social responsibility to combat COVID-19 to Mopong Hongkong area.

will be cancelled; all the village council and students’ union are endorsed to enforce this order with strict compliance; measures of arrangement in the event of economic outbreak due to

lockdown, the rates of local wheat are fixed as: millet Rs. 100 per tin and maize/ corn Rs. 100 per tin.

The release also reminded all its federating units and village council

to maintain cooperation and congenial relationship despite setting up of barricades restricting the movement of public in its own jurisdiction combating the pandemic COVID-19.

Dimapur district

nagalandpost.com Poll Q . : Will relaxation of lockdown invite faster COVID spread?

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Volunteers with essential commodities in Zunheboto.

Kohima district

Tongpang Ozukum, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire with Kohima DTF team and officials inspecting the ongoing work at the upcoming quarantine facility centre at K. Badze, Kohima. (DIPR)

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

DIMAPUR: Advisor for Fire & Emergency Services, SIRD, Relief & Rehabilitation Government of Nagaland and monitoring in-charge for COVID-19 for Mon district, Pohwang Konyak paid his maiden visit to Longleng on his way back to Kohima from Mon town on April 11.

A press release issued by the president NDPP 50 A/C Longleng, N. Emei Phom stated that during his visit the advisor met some of the senior NDPP leaders and office bearers at the residence of ex candidate 50th A/C Longleng, Y. B. Angam Phom.

The advisor highlighted about the present burning issues of the pandemic virus in the country and state in particular. He also called upon the party leaders to take active role in imparting awareness to the public on the present situation and urged to be more cautious and adhere to the guidelines issued by the government to take the preventive measures effectively to control COVID-19 during the lockdown period.

Konyak also reminded the leaders to be self aware and give awareness to the public of the district to stay indoors in order to stay safe.

He also appealed the party leaders to extend full co-operation to the implementing agencies which is being monitored by the district administration, security personnel, medical fraternity and leading NGOs of the district for the effective implementation of the government laid down rules.

The advisor further urged the members to proclaim the good work being carried out by the present Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA) government under the dynamic leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and NDPP Nagaland president, Chingwang Konyak.

District admin, NGOs reach out to PwD in Zunheboto

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A

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Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

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Next poll

Q: H a s

COVID-19 promoted online/social media in a significant way?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST April 14

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hot with hazy sunshine

37 23

Hot with hazy sunshine

33 16

Aizawl

Guwahati Hazy sun and unseasonably hot 37 20 Imphal

Mostly cloudy and hot

Itanagar Hazy sun and hot

35 13 34 19

Shillong

A thunderstorm in spots

25 14

Kohima

A thunderstorm in spots

27 15

Dimapur Hazy sunshine and hot

36 19

Hazy sun

30 15

Tuensang Hazy sun

22 12

Hazy sun

29 19

Zunheboto Hazy sun

27 13

Mkg Wokha

DC Dimapur Anoop Kinchi visiting one of the mobile ATMs placed People stand in queue as Aoyimkum village council, in the town and surrounding area reaching out to people at their Dimapur distributes free rice to all the migrant workers doorsteps. (DIPR) stranded within the village vicinity.

Vegetables donated by Immanuel Prayer Center. (DIPR)

Immanual Prayer Centre donates essential commodities Immanual Prayer Centre (IPC) Walford with Traditional Healer’s Association Nagaland led by pastor Kakiye Sema and his team has extended charity mission in the wake of COVID19 to 800 families of daily labourers, rickshaw pullers, auto drivers and widows of Walford colonies, Angami Walford and Phom colony since April 7.

According to DIPR report, besides feeding poor family members of the colony from time to time, it has donated essential commodities of 30 bags of rice, tomato 1500 kgs, cabbage 1500 kgs and potato 1500 kgs.

Gospel for World Ministries Dimapur distributes Gospel for World Ministries (GWM) Dimapur led by its founder and chairman, Rev. Daniel Suma has distributed essential commodities to daily wage earners at Burma Camp, Sunrise colony on April 11.

A press release from GWM Dimapur, state coordinator, Zaremo Ezung stated that the minstistries has reached out to 40 families. Dimapur District Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union (DDADU) in collaboration with Signal Rio Colony youth wing GS, Momadul Earlier, a prayer was offered by Rev. district administration distributed essential commodities to the drivers and Hussain along with GB Pukuolie Zumo distributes members of the union on April 11 and April 12. commodities received from DC office.

Fr. Kasthang Kath.

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXx NO. 127 Dimapur, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

I

Viral Trojan horse

t was somewhat like letting the cat out of the bag when Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on April 12, disclosed that one person from Nagaland(Dimapur) was tested positive for COVID19 at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital. The person had returned from Hyderabad and then took the March 24 flight from Kolkata to Dimapur. On arrival at Dimapur, like all other incoming passengers, the person would have been subjected to thermal testing and also made to fill up a form providing travel history that was handed out to all incoming passengers. It is another matter that Himanta felt the “need” to go public on a patient from Nagaland. Whatever be the reason for highlighting the case is unknown but it does not change facts. Be that as it may, those who have been sceptical of official ‘Nil’ report out of barely four hundred-plus samples; would predictably feel vindicated. The bombshell from Himanta will result in re-calibration of COVID report being released on a regular basis since the first week of March. This case exposes several lapses in the fight against coronavirus. This indicates that the present measures being followed for COVID-19 has to be fine tuned for effectiveness. According to estimates, a COVID patient is capable of spreading infection to at least 19 people and each in turn, can pass the virus on to another group of 19. It may be noted that incubation period for COVID-19 takes somewhere between one - to-fourteen days. During the incubation period -March 24 to April 7- the affected person may have shown symptoms of COVID-19 and for which he had visited some clinics and hospitals, till he was referred to Guwahati Medical College Hospital. As commented earlier on several occasions in this column, unless screening and testing is done on a much wider scale, the danger is that the false sense of security buoyed by meagre number(s) could be counter-productive. The ongoing fight against COVID-19 in the state requires better coordination among those at the frontline. The case involving the patient from Dimapur tested positive for COVID-19 in Guwahati also reveals that there was some delay in coming to a conclusion on testing for COVID-19 and by which time unknown numbers of people could have been already infected. It is left to the authorities to ascertain whether the procedures or protocols were followed. The state government has declared all government district hospitals as COVID district hospitals to deal with those affected by the virus. It is not known as to how the affected person was admitted to a private hospital and later referred to Guwahati Medical College Hospital instead of the district COVID hospital. There is perceptible sense of shock and sadness over the report in Nagaland in general and Dimapur in particular. What it also reminds us is that the fight to defeat the spread of COVID-19 has to be engaged on many fronts. That involves the individual, society and the government.

Any weak link in the chain will only result in the virus succeeding in exacting its toll on people. Owing to the lapses on the part of all, it will require a greater degree of “search and destroy” operation against COVID-19, the virus which has already breached the defences.

DailyDevotion What To Do When Your Burden Is Overwhelming

Cast your burden on the Lord… —Psalm 55:22 We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off.

God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord….” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence. Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!” “Cast your burden on the Lord….” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “…the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it.

You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.

Quotes

There are risks and costs to action.

But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction. ~ John F. Kennedy

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

T

Where would covid-19 take us?

hese are difficult times. We’re “living in unchartered waters”. To put it succinctly our lives are in “murky waters” which means a situation not experienced and well known, and so could be dangerous.

“Murky waters” connote dark gloomy, hopeless, and cloudy and absolutely having no clue or knowledge about what’s happening to us and around. So the situation is unpleasant and complicated. What then is the situation in which we live and call it as difficult times?

An allegory I intend to use is “murky waters” refers to COVID-19 which is devastating the entire world for the past three months killing more than 100 thousands and infecting millions of people across the world.

As the days and weeks go by the figures would surge to alarming proportions.

This is why I tend to call the current phase we live as” murky waters”, and so, we live in a “murky world”—a dangerous and unexplored world—there are many things to explore.

The danger is suddenly inflicted by a virus not known till now makes us to wonder: what is it all about; from where it originated and how long it would last? Theories and

views about COVID-19, keep floating, but none seem to be authentic and valid. It does show that we are still after months “living in unchartered waters” and catching all sorts of things in “murky waters”. All theories seem to be vague and hypothetical.

In the “murky waters” let take into account one dimension vis-à-vis politics which tends to be unpredictable because of the levels in which the narratives, arguments, gestures, orders, counters, rhetoric and speeches politicians like Trump, Modi, Boris and others put forth seem to be murky because they are not premised on science and reason. Leaders who govern the nation-states should be cautious and doubly careful while addressing life-threatening phenomenon.

There are given the responsibility to govern their respective nationstates. They are aware of the fact that the world with more than 7-plus billion is in “murky waters”— absolutely unaware and unsure of what’s happening to them as well as to others.

In such terrains there are as leaders who tend to fish in the murky waters, which is not possible because it is messy and dangerous— because no one knows,

what is COVID-19, and yet they want to.

In such settings when citizens live across the world there are leaders located in diverse parts of the world keep predicting about COVID-19 by employing astronomy, astrology, light and dark theatrics, propelled by “instincts” making decisions as against the data in times of calamity and despair; justifying for not wearing face masks citing reason as “voluntary” and “individual choice” posit absurdity and callousness. Over and above, we keep observing all sorts of decisions and directives emerging from them.

