April 18, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 131

DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020 Pages 6 (Online Edition)

‘India received 5 lakh rapid COVID-19 testing kits’

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NATIONAL, PAGE 3

Wuhan’s revised COVID-19 death toll up by 50%

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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 6

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NEW DELHI, APR 17 (PTI): The death toll due to the novel coronavirus rose to 452 with 32 fatalities reported since Thursday evening, while the number of cases saw a jump of 1,076 to go up to 13,835 cases on Friday, according to the Union Health Ministry.

While the number of active COVID-19 cases

Finance dept clariďŹ es

DIMAPUR, APR 17 (NPN): The finance department has reacted to social media posts concerning the amount of Rs. 32641.66 lakhs released by the Ministry of Finance on March 3, 2020 and comments about how funds were being used to battle COVID-19 pandemic. The department clarified that the amount was the Revenue Deficit Grant recommended by the 15th Finance Commission to be released to Nagaland every month during the year 2020-21.

The amount was meant to cover the shortfall in revenue expenditure requirements-such as salaries, pensions, interest payments and other recurring expenses. “There is no possibility of using this amount for COVID-19 expenses as is being alleged,� the department asserted.

stood at 11,616, as many as 1,766 people have been cured and discharged, and one has migrated, it said.

The total number of cases include 76 foreign nationals.

The worldwide death toll from coronavirus pandemic has risen to 145,521 while 2,182,197 declared cases have been registered.

MHRD urges private schools to reconsider annual fee hike Nagaland COVID status: 4 samples sent for retest

DIMAPUR, APR 17 (NPN): Out of 274 samples sent for testing from the state as of 6 p.m. April 17, 2020, the results of 222 samples have been received and all returned negative. Giving daily briefing on COVID19, the principal secretary home, Abhijit Sinha, said that four samples have been sent for retest and results of 48 samples were awaited.

In relation to the COVID positive patient from Dimapur detected in Guwahati, a total of 141 samples of the persons including co-passengers,

STATUS REPORT AS ON APRIL 17, 2020 NORTH EAST

CONFIRMED RECOVERED

DEATH

Nagaland

Nil

Nil

Nil

Assam

35

5

1

Manipur

2

1

Nil

Meghalaya

7

Nil

1

Mizoram

1

Nil

Nil

Arunachal Pradesh

1

Nil

Nil

Tripura

2

1

Nil

health care workers and family members connected with the patient have been collected till now and sent for testing. Out of the total,

results of 138 samples have been received and all were negative, he said, adding that the results of three samples were awaited.

ICMR to study effectiveness of BCG vaccine

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) would conduct a study to find the efficacy of BCG vaccine against COVID-19 and till any definitive result is reached it will not recommended the vaccine even for healthcare workers, officials said on Friday.

Bacillus CalmetteGuĂŠrin (BCG) is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis.

Head of Epidemiology

and Communicable diseases at ICMR, Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, said the apex health research body will begin a study on the effectiveness of the vaccine against coronavirus infection next week. “Till the results of the study are out and evidence is obtained, we will not recommend the vaccine even to health workers,� he said in response to a question regarding its usage at a press

WSH issues stern warning against abuse of social media

briefing on Friday.

Elaborating on the usage of the vaccine, Dr Gangakhedkar said it is administered immediately after birth.

The BCG vaccine cannot even prevent one from the risk of contracting TB but provides partial protection from tuberculous meningitis, he said. BCG’s benefit, according to some studies, is in some malignant cancer cases (Cont’d on p-3)

CM holds video conference with DCs, SPs, CMOs

DIMAPUR, APR 17 (NPN): Western messages could only crate more confusion DIMAPUR, APR 17 Sumi Hoho (WSH) has issued a strong in these difficult times. warning against those persons who abuse WSH has drawn attention on “some (NPN): State chief minsocial media platforms especially in Fa- Sumi pastors of Western Sumi villages� ister, Neiphiu Rio, Friday cebook etc. to character assassinate, post who were hyperactive and who excessively held a meeting through video clips with fake information and also indulged in social media platform such as video conferencing with all mocking some communities etc.

Facebook in posting comments over every the deputy commissioners, In a statement, WSH particularly issue related to government, society or in- superintendents of police viewed misuse of social media by “some dividuals and character assassination that and the chief medical ofirresponsible persons of Sumi commu- was “unbecoming of servants of God�. ficers to review the implenity� who tarnish the image of Sumis WSH said this has raised questions about mentation of the lockdown and greatly embarrassing the entire Sumi the “credibility of our pastors for such measures and the state of community through such activities. WSH reckless behaviour. WSH has cautioned preparedness for combatcited a video clip where migrant labourers such pastors to use media platforms in a ing COVID-19.

At the meeting, the diswere stopped by some persons and body positive and responsible way. By such actemperatures taken with “a car music tivities, these persons have brought dam- tricts gave a detailed briefplayer� which it said brought mockery age to the reputation of many people by ing of their preparedness and also mentioned about and ridicule. WSH said such clowning causing harassment and mental agony. sent a wrong message of racial discriminaWSH warned that such persons that the various issues pertaintion to the outside. WSH said there was it will not bear any responsibility if legal ing to their districts. no time for such foolish and mischievous action on defamation are taken against The chief minister acts and warned of stern action against them. complemented everyone those who made the video clip.

Further, WSH said it has asked the for the efforts made till now WSH also warned of strong action Executive Secretary WSBAK “to con- and advised for continued against the “callous and irrational behav- trol and take exemplary action on these vigil on the situation and iour� against one person (supposedly an pastors before they bring disrepute to more interventions by the underground functionary) who circulated the Sumis.� WSH said it would impose DIMAPUR, APR 17 (NPN): a fake video clip about the status of an disciplinary action if such persons fail to officers for further enhancing the level of preparaIn view of the sealing of Mar- infected person. WSH warned that cir- comply with its directives. tion. waripatti, Murgipatti and GS culation of unverified and unauthentic (Cont’d on p-3) (Cont’d on p-3) Road as a containment measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Dimapur district administration has informed that the existing for them to be out. A phone specified that no hospitalvegetables/fruits wholesale Correspondent call to the State control based personnel could enter DIMAPUR, APR 17 market these areas would be shifted to Naga Shopping KOHIMA, APR 17 (NPN): room officials should have any government premises (NPN): Naga CounArcade (Super Market) with Following the uproar caused been sufficient rather than and called for using digital cil Dimapur (NCD), effect from April 18 from 6 by its earlier advisory that wasting time on visiting, it means of communication. through its, general Earlier, speaking to secretary Thsapongkyu a.m. to 12 noon while man- barred hospital-based per- stressed.

Asserting that health Nagaland Post, doctors of Sangtam said that the datorily maintaining social sonnel from entering office premises and asked workers were the frontline a hospital termed the order council in conformity distancing. them to “leverage electronic people in the fight against as “harsh, authoritative and with government guidemeans of communications any disease, including discriminatory� in nature, lines and orders and including webinar�, health COVID-19 pandemic, the adding it had led to divi- in view of the concern & family welfare (H&FW) directorate said any over- sion amongst the medical raised by residents of directorate has now clarified sight from it may kindly be fraternity and lowered their Lake View colony, for containing the spread of that there was no restriction pardoned. This was stated in morale. on them from visiting office a DIPR release.

One doctor alleged COVID-19, has issued premises for any work that that following the govern- guidelines for burial.

NCD said it was required their physical atment order, some hospital tendance. staffs were already facing mandatory to produce Observing that there social ostracization at places death certificate indicatH&FW department’s where they reside or any ing the nature and cause appeared to be misinterpretation of its earlier ad- advisory restricting hospi- place they visited as though of death of the person. visory issued on April 10, tal-based staffs from visit- they were carriers of the Not more than two vethe directorate explained ing government offices had virus. He rued that the gov- hicles, with limited numthat the advisory was issued sparked fear and apprehen- ernment failed to see the ber of persons, will be to minimise movement of sion of discrimination and social ramification of the allowed at the cemetery and wearing face masks personnel considering the social ostracization among order before issuing it. “ I a p p r e c i a t e h o m e lockdown and ensure that them, some of whom are He claimed that some was mandatory. NCD delivery but nothing they were in their places of now reportedly reluctant health workers were now also said that those atcompares to personal posting, unless there was to work. even reluctant to perform tending the burial should shopping.�

(Cont’d on p-3) ensure social distance.

T h e a dv i s o r y h a d duties. some urgent requirement

Dmu wholesale market shifted

H&FW directorate clarifies on advisory

This is it!

