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Vol XXX No. 130
DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 Pages 6 (Online Edition)
Two more test positive for COVID-19 in Assam
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NORTHEAST, PAGE 5
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Rajasthan(1,104) taking to five the states which have surpassed this mark. Maharashtra topped the tally at 3,081 with Mumbai (2,043) being the worst hit followed by Delhi (1,578) and Tamil Nadu(1,267). The cases in the country’s commercial capital have doubled in six days. Meanwhile, according to officials, the rate at which COVID-19 cases has been doubling in India is slower as compared to several other countries such as the USA, Italy and Spain. Similarly, the total number of cases and deaths per million is lower in India than these countries which have been hit hard by the pandemic.
Global death toll crosses 1.37 lakh The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 137,666 on Thursday, according to a tally compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT from official sources. More than 2,083,820 declared cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December. Of these cases,
at least 450,500 are now considered recovered. T h e t a l l i e s, u s i n g data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual
S. Korean ruling party wins landslide majority
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number of infections. Many countries are testing only the most serious cases. In the United States, now the epicentre of the pandemic, the death toll stood at 30,985 with 639,664 infections. At least 50,107 patients have recovered.
Nagaland: 184 samples test -ve; 40 awaited STATUS REPORT AS ON APRIL 16, 2020 NORTH EAST CONFIRMED RECOVERED Nagaland Nil Nil Assam 33 5 Manipur 2 1 Meghalaya 7 Nil Mizoram 1 Nil Arunachal Pradesh 1 Nil Tripura 2 1
DEATH Nil 1 Nil 1 Nil Nil Nil
Nagaland Health & Family Welfare department has sent a total of 226 samples for testing from the Nagaland including 41 samples which were sent on April 16, principal secretary Home Abhijit Sinha informed on Thursday. Sinha said 184 samples received here had tested negative. He however said that two samples will be sent for retest and results of 40 samples are awaited. With regard to the COVID positive patient from Dimapur, Sinha said that as of 6 p.m. of April 16, a total of 140 samples of persons connected to the patient, which includes co-passengers, health care workers and family members, were collected and sent for testing. Out of this, 100 samples reported negative and results of 40 are awaited.
INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 6
All efforts being made to ensure foolproof containment, says Rio DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): State chief minister, Neiphiu Rio Thursday assured the people of the state that all efforts were being made by the state government to ensure foolproof containment of novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). On Thursday, the 18tonne consignment with highly sophisticated equipments required for the lab, from Mumbai, along with technical experts arrived here on Thursday on a special Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster flight. This followed governor RN Ravi taking up the matter with Union defence minister Rajnath Singh to expedite sending of the equipments required for setting up the lab. I n h i s m e s s a ge t o the people of the state on state’s preparedness to fight COVID-19, Rio said that the state government and all its agencies were working tirelessly with active cooperation of the people and the civil society organisations in combating the challenge of the pandemic. Rio informed that an IAF transport plane
Unloading the lab equipment from the IAF C-17 Globemaster.
delivered the first batch of consignment of equipment for BSL 3 Testing Lab that was being set up at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK). He said setting up of the lab would “fulfil a pressing need of our state as we would not have to depend on laboratories outside the state.� Rio said process of setting up a test lab at CISHR (Referral Hospital) in Dimapur was also going on. Following a resident of Dimapur testing positive for COVID-19 in Guwahati on April 12, 2020, the chief minister said work of sealing the affected areas and tracing contacts was going on.He said 25 district surveillance teams were conducting active surveillance. Till now, the chief minister said 1391 persons have been
interviewed and screened and 52 close contacts have been traced. He also said that the samples of co-passengers of the flight in which the affected person travelled were also being tested. Further, Rio said that the state government has extended cooked food and dry rations to more than 79,000 stranded persons, daily wagers, migrant labourers and other needy persons. He added that more help was being planned for such people. Admitting that national lockdown measures have caused hardships to many people from Nagaland staying outside the state, the chief minister, however, informed that their welfare was being looked after by a cell headed by a nodal of(Cont’d on p-3) ficer.
NEW DELHI/PARIS, APR 16 (PTI/AFP): The death toll due to coronavirus in the country rose to 420 and the number of cases climbed to 12,759, registering an increase of 28 deaths and 826 cases since Wednesday evening, according to Union Health Ministry data. Out of this, as many as 1,514 people
have recovered. The number of cases had risen by over 1,000 in the last two days. According to a PTI tally based on reports from the states, the total number of cases was 12,935 while 1,571 patients had recovered. The death toll stood at 436. Coronavirus cases crossed 1,000 in Madhya Pradesh (1,090) and
Centre extends CF with 2 Naga groups
WSH renews demand for COVID-19 crisis proves state Chang bodies demand BS Laboratory-3 in Dimapur govt lost its moorings: NPCC testing laboratory in Tsg
DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Government of India on Thursday extended the ceasefire agreement with GPRN/NSCN and NSCN (K) Khango for a period six months. GPRN/NSCN through its MIP said that the yearly ceasefire agreement, which was due to expire on April 27, 2020, was extended for further six months period with effect from April 28, 2020 till October 27, 2020 with subjection to adherence to ceasefire ground rules. MIP said that in the spirit of seriousness to maintain chain of peace in the state and modalities of resolving issues, ceasefire was mutually extended. Meanwhile, the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland/K-Khango, which expired on April 14, 2020, was also extended for a period of six months with effect from April 16, 2020 till October 17, 2020. In a joint statement, the CFSB chairman Lt. Gen (Retd) Shokin Chauhan and NSCN(K) Khango CFSB supervisor, Shellen Konyak and secretary Kaino Chishi stated that the ceasefire would be subject to adherence to the ceasefire ground rules mutually agreed and signed by the two sides.
This is it!
“Masks have become another must. Now I’ve to buy masks to match necktie.� K Y M C
DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Western Sumi Hoho(WSH) has renewed its demand to the state government for setting up a Bio Safety Laboratory (Level 3) in Dimapur, even as an IAF plane arrived Dimapur on April 16 with equipments for the BSL-3 at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima(NHAK). According to WSH , the state received around Rs.326 crore from the Union Finance ministry on April 3 and thus, saw no reason as to why “judicious and equal allotment� of fund as per population and on preparedness could not be done at this was the need of the hour. Arguing its case in favour of the BSL-3 level lab for Dimapur, WSH said the district was most densely populated and was endemic to various diseases that fitted the need for a laboratory (BSL-3). It may be noted that the state government has decided to set up only a BSL-2 level for Dimapur . In view of the unex-
plained reason for grading Dimapur for level-2, the WSH said people of Dimapur district were demanding to know the reasons why Kohima has been given preference over Dimapur with regard to testing laboratory? WSH also said it has learnt that some firms dealing with the equipments were willing to set it up and also train the technicians and also help run the laboratory during the initial period besides other back ups. WSH has also demanded that state government provide proper masks(N95), complete protective gears, ventilators, COVID test kits , PPEs etc to all frontline workers in all districts. It said more testing should start immediately in order to check the spread of the virus before it is too late. WSH also asked the state leaders be fair, honest and efficient it the fight against COVID-19 so as to enable better performance in meeting the challenge posed by the virus.
DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) said the nationwide lockdown to control spread of COVID-19 has exposed that the State government had lost its moorings and the Naga society was driven more by emotions rather than reasoning. NPCC in a press release termed the alleged attempt by some civil society organisations (CSOs) to dictate the state government in matters of administration and maintenance of law & order as ridiculous unless the government had outsourced its duties and responsibilities to them. It alleged that chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s policy of including CSOs and NGOs as part of decisionmaking process since 2003 (Cont’d on p-3) had put certain organisa-
tions on a high pedestal to the extent they were unable to scale down and respect the rule of law. “In a nutshell, Rio should either rein in those elements or step down to protect the dignity of the chair he occupies,� the release demanded. NPCC said the gag order issued by chief secretary Temjen Toy on government employees from airing their views was another regressive step to cover up “miserable failures� of the government. The act of highlighting inadequacies of PPE, critical medical equipment, poor working conditions and receiving backlash from a section of insensitive society out of ignorance did not amount to violating good order and discipline. At times like these, the government should be
DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Changsao Thangjam Setshang (CTS) and Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU) have demanded the state government to immediately set up testing laboratory in Tuensang. In a representation addressed to the state chief minister, CKS president Nungsanglemba, CTS president Chingmak Kumchuba and CCSU president Y Akhala pointed out that since the inception of the statehood, civil hospital Tuensang remained in the level of Primary Health Centre (PHC) without any sophisticated medical facilities. The signatories stated that Tuensang till date has only one ICU wholly contributed and managed by the Assam Rifles and the general public. Apex Chang bodies reminded that Myanmar was close to Tuensang and monitoring the travellers in the boundary was “almost impossible� as there were many entrances. Besides, they said that Longleng, Mon and Kiphire were in close proximity to Tuensang. Further, they said Noklak, Shamator and Noksen were entirely dependent on Tuensang for any emergencies in case COVID-19 outbreak. Pointing out that travelling to Kohima and Dimapur take at least 8 hours from Tuensang, the signatories said the patient, in case of emergency, was likely to lose life on the way. The Chang bodies have, therefore, demanded setting (Cont’d on p-3) up of testing lab in Tuensang immediately.
quick enough to address concerns raised and not shoot the messenger, it emphasised. Appealing to the people of Nagaland to stay calm and avoid getting into vigilante mode as this could spell disaster for entire population, the party said the recent instances of doctors, nurses and other staffs of a reputed Dimapur-based hospital being ostracized by their landlords, neighbours and colony councils after one patient tested positive was “unfortunate�. It condemned the irresponsible behaviour being shown to healthcare workers by some ill-informed sections of the society. It also requested the people to take care of stranded people from other States “who are suffering in our midst�.