There’s absolutely no doubt that we live in uncharted waters and do not know what to do and so have no wheels to steer/ navigate because we have no metrics to measure the velocity and the magnitude of COVID-19. Therefore we live in such a political climate and political templates that tend to be unpredictable, murky, and dirty. There are some irresponsible leaders who test the murky waters unscientifically based on instincts, emotions, astronomy and astrology.

Decisions should be based on sound scientific reasons so that the judg-

ments and outcomes are solid and proven right.

They should evade making decision on superficial factors, but be based science and reason. This is what happened when some of the world leaders undermined the scientific data and what the scientists said on climate change. It was global and the consequences were severe and detrimenta,l but by then nothing could be done.

The enormity and straightness of this crisis is totally incomparable both in scale and experience, to anything we’ve ever seen before in our living memory and provokes everybody and thus calls for a variety of responses—fear, desperation, hopelessness, anxiety and loneliness and yet evokes solidarity, togetherness and bonding.

All of us by and large and in particular those in leadership position wherever they are should learn to flatten their ego curve.

Do not try to fish in the murky waters and push your political reach and advance your project for selfish means and ends because those who want try should reckon with the fact that the waters are murky.

History reminds us in this context that those who made decision to advance their ideological, political

and economic projects propelled by their egos lost and because of their egos many lives were lost. Those who governed their countries by instinct and emotions shall never be trusted because they tend to be fluctuating and unpredictable.

The world is in flux.

Thus far we did fail to fix the deadly pandemic vis-à-vis COVID-19. It is moving at supersonic speed devouring thousands and millions of lives inflicting unbearable pain and agony.

Many live in frustrations, not knowing what to do, but these are times we are increasingly being challenged. It’s time to flatten the ego curve. The United States could have saved thousands of lives if it had listened to the experts.

COVID-19 has permeated into the social, economic, political, cultural and religious facets of the world.

The times we live is stressing and agonizing and so we need to look beyond our own death. Lockdown/ seal down whatever it may be it is hoped that should not last long and would by all means be dismantled at the appropriate time, but the leaders of the world should keep the balance right. They should function based on common sense to save and protect the people. However, there are

a few who act like headless chickens. Nonetheless, we should keep our hopelessness and desperateness into the deep freeze.

Humanity has gone through a series of challenges—state of insecurity, but managed to bounce back. So we are filled with passion and drive. This is the time for us to think about the poor and the working labor that do not have jobs and any source of livelihood. It is time to rethink about free-market capitalism and rugged individualism and should by all means break its shackles.

In the midst of the coronavirus crisis we see wonderful thing that mirrors the nature and rejuvenation of our planet earth.

We are in the middle of evolution—the spirit of our times. COVID-19 has confused us by hitting hard our egos so badly which prompted us to reflect where we are heading. The world is in a state of flux and the things are happening seem to be ludicrous. Have we become ludicrous or the world in which we live? The times we live requires empathy and humanity—the vital components for us to live and lead meaningful and authentic life as humans in this world.

Dr. John Mohan Razu

Medical Doctors need to lockdown: A way to survive from severity play a more proactive role T

D

he 21-day nationwide lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as officially announced by the Government of India on 24th March 2020 is to prevent, protect and break the chain of causing infection from the deadly coronavirus and this consequently has imbibed 1.30 billion population of India. As the lockdown continues, it has affected all sections of people particularly people living below poverty line; and are struggling for food, shelter and other basic needs as such people are with no savings and unemployment. This immediate decision has resulted in thousands of jobless migrants, stranded with transport services shut in the country, organised and unorganised sectors of the private sector with fear of losing jobs, uncertainity of salaries etc. Further, the closed borders of international and inter-state have caused disruption in the supply of essential commodities and inflation due to fear of shortage of goods.

This has also completely crippled our normal daily activities including schools, colleges, universities, offices, banking, hospitals, religious gatherings etc. In such situation, the Central Government’s decision to use the existing welfare schemes for the poor and the needy people to provide

immediate relief is indeed a laudable step but much more will need to be done when the full implications of the lockdown become apparent and even thereafter. It is to be noted that even many sections of the people are still unable to get such relief packages or relief funds and have become increasingly difficult even to meet their minimum requirements of life. Hence, the Government need to plan effective strategies and focus on the needy people to ensure that atleast minimum essentials of life are reached out to them under such crucial crisis.

Apart from the Central and the State Governments efforts, many NGOs, societies, organsisations and Churchs have joined hands and shown great enterprise and volunrarily contributed relief packages to atleast ease the distress of such people for time-being which are indeed Samaritan works. How long will such NGOs, societies or organisations continue to extend or provide such relief to the needy people during such crisis and even thereafter?

In an apparent effort,the Police,the District Administrations and other government agencies are strictly complying the instructions of the Government of the respective States and tirelessly working round the clock to ensure that there is no move-

ment of people across borders, cities, towns, villages and highways. However, amid Covid-19 lockdown in the entire country, still the positive cases of infections and deaths are on the rise and hence it is quite unprecedented which intend to bring more unseen hardships in the future. Despite of lockdown strategies and strict vigilance, at some level, public are unruly and not strictly following the rules and guidelines of lockdown which results to fear of getting infected with the virus; and therefore considering at the gravity of the situation for the security and safety of each and every citizen of this country, the Government has no other option but to extend the lockdown period after April 14 to rein over the coronavirus as per the reliable sources.

The citizens of this country need to be very responsible and cautious in terms of secuity and safety and adhere strictly to the instructions and guidelines of the government. Virus has become a great leveller, affecting people irrespective of wealth and social status and brought the world to its knees. Already, an unprecedented global lockdown is underway, every nation is figuring out the best strategies to deal with it.

(To be concluded) Prakash Chetri Chümoukedima Town

octors have always enhanced PPE, puts pres- time will be cataclysmic. been at the fore- sure on the supply chain and A number of hospitals are front of peace and results in shortages in areas continuing to treat nonCOVID patients and also war. The nation still looks genuinely needing it. towards them whenever a The IMA has played perform surgery. Multiple calamity hits it. Doctors a vital role in fighting this improvised techniques are are continually battling dis- epidemic. IMA has been streaming in social media eases, death, and providing very active in the media describing these techniques. a soothing touch. Doctors and has ensured that the Most of them are flawed are boosted to a demi-god ordinary public is educated and hastily achieved without status whenever a crisis hits and informed of the latest adequate diligence. Such humans. It was very encour- developments. It has also ex- uncontrolled improvisaaging and elating for Doc- tended an essential advisory tions will, unfortunately, tors to be commended by role with the government. adversely impact patient the Prime Minister for their The IMA now need to frame care and also the safety of role in the present COVID self-protection guidelines for the clinicians. Professional epidemic and, after that, all levels of doctors while en- bodies across the world are receiving the blessings of the suring their safety. The IMA issuing guidelines about entire country in the form should also partner with the patient care in this environof an organized celebration. government to notify such ment. IMA should make a Doctors, who have managed instructions. We may not national task force to frame the wrath of the virus, were be able to meet the national care guidelines for such nonsimilarly cheered by citizens quantitative requirement, COVID severe cases.

A significant event to across continents. unless we have graded PPE There is a need to re- recommendations, as per the highlight is what happened view the current role of med- level of protection required. at LNJP Hospital in Delhi. ical practitioners. Currently, The government, on its part, More than 500 patients were the vast majority of doctors has to freely permit all textile discharged in a day and are under-utilized. The panic units to manufacture fab- referred for admission to and the restrictions placed ric suitable for PPE. Such other government hospitals has resulted in most doctors manufacturing units must without assessing the bed remaining at home. Small have unlimited access to capacity of the hospitals or hospitals, Nursing Homes, resources, but their manu- arranging suitable transport. and Clinics have shut down. facture monitored to prevent One such discharged DiAlthough the Mohalla Clin- black-marketing. Regulatory alysis patient is said to have ics are functional and doing authorities must oversee died on the way, and the fate a good job, the common man the PPE production and of many more may have thus has inadequate access distribution, to avoid corrup- gone unnoticed. Better planto primary care. Refusal to tion and wastage. The IMA ning could have averted this treat non COVID ailments is should shoulder the respon- catastrophe. These patients causing a public scare. Doc- sibility of disseminating the should have been transferred tors are not running OPDs guidelines to the members to empaneled private hospiand citing non-availability of and addressing the concerns tals for further management.