Health workers face ‘social ostracization’

K Y M C

NCD guidelines on burial at cemetery

NEW DELHI, APR 17 (PTI): Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on Friday urged private schools to reconsider their decisions on annual fee hike and collecting fee quarterly during the COVID-19 lockdown, and asked states to work in best interest of both schools and parents.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also wrote to states and union territories to examine the issues of school fee payment and salaries to teachers “sensitively and holistically� keeping in mind the interest of all stakeholders.

While the Delhi government announced that schools will not be allowed to hike fees during the lockdown period and only tuition fee will have to be paid, Maharashtra has said parents can lodge complaints with district education officers if schools demanded fees.

The Gujarat government had on Monday announced that private schools will not hike fees for a year.

The West Bengal government has appealed to schools to refrain from hiking fees.

“It has been brought to my notice by many parents from all across the country that even in this time of crisis many schools are increasing their annual fee. A lot of schools are also asking the parents to deposit the school fee for 3 months together,� the Union human resource development minister said in a series of tweets.

Pokhriyal requested all schools to empathize with parents amid this “global disaster� and reconsider their decision. “I also hope that the education departments of all states will work together towards the best interests of parents and schools. I am happy that some states have already taken positive steps on this, I appreciate their initiative and hope that all other states will reconsider my request,� he said.

He also hoped that all schools will provide timely salary to their teachers and staff.

CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi in a letter to chief secretaries of states and union territories said, “Keeping in view the present situation of the countrywide lockdown, and

difficulties being face by all stakeholders in the school education system due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is requested that the state governments may examine the issue of lumpsum payment of school fees and teacher’s salaries sensitively and holistically considering the interest of all stakeholders concerned.� “The states and UTs may consider issuing suitable instructions on periodicity of payment of school fees and payment of salaries to the teaching and non-teaching staff to be applicable during the period of the pandemic,� he said.

Thakur said that action taken at “your end may kindly be informed to the board to enable us to respond to the queries of our stakeholders.�

As per CBSE affiliation byelaws, fees is supposed to be charged under the heads prescribed by the Department of Education of the states and union territories.

Admission fee charged under any other head is also charged only as per the regulations of appropriate government.

State Police warns misuse of social media DIMAPUR, APR 17 (NPN): Taking serious note of fake news, misinformation and hate speech messages being circulated on instant messaging platforms, like WhatsApp, etc.

Nagaland Police has issued advisory for members and admins of such groups on social media platforms to take note of.

What should a member do ď Ź Do not post fake news, hate speech or misinformation in groups. It’s an offence under Section 54 of DMA 2005, Section 66 and 79 of IT Act 2008 and Section 505 of IPC. ď Ź Do not further forward or circulate any such news you get from other members of the group. ď Ź Immediately delete any post if you find it objectionable or if admin has notified you. ď Ź Check the source and veracity of any news/image/video/meme you receive, before positing it on the group. ď Ź If you find any piece of misinformation, fake news or hate speech, report it on www.cybercrime.gov.in, www.police. nagaland.gov.in or to your nearest police station, and also inform your group admin immediately. ď Ź Never share any content that is violent, pornographic and discriminative against SECTION OF LAW Sec. 153A of IPC

any religion/community. It’s an offence under Section 54 of DMA 2005, Section 66 and 79 of IT Act 2008 and Section 505 of IPC. What should an Admin do ď Ź Ensure that every group member is reliable and responsible enough to share only verified news. ď Ź Inform all the group members about the rules of posting in the group. ď Ź Warn all the members and prevent them from sharing objectionable content. ď Ź Actively and regularly monitor content that is being shared on the group. ď Ź It is advisable that if the group is uncontrollable, then the group settings can be changed to only where admins have the right to post. ď Ź Inform the police if any members resort to mischief and share objectionable content.

Consequences: The admins as well as the users posting such objectionable content will be punished under (See Table) Police warned of stern action against perpetrators and reminded that the law enforcement agencies have power under law to take legal action against anyone who spreads rumors and causes a state of panic and unrest between religious communities.

NATURE OF OFFENCE Punishes offenses related to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony Punishment against imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration Actions that are intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs Spreading of false and mischievous news intended to upset the public tranquility.

Punishment for disobeying any order duly promulgated by a public servant.

PUNISHMENT Imprisonment upto 3 to 5 years, fine (or both)

Imprisonment upto 3 years or fine (or both) Imprisonment upto 4 years Sec. 295A of IPC or fine (or both) Imprisonment upto 3 years Sec. 505 of IPC or fine (or both) Imprisonment for 6 months Sec. 188 of the IPC or fine (or both) Imprisonment upto 3 years Punishment for identity theft and says that whoever, fraudulently and fine upto rupees one Sec.66C of the IT Act or dishonestly make use of the electronic signature, password or lakh. any other unique identification feature of any person Sec. 153B of IPC

Sec. 66D of the IT Act

Sec. 79 of IT Act

Sec. 54 of Disaster Management Act

Sec.144 & Sec.144 (3) of CrPC 1973

Sec.188 IPC r/w Sec.3 of Epidemic Diseases Act 1897

Imprisonment upto 3 years Punishment for cheating by personation by using computer and fine upto rupees one resource. lakh.

Includes all social media platform viz. WhatsApp, Facebook, Tiktok, Telegram, etc. as the ‘intermediaries.’ Any violations of these social Imprisonment as per the media apps of IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011 which various provisions of IPC, includes information that is grossly harmful, harassing, invasive DMA 2005 and IT Act of another’s privacy or otherwise unlawful would amount to an 2008. offence in conjunction with other laws.

Imprisonment which may Providision/forwarding of misleading information related to the extend to 1 year or with severity/magnitude of the epidemic which may lead to panic. fine.

Even after this setting, if there are any messages sent on the group which are Where orders by the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur/DCs of other fake, insulting any religion, Districts, against such WhatsApp group can be passed. These spreading hatred, bigotry orders can direct the group settings to be changed so that only messages which may creWhatsApp group admins/owners can send messages. ate communal tensions, the admins /group owners would be held solely liable Imprisonment upto 1 year Disobedience of regulations imposed under Section 2 & 2A of EDA and fine under Section 54 1897 are offences which also includes sharing of such fake informaDMA Act and Section 188 tion causing obstruction to the discharge of government duty.

IPC K Y M C

state

2

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

State government initiate measures to prevent spread of COVID-19

DIMAPUR: As national lockdown 2.0 entered day-four, the state government continued to initiate several measures for protection of its citizens against COVID-19 pandemic. Legislators, government officials and other frontline workers are cohesively carrying out their duties in the respective districts. Many continue to reach out towards the poor people who are the hardest hit during this lockdown. In addition, orders and appeals are being given as reminder to public towards maintaining the guidelines issued for their safety.

Wokha district

Kiphire district

Kiphire DTF meeting held: Kiphire District Task force (DTF) for COVID-19 held a meeting on April 16, at the DPDB hall, under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner & chairperson (DTF) Kiphire Sarita Yadav. According to DIPR report, CMO Kiphire reported that so far, 690 persons have been screened where 288 were home quarantined, out of which, 158 persons have finished home quarantine. He said that one portable ventilator has been installed at COVID Hospital and 38 beds have been prepared, and can accommodate upto 50. 1750 FFpi mask including other essential equipment have been received so far. Four quarantine wards have been prepared ie DUDA Girls Hostel equipped with 13 beds, 18 beds prepared for medical staff at IRB Camp, ZPC Boys Hostel preparation about to complete in a day or two and Hopongkiu Memorial Hall has also been identified for quarantine. Police department reported that so far, law and order situation in the district was peaceful. As per ADS, the food grains are being supplied to the public smoothly. Around 706 bags is said to be available in stock at present, and around six truckloads to arrive shortly. DC Sarita Yadav said that (2nd for Right) Y. Patton along with JNV School principal, DC Wokha and medical agricultural activities are going on in a proper manner. The officials. police department has been directed to restrict incoming Y. Patton inspects and A/C party officials. This that to avoid over-crowding of people from outside the district. DC and DTF members distributes relief: Deputy was initiated to reach out in the market area and to also attended the video conference at NIC chamber. chief minister Y. Patton, to the down trodden and enable the villages to sell in-charge of Wokha dis- marginalized people, ir- local vegetables and agtrict COVID-19, inspected respective of whether they ricultural produce within PHC Chukitong and JNV were his supporters or not. the jurisdiction of Wokha DC Mon issues order: Deputy commissioner, Mon School Chukitong quar- The first phase wise mis- Town Council, the follow- Thavaseelan K issued an order in view of the active case antine ward as part of his sion relief covered Niroyo, ing location against which detected in Dimapur. According to DIPR report, in this mission to oversee the pre- Yanthamo, Seluku, Nungy- villages have been indicated regard all such persons who have arrived in Mon district paredness level for COVID- ing, Koio and Tsungiki vil- are permitted to sell their on or after March 24 from Dimapur or other parts of the produces at the designated state and have visited the sealed areas during their stay at 19, under Wokha district lages. on April 17.

