April 15, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 128

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 Pages 6 ` 4.00

Lockdown extended till May 3

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Nagaland govt extends lockdown till May 3 DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): The state Cabinet on Tuesday, in its meeting, endorsed the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending the lockdown till May 3, 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19 across the country. (See more on p-3) On the directions of the Central government, the state government issued orders that all the lockdown measures will continue to remain in force in the entire state up to May 3, 202 to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In this regard, state chief secretary, Temjen Toy has informed that the statewide lockdown would remain in force till May 3.

According to DIPR, under the direction of the National Disaster Management Authority’s order dated March 24 and as per the order of Home Ministry dated April 14, the chief secretary in exercise of the powers conferred under section 22 (h) and as chairperson, state executive committee, the chief secretary issued directives to all departments with the guidelines to implement lockdown measures in all parts of the state.

Over 11000 COVID cases; 353 dead

NEW DELHI, APR 14 (PTI): India has recorded over 11,000 COVID-19 infections with a record single day increase of 1,463 cases in the last 24 hours.

According to the latest health ministry data, there has been a record single day increase of 1,463 cases in the last 24 hours taking the total number to 10,815.

The death toll currently stood at 353, it said. A PTI tally compiled from states showed there were 11,312 cases with 389 deaths. The tally also showed that 211 of the 386 coronavirus patients in Kerala had recovered.

There were two deaths in the state.

Jain Samaj clarifies

DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Reacting to posts on social media that Jain community celebrated Mahaveer Jayanti on April 6, 2020, the Shree Digamber Jain Samaj Dimapur has clarified that Mahaveer Jayanti was not celebrated at all in Dimapur on that day.

In a clarification, SD Jain Samaj Dimapur president Omprakash Sethi stated that the Jain community had closed down Jain temple from March 24, 2020 itself and all social gathering, religious function had been banned with effect March 24, 2020 till further notice.

This is it!

“I had de-activated all except one channel because they were all infected with coronavirus.”

K Y M C

‘War room’ on COVID-19 set up at Governor’s advice

Governor RN Ravi during the meeting with senior officials at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.

Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi on Tuesday, held a review meeting with top officials where he suggested immediate setting up of a multi-department “COVID19 war room” under chief secretary Temjen Toy for an effective and holistic response to this unprecedented global crisis.

According to a communiqué from Raj Bhavan, Ravi said the proposed ‘War Room’ should have integrated verticals on health logistics, health services, availability of essential commodities, law & order enforcement relating to COVID-19, status of the people stranded and stuck up in various parts of the

country and close monitoring and analysis of the COVID-19 situation unfolding day to day.

The ‘War Room’ would also monitor aggressive tracing, tracking and testing of suspect cases and do real time stock-taking of medical inventories. The weekly review meeting also identified the gaps and weaknesses in the existing preventive protocols and procedures to fight the virus, and took appropriate measures to further strengthen the existing mechanism, especially in the backdrop of a COVID-19 positive case in Dimapur.

At the review meeting attended by the chief secretary, commissioner

and secretary home, commissioner and secretary Health & Family Welfare and DGP Nagaland, Ravi also thanked union defence minister Rajnath Singh for promptly responding to his request for airlifting critical equipments for fast-tracking Bio Safety Laboratory(BSL) in Nagaland from Mumbai to Dimapur by IAF plane on Wednesday.

Ravi reassured the people that the government under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio was taking all measures to effectively tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. He appealed to people to continue maintaining social distancing and not to indulge in any

activity that could endanger precious lives.

Later, state chief secretary Temjen Toy on Tuesday announced that a ‘War Room’ on COVID-19 was set up at his office where integrated information system would be managed, analysed and decisions taken on prevention and management of the virus in the State, reported DIPR. Toy appealed to all to send their suggestions through email to temjentoy@gov.in, for constructive criticism and suggestions.

He also disclosed chief minister Neiphiu Rio held a meeting with ministers and advisers where inadequacies at the districts were discussed and directions for action to be taken were identified. Toy also stressed that the fight against COVID19 pandemic required the involvement of civil society groups who could not be left out or excluded. He appealed for cooperation and participation of civil society and for which, directions were issued to all deputy commissioners to include (Cont’d on p-3)

Organizations appalled at state govt’s COVID-19 preparedness DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) Tuesday said it was “appalled and outraged” to find out the “dismal unpreparedness” of the state gover nment COVID-19 Hospital in Dimapur and asked “where have all the funds allotted by the centre gone and the reason for such sluggish preparation?.”

In a press release, WSH said that despite the pandemic reaching a critical stage, the “startling disclosure” that not even a single bed ready to treat an infected patient till date was “a case a complete complacency and inefficient handling of the situation.” WSH said those at the helm would be held responsible and therefore demanded that such leaders resign and vacate their respective seats, as such “blatant corrupt and unethical practices” would not be allowed at the expense of lives and health of the people.

Drawing attention to reports that doctors at District Hospital Dimapur were supervising the ongoing works of COVID-19 hospital, WSH advised the government tie up with the

labour department and complete the project on a warfooting. It asked whether labourers from Assam then, should be depended even on such a situation ?

Further, WSH pointed out that supply of inferior quality PPE and incomplete set to doctors and nurses was “a sinful and abhorrent act”, which needed to be properly investigated and those responsible be punished. It also questioned why were inferior quality and incomplete set of PPE issued, when generous amount of funds were duly allotted by the Centre?

Further, WSH has also demanded that a BSL-3 (laboratory) be also set up in Dimapur since it was the most heavily and densely populated district . It also demanded that nutritious food be given to all the quarantined persons at the designated centres.

WSYF seeks review

Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) Tuesday appealed to the governor of Nagaland to review COVID19 preparedness in Dimapur district by the state government.

(Cont’d on p-3)

ASUD dismayed over lack of coordination

Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) has expressed its deep disappointment at the State government’s level of preparedness in dealing with the COVID19 pandemic.

In a release issued through its president Moayanger Jamir and general secretary Neken Walling, the union said the first positive case had brought to light many loopholes that had so far gone either unnoticed or unaddressed.

Alleging lack of coordination between the medical department and healthcare units, the student body said this was evident in the manner in which the COVID-19 patient was first treated at a private hospital instead of the designated COVID-19 hospital. And the events that transpired thereafter had only left the entire State worried, anxious and frustrated, it added.

“For a State that has been boasting that it is fully geared to fight the pandemic, our biggest embarrassment (Cont’d on p-3)

CNTC demands BSL-3 lab at Dimapur COVID hospital Dmu Dimapur COVID case in Assam’s DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Even as the process for setting up Bio-Safety Level-3 laboratory (BSL-3) at NHAK (Kohima) gained momentum (while BSL-2 at CIHSR Dimapur would be taken up later ), Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has voiced its demand for a BSL-3 laboratory at Dimapur District Hospital along at par with the BSL-3 laboratory at Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (NHAK).

CNTC media cell has pointed out that a BSL-3 set up in Dimapur was needed as it was the most densely populated district in the state, besides being an endemic zone for many viral and bacterial diseases.

CNTC urged upon the state government to understand that Dimapur is the main transit for thousands of people who either arrive Dimapur by air, rail or roads everyday. Owing to this, CNTC said when a higher standard BSL-3 laboratory could be set up at Kohima, Dimapur should also rightfully have one.

The counicl also asked the state government to assign medical specialists to Dimapur since it is located in a very high risk zone and if correct preventive measures were taken in

Dimapur, the whole State would remain safe. However, it warned that the State’s entire population would be left vulnerable if this was ignored.

Further, CNTC also categorically reiterated that a BSL-2 laboratory, which was of a lower level, could prove risky for a place like Dimapur.

It also voiced utter disappointment at the lethargic preparation of COVID-19 hospital at Dimapur.

CNTC said when COVID-19 pandemic had already reached “our doorsteps”, the lack of preventive measures and preparedness by the State government in setting up a treatment centre had left much to be desired.

It also termed procurement of inferior quality personal protective equipments (PPEs) for frontline workers who were risking their lives as “truly scandalous”.

It also cautioned the State government to be ready to bear the full responsibility if any infected person in critical condition was not able to be hospitalized since the COVID-19 Hospital was still incomplete even after so many days. It added that slow pace of construction of 100- bedded Dimapur District Hospital had also raised many questions.

reacts to news report tally; 136 quarantined: Govt

DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Reacting to a report published in this newspaper on April 14, “the medical fraternity of COVID-19 Hospital Dimapur”, enclosed with an annexure containing signatures of doctors who attended a meeting with the Principal Director H&FW on April 13 and another annexure dated April14, have termed the news report as “totally uncalled for and biased”.

The rejoinder mentioned that the hospital has 4 ventilator installed in ICU, beds ready for COVID-19 patients-- six beds in ICU, 10 in isolation ward, 10 in Eye ward, 13 in cabins, 10 in Gynae ward, 20 in Ayush ward, one 125Kva generator installed and 13 ACs installed in duty room.

It also clarified the remaining ongoing development works in progress such as 500 Kva transformer with substation, water drilling by PHED and black topping of hospital compound.

The newspaper on April 7 and then April 14 issues quoted doctors who said they were hard pressed in being ready for admitting COVID patients since renovation works were hampered since they could were yet to pay for materials taken on credit. Some of the doctors who spoke to the reporters also pointed out that they were given only FFP1 masks instead of the higher grade FFP3 and N95 for dealing/treating COVID-19 patients.

The rejoinder however claimed that the number of masks and PPEs were of “national (Cont’d on p-3) standard.”

DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Health & Family Welfare department in its daily bulletin on April 14 informed that the positive case from Dimapur had been added to tally of Assam state since the sampling was done in Assam.

Following the positive COVID case from Dimapur, the state government since April 12 said it had quarantined about 136 persons including the patient’s family members, relatives, doctors, nurses and others who directly or indirectly came into contact with the patient and the passengers of Air India flight 709 on March 24.

Dimapur district administration further informed all wards, colonies, villages that exempted categories should be allowed proper passage and see that no undue inconvenience is caused to them while passing through their respective jurisdictions since they were serving in the larger interest of everyone.

The authorities also appealed to all citizens to continue extending their support and cooperation

to the authorities and adhere to orders/directives issued from time to time.

Meanwhile, principal secretary Abhijit Sinha informed that as of 6 p.m. April 14, a total of 174 samples of suspected cases were sent for testing from the State including 38 samples. He said that results of 97 samples were received including 22 samples (from Kohima) of the co-passengers of the COVID-19 positive person of Dimapur. All have them have tested negative, he added while the results of the remaining 77 samples were awaited.

He also informed that 25 teams of the District Surveillance Teams have been conducting active surveillance for contact tracing and tracking in areas like Marwaripatti, Murgipatti and GS road Dimapur. Till now, he said 1391 persons were interviewed and screened and 62 close contacts have been traced.

Sinha also informed that 72 samples were collected for testing from Dimapur till now.

COVID-19: NPF, NPCC continue to question govt’s preparedness NDPP urges govt to address NPF fires salvo at govt’s handling of crisis DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Naga People Front (NPF) Tuesday fired a fresh salvo at the state government on handling the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, saying it “embarrassingly” reflected the ineptness, lack of knowledge, lethargy and wavering political leadership.

NPF through its press bureau stated that the recent media reports on the conditions of state’s health infrastructures, diagnostics labs, para medical equipment and inadequate safety measures for health workers have “enormously proved” that the government was not doing enough.

Questioning the state government whether it had any concrete action plan, the opposition NPF said that executing lockdown was not enough and maintained that the government needed to focus on mass testing, proper treatment and medication and ensure safety measures.

According to NPF, the PDA

government had, last week, “proudly” claimed that the state was well prepared to combat COVID-19 pandemic. However, it said that, going by the reports, the frontline workers were at risk due to inferior quality of protective materials.