PPE as the reason. Are we of its members. The IMA It is time, doctors reopened shrugging off our respon- should proactively ensure their clinics, attend to OPDs, sibilities engrained in the that the establishments, run and admit patients needHippocrates Oath? We are by IMA members are safe. ing care. Let us diligently frontline warriors and can- The public will benefit from use our clinical skills to not abstain from performing the re-establishment of pri- identify the suspected cases our solemn duty to treat the mary care. The IMA must and order COVID-19 tests, sick. We need to find a solu- also regularly interact with if required. The supply of tion to it. the authorities and be a me- kits is currently limited, so There is undoubtedly a diator between the clinicians let us order COVID tests judiciously. Let us restart need to protect the medical and the government. community, as they are the Tertiary healthcare fa- treating our patients, who backbone in the fight against cilities are facing unique need acute and chronic Sir, In the midst of COVID-19, where families and friends were restricted to visit the virus, but have doctors challenges. Tertiary care care, with due compassion. looked into solving this is- hospitals are treating very However, we need to take their love and near ones, it is very shocking to learn that the hostel cum residential sue. There is an emergent sick individuals with com- protective measures to en- campus of Nagaland University, School of Engineering and technology, Dimapur need to provide for these plex diseases in an uncertain sure our safety by following has been designated as quarantine centre by the district administration. There are PPE. Till PPE is freely avail- COVID infection milieu. strict hygiene, distancing, students in the hostel mainly from outside in the states, which compelled them to able, we need to improvise There are multiple non- and relevant precautions. stay back due to worst outbreak in their home state. Besides, there are many family and prepare for self-protec- COVID illnesses, many of Family Doctors are a vital quarters comprising of faculties and non-teaching staffs, which makes them vulnertion so that the show goes them life-threatening, which part of the ‘patient’s fam- able to the virus. I think all sane persons do not want their children and families to on. Not everybody needs a have taken a backseat. The ily.’ Let us not abandon our be exposed to the contagious disease sharing the same compound. Moreover, it is located in the densely populated areas, which may spread like a wild fire.

Hazmat suit protection! A COVID epidemic and its family! Stay safe.

The quarantine centre should be located in the isolated place with few metres Dr Vinay Aggarwal logical recommendation, aftermath will take months away from public places.

Past National based on the exposure of the to settle. In the COVID Therefore, it is my humble prayer to the benign authority to kindly look into President IMA clinician, should be made to panic, we can’t ignore and the genuineness of the plea of layman Member DMC ensure the best utilization of sideline other ailments as Landmark colony, Dimapur the limited resources avail- morbidity and mortality Recipient of Dr B C Roy A Sayo Chang National Award able. Undue insistence, on of not treating them on Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Reader’s Post

Quarantine centre at hostel cum residential campus

national/state

SC modifies free testing order

Says only persons covered under ‘Ayushman Yojana’ can be tested for free in pvt labs

NEW DELHI, APR 13 (PTI): The Supreme Court Monday modified its April 8 order which asked private labs to conduct free COVID-19 tests and said the benefit will be available only to “economically weaker sections” who are covered under a government scheme such as the Ayushman Bharat.

The top court said it never intended to make testing free for those who can afford to pay.

It had on April 8 directed that private labs, which were allowed to charge Rs 4,500 for COVID-19 tests, would not charge for the tests observing that they need to be philanthropic in the hour of national crisis.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Ravindra Bhat took note of the pleas of two persons, including orthopedic surgeon Kaushal Kant Mishra, who said that if the testing is made free for all, private labs will be overburdened

financially and would slow down the tests for the novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

“Having heard, counsel for the parties, we are satisfied that sufficient cause has been made out to clarify and modify our order dated April 8, 2020,” the top court said. It added: “The order dated April 8, intended to make testing in private Labs of COVID-19 free for economically weaker sections of the society who were unable to afford the payment of testing fee as fixed by ICMR for COVID-19.

“We further clarify that the order never intended to make testing free for those who can afford the payment of testing fee fixed by the ICMR for COVID-19”.

The top court took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta

and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi that according to the directive of National Health Authority under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the COVID-19 tests were being conducted free of cost in all private laboratories even when the order was passed on April 8.

“We make it clear that the benefit of free testing by a person can be availed only when he or she is covered under any scheme like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana.

“We are also of the view that looking to the plight of persons belonging to economically weaker sections of the society, the Government may consider as to whether any other categories of persons belonging to economically weaker

Health minister suggests total lockdown (From p-1) Hospital, 3 localities of Dimapur sealed: Following the detection of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nagaland late on Sunday, Dimapur district administration has sealed Marwari Patti, of which the patient is a resident, along with Murgi Patti and GS Road here on Monday, principal secretary & Home commissioner Abhijit Sinha stated.

Sinha said that Zion Hospital, where the patient had received treatment before being sent to Guwahati, too has been sealed.

The wholesale market at GS Road and retail shops at Marwari Patti and Ghora Patti too would remain closed until further orders.

Doctors, nurses and all other staff of the hospital and their family members

who came into direct and indirect contact with the patient have also been quarantined. Sinha, during the daily briefing, stated that the patient from Dimapur was referred to Guwahati late on April 11. He subsequently tested positive on Sunday evening at Gauhati Medical College Hospital, where he has since been undergoing treatment.

As per the information released by the government, the patient had returned to Dimapur by Air India flight 709 from Kolkata on March 24.

The gover nment claimed that contact tracing had been completed of all passengers who were on the same flight from Kolkata that day, adding that all members of the patient’s joint family had already

been shifted to the government quarantine centres.

Parents and family members of the patient who are presently in Guwahati are undergoing necessary tests.

On Monday night, Health minister tweeted that the patient was recovering and the father’s first sample had tested negative.

Meanwhile, collection of samples from people in connection with the positive case is going on and, according to the government, a total of 22 samples from Kohima and 14 samples from Dimapur have been collected till 5 pm on Monday.

The government solicited support and cooperation of everyone for combating the threat of COVID-19 united.

required to give “appropriate publicity” the modified directions.

Rohatgi , appearing for some private labs, submitted that ICMR has fixed moderate charge of Rs 4,500 for COVID-19 tests to cover the expenses of labs and moreover, persons covered under the ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ are tested for free of cost. In case the Labs are not to charge any fee for the tests, it will be impossible for them to carry on the test due to financial constraint, he argued.

Law officer Mehta referred to the ICMR affidavit and submitted that the government is taking all necessary steps for conducting the COVID-19 test and as on date, 157 government labs and 67 private labs are conducting COVID-19 test.

“All government hospitals and government labs are conducting COVID-19 test free of cost,” Mehta said. Lawyer Shashank Deo Sudhi, who had filed the PIL in personal capacity, said there are large sections of society who are unable to afford even Rs 4,500 for COVID-19 test and the government has to take responsibility of getting every person tested.

Dimapur CSOs appeal to CM

Nothing on the ground to combat pandemic: NPF (From p-1) Stating that it was “not convinced” with the state government’s explanation on first confirmed case, the NPF said the government despite knowing that the person had a travel history “casually handled” the case, which it added that was “utter carelessness” on the part of the government.

It said the government has put the lives of thousands of citizens of Dimapur “under tension” by carelessly handling the particular case.

NPF also said that government claim of “ful-

ANFPSA seeks safety kits for FPS dealers

NEW DELHI, APR 13 (PTI): The Congress on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be bold in declaring a financial package of at least 5 to 6 per cent of India’s GDP to ensure economic recovery post the COVID-19 lockdown.

The opposition party also demanded that the central government pays all pending dues to states to enable them to fight the coronavirus outbreak, besides also giving each of them special economic packages.

Senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said the government must also allow CSR and industry contributions to the CM Relief Funds in various states on the same lines as that granted to PM Cares Fund, as not doing so would amount to being unfair and discriminatory towards states.

“These are extraordinary times and require extraordinary actions. That is why the Prime Minister should be bold and declare an economic package to help revive various sectors of the economy post lockdown,” Sharma said ad-

ly prepared to face any eventuality” appeared to be “only propaganda” rather than providing the most required medical facilities.

NPF said it was “extremely embarrassing” that the state government could not procure even a testing machines/lab.

Claiming that the Jain community in Dimapur celebrated Mahavir Jayanti at Marwari Patti on April 6, 2020 despite lockdown, the NPF questioned if the Christian could close down Churches and observe Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday

dressing a press conference via video.

“We expect that the economic package should be at least 5 to 6 per cent of India’s GDP,” he said, adding that many countries like UK, France and Germany have declared economic packages that are 15 per cent of their GDP. He said the USA has an declared an economic package of 10 per cent of its GDP. The senior Congress leader said action is required in this regard and the government at this juncture should not be concerned about the fiscal deficit or inflation.

Sharma also said that each state must get a special package or grant from the Centre and all pending dues be paid to states to help them tide over the financial crisis in the wake of economic lockdown.

Sharma also said that since the lockdown was hurriedly imposed, it must ensure its phased lifting which is seamlessly coordinated with states and ensure that the suffering of the poor mitigated.

The former Commerce Minister said the govern-

at home, what prompted the government to allow the Jain community to have social/religious gathering during the lockdown period?

NPF said it still had many questions over the way the government was tackling the present pandemic, but would come out slowly basing on the factual report from party workers on the ground.

Meanwhile, NPF has suggested relaxing total lockdown w.e.f. April 15, 2020 within the state with some regulations since the government has assured the citizens that it was

ment must evolve a policy to ensure that no pharmaceutical, insurance and financial sector industry be taken over by foreign entities amid COVID-19 crisis.

“The government of India has to be very careful.

It should tell the SEBI and RBI to take steps in this regard. We are concerned over takeover attempts by foreign entities on pharma industry, as well as some companies in financial and insurance sector,” he said.

“No country in the world allows that. There has to be a policy, India must not allow that to happen,” he said, pointing out that India’s pharmaceutical sector manufactures some critical medicines.

Sharma also demanded a special package for the revival of the industry, especially the MSME sector, for which he sought a Factoring Fund together with allowing them funds with zero per cent interest by banks.