Mhathung Yanthan location: NST area, both Dimapur are directed to inform the Mon District Control A press release from visits Lakhuti and Sun- side of the NH-Wokha/ Room at 9862014033/9862078993/7005687775 about DCMO media cell stated gro PHCs: Advisor of New Wokha village, Humt- such visit. This will enable the COVID-19 District Task that, Patton interacted with Horticulture and Border so and Elumyo village; Force (DTF), Mon to take suitable preventive measures.

Dr. Aben Murry MO and Affairs, MhathungYan- Public ground Nyiro & Likewise, all such persons who have arrived in Mon district on or after March 22 from Shillong, Meghalaya are staff of PHC Chukitong than visited Lakhuti and Chukitong range; WTC directed to inform the Mon District Control Room at the and took firsthand report Sungro PHCs in Wokha market complex and PWD given numbers. Failure to comply with the advisory will and feedbacks. Patton ex- to monitor COVID-19 Longsa village; Forest- attract legal action as per the provisions of law. pressed satisfaction with preparedness on April GHSS road junction-Longthe frontline workers, espe- 16. Mhathung interacted sa village and Hospital-Jail cially of the district admin- with medical officers and road junction-Pongitong, istration, Police, Medical nurses at the health units, Tsungza, Khumtsu, Merdepartments and those wherein he said that health ayan, Totsu and L. Yant- Legislator reaches out to his constituency people: engaged in relief works. workers should educate hung villages. Public have Imkong L Imchen, MLA of 28th Koridang A/C has He also appreciated all the villagers on the disease been informed to make reached out to the needy people of his constituency by the officers of various de- and make them aware of purchase at the nearest des- providing rice and sanitiser. The MLA had procured the partments, NGOs and in- hand washing and social ignated vegetable market. rice from department of Food and Civil Supplies with the dividuals concerned and distancing. Chief medical The public are also directed aid of advisor Pukhayi Sumi. Minister and president BJP encouraged them to work officer (CMO) Wokha, Dr. to strictly maintain social Temjen Imna Along provided 50 litres of hand sanitiser hand in hand to overcome C. W. Tungoe informed distancing while shopping. to the MLA. Imkong stated that he will continue to supthese difficult times. Patton health workers that the re- Market will operate on port the constituency people through humble means. also visited JNV School ferral transport of COVID- Mondays, Wednesdays Chukitong quarantine 19 patients from one dis- and Fridays from 6 a.m to ward and interacted with trict to another was not 10 a.m till the lockdown the principal JNV Chuki- allowed once admitted in period is complete.

Changpang VLOs tong, Pankaj O Deshmukh, hospital. Advisor also doand for providing a 24 nated mask, sanitizer and distribute essential combedded quarantine ward in IEC materials in Lotha modities: Changpang his school for COVID- 19 dialect to the health units. VLOs (social action comemergencies.

CMO Wokha lauded the mittee) under Changpang Patton also distributed administration and Police block, Wokha district has MDDF team with council members with relief rice for 1st phase of essential com- for supporting the medical distributed essential com- distribution to PwDs. modities and food grains to staff and sought for more modities to 50 households Relief handed over to PwDs in Mokokchung: Mokokc37 A/C. The distribution co-ordination to create of the under-privileged and hung district administration has given rice relief to was done in the presence awareness. vulnerable section whose Person with Disabilities (PwDs) through Mokokchung of DC Wokha Orenthung ADC Wokha des- lives are affected due to District Disable Forum (MDDF) on April 16. A press Lotha, SP Imtitoshi, Dr. ignates sale of agri pro- lockdown. This was stated release from Care and Support Society Mokokchung Wothungo Tungoe CMO, duce: ADC & administra- in a press release from stated that, due to COVID19 rules the team members Yanthungo Kikon presi- tor Wokha Town Coun- NSRLM Changpang block of MDDF could not enter the area. In this regard, the dent BJP Wokha, district cil, Wokha, K. Mhathung area coordinator Benthun- team handed over the rice relief to council members to party officials and 37th Tsanglao, has informed go Odyuo. distribute in their respective community.

Mon district

Mokokchung district

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Have air and water pollutions decreased after lockdown?

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

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

A

B

C

A Yes. B No. C Can’t say.

94% 0% 6%

Next poll

Q: Is s the state govt failing

to provide better PPEs to health workers?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t say.

WEATHER FORECAST apr 18

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Rather cloudy and humid

32 22

Hazy sunshine

27 18

Aizawl

Guwahati Morning t-storm; mostly cloudy 28 19 Imphal

A t-storm around in the a.m

28 17

Itanagar Cloudy with showers

24 18

Shillong Cloudy with a shower

21 14

Kohima

Cloudy; t-storm in spots

Dimapur Some rain; t-storm in the a.m Mkg

Cloudy; t-storm in spots

Tuensang A t-storm in spots Wokha

Zunheboto district

A morning t-storm; Cloudy

Zunheboto A morning thunderstorm

K Y M C

21 14 29 19 22 15 16 12 22 18 20 13

NCC and NSS cadets during the special training held at CMO office in Zunheboto.

helping and assisting the duty personnel to tackle the deadly virus. They will further be divided into groups and be given details for their duty. Zunheboto town on Thursday and Friday saw a total lockdown with restrictions on human and vehicle movement other than emergency, official and duty personnel. As ordered by the deputy commissioner Zunheboto the days to buy essential goods and other necessities are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and other days will be total lockdown.

Zunheboto district administration installs water tank: EACs under Zunheboto district administration installed water tank in public places of Zunheboto town on April 17, for people to wash off their hands while on work around the area. A press release from COVID-India media reporter, Bombo K Yeptho stated that, this was to maintain proper hygiene and cleanliness in Officers installing the water tank for public use at the town to fight against COVID-19.

Zunheboto town on April 17.

CMO Zunbeboto holds special training for contact tracing: CMO office held a special training for contact tracing team, NCC and NSS to assist the duty personnel for tackling COVID-19 pandemic on April 16 in Zunheboto. A press release from COVID-India media reporter, Bombo K Yeptho stated that, training session equipped the participants about following various norms in regard to prevent the spread of COVID-19. NCC and NSS cadets also expressed their views towards

Dimapur district

Moatoshi along with others during the distribution of rice relief in his constituency. (DIPR)

DPRO Dimapur ready to dispatch announcers at various locations under Dimapur district on Friday. (DIPR)

Jacob reviews COVID-19 preparedness level in Dimapur district: To review the preparedness for COVID-19 in Dimapur district, a meeting under the chairmanship of minister of PHED, Jacob Zhimomi was convened in the conference hall of DC Dimapur on April 17.

According to DIPR report, the meeting deliberated on: DC Dimapur to deploy administrative officers for streamlining distribution of essential commodities. To issue directives to the village council chairmen/GBs to ensure that essential commodities distributed under DDMA reaches the neediest persons i.e daily wage earners, stranded labourers and migrants; House discussed for providing Helpline by the district administration to the quarantined areas of Marwari Patti Murgi Patti and GS Road and accordingly the district administration provided the Helpline No9609618473. Meeting also decided to make arrangements for home delivery of medicine and to make fresh healthy food accessible in the quarantined areas by deploying Red Cross volunteers; Village Council chairmen/GBs were directed not to obstruct movement of administration, Medical, Police, Press and people rendering essential services under any circumstances; Meeting also decided to make arrangements for home delivery of sanitised LPG cylinders and officials transporting and distributing cylinders to mandatorily wear masks; DC Dimapur to issue public advisory for maintaining calm and to stay at home and also for public to mandatorily wear masks

Tuensang district

Tuensang DTF meeting for monitoring and management: Tuensang District Task Force (DTF) held a meeting for monitoring and management of the issues related to COVID-19 on April 16 at DC’s conference hall under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant. According to DIPR report, DC highlighted on the need to transport the suspected COVID-19 samples for testing without delay and in this regard epidemiologist Dr. John was asked to tie up with agencies concerned at Mokokchung so that the samples from Tuensang are maintained and no delays happen in Mokokchung. He also stated that the district has vaccine carriers which can transport only 30 test samples and additional thermocol carriers will be needed to transport more samples. He also spelled the need for more Viral Transport Mediums (VTM). President CKS, Nungsanglemba Chang highlighted the need to have a testing lab in Tuensang to meet the needs of Eastern Nagaland region. DC requested the NGOs to bring their concerns to the notice of the government and directed the medical team to be on duty at Sao Chang College quarantine centre from breakfast till dinner time. He also asked the CMO to write to the directorate of Health and Family Welfare to make provisions to train medical personnel of Tuensang district on use of cpap and ventilators. DC also apprised on the need for a portable x-ray machine at Longpang Health Centre and asked the members to identify ways and means to acquire the same through monthly installment. In the event of detection of COVID-19 positive case in the district, home delivery of essentials may be the only available option of maintaining supply of essentials, DC stated.

while leaving home to procure essential commodities.