The opposition party also cited media report about COVID-19 Hospital Dimapur not ready to admit any COVID patient and unavailability of funds for renovation of the hospital.

It said there were also complaints that PPE supplied were incomplete and of inferior quality besides Covid doctors resolving not to attend patients without quality PPE kits. “This shows a real mess and incompetency of the government,” NPF said and demanded that the health minister step down on moral ground.

Further, taking a swipe at the chief minister, the NPF said directive for renovation of hospital purport(Cont’d on p-3) edly given by

NPCC asks state govt to come clean Expressing shock over the purported supply of “inferior quality” personal protective equipment (PPE) to the medical teams, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Tuesday asserted that supplying sub-standard ‘protective’ equipment in current situation was “a crime against humanity.”

In a press release, NPCC president, K Therie, questioned when the specifications given by the department were for FFP-3 or N95 masks then why were substandard materials being delivered to Nagaland?

Asking who was responsible such action, the NPCC president has urged the state government to “come out clearly before the public.” Therie said that Nagaland not having the facility to admit even one COVID-19 patient and sent to Guwahati has exposed “complete inability” of the government. “The government has recently assured we are prepared. Please don’t tell lies to

issues raised by all and sundry

DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Expressing concern over the report of a positive COVID-19 case from Nagaland, NDPP said it joins the rest of the state in prayers for the pandemic to be contained and that the Almighty will protect all from this virus.

NDPP while appreciating the concerns and apprehensions raised by the people, organisations and various political parties including the Leader of the Opposition, has urged the government to seriously examine and address them at the earliest.

NDPP said that during such a global crisis, it was natural for people to question their government on the preparedness and the safety measures in place for (Cont’d on p-3) its citizens.

the people on pandemic at least,” Therie said.

Claiming that China had constructed 10,000-beded hospital in 10 days, the NPCC president said Nagaland cannot convert the existing rooms and beds to receive even one Covid-19 patient. It stated that Dimapur Civil Hospital was vacated to be converted into a 100bedded COVID-19 Hospital “quiet sometime back.”

Therie said that what the state government has been doing all these years has been exposed by the “pathetic condition” of COVIDdesignate District Hospital for Dimapur. “‘Block-B’ construction is another ‘High Court’ or ‘Indoor Stadium’,” Therie said, adding that the up gradation project for which the government had paid more than Rs. 15 crore did not look worth more than Rs. 5 crore. He also said all the photos of the chief minister and health minister in local dailies

However, it reminded all that the present pandemic had taken the world by surprise and even the advanced affected nations have been dealing with treating the infected cases on trial and error basis, learning along the way without actually having a set of mechanism on dealing with this virus.

Even WHO had to change its protocol almost on a daily basis making it difficult for many countries to come up with a comprehensive plan to deal with COVID-19, it stated NDPP maintained that the lockdown imposed by the Centre since March 24 had proven to be most effective mechanism in containing the pandemic in the country.

(Cont’d on p-3) K Y M C

2

state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

COVID-19 pandemic: Advisories & preparedness reports

DIMAPUR: Following the outbreak of COVID-19 across the world and subsequently being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the state government and its agencies along and the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have taken up several measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Several CSOs and individuals have also come forward and extended help to the people in the frontline.

Kohima

Mokokchung

Longleng

NDRF conducts fumigation drive at market areas

Inter-district vehicular movement restricted

Makeshift hospital for non-COVID patients

NDRF carrying out fumigation drive on Tuesday.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) government of India, ministry of home affairs carried out fumigation drive at Kohima High School Market Area on Tuesday.

According to a press release BY sub-inspector, K.P. Singh, who led the drive, said that the fumigation was

jointly conducted by 12th Bn NDRF, Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh) by one sub-team (12E team Kohima) and Angami youth organization (AYO).

The teams disinfected the footpath, shop doors etc with the help of jet spray machines and the fumigation was conducted from

the stretch of market places and surrounding areas.

Meeting to identify quarantine facilities A meeting has been convened on April 16, 11 a.m. at District Planning & Development Board Hall, Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Kohima, to identify suitable “Motels/Paying Guests/Hostels” within Kohima Town to quarantine people who arrive at Kohima from outside the state.

All ward chairmen under Kohima Town have been requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting along with one additional member, informed a report by DIPR.

Dimapur DC directs rice distributors

Deputy commissioner Dimapur, Anoop Kinchi has directed all rice distributors under Dimapur district to lift and store their consignments, that has reached Dimapur through the railway wagons, at to their respective godowns which is outside the jurisdiction of the scaled zones (Marwaripatti. G.S. Road & Murgipatti).

Further, Kinchi warned that said no distributor/s will be permitted to issue/sale their products without the written permission of the DC.

MCD distributes ration

Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD) reached out to 2000 families, irrespective of caste, community and religion, under its motto, “With ‘Humanity First” and distributed ration.

Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung has completely banned inter-district vehicular movement, stated an order by the office of the DC Mokokchung.

The order has exempted designated vehicles carrying essential commodities, officials on COVID-19 duty as per the exempted list issued by the government and medical emergencies with travel permit from the concerned Deputy Commissioner of the district and supporting medical referral documents.

An additional check post will be established at Alichen, Mokokchung to be manned by police and medical Members of the DTF on COVID-19 headed by DC along with medical staff and civil surveillance personnel, stated the order. societies after dedication of makeshift hospital, Longleng. (DIPR)

MCCI urges people not to panic

Following the extension of the country-wide lockdown till May 3 by the Centre and the detection of COVID-19 positive case in Dimapur, Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) appealed to the people of Mokokchung not to panic but remain calm and follow the protocols issued by competent authorities.

While appreciating customers for cooperating with the authorities and bearing with the inconvenience during the lockdown, MCCI reassured the people of Mokokchung that there was no shortage of essential commodities in the market and that all efforts were being made to ensure that it remained so.

Urging the people not to panic and buy to hoard essential commodities, MCCI asserted that it would not buy back the stockpile from hoarders and panic-buyers when the market returned to normalcy post May 3. “Be it known that there is no buy-back offer,” it stressed.

MCCI also expressed its appreciation and extended support to frontline workers and first responders, Mokokchung District Task Force on COVID-19, Core Committee on Essential Commodities COVID-19, Mokokchung and all stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic. This was stated in a press release.

Mon Home delivery introduced at Aboi

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Aboi Ajit Kumar Ranjan has notified that the administration, Aboi in collaboration with Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission and Aboi Town Baptist church youth (ATBCY) have introduced home delivery of local organic products under the brand name, “Aboi Organic Greens”.

It was informed that the initiative was to provide a market for the farmers, and help protect their livelihoods. Public have been informed to place their orders at 6009503941/ 9612925215 (call or WhatsApp) between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday. The products would be delivered to the doorstep the same day before 1 p.m., informed the release.

‘Jungle fire’ contained

Mon Fire and Emergency Services on receiving a report of “jungle fire” on April 13 below Wangkhao College, Mon mobilised a quick response team and pressed into action to contain the fire which.

A press release by the department stated that few stretches of jungle were destroyed in the fire incident.

However, timely intervention of fire personnel managed to put out the fire and prevented it from further spreading to the adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, the fire was suspected to be caused by lighting of matches by trespassers and that no casualty was reported. The response team was led by duty commander ASI Chingpai Konyak.

nagalandpost.com Poll Q . : Has COVID-19 promoted online/ social media in a significant way?

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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

86% 7% 7%

Next poll

Q: Should the

IPL be conducted without crowd due to coronavirus?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST April 15

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Mostly cloudy and hot

38 23

Aizawl

Mostly cloudy

Guwahati A t-storm around in the p.m.

Imphal

Mostly cloudy and very warm

Itanagar Hot with hazy sun

32 18 36 22 33 14 33 20

Shillong

A p.m. t-storm in spots

24 15

Kohima

A p.m. t-storm in spots

26 16

Dimapur Very warm with hazy sunshine 35 21 Mkg

A t-storm around in the p.m.

Tuensang Not as warm Wokha

Hazy sun

Zunheboto A thunderstorm in spots

K Y M C

28 17 19 12 28 21 25 15

A makeshift hospital for non-COVID patients was dedicated Tuesday at Bautung Government Higher Secondary School, Longleng. According to DIPR report, the makeshift hospital was made functional for those non-COVID patients seeking medical treatments as the District Hospital Longleng would exclusively treat the COVID-19 patients.

In a short speech, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Longleng, M. Shayung

People with travel history to contact DTF

In view of an active case detected in Dimapur, Deputy Commissioner Kiphire, Sarita Yadav has informed that all such person who have arrived in the Kiphire District on or after March 24 from Dimapur, and have visited the sealed areas/ market during their stay at Dimapur and those people who had come from other parts of the states and have visited the sealed areas to reach out to the Kiphire District Task Force.

Zunheboto

Water delivery service ‘Village quarantine centre’ mandatory at Bhandari

Movement of private vehicles banned

Deputy Commissioner Mon, Thavaseelan K has banned movement of all private vehicles within Mon District will be banned with effect from April 16.

The order stated that District Administration/Police/Health and Family Welfare/Paramilitary Forces/Home Guards & Civil Defence/NIC/DIPR/Fire & Emergency Services/PHED/ Power/MTC/Telecom/Media/ permitted vehicles carrying essential commodities and vehicles on medical emergency duty, have been exempted.

to all the frontline workers combating COVID-19 to rededicate in their respective profession and cater to the needs of the people.

Earlier, Pastor Beau Phom, Longleng Town Baptist Church dedicated the Makeshift Hospital Longleng.

Meanwhile, citizens of Longleng have been informed to visit and avail medical ser vices at the makeshift hospital till further notice.

Kiphire

Wokha Deputy Commissioner, Mon has informed that home delivery of water would resume from April 16 and that the rate shall continue to remain the same as fixed earlier. Public have been asked to place orders at 6909194806 and 7630059057.

Phom, lauded the doctors, nurses and medical staff of District Hospital Longleng and CMO office Longleng for working tirelessly for the safety and well being of the people. He asserted that despite shortage of manpower, experts and medical equipment the medical team at the frontline have been trying to make its own best system with the available resources to provide best health care services to the people.

The DC then appealed

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC). Bhandari, Tiameren Chang, has ordered mandatory setting up of “village quarantine centre” for all the villages under Bhandari Sub-division within seven days, and to prove it’s preparedness with a photographic evidence of same.

The order stated that, “quarantine facilities will be mandatorily set up in the villages, be it in council hall, village rest house or at any other place deemed convenient for the concerned village.”

The order further stated that 50% of GIA allocated to the villages can be utilized towards setting up of the Village Quarantine Centres and procurement of basic necessities for the same.

Tuensang Consultative meeting with wards

ADC, Tuensang, Ajit Kumar Verma and SDO (C) Tuensang, Shelly Khatery Tuesday conducted a consultative meeting at CKS Hall, Tuensang.

SDO (C) Tuensang exhorted all leaders of the wards to take the present situation seriously and cooperate to every directive of the District administration to fight prevent against COVID 19.

ADC Tuensang deliberated on the importance of the prevention and lockdown to contain the COVID 19. He spoke on importance of sealing wards, in case positive cases are detected. He also requested to submit names to be trained as volunteers along with ASHA and Anganwadi workers in such times of emergency.

DC Zunheboto issues new directives Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zunheboto has issued several directives for strict compliance with immediate effect until further order. The order was taken after a consultation with the Sümi Hoho, Sümi Kukami Hoho, Sümi Totimi Hoho, Zunheboto District Task Force and Zunheboto COVID-19 Monitoring Committee, informed DIPR report.

Following are the orders: 1. Shops selling essential commodities are to open only for 3 (three) days a week, i.e., on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

2. The timing for shops selling essential commodities are hereby revised to 07:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 3. In order to facilitate buyers seeking essential commodities from the sub-divisions, the following days are hereby being allotted for them, a. Atoizü & Akuluto – Monday b. Aghunato & Suruhuto – Wednesday c. Satakha & Pughoboto – Saturday 4. Colony Council Chairmen and GBs in Zunheboto town area shall ensure that no crowding takes place while undertaking any kind of construction activities under their respective jurisdictions.