He cited an ILO study whereby it is feared that 400 million Indian workers will sink in poverty due to the prolonged lockdown, as it is unsustainable.

fully prepared to tackle COVID-19. NPF suggested following regulations: only movement within the districts for the time being; Inter-district movement of vehicle and pedestrians may hold on for a week’s time and special medical team may be assigned to focus more on Dimapur district; schools may remain closed till the end of April 2020 and the lost classes/days may be recovered by shortening the duration of summer vacation and seal Airport, Railway Station and Inter-State Bus/Taxi terminals till the end of the April 2020.

STF personnel tender apology

(From p-1) president, Nagaland In Service Association president, Nagaland Medical Council president, and to the general public in the presence of Dr. V. Sakhrie, Advisor to CM. The STF personnel admitted that the action meted out on Dr. Sezo, was unwarranted, indiscipline and lack of respect to a doctor on duty.

The STF personnel also promised not to repeat

Mechanism in place for PMGKY package: EPFO

DAYO demands facility quarantine for individuals being tested for COVID-19

Cong asks PM to be bold in declaring financial package

sections of the society can be extended benefit of free testing of COVID-19,” it said. The court said it was conscious of the fact that framing of the scheme and its implementation were in the government’s domain who are the best experts in such matters.

Modifying the order, the bench said, free testing for COVID-19 shall be available to persons covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and “any other category of economically weaker sections of the society as notified by the Government for free testing for COVID19, hereinafter”.

It said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare may consider as to whether any other categories of the weaker sections of the society may be granted the facility of free testing.

“The Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare may issue necessary guidelines for reimbursement of cost of free testing of COVID-19 undertaken by private Labs and necessary mechanism to defray expenses and reimbursement to the private Labs,” it said.

The court said the central government was

(From p-1) times, the memorandum stressed that providing them safety and personal protective equipments (PPE) in sufficient quantity was of utmost necessity. Hence, it urged Rio to ensure a sustainable and equitable supply of PPE to these frontline workers, besides media persons.

Asserting that Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) had been instrumental in sanitising town areas since the outbreak of COVID-19, the CSOs said the chief minister’s intervention in providing financial assistance and sufficient supply of disinfectant to DMC would be highly solicited.

The memorandum was signed by NCD general secretary Thsapongkyu Sangtam, NWHD president Sungsabeni Jamio, DUCCF president Er Tsenthungo Nyamo, GBs (Sadar) Union (From p-1) sides, it said enough food grains have been Dimapur president MY Also, slamming the ruling party legis- made available to the extent of provisioning Ngullie and DNSU presilators, the NPCC said that it was “disturb- three months share in advance to ration dent Sedevilie Angami. ing” that the legislators were on “a public- card holders. Congress claimed it was also ity spree” while handing over government announced that major part of state disaster procured items like hand sanitizer, mask, management funding was being used to gloves and food items to district admin- procure rice for distribution to cover even istration or people. Congress alleged that those without ration cards. the public were being made to believe that However, NPCC alleged “huge defithe essential items were being personally ciency” in ground delivery, which it said D I M A P U R , A P R 1 3 procured and donated by the minister or was “laced with discrimination and favou- (NPN): Following the ruling MLA, which it said was “distressing ritism” particularly on political lines. launch of Pradhan Manin these extraordinary times.”

It demanded that all districts and as- tri Garib Kalyan Yojana Further, NPCC said that the Centre sembly constituencies must be given fair (PMGKY) by the Cenhas, in the past month alone, sanctioned and equal treatment without any political tre on March 26, 2020 hundreds of crores to fight COVID-19. Be- bias. to help the poor fight the battle against coronavirus, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), a statutory body under Ministry of Labour Monday informed that an electronic mechanism has DIMAPUR, APR 13 The organisation in a that such individuals be been put in place as part of (NPN): Following detec- press release stated that the quarantined immediately in the electronic challan-cumtion of the first COVID-19 whole process of collecting the established quarantine return (ECR) filing to enpositive case in Nagaland, samples from individuals, centres.

Dimapur Ao Youth Or- sending these outside the The youth body also able the establishments to ganisation (DAYO) has State and the government asked the State govern- avail the relief in respect of demanded that individuals then claiming that the tests ment to explain why strict their eligible employees.

In a press release, aswhose samples have been were negative had come quarantine procedures were sistant PF commissioner, sent for tests outside should under a cloud of suspicion not maintained for people be quarantined in the estab- and proved that the process entering the State even after special state office, Dimalished quarantine centres was inefficient. the national lockdown was pur, M Newmei, stated that as part of PMGKY immediately.

Hence, it demanded imposed. package, the Centre has proposed to grant relief in form of credit of employees’ provident fund (EPF) and employee’s pension DIMAPUR, APR 13 (NPN): All Nagaland The association said that ever since the Fair Price Shop Association (ANFPSA) outbreak of COVID-19 FPS dealers have scheme (EPS) contribuMonday appealed to the state government been doing their best in serving the general tions (24% of wages) for to provide safety medical kits and personal populace by taking up its job sincerely in three months in universal protective equipment (PPE) to FPS dealers line with the order issued by the government account number (UANs) when required, saying there was apprehen- and FCI department. ANFPSA said FPS of contributory EPF memsion among FPS dealers who encounter dealers were doing their best to follow the bers earning monthly wage hundreds of people during food grains guidelines in maintaining social distancing of less than Rs.15000, who distribution following the detection of and bearing all expenses of buying medical are already employed in COVID-19 positive case in Dimapur. safety kits in their respective FPS. Stating EPF covered establishANFPSA through its information cell that FPS dealers were second to none in ments/factories employing also sought security to labour and trucks fighting against the present emergent crisis, up to one hundred employtransporting goods from depot to FPS and ANFPSA said they were risking their lives ees with 90% or more of life insurance of 90 days “as provided in without having proper medical/healthcare such employees earning monthly wage of less than other state”. training, PPE and kits supplied.

State government caught ...

5

Rs.15000.

This is with a view to prevent disruption in the employment of low wage earning EPF members and support EPF covered establishments employing up to one hundred employees.

To implement the PMGKY package, the Ministry of Labour has notified a scheme specifying the objective, eligibility criteria, validity period, process and manner to avail the relief.

After ECR is uploaded and eligibility of establishment and employees is validated, then the challan would separately show amount of employees’ and employers’ contributions due as Central government relief in respect of eligible employees and the remaining amount payable by the employer.

After the employer remits the payment due from him as reflected in challan, the EPF and EPS contributions would be credited directly in the UANs of the eligible employees of the establishment by the Centre.

The details of the scheme and FAQs containing clarifications on various aspects of the package are available on homepage of EPFO website under the TAB “COVID-19”.

such unfortunate act in future and further assured that they would sincerely and diligently continue to serve the public for their safety and security a nd not otherwise.

In view of the public apology, Dr. Sezo forgave them in true Christian spirit and also in view of the extra ordinary situation at hand due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nagaland and also keeping in mind the utmost importance of public health, DIPR stated.

Dimapur VDBs yet to receive grants DIMAPUR, APR 13 (NPN): Village Development Boards (VDBs) of villages in Dimapur district and whose accounts are with Vijaya Bank, which has now merged with Bank of Baroda, have claimed that the grant-in-aid released to VDBs by the state government in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic had not been credited to their bank accounts.

The State government had decided to make 50% advance payment of grantin-aid for 2019-2020 to the villages in the early part of April, not for any develop-

mental activities but to be utilised for the pandemicrelated emergency activities in rural areas.

Dimapur deputy commissioner and project director of DRDA Dimapur had reportedly issued the cheques on April 7 that were subsequently deposited to the respective VDB bank accounts.

An official of Aghunaqa rural development (RD) block confirmed with Nagaland Post that the VDBs under the block were pressurising the department for transferring the amount into their accounts. He clari-

fied that the department concerned had already deposited the cheques to their respective bank accounts and urged the banks concerned to do the needful at the earliest as the fund was meant for utilisation for emergency activities in the villages.

Villages under Aghunaqa RD block are located far away from Dimapur and under present circumstances it is very difficult for VBD secretaries to travel often to the town. No bank officials could be contacted for their comments till the filing of this report.

WITTER THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, WOKHA

(Affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College/University) Candidates who are committed and born again Christian willing to undergo theological training at WTC, are invited for the following programs, B.D residential course and Dip.C.S/B.C.S extension course, last date for submission of B.D admission forms is on or before, 30th May, 2020 and Extension course is on or before 30th Nov. 2020. Entrance test for the B.D program is scheduled on 4th & 5th June 2020. The intending candidates should have the following educational qualifications.

Residential Course Qualification Duration B.D (Bachelor of Divinity) 10+ 2/P.U Pass Five years B.D (Bachelor of Divinity) Graduate (any stream) Four Years Extension Course Dip.C.S (Diploma in Christian Studies) 10 passed Two years B.C.S (Bachelor of Christian Studies) 10+2/ Dip. C.S. Pass Four Years Please note that the Extension courses are designed both for Christian Ministers and laity as well.

For further information interested candidates can kindly contact through: Mobile: 9862272186/8787629755 E-mail: wtcprincipal@yahoo.com or wtcvankhosung@yahoo.com

WC-121

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

6

international

US COVID-19 outbreak may peak this week

WASHINGTON, Apr 13 (Agencies): The coronavirus outbreak could reach its peak in the United States this week, a top U.S. health official said on Monday as more signs of stabilization emerged, but political leaders said a reopening of the economy may hinge on more widespread testing.