The public are also directed to practice social distancing for fighting the pandemic; It was decided that the CMO is to prepare the menu to be served in the quarantine centers to ensure that people under quarantine gets balanced diet; Western Sumi Hoho and Naga Council Dimapur, Food and Civil Supplies Dimapur are to work in coordination with Dimapur District Task Force.

The meeting was attended by advisor Power, Tovihoto, advisor, Sericulture, Excise and Minority Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, Azheto MLA, DC Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi, Commissioner Police Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo, CMO and MS Dimapur and assistant director, Food and Civil Supplies.

PA system announcement intensified in Dimapur: District administration Dimapur has intensified announcement through public address system on April 17.

According to DIPR report, this was necessitated to disseminate important notifications/orders issued by the district administration and Police and also to continue creating awareness about COVID-19 to the general public. Announcement is being carried throughout the length and breadth of Dimapur district through DPRO Dimapur.

2 Dimapur II humanitarian relief: Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA distributed 15,000 kgs of rice to 3000 families in 2 Dimapur II A/C on April 17. According to DIPR report, besides his personal contribution, the administration (DC office)

contributed an additional 25 quintals which will be distributed to orphanages and other charitable institutions. Moatoshi said the list of beneficiaries was collected in consultation with the respective councils and residents of various localities and priority was given to the families without a ration card and families with marginal income.

CCC Dimapur distributes rice to downtrodden families: Chatteswary Colony Council (CCC) Dimapur distributed rice to down trodden families of Chatteswary Colony, Dimapur on April 17. A press release from CCC chairman Heshito Sema stated that, the continuous lockdown has affected many families in the colony. It added that advisor of Power, Tovihoto Ayemi had provided 8 bags of rice to the council which was distributed.

Committee to inspect quarantine centres in Dimapur: Committee for arrangement of quarantine centre for COVID-19 has started inspecting all the hotels requisitioned for quarantine centre in Dimapur district from April 17. According to DIPR report, as the Committee would continue inspection, the concern hotels requisitioned for quarantine centers are directed to be present at their respective hotels along with all the management team.

DBPF appeal to public: Dimapur Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (DBPF) has pointed out the need to encourage every believer to display more Christ-like nature during this challenging time. A press release from DBPF, while stressing on the adherence of various medical advice and social distancing also reminded everyone to cautiously continue to “love your neighbors” as Jesus Christ taught. Stressing on the plight of frontline workers, like Medical professionals, Police, administration, etc, the DBPF reminded everyone to be grateful to them because they were protecting the populace against COVID-19 pandemic. DBPF also stated that, instead of misunderstanding and stigmatizing the frontline workers, whoever was in quarantine or any positive patient, one must learn to be considerate with each other.

Kohima district

Legislators during their visit to one of the primary health centre in Kohima district.

Kohima COVID-19 Task Force inspection updates: Kohima COVID19 Task Force led by minister incharge Tongpang Ozukum, and advisor in-charge Dr Nicky Kire, visited various primary health centres in Kohima district to inspect the undergoing works related to the community preparedness and response plan for COVID-19. A press release from press secretary Imliyanger Aier to minister of Housing & Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum stated that, the team visited PHC Kimipfuphe, PHC Jakhama and CHC Viswema

on April 15, where works for a 40 bedded quarantine centre is currently undergoing at Viswema CHC. It may be mentioned that the quarantine centre is being undertaken from the 50% grant-in-aid given to all VDBs. Tongpang Ozukum directed all the VDBs to utilize the money released by the state government only for COVID-19 related works. The team also visited Urban Primary Health Centre, Seikhazou and finally concluded the inspection tour with a periodical review meeting of Kohima District Task Force.

Kohima Police on Thursday seized as many as 140 vehicles for violating the lockdown, which is being imposed to control the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Police personnel has been manning the town area in Kohima district to check that lockdown orders are being adhered to by public.

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national/State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

‘India received 5 lakh rapid COVID-19 testing kits’ New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI): India has received the much-awaited five lakh rapid COVID-19 testing kits from China and these are not meant for an early diagnosis of the disease rather for monitoring whether coronavirus hotspots in India are increasing or showing a declining trend, the government said on Thursday.

Addressing a daily briefing on COVID-19 situation in the country, chief of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at ICMR Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar said the serologic rapid testing kits have been provided by two Chinese companies.

“These kits will be used to check antibodies which the body of a person prepares as a weapon to fight a virus. There are different types of antibodies, one of which is immunoglobulin M (IgM) that does not stay for more than a few days and spotting of IgM antibody means the infection is recent, he said.

Whereas, detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG)

antibody indicates that our immune system is improving. If only IgG and no IgM antibody is detected, it is assumed to be an old infection, Dr Gangakhedkar explained.

He said the rapid antibody test kits procured are not meant for early diagnosis, but “only for surveillance and trend checking”.

The five lakh kits include two types -- those that can confirm the presence of IgG as well as IgM. “The tests can be done periodically to see the trend.

If we do an antibody test say after around two weeks, these will appear in only 80 per cent of the people.

That is why these tests are not used for early diagnosis but are for surveillance,” the ICMR official said.

Till date, RT-PCR is the ultimate test for the detection of novel coronavirus, he asserted.

About reports suggesting that such kits are faulty, Dr Gangakhedkar acknowledged that the sensitivity and specificity of these are less.

Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar “Since rapid antibody tests are for monitoring and surveillance, there is no concern with respect to the testing kits being faulty. That concern was with respect to immune response alone,” he explained.

He further said that 2,90,401 samples have been tested so far, of which 30,043 were tested on Wednesday itself.

Out of the tests carried out on Wednesday, 26,331 were done in laboratories under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) network and 3,712 in private labs, he added.

Commenting on the testing capacity of ICMR

network, the official said, “Working in one shift, more than 42,400 samples can be tested each day. If we work in two shifts, we will be able to test more than 78,200 samples daily.”

Dr Gangakhedkar further talked about the use of doing pooled testing which, he said, will reduce cost and yield the same result.

This can be done in areas where positivity rate is low, he added.

According to the health ministry, the death toll due to the novel coronavirus rose to 420 with 28 fatalities reported since Wednesday evening, while the number of cases saw a jump of 826

WSH issues stern warning against abuse...

(From p-1) WSH also noted that some churches had flouted the directives of the central and state government, NBCC and WSBAK to not hold Easter Sunday Services and suspend all forms of mass gathering. WSH said the prohibition at present was for the common safety of all and should be followed. It therefore, warned that it will take strong action on those who wilfully violated and disregarded the advisory and also appealed to all Sumis to “act responsibly, maturely and abstain from bringing further shame and disgrace to the community.”

Police arrest 1 over viral video

Dimapur Police, through its official Twitter handle, Friday evening informed that they arrested one Heveto Awomi of Nihoto Village based on a suo moto FIR lodged in connection with a video clip showing some non local individuals being physically screened by a car tape.

Police stated that a case has been registered at Diphupar PS.

CM holds video conference with DCs, SPs, CMOs

(From p-1) Meanwhile, the chief minister, in a tweet, said he had interaction with the officials of the multi-department Chief Secretary’s war room on COVID-19 where integrated information system is managed, analysed and decisions taken on prevention and management of Covid-19 in Nagaland. He expressed gratitude to everyone for their dedication and hard work.

On Friday, the chief minister also visited Chedema and the new site for quarantine centre at K. Badze along with legislators in-charge of Kohima for Covid-19 measures. Appreciating the efforts of the frontline workers, Rio said he took note of their feedback, adding that they were urged to practice universal safety measures.