5. Movement of people from one colony to another shall henceforth be restricted. The Colony Council Chairmen and GBs are to ensure strict compliance.

6. Anybody coming in to Zunheboto district from other districts shall mandatorily report to the CMO Control Room, Zunheboto or the nearest Medical Officer of the concerned area.

7. All the check gates shall continue to be manned round the clock by the Police and logistic support shall be provided by Sümi Kukami Hoho.

Quarantine individuals being EKU Myanmar LH seeks extension of COVID-19 for easing tested for COVID-19: DAYO appeals movement curb lockdown, involvement of NGOs

DIMAPUR: Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) has demanded that individuals whose samples have been sent for tests outside should be quarantined in the established quarantine centres immediately.

DAYO in a press release stated that the whole process of collecting samples from individuals, sending these outside the State and the government then claiming that the tests were negative had come under a cloud of suspicion and proved that the process was inefficient.

Hence, it demanded that such individuals be quarantined immediately in the established quarantine centres.

It also asked the state government to explain why strict quarantine procedures were not maintained for people entering the State even after the national lockdown was imposed.

It further wanted to know why people who had recently arrived from outside the State were not quarantined at the government quarantine facilities and asked whether the quarantine centres were established only to show to the people that it was doing something.

According to DAYO, the latest case has shown that there was lack of transparency and accountability that led to the “unfortunate case” of the first COVID-19 positive case in Nagaland.

Further, lack of testing facilities and pre-screening kits in Nagaland had been glaringly exposed as the

infected individual was found to be negatives twice earlier, before being found positive after test outside.

To buttress its charges, DAYO said it was astonished to find a businessman, who had arrived Dimapur recently and should have been quarantined for 14 days, had participated in a charity programme on April 11 during the quarantine period.

Terming it as very shocking, DAYO recalled that the event along with pictures taken with prominent leaders and politicians were widely published both in print media as well as other social media platforms.

This proved the “total callousness and lackadaisical” attitude of the State government in its efforts to control the spread of this terrible pandemic, it added.

DAYO urged the state government to properly monitor and immediately seal all porous entry points into Dimapur and other parts of Nagaland.

Observing that different government Institutions and NGOs and other local bodies were putting in their best efforts at producing hand sanitisers and face masks for the government, DAYO said it expected that these reached the common people free of cost.

“It would be wise on the part of the Government of Nagaland to maintain full transparency in matters relating to this crisis, be it on financial issues or health issues,” the release emphasised.

DIMAPUR: Eastern Konyak Union (EKU) Myanmar has appealed to the responsible authorities on the Indian side to allow the eastern borders area public to buy essential commodities from border shops on humanitarian grounds.

In a press release, EKU Myanmar president Khotai, general secretary K Honwang and advisor Wangmao Angh said that eastern Konyaks were suffering because of restriction along the border following the sealing of border due to COVID-19 pandemic. EKU said since February 2020 all the border roads—the only way for the border area people to buy needs— remained sealed.

The union said that since there was no development till date in their area they travel by foot to buy salt, rice and other basic needs and carry on their heads from western side border to villages.

EKU said Eastern borders area people were now facing even more difficulties after restriction was imposed since February 2020.

On Myanmar side, the union said the Myanmar government provided necessities to common people in other towns and villages, but border area people have been neglected though they were also in the same country.

EKU has, therefore, appealed to the minister, MLA, MP administer chairman and Naga NGOs leaders from Naga Self-Administered Zone Sagaing Division, Myanmar to extend help.

DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Lotha Hoho (LH) has recommended extension of lockdown in Nagaland to combat COVID19 pandemic and favoured involvement of all NGOs and civil society groups in the initiative to prevent spread of coronavirus in the State.

Supporting the recommendation of the consultative meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers recently to extend the lockdown, the hoho said Nagaland along with rest of the country had been under lockdown since the past three weeks and, barring one case in Dimapur, the State had been free from COVID-19 during the lockdown.

But unfortunately as the State was no longer free from the virus and since it did not have the required medical facilities to take care of coronavirus patients, the organisation stressed that the only way was to prevent infection.

Emphasising that prevention was better than cure, LH explained that this was especially true for Nagaland as there was no facility to treat and cure COVID-19 patients. Thus continued

lockdown was the only means for Nagaland to keep away the virus, it added.

Supporting health & family welfare (H&FW) minister S Pangnyu Phom’s suggestion for extension of the lockdown in the State in his letter to chief minister Neiphiu Rio on April 13, the Lotha apex body strongly urged the State government to extend the lockdown beyond April 14 on its own, even if there was no extension elsewhere in the country.

LH expressed its resentment to the recent press statement issued by home commissioner Abhijit Sinha in which he had categorically stated that no organisation was permitted or authorised to enforce the lockdown. As the present crisis was a human/social problem, it said concerted effort and involvement of every organisation and individual was essential, pointing out that even the chief minister had appealed to all citizens to cooperate and donate/contribute in the joint initiative to fight COVID-19.

Claiming that it had been supporting the government initiatives to fight the pandemic as these were for

the well-being of the people, the organisation said as the government was of the people and for the people, the people represented by NGOs and civil society organisations could not be excluded or neglected.

If such exclusion was deliberate, questions could be raised whether this was to avoid transparency since substantial funds and aid were being made available

by Government of India, private groups, civil organisations, individuals, etc, to fight COVID-19.

As the common people could not keep up with the government machinery, LH stressed that the latter had to adapt itself with the level of the people and apprise, assist, usher and protect them.

Without the people, there could be no government, hence the former were the latter’s responsibility, the release added.

Asking the home commissioner to review his press statement, the organisation also sought his clarification whether this was an official direction from higher-ups.

This was stated in a press release issued by its chairman Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary Aben Ngullie.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

national/state

3

Army doctor tests positive for Covid-19

Don’t panic, we have sufficient food, medicine, says Amit Shah

Lockdown extended till May 3 Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20: PM

NEW DELHI, APR 14 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the lockdown across the country will be extended till May 3 to fight the coronavirus pandemic, saying the measure has produced a significant outcome in containing the infection.

In a nearly 25-minute televised address to the nation, Modi said implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in its second phase and detailed guidelines will be brought out on Wednesday to ensure that outbreak does not spread to new areas.

Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20 in places where there are no hotspots, he said.

“Follow the rules of lockdown with full devotion till May 3, stay where you are, stay safe,” the prime minister told citizens.

Modi said India has managed to contain the pandemic well compared to many developed countries due to its holistic approach in dealing with the crisis and sacrifices made by people of the country in the fight

Narendra Modi produced tangible results.

The prime minister sought the support of the people in seven areas, including taking care of elderly people, maintaining social distancing and helping the poor and downtrodden.

“If India would not have adopted a holistic approach, if an integrated approach was not initiated, India’s situation would have been different (compared to many developed countries). It is clear from the experiences of the past few days that the path we have chosen is right,” the prime minister said.

India, he said, received huge benefits from the 21day lockdown in checking the pandemic, adding that the country has dealt with

‘War room’ on COVID-19 set ...

(From p-1) two representatives from the concerned tribal hoho(s) in the district task forces set up to combat the pandemic.

He said war against COVID-19 was for everyone’s well-being and appealed to all stakeholders to constructively participate in the fight against it.

He reasserted that the state government would spare not efforts in tackling the pandemic, since it was a completely new disease.

He said the government was struggling like rest of

the world and learning only now on how to fight the spread and control COVID19.

The chief secretary also admitted that were bound to be shortcomings and mistakes on the part of the government and other stakeholders, but assured that all were learning each day from others. Toy said the present COVID-19 pandemic had made all realise inadequacies of the health care system and that the government was trying its best to upgrade the system in the fastest way possible.

WSYF seeks review

(From p-1) In a representation addressed to the governor, the WSYF president Mughavi Awomi and general secretary Bohoi K Yepthomi urged the governor to personally check the measures and facilities placed to handle the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in Dimapur district.

WSYF highlighted a 17-point of concern for review some of which included immediate completion of District Hospital Dimapur for handling COVID-19 positive cases, ensure availability of PPE for frontline workers, immediate procurement of rapid testing kits, ensure availability of ICMR prescribed medicine for treatment of COVID-19 patients etc.

With detection of one positive case of COVID-19 in Nagaland, WSYF said it was even more pertinent to take all measures for prevention and preparedness in the event of increase in positive cases in the state.

the situation better with “limited resources”.

The lockdown that came into effect on March 25 was to expire at midnight on April 14.

The prime minister said some relaxation may be allowed in some areas and the scope of coronavirus testing will be expanded significantly.

“Till April 20, every town, every police station, every district, every state will be tested on how much they are adhering to the lockdown; how much the areas have protected themselves from coronavirus. It will be observed.

“Some necessary activities may be allowed in areas that will pass this litmus test; areas which will not be among the hotspots and are less likely to turn into hotspots,” he said.

The prime minister said India may have paid a big economic price, but there can be no alternative to saving human lives.

booked for travel between April 15 and May 3 due to extension of the nationwide lockdown and suspension of passenger trains till then in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The national transporter said a full refund of fare would be automatically provided to its online customers for trains cancelled up to May 3, while those who booked the tickets at the counters can claim the refund till July 31.

Customers will also get full refund in case of advance bookings for trains not yet cancelled, it said.

With the railway allowing tickets to be booked during the 21-day lockdown for journeys after April 14, around 39 lakh bookings were made by passengers hoping that trains will be in operation post-lockdown, sources said.

However, with the announcement of the extension of the lockdown railways on TuesRlys set to cancel period, day not only cancelled all around 39 lakh tickets its passenger services till Railways is set to can- May 3, but also stopped cel around 39 lakh tickets all advance bookings.

7 Bengal cops hurt in clash over Covid-19 quarantine centre

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New Delhi, April 14 (IANS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday justified the extension of the nationwide lockdown to fight the Covid-19 pandemic till May 3, and allayed panic by assuring that there is enough stock of food and medicine in the country.

Shah’s assurance came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning announced the second phase of the lockdown till May 3 to break the chain of transmission of novel coronavirus.

Every city and district will be assessed as part of the lockdown 2.0 measures from April 20 onwards to get the real picture of the Covid-19 affected areas.

“The decision to extend the lockdown till May 3 has been taken to protect the lives of the people,” Shah said.

Assuring the citizens of the country at this time of crisis, Shah said: “As the Home Minister of the country, I reassure the public that there are sufficient reserves of food, medicines and other daily essentials in the country. Hence there

SKH, WSKH appeal dist administrations

DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NPN): Sumi Kukami Hoho (SKH) and Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH) have appealed to the Dimapur district and Zunheboto district administrations to stop issuing movement permits to avoid unwanted situation. In a Kolkata, April 14 joint statement, SKH president H Kashito Yepthomi and WSKH president Vihuto (IANS): At least seven Yepthomi stated that even if the movement permit was issued it should be done after police personnel, including taking proper measures to protect people from the virus and save people’s lives. the officer-in-charge of a police station, were injured in a clash between the se- DIMAPUR, APR 14 (NP): The Dimapur district administration during its coordicurity forces and villagers nation meeting with Police, DMC and DCCI in the presence of special committee over the continuance of a on Covid-19 for Dimapur on April 14 decided to close the wholesale market at GS Covid-19 quarantine centre Road Dimapur till further orders. at Jamuria in West Bengal’s The district administration stated that a plan was being worked out for an alWest Burdwan district on ternative arrangement and would be intimated to public soon. It said that the retail Tuesday. shops in all colonies will remain open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. except New Market, The police said the Marwaripatti, Murgipatti and GS Road. flare up happened as the villagers of Churulia, about 25 km from district headquarters Asansol, got agitated and resorted to violence demanding that a quarantine centre set up at a youth hostel there be shut down DIMAPUR, APR 14 ZHRC director Neithon- the public in general and as it could spread the infec- (NPN): Reacting to al- gulie Pienyu said that all colony well wishers in tion in the area. At least 20 leged stigmatising of its since the rest of the staff particular to understand people have been kept in doctors and staff in col- and doctors, who did not the facts of the way the isolation at the centre. The onies they reside after come into contact with disease is spread and not angry villagers put up road COVID-19 patient hap- the patient directly, were to stigmatize our doctors blocks and attacked the pened to be treated at Zion under strict surveillance, and staff, who for the last security forces with bricks, hospital, the Zion Hospi- there was nothing to fear decade or more have been giving their best to save bamboo poles and rods and tal and Research Centre about its employees.