The United States, with the world’s thirdlargest population, has recorded more fatalities from COVID-19 than any other country, more than 22,000 as of Monday morning according to a Reuters tally.

The number of deaths reported on Sunday was 1,513, the smallest increase since 1,309 died on April 6.

The largest number of fatalities is still in and around New York City, the most populous U.S. city with about 8.4 million people.

“We are nearing the peak right now,” Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told NBC’s “Today” show.

“You’ll know when you’re

A patient is wheeled out of Elmhurst Hospital Center to a waiting ambulance, in the Queens borough of New York.

at the peak when the next day is actually less than the day before.”

Official statistics, which exclude deaths outside of hospitals, have understated the actual number of people who have succumbed to COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus,

health experts said.

In New York City, the epicenter of the outbreak, three indicators have to show a sustained decline before the city could consider the outbreak to be in a less dangerous phase, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

Those indicators are the daily number of people

Spain eases economic restrictions

Ma d r i d, A p r 1 3 (IANS): Spain eased its economic restrictions on Monday allowing thousands of workers to return to their posts amid a debate between politicians, unions and scientists over the risk of a coronavirus rebound.

The Spanish government ordered the suspension of all non-essential activity on March 30, which meant an almost total paralysis of the country’s economy, Efe news reports.

The measure was imposed in reaction to the advance of the pandemic, which saw a spike of infections and deaths of between 15 and 20 per cent the previous week.

A total of 166,831 confirmed cases and 17,209 deaths have been reported

in Spain since the start of the outbreak, making it the one of the worst affected countries in the world.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a public appearance on Sunday that the restarting of economic activities on Monday would not mean a relaxation of confinement measures ordered on March 14.

He added that the country was not entering the de-escalation phase of its lockdown.

Police officers were distributing masks at major transport hubs, including train and metro stations, in large cities from the early hours of Monday morning.

The government announced the distribution of 10 million masks at logistics points throughout Spain for those who have

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

to use public transport to travel to work.

Police officers were also monitoring trains and buses to make sure they did not become overcrowded.

Distancing measures have also been imposed for employers, such as in the construction industry work in occupied buildings has been prohibited.

Images from Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic on Monday showed empty roads and a small number of vehicles in large cities, with a similar picture in Madrid’s main metro stations.

The resumption of economic activity has been criticised by some regional leaders, such as Catalan President Quim Torra, who on Sunday described the move as “absolute recklessness”.

admitted to hospitals, the number of people in intensive care units, and the percentage of positive tests for the virus.

“I’m pleased to report we do see all the indicators moving in the right direction, moving downward together,” said de Blasio, who stressed the need for

widespread testing before experts could be confident that the city had entered a new phase and could lift social-distancing restrictions.

Swee ping stay-athome restrictions to curb the spread of the disease, in place for weeks in many areas of the United States, have taken a painful toll on the economy.

With businesses closed and curbs on travel, officials and lawmakers are debating when it might be safe to begin reopening some sectors.

New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot acknowledged a “tightening” of the supply chain for swabs needed in coronavirus testing, and said it was part of a “national and international challenge” to ramp up testing.

“The most important is we won’t be able to get this over the finish line if we don’t have the supply that the mayor was calling for and the assistance from the federal government.”

59 Indians among 233 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore

Fifty-nine Indians are among 233 new coronavirus cases reported in Singapore, taking the total number of COVID-19 patients to 2,532, the Health Ministry has said.

Of the new cases, 51 are linked to known clusters while 15 to earlier cases. The remaining 167 have no links to earlier cases, pending contact tracing, the ministry said in its daily update on Sunday. Seven new clusters, or common places of gatherings, were found, including one linked to a restaurant at a five-star casino-resort complex. The restaurant is linked to eight cases and McDonald’s is linked to five infections.

Thirty-one of the 976 patients still in hospital are in critical condition in the intensive care unit while most others are stable or improving. There are 988 cases who are clinically well but still tested positive for COVID-19.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

Pak Army trainer aircraft crashes; two pilots killed L aho r e / I sla m abad, Apr 13 (PTI): Two Pakistan Army Aviation pilots were killed on Monday when their trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in Punjab province, the military said.

The Mushshak aircraft crashed in Gujrat ciy, some 150 kilometres from Lahore, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Both the pilots, Major Umer - who was the Instructor Pilot and Lieutenant Fiazan, a Student Pilot - were killed in the accident, the army said in a statement.

Major Umer is survived by his wife, it said, adding that the exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained.

There were no casualties on ground, the military said.

Developed from Saab Safari, the Mushshak is a license-built fixed-gear basic trainer aircraft used by the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force.

Pakistan has a chequered military and civilian aviation safety record, with plane and helicopter crashes frequent over the years.

On March 23, a Pakistan Air Force F-16 aircraft crashed near Shakarparian in Islamabad during rehearsals for the Pakistan Day Parade. Wing Commander Nauman Akram was killed in the crash.

In July 2019, 17 people lost their lives after a military aircraft crashed into a populated area in the suburbs of Rawalpindi.

Five army officials and 12 civilians were killed in the crash, the ISPR had said.

Another 12 civilians were injured in the crash as the aircraft slammed into houses below where most of the people were sleeping at the time.

And in 2016 a Pakistan International Airlines plane burst into flames after one of its engines failed while travelling from northern Pakistan to Islamabad, killing more than 40 people.

Easter storms kill at least 19 people in US

Jackson (US), Apr 13 (AP): Severe weather has swept across the South, killing at least 19 people and damaging hundreds of homes from Louisiana into the Appalachian Mountains.

Many people spent part of the night early Monday sheltering in basements, closets and bathroom tubs as sirens wailed to warn of possible tornadoes.

Eleven people were killed in Mississippi, and six more died in northwest Georgia.Two other bodies were pulled from damaged homes in Arkansas and South Carolina.

The storms blew onward through the night, c a using f l o od ing a nd mudslides in mountainous areas, and knocking out electricity for about

Neighbors helped to clean up a damaged home in Monroe, La., after a tornado passed through the city on Sunday.

750,000 customers in a 10state swath ranging from Texas to Georgia up to West Virginia, according to poweroutages.us.

The National Weather Service tallied hundreds of reports of trees down

No. 9552 Yesterday’s solution No. 9551

No. 4171 Yesterday’s solution No. 4170

No. 3196 Yesterday’s solution No. 3195

ACROSS 3. Command (5) 8. Romantic flowers (5) 10. Sensational (5) 11. Afflict (3) 12. Prise (5) 13. Booze (7) 15. Based on truth (5) 18. Animal doctor (3) 19. Erase, expunge (6) 21. Say in passing (7) 22. Plant ovule (4) 23. Jumps on one foot (4) 24. Gaseous element (7) 26. In error (6) 29. That man (3) 31. Skinflint (5) 32. Permission, permit (7) 34. Hairdresser’s shop (5) 35. Decompose (3) 36. Post off (5) 37. Honour and glory (5) 38. Requires (5) Down 1. Marsupial (5) 2. Dear (7) 4. Spool (4) 5. Number (6) 6. Rustic (5) 7. Call on (5) 9. So or thus (3) 12. Game of chance (7) 14. Farmyard bird (3) 16. Fruit (5) 17. Thick (5) 19. Marine mammal (7) 20. Religion (5) 21. Thaws (5) 23. Baseball term (4,3) 24. Martial art (6) 25. Facial twitch (3) 27. Flanks (5) 28. Tree sap (5) 30. Thespian (5) 32. Noisy (4) 33. Signal agreement (3)

across the region, including many that punctured roofs and downed power lines.

Meteorologists warned the mid-Atlantic states to prepare for potential tornadoes, wind and hail on Monday.

In Georgia, Murray County Fire Chief Dewayne Bain told WAGA-TV that two mobile home parks were severely damaged, with five people killed and five others hospitalized after a line of narrow line

of storms left a five mile long path of destruction.

Another person was killed when a tree fell on a home in Cartersville, the station reported.

Mississippi’s death toll rose to 11 early Monday, the state’s emergency management agency tweeted, promising details later in the morning.

In Arkansas, one person was killed when a tree fell on a home in White Hall, about 35 miles southeast of Little Rock, the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management said. In South Carolina, a person was found dead in a collapsed building near Seneca as the apparent tornado struck the city around 3:30 am Monday, Oconee County Emergency Management Director Scott Krein said.

Pope urges world to unite to face coronavirus pandemic Vatican City, Apr 13 (IANS): Pope Francis dedicated his Easter Sunday message to everyone affected by the coronavirus pandemic saying “the whole world is suffering and must be united to face it”.

From an empty St Peter’s Basilica, with no banner hanging from the balcony and no faithful in the square due to Italy’s lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, Francis on Sunday delivered his Easter message, reports Efe news.

“For many, this is an Easter of solitude, lived amid the sorrow and hardship that the pandemic is causing, from physical suffering to economic difficulties,” he said.

After a sober Easter Mass, millions of people tuned in to watch the pontiff deliver the traditional Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing to the world where he urged the faithful to come together against indifference, selfcentredness, division and forgetfulness.

“Indifference, selfcentredness, division and forgetfulness are not words we want to hear at this time,” Francis said.