NWHD’s appeal to state government DIMAPUR, APR 17 (NPN): To combat this deadly virus effectively, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) has appealed to the state government to ensure that medical teams and all frontline workers on COVID-19 duty were well equipped with necessary personal protective equipments (PPE).

It also urged the government to ensure that the COVID-19 hospital at Dimapur was fully prepared and ready to treat patients, as and when required, at the earliest.

Naga Women Hoho Dimapur further expressed its profound gratitude and appreciation to all frontline workers, citizens concerned, NGOs and various other organisations working tirelessly to ensure the safety of people despite the risks involved.

Naga Women Hoho Dimapur requested the general public to be very cautious by staying home, maintaining social distance and following the rules framed by the government for their own safety and for the safety of “our people”.

T S Singh Deo New Delhi, Apr 17 (PTI): Chhattisgarh will start pool sample testing for COVID-19 in a couple of days, state’s Health Minister T S Singh Deo said on Friday, while ruing the Modi government’s “conservative” testing strategy instead of an “aggressive” approach, which would have put the country in a much better position to fight the pandemic.

In an interview to PTI, Deo also said the Chhattisgarh government is in the process of procuring 75,000 rapid testing kits on its own and has also asked the Centre for providing some.

“We have re-tendered for 75,000 kits on Thursday.

We have also appealed to the Central government (for giving us kits) which I hear is to get a tranche of about 6,40,000 kits from abroad.

Chhatisgarh is one of those states where we don’t have K Y M C

even a single kit today,” Deo said.

The Centre is likely to send rapid testing kits to the state by Saturday, he said.

However, he was not aware of the number being sent.

He also asserted that the personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, dealing directly with COVID-19 patients was in short supply.

On the state set to adopt pool testing, Deo said, “We were one of those states asking for it. On Tuesday, the ICMR cleared this. We have talked to the laboratories at AIIMS and the medical college (Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Medical College) in Raipur. They are in agreement that they will be able to do it,” he said.

AIIMS Raipur has a capacity of 350-400 sample tests in a day and with pool testing it can go up to 2,000,

on whether the summer heat will hinder the spread of novel coronavirus, Dr Gangakhedkar said there is no scientific evidence at the moment to prove it.

About Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that India was not conducting enough coronavirus tests, the ICMR said, “India tests 24 people for one positive case, while Japan tests 11.7, Italy 6.7 and US tests 5.3. So, one cannot say that India is testing less.”

At the press briefing, it was also informed that more than 16 lakh free meals have been served by the Indian Railways. Five thousand beds in 17 dedicated Railway hospitals and hospital blocks have been identified and more than 5,000 isolation coaches readied, while over 8 lakh wagons have carried supplies throughout the country.

Antibodies are usually developed in a body around 14 days after an infection.

Agarwal also said asked states to resume ante-natal check-ups and routine immunisation activities.

AMETHI (UP) APR 17 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sent several truckloads of food grains and other essential items for the people of Amethi to help them tide over their hardships during the lockdown, the the Congress’ district unit said here on Friday.

Amethi’s former Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has sent five trucks each of rice and wheat besides one truck of pulses, cooking oil, spices and other material for distribution among people, said party’s district unit president Anil Singh.

It is Rahul Gandhi’s endeavour to ensure that Amethi people face no difficulty in meeting their daily needs during these difficult times, said Singh, adding a total of 16,400 ration kits have been distributed among people of 877 gram panchayats and seven nagar panchayats here so far.

For protecting people against coronavirus infection, 50,000 masks, 20,000 sanitizers, 20,000 soaps and other similar material have

Rahul Gandhi been distributed among “corona warriors” on behalf of Rahul Gandhi, said Singh.

Besides ‘Congress fights Corona’ group, being run under the guidance of Rahul Gandhi, is extending help to the Amethi natives living in other states, Singh said, adding that 91 people in Madhya Pradesh, 212 in Gujarat, 308 in Maharashtra, 52 in West Bengal and 308 in Punjab and Haryana have been helped by the group.

Earlier too Rahul Gandhi had sent food grains for Amethi people.

Nikhil Kumaraswamy weds Revathi at farmhouse amid lockdown Bengaluru, April 17 (IANS): Former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Gowda married Revathi at a farmhouse near Bidadi in Ramanagara district amid the extended lockdown, a spokesman said on Friday.

“As scheduled, the wedding was held at the auspicious time (10-11 a.m.) in the farmhouse at Kethaganahalli near Bidadi in the presence of family members and close relatives,” Kumaraswamy’s media secretary K.C. Sadananda told IANS on phone.

The farmhouse is 3 km from Bidadi and 45 km southwest of Bengaluru towards Mysuru in the state.

Nikhil (28) got engaged to Revathi (22), grand niece of state Congress leader M. Krishnappa, in Bengaluru on February 10.

“About 100 people attended the ceremony, performed as per Hindu rites by priests in the presence of the couple’s parents, other family members and relatives,” said Sadananda.

Among those present were Nikhil’s grandfather -- JD-S supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, grandmother Chennamma, uncles, including state’s former minister H.D. Revanna, cousin and Hassan Lok Sabha member Prajwal Hegde.

“The wedding was simple without frills. The grandparents and the couple’s parents blessed the bride and bridegroom amid chanting of Vedic hymns by family priests,” recalled Sadanada.

The lockdown extension since April 15 to May 3 forced the Gowda clan to shift

COVID-19: Chhattisgarh to start pool testing while the Raipur medical college has about 100-120 samples capacity which would be able to go up to 500-600 in a day, he said, adding that “the pool testing would start within a day or two.”

Pooling of samples involves testing them in batches and when pooled sample tests positive, then individual samples are assessed. Pool testing reduces the number of test kits used, and therefore, increases testing capacity.

Asked about former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s assertion on ramping up testing, Deo said it has to be the way forward because if one is not testing aggressively then it is like being in a “dark room” and working on speculation.

He said different protocols are being followed around the world and while one advocated a lockout, the other was testing and regulating movement.

“Between South Korea and India, South Korea has tested about 7,000 per million, while India, I don’t think it would have touched even 200 per million, so that is the gap....It is easier not to have a lockdown if you have a more aggressive testing protocol. Then you are more aware of where to prevent people from moving around and where to allow people to be much freer to move around,” Deo said.

to go up to 12,759 cases on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said, “If our case fatality rate is 3.3 per cent then the percentage of people who have recovered so far is around 12.02 per cent.”

He also said that 325 districts in India have not reported any coronavirus case so far because of actions initiated at field level.

Also, the implementation of containment strategies in some districts which earlier had reported COVID19 cases, have yielded positive results. One of such place is Puducherry’s Mahe district where no case of the infection has been reported in the last 28 days. There are 27 other districts also where no positive case has been reported in a fortnight, he said.

These 27 districts include Panipat and Rohtak in Haryana, Patna in Bihar, Nadia in West Bengal, and Wayanad and Kottayam in Kerala.

Replying to a query

3 Rahul sends truckloads of food material to Amethi

“The testing protocol (adopted by the Centre) was very conservative. The entire testing protocol in the country was with only one facility initially, NIV (National Institute of Virology), Pune.

Now we have 220 labs. So either the government was not prepared or not planning,” he alleged.

Deo said that selective testing created a “big gap” between the asymptomatic population and those tested, and that was one of the reasons for the spread of the virus. On Chhattisgarh having fewer number of cases and zero death, the minister said the key was that the state started preparations early and then luck also played its part.

“We did start early, that is true. We started on January 27 by putting in the rapid task force headed by the district collectors so that the inter-department coordination would be there as just the health department would not have been able to ensure compliance (of protocols) beyond a point,” he said.

“We are fortunate to have had only 33 cases, so I would give a lot to chance, a lot to luck, maybe our people have been alert. We have had a large population that has been under quarantine, Wednesday’s figures were 94,795 in home quarantine and 242 in government quarantine facilities,” he said.

Police allegedly assault dental surgeon in Wokha D I M A P U R , A PR 1 7 (NPN): Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch (IDANSB) has strongly condemned what it described as “the barbaric act of felony” allegedly committed by the police personnel on Dr. Mongshithung Murry while he had gone out of the house to purchase essential supplies for his family at Wokha town on April 17, 2020.

In a press release, Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch p r e s i d e n t D r. K a k e t o Yepthomi said that the victim was “brutally assaulted” despite appeal to the police personnel and even after producing his proof of identification as a medical professional.

IDANSB claimed the victim suffered massive injury and intense trauma after he was hit by police baton.