ZHRC informed the lives of the fellow citizens also rained bombs on them, (ZHRC) management has prompting the cops to lob clarified that all the staff concerned citizens that and trying their best to altear gas shells. The officer- and doctors, about 40 of keeping a tenant working leviate their sufferings.

ZHRC assured all in-charge of Jamuria police them, who came in direct in the hospital in their station, Subrata Ghosh, contact with the patient, house was not a risk pro- that it would rise up stronwho rushed to the spot with were quarantined at the vided he or she wore a ger, more dedicated and reinforcements, was seri- designated quarantine mask or sanitised their more committed after the hands regularly. storm of the coronavirus ously injured when he was centres.

In a press release, It also appealed to was over. hit with an iron rod.

ASUD dismayed over lack of coordination (From p-1) came in the form of a tweet from Assam’s health minister, which mentioned the details of Nagaland’s first COVID-19 case. It’s very unfortunate and disgraceful that our government was caught completely unawares.

As it appears, we are conveniently sitting on a ticking time bomb,” the release feared.

ASUD demanded adequate safety gears for frontline workers in Dimapur, complete shutting down of markets and providing essential commodities to the public through home delivery services.

Alleging that social distancing had been a complete failure in Dimapur district, the student body said lack of proper monitoring had only encouraged increased panic-buying and thronging of markets.

Stating that enough lives had been put at risk already, the release cautioned that it might only be a matter of days before more cases were reported from Dimapur.

Mentioning that it had become impossible to stop the spread of the virus, the union said the least that was expected from the government of the day was strict enforcement of guidelines. Now that the pandemic had made its presence felt in Nagaland, it urged the government to pursue containment in

New Delhi, Apr 14 (AGENCIES): An Army doctor stationed in Delhi has tested positive for Covid.

Another officer, who was working with him, is symptomatic and admitted to medical care.

Besides, 17 other contacts of the Covid-positive doctor have been identified as ‘high risk’ and another two are deemed as ‘low risk’.

In the high-risk category include the doctor’s wife and daughter. All the 17 are home quarantined.

The office block of the doctor has been sanitised and locked till April 19. The residential building where he lived has been sealed.

Fumigation of other buildings visited by the officer has been done. Interviews and testing of those who may have come in contact are being done, sources said.

The doctor is the fourth cases of Covid in the Army.

Two weeks ago, a doctor in Kolkatta and a JCO in Dehradun had tested positive.

In early March, a jawan in Ladakh had tested positive.

The Army has laid down very strict protocol for reporting symptoms of Covid, a failure to report attracts action under breach of discipline under Army Act.

an aggressive manner. Pointing out further that this virus did not differentiate between the common man and a VIP, ASUD remarked that it was very unfortunate that a well known businessman was allowed to volunteer at a charity event where he might have jeopardised the well-being of those around him.

At a time when every person was a potential carrier of the virus, the union said the government should not use different yardsticks for people of different social or economic status unless certain classes of individuals were immune to the disease.

ASUD alleged that the quarantine facilities set up by the government were in a deplorable condition as, apart from poor maintenance, there were reports of rats running around in the rooms where individuals were being quarantined.

Questioning the authority concerned over the matter, it stressed that hygiene should be the top priority in these facilities as these were not concentration camps.

Stating that the instances it had cited had truly exposed the unstable foundation upon which the governance infrastructure was built, ASUD said it expected the leaders to be more proactive in their approach with no time to waste else, “our war against COVID-19 will never be won.

Wholesale market in Dmu to remain shut

ZHRC appeals not to stigmatise its employees

Amit Shah is no need for any citizen to panic.”

“At the same time, I request the well-off people to come forward and help the poor living in their nearby areas,” he added.

Shah expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his decision to extend the lockdown and said that it has set an example for the whole world in fighting the dreaded virus.

Praising the decisions taken by the government to stop the spread of Covid-19, Shah said this was “evident in all the timely decisions taken by the government and the participation of the people in them”.

Describing the coordination between the Cen-

tre and the states as very crucial in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and to meet the need of the citizens, the Home Minister said that the way all the state governments are working together with the Central government is truly laudable.

“This coordination needs to be intensified so that all the citizens follow the lockdown properly and no one faces any problem in accessing essential commodities,” he added.

Saluting the frontline healthcare professionals and security personnel leading the fight against Covid-19, Shah said that the contributions of doctors, health workers, sanitation workers, police and all the security personnel are indeed touching.

“Their courage and understanding in these tough times inspire every Indian citizen. Everyone should follow the guidelines and cooperate with them,” Shah said.

The first 21-day nationwide lockdown from March 24 midnight is ending on Tuesday midnight.

NPF fires salvo at govt’s ...

(From p-1) chief minister during his visit was “just in verbal and there has been no seriousness on his part.” It said that if the chief minister “feels not capable enough” to tackle the situation, his government must “immediately pave way for alternate arrangement of government instead of clinging on to his seats but failing in their jobs.”

Stating that the Centre had sanctioned crores of rupees to Nagaland to combat COVID-19, the opposition party said various organizations and individuals have also contributed towards the noble cause.

It pointed out that Nagaland received from the Centre its first instalment of Rs 20.50 crore under the State Disaster Response and

Mitigation Fund (SDRMF) for the year 2020-21. It also said that the Ministry of Finance on April 3 released Rs 32641.66 lakhs as grantsin-aid.

A s r e g a r d s, N P F warned that if responsible people neglect the health sector that cost lives despite sufficient funds, the government would be held accountable to the victims and citizens.

Meanwhile, the NPF has asked the government to set up a control room to monitor supply of essential commodities. It said there were complaints of disruption of supply of essential commodities to many farflung areas. NPF also urged the government to make certain arrangement to let stranded students and travellers reach their villages.

NPCC asks state govt to come clean

(From p-1) “claim they are working hard all this time.” However, Therie said it was “shocking” that knowing fully they have accepted sub-standard quality of PPE. Meanwhile, NPCC has demanded that best PPE be immediately provided; immediately set up testing laboratories on a war footing and double the salaries of public sector health care teams and announce financial assistance packages for the private sector healthcare setups to enable continued medical services to the citizens.

NDPP urges govt to address COVID hospital Dmu reacts to news report issues raised by all and sundry

(From p-1) NDPP therefore urged the citizens of the state to continue and observe the lockdown till further notice.

Further, NDPP also put on record its appreciation to the efforts of the state government to work on war footing to ensure that the state was prepared to deal with this pandemic. The government had promptly ensured the airlifting of four consignments of medical equipment to the state despite shortage of PPEs and other essential medical equipment not only in India but globally.

It also appreciated the sacrifices being made by all medical and frontline workers, tirelessly working to keep the State safe and prepared.

NDPP also appreciated the Leader of Opposition’s constructive criticism and highlighting concerns that have been given to the government.

The most pertinent of his concerns and also those of the people being the lack of a testing facility in the state, it added.

NDPP pointed out that to in order have a Bio Safety Level (BSL) 3/4 laboratory in the State, it needed the approval of the Central government. Unfortunately, the requests of installing of such a laboratory in the past were denied by the Centre as the state did not have a functional Medical College, NDPP stated.

Taking note of the urgency to have such laboratories in the state to fight COVID-19, NDPP said Centre, on the initiatives of the state government, accorded necessary approvals for setting up of BSL labs at Kohima and Dimapur.

While also welcoming the concerns that were raised by various political parties and organisations in the state, NDPP appealed that “we shirk our differences and political agendas” in the spirit of unity and togetherness as one family to fight for humanity against this pandemic.

“Government as we know is, “of, by and for the people”, therefore, during these trying and difficult times, let us desist from blame games and finger pointing each other, but stand as one with our government as this pandemic knows no race, creed, colour, government, politics or social standing,” NDPP stated.

It also appealed all to continue praying for “His grace, mercy and protection to be upon us, and especially remember all our medical and frontline workers in our fight against CVOVID-19.”

NDPP also called upon the people to be responsible citizens by continuing to adhere to the government orders that were being issued for the safety and wellbeing of all.

(From p-1) The doctors themselves on April 13 had expressed resentment at the standard of masks and incomplete PPEs. They said they had inspected the items on April 12 and the doctors and staff approached the Medical Superintendent (MS) of DHD to address the issue, where the latter assured them to take up the matter with higher authorities.

Interestingly, a TV channel from Guwahati reported, that masks and PPEs supplied to Naga Hospital Kohima were of poor standard with some masks having fungus and manufacture date of some PPEs marked ‘2007’.

The rejoinder had also assumed that this newspaper had put up a photo on its April 14 issue that was taken of April 7. However, it may be noted that in the April 14 issue, the photo caption clearly mentioned it as file photo taken from the April 7 report when the reporters visited the hospital.

However, despite the reports being similar (April 7 and April 14), there was no reaction to the April 7 from the hospital fraternity.

A team of reporters from this newspaper again contacted some DHD doctors on April 13 whose complaints were duly reported on the state of preparedness for admitting COVID-19

patients.

Meanwhile, the hospital said it was working on war footing to prepare to fight against this challenging pandemic COVID19. It also claimed that all required medical back up, equipments, drugs and consumables to tackle the present crisis was in place.

“Our humble appeal to all the citizens of the state is that we the frontline workers are categorised as “Unsung heroes”. As our motto stands “Service to Humanity- be respected and we expect all right thinking citizens to support us in our endeavour and not jump to conclusion in pointing fingers...” it added.

Dimapur Ao Youth Organization members with members of the special committee on Covid-19 for Dimapur-- commissioner & sec. Y. Kikheto Sema, IGP (Trg&Border) Liremo Lotha, CP Dimapur Rothihu Tetseo and others at the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur office on Tuesday. The meeting deliberated on wide range of issues related to combating COVID19 pandemic.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXx NO. 128 Dimapur, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

T

A long haul

here are three opinion on whether the current nationwide lockdown should be extended after Tuesday, April 14,2020. One opinion suggests it should continue in its current form no matter the negative impact on the nation’s economy. The second opinion feels that a lockdown with certain relaxation for important economic activities such as agriculture, services, retailers and manufacturers of essential goods should be considered. The third opinion feels that lockdown has not achieved much so there is need to lift it in order to get back to normal life with the enforcement on hygiene, mass gathering, social distancing and proactive sample tests for a greater number of the population. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced extension of the lockdown till May 3,2020. Modi said that there was a general consensus amongst the states on its extension by another two weeks. Modi said implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in its second phase and detailed guidelines will be brought out on Wednesday to ensure that outbreak does not spread to new areas. Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20 in places where there are no hotspots, he said. As the number of the novel coronavirus cases in India continue to rise, some states have taken the lead in extending the ongoing lockdown to control the spread of the virus. The West Bengal government announced the extension of the lockdown till April 30. The Telangana government also decided to extend the lockdown in the state till April 30 to contain the spread of Covid-19. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also announced that the state will extend the lockdown at least till April 30.