Face masks mandatory in public places: State Govt NHAK denies reports of DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Nagaland government on Thursday made wearing face masks mandatory for people in all public spaces and workplaces, to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19, with immediate effect. Informing this during the daily briefing, principal secretary Home, Abhijit Sinha it was a mandatory requirement for all to wear face masks or face coverings in all public places and work places and completely refraining from spitting in public places. He therefore appealed to the citizens to adhere to all containment measures being implemented by the government. Meanwhile, according to ‘National Directives for Covid-19 Management’ issued by the home ministry as part of revised consolidated guidelines for the extended lockdown, no
organisation or manager of public space shall allow a gathering of 5 or more persons and all those in charge of public places, workplaces and transport shall ensure social distancing as per health ministry guidelines, a TOI report stated. Gatherings such as marriages and funerals shall remain regulated by the concerned district magistrate. In workspaces where activities are allowed to resume from April 20, temperature screening and providing sanitisers will be a must. Also workplaces should maintain an hour’s gap between shifts and ensure that lunch breaks of staff are staggered to maintain social distancing. The directives require senior citizens and parents of children below 5 years to be encouraged to work from home. Large meetings will be prohibited and work-
places must be sanitised in between shifts. Use of aarogya Setu app shall be encouraged for both public and private sector employees. Manufacturing establishments permitted to operate during lockdown need to make frequent cleaning of common surfaces and hand washing mandatory; avoid overlap of lifts; stagger lunchtime; and carry out intensive communication of good hygiene practices. Standard operating procedures have been laid down under the home ministry’s revised guidelines for social distancing in offices, workplace, factories and establishments. These require all areas on their premises including entrance gates, canteens, equipment, lifts, walls and washrooms to be disinfected completely with user-friendly disinfectant. Special transport ar-
rangements should be made by employers to ferry workers coming from outside. Such vehicles should ply with 30-40% passenger capacity. Medical insurance for workers has been made mandatory. Thermal screening of everyone at entry and exit points would be required, with a total ban on non-essential visitors. No more than 2-4 persons should be allowed to travel in lifts (depending on the size) or hoists. Use of staircase is to be encouraged. There should be strict ban on gutka and tobacco consumption and spitting should be strictly prohibited, as per the SOPs. Hospitals and clinics in the vicinity that are authorised to treat Covid-19 patients, should be identified and their list should be available at the workplace at all times.
infected face mask supply
Correspondent
KOHIMA, April 16 (NPN): Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (NHAK) has described reports of mouldinfested face masks and 13year-old personal protective equipments (PPEs) being given to nurses as false. Interacting with newsmen here on Thursday, NHAK’s senior doctor and press information officer Dr. Sendimeren clarified that these masks and PPE were supplied to the hospital for use during mock drills. These were given to bridge the gap as the supply got delayed from the Central government and there was the need to be ready for any situation, he explained, adding the PPE kits were supplied during the outbreak of HINI flu. “And since then, the
JCPI suspends proposed stir
DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and due to the nation-wide lockdown, Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) Thursday informed the postponement of its proposed agitation till further notice. JCPI had earlier planned to launch phase-wise agitation starting with protest rally in all the district Hqs on April 17, to press the state government to expedite RIIN exercise and total implementation of ILP with comprehensive mechanism. Meanwhile, JCPI has appealed to all responsible especially the villages in the border areas to remain vigilant on the possible influx of migrants. JCPI also urged the state government to gear up all systems and leave no stone unturned to fight the (Cont’d on p-3) threat of COVID-19.
hospital was carrying out mock drills and conducting trainings with these equipments. These have been stocked basically for those purpose,� he explained. Dr. Sendimeren said 67 beds at NHAK were kept ready for COVID-19 cases, of which 44 were meant for male and 23 for female patients. He said, if required, more wards were kept on standby, adding there were 20 beds in ICU for severe cases and nine ventilators. He said all doctors and nurses, who would be on duty to attend COVID-19 patients, would be quarantined for 14 days at Meriema and then quarantined again for 14 days at their homes. They would be staying at the hospital premises till their duty rooster was over, he specified.
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Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
COVID-19: Preventive measures, meetings, appeals, distribution to needy
DIMAPUR: To combat further spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Nagaland, government agencies and civil organisations continue to carry out preventive measures. Meetings are conducted at district level for further action during the second phase of lockdown which has been extended till May 3. Food items are also being distributed to the needy people, while various organisations have also put forth appeals to concerned authority in regard to grievances related to combat the virus.
Wokha district
Y. Patton (Middle), Mhathung Yanthan (Right) and Dr. Chumben Murry (Left) at the Merapani border gate. (DIPR)
Y. Patton visits inter-state border area of Merapani: Deputy chief minister of Home, Road & Bridges, Y. Patton said that a new Police check gate will come up in another location at Bhandari for stricter monitoring of people, and especially of COVID-19 trouble makers during these trying times. According to DIPR report, Y. Patton said this during his visit to interstate border area of Merapani, along with advisor, Horticulture and Border Affairs Mhathung Yanthan, Dr. Chumben Murry, MLA, deputy commissioner, Wokha, Orenthung Lotha and chief medical officer, Wokha W.C Tungoe on April 16. Bhandari sub-division which controls a wide area of porous interstate border is a wall of health security for Wokha district and so it was im-
portant to take measures on a war footing to contain the pandemic and prevent it from entering or spreading to Wokha district and beyond, Patton said. During interaction with the medical staff at the Sub Centre, Merapani, where the staff highlighted on the functioning of the centre since the outbreak of COVID-19, Patton observed that given the nature of the area's location and the large number of population it catered to in health care service, the six bedded Sub Centre should be upgraded for which proposals be send to the concerned authority. He also added that COVID-19 preventive materials and all logistic assistance be provided to the Sub Centre on priority basis by the higher authority. Speaking at the Merapani village community
hall, he reiterated that the people living in the border areas have the continuous support of all the four legislators, the government machinery and the district administration. He also assured that people need not fear for shortage of essential commodities as continuous supply will not be interrupted with every concerned agency doing their part to keep the public provided round the clock. Mhathung Yanthan also said that Merapani which shares its border with Golaghat district of Assam, with reported cases of COVID-19, is being considered a hot bed for COVID-19 and so the state government has sealed the entire stretch of the border area. He also said that the central neutral forces, the para military and state police forces were heavily tasked in manning the bor-
ders with public and NGO bodies also volunteering their services to assist the district administration in monitoring people's movement of entry or exit. The legislators also held an interactive sitting with the Block Task Force, Bhandari on COVID-19 pandemic at the conference hall of ADC Bhandari. ADC Tiameren Chang appraised on the under taken activities and suggested that during the current
COVID-19 situation, using a drone surveillance would be helpful for monitoring purposes. Dr. Lawrence MO I/C CHC Bhandari, also highlighted on the medical team handling of the C OV I D - 1 9 p a n d e m i c under its jurisdiction. It was also informed that deputy chief minister and his entourage would visit CHC Sanis, PHC Baghty, Lakhuti and Sungro on the same day.
P. Paiwang Konyak holds consultative meeting in Mon: Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation, Railways & Land Resources and minister-in-charge of Mon district for COVID-19 response, P Paiwang Konyak, convened a consultative meeting to discuss the second phase of lockdown with the district administration, Police, NGOs and civil societies at the DC conference hall, Mon on April 15. According to DIPR report, Paiwang also visited the District Hospital on April 16 and donated a sum of two lakhs. During his address to the members present in the meeting, the minister reiterated the need for good coordination between the district administration, Police, NGOs and civil societies in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Mon district. He also stressed on importance of the sealing of inter-state/
VLOs of Bhandari block disinfect quarantine centres: VLOs of Bhandari block have been engaged towards safeguarding the health of Bhandari citizens against COVID-19 through cleanliness drive. A press release from NSRLM Bhandari block area coordinator, Chichanthung Shitiri stated that, cleanliness and hygienic drive of community
nagalandpost.com Poll Q . : Has inter national lockdown benefitted nature’s recovery? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
A
B
A Yes. B No. C Can’t say.
C
92% 8% 0%
Next poll
Q: Have air and water
pollutions decreased after lockdown?
Yes. No. Can’t say.
WEATHER FORECAST APRil 17
(Temperature in ºC)
Max Min
Agartala A heavy t-storm in the p.m
33 24
Aizawl
Thunderstorm, some strong
26 17
Guwahati An a.m. shower or two, cloudy 29 20 Imphal
A strong morning thunderstorm 25 16
Itanagar A stray morning thunderstorm 25 16 Shillong Hazy sun, a t-storm in spots
21 14
Cloudy with a stray t-storm
19 14
Kohima
Dimapur Showers in the morning Mkg
Cloudy with a stray t-storm
Tuensang Cloudy, a thunderstorm; cool Wokha
personnel at the check post. TTWU also pointed out the need to have “more medical preparedness” at Community Health Centre (CHC) Tuli claiming that so far no “medical authority” has visited the CHC. The union asked the concerned department not to concentrate only at district headquarters but to reach out everywhere so that in an event of an outbreak the virus could be effectively contained. TTWU also appreciated the NGOs, churches, village and council authorities, individuals and others for reaching out to the needy during the nationwide lockdown.
Kohima district
Hazy sun, a t-storm; cooler
Zunheboto Cloudy, a t-storm; cooler
K Y M C
26 18 19 15 14 11 20 17 16 13
12th Bn NDRF Doimukh personnel using jet spray equipment to sanitise the area.
NDRF conducts sanitisation drive in Kohima: Sanitisation drive was carried out at COVID-19 control room and SEOC office Kohima, including nearby market area and traffic posts on April 15. A press release from 12th Bn NDRF Doimukh stated that the drive was carried out under the supervision of Sh. Arun
Deogam comdt. NDRF Doimukh to combat spread of COVID-19. Sub-inspector K. P. Singh (team leader) stated that rescuers of 12th BN NDRF sprayed the disinfectant mixed with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and water through jet spray equipment on police posts and shops including offices and surrounding area.
other towns, it was decided that for now they would be asked to stay wherever they were and assistance would be provided to address their grievances. Further, Paiwang made an appeal to the NGOs and civil societies to identify genuine needy families who were worst struck due to the lockdown so that required assistance could be given to them. Minister also held a separate interaction with doctors to understand issues faced by them.
over handling of COVID-19
28 Koridang A/C NPF unit expressed dismay over the government’s handling of COVID-19 pandemic particularly in the constituency. A press release from NPF 28 Koridang A/C president Imtinungsang stated that, the state government has not extended any form of aid to the area till now. It further pointed out that not a single government representative/ agency have visited any of the health centres in the constituency and provided protective equipments like glove, mask, sanitiser and emergency medicines. The release further urged the state government to arise from their slumber and act before the dreaded COVID-19 engulfed the entire state of Nagaland due to their callousness. Meanwhile, the party has expressed profound gratitude to Imkong L Imchen, MLA for coming to their rescue and contributing towards the constituency people during this time of crisis. The aid given by the MLA included rice and monetary assistance from his own pocket, which has brought much needed relief to the people.
USSC asks stranded students to submit details: United Sangtam Students Conference (USSC), which represents students from Kiphire and Longkhim/Chare zone under Tuensang, has informed stranded students in different districts of Nagaland to submit their details to avail relief. In a press release, USSC has informed the stranded students to submit details like name, present address and contact number to the conference president (8119897192), vice president (8837315192), general secretary (7628812526) and assistant general secretary (9862542683). USSC said the information was issued in consultation and coordination with the district administration to assist the stranded students within the state of Nagaland. USSC has also appealed all the students not to panic as it was work-
AOD Mokokchung not to assist any suspected COVID-19 case Ambulance Owners and Drivers (AOD) of Mokokchung district have expressed grievances faced presently in relation to the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. In an appeal to DC Mokokchung by about five owners of ambulances in Mokokchung, the statement informed that PPEs and other protective items have not yet been provided to them. In this regard, the AOD Mokokchung stated that they will not assist or attend to any suspected COVID-19 case without proper protective equipment. It also highlighted the deplorable condition wherein two ambulance drivers after their duty
in carrying patients were being quarantined. AOD Mokokchung said that while being in quarantine, basic daily food were being served from respective homes by their own family members including drinking water. The letter also enquired about the status and where they fitted in regarding announcement by the central government with regard to the insurance policy to all medical staff, security personnel and others involved in the fight for COVID-19, as they have been earmarked by the Mokokchung district task force on COVID-19 to serve as and when the need arises.