The pontiff called his message a “contagion of hope” to be transmitted from heart to heart.

He praised those “who work diligently to guarantee the essential services necessary for civil society, and to the law enforcement and military personnel who in many countries have helped ease people’s difficulties and sufferings”.

For many who have been forced to stay at home due to isolation measures,

Pope Francis the Pope said it had provided an occasion for reflection and an opportunity to pause from life’s frenetic pace to enjoy the company of loved ones.

The Pope also called for “an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world” and called for a solution to ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon.

Francis urged for in-

ternational sanctions on countries affected by the pandemic to be relaxed and for debt in the poorest regions to be reduced or cleared.

The pontiff spoke of Europe, which has been at the heart of the pandemic, and said that it had been able “to overcome the rivalries of the past” after World War II “thanks to a concrete spirit of solidarity”.

APOLOGY

I, Mr. Longshithung Shitio alias Cheron Thung, render my humble apology to Chümoukedima Village Youth Society for the write up that I gave on social media, particularly (FB), without having knowledge of the change of the Village nomenclature. Therefore, I highly regret my unreasonable/insensitive act, which has hurt the sentiments of the individual/society/union, and for which I am deeply sorry. It is my humble prayer to please accept this humble apology and forgive my limited being for hurting your sentiments and I promise to one and all that this will never happen again.

Longshithung Shitio DC-375

KOHIMA TOWN CLUB KOHIMA-797001, NAGALAND

INFORMATION

The Kohima Town Club regrets to inform its esteemed well wishers that due to prevailing situation (Covid-19) the Raffle Draw which is scheduled on 15th April 2020 has been postponed to later date; to be intimated very soon through print/social media. Therefore, the club earnestly appeals all well wishers to bear with the inconvenience.

Sd/President Kohima Town Club # 9402019908 K-866

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

7

Manipur government provides 1 more tests positive for COVID-19 in Assam assistance to stranded migrants

Guwahati, Apr 13 (PTI): One more person who attended the Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Delhi, which has emerged as a big cluster of coronavirus cases, tested positive for the virus in Assam on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 30, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Sarma said 29 of the total cases, including the one who died, are linked to the Jamaat congregation in Nizamuddin last month.

All these patients and their contacts have been either quarantined or isolated, Sarma said and hoped with this, the cases linked to the Jamaat meet would “close” in five to seven days.

“We have been able to quarantine each and every person connected to the event,” the minister said at a press conference here.

The man who tested positive on Monday hails from Dhubri, the third confirmed case from that district and all of them

linked to the Tablighi meet, the minister said.

The35-year old had returned from Delhi by a flight on March 21 and gone to Dhubri by bus. He informed authorities about his travel history and a visit to Nizamuddin.

He was quarantined but later developed symptoms and was kept in isolation at Barpeta Medical College Hospital. After he tested positive, he was shifted to Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital here.

Assam has tested 3,209 samples. Of them, 1,421 are connected to the Nizamuddin congregation and 34 results are awaited, the minister said.

Besides its own 30 confirmed cases, a Nagaland resident has also tested positive in Guwahati Medical College Hospital and is undergoing treatment here.

The 33-year old, who tested positive last night, had travelled from Kolkata to Dimapur on March

24 and was referred to GMCH on March 11. He was brought here in an ambulance and his father and the ambulance driver have been quarantined at MMCH. Among the confirmed cases in Assam, Golaghat accounts for nine,the highest in the state, four each from Nalbari and Morigaon, three each from Dhubri and Goalpara, two from Silchar while Hailakandi, Kamrup (M), Kamrup, Lakhimpur and South Salmara having one case each.

“The condition of all positive cases, except a cancer patient who was the first to test positive in Silchar, is stable and we may be able to release them gradually after April 15,if their condition do not deteriorate,” Sarma said.

The repeat testing of these patients will begin from Tuesday, he added.

The situation, however, is still trying and “this is a short-term challenge

that we are dealing with,” he said. “We will face another major challenge when those who are still outside the state return home and the final challenge will emerge with the onset of winter.”

The health department is formulating a plan for the next year to enhance the health infrastructure in the state and this will be announced in a few days, he said.

The minister said the situation is being monitored constantly and soon the department will have to take a decision regarding the three major hospitals which have been converted into exclusive COVID-19 hospitals.

“Many hesitate to go to private hospitals even though we have signed MoUs regarding their treatment under Atal Amrit Yojana and Ayushman Bharat and we will have to take a decision to reopen these hospitals for the general patients by the end of this month,” he said.

The state is comfortably placed as far as PPEs and masks are concerned with the Reliance Industries Limited donating ten thousand PPEs to Assam on Monday, Sarma said.

“The PPEs are of very high quality and on behalf of the state government, I thank RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani for the kind gesture,” he said.

The state currently has a stock of 85,582 PPEs, 91,000 N95 masks and more than50 lakh triple layer masks, the minister said.

“We have decided to cap the stock of PPEs at two lakh. We started with 10 PPEs and though we are still acquiring it but will stop after achieving the target of two lakh as we do not want to spend public money beyond that,” he said.

The government has also planned to give three triple- layer masks to each tea garden workers who have started working from Monday, he said.

Stranded migrants receiving assistance from Manipur government in Imphal West district on Monday. (NP) Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 13: Manipur government extended assistance to the migrant population stranded in the state due to the lockdown to check the spread of COVID-19. A government source said that Imphal West district administration has provided 10,360 verified stranded migrant population with rations such as rice, dal, salt and

cooking oil.

The migrant workers were mostly daily wage earners, barbers, motias, and rickshaw-pullers. Altogether, 1,285 workers have also been given shelter and food by their employers.

Helping the Imphal West district administration in providing assistance were more than 200 employees of the district administration and volunteers from Red Cross, NYK among others.

Free rations were also provided to children home, old age home, and rehab centres.

It may be mentioned that the district administration had also provided assistance to a total of 18,824 households/families and 3402.60 quintal of rice was distributed on April 12.

Under OMSS, 195.75 quintal of rice was also provided to 2123 households/ families of the district.

Pradesh Stop movement across Indo-Bhutan border: Assam CM M’laya extends lockdown till April 30 Arunachal extends lockdown Correspondent

Shillong, Apr 13: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Monday decided to extend the lockdown till April 30 with a view to check the spread of the COVID-19 virus even as the State remains uninfected from the contagious disease.

“We have decided to continue with the lockdown with effect from April 15 till April 30 after reviewing the prevailing situation across the region,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after the Cabinet.

“Inter-district movements will not be allowed until further order, but migrant workers who are currently stationed in shelter homes set up by the Government will be allowed to move back to their respective districts which are within the State. All inter-state movement from all entry

and exit points will continue to be sealed throughout Meghalaya,” he added.

However, Tynsong said that patients from different districts coming to Shillong for medical checkup and treatment will be allowed provided that they have to apply for passes from the concerned district authority.

Informing that there are over 3000 students and workers from the State stranded in other parts of the country due to the nation-wide lockdown, the Deputy Chief Minister said that each of them will be given a one-time financial benefit of Rs.3000 to tide over the situation.

Stating that the Cabinet also reviewed its earlier decision to allow private transportation, he said that after thorough discussion and getting inputs from all the Deputy Commissioners, it has decided not to allow

playing of private transport in urban areas.

However, he said that the Deputy Commissioners of other districts have been directed to come up with modalities on whether it can be allowed in rural areas or not.

On the other hand, all district and sub-divisional functionaries have been instructed to extend the closure of all educational institutions in the State from April 16 to April 30 in order to maintain social distancing as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.

During the closure period, parents have also been advised to kee p their wards occupied and updated through online learning resources using Government back repositories like swayam.gov. in, swayamprabha.gov.in, epathshala.nic.in, chachi. app and Diksha.

Shillong doctor tests positive for Covid-19; 48-hr curfew imposed

Itanagar, Apr 13 (PTI): The Ar unachal Pradesh government on Monday extended the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus from April 14 to 30, a senior official said. The lockdown has been extended till April 30, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar said. Only state-run buses will be allowed to ply on the roads. Construction work will be allowed to resume after contractors seek permission from authorities concerned, but migrant labourers cannot be employed, he told reporters here. Intensive care units will be set up in hospitals at Tawang, Tezu, Aalo, Pasighat, Ziro and Khonsa this month, the official added.

Police penalise 661 lockdown violators in Manipur IMPHAL, Apr 13: Manipur police have penalised 661 individuals for violating lockdown/curfew on Monday. In a press release, state police PRO informed that 661 violators were detained along with 373 vehicles. The violators were produced before the concern magistrates and fines were imposed.

The police department appealed to the public to follow the guideline issued by the government and to stay indoors for their own safety and safety of the public.

The department also requested the public to maintain social distancing during at the pharmacy and grocery shops. The police department will continue to enforce the lockdown/ curfew strictly in the days to come, the release added.

have visited Bethany Hospital, Nongrim Hills, Shillong on or after March 22 have also been are requested to immediately register themselves by calling 108 or visiting the following link http:/ /rneghalayaonline. gov.in/covid/login.htm.

“The Government is fully prepared to handle the situation and there is no need for the public to have any anxiety on this account,” read the statement.

However, it is once again strongly recommended that all residents of the State must use a protective two-layer cotton cloth material to cover nose, mouth and chin as a mask and follow the hand hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing protocols.