Strongly denouncing the “unwarranted inhumane criminal act” committed on the doctor by the drunken police personnel who were on official duty, the IDANSB has appealed to responsible authorities to take action at the earliest least there be repercussions and boycotting of medical services by the association.

Nikhil Gowda (L), son of former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy (C), ties the knot with Revathi (R) in a low-key event in Bengaluru. (PTI) the wedding venue to the farmhouse from the bride’s house in Bengaluru, which is a Covid-19 hotspot, with over 80 positive cases reported so far.

“Kumaraswamy took the state government’s permission to conduct the marriage at his farmhouse and secured car passes to ferry the family members and relatives from Bengaluru,” noted Sadanand.

Though Ramanagara is a green spot without a single Covid-19 case so far, security was tightened for the event and the 3 km road to the farmhouse from the state highway at Bidadi was blocked to prevent the party’s cadres and Nikhil’s fans from

flocking to the venue.

“As the lockdown norms do not permit more than 100 guests for a ceremony like wedding, Kumaraswamy has requested the people, including the party’s members to bless the couple from their homes to prevent crowding,” Sadanand said.

Nikhil’s mother Anita is the JD-S legislator from the Ramanagara assembly segment. She won the seat in the November 2018 by-election after Kumaraswamy vacated it, as he had also won from the adjacent Channapatna assembly segment in the May 2018 assembly elections in the southern state and retained it.

ICMR to study effectiveness of BCG vaccine (From p-1) where it may improve the resistance power by working as an immunomodulator on the body to kill the target cells.

“However, in COVID19, the chances are less because BCG vaccine gives protection for a maximum of 15 years. Studies suggest that if re-vaccination has to be done, then it should be done in adolescence.

“What that effectively means is that if one is 70 years old and COVID-19 positive, then one cannot be protected by BCG vaccine,” Dr Gangakhedkar said, adding there is not enough evidence to state that getting a repeat BCG vaccination will protect someone who is above 15 years against

coronavirus infection.

He was also asked about researchers at the Gujarat government-run Biotechnology Research Centre claiming success in decoding the entire genome sequence of the novel coronavirus and in identifying its three new mutations. They have expressed confidence that the findings will help in developing medicines or vaccines. To this, Dr Gangakhedkar said decoding the whole genome sequence of the virus has not been done for the first time.

“People from different countries bring various virus species while travelling. We have seen presence of various species of the virus in our country,” he said.

Three novel coronavi-

rus strains have been traced in India -- the first one was from China’s Wuhan and the other two from Italy and Iran. Although, the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus strain from Iran was similar to that from China.

“It will take some time for us to know the predominant quasi-species of novel coronavirus in the country.

But mutations are not likely to make potential vaccines ineffective, as all sub-types of the virus have same enzymes. Also it has been in India for three months and it does not mutate very fast,” Dr Gangakhedkar said.

“Whatever vaccine comes out, we can say as of now that it may work in the future if the virus mutates,” he said.

Health workers face ‘social ostracization’

(From p-1) Asking the logic of the order, another doctor remarked if the PPEs and other protective gears were not good enough then the government must supply better quality PPEs and protective gears so that all the health workers could be protected.

Mentioning that all doctors and health workers wore PPEs and other protective gears hoping that these would protect them and that they also followed the protocol by maintaining hygiene at home, he however commented that the order, which was widely publicised, made them feel discriminated from the society.

“If the health workers don’t feel safe, then how can the public feel safe? And by issuing the order and publicising it, the government was only creating fear psychosis

among the citizens,” he added.

A senior health practitioner alleged that order had made many health workers difficult to even visit grocery shops, markets and banks as many suspected them to be virus carriers, adding that the government should have properly studied social ramifications of the order, before issuing it.

He regretted that some people in certain towns had even started to pass “unpleasant comments” against the health workers like “Do not bring the virus”, adding it was humiliating to hear such comments when they were risking their lives for the citizens of the State.

Meanwhile, during an interaction with Nagaland Post, chief secretary Temjen Toy assured of reviewing the advisory with the department concerned.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 131 Dimapur, saturday, APRIL 18, 2020

T

A crucial phase

here seems to be some confusion with regard to one COVID-19 case diagnosed in Guwahati Medical College Hospital on April 12 night.

According to Assam health & family welfare and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the patient is from Nagaland (Dimapur). As per the national statistics issued through the government of India, the COVID-19 record for Nagaland reveals one confirmed case and no recovery. On the other hand, the government of Nagaland has, in its daily update, showed no positive COVID-19 case in the state.

Now there are inherent contradictions between the government of India and government of Nagaland records. According to an official source, the reason why the government of Nagaland has not included the COVID-19 patient currently undergoing treatment in Guwahati, is that he was diagnosed at GMCH and not in Nagaland. Going by the update issued by the government of India, the COVID-19 patient from Nagaland was placed under the state since he is a resident of Dimapur. The argument of the state government that the COVID-19 case of a patient from Dimapur was not shown in the report since he had been diagnosed at GMCH is quite tricky. If that were so, then what can one make out of the information from private hospital sources which indicated that they were inclined to believe that the patient who had gone for check up showed symptoms of COVID? Whether the case was referred to District Hospital Dimapur , now designated as COVID-19 Hospital and if yes then what was the reason behind not admitting him? The private hospital as well as the COVID-19 hospital should have taken due diligence to confirm that the patient needed to be kept under surveillance and tested for COVID-19.Even if there was some doubt, the patient should have been kept under quarantine and have swab sent for testing. The fact that the patient was taken by ambulance to Guwahati where he was soon tested positive for COVID-19 raises questions on the preparedness of the state in combating COVID-19.This is not peculiar to Nagaland and it is also a problem in other states. This only shows that much streamlining needs to be done in order to be somewhere near the state of preparedness. The main test done presently is Reverse TranscriptasePolymerase Chain Reaction or RT-PCR. This is the most commonly used confirmatory test to identify Covid-19 cases. The test reads the presence of virus RNA in sputum or swab taken from a throat, nose or lower respiratory organ to detect if a patient is indeed a carrier. According to virologists the RTPCR test is more sensitive because in detecting the virus, the nucleic acid (RNA or the building block of the virus) is amplified many times over to detect the presence of the microbe. Despite being a highly sensitive test, sometimes even the RT-PCR tests may fail to detect the presence of virus in a sample.

Thus, it only goes to show that India is in need of serological tests kits to conduct anti-body tests in clusters which have shown local outbreaks. The point is, that while achieving accurate tests, COVID19 may be on its way to the most dangerous Stage 3 level or community transmission and then it could explode. The anti-COVID-19 measures will have to be taken on war footing and lockdown will have to become more stringent if loss of lives is to be greatly reduced.

DailyDevotion All or Nothing?

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment…and plunged into the sea. —John 21:7

Have you ever had a crisis in your life in which you deliberately, earnestly, and recklessly abandoned everything? It is a crisis of the will.

You may come to that point many times externally, but it will amount to nothing. The true deep crisis of abandonment, or total surrender, is reached internally, not externally. The giving up of only external things may actually be an indication of your being in total bondage.

Have you deliberately committed your will to Jesus Christ? It is a transaction of the will, not of emotion; any positive emotion that results is simply a superficial blessing arising out of the transaction. If you focus your attention on the emotion, you will never make the transaction.

Do not ask God what the transaction is to be, but make the determination to surrender your will regarding whatever you see, whether it is in the shallow or the deep, profound places internally.

If you have heard Jesus Christ’s voice on the waves of the sea, you can let your convictions and your consistency take care of themselves by concentrating on maintaining your intimate relationship to Him.

Quotes

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. ~ Steve Jobs

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

Post-mortem

COVID-19 and its impact “A on Nagaland economy

Recognition for our health care workers

T

he Covid-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of the present generation and the greatest challenge since WW II. The new sickness, COVID-19, has become one of the most tormenting problem globally that has literally pause the normal functioning of daily life. Certainly, it could be a serious thing in many aspects, but has few positive weights like the reduction of carbon emission and to focus more on research and development in medical science, better health care facilities and its infrastructure in the future.

On an economist perspective, it is indeed not very healthy situation for the global economy in general, and particularly among the G7 countries (U.S, Canada, U.K, France, Germany, Italy and Japan). It has been observed that the global economic fallout could led to economic recessions in the U.S, European countries, Japan and the slowest growth will experience in China, Brazil, South Korea, Canada, India and a total of $ 2.7 trillion loss of output-equivalent to the entire GDP of the United Kingdom in days to come. On the other hand Indian economy would be severely hit by the Covid-19 and could even enter into a contraction of economic activities, depending upon the severity of the pandemic. The contraction could be (minus) -0.2 per cent for the fiscal year 2020-21 and the economy will be hit badly because of possible job losses and fall in income levels. Due to the complete lockdown and mobility restrictions, this demand for service may collapse, and aggregate consumption during the interruption phase may get completely lost.