Tuensang district
ing with the concerned authority to address the grievances faced by the students during the lockdown period. It has also appealed to all students to adhere to the guidelines laid down by the state government. The Conference maintained that it was taking all efforts to reach out to those students stranded in different districts and outside the state of Nagaland. Meanwhile, USSC has urged the medical team and District Task Force for COVID-19 to provide preventive disinfectant spray to all the entry point and closely monitor the truck drivers carrying essential goods to Kiphire district and Longkhim-Chare zone. USSC has also extended support to United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP)'s decision to prohibit entry of people within its jurisdiction.
Public of Shamator availing the hand wash facility placed at a strategic location.
Hand wash booth installed at Shamator: The 3rd NAP Out Sector Ward installed hand wash booth in strategic locations, namely at welcome gate NH 202, Y Junc-
Dimapur district
SAYO directives on vehicular movement along NH-29
Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has informed all vehicular movements along NH-29 to strictly adhere to the earlier notification issued, from 7 p.m to 12 a.m towards Dimapur and from 7 p.m to 5 a.m towards Manipur for those carrying essential commodities of Manipur, in order to avoid unwanted incident under its jurisdiction. DIPR reported that in a press release the SAYO had stated that those vehicles exempted may continue as notified by the government. SAYO also warned that strict course of action would be taken against defaulters. SAYO further advised all citizens to support and co-operate with the government agencies in the fight against deadly pandemic of COVID- 19.
district and international borders in an all-out effort to tighten border vigilance. The civil societies suggested that the School Education department should come up with an innovative arrangement to conduct home schooling and online classes for government school students to which the minister gave assurance that the matter would be taken up at the higher level. For those students/individuals stranded in cities and
based quarantine centres in the village was carried out by Ematha VLO (social action committee) of Ruchan village under Bhandari block, Wokha. Meanwhile, Pansy VLO members led by the community cadre engaged in cleaning and disinfecting the community based Maintaining one metre distance appears to be very hard for Kohima residents. Dr. Sendi quarantine centre in the of Naga Hospital mentioned that keeping one metre distance, regular hand sanitising village. and wearing mask can help in preventing the virus from spreading. (NP)
TTWU shocked at COVID-19 preparedness level 28 Koridang A/C NPF dismayed airlifted to Nagaland on several occasions. The union also demanded transparency on utilisation of Central funds allocated for COVID-19 pandemic and warned of misuse. TTWU also expressed concern over the “negligence” of Mokokchung district administration, police and chief medical officer in monitoring the Watiyongpang check post that borders of Assam. Stating that the check post is one of the main entry points, TTWU said there were high chances of outsiders taking advantage of “loopholes” to enter the state. In this regard, TTWU has asked the state government to deploy more police
Paiwang along with DC Mon, interacting with doctors during his visit to the District Hospital on April 16. (DIPR)
Members of Ematha VLO engaged in disinfecting quarantine centres at Ruchan village.
Mokokchung district
Tuli Town ward Union (TTWU) has expressed shock and surprise at state government’s level of preparedness in tackling the threat of COVID19 and accused the latter of not making “serious effort”. In a joint statement, TTWU chairman, T. Nukshi Yaden and secretary, Aomeren stated that despite assurances by the chief minister, Neiphiu Rio and minister, Health and Family welfare, S. Pangnyu Phom that the state was “fully prepared”, on the ground the state was unprepared. TTWU asked the government to explain where it has “stored” the medical kits and equipment which were
Mon district
tion of Shamator and NH 202 Kiphire road to fight COVID19. A press release from Task Force for COVID-19 Shamator media cell information assistant and
convenor, L. Shahoto Yimchunger stated that, the hand wash booth which was installed was donated by 3 NAP 'D' Coy, Baptist Fellowship women department.
medical items from Dimapur assured to provide needful to Kohima. Sh. Vishnu Gau- assistance till the situation tam, commandant has also improves.
DC Dmu warns of strict action
Needy people in queue to receive food packet from CRPF personnel.
173 CRPF Battalion Dimapur distributes food packets: 173 CRPF Battalion, Airfield Dimapur as part of continuous assistance under civic action programme with the theme “Helping Hands” as India fights COVID-19
distributed food packets on April 16. A press release from 173 CRPF Battalion stated that, the distribution was done in collaboration with Dimapur district administration, wherein 1000 food packets were distributed
to the poor and needy people in and around Dimapur city. Hand sanitiser, mask, soap, medicines were also distributed. The unit also assisted Dimapur administration by providing trucks for transportation of essential
Dimapur: The district administration Dimapur has warned of strict action against those villages/colonies that were denying entry to medical personnel. According to a DIPR report, the DC Dimapur has directed the village council/colony chairmen and all responsible to ensure that people working in the frontline were honoured and respected. DC noted that despite repeated orders, there were reports of some villages barring entry to medical personnel, persons on emergency duty in the wake of COVID-19 and also staff and patients of Zion hospital Dimapur. In this regard, the district administration Dimapur has cautioned that strict action would be initiated as per provision of Disaster Management Act 2005 and Legal action under Section 188 of IPC against those violating the containment measures. K Y M C
Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
Disagree with PM, but not time for blame game: Rahul
Rahul Gandhi New Delhi, April 16 and not fight. We have to (IANS): Former Congress defeat the virus together,” chief Rahul Gandhi on said Rahul Gandhi. Thursday said that this is “We are in a very serinot the time to fight with ous situation, that is clear. the government but give I think all political parties constructive suggestions and the people of India in the fight against coro- have to work together if we navirus. want to solve the problem While he said he dif- and defeat the virus,” Rafered with the Prime Min- hul said while addressing ister, but said, “I don’t want a press conference through to get involved in ‘Tu Tu video conferencing. Main Main’ (blame game) “It is possible that the as the country is fighting structure of our democracy a tough battle against the changes, but our priority virus and we will only be is to defeat the virus,” and successful to contain it we know how to bring the when everybody works Democratic norms back,” together.” he said. “There should be no He suggested that the declaration of victory, it Prime Minister should is a long fight. I disagree listen more to the Chief with PM Modi on a lot of Ministers. issues but we have to unite “Our strength to fight
325 districts Covid-19 free New Delhi, April 16 (IANS): There has been no coronavirus case in 325 of the 736 districts in India and also no one has tested positive in 27 districts of 17 states in the past 14 days, according to the Union Health Ministry, here on Thursday. In the past 24 hours, 941 fresh Covid-19 cases and 37 deaths had been reported, said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary at the Health Ministry. Stating that 12.02 per cent people have recovered from the coronavirus infection, Agarwal said lockdown and containment measures were proving beneficial. The Ministry said of the 12,380 Covid-19 cases in the country, the number of active cases was 10,477. So far, 414 people have succumbed to the disease and 1,488 recovered. Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said it had received 500,000 testing kits, including rapid anti-body kits, from two Chinese companies with 80 per cent sensitivity and 84 per cent specificity. The ICMR said these kits were not meant for early diagnosis, but only for epidemiology purposes.
Covid-19 is at state and district level. Success in Wayanad has been due to district level machinery. So, I suggest that the approach to fight against Covid should not be top-down but bottom-up. Prime Minister should empower states,” Rahul added. He said, “the Congress will give constructive suggestions, it’s up to the government to listen or not to listen, but I don’t want to be on credit hogging,” Rahul said. “Let’s forget what has happened so far with testing. But we are in an emergency situation now. So all of India needs to fight this together. We have to work not by adopting weak methods but with a strategy.” L o c k d ow n a l l ow s time and space to put in medical resources, ramp up testing abilities, prepare hospitals, get ventilators. “A misconception that I want to clear is, in no way does a lockdown defeat the virus, it stops the virus for sometime,” said Rahul. Rahul Gandhi said that the government should think of the exit strategy and economic burden which is going to come in months. “Decide what your exit strategy would be after the lockdown,” he said.
Army HQ to function with 50% staff from April 19 New Delhi, April 16 (IANS): In view of the extension of the nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus spread, the Indian Army has directed that all military establishments, cantonments, formation headquarters and units will observe strict no movement till April 19. “It is only from April 19 to May 3, military headquarters may start functioning at 50 per cent of strength,” the force in a fresh advisory has stated. The Army, however, clarified that personnel connected with the provision of essential services will be allowed to move in this time period. “This will not hinder any operational tasks of the formations or units which will be conducted with the requisite strength,” the advisory stated. The lockdown, which was to end on April 14, has been extended till May 3. As per the new instructions till April 19, within the Army headquarters only the Military Operations, Military Intelligence, Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement branches will function, to carry out the operational and COVID-19 related tasks. “However, duration of stay and strength within these branches to be at bare minimum,” the advisory stated. It clarified that re-
maining branches will work from home. “At the Command headquarters, only manpower, logistics and operations branch will function with skeletal staff, barring Northern and Eastern Command, where additionally the intelligence branch will also function,” the directive stated. From April 19 to May 3, offices in Army headquarter, Command headquarters and formation headquarters may start functioning at 50 per cent strength. However, the Directorate General Medical Services (Army) will continue functioning at full strength to provide a robust response to COVID-19. “All medical establishments and hospitals will continue functioning at full strength,” it stated. Further, the force has pointed that all training activities and temporary duties will remain suspended till May 3. “Directions on actions to be taken post May 3 will be issued on receipt of fresh orders from the government,” the directive stated. It also stated that all social, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious gatherings will remain suspended and no religious congregations, regimental or ceremonial functions will be permitted.
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WSH renews demand for BSLaboratory-3 in Dimapur (From p-1) WSH has also asked the state government to provide proper lodging to frontline workers and that nutritious food be provided in all quarantine centres in order to help boost the immune system of those persons. It also urged the state to look to the welfare of staff of Zion Hospital Dimapur by providing needed care since they were currently facing hardship, abuse and stigmatisation from various corners. WSH also criticised the government’s recent order that barred officials from interacting with media on COVID preparedness. It opined that this was an attempting to muzzle freedom of expression as enshrined under Article 19(A) of the Indian constitution. WSH said sharing of concern for enlightenment of public and their common welfare towards improvement should be encouraged. WSH said Nagas were not living under a communist regime as in China or North Korea where any criticism against the state was not tolerated by their tyrannical leaders. WSH said everyone has a right to expression in a democratic country so long it did not threaten the security of both state and nation. In this regard, WSH
lauded the role of newspaper in bringing out the truth adding it was not a time for top government officials to play a game of vendetta but instead take corrective steps instead of gagging officers. Drawing attention on a patient from Dimapur who was tested COVID19 positive in Guwahati, WSH said had the patient not gone to Guwahati then all the doctors and nurse would have been in greater danger due to the pathetic and ill preparedness of the COVID-19 hospital Dimapur. This is an eye opener for the state for taking corrective steps, said WSH. It also urged legislators to go the extra mile to make sure that all hospital beds and equipments were ready and operational at any given point of time. WSH also demanded that DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi IAS, withdraw a recent notification asking teachers to immediately report for training to combat COVID-19. WSH the call on teachers was like inviting the virus instead of containing it. WSH wanted to know whether the DC or CMO can provide trainee teachers with good quality PPEs? It said when the whole world was advised to ‘Stay Home Stay Safe’, maintain social distancing etc, asking teachers to go
for training at such a tie was “ridiculous and highly irresponsible”. WSH said its only objection to the proposal stemmed from the fact that even present frontline workers were issued with low quality PPEs and were still not fully prepared. Therefore, WSH said parents will not allow their children to follow the order if an infected teacher also attended the training. In this regard, WSH called upon ANSTA and heads of institutions to stand for the cause of teachers. Since everyone has heard and was aware of Dos and Don’t s on COVID-19 since past four months, alternative methods were needed but not through training teachers as the latter involved some risks. WSH also said people living at Bor-Lengri, Aghunaqa and Saghuna were facing immense hardships due to scarcity of essential commodities as they were prevented from entering Dimapur from Assam side. WSH therefore appealed to the Special Committee to look into this problem and to immediately start distribution of foodgrains to affected families.WSH also appealed to all to stand united and provide help to the state government whenever called in order to overcome the pandemic.