Earlier, Odisha became the first state to announce the extension of the ongoing lockdown till April 30. After Odisha, the Punjab government also decided to extend the lockdown till April 30- May 1,2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) had last month, called lockdown measures as creation of a “second window of opportunity” to contain the virus and cautioned that early lifting of restriction may cause its resurgence.

The WHO recommended using this “opportunity” to train and deploy healthcare and public health workforce, implement a system to find every suspected case at community level, ramp up the production, capacity and availability of testing, identify, adapt and equip facilities the countries will use to treat and isolate patients. Ministry officials cited studies that suggest that lockdown had considerably reduced spread by at least 41%. The officials also cited Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the virus that went through 77 days of lockdown of 1.1 crore people and which was able to totally control the virus. The extension of the lockdown is largely welcomed since people have realised how vulnerable since there is no medicine till presently, to treat coronavirus. However, the hardest hit are migrant labourers across the states, a large number of who are stranded. Besides losing their daily wages, many labourers are left without proper accommodation and food. Since the government has decided to extend the lockdown, it is also expected that the Centre will formulate some measures to transportation of thousands stranded to their home states and also some economic packages. The battle against COVID-19 will be long and with no easy victory and largely dependent on cooperation of the people.

DailyDevotion Inner Invincibility

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… —Matthew 11:29 “Whom the Lord loves He chastens…” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you. “…to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him. “…the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes.

The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.

If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.

Quotes

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

T

Trilemma and the ecodemic

he war against the most severe health emergency in more than a 100 years involves three parallel battles -- the ones against the COVID-19 pandemic, the infodemic and what I call “ecodemic”.

The third term represents the impact the first two have on the economy. The scenario and the actions of the government, business and society are being dictated by epidemiologists. In the war of attrition between lives and livelihood, the former seems to be winning, though the verdict may not come in a public proclamation.

The war is being waged in the echo chambers of social media and the noise is rising to a crescendo. The verdict will not only affect policy making but also the way in which the policies are communicated. The problem with the lives vs livelihood debate is that its noise creates panic among the general public and roils the markets, resulting in huge losses in notional and economic value. This results in a triple whammy -- it slows down the policy

O

maker, frightens the businessmen and shakes up the society.

It is impossible to solve the trilemma in tranches as all three are interdependent.

All three need to be resolved together, using adequate resources, time and effort. The process should begin with the delegation of central control to step up the speed and quality of response. The pandemic is a phenomenon that can’t be addressed centrally. The government is cognizant of this and is acting on it. As a matter of fact, the delegation shows in the recent sealing of designated hotspots in several districts in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. This decision has to be made by the frontline administration in each district. There is an administrative glitch here -- we recognize the district as a unit of governance and not the city. The virus is most virulent in dense urban areas and the government needs to delegate both financial, police, health and administrative control at the city level. If it was important earlier, it has become

urgent now with the risk of contagion rising steadily.

Lockdown vs freedom The pandemic is about control, and hence the sealing and quarantine. The word quarantine derives from the Latin word for forty, and the method was first employed in Venice during the Great Bubonic Plague of 1377. The recent sealing of hotspots means that the government is moving to the next round of containment. Parallel to this, freedom should be given to the domestic supply chain to operate in an efficient manner. It is important to set the protocol for opening the factories, move workers through safe transit routes and use railways for rerouting the logistics chain. Give back the freedom to the businesses to rebuild themselves. Otherwise, bankruptcies will mount -- it will start with small businesses and snowball into a crisis that will hit the largest. This ecodemic is happening because of the lockdown and its contagion needs to be stopped before it destroys

the economy.

It is not possible for the government to decide which sector is essential and which is not. It is best to be left to the market to decide. The government can set the protocol and start giving freedom in a phased geographical manner, taking into account the hotspots.

After 9/11, a new industry of security came into being. It created a protocol for metal detectors, sniffer dogs and guards. A similar industry will rise post COVID-19 to take on future virus outbreaks. Factories, workplaces and offices will have temperature checks, make each person enter and exit through a sanitation unit. This will not happen through notification or orders as businesses need funds and liquidity. The market will create solutions if we allow them to operate. The new cost of operation will be higher, but businesses will accept and adapt. The government needs to recognize that they do not address this problem at any stage -- it’s not a

Negotiating an exit strategy

40-day challenge, but an 18-month marathon.

The government may classify pharmaceuticals as essential, but not its supply chain. The industry may take a hit if packaging and printing units are classified as non-essential. The government can go sector by sector and remove blockages, but it will take forever.

This command-and-control decision making will not work for the economy. The lockdown has destroyed the supply chain and sucked out the liquidity in a matter of weeks. The panic due to the infomedic is reflected in the financial markets. This is a time for civil society, government and business to work together.

The change in behavior whether social distancing, isolation, or lockdown cannot succeed with diktats.

The system has to see civil society as an active collaborator on the ground. It’s time that the 100 per cent tax deduction for non-profit is made a reality to enable a fund flow and action on the ground.

The equity market

foretells the disaster ahead.

Relief packages of $24 bn are inadequate to revive the economy. The US has announced a $2 trillion package, and that is more than twice the $700 billion allocated for the troubled asset relief programme in 2008. Throwing money solves the problem, it’s a band aid to the ecodemic and will not stop the decline.

The lockdown has broken the basic rules of contract and this is scaring the market. Borrowers are using the moratorium granted by the government to renege on dues, the judiciary is going with it, considering the extraordinary situation at hand. If the situation persists, the NPAs will mount -- and this time it won’t just be a few large borrowers, but also will involve millions of small borrowers. It won’t be a few countries, it will be the global economy hence collaboration, cooperation needs to happen at global level too.

K. Yatish Rajawat is the CEO of Centre for Civil Society. (IANS)

lockdown: A way to survive from severity

ptimistic readings of essential supplies, medical at- eral use of Section 144 CrPC opting to reach out to their experts including the tention and financial support that discouraged assembly of customers on line. The debate Director of AIIMS, wherever necessary. In the four or more persons in the on whether technology-driven Delhi about the effective- rural sector ‘social distancing’ open. In India, where occa- automation could possibly (From previous issue) o doubt, it is an unparalleled global response ness of the 21-day lockdown is built into the agricultural sions for religious gatherings aggravate unemployment is to a disease. But when will it end and when in mitigating the danger of work -- awareness of the need are so frequent, this kind of finally weighing in favour will we be able to get on with our lives? ‘community spread’ of the to avoid festive get-togethers prohibition is desirable in of the former -- primarily corona virus in India, were for the present can be eas- public interest. The principle because cost-effectiveness as As sources revealed – it may take a long time for in the backdrop when Prime ily raised there. Efficiency of only ‘essential’ movement a basic ingredient of profit the tide to go out possibly three months, a year or Minister Narendra Modi in- of governance would lie in being permitted will have to would also acquire a new years. There are indications that there will be no teracted with the Chief Minis- making arrangements for the be kept in mind but without level of importance in a situ- blanket lifting of lockdown but to go for further ters through tele-conferencing collection, storage and sale the rigour of a regulatory sys- ation of economic slowdown. extension depending on the gravity of the situaon April 2 for reviewing the of the produce and prompt tem of ‘authorisation’ being Secondly, resurgence of indig- tions, may be state-wise to opt for partial relexation pandemic scene. He empha- remittance of money to the brought into play. Opening enous economy of India that But at this juncture, what is more pertinent that sised that there would be grower. This responsibility of entertainment centres or was not so much dependent our nation needs is an ‘exit strategy’ – a way of no ‘business as usual’ but should be delegated to the a total restoration of educa- on the global interaction, is lifting the restrictions and getting back to normal. urged them to deliberate on district administration -- we tional institutions may not foreseen and that will become Will it really happen like before? This pandemic a staggered ‘exit strategy’ to should be thankful that India be a priority in the immediate a major source of jobs and has created a global crisis that requires a global be shared with the Centre to inherited the framework of context. employment. And thirdly, a response – ‘Fight, Unite, Ignite’. Therefore, in help the decision-making on a fairly autonomous adminThe leadership at the learning for Indians from the these challenging times, everyone must say at home whether the lockdown was to istrative unit on the ground national apex had done its bit corona crisis is that just as unless very necessary, practice personal hygiene, be extended or not. led by the Collector-SP duo to protect the country from they countered this danger by social distancing as well as respecting the rules of The Prime Minister reaf- which could meet all essential an imminent ‘community’ turning indoors they should self-quarantine. The Government of India ramps firmed the need for observing demands of the people. outbreak of the corona virus also help the recovery of the up several proactive preventive and mitigating mea‘social distancing’ norms in Prime Minister Modi has and it is now for the states, Indian economy by taking to sures with progressive tightenng of international the times to come and man- since consulted leading lights the institutions and the people home products, domestic tour- travel, issue of advisories for the members of the dated that the action plan of all professions and po- at large to have their share ing and indigenous services. public, setting up quarantine facilities, contact of for the post-lockdown period litical parties on the possible of responsibility in dealing There is likelihood of a huge tracing of persons infected by the virus and variwould have to revolve round measures that could be taken with the residual overhanging enlargement of the system of ous social distancing measures including Janata this basic requirement. The by India to sail through the threat. It is indeed remarkable take-outs and home deliveries Curfew(People’s Curfew) on 22nd March and Centre has received a mixed crisis. The aim must be to get how Prime Minister Modi of both products and services 21-day nationwide lockdown from 24 March to feedback from the states. The people back to work -- sooner connected with the people aided by the voluntary adop- contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus(CovidChief Minister of Delhi has than later. Here a few lines of through simple devices like a tion of a few lifestyle changes 19). Quoting Hon’ble Prime MInister of India, added to the clarity of thought approach suggest themselves. collective applause for medical by the people at large. Also, Shri. Narendra Modi “Forget about leaving home by indicating that any relax- All production units big or people and lighting a lamp to a greater reliance on home in the next 21 days. If you cross Lakshman Rekha, ation of the lockdown in the small -- in the public or private show ‘no one was alone’, to food partly due to the lack you will invite the virus home”. The world leadcapital would be preceded by sector -- may have to reopen largely remedy the threat to of assurance of ‘surface and ers have appreicated the initiatives taken by the ‘rapid testing’ at the ‘clusters’ with staff in shifts coming in mass psychology and mental hand hygiene’ at the food Government of India including the UN who has that had become the ‘hotspots’ to resume work at the assem- health that this pandemic joints, inclination towards expressed solidarity with India in its fight against -- largely because of the un- bly lines. The enterprises that could have surely caused. He socialisation in small groups coronavirus. According to Shri. Henk Bekedam, detected movements of the can afford it should deploy proved to be a national leader of ‘known’ individuals rather WHO Representative to India on coronavirus said preachers of the Nizamuddin- their own transport to bring in the true sense and not a than in large gatherings and – “ The committment from Indian Govt., the Prime based Tabligh Markaz. Cor- in employees and executives mere head of the government. a cultural shift in favour of Minister’s office has been enormous, very impresdoning of all such hotspots of a shift by picking them Some sections of the opposi- willingness to use personal sive. It is one of the reasons why India is still doing across the country for test- up from fixed points. Public tion have tried to find fault time more fruitfully, could be quite well. I am very impressed that everyone has ing to determine the load of transport will have to reappear with Prime Minister Modi the lasting trend setters. been mobilised”. Henceforth, here the role of the subsequent ‘quarantining’ or for others -- here a new prac- -- not for taking the lockdown Interestingly, the corona government becomes immense crucial to track of hospitalisation, would in fact tise of restricting passengers decision itself but for making pandemic has created reverber- the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak be a basic segment of India’s to one-third of the capacity the announcement at short ations in American politics by and pass through national and regional channels, strategic planning to deal with in a coach or bus to maintain notice because of which, evoking a debate on whether in media, healthcare providers, local public healthcare the crisis. ‘social distancing’ could be according to them, the formi- a democratic dispensation the authorities and other reliable sources and must be Talking of a possible re- adopted. Anybody going out dable problem of large turnout ‘welfare state’ had to prevail easily available to the people for preventive mealaxation of curbs on the move- for work should wear a mask of migrants on the roads with over ‘free enterprise’ in order sures and with the imperative to ensure the periodic ment it may be noted that in or a ‘face covering’ using a their families arose in the first to do justice to the vast chunk supply of essential commodities with price control normal times people moved kerchief -- the Mayor of New instance. They should know of population that was eco- and regular relief packages to the poor and needy. for the purposes of work, York has now recommended that for both employers and nomically weaker and hence It is further to state with pain that Nagaland which shopping, entertainment, the latter for his people -- not the employees, the urgency more vulnerable than the af- was totally safe and free from Covid-19, now a medical care and education necessarily a high-end clini- of the lockdown was never in fluent classes in the matter of person from our state has been tested positive for and therefore the freedom of cally prescribed contraption doubt. The outcome, by way surviving such a crisis. In the the Covid-19 virus, making it the first case as per movement would need to be that was essential for medi- of ‘reverse migration’, could US, which is the third worst- official sources. The time has come for everyone prioritised and self-regulated cal and paramedic personnel have been foreseen but the affected nation after Italy and to be very cautious and strictly adhere to Do’s and in a manner that made sense. handling corona cases. authorities concerned of the Spain, the Democrat nominee don’ts and abide by the guidelines and directives Fixing the system of transThe employers should state did handle the turnout for Presidentship is said to be laid down during the lockdown. Therefore, we port, establishing the supply incorporate ‘social distanc- of migrants subsequently on benefiting from the ideologi- must be wise, responsible and prepare, not because chain for essential commodi- ing’ as an additional work a satisfactory note. The aspect cal stand of Bernie Sanders. we may feel personally at risk, but so that we can ties, including medicines and ethics norm and include free of mitigating economic dis- In India the anti-Modi forces help lessen the risk for everyone. Let us all unite micro-managing the public meal at work to support it, tress caused by the prolonged are highlighting the class di- and fight together to defeat the coronovirus. Stay services at the ground level, if necessary. Precautionary lockdown to the masses with- vide in the context of corona home, stay safe. (Concluded) will have to be given particular thermal screening of people out means, would mainly be lockdown by alleging that Prakash Chetri attention. While the pro-active reporting for work would be tested by the performance of India’s poor and the weak Chümoukedima Town had not been taken care of. handling of this global crisis important. Shopkeepers and the administrative machinery by our Prime Minister and the local service providers of the country and would The administrative response his team is reassuring, what is employing a few hands each certainly be on public scrutiny of the Centre and the states, on test for the moment is the can practice ‘social distancing’ -- acting as a major factor im- if coordinated in the manner ability of the state administra- even more easily. The avail- pacting the political responses that the Modi regime was attempting to ensure, should tion to handle coordinated ability of banking and ATM of the affected people. implementation of the post- facilities should help the busiThere is little doubt that enable the country to take care lockdown protocols. ness in the unorganised and in many ways life will not be of the ordinary people -- in The willingness of local informal sectors of economy, the same again even when quarantine camps or outside Sir, The saying “when the going gets tough, the neighbourhoods and RWAs to to keep going. The important the threat of virus is past us. -- through the period of acute tough get going” rings true. We should seize this difficulty.