However, the lockdown in India and especially Nagaland in the wake of Covid19 has put the state economy into a stage of uncertainty. In Nagaland were 71.14 per cent of its population lives in rural sector and account 6.1 per cent of rural population lives below poverty line as per Rangara-

E

jan committee report 2011-12 depends on rural economy for their livelihood. In recent lockdown, larger population especially in rural areas, is in a state of obvious instability over issues including agriculture and allied activities, rural credit and also marketing of agriculture products to urban areas were almost all the households in rural areas directly depend for their subsistence. While the total shut down of economic activities in urban sector has a catastrophic effect on rural areas resulting in larger fall in employment and income in days to come.

This will adversely affect investment flow, production of goods and services, domestic consumption, demand, export, pulling down constant GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) growth rate of the economy from 5.8 per cent during 201617 to below.

In Nagaland, agriculture and allied sector contributes 27.47 per cent to GSDP and total export of the state stand at US$ 2.78 million during 2018-19 and US$ 2.40 million in FY20 (till September 2019) but would likely to fall by the end of fiscal year. No doubt, small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers as well as daily wage earners working in informal sector in rural areas are the most affected due to the total breakdown of supply chains of essential items and agriculture inputs. Again, if lockdown continuous for longer period then the production from agriculture sector will fall drastically and almost all the households in rural sector face a high risk of falling into poverty and will experience greater challenges in regaining their livelihoods during the recovery period.

In urban sector were 44 per cent of the population accounted for regular wage earner or salaried while 43 per cent was self-employed and the remaining in casual labour as per 61th NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation) Report. It was experience that

almost all the self-employed, startup entrepreneur, small business and workers working both formal and informal sectors of the economy are hard hit by COVID-19 lockdown in the state. Yet, they often receive less government support than government employees during lockdown period. Is the disparity justified? In urban areas informal sector being badly affected has resulted in loss of urban employment and income at higher rate. What’s more, massive layoffs and lack of relief measures are pushing migrant workers to return to their villages. As per the NSSO report during 2016-17, tertiary and manufacturing sectors account almost 56.34 and 11.80 per cent to SGDP (State Gross Domestic Product) and if the lockdown continue, then the contribution from those sectors will fall and the economy will experience recession along with stagflation.

At this point of time state government seems to be struggling to find an appropriate mechanism to tackle the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. What is really the best option? And how do we ensure that, once the pandemic is over. However, policy suggest that effective and holistic approach of macroeconomic stability measures in the short run such as strengthening MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) programme in rural sector for longer period, supplying of free ration to poor rural-urban households through the public distribution system, large scale direct cash transfer using the Jan Dhan account, provide soft loans to households that lose wage days, Rescheduling bank loan repayment cycles for Self Help Groups (SHGs) and individual agricultural debtors, direct financial assistance to self-employed workers, small business house and young startup entrepreneur.

Dr. Chubakumzuk Jamir Yingli College, Longleng

ngels does exist and heroes do wear capes.

When the story of the covid-19 pandemic will be written, the main heroes will definitely be our angels in white, blue and green—The Health Workers.”

While everyone is advised to stay at home, the health workers are in the frontline to address the epic public health challenge we are facing, fighting head on against the deadly covid-19. Despite the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), health workers are still out in the most dangerous zone, risking their own health, simply to perform their respective duties. But why? Why are they risking their own life for us? Are they getting any benefit out of it?

The answer is No. They are doing it simply because they feel a sense of responsibility towards mankind.

It is an act of humanity. The efforts of our frontline healthcare provides will be rewarded by God but how can we contribute? How do we show our support and appreciation for what they are doing for us? Is it by thrashing them with hate comments and treating them like they’re the villains? Lets try putting ourselves in the shoes of a healthcare provider. If just the news of one positive covid19 case has triggered so much fear in our hearts, what do you think the health workers who’ll actually comes in contact with the virus have to go through mentally? The fear of getting infected, the fear of death and the fear of never getting to see their families again. How many of us are willing to risk our future like that?

No healthcare worker deserves any mental harassment when they are called to step out of their homes to perform their duties. Where is our humanity? Where is our Christianity? Where is our loving, caring and giving nature? Where is our love towards mankind? Where is Nagaland for Christ? Where is our modern broad minded society? Where is our support and appreciation? For once lets question ourselves, “what are we doing?”. When the healthcare providers are our heroes right now, it our duty to encourage, motivate, and help them both mentally and emotionally rather than passing comments and looking at them in a suspicious way as if they are carrying the virus with them to infect us. Tomorrow if we somehow get infected by the corona virus, to whom are we going to look up to for help? Are we that stupid towards ourselves? When our government is

The better time to learn lessons

very natural calam- Nagaland is trying its best My apprehension is that the can easily spread the virus ity that had affected to prevent the spread of worst can occur when the due to ignorance and nonhumanity is a fulfil- the COVID-19 and yet its lockdown is relaxed as we detection. Therefore, what ment of the Biblical proph- readiness to tackle the in- know how contagious is the the World Health esies for the end times. The timidating pandemic seems virus. As for Nagaland, we Organisation (WHO) incessant natural calamities to be in haywire. The State may have to opt for the lock- of the UN has advised with of floods, hurricanes, vol- Govt. should not have be- down to be the better weap- the slogan ‘Test, Test and canoes, earthquakes, pes- come so helpless to keep ev- on against the pandemic Test’ is the most imperative tilences and the incurable ery basic requirement be it rather than relaxing the challenge at the moment. diseases are predicted in hospital beds with requisite social distancing by which Does Nagaland Govt. has the Bible as every Christian equipments, be it personal the safety of the people will sufficient and reliable testknows. Despite being such protection gears for physi- be put to high risk. I am ing kits for the citizens a nominal Christian as cians or be it reliable test- also made to imagine how to have the requisite test myself, I too believe in the ing kits and medicines for many physicians will have particularly of those livBible no matter how theo- treating any victim of the the commitment to give ing in a very vulnerable retical I am. I do believe the pandemic with the funds at sincere care to the COVID- area like Dimapur? At this ongoing global COVID-19 its disposal. Indeed, it is dis- 19 patients sacrificially here critical moment, imposing pandemic/plague which appointing to observe how in Nagaland. Till today, the lockdown alone may not is so contiguous and the the necessary preparations Health Department has save the people unless the spread of which is so spec- of the Govt. are found to be been assuring the people Health Department adopts tacular that this may be disoriented and that gives of Nagaland that out of the similar step undertaken by considered as one of the doubt to the people of the tests of the samples so far no Rajasthan Govt. Lest the major precursors to the State rather than rest assur- more positive case is found Govt. intensifies its preveninevitable Biblical Tribu- ing despite verbal promises. in addition to that single tive measures, even when lation.

Nevertheless, it is irrational case. If at all Nagaland is someone dies of COVIDMeanwhile, India is for anyone to politicize any indeed kept free from the 19 in Nagaland, the State struggling to contain the related issue and unwise plague, it’s all because of will remain perfect with no spread of the plague by im- for anyone to take undue the sheer providence of positive case barring one. posing the lockdown of the advantage for political or the Living God who has The Nagaland Health country for 21 days which personal mileage. It is also listened to the prayers of Department has been reasis now extended, and yet for the Govt. to remain those few true believers. We suring the citizens of Nadespite the best efforts the magnanimous and updated thank God. galand that the suspected relentless rate of the spread itself from the constructive The Chief Minister of COVID-19 samples from of the disease vis-a-vis the views and not to be allergic Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot Nagaland which are bedeath rate in the country is to criticisms as upholding reportedly claimed to have ing sent to laboratories in a matter of concern. India its pride at this moment is screened 5 crore of his citi- other States for test and the has maximum slum areas not going to help anyone. zens out of 7.5 crore of the returned results are all reliand much higher popula- This is the time for us, ir- population for COVID-19. able since it is always done tion living below poverty respective of belonging to This Govt. has done the according to specifications. line comparing to those different political parties, basic requirement which Good. Yet, a point of concountries as Italy, Spain Govt. servant or public, is the only surest way to cern is when any of those or USA which are badly professional or laymen to overcome the disease. The designated laboratories is affected. In the event of stand together as a people physicians placed under pressure by the failing to contain the spik- while fighting against the know it better and yet owner for various reasons, ing spread of the disease plague.