Lockdown: Migrant workers NHAK denies reports of infected face mask... protest in Surat for better food
The migrant workers and their family members, mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, sat on a street in Pandesara area. Surat, Apr 16 (PTI): Around 100 migrant workers gathered in an industrial area of Surat city in Gujarat on Thursday afternoon and protested over the issue of food being served to them during the lockdown, officials said. The migrant workers and their family members, mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, sat on a street in Pandesara area, complaining that the food being served to them is not as per their taste, a local police officer said. After being alerted about the incident, a police team, led by DCP Vidhi
Chaudhari, rushed to the spot to convince the workers to adhere to lockdown rules. “It was a small issue about their food. The situation was brought under control,” Chaudhari said. Talking to reporters, some of the migrants said that food being served to them by NGOs is not as per their taste, as they prefer spicy and non-veg food. On Wednesday, hundreds of migrant workers had hit the streets in Pandol industrial area with a similar demand. Thousands of migrants working in factories, dia-
mond polishing units and textile units are stuck in Surat due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. They are being served food by the authorities with the help of NGOs. Two days back, migrant workers had come out in large numbers in Varachha area demanding that they should be allowed to go to their native places. Last week, migrant workers, mostly from Odisha, had engaged in stone pelting and arson in Laskana area of the city with similar demand.
(From p-1) When asked about the standard of PPEs, the senior doctor claimed the ones with BSI code were of the finest quality. But since there was a huge shortage of PPEs worldwide now, the government had to procure all kinds of PPEs, he explained, adding some of the items received thus far had the BSI code. He said the health workers would wear double or triple layers of the suits. He said there would be only one entry and exit point at the hospital the moment any COVID-19 positive patient was admitted and police personnel would be on duty 24x7. The doctor mentioned that the hospital authority
Indore divisional commissioner Akash Tripathi along with senior officials inspects Taat Patti Bakhal area where health workers were attacked. (PTI) Such persons will be servant) and 269 (negligent bad experiences, the police booked under Indian Penal act likely to spread infec- are taking all precautions Code Sections 188 (dis- tion of disease dangerous and wearing personal proobedience to order duly to life), he said. tective equipment (PPE) promulgated by public Following some recent while arresting the accused
was in touch with Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) for burial of bodies, in case they were not claimed by family members, besides burying used PPE kits and hazmat suits. The hospital was also in close contact with the administration for ensuring safety in the neighbourhood of the hospital. He said setting up of BSL-3 lab at the hospital was already under process. Stating that the State government had assured to send more PPE kits and other safety gears once NHAK utilized 50% of the stock, Dr. Sendimeren claimed that the hospital currently had 2,055 PPE kits, 1,100 N95 masks, 2,600 FFP masks, 12,300
triple layer masks and sufficient quantities of hand sanitisers and other essential items needed at this time. A separate laundry room to wash clothes of patients too had been kept ready, he added. Dr G Thong of NHAK, who too was present, said an action plan had been prepared by the hospital authority and that an emergency operational centre (EOC) for COVID19 too had been set up. Headed by NHAK managing director Thorhusie Katiry as incident commander, the centre has hospital’s medical superintendent Dr. Visaseiu Kire as liaison officer. Commenting on the April 10 directive of the State government that re-
stricted hospital-based staff from entering government offices and encouraged use if electronic means of communication, Dr Sendimeren said he was surprised and wondered if Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department treated government health workers in such a manner, how would other departments treat them. He said a combined protest letter had been submitted to the department and the authorities had promised to look into the matter. He alleged that some health workers who lived in rented houses were being asked by owners to vacate their premises, where some people in colonies were not allowing them to enter.
All efforts being made to ensure foolproof... (From p-1) He said that they were also being provided help from the chief minister’s relief fund (CMRF) through various organisations. Out of Rs. 2.95 crore donated in the CMRF including opening balance, Rio said an amount of Rs. 2.32 crore has been disbursed to deputy commissioners, Nagaland houses and other organizations. Further, he said that a state level war room against COVID-19
Indore police to deliver FIRs at home of curfew violators Indore, Apr 16 (PTI): Indore police in Madhya Pradesh are planning ‘home delivery’ of copies of FIRs to those violating curfew in the city, an official said on Thursday. It has been found that many people in the city stay at home during police patrolling, but later venture out and roam around without any valid reason, thus violating the curfew imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, Superintendent of Police Puneet Gehlot told PTI. “We are identifying such people with the help of drone cameras. The copy of the First Information Report (FIR) will be delivered at the homes of these accused and appropriate legal steps will be taken subsequently,” he said.
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in different cases, he said. “We recently arrested some people. Later, some of them were found to be infected with the coronavirus. As a result, we had to send almost the entire staff of a police station to an isolation centre,” Gehlot informed. Indore district is one of the worst hit by coronavirus in the state. Till Thursday morning, Indore reported 696 COVID-19 cases. The patients include an additional superintendent of police and in-charges of two police stations. So far, 39 coronavirus patients have died in Indore. The local administration has imposed curfew in the urban limits of Indore since March 25 after first coronavirus cases were found.
has also been made functional in the Nagaland Civil Secretariat headed by the chief secretary. Rio said the control centre was working round the clock as a single point to address all issues and matters related to the present situation. The chief minister stated that he was personally supervising the preparations and the cabinet ministers and advisors and even opposition MLAs were contributing their bit to reach out to the districts.
Stating that health workers, doctors, police personnel, municipal staff and the entire government machinery was working at the risk of their life, the chief minister said they needed all help and support. The chief minister has, therefore, appealed to all sections of citizens including tribal hohos, civil society organisations, elected representatives and the people at large to help the government in these difficult times.
COVID-19 crisis proves state govt ...
(From p-1) “Our own children who are outside the state as students and workers are being taken care of in mainland cities by those people who have been showing exemplary sacrifice and service when we put out a request to them,” the release added. According to NPCC, the failure of the State Government govt in these times of crisis was an opportunity for all citizens to think on how and where things had gone wrong. It also presented an opportunity to rise above narrow thinking that dominates every tribal society and herald the dawn of a new era by jointly putting efforts to sustain “our people” in the face of threats from pandemic, hunger and job losses, the party exhorted.
NPCC appeals for people stranded outside Nagaland DIMAPUR, APR 16 (NPN): Asserting that many people from Nagaland stranded elsewhere in the country and abroad were preparing to come return home once the lockdown was relaxed, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Thursday said it was the responsibility of the state to receive them in whatever condition they could be since they were the state government’s subjects. In a letter addressed to the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio, the NPCC president K Therie reminded that schools and colleges were closed, contract employees have lost jobs and travellers on business
trips, tourists, patients and attendants were stranded. However, NPCC president said it was for the government to decide the future course. Therie said safety of the citizens was important, but maintained that the state was not certain whether the travel route would be free from the virus. The other issue, he said was whether the state was prepared to receive them? “If denied entry in the interests of all, if lockdown is better for all, they should be given monthly maintenance at least Rs.10,00015,000 per month each,” NPCC president asserted. K Y M C
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OPINiON/EDITORIAL
Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 130 Dimapur, FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
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WHO falls prey
OVID-19 is impacting the lives of billions across the world and its impact will continue for months or even a year of two and that also includes the global economy that is surely going to be severely affected. In contrast, China, the culprit which withheld valuable information about the threat from COVID-19 is on course of hijacking the global trade. While the rest of the world are struggling with lockdowns to tame the COVID-19 pandemic, China has taken centre stage as the main supplier of all equipments and medicines to combat the virus. When the virus broke out in September 2019, Chinese authorities kept it secret. Dr Li Wenliang, a doctor who first reported the existence of coronavirus and was initially silenced by China and later, died from the virus. When the virus began spreading, only by January did China reveal a virus with symptoms of pneumonia. However, despite mounting concerns that the virus is spreading unchecked, the World Health Organisation(WHO) chief and microbiologist Dr.Tedros Adhanom refused to declare a pandemic but only as a "public health emergency of international concern". Even after the Chinese finally admitted that the virus was transmitted from human to human, Dr.Tedros, for whatever reasons, still gave the Chinese a clean chit by complimenting it on how it was handling the virus. It was only when the virus began rampaging several parts of China and infections spreading to the other countries did WHO send a team in midFebruary to China. After several countries such as the USA, Italy, Spain,UK etc began to experience the aggressive spread, did WHO eventually on March 11,2020 declare it as a pandemic. By then it was too late as the virus had spread across the globe through lakhs of those travelling to and from China. Thus, on this aspect the role of WHO in being too eager to protect the threat from China has led to widespread resentment. Today, China has hidden actual figures of COVID-19 cases and deaths in order to project a picture that it was "COVID-19 free". US president Donald Trump, has minced no words about the role and responsibility of WHO in allowing the virus to spread. When WHO did not sound the alarm as early as January 2020, it led to a false sense of security that the virus was a local problem in Wuhan, China. Eventually, Trump made good on his threat to cut off aid to WHO when on April 15, he declared a halt to US funds. Trump singled out what he called the WHO's 'dangerous and costly decision' to argue against international travel bans to combat the pandemic.While praising his own decision to limit travel to and from China on January 31,2020 - a month after the first cases of the disease were reported - Trump said those nations that followed the WHO guidelines by not banning to and fro travel to China, accelerated the pandemic. The United States is the biggest overall donor to the WHO, contributing more than $400 million in 2019, roughly 15% of its budget."The WHO failed in this basic duty and must be held accountable," Trump told a White House news conference on Tuesday. Nearly two million people globally have been infected and more than 1,24,000 have died since the disease emerged in China late last year. The WHO needs to change and heads must roll and the US should continue with its funding in the interest of world health.
DailyDevotion Can You Come Down From the Mountain?