In view of the development, the Cabinet will be meeting again in the forenoon of April 14 to review the decisions that were taken in the Cabinet Meeting that was held on April 13.

Celebrate Cheiraoba at your homes: Mnp CM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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like protection of health, maintenance of supply chain and complete adherence to lockdown for waging a war against the virus, the chief minister said.

The chief minister asked the deputy commissioner to maintain robust supply chain in the district so that there is no dearth of essential commodities and also to ensure the quality of goods provided to people during the lockdown period.

Sonowal also visited a quarantine centre for COVID-19 patients set up in the district sports complex at Bathouphuri in Mushalpur.

He wished people on the occasion of Rongali Bihu and Assamese New

Sarbananda Sonowal (File)

year and appealed to them to light an earthen lamp at 6 pm on their courtyard on Tuesday, as a part of

Bihu celebration, to dispel the darkness and empower people to fight against coronavirus.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

9TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY

of our beloved Late Yanbemo Tsanglao Date: 14-04-2011

Correspondent

SHILLONG, Apr 13 (Agencies): Meghalaya has reported its first Covid-19 case after a doctor was tested positive for the virus on Monday.

The news was confirmed by Meghalaya Health Minister, AL Hek, reported the northeast today.

According to a release issued by the Chief Secretary, a doctor from Bethany Hospital in Shillong was tested positive for Covid 19. In line with this, the East Khasi Hills district magistrate has imposed 48 hours curfew in Shillong agglomeration area from 6:00 am of April 14 with the exception of essential services.

Meanwhile, the residents have been requested to refrain from coming out of their houses to enable the health department officials to do contact tracing and take appropriate remedial measures.

All residents of the State who may

Imphal, Apr 13 (Agencies): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday urged people to celebrate the traditional New Year festival Cheiraoba in their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Greetings to the people of Manipur on the auspicious occasion of Cheiraoba. On the onset of a new year, let us renew our fraternal bond and unity among different communities and strive for bringing inclusive development in the State.

Pl.celebrate in your home,” he tweeted. The traditional lunar new year festival of the state, also known as Sajibu Nongma Panba is celebrated with great fanfare by the people of the state.

Guwahati, Apr 13 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday directed the Baska district administration to take effective measures to “stop movement” across the Indo-Bhutan border in the district and to ensure the nationwide lockdown completely. The chief minister directed this to the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police during his visit to the district to assess its preparedness to deal with novel coronavirus outbreak.

The district has reported no positive coronavirus case so far.

The district administration should essentially focus on three-pronged agenda

“You may be gone from our sight but you are never gone from our hearts” The bereaved family members of Late Taliwati Longkumer (Molungyimsen) would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the friends, relatives, neighbors and well wishers for the love and support shown physically, financially and the constant prayer support throughout his illness and demise of our beloved on 04-04-2020. We thank you for your kind words and encouragement and making it a beautiful celebration of his life. Your presence has made a sad and difficult time easier for us. Your kindness and compassion is appreciated.

Our special thanks to: 1. Dr. Manong, Nurses & Staff of Zion Hospital, Dimapur 2. Mrs. Achila Tarep LATE TALIWATI LONGKUMER 3. Mr & Mrs. Anungba Sanglir Born: 31.12.1964 – Died: 04.04.2020 4. Mr. James Odyuo 5. Mr & Mrs. Lanukumzuk Tzudir 6. Mr. Orenthung & Brothers 7. Mrs. Watila Belho 8. Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo 9. Molungyimsen Senso Telongjem, Dimapur 10. N.S.T Colony Youth, Dimapur 11. N.S.T Department, Dimapur 12. N.S.T Colony Lotha and Sumi Community, Dimapur May God Bless You All. Loving Wife & Daughters DP-2247

“Your dedication has successfully brought about the achievement of Silver Jubilee of LBCPB Your contributions to LBCPB in various ways shall always be remembered, “We thank and salute you” Dear! Father!

“A thousand words nor tears will bring you back, all we have of you is to feel and miss you in silent prayers.

From loving family: Wife, children, grand children and in-laws MKC-120

Acknowledgement

Died on 26th March 2020 We, the bereaved family of Lt. D. Chopfukho Kayina express our heartfelt gratitude to all our friends, neighbors, relatives and well wishers for the immense support and kindness shown to us during our most painful moment.

Special word of thanks to – Mao Baptist Church Chumukedima, Mao Baptist Church Kuda, Dimapur, Seithekema A Baptist Church and Mao Hoho Dimapur for braving the difficult situation and strengthening us with your presence.

Please forgive our inability to thank each one of you individually, but it is our fervent prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Family Members DP-2245

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord” Job 1:21

W. Tungoe, Addtl. Secy (Rtd) Aug 14, 1931 – April 9, 2020 Our family would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to each and every one who gave us their physical, spiritual and material support throughout the illness and sad demise of our beloved father Lt. WOSUMO TUNGOE. Words are hardly enough to acknowledge each and every one of you personally, however it is our heartfelt prayer, that our good Lord shower His abundant blessings upon all of you.

Loved Ones.

DP-2248

Died on 3rd April 2020 In times of grief and pain of the loss, the sudden demise of our beloved Lt. Sunep A Tzudir on 3rd April 2020, we found love, sympathy and gesture of kindness from relatives, friends, churches, village communities, various organizations and well wishers who stood by us as strength of pillar and shared our pain during the period of bereavement. We are immensely touched by the immeasurable love, concern, prayers and support rendered to us providing us solace and strength.

We fall short of words to acknowledge each and every one individually for the genuine act of kindness, but it is our earnest prayer that our Lord Almighty will bless you.

Loving Parents, Sister and Relatives DP-2246 K

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8

sports

Games delay to cost IOC ‘several 100 mn’

Tokyo, Apr 13 (AP): The International Olympic Committee will face “several hundred million dollars” of added costs because of the postponement of the Tokyo Games, the body’s president said.

Thomas Bach spoke in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt on Sunday.

Estimates in Japan put the overall cost of the postponement at USD 2 billionUSD 6 billion. Except for the IOC portion, all added costs will be borne by the Japanese side according to an agreement signed in 2013 when Tokyo was awarded the Olympics.

Bach said it was “impossible to say for now” the extent of the added costs for the IOC caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We agreed with the prime minister that Japan will continue to cover the costs it would have done under the terms of the existing agreement for 2020, and the IOC will continue to be responsible for its share of the costs,” Bach said.

“For us, the IOC, it is already clear that we shall be faced with several hundred million dollars of additional costs.”

Before the postpone-

A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past a poster with an illustration of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games mascot in Tokyo, Japan.

ment, Japanese organizers put the official cost of the games at USD 12.6 billion.

However, a government audit report in 2019 said the costs were at least twice that. All but USD 5.6 billion of it is in taxpayer money.

Tokyo said the 2020 Games would cost about USD 7.3 billion when it won the bid seven years ago.

On Friday, the CEO of the Tokyo organizing committee said the pandemic

left some doubts about the games going ahead next year.

“I don’t think anyone would be able to say if it is going to be possible to get it under control by next July or not,” Toshiro Muto said, speaking through an interpreter.

“We certainly are not in a position to give you a clear answer.”

Bach was asked about the possibility of another postponement.

He did not answer di-

rectly, but said later in the interview that Japanese organizers and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe “made it very clear to me that Japan could not manage a postponement beyond next summer at the latest.”

Bach was also asked if the pandemic provided an opportunity for some athletes to violate the doping rules with no threat of testing. Bach countered that the delay could allow new testing methods to be developed. He also said tests

Lampard outlines Chelsea transfer plans

PL must be completed: Palace’s manager

Frank Lampard

L o n d o n, A p r 1 3 ( Ag e nc i e s ) : Fr a n k Lampard says Chelsea have a number of different transfer action plans to work on depending on how the market is affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Premier League summer transfer window was set to open on June 10, but ongoing disruption and uncertainty means previous deadlines may not be met .

Lampard says he is happy with the players he has but with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Moussa Dembele and Declan Rice linked, Blues fans may be

expecting action.

“We have the good young players, we have had experienced players around them that have helped them this year, but we know there are little areas within the squad [we can improve],” Lampard told Sky Sports .

“Some of that’s what we have already, some of that’s how we might look to recruit going forward.”

“This period now with what’s going on in the world has made it very difficult to plan too much on [transfers], how this is going to look in weeks or months going forward. We have

to have different versions of plans going forward in terms of how it looks.”

Lampard was keen to underline the good work he felt Chelsea have done during his time at the club, with young players like Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham given first-team opportunities.

The former midfielder is looking to close the gap to Liverpool and Manchester City following their own successes in the transfer market.

“Going into this break I feel like we were moving in the right direction,” he added.

“With the continued work on the day-to-day attitude of my club and myself, and the players, and with bringing in players in key areas that we think can help us to try and bridge that gap to Liverpool and City. I don’t want to jump the gun because what Liverpool and Manchester City have done has been clear.”

Lo n d o n, A p r 1 3 (Agencies): The Premier League season must be played to a finish after the COVID-19 shutdown is over instead of using “artificial means” to decide the champions as well as relegation and Champions League spots, Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said.

Hodgson said teams might have to accept increased safety restrictions and having to play more games in a shorter period when play resumed.