At the end of the practice precautionary dos and question of compensation In business and personal life time to try and grab the opportunity to re-skill day India will have its own don’ts that are so well known being offered to businesses, predictable changes are in the and re-invent what we are good at. One may be politico-economic doctrine to everybody now, will be of particularly to MSMEs, will offing. First, a decisive spurt in able to trim an existing skill or learn a new one crucial importance. There be under the consideration applied technology is already that suits its genius. while staying at home.

D.C. Pathak is a former will be no difficulty about of policy makers. The envi- in evidence as businesses are Zubeno Humtsoe the administration providing ron of self-imposed restraint learning to do with minimal Director Intelligence Bureau (IANS) PWD colony, Kohima the segregated people with all should be backed by the lib- manpower and the stores are 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.

N

Reader’s Post

The best time to reinvent oneself

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

One more tests positive for COVID-19 in Assam

5

Northeast Woman stuck at India-B’desh border for 2 weeks

‘COVID-19 patient had no travel history’ Shillong, Apr 14: Meghalaya’s first COVID19 patient, who has no travel history, is in ‘Category C”, even as the government has adopted a three-step strategy to trace down contacts of the COVID-19 patient.

On Monday, a senior doctor of a Bethany hospital yielded positive for COVID-19.

“The patient, in medical terms, is in ‘category c’ not on ventilator,” Chief Minister Conrad Sangma told reporters on Tuesday.

“We are looking at the entire history of the case and there has been some date and information and some evidence that one of the relatives of the patient has a travel history to some of the badly affected country and the time frame during which the travel took place and the person’s entry into Shillong,” Sangma said.

“In all likelihood, he (relative) is staying in the same house being the relative and it was very much within the 14-day quarantine period. We cannot say with full evidence, but in this situation, in a most likely scenario, the story of travel history linked with the 14-day quarantine period within which the travel was made to Shillong looks like the reason why it could happen, but it could be for

some other reasons which we are still investigating,” the Chief Minister said.

Sangma also clarified that the relative of the individual (COVID-19 positive patient) had registered with the government when he entered Shillong and the medical team had visited the concerned person and he did not show symptoms of any kind.

“In all likelihood, it is an asymptomatic case (people who carry the active virus in their body but never develop any symptoms),” he said.

Meanwhile, the State government has adopted a three-step strategy to trace down contacts of the COVID-19 patient.

“Following this development, the entire corona task forces in the state and districts have sprung into action on Monday night,” Sangma said.

“We had a meeting with the officers on Monday night and discussed about the plan of action

Manipur launches electronic Woman from Mizoram tested format of comic textbooks COVID-19 positive in Mumbai

Patient suicide not linked to COVID19 in M’laya

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviews a quarantine centre setup for COVID19 patients at Sarusojoi Sports Complex, in Guwahati, Monday. (PTI)

Guwahati, Apr 14 (PTI) : One more person, who had come in contact with those who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi, tested positive for novel coronavirus in Assam on Tuesday, taking the state’s tally to 31, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The 31 cases include one person who had died due to the virus. The latest COVID-19 patient hails from Goalpara district. The case was confirmed late on Monday night and further details will be available during the day, he said.

This is the fourth confirmed case in Goalpara

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 14: In a step to make up the gaps for the academic situation due to the lockdown imposed to break the chain of COVID-19, Manipur education department launched an electronic format of comic textbooks for Class III, IV and V. The electronic format comic textbook for each class comprises three subjects - Mathematics, Environmental Studies and English language - in a single electronic comic textbook format.

State education minister Dr Thokchom Radheshyam who launched the textbooks today said that due to lockdown, educational institutions in the state remained close for the past 21 days and will continue to do so till May 3, 2020 as the lockdown has been extended across the country.

He said that state education department initiated the steps and measures to make up the gaps for the academic situation.

Dr Radheshyam ex-

district, where all other three COVID-19 patients had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area.

Thirty of the 31 confirmed cases in Assam are linked to the event.

Two persons had tested positive for coronavirus on Monday while a person from Nagaland also tested positive for the disease and is currently being treated at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.

Of the 3,209 samples tested in Assam, 1,421 were linked to the Nizamuddin event, of which 30 have tested positive and results for 34 are awaited, Sarma

plained that the three in one electronic format comic textbook for these three classes will have three to four chapters of each subject to a total of ten to twelve chapters in each book.

He assured that the electronic format textbooks for other classes will soon be made available and urged teachers, parents and guardians of students to make the best use of the electronic format textbooks. The comic textbooks can be availed from the website www.manipureducation.gov.in.

On the other hand, after the Prime Minister announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown till May, 3 2020, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh appealed to the people of the state to support and abide by the decision of the Central government to win the war against the dreaded disease COVID-19. In a video message sent out to the media houses today, Singh stated that the state government fully endorses the decision of the Union government regarding the extension of the

had said.

All the persons who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event have either been quarantined or isolated, he said.

Sarma had said that the condition of all the COVID19 patients, barring a cancer patient who had tested positive in Silchar, is stable.

The highest number of cases was reported in Golaghat district at 9, followed by four each in Goalpara, Nalbari and Morigaon, three in Dhubri, two in Cachar, one each in Hailakandi, Kamrup (Metropolitan), Kamrup, Lakhimpur and South Salmara districts.

lockdown. The chief minister lauded the efforts of the Prime Minister in combating the pandemic while claiming that many countries have appreciated the steps and preventive measures taken up in the country.

Asserting that the state government was closely monitoring the situation, Singh urged the people to extend their support and co-operation with the decisions taken by the government from time to time and thanked the people for extending their support to the government till now.

In the video message, the chief minister appealed to Manipuris stranded outside the state due to the lockdown not to be scared, assuring them that that the state government had already deputed senior IAS officers for each state to address their grievances. Around 17,900 students have been registered through www.tengbang.in and an amount of Rs 2000 each have been credited to the bank accounts of around 2700 students till now, he informed.

Agartala, Apr 14 (IANS): A 35-year-oldwoman, supposed to be a Bangladeshi, is stranded between the India and Bangladesh border in Tripura for the past around two weeks.

Despite the border guards of the two countries holding a series of meetings her status remains uncertain, officials said on Tuesday.

“The woman, maybe a Bangladeshi, was suddenly noticed by the Border Security Force and villagers on April 2. Since then the officials of BSF and BGB (Border Guards Bangladesh) have held a series of meetings, but the issue remains unresolved,” South Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Debapriya Bardhan told IANS over phone from Belonia, the district headquarters.

“Some people on both sides of the border are occasionally providing food to the woman. Despite she being a Bangladeshi citizen, the BGB officials are reluctant to take her back,” a BSF official said, refusing to be quoted.

The woman is stranded on the sandy bank of the Feni river, which divides India and Bangladesh along southern Tripura. The official said that both BSF and BGB officials tried to know the name of her village.

Aizawl, Apr 14 (PTI): A 22-year-old woman from Mizoram has tested positive for novel coronavirus in Mumbai, state Health Minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana said on Tuesday. The woman reached Mumbai in February and was admitted to a private hospital for treatment of some other ailment. As she was suffering from fever, her swab sample was tested and the result was found to be positive on Monday, the minister said in a statement here.

She was then shifted from the private hospital to the ICU of a designated Covid-19 facility, he said.

She was found asymptomatic on Tuesday and her sample was collected for another test, the result of which is yet to come, he said.

Lalthangliana said the sample of the woman’s husband has not been collected and it would be done only when required.

The health minister said a total of 48 people from Mizoram - 16 patients and 32 attendants - are currently lodged at the Mizoram

Volunteers in Assam to help manage mental stress

Guwahati, Apr 14 (PTI): Around 13,500 persons have registered themselves as volunteers to help people manage their mental stress in the ongoing coronavirus crisis under an initiative launched by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority.

The volunteers will also be engaged in an exercise of contact-tracing of the COVID-19 cases in the state, officials said on Tuesday.

Anticipating that the battle against the pandemic will be a prolonged effort, the ASDMA has envisaged two initiatives -- ‘Pratirodhi Bondhu’, a scheme for mobilising volunteers, and ‘e-Help Programme’--to tide over the crisis.

M S Manivannan, chief executive officer of the ASDMA, has already written to all the deputy commissioners of the state and joined hands with the common service centres across districts for implementing these two programmes.

“Needless to mention that stress has emerged as a new challenge in the time K Y M C

of lockdown and prohibitory orders, which can seriously affect mental health of the people.

“Moreover, fear of financial insecurity coupled with non-availability of certain basic services related to day-to- day life and livelihood may hurt people and this have brought further psychological impact on individuals and families as a whole,” the letter said.