While you have the light, believe in the light… —John 12:36 We all have moments when we feel better than ever before, and we say, “I feel fit for anything; if only I could always be like this!” We are not meant to be. Those moments are moments of insight which we have to live up to even when we do not feel like it. Many of us are no good for the everyday world when we are not on the mountaintop. Yet we must bring our everyday life up to the standard revealed to us on the mountaintop when we were there. Never allow a feeling that was awakened in you on the mountaintop to evaporate. Don’t place yourself on the shelf by thinking, “How great to be in such a wonderful state of mind!” Act immediately— do something, even if your only reason to act is that you would rather not. If, during a prayer meeting, God shows you something to do, don’t say, “I’ll do it”— just do it! Pick yourself up by the back of the neck and shake off your fleshly laziness. Laziness can always be seen in our cravings for a mountaintop experience; all we talk about is our planning for our time on the mountain. We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain. Don’t give up because you have been blocked and confused once— go after it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will. Never change your decisions, but be sure to make your decisions in the light of what you saw and learned on the mountain.
Quotes
A people free to choose will always choose peace. ~ Ronald Reagan
Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
Post-mortem
‘Lockdown’ a Temporary Containment Measure F ollowing the news of a Covid-19 positive case originating from Dimapur and the reports in some local newspapers of health infrastructure in the State being grossly inadequate, the entire population seems to have come in the grip of a fear psychosis. “Lockdown” has become an all-too familiar chant as if keeping the people under complete lockdown indefinitely would somehow protect them from the virus for all time. Sadly this is not the nature of a virus. The Little Oxford Dictionary describes a virus as “any of numerous kinds of very simple organisms smaller than bacteria, able to cause diseases”. Wikepedia says a virus is “a sub-microscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea”. Influenza is a common virus that keeps returning year after year, even to people who have already had the infection and overcome it once. Mumps, polio and HIV also fall in the category of viruses. Even Corona Virus has several other forms like SARS, MERS etc. The Novel Corona Virus, named Covid-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), seems to be a very virulent one, more so because it is new and has as yet
no vaccine for its treatment. Officially accepted as originating in China’s Wuhan city, in November 2019, it has spread all over the world and become a worldwide pandemic. L o c k d ow n n o t a cure? What does a lockdown do and what is its main purpose? A lockdown is what it says. Basically, it means preventing people from leaving their homes. In this case, it is a civil lockdown as opposed to one that is caused by disturbance or in order to maintain law and order. This is an extraordinary step meant only for short durations. The lockdown is meant to contain the virus and create space for the country to better prepare itself to face the virus — establish task force, health protocols, protective measures, infrastructure facilities etc. Such preparations make possible for health system to run smoothly and not get overwhelmed. Taiwan’s case, for instance, has been lauded the world over. It is imperative that a strategy should accompany the lockdown. The lockdown is not a panacea or miracle cure. The virus will not go away because of the lockdown; it can only delay at most. Nagaland’s Case As stated at the beginning, there is rampant fear psychosis throughout the State following the report of the first Covid-19 positive
case. This has come in the wake of weeks and months of being fed with reports of frightening death rates from different parts of the world. This is not surprising given the backdrop of decades of violence and killings and people living in fear most/ all of their lives. But fear will not mitigate our situation; it can only make things worse! Many indications and reports have come out that Nagaland is not handling the situation well. That health infrastructure is inadequate is a given, with many projects that should have been completed long ago still years away from becoming functional. There have been reports that the protective gears supplied so far have been defective, and one can guess that even their numbers may be inadequate. This is an immediate area of need. Put some doctors on the purchase committee to correct this anomaly, in fact let doctors be in charge for all equipment purchases including medicines. Indeed, Covid-19 may give us an opportunity to rework the systems, or lack of them, we have been following till now! But, at this juncture, the biggest need in the State is in the area of the mind! Ignorance is creating fear. According to Fair Observer, the biggest lesson from SARS epidemic is that full factual reports, both good and bad, should be given to the people
so that people can trust their government and the systems at work. This is a great need now! The immediate reason for the fear psychosis is because the news of the first positive case came from Mr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Health Minister, while the health authorities in Nagaland did not seem to even know about it. The rest of the damage was done by social media. If we win the fight in the minds of the people, half the battle will have been won! I am putting forward a few suggestions to start with. 1. There should be an authoritative medical paper on what is known about Covid-19, the pandemic, the nature of the virus, what are the best chances for overcoming it etc. In order to combat the virus, people must be armed with necessary knowledge. Fear will make us lose the fight! If serving doctors are too busy to work on such a paper, we have some who have retired or are less busy with the knowledge and intellectual capacity and their services could be sought. 2. The facilities available and where should be made public along with contact numbers and persons in each facility. Where further facilities are being built, they should also be made public. 3. The State’s strategy for combating Covid-19 virus should be made known
to the public. From such strategy will follow clear instructions and administrative guidelines. If the State machinery has inadequate human resources to deal with the present situation, there must be clear guidelines as to what kind of cooperation the Government requires from the people. We can do without subjecting the people to duality of orders, conflicting authorities or confusion of any kind. Instructions must be clearly streamlined and followed by everyone at every level. 4. There should be a central authority for disseminating authentic reports of the latest situation in the State, actions being taken etc. Probably, an official team from the Health Department could give regular briefings to media for dissemination to the public. If certain channels are used, these channels along with their timings should be made widely known. The example of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Daily Briefings could be emulated. If people have authentic news, this will defeat rumours and needless fears. Trust will develop between the health workers, the police and security, the administration and the public. From all reports, it is likely that the fight against Covid-19 is going to be a marathon or at least a Middle Distance race and not a sprint. As is the nature of viruses, it is also likely that
COVID-19 Crisis: Nagaland must reflect & reset priorities
T
he ongoing crisis, brought about by the deadly virus called COVID-19, is unprecedented in recent human history. The last time the world saw a pandemic of a global scale was the Spanish flu that took the lives of several million about a century ago. There is very little that we know about the impact of the Spanish flu on the land of Nagas. Today, in this interconnected global village, we all are well-aware of the risks of COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges confronting us. In times like this, we must extend support and cooperation to the authorities as we stand by one another as fellow human beings. The duly elected government headed by the Chief Minister and his cabinet along with the State bureaucracy under the leadership of the Chief Secretary has been trying to make ends meet despite the limitation of a debilitating system. The support and help of the Governor in working out for the immediate airlift of critical equipments from Mumbai to Dimapur to fasttrack setting up of a BSL Laboratory in the State was also appreciable. As rightly stated by the Governor, this would enable the testing of suspected COVID-19 cases in Nagaland instead of sending samples to laboratories in Assam and Manipur as is being done until now. However, keeping the basic structure of the relationship between the elected State government and the Governor is crucial, after all, there is a clear separation of powers and all executive decision rests with the cabinet, including the setting up of a ‘COVID-19 War Room’. With the first confirmed case reported from Nagaland on 11 April and in the context of the extension of lockdown in the country, the State government needs to do more in implementing the message ‘Stay Home Stay Safe’ as it has been relaying. Limited health care facilities and services in the State mean that we face a huge challenge against the enormity of the pandemic. As seen in other parts of the country and the world, the virus can infect hundreds and thousands in a matter of days. For a population of our size, this would mean
the very meaning of our existence. As per the updated guidelines of the Union Home Ministry, the Chief Minister must ensure strict social distancing measures to be implemented during the lockdown period to contain the spread of COVID19. Social or charity work either by the political class and NGOs must be discouraged at this crucial stage of the pandemic. Distribution of cooked food, dry rations and other relief materials should continue to be given out only by authorized local bodies and officials while following all the norms. Citizens must channelize their activities through the local administration if they want to contribute their services to our people and refrain from going out on their own as such acts may endanger their lives and that of others. On monetary assistance and other public funds specifically related to fighting COVID-19, the government should account for every single contribution. This will build the confidence of the people in the system and ensure the timely and proper utilization of resources. The Naga people have the right to know from the government the following questions: 1. How much money was sanctioned to the State by the Central government with regard to COVID-19 crisis? 2. What were the medical supplies provided by the Central government? 3. How much money was spent on the procurement of PPEs and other medical necessities? Who were the vendors? 4. How much/many grants-in-aid money was/ were given to the DCs/ ULBs and the village councils? In particular, the DCs of the districts should be directed to spell out their expenditure lists. 5. The State government should also clarify whether the frontline workers, namely, the policeman on duty, the nurses and doctors and health workers are being given remunerations for their selfless service. And it may also clarify or justify as to why the salaries of the frontline workers such as the police are being deducted when they should be conferred bonuses instead.