“Everyone is in total agreement we need an end to this season,” said he 72year old. “We don’t want artificial means of deciding who wins the league, who gets into the Champions League, who gets relegated and promoted. Ideally our players would have three or four weeks minimum to prepare for the first match back, but I accept there may have to be a squeeze on that timeframe.”

Unsure if T20 WC would be held this year: Steyn Cape Town, Apr 13 (IANS): Veteran South Africa pacer Dale Steyn is unsure whether the T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Australia in October, will take place or not amid the coronavirus outbreak in the world.

Steyn was doing an #AskDale session on Twitter and a fan ended up asking about his thoughts on the impending ICC tournament late this year.

“Is it even gonna happen?” Steyn replied.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell had said on Sunday that a rescheduled Indian Premier League (IPL) can be conducted behind closed doors but it won’t be easy to have a T20 World Cup without fans. “... it’s going to be hard for us to have crowds.

I think if IPL goes ahead they can probably survive without any crowds, but I can’t see the T20 World Cup surviving without any people there,” Maxwell told ABC Grandstand.

“It’s going to be hard for us to justify having a World Cup when we can’t Dale Steyn get people into the grounds. trious career.

So I can’t see it happening ing.”

Steyn was also asked “They all good ey! in the near future. We’ve got to take care of every- to name the best batters he Ponting was prime, Sachin one’s health and wellbe- bowled to during his illus- was a wall, Dravid, Gayle,

KP, they were all so good!” he said.

Steyn also said his seven-for against India in Nagpur and six-wicket haul against Pakistan at the Wanderers remain one of his best bowling spells.

“Nagpur (7 against India) and wanderers (6 against Pakistan),” he replied to another fan’s question.

The 36-year old also said he is honing his cooking skills during lockdown in South Africa.

Steyn also picked his first Test wicket as the most memorable one.

“My first one, I guess I’ll always just remember it so it’s the winner. I loved bowling a batsman when he left the ball, often it came from a set up so I enjoyed that my often silly plans ended up working,” he added.

One T20 wicket or a spell that is special to Steyn?

“I played a 20/20 against West Indies in Port Elizabeth many, many years ago, blew a few poles away with some yorkers and a good slower ball, loved that performance, but we still lost, haha,” replied the ace quick regarded as one of the best of all time.

made before the Olympics would be saved for 10 years for retesting.

“No one should feel confident that they don’t get caught,” he said.

Bach was asked about Russia’s status for the Olympics in 2021. Last year, Russia was hit with a four-year ban from international sports — including the Olympics — because of a doping scandal. However, many Russian athletes were expected to be allowed to compete if they could show they were clean.

“The Russia question is currently under consideration by the CAS, the independent international Court of Arbitration for Sport, so it wouldn’t be right for me to comment on it,” Bach said.

Bach said he had not decided if he will run for reelection next year. He also pointed out that the IOC had insurance that covered a cancellation, but not a postponement.

The election will take place in 2021, and Bach is required to notify of his intentions six months before the vote. He was first elected in 2013 and is widely expected to seek another term.

“There’s still plenty of time,” he said.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

Lionel Messi calls health workers ‘anonymous heroes’ Madrid, Apr 13 (IANS): Football star Lionel Messi has thanked the health workers for the brilliant job that they are doing in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The world might have come to a standstill, but the health workers have been working non-stop to save the lives of millions across the globe.

Taking to Instagram, Messi wrote, “Yesterday the World Health Worker Week came to an end and, together with @unicef, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the work they do. Anonymous heroes who endure long days and nights away from their families, so that ours can be safe from #COVID19.”

“For continuing, despite everything, their noble commitment to caring for pregnant women, and keeping children and adolescents protected. #YoMeQuedoEnCasa #StayAtHome #Unicef.”

Sports personalities across the globe have thanked the health workers for their role in fighting the pandemic. Earlier, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson had also praised doctors and nurses for their efforts in these trying cir-

Lionel Messi

cumstances.

Writing in ‘New Zealand Herald’, Williamson addressed the doctors, nurses and caregivers as deadly virus continued to rear its ugly head, claiming lives globally.

“Events of the past few days have made it clear we’re living through a health crisis the likes of which we’ve never seen. There

will no doubt be times in the coming days when the scale of what we’re facing will seem overwhelming,” he wrote.

“We’re so grateful you have our backs. People talk about the pressure sportsmen and women are under to perform, but the truth is we get to do something we love every day for a living.

We play games,” he noted.

India to host Asian Boxing C’ship in Nov-Dec New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI): India will host the Asian Boxing Championships for men and women in November-December this year, the national federation revealed on Monday, expressing confidence that the COVID-19 pandemic will be well and truly under control by that time.

India last hosted the men’s Asian meet back in 1980 in Mumbai, while it conducted the women’s event in 2003 in Hisar.

The tournament became a combined event for men and women last year.

“We were awarded the hosting rights in February after a meeting of the Asian Boxing Confederation. The tournament will be held in NovemberDecember and the host city will be finalised after things normalise,” Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) Executive Director R K Sacheti told PTI. “It is an extraordinary situation no doubt but we are all hoping for this to be brought under control by

Scolari considering return to Asian football Rio de Janeiro, Apr 13 (IANS): Former Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has said he is considering several offers to coach in Asia. The 71-year-old has been out of work since last September, when he was sacked by Palmeiras just nine months after leading the club to the Brazilian Serie A title, reports Xinhua news agency.

“There have been inquiries from three or four clubs from the Middle East,” Scolari told TV Globo on Sunday. “We still don’t know what will happen, but I believe that in 15, 20 or 30 days a decision will be made,” he added.

Since guiding Brazil to victory at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, Scolari has held coaching roles in five different countries. Among them was a spell as Portugal boss and a second stint in charge of Brazil. His most successful job at club level was his time with Guangzhou Evergrande from June 2015 to November 2017, which included three consecutive Chinese Super League titles and an Asian Champions League crown.

June. Then another threefour months will go into resuming normal activities,” he said.

The event is usually a biennial competition but has been held in consecutive years in the past.

“Bids were sought in January. The formal announcement by the Asian Boxing Confederation will be made once the COVID19 situation improves a bit,” Sacheti said.

Nothing, in recent memory, quite compares to the situation that the world is facing right now more than 100,000 deaths by the spread of a virus, which has no known cure or vaccination available at

this point.

In India, the toll has crossed 300 and the number of positive cases is going up by hundreds everyday.

“The window we have kept for the championship allows us time to plan.

The Olympic qualification programme is also likely to resume around NovemberDecember, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC),” Sacheti reasoned.

“So, if things can start rolling elsewhere, we can also conduct the championship. That’s why we haven’t zeroed in on a host city right now. That discussion will have to wait until the end of the lockdown,”

Don’t treat me like a sack of potatoes, Rakitic tells Barca

Ivan Rakitic

BARCELONA, Apr 13 (Agencies): Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has criticised his club for their recent treatment of him and for trying to force his departure last year.

The Croatian has been at Barca since 2014 but has fallen out of contention this campaign due to the arrival of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong and has only started 10 of Barca’s 27 La Liga matches. “I understand the situation but I’m not a sack of potatoes who you can do anything with,” the 32-yearold told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

“I want to be somewhere I feel wanted and respected. If that’s here then I’ll be delighted but if it’s somewhere else then I’ll be the one who decides where, not anyone else.”

Rakitic confirmed that he refused to move to PSG

last year as part of a deal to bring Neymar back to the Camp Nou. He also spoke of his disappointment at losing his place in the team this season but insisted he wishes to see out his contract, which ends in 2021 a.

“Last year was the best of the six I’ve had here and I was annoyed with how I was treated. I was very surprised and I didn’t understand it.

The results have not been the best and I haven’t played much, that is why I felt hurt,” he said.

“I had a very strange first half of the season, it was very uncomfortable and surprising for me. But I hope I can finish this last year of my contract.”

Barcelona are currently top of the standings in La Liga which is suspended indefinitely due to the COVID19 pandemic.

he added.

India’s lockdown to curb the spread of the virus ends on Tuesday but is set to be extended as state governments battle a surge in positive cases.

The pandemic has shredded the international sports calendar with the two big-ticket events - the Olympics and the European football Championships - postponed to 2021 due to the global health crisis.

Training of athletes has been severely hampered and coaches have resorted to online tutorials, including in boxing.

“They (the boxers) are being looked after as best as we can under the circumstances. Coaches are keeping a close eye on their training,” Sacheti said.

“They have adjusted quite well to the situation and made routines of their own. Quite a disciplined lot,” he added.

So far, nine Indian boxers - five men and four women - have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

Rijiju visits SAI headquarters New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI): Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters where senior officials and other essential staff resumed operations after more than a fortnight of working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The ministr y has started its office with minimum staff because work has to go on. We are ensuring strict compliance of rules like social distancing, wearing masks and temperature checks,” Rijjiju said.

The Sports Authority of India office was shut down on March 21 as part of precautionary measures to contain the virus.

All ministers were on Saturday asked to resume office from Monday along with joint secretary-level officers and one-third of their essential staff.

“Only divisional heads and 30 per cent of the lower division staff will work on a rotational basis. This is being done as per the centre’s order to streamline things before the complete lifting of the lockdown,” a SAI official told PTI referring to the current lockdown.

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