Under the ‘Pratirodhi Bondhu’ programme, the volunteers will be trained to support the frontline workforce in non-medical activities as per guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority and the UNICEF for COVID-19 response.

On the other hand, the same work will also be carried out under the ‘e-Help Programme’ through the existing network of CSCs. “Both the initiatives are aimed at providing support to the frontline workforce in certain nonmedical activities related to COVID-19 response and also to reach out to the vulnerable section across Assam,” the letter said.

It also mentioned that the network of CSCs can be used to provide essential ser vices like banking,information dissemination, counselling and telemedicine, veterinary doctor consultation, training and awareness creation.

When contacted to know details about the initiatives, Manivannan told PTI: “We have already started the process of inviting applications for volunteers. In few days, around 13,500 persons have registered on our website.”

The ASDMA is also chalking out the guidelines and modalities, after which these people will be trained and deployed in all the districts, he added.

According to the concept note of the programme, each volunteer will be engaged for a period, varying between 10 days and 60 days from April to September this year.

Asked whether the government is anticipating that the COVID-19 crisis will continue for the next six months, Manivannan said, “We do not know how

long it will continue. But we are preparing for the long haul.”

For the COVID-19 scenario, the main activities of the volunteers will be to give telephonic support to people, spread awareness on social distancing, involve in the exercise of contact-tracing and extend emotional support to elderly, children and people with disabilities.

He said the ASDMA has already tied up with over 6,000 CSCs in the state to reach out to maximum number of people in the battle against the deadly virus.

Commenting on the development, CSC chief executive officer Dinesh Kumar Tyagi said, “Assam will become a model for addressing issues arising out of the coronavirus crisis, at panchayat level and to support citizens.”

The ASDMA also plans to utilise the CSCs as stock and distribution points for essential commodities such as groceries and vegetables for home delivery in coordination with its field officers.

House in Mumbai.

Medical experts from Mumbai Municipal Corporation on Tuesday screened the inmates and have taken samples of 22 of them for test, he said. They did not show any symptoms of novel coronavirus, he said. The minister said that the Mizoram house was sanitized with disinfectant on Tuesday. He said the state government has traced 11 people, who came into contact with the woman and returned to Mizoram from Mumbai after March 15, were put under home quarantine.

A senior doctor in Shillong, who belonged to the Mizo community, has also tested positive for novel coronavirus on Monday, Lalthangliana said and asked the Mizo people in Shillong not to panic as the patient was stable. The lone COVID-19 patient undergoing treatment in Mizoram is recovering, the minister said. The patient, who was pursuing higher studies in Amsterdam, tested positive for novel coronavirus on March 25.

Mizoram policemen donate one day’s salary to CMRF

Aizawl, Apr 14 (PTI): Mizoram police personnel on Tuesday donated their one day’s salary amounting to Rs 1.41 crore to the chief minister’s relief fund to aid the government’s efforts to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

A delegation of policemen met Chief Minister Zoramthanga and handed over the cheque to him, an official of the CMO said.

The newly-constituted Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) also donated Rs 1 lakh to the relief fund while officers and staff of sports and youth service directorate contributed Rs 3.78 lakh to it to support the state government’s initiatives to contain the spread of the disease, the official said.

The council’s chief executive member Lalthlamuana Hmar accompanied by other members handed over the amount to Lalhmansanga, personal secretary to the chief minister.

“Various organisations have donated over Rs 5.2 crore to the chief minister’s relief fund on Tuesday,” the official said.

Conrad Sangma

Correspondent Shillong, Apr 14: A 26-year-old man, who was admitted at Bethany hospital here in Meghalaya, allegedly committed suicide in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a police official said.

Meghalaya police said that the suicide has nothing to relate with recent events regarding COVID-19.

The incident occurred a night after a senior doctor of the Bethany hospital has been tested positive for COVID-19 virus.

The doctor is the first COVID-19 patient in Meghalaya, who has no travel history.

Superintendent of Police for East Khasi Hills district, Claudia A Lyngwa said that the patient identified as Tainingstar Jyrwa, a resident of Mawkyrwat village in South West Khasi Hills committed suicide by jumping from the window of his ward into the stream flowing next to Bethany Hospital.

how to move ahead. Instructions were given to shut both the branches of the Bethany hospital and the staffs on duty were asked to stay and quarantine,” he informed.

Moreover, he said that the government have listed down the primary contacts of the patient and also went down to secondary contacts to a large extend.

So far, 2000 contacts have already been established and 90 tests were done.

Informing that more tests would be conducted, Sangma said that the state has requested the government of Assam to also support in the testing, so that more tests can be done everyday.

Stating that the state government is adopting a basic strategy of ‘identifying, isolating, and testing’ he said, “This process is being followed for few days till we are able to really zero down and bring all these contact tracing done, and close the basic loop of any kind of transmission that could possibly be there. Those steps have been taken immediately.”

The Chief Minister also urged the citizen not to stigmatize patient or their family members, as the virus can attack anybody, it does not look at caste, creed, religion or geographical boundaries.

“It is time for the citizens to act responsibly.

I would urge the citizens of Meghalaya, particularly Shillong city not to stigmatize. This is the time when we have to show to the rest of the world and the country that we are together and we will fight this together,” the Chief Minister added.

Urging the citizens to lend their support, the chief minister said that in these difficult times, people have to remain united and cooperate with the government by adhering to the directives issued by the government.

“There is a notion in people’s mind that this disease can be spread by looking at somebody. I think we need to get the facts clear.

If we are maintaining our social norms, ensure personal hygiene, the chances of getting the virus is less,” the Chief Minister stated, while urging the media to also create the sensitisation.

Urging the people not to overreact but be careful, Sangma said, “Be careful for yourself .I’m sure that by doing this basic things you’ll be able to protect yourself. It is very important that people should understand that it is not that if you get infected that you will be on ventilator and you will be fighting for your life.”

Modi’s traditional Mnp scarf grabs attention Imphal, Apr 14 (PTI): ‘Meitei Lengyan’, a traditional Manipuri scarf, worn

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the nation on Tuesday grabbed much attention especially in the northeastern state.

While announcing that the coronavirus-triggered lockdown has been extended till May 3, the prime minister was wearing the stole, also known as “Leiroom phee” and used mainly by men.

Modi also changed the profile picture of his official Twitter handle to one showing him using the Lengyan as a facemask.

Presented to guests at ceremonies, the scraf comes in different colours and generally has a wide red border.

Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, opposition Congress spokesman Ningombam Bupenda Meitei and common people noted with happiness that the prime minister had donned the Lengyan, considered a cultural symbol of

the state. “I was very happy to see it. It shows our prime minister cares for the Northeast,” Heptulla said.

The chief minister tweeted: “My sincere appreciation and salute to the Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji for using Manipuri Meitei Lengyan which is a traditionally and culturally symbolic one, while addressing the nation today.

“It shows how much our PM loves and care for the NE particularly Manipur.”

Singh also shared a photograph of Modi using the Lengyan as a facemask.

Thanking Modi for extending the nationwide lockdown till May 3 to fight against coronavirus, the CM said, “We will follow his will, vision and advice in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 outbreak. #IndiaFightsCorona #StayHomeStaySafe.”

State Congress spokesman Ningombam Bupenda Meitei also felt “proud” that the prime minister chose a Manipuri muffler during his address.

Mnp penalises 9,717 persons during 1st phase lockdown Correspondent IMPHAL, Apr 14: Manipur police penalised as many as 9,717 persons for violating the 21-day-long lockdown form whom they collected Rs 6,50,550 as fine.

T h e l o c k d ow n t o combat spread of COVID19 in the state commenced from March 22, two days ahead of the announcement of 21 days nationwide lockdown by the government at the Centre.

However, the state intensified the lockdown by clamping public curfew under sub-section 2 of section 144 of CrPC from 8 am of March 24, the day of commencement of the nationwide lockdown.

To enforce the lockdown effectively, police across the state launched an intensified drive against those who violated the curfew.

They were detained along with their vehicles and produced before the

magistrates before being released after imposing fines.

The police have penalised altogether 9,717 persons who violated lockdown/curfew during the period from March 25 till today (April 14) and collected Rs 6,50,550 as fine.

A compiled record of the police department showed that as many as 9055 persons have been detained for violating the curfew along with 5479 vehicles from March 25 to April 13, 2020.

The police further collected Rs 6,00,440 as fine, it added.

Police have also registered at least 15 cases under Disaster Management Act 2005 (COVID19 Pandemic) and one person has also been arrested for uploading communally inciting message in social media.

As per the compiled report, Thoubal district recorded highest number of curfew violators. 2760

persons were detained along with 1139 vehicles and collected a fine of Rs 1,42,700 in the district.

By detaining 2374 along with 1897 vehicles and collecting Rs 1,15,400, Imphal West district closely follow Thoubal district.

Interestingly, no case of violation of the lockdown/curfew was reported in the hill districts of Kamjong and Pherzawl.

Among the hill districts, Churachandpur district recorded highest number of curfew violation with 830 personsdetained along with 593 vehicles and Rs 37,500 collected as fine.

The report excluded today’s crackdown against the curfew violators. During today’s drive, a total of 662 persons who violated the curfew were detained along with 365 vehicles.

They were produced before the concern magistrates and fines of Rs 50,550 were imposed, official source said.

K Y M C

6

International/Sports

Pak borders to Sanders backs Biden for united front against Trump remain closed for

New York, Apr 14 (IANS): Senator Bernie Sanders, the self-declared socialist, has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination putting on a united front against President Donald Trump.

Sanders announced his unequivocal support for his former rival in a split-screen joint online appearance on Monday they conducted from their home states anointing Biden as the party’s unopposed nominee.

Saying that they wanted to make Trump a oneterm president, Sanders said from Vermont, “We need you in the White House and I will do all that I can to make that happen.”

Biden responded from Delaware, “It’s a big deal.

Your endorsement means a great deal, a great deal to me.”

Although Sanders had ended his campaign last week, he had not endorsed Biden till Monday and had said that he would keep the delegates backing his candi-

23 IS militants killed in clashes in Iraq Bag h dad, A p r 1 4 (IANS): Iraqi security forces killed up to 23 Islamic State (IS) militants in clashes in a rural area in the northern province of Kirkuk, the Iraqi military said.

During the operation, the troops found a cave in the rugged area used as a hideout for IS militants, sparking fierce clashes between the two sides and interference of the aircraft, the media office affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement.

The operation resulted in the destruction of the hideout and the killing of 23 IS militants, while an Iraqi security member was killed and four others wounded, according to the statement.

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders

dature who had been elected in the party elections.

He had said that he was ending his campaign because “I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour.”

Monday’s announcement takes away all ambiguity and seeks to unite Sanders’s left and Biden’s

centrist wings of the party.

Biden would need the complete support of the party’s left to take on Trump as Hillary Clinton’s defeat has been attributed in part to Biden supporters staying away from the elections.

Reacting to Sanders’s announcement last week, Trump said that many of the senator’s supporters agreed with him on bringing back industries to the US and on strengthening its

industrial base.

Therefore, he claimed that he would draw their supporters again.

Biden told Sanders “I’m going to need you, not just to win the campaign, but to govern.”

Sanders asked him to adopt some policies that are popular with his young supporters like free community college, easing of education loans and a national minimum wage of $15.

They agreed that their staff would work on the agenda.

Both of them criticised Trump’s leadership in dealing with the coronavirus crisis.

Sanders called Trump a racist, a xenphobe, an anti-women person and a religious bigot who should not be allowed another term.

Biden set the stage for the surprise announcement tweeting that there would be a special guest at his livestream meeting.

Making Biden the unopposed candidate in April itself gives him an advantage that Hillary Clinton -- and other first-time candidates, including those elected -- did not have as he can concentrate on his rival in November, Trump, instead spending energy on fighting off rivals for nomination within the part.