6. Whether the state government is utilizing the State’s share of Central taxes amounting to thousands of Crores devolved by the 14th Finance Commission in the fight against COVID-19? As an immediate measure, the government should explain as to whether it plans to conduct mass testing of citizens? While Nagaland cannot be compared to Delhi in terms of resources, Delhi nevertheless has started testing tens of thousands with rapid testing kits. With the huge inflow of money as given by the Central government, the State government may start identifying possible hotspots, such as Dimapur – especially congested or market areas – and start taking necessary measures such as the random testing process with these rapid testing kits. In the absence of BSL lab/s or awaiting completion the government should introduce these kits on a war-footing. With a ‘COVID-19 War Room’ already in place, is it possible for the government to bring out a road-map to combat the virus? The government should also reflect upon the hardships faced by the farmers and the local entrepreneurs in areas such as bakery, food processing, mills, dairy products, etc. For example, while the units have come to a standstill, the entrepreneur still has to pay the salaries of the workers or pay electricity bills. The government may need to come out with appropriate bail-out policies in the interest of the small businesses. At a time when the entire security set up is focusing on enforcing the lockdown and citizens are inside their homes following the health advisory, the government should not forget to guard our land and borders from undesirable elements, all forms of trafficking including the movement of illegal immigrants that could be detrimental to health, social order and peace. Much beyond the immediate concern of combating COVID-19, there is no doubt that the limits of our systems have been exposed. The pandemic has triggered new debates and narratives on how the post-COVID world would look like. The COVID-19 will re-set what we know
of the current world order defined by globalization, multilateralism and global multilateral institutions. In Nagaland, we are being forced to build and prepare. Our health infrastructure or the lack of it is getting exposed; our government system is being challenged to perform like never before. Even after more than fifty years of statehood that the Civil Hospital in the commercial capital, Dimapur has only one ventilator is nothing to be proud of. It’s a collective shame and a failure of successive governments, spanning more than 50 years. That the governments in the past and present could not procure and install more than one ventilator this last fifty years is a statistic of Himalayan proportion. The people of Nagaland have every right to question the poor level of preparedness in the State. The people of Nagaland have the right to demand a review of the culture of ‘merry-making’ propagated by the government and a strong commitment to building the health and educational infrastructure of the State should be given the priority. This challenging time that we are going through should also lead us to a new awakening, of accelerated change and a quantum leap into a new paradigm. A giant mirror is being held up before us. It feels like COVID-19 is orchestrating a rite of passage into a better future in bringing about a new social order. Nagaland must reflect and reset during this Godgiven time of quarantine. Our solidarity is with the government and the people of Nagaland during this difficult time. We hope and pray that Nagaland comes out stronger and better from this crisis. God bless Nagaland. The Naga Rising 1. Along Longkumer 2. VithoZao 3. Hukavi T. Yeputhomi 4. Amai Chingkhu 5. Tsukti Longkumer 6. Moie Bonny Konyak 7. Ngukato K. Tsuipu 8. Mar Longkumer 9. Joel Naga 10. Khriezodilhou Yhome 11. Phyoben Odyuo
many or most of us are also likely to be infected by it before it runs its course. Even then, it is likely to come again and again in the future also. So, while we must all take all the necessary precautions, it may be futile, even self-defeating, to exhaust ourselves and others before the real race begins! Nagaland is a young State. Our people are so diverse that even communication and real understanding are difficult sometimes. Most of us have just emerged from our community-based societies and living. There are many among us who belong to the first generation with some education. So, while we may be behind other people on so many fronts, we have also not done too badly and we can take some pride in the achievements we have made so far. But we need to be patient with one another and carry everyone along. We need to continue to build, not stop with the little successes we have managed to achieve here and there. We need to build institutions and functioning systems to take our people and society forward. One of them is the state machinery on which almost the entire population of Nagaland depend for their livelihood. Let us use it well for the benefit of all our people. Let us not disparage or drag it into the mud. This is for all – those who rule and those who are ruled. Charles Chasie D’ Block, Kohima
Reader’s Post Open letter to minister of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland
Sir,
With utmost respect I would like to jot down few lines before you as a responsible citizen That, the recent pandemic virus know as corona virus (COVID-19) has spread all over the country leaving Nagaland. However on 12 April one positive case was detected in our state which has created fear among us. Health care is top priorities however honourable Minister as you are well aware of the facilities at various Dist. hospitals in our state lack proper facilities . How is the state government prepared to tackle the pandemic virus at this hour, What measures and precautionary measure have being take up to handle the patient in Hospitals (Covid-19). Are we safe to attend hospitals for treatment or complicate our situations?. Dimapur is on high alert and the condition of Hospitals in state are nothing to write about. There is something panic on the air which is bringing fear among the public. Therefore while appealing you to make some effort to ensure that all persons are safe and are not contaminated with the deadly virus. Please ensure the public that hospital are better prepared, if the Govt of Nagaland are yet to set the facilities to fight the pandemic virus. It hight time to sustain proper investments in public health sector. The hospitals which are known for "The Temple of Life" are now devastatingly becoming "The Hell of Deaths". Nagas have the trust in you and I hope that you will not let this be swept under the carpet during your tenure as the health minister. While we trust that your government will continue to act in the public interest We also urge you and your government to provide real leadership by enforcing the proper health facilities across the state. Further delays will only mean that more Nagas will suffer. Our state health depends on you. Vinato Z. Awomi, General Secy, ESSU
Sir,
JDU Nagaland appeals
It is indeed very disheartening to see the Hell that has seem to be loosen just due to the detection of the first Covid19 patient from Nagaland. The Naga people are all witnesses to constant detection and increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in other states and the response that is being made by the respective states to counter the pandemic. It is unfortunate that the Nagaland Government is somewhat caught unprepared which is for all to see. In this regard, the JDU Nagaland sincerely feels that the situation calls for all political and social organisations to rise above all levels of negativities and put heads together to overcome the present crisis. All hearts must be filled with intention to solve the issue at hand and leave the irregularities and shortcomings aftermath the pandemic. There should be no qualm to penalise those guilty if any one is found to be ‘fishing over trouble waters’ but that can wait for now. What matter at the moment is to save ourselves from this pandemic. The JDU Nagaland appeals to all to empathise those Covid19 Frontline workers in whatever manner possible, hate the disease not the infected people, be gentle in our guard against the imposition of the lock down our respective villages, colonies and localities, stay home patiently, contribute whatever is possible to ameliorate the suffering of affected poor and downtrodden people. Let us all try to bring out the true Christian spirit during these extraordinary times. Issued by the Publicity Wing, JDU Nagaland.
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.
Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
Two more test positive for COVID-19 in Assam total climbs to 34
Guwahati, Apr 16 (PTI) : Two people tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam on Thursday, taking the total in the state to 34, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said here. Both the cases are from Morigaon district of the state and are secondary contacts of attendees of the Tablighi Jamaat event at the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi, the minister said in a tweet. The cumulative number of patients in Assam now stands at 34. The figure includes one fatality and five patients who have been cured, he added. Thirty-three of these are linked to the Jamaat event. Three people were discharged on Thursday from the Goalpara Civil Hospital and two others on Wednesday from the Sonapur District Hospital as they have recovered from COVID-19. The minister said that around 10 more COVID19 patients were undergoing treatment in Golaghat and Guwahati, and were
Himanta Biswa Sarma
expected to be released during the next few days. Currently, 28 COVID19 positive persons from the state are undergoing treatment. Another person hailing from Nagaland tested positive at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital and is currently undergoing treatment here. The condition of all of them, except a cancer patient who was the first to test positive in Silchar, was stable and they would be gradually released if their condition does not deteriorate, the minister said. “We expect the cases related to the Nizamuddin event to close by April 20 as
all those who attended have been either quarantined or isolated,” he said. The patients are being released after following all ICMR COVID-19 protocols which include that they must test negative in the two repeat tests conducted after 14 days of treatment, clear the mandatory chest X-ray and be certified by doctors that they have no symptoms of cough and cold, Sarma said. The recovered persons will spend the next 14 days at government guest houses in Goalpara and Jagiroad for observation though they can meet people and do their normal activities within the premises, he said. Golaghat with nine patients, Morigaon with six and Dhubri, Goalpara and Nalbari with four patients each have been identified as the five hotspot districts of Assam. The other districts to have reported confirmed cases are Silchar, Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, Hailakandi, Lakhimpur and South Salmara.
NORTHEAST/state
Meghalaya’s first victim of COVID-19 laid to rest Correspondent
Shillong, April 16: Renowned physician and philanthropist, Dr. John L. Sailo Rynthathiang, who succumbed to COVID-19, was laid to rest on Thursday based on the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health, a government official said. He was laid to rest on Thursday afternoon at Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church cemetery in Lawmali area a day after the Meghalaya government failed to convince the local residents of Jhalupura to allow the cremation at governmentowned electric crematorium. 69-year-old Sailo, the Director of Bethany Hospital in Shillong, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 24-hours after he tested positive for the deadly virus. Sailo was the first person to have tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya. “The mortal remains of Dr Sailo were laid to rest at Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church cemetery in Lawmali area as per Christian rituals,” Chief Secretary M.S.Rao said. Workers of Shillong Municipal Board, who wrapped up themselves in personal protective equipment, took the task of the pallbearers carrying the casket from the ambulance to the graveyard. Rev. Lyndan Syiem of the Presbyterian
Church conducted the funeral service in presence of Rev. E.R.Tynsong, Church Elder W Kharlyngka and officials from the health department, police department and district administration. Ironically, the COVID 19 victim was a physician himself and the director of Bethany hospital, which made National and International for caring for President Abdul Kalam in 2015. Kalam had collapsed while delivering his lecture “creating a livable planet” at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong which is a few kilometer away from the hospital. Kalam was rushed to Bethany hospital but breathed his last at the hospital. A few years ago, the director together with then Home Minister Roshan Warjri inaugurated the APJ Abdul Kalam Accident and Injury Care Unit at Bethany hospital and said he had bigger dreams about the hospital. The hospital also took care of other personalities including Governors and stalwarts, not to mention scores of people from all over the State and the region. However, few could help the deceased during his hour of crisis. Meanwhile, it’s still not clear how the victim contracted the virus, but there is a distinct possibility that he could have contracted it while caring for his patients in the hospital.
Assam imports 50,000 PPE kits from China
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Receives Consignment NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI ( AG E N C I E S ) : The Assam government on Wednesday imported 50,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits from China for the frontline healthcare workers combating the Covid-19 pandemic in the state, reports News18.com. India has ordered 15 million PPE gears besides a few million testing kits from China, India’s Ambassador in Beijing Vikram Misri said on Tuesday. The orders have been placed by several state governments and both public and private health sectors. On Wednesday evening, China sent a special aircraft carrying 50,000 PPE kits from Guangzhou city. The consignment was received in the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati by state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with his deputy Pijush Hazarika. Sharing pictures of the aircraft on Twitter, Sarma said that the government’s priority was to save
Assam State Finance, PWD, Family and Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Guwahati airport to receive the special aircraft carrying 50,000 PPE kits from Guangzhou, China, in Guwahati, Wednesday. (PTI)
lives. “Keeping life first as the motive, we are glad to have imported, 50,000 PPE kits from Guangzhou, China...A big reassurance for our doctors & nurses,” he tweeted. Keeping life first as the motive, we’re glad to have imported 50,000 PPE kits from Guangzhou,China.
I am happy to receive this special flight along with @ Pijush_hazarika at #Guwahati airport just now. A big reassurance for our doctors & nurses. On Tuesday, Misri said that India planned to procure three million Covid-19 testing kits, half of which have already been
delivered by China. India’s current target is to produce and procure a total of 17 million PPE sets and tens and thousands of ventilators to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the country. “Their smooth procurement at stable prices will send the best signal possible for Sino-Indian
ties,” he had said. Ever since its factories resumed operations after over two-month-long lockdown in Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic first originated, China has been busy exporting medical equipment across the world, including India. In a tweet, Sarma said that “two Covid-19 patients -- Nuruddin and Jonab Ali -- treated at Sonapur Civil Hospital, and were successively tested negative twice as per the ICMR protocols, are being discharged. They are being sent for a 14-day home-quarantine”. According to the minister, so far, 34 positive case have been reported from Assam and a 65-year-old man, who has a travel history to Saudi Arabia and Delhi, died in Hailakandi district in southern Assam on April 10. Of the positive cases in Assam, except two cases, all were attendees of the Tablighi Jamaat religious congregation held in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area last month.
5
Rs 2000 each for Manipuris stranded due to lockdown
Correspondent
IMPHAL, Apr 16: Rs 2000 each has been transferred into bank accounts of around 3000 Manipuris stranded outside the state owing to the nationwide lockdown to combat spread of COVID-19 in the country. The state government listed another 1700 individuals who were qualified for availing the benefit of the state government’s initiative to extend help to the people of the state who are stranded at various places of the country following the sudden lockdown on March 24 and sought the help of the government through tengbang.in. State chief minister N Biren Singh said that the step was taken considering difficulties including financial problem, harassment, racial attack etc. faced by the stranded people. “Government considers it necessary to give priority to them because they are away from home and facing different types of difficulty,” Singh said. The chief minister added that to hear the grievances of natives of the state stranded in different cities, one IAS officer each had been appointed as in-charge officers of all the states.
Manipur CM visits old age homes in Imphal on Thursday.
The officers have also been asked to identify natives from the state who are staying in their respective in-charge state for medical treatment so that the state government extend some financial assistance to them. “We are considering providing assistance to those who are now in different cities for medical treatment and the IAS officers have been asked to collect information about them,” Singh added. The chief minister said this in his address to reporters during his visit to old age homes in Imphal East and West districts today. He paid the visit considering the vulnerability of COVID-19 pandemic to elderly people and to assess safety mea-
sures being taken up in these homes. He interacted with inmates and also presented ration items, hand sanitizers, masks, medicine etc. to them. Asserting that the state is going ahead in the right tract in tackling spread of COVID-19 so far, the chief minister thanked the people and the media for the cooperation they extended to the government. After April 20, the chief minister informed, the state government may consider relaxations for some selected sectors after assessing the situation. However, no decision would be taken in a hurry because Manipur shares a long international boundary with Myanmar and even a slight laxity may lead to an unmanageable situation.
Lockdown: Arunachal govt to provide financial assistance to stranded people ITANAGAR, APR 16 (PTI): The Arunachal Pradesh government on Thursday decided to provide financial assistance to all persons from the state stranded across the country in view of the nationwide lockdown to contain COVID-19 pandemic. The state cabinet on Thursday decided to disburse an amount of Rs 3,500 each to all such persons, who are stranded in various parts of the country, for sustenance during the lockdown period from Chief the Ministers Relief Fund (CMRF), sources at the CMO said. The cabinet meeting which was held through video conferencing decided to disburse the amount by the respective deputy commissioners of the districts in consultation with the local MLAs through direct transfer in the bank account of the stranded people through UPI after due diligence and verification by the concerned district administration. The Google document sheet which was circulated by the state government
Pema Khandu
to gather information of all such persons stranded outside the state would be shared with the respective DCs for the disbursement of the financial assistance, the sources said. The cabinet further decided to extend the date and time for registration of persons stranded outside to April 19 for the process of disbursements. Further, all those persons who are not able to register on the Google document sheet due to any reason by the extended timeline, can contact their respective DCs or MLAs for assistance, which would be provided after due diligence and verification by the concerned
district administration, the sources added. Meanwhile, the state government as the first instalment, released an amount of Rs 7.16 crore as monetary relief to all the farmers registered on PMKishan portal. Under the scheme each farmer of the state will get an amount of Rs 1000 each in addition to the relief extended by the Centre.Chief Minister Pema Khandu in a tweet said, “Farmers are the backbone of Arunachal Pradesh. In addition to the monetary relief being provided by the Centre to the farmers affected due to lockdown, the state government has also released Rs 1000 for each farmer who is registered under PM- KISAN scheme”. The farmers of the three newly created districts of Leparada, Shi-Yomi and Pakke Kessang will get their relief amount from undivided Lower Siang, West Siang and East Kameng district, as they are registered under these districts, Khandu added.
Nagaland state govt notifies LH welcomes lockdown extension H&FW department on containment measures informs flight passengers In connection with the detection of 1st COVID-19 case in Dimapur, all concerned who have travelled in the same flight (Air India 709 on 24th March 2020) or have come in contact with the above mentioned positive case (Index Case), have been informed to mandatorily report to the nearest hospital or through phone calls to respective district helpline phone numbers given below:
District Helpline Number (Health) 1
Dimapur
76308 77991
76308 77983
2
Kiphire
70055 89941
98626 81581
97177 59892 89741 00166
3
Kohima
98560 71388
87948 91468
70054 64959
4
Longleng
96129 27335
96128 75988
98621 60671 98626 28654
5
Mokokchung
76300 07954
88374 20932
94362 61571 94360 06387
6
Mon
98620 14033
98620 78993
70056 87775
7
Peren
70498 55251
87944 62043
94020 50624 96120 34784
8
Phek
94366 03240
87300 56289
87309 40014
9
Tuensang
84158 40348
70851 73552
89745 08897
10
Wokha
98622 58207
70056 38276
96129 86552 94368 29001
11
Zunheboto
93832 06362
87878 53473
70851 22471
State Helpline (Health) Mob No: 70054 15243 / 98560 71745 / 70055 39653. Email: nlssu.idsp@nic.in; pddhfw@gamil.com. The department is aggressively tracing all potential contacts to break the chain of transmission. Therefore, the department has solicited the support and cooperation of all citizens of the state. Concealment of information sought through this notice by any individual, if found is a punishable offence. K Y M C
Dimapur: The lockdown has been extended across the state with all the existing containment measures upto May 3. Government of India, Home Affairs has ordered for certain additional measures for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country which will come into force with immediate effect. According to DIPR report, in this context, the state government of Nagaland has ordered the following additional containment measures to be applicable throughout the state with immediate effect. Public spaces: Wearing of face cover is compulsory in all public places, work places; All persons in charge of public places, work places and transport shall ensure social distancing as per the guidelines issued by ministry of Health and Family Welfare; No organization /manager of public place shall allow gathering of 5 or more persons; Gatherings such as marriages and funerals shall remain regulated by the district magistrate; Spitting in public spaces shall be punishable with fine; There should be strict ban on sale
DIMAPUR: Lotha Hoho (LH) has welcomed and supported the COVID-19 lockdown extension in Nagaland, saying that the lockdown was the only way to prevent infection since state did not have the needed medical facilities to take care of coronavirus patients. In a press release, LH president Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary Aben Ngullie asserted that the state government should, if necessary, further extend the lockdown. Meanwhile, drawing attention to home commissioner Abhijit Sinha’s remark that no organisation was permitted/authorised to
implement the lockdown, the LH said that present crisis being a human/social problem, the concerted effort/involvement of all organisations and individuals was essential. The hoho reminded that even the chief minister had appealed to all citizens to extend cooperation in jointly fighting the COVID-19 LH said has also been supporting the government initiatives in whatever way it could to fight the pandemic, adding that the people represented by NGOs and civil society organisations cannot be excluded or neglected. “If such exclusion is deliberate, it can be questioned
as to whether it is to avoid transparency since substantial fund and aid are made available from the GoI, state, private, civil organisations, individuals etc, for the effort to fight against COVID-19,” LH maintained. The hoho has, therefore, urged the home commissioner to review his statement and if it was an official direction from higher up then that responsible authority must clarify. Meanwhile, LH has also appreciated the involvement of all NGOs and civil society organisations in the initiative to prevent spread of COVID-19 in Nagaland.
of liquor, gutka, tobacco etc. and spitting should be strictly prohibited. Work spaces: All work places shall have adequate arrangements for temperature screening and provide sanitizers at convenient places; Work places shall have a gap of one hour between shifts and will stagger the lunch breaks of staff, to ensure social distancing; Persons above 65 years of age and persons with co-morbidities and parents of children below the age of 5 may be encouraged to work from home; Use of Arogyasetu will be encouraged for all employees both private and public; All organizations shall sanitize their work places between shifts; Large meetings to be prohibited. Manufacturing establishments: Frequent cleaning of common surfaces and mandatory hand washing shall be mandated; No overlap of shifts and staggered lunch with social distancing in canteens shall be ensured; Intensive communication Regional manager SBI, RBO, Dimapur region, Paogin Haokip handed over a cheque and training on good hygiene amounting to Rs 1.5 lakh towards COVID-19 fund Dimapur, to DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi on April 16 at the official chamber of DC Dimapur. (DIPR) practices shall be taken up. K Y M C
6
INTERNATIONAL/sports
S. Korean ruling party wins landslide majority
President Moon Jae-in after winning the election with a landslide majority.
SEOUL, APR 16 (IANS): South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party (DP) led by President Moon Jae-in has secured a landslide victory in the general elections, results showed on Thursday, which is set to give it an upper hand in pushing ahead with an agenda as the country faces a virus pandemic and an economic slowdown. In the quadrennial election, held as scheduled on Wednesday despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the DP and its sister Platform Party were estimated to have secured a combined 180 seats, or three-fifths of the total, in the 300-seat unicameral National Assembly, reports Yonhap News Agency.
This is nearly double the estimated 103 seats for the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) and its sister party Future Korea Party. It also marks the biggest majority a party has claimed since the country adopted the direct presidential election system in 1987. Of the 253 directly contested seats, the DP won 163 seats, followed by the UFP with 84 seats, the liberal Justice Party with one seat, and independent candidates with five seats, according to the results tallied when all votes were counted on Thursday morning. Of the 47 proportional representation slots, the parties affiliated with the UFP and the DP won 33.8 and
33.4 per cent of the votes, respectively. The Justice Party, the People’s Party and the Open Democratic Party got 9.7 per cent, 6.8 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively. This is expected to translate to 19 seats and 17 seats, respectively, for the UFP and DP’s sister parties, five seats for the Justice Party, three for the People’s Party and three for the Open Democratic Party. The elections, held in the midst of South Korea’s battle against COVID-19, was seen as a referendum on President Moon Jae-in, who has two more years in office, reports the Yonhap news Agency. Moon’s approval rating fell to the 30 per cent level at one point last year, hit by a
US scientists warn social distancing may have to remain till 2022
prolonged economic slowdown and a political scandal involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. But the government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis has changed public sentiment, as illustrated in recent polls in which Moon’s approval rating shot up to over 50 per cent. South Korea has reported a caseload of nearly 10,600 since its first infection on January 20. It recorded fewer than 30 new virus cases for the third straight day on Wednesday. The DP’s victory will enable Moon to manage state affairs stably during the rest of his single, five-year term. With 180 seats, the ruling bloc would be able to fast-track the passage of bills without support from other parties. The general elec-
tions, one of the world’s first elections to be held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, was carried out with extra precautions. The election watchdog prioritized safety to prevent potential exposure to the risk of infection. Voters wearing face masks had their temperatures checked at the entrance. They disinfected their hands with sanitizers and put on plastic gloves before casting ballots. To keep social distancing rules, voters were advised to stand at least 1 meter apart from others. Despite the virus, more than 29 million voters hit the polls, resulting in a provisional voter turnout of 66.2 per cent, the highest in 28 years. Turnout in early voting also hit a record 26.7 per cent.
N. Korean defector wins 1st-ever constituency seat in S. Korea
A high-profile North Korean defector won a constituency seat in the South Korean general elections, becoming the first person hailing from Pyongyang to be chosen directly by South Korean voters as their representative. Thae Yong-ho, a former No. 2 diplomat at North Korea’s Embassy in London, was elected to the National Assembly as the main conservative opposition United Future Party’s candidate in Seoul’s southern affluent district of Gangnam, Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday. Thae received 58.4 per cent of the votes cast on Wednesday in the Gangnam constituency, one of the conservative party’s main strongholds, far ahead of his opponent Kim Sung-gon, a four-term lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party who earned 39.6 per cent.
Australian company to begin 1st human trial of COVID-19 vaccine
of clinical trials and we have to make sure it is safe and effective before we proceed,” Griffin said. According to the Nucleus Network, phase one of the trial was expected to begin in mid-May with preliminary results of effectiveness and safety available in July. Griffin said it would take roughly 12-18 months from now before the vaccine could be released to the public. A small g roup of healthy volunteers would be recruited for the trial to test the effectiveness of this vaccine and according to Griffin, there was absolutely no chance that they could be infected with the disease by taking part. The World Health Organization estimated at least 20 other COVID-19 candidate vaccines are in development around the world.
Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
US president says COVID-19 peak passed in US, country to reopen soon
WASHINGTON, APR 16 (IANS): US President Donald Trump has said that America has “passed the peak” of new COVID-19 cases and predicted some states would reopen this month, even as the country currently is accounted for the highest number of COVID-19 deaths and infections in the world, it was reported on Thursday. At a daily White House press briefing on Wednesday, Trump said: “While we must remain vigilant, it is clear that our aggressive strategy is working”. “The battle continues, but the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases. Hopefully that will continue, and we will continue to make great progress.” “We’ll be the comeback kids, all of us,” the BBC quoted the President as saying. “We want to get our country back.” The President’s remarks come at the US has reported a total of 639,628 COVID19 cases, while the death toll stands at 30,925, according to the latest update by the Washington-based Johns Hopkins University. In the briefing, Trump also said that he will discuss guidelines for reopening the country on Thursday, reports CNBC News.
Donald Trump
The governors of seven states on the East Coast and three states on the West Coast have announced regional working groups to coordinate the reopening of the regions. “My administration is using every available authority to accelerate the development, study and delivery of therapies,” he said, adding that at least 35 clinical trials of treatments were underway. The Trump administration had previously signaled in May 2 as a possible date to reopen the nation, but the President said some states may be able to return to normalcy earlier than that, the BBC reported. When questioned about the dangers of reopening the nation too soon, Trump said: “There’s also death involved in keeping it closed.” He cited mental health issues, saying sui-
cide hotlines were “exploding” as the economy freezes. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to lockdown measures across the country, and unemployment numbers are at record levels. Retail sales dropped by 8.7 per cent in March, the biggest decline since tracking began in 1992, according to government data released on Wednesday. In Wednesday’s briefing when asked why the US accounted for such a significant proportion of the global death toll of 137,078, Trump accused other countries of lying about their mortality rate, the BBC reported. “Does anybody really believe the numbers of some of these countries?” he asked, naming China. The President also said the US was looking into unverified reports that the COVID-19 emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan rather than in a market. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that China must show “full transparency” on COVID19, during a call with his Beijing counterpart, Yang Jiechi, the Department of State said on Wednesday. Pompeo has repeatedly accused Beijing of covering up the scale of the outbreak in the early days, which China denies.
IPL postponed indefinitely NEW DELHI, APR 16 (AGENCIES): This year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) has been postponed indefinitely following the COVID-19 pandemic, key franchise officials told Reuters on Wednesday. Originally scheduled to begin on March 29, the eight-team league was initially suspended until Wednesday even as India entered a three-week lockdown last month. After the lockdown was extended on Tuesday until at least May 3, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials held a teleconference before informing the franchises about a further delay. “Well, all we know is that it has been shifted indefinitely and BCCI are working on a window in the future,” Delhi Capitals chief executive Dheeraj Malhotra told Reuters. BCCI has yet to make an official announcement but the CEO of another franchise confirmed the
to the global health crisis. “At the present moment, we can’t say anything,” the former India captain told New Indian Express newspaper at the weekend. “Where will you get players from, where do players travel? It’s just simple commonsense that at the moment nothing is in favour of any kind of sport anywhere in the world, forget IPL.” Local media speculated on a possible window in September-October, before this year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia. The uncertainty around this year’s edition of the IPL is a big setback, particularly for the 62 cricketers bought for a collective $18.34 million at the players’ auction in December. Australian Pat Cummins became IPL’s most expensive overseas buy ever when the Kolkata Knight Riders paid a staggering $2.18 million for the fast bowler in the auction in Kolkata.
America has “passed the peak” of new COVID-19 cases and predicted some states would reopen this month, even as the country currently accounted for the highest number of COVID19 deaths and infections in the world. The US has reported a total of 639,628 COVID-19 cases, while the death toll stands at 30,925, according to the latest update by the Washington-based Johns Hopkins University. According to the study published in the journal Science, resurgence in contagion could be possible as late as 2024. For the study, the researchers examined a range of likely SARS-CoV-2 transmission scenarios through 2025 and assessed non-pharmaceutical interventions that could mitigate the intensity of the current outbreak. They used what is known about the pandemic
and different COVID-19 viruses to create different transmission scenarios. “We projected that recurrent wintertime outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 will probably occur after the initial, most severe pandemic wave. Absent other interventions, a key metric for the success of social distancing is whether critical care capacities are exceeded,” said the study. “To avoid this, prolonged or intermittent social distancing may be necessary into 2022. Additional interventions, including expanded critical care capacity and an effective therapeutic, would improve the success of intermittent distancing and hasten the acquisition of herd immunity,” it added. The researchers cautioned that their model will have to be tailored to local conditions and updated as more accurate data become available.
CANBERRA, APR 16 (IANS): An Australian company has called out for volunteers in the country’s first human trial of a COVID-19 vaccine, expected to take place in coming weeks. Clinical research company Nucleus Network revealed on Wednesday it would test the effectiveness and safety of a Recombinant Spike Protein Nanoparticle vaccine, NVXCoV2373, developed by US based biotechnology company Novavax, reports Xinhua news agency. Paul Griffin, an infectious diseases physician and microbiologist from Nucleus Network told local media on Thursday that the human trial procedures would involve four phases, following strict protocols to make sure it was safe and effective before being released to the public. “We still have to progress through all the stages
Neymar to decide his own future, says father
Juventus’ Rugani, Matuidi recover from COVID-19
Empty stadiums a necessity to play Mascot for Hangzhou 2022 sports this summer, says US expert Asian Para Games unveiled
WASHINGTON, APR 16 (IANS): Social distancing measures such as restrictions on public gatherings may have to remain in place intermittently for at least a couple of more years to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the absence of vaccine against the virus or dramatic increase in critical care capacities, researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have warned. These tough measures which have already pushed the world economy into recession may be necessary because the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may occur again in winter, according to the projections made by the researchers who used data from the US for creating a model of transmission. The study comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has said that
Neymar and his dad Neymar Santos Sr.
RIO DE JANEIRO, APR 16 (IANS): The father of Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has said that the Brazilian forward will decide his next career move for himself. Dismissing claims that he heavily influences his son’s key decisions, Neymar Santos Sr said his priority was to provide moral support for the 28year-old, reports Xinhua news agency. “He is always the one who chooses which path to take,” Neymar Sr said in an Instagram Live video on Wednesday. “We only work administratively: to make sure he has the best
contract, to put him in the best home and have the best career management.” He described Neymar’s 2013 move to Barcelona as the realisation of a “childhood dream”. But the 55-year-old, who has acted as Neymar’s agent since 2011, denied speculation the 28-year-old could return to the Camp Nou this summer, insisting he is happy at the Parc des Princes. In a wide-ranging conversation with Brazilian journalist Beto Saad, Neymar Sr also revealed that the former Santos prodigy was close to joining Corinthians instead of Barcelona.
BENGALURU, APR 16 (AGENCIES): Juventus players Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi have fully recovered from COVID19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, and will no longer need to self-isolate, the Italian side have said. Rugani and Matuidi are two of three Juventus players who last month tested positive for the virus. The duo were asymptomatic, but the third player, forward Paulo Dybala, showed strong symptoms. “Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi underwent, as per protocol, a double check with diagnostic tests (swabs) for the CoronavirusCOVID-19,” Juventus said on their website here “The tests came back with negative results. The players have, therefore, recovered and are no longer subjected to the home isolation regime.” The Serie A has been suspended since March 9 but the Italian football federation is hoping clubs can resume training with precautionary measures in place after the current lockdown in Italy ends on May 3.
WASHINGTON, APR 16 (IANS): Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the United States, has said that the only way to see sports return this summer is by holding events without fans in attendance and keeping players in hotels. “Nobody comes to the stadium. Put the players in big hotels, wherever you want to play, keep them very well surveilled,” Xinhua news agency quoted Fauci as saying Wednesday on the possibility of hold-
ing sports events this summer. “Have them tested every week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other.” “People say you can’t play without spectators, but I think you’d get enough buy-in from people who are dying to see a baseball game, particularly me,” Fauci added. “I’m living in Washington and we have the MLB world champion Washington Nationals. I want to see them play again.”
Fauci’s comments came a week after 72 per cent of Americans polled by Seton Hall University said they would not attend if sporting events resumed without a vaccine for COVID-19. The US is still battling against the disease as confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country soared over 600,000 with fatalities approaching 30,000 as of Wednesday. The major pro leagues have earlier been suspended due to the outbreak of the virus.
Cummins the most complete bowler in the world, says McGrath SYDNEY, APR 16 (IANS): Pat Cummins is currently the most complete bowler in the world, feels Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath. “Pat Cummins. I like the way he goes by,” said McGrath in a rapid fire session on ESPNCricinfo. Since making his comeback into the Australian Test side, Cummins has gone on to become a must in the playing XI in all formats for the team. He has taken 143 wickets in Tests and 105 wickets in ODIs.
He may have taken on 36 scalps in T20Is but they have come in just 28 matches at an average of 19.86. He has a total of 96 wickets in T20 matches overall. In the auctions for the 2020 Indian Premier League, Cummins was bought by two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping amount of Rs 15.5 crore. It helped him overtake England all-rounder Ben Stokes as the most expensive foreign buy of all time in IPL history.
decision. “We have been informed about it being postponed indefinitely, but we’re still waiting for an email from the board with details,” the official said, requesting anonymity. IPL governing council chairman Brijesh Patel did not answer calls from Reuters on Tuesday and Wednesday to elaborate on the league’s future plans. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had earlier acknowledged the difficulty in hosting the tournament amid lockdown with travel and other restrictions due
HANGZHOU, APR 16 (IANS): The mascot for the 4th Asian Para Games to be held in Hangzhou in 2022 was unveiled on Thursday. The design of “Feifei” is inspired by the motif of the “Divine Bird” in the Liangzhu Culture. The mascot is the fusion of Hangzhou’s heritage and its drive for technological innovation, carrying the longing for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, reports Xinhua news agency. Legend has it that the “Divine Bird” brings bliss.Therefore, she is also viewed as a messenger of joy and cultural distinction. The first “fei” means the birds flying, implying inclusiveness, respect, and fraternity of human society. And the second “fei” represents the mental tenacity of the athletes with disabilities pursuing dreams and reaching beyond themselves. Extending from her
wings to her cheeks is the quintessential pattern of the Liangzhu Culture, with the raised wings showing their dynamic beauty. The letter “i” on her crown stands for intelligence and also represents Hangzhou as the ‘City of the Internet’, which blinks blue when she is happy or playing sports. The ring, comprising 45 dots, on her chest is symbolic of the joyful gathering of all APC members. The 4th Asian para games will be held from October 9, 2022, just two weeks after the closing ceremony of the Asian Games.
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