There were 20 candidates when the campaign for the Democratic Party nomination began last year but all have dropped out.

Sanders was the last holdout.

2 more weeks

Islamabad, Apr 14 (IANS): Pakistan’s borders will remain closed for an additional two weeks amid a surge in the novel coronavirus cases in the country, the Interior Ministry has announced.

“As per the decision of the National Coordination Committee, the Ministry is announcing that all the borders will remain closed for an additional two weeks,” The Express Tribune quoted the Ministry as saying in a tweet on Monday.

“The decision to keep the borders closed has been taken to stop the spread of corona.” read the According to three different notifications of the Ministry, the Western border Indian/Kartarpur border and Wagah border will remain closed for a fortnight.

This development comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan has increased to 5,707 with 96 deaths.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

UN chief appeals for end of hostilities in Libya United Nations, Apr 14 (IANS): UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres is concerned about the fighting in Libya, including the latest shelling of Tripoli, and the first signs of COVID-19 infection, a spokesman said.

“We are concerned about the fighting from whichever side, including, of course, the latest shelling,” said the secretary-general’s deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq. “We, as you know, have been asking for the parties to cease fighting,” reported Xinhua news agency on Monday.

“It’s very clear that right now there are the first signs of COVID-19 infection in Libya and we need to make sure that they can set aside all military offensives and work together in terms of being able to allow for us to deal with the pandemic before that comes out of control,” he told correspondents at a virtual briefing.

“That is where our priority lies.”

Haq said UN colleagues in Libya report that hostilities in the western

region of the country have continued to cause civilian casualties and triggered new displacement. Heavy shelling was reported in parts of Tripoli and shelling also hit residential areas in Tajoura and struck an ambulance near Misrata, killing a paramedic.

He said it was the eighth attack on health operations this year. Despite Guterres’ appeal for a global COVID-19 ceasefire, Haq said about 3,700 people have fled their homes in the Abusliem District of the capital in the last few weeks because of the hostilities.

Also, more than 2 million people, including 600,000 children, who live in Tripoli and surrounding towns and cities, have suffered from water cuts for more than a week, he said.

The humanitarian coordinator for Libya, Yacoub El Hillo, said that water should never be used as a pressure card nor as a weapon of war, especially now when Libya is fighting the threat of the COVID-19, the spokesman said.

Netanyahu, Gantz say close to unity govt deal WHO warns coronavirus ‘certainly’ has not peaked

Benjamin Netanyahu

Benny Gantz

Jerusalem, Apr 14 (IANS): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, Benny Gantz, have said that a unity government deal was close following their latenight meeting to break the country’s year-long political deadlock.

The two said in separate statements that “substantial progress was made” in an overnight meeting held in an attempt to save the stalled coalition talks, reports Xinhua news

agency.

Gantz’s mandate to form a new governing coalition following the March 2 elections should have expired at midnight on Monday.

However, President Reuven Rivlin extended his deadline to allow the two leaders to reach an agreement.

A statement issued on Rivlin’s behalf said Gantz now has until Wednesday’s midnight to form a government.

Earlier in the day, Gantz, Israel’s former military chief and leader of the centrist Blue and White party, urged Netanyahu to join forces.

Gantz, who promised to form a government without Netanyahu during his campaign trail, said an emergency unity government must be formed considering the COVID-19 crisis.

In response, Netanyahu wrote on Twitter that he invites Gantz to meet him in Jerusalem to sign a deal.

Should Gantz and Netanyahu fail to reach an agreement, the nation will witness a fourth elections after three previous rounds in fewer than a year produced inconclusive results.

M A D R I D / LO N D O N, Apr 14 (Agencies): Spain and Austria allowed partial returns to work on Tuesday but Britain, France and India extended coronavirus lockdowns to try to rein in a pandemic which the World Health Organization warned had not yet peaked.

Nearly 2 million people globally have been infected and more than 119,200 have died in the most serious pandemic in a century, according to a Reuters tally.

The epicentre has moved from China, where the virus first emerged in December, to the United States, which now has the highest death toll at 23,568.

World leaders, in considering easing curbs, have

to balance risks to health and the economy, as the lockdowns strangle supply lines, especially in China, and bring economic activity to a virtual halt.

The world economy is expected to shrink by 3% this year, the International Monetary Fund said, marking the steepest downturn since the Great Depression.

The World Health Organization said the number of new cases was easing in some parts of Europe, including Italy and Spain, but outbreaks were growing in Britain and Turkey.

“The overall world outbreak, 90 percent of cases are coming from Europe and the United States of America. So we are certainly not seeing the peak

yet,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a briefing in Geneva.

But world stocks gained after Chinese trade data came in better than expected and as some countries partly lifted restrictions.

Some Spanish businesses, including construction and manufacturing, were allowed to restart.

Shops, bars and public spaces are to stay closed until at least April 26.

Spain was flattening the curve on the graph, representing the rate of growth of the outbreak, Health Minister Salvador Illa said on Tuesday. The overnight death toll from the coronavirus rose to 567 on Tuesday from 517 a day earlier, but the country reported its

lowest increase in new cases since March 18. Total deaths climbed to 18,056.

S o m e wo r k e r s ex pressed concern that the relaxation of restrictions could trigger a new surge.

But for Roberto Aguayo, a 50-year-old Barcelona construction worker, the restart came just in time.

“We really needed it, just when we were going to run out of food we returned to work,” he told Reuters.

Italy, which has the world’s second highest death toll of 20,465, maintained some tight restrictions on movement. Denmark, one of the first European countries to shut down, will reopen day care centres and schools for children in first to fifth grade on April 15.

No plan B for another Olympic Indian Premier League Man Utd, City keen on Upamecano postponement: Tokyo organisers postponed indefinitely

Tokyo, Apr 14 (Agencies): There is no “Plan B” for the Olympics if they need to be postponed again because of the coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo organizers said Tuesday.

Masa Takaya, the spokesman for the Tokyo Olympics, said organizers are proceeding under the assumption the Olympics will open on July 23, 2021.

The Paralympics follow on Aug. 24.

Those dates were set last month by the International Olympic Committee and Japanese officials after the coronavirus pandemic made it clear the Tokyo Games could not be held as scheduled this year.

“We are working toward the new goal,” Takaya said, speaking in English on a teleconference call with journalists. “We don’t have a B Plan.”

The severity of the pandemic and the death toll has raised questions if it will even be feasible to hold the Olympics in just over 15 months.

“All I can tell you today is that the new games’ dates

for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been just set up,” Takaya said. “In that respect, Tokyo 2020 and all concerned parties now are doing their very best effort to deliver the games next year.”

IOC President Thomas Bachwas asked about the possibility of a postponement in an interview published in the German newspaper Die Welt on Sunday.

He did not answer the question directly, but said later that Japanese organizers and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated they “could not manage a postponement beyond next summer at the latest.”

The Olympics draw 11,000 athletes and 4,400 Paralympic athletes and large support staffs from 206 national Olympic committees.

There are also questions about frozen travel, rebooking hotels, cramming fans into stadiums and arenas, securing venues and the massive costs of rescheduling, which is estimated in Japan at $2 billion-$6 billion.

Tokyo organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto addressed the issue in a news conference on Friday.

He is likely to be asked about it again on Thursday when local organizers and the IOC hold a teleconference with media in Japan.

The other major question is the cost of the delay, and who pays.

Bach said in the Sunday interview that the IOC would incur “several hundred million dollars” in added costs. Under the so-called Host City Agreement, Japan is liable for the vast majority of the expenses.

“This is impossible to say for now,” Takaya said.

“It is not very easy to estimate the exact amount of the games’ additional costs, which have been impacted by the postponement.”

Tokyo says it is spending $12.6 billion to organize the Olympics. But a Japanese government audit published last year says the costs are twice that much.

Of the total spending, $5.6 billion is private money.

The rest is from Japanese governments.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (IANS): The 13th edition of Indian Premier League has been indefinitely postponed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an extension of the current nationwide lockdown till May 3.

Speaking to IANS, a BCCI functionary said that the current situation calls for an indefinite postponement and the franchises have been informed about the development and all are on the same page.

"We have to fight the pandemic and there is no choice for now. These are extraordinary times. We can't talk about cricket and IPL at the moment so it has been indefinitely postponed and franchises have been informed about it," the functionary said.

When contacted, two IPL franchises confirmed the development. "Yes, the BCCI has informed us and we also believe that there is no two ways about this

that at present we cannot have an IPL. Let us hope for the best and hopefully we can have one later in the year when things return to normalcy," an official of one of the franchises told IANS. The IPL was originally scheduled to be held between March 29 and May 24, but was postponed initially till April 15 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It looks like, as of now the two options of having an IPL this year are organising it in September and early October before the World T20 in Australia or hosting it at the expense of the World T20 if the ICC, Cricket Australia and other stakeholders are all in agreement.

The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly had admitted earlier that the chances of the 2020 season of the cash-rich league starting any time soon was bleak.

L o nd o n, A p r 1 4 (Agencies): Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested in signing RB Leipzig centreback Dayot Upamecano.

The 21-year-old France youth international has emerged as one of the best upcoming defenders in Europe, and is said to be on the lists of both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Pep Guardiola.

City, in fact, are hoping to sign two new centrebacks when the transfer window eventually reopens, having conceded more goals (31) so far this season than the previous two campaigns (23, 27), and 10 more than leagueleaders Liverpool.

City perused the January market but did not pursue a deal, having looked at players like Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake, Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykola Matvyenko, and the Leicester duo Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu.

Their rivals United, meanwhile, also want to

Dayot Upamecano

bring in another centreback, with Chris Smalling’s and Phil Jones’ futures uncertain, and they have been repeatedly linked with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

Arsenal have also been linked with Upamecano in the past but have William Saliba joining from St Etienne in the summer as well as the option to make Pablo Mari’s loan from Flamengo permanent.

According to Sky Germany, the impressive youngster Upamacano is also being discussed at a host of top clubs in Europe, includ-

ing Bayern Munich and the major clubs in Spain.

Talks are at a very early stage and interest not yet concrete, however, especially due to the ongoing financial uncertainty in the game caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

RB Leipzig are not among the Bundesliga clubs currently struggling for cash, but what is interesting about Upamacano’s situation is that he is about to enter the final year of his RB Leipzig contract and has a release clause of £52.5m (€60m).

Dhoni is the greatest finisher of all time: Mike Hussey M u m b ai , A p r 1 4 (IANS): Former Australia batsman Mike Hussey has heaped praise on MS Dhoni, saying the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batsman is the “greatest finisher” the game of cricket has ever seen.

“Dhoni is the greatest finisher of all time that the cricketing world has ever produced,” Hussey said while speaking to Sanjay Manjrekar on ESPNcricinfo’s Videocast.

“Dhoni can keep his

M.S Dhoni

Mike Hussey

cool and make the opposition captain blink first.

Dhoni also has unbelievable power. He knows that when he needs to clear the ropes, he can do it. He

has that kind of self-belief.

Honestly, I didn’t have that kind of belief in myself,” he added.

The former Australian batsman, who shared the

dressing room with Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings, said the 38-year-old Indian believes in the philosophy that he who panics last, wins the game.

“I tried not to let it reach 12 or 13 runs an over,” said Hussey while talking about his ability to finish the game without much hiccups.

“And I learnt this from MS Dhoni. He is incredible. He believes that he who panics last wins the game. So Dhoni would

keep his cool, and keep it longer because the pressure is on the bowler as well,” he added.

The 44-year-old believes that the greatest players of the game have a few common traits like “they don’t hang on to a defeat for too long. If they lose, they move on quickly. They don’t let a loss or a win hamper their thinking”.

“They are always consistent, and level headed whether it’s MS Dhoni or Ricky Ponting.”

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