I am made to understand the samples from Nagaland and allowing it to reach Whereas, extra efforts that a healthier person with may not be tested on priorsuch magnitude of the have to be given by the ad- stronger immune system ity and on time as required. worst affected countries are ministration to streamline tend to delay the develop- Should there be any case of in now, only God knows, the commuters during rush ment of COVID-19 symp- the sample being tested after what a terrible situation we hour for window shopping toms despite being infected the expiry of the prescribed may face. which is found to be the very as compared to a person time of 48 hours or should Whereas, at this criti- defeat of the lockdown lest having basic weaker health. the Viral Testing Medium cal juncture, the Govt. of better discipline is enforced. Thus, such healthy person (VTM) vessel being exposed Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this

not providing good quality PPE kits to our health workers, as civilized citizens isn’t it our duty to stand united with them and fight this pandemic? Anyone can be a hero during good and comfortable times but real heroes are those who give out a helping hand during the difficult times. Instead of depending on others, can we not be our own hero? Why do we wait for the government’s role when we ourselves can play an important role toward our society? Are we less than any powerful man? Every colony and every village have good human beings, blessed with educated people, so what are we doing? Should we just sleep, dream and complain like how we usually do? We don’t need weapons to fight this war and we don’t need to gather people. We can do it right from the comfort of our homes. We can contribute by giving suggestions and planning out how to support our frontline workers when they face harassment.

We live in a modern age society where we have so many talented and educated young people who can influence and spread positivity in so many ways. So where are all the young generation? Lets join hands together and contribute to humanity.

Lets create awareness and educate our people to stop treating health workers like they’re the enemy.

Lets stop mental harassment. Lets do it through any creative way we can come up with. We’ve witnessed people harassing doctors, nurses and people working in hospitals simply because they fear that those health workers might infect the whole society. Lets remind our people of the fact that we need the health workers at this crucial hour. What’s the point asking our government where the covid-19 hospital are or how many numbers of ventilators they have if we won’t even have health workers fighting for us? Even the world’s most expensive setup delivered to our hospitals will go in vain without health workers. We have very limited number of healthcare providers in our state so please be wise about how we’re treating them. We should be supporting them instead of harassing or fighting with them. We should learn to protect not destroy.

We’re in a war right now and a war cannot be won without soldiers. So lets protect our soldiers, lets support and appreciate health workers, police department and each and every front line workers working tirelessly for our society.

Nagali Sema

to abnormal temperature, there is possibility for the laboratory to furnish distorted result. When the virus in the sample is no more alive, the test cannot produce the accurate result, and such result will only misguide. The critical analysis is not intended to discredit anyone, and yet the issue in question is extremely imperative as it relates to life and death.

There can’t be better time than the moment for the general public to introspect ourselves as to how we (including myself), the citizens of Nagaland, behaved and what we all did during those State As-

sembly elections. Very few voters voted honestly in the fear of God without mortgaging their souls for they feared that the disobedience may fetch the wrath of God in the form of plague, pestilence, earthquake and drought followed by famine. There can be no better instance than the impending danger of the pandemic threatening our very existence at the moment by which we are to learn our lesson that we deserved to face this situation because of the election sins we all had committed in particular.

(To be concluded) Z. Lohe

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Quarantine centre at hostel cum residential campus

In the midst of Covid-19, where families and friends were restricted to visit their love and near ones, it is very shocking to learn that the Hostel cum Residential campus of Nagaland University, School of Engineering and Technology, Dimapur has been designated as quarantine centre by the district administration. There are students in the hostel mainly from outside the states, which compelled them to stay back due to worst outbreak in their home state. Besides, there are many family quarters comprising of Faculties and non-teaching staffs, which makes them vulnerable to the virus. I think all sane persons do not want their children and families to be exposed to the contagious disease sharing the same compound. Moreover, it is located in the densely populated areas, which may spread like a wild fire. The quarantine centre should be located in the isolated place with few meters away from public places. Therefore, it is my humble prayer to the benign authority to kindly look into the genuiness of the plea of a layman.

A. Sayo Chang, Landmark, colony, Dimapur newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

5 Meghalaya govt. lodged FIR against leaking list of patients

Northeast/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

Cases against obstruction of COVID-19 victim: M’laya HC VP expresses anguish over refusal of locals to allow cremation/burial of senior doctor

Correspondent

Shillong, Apr 17: The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday directed the State government to register cases against those who obstruct in the control of COVID19 pandemic.

A Division Bench comprising of Justice H.S. Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, issued a directive after hearing a PIL via video conferencing filed by the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association on Thursday.

The PIL questioned the events that led to the gathering of a crowd at the crematorium at Barapathar that resulted in the body of Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang not being allowed to be cremated citing that the fumes could cause the virus to spread in the surrounding areas.

While admitting the PIL, the Court said that it is not adversarial litigation and the concerns raised are genuine and serious.

Sailo, the director of Bethany Hospital in Shillong and first COVID-19 positive case in Meghalaya, passed away on Wednesday due to medical complications after infection. “… the state authorities to take stern action for enforcement of the Rule

of Law, especially in the light of the said incidents on April 15, 2020 wherein public had broken the curfew and all social distancing norms, in coming out in protest against the proposed cremation,” the bench said.

“That any person, local body/Durbar Shnong or organization which obstructs the State authorities in the control of the pandemic or any matter connected thereto, such as dead body management, cremation and burial shall be dealt with in accordance with law and cases to be registered under appropriate provisions of law,” he said.

The court also directed the state health authorities to “immediately ensure the testing of the primary contacts and also in the event, the same is not possible to be

conducted immediately, to place the persons who have voluntarily come forward in quarantine, till such test has been conducted and to render adequate assistance as required”.

Further, the Court also directed the state authorities to “ensure that adequate assistance is rendered to patients stranded in Bethany Hospital and also housed in the other quarantine facility.”

It also directed to make “adequate food and water” available for which “the help of the civil society can also be availed to procure the same for distribution”.

The Bench also directed to ensure that “personnel are available with adequate personal protection to receive the food packets for distribution to the inmates”.

3 held in Assam for siphoning off foodgrains meant for poor Hailakandi, Apr 17 (PTI): Three persons have been arrested in connection with siphoning off rice and flour wheat meant for the poor in Hailakandi district of South Assam, police said.

District Superintendent of Policel Pabindra Kumar Nath said a huge quantity of rice and wheat were recovered from Berakhalerpar

LP School in Algapur circle on Wednesday.

"Forty-five bags of rice and five bags of wheat flour -- each bag containing 50 kg of grains, weighing around 2,500 kg -- have been recovered from the school that was used as a godown," Nath said.

Search is underway for the absconding fair price shop dealer, who also hap-

pens to be an Anchalik Panchayat member and president of the management committee of the school in which the foodgrains were kept, police said.

One person was arrested in this connection on Wednesday, while the two others were held a few days ago, a police officer said.

Further investigation is on.

It also directed the state authorities to “strictly follow the guidelines on dead body management as prescribed by the Government of India and by the World Health Organization” such as the supply of PPEs to the staff, apart from “notifying the same for the information of the general public for their sensitization”.

The state authorities have been directed to sensitize the public especially where the cremation of burial grounds are situated to avoid any further unfortunate incident as witnessed on April 15, 2020.

The state authorities have also been directed to “adhere to the procedure of handling COVID-19 suspects and infected cases as contained in the protocol” issued on March 25, 2020.

IMPHAL, Apr 17: A district of Manipur has banned spitting in public places which is now a punishable offence under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Violation of the ban will attract a fine of Rs 200, as per order of Bishnupur district deputy commissioner issued on Thursday.

Complete ban of spitting in public spaces will be implemented with immediate effect in the entire district.

The order further imposed complete ban of sale of any kind of liquor, gutka, tobacco by any shop or person in the state.

The DC also announced mandatory wearing of face mask or some kind of face cover to completely cover the nose and mouth while stepping out in public in the district.

The DC authorised police to levy fine against any person found violating Assam Rifles in conjunction with civil administration organised distribution of any of the bans included in reusable masks made by families of Assam Rifles at Fatikroy Sub Division of Unakoti the order under section 51 of the Disaster ManageDistrict. A total of 500 masks were distributed to the locals in five villages.

ment Act, 2005.

Challan of Rs 200 will be issued on the spot against any offenders, as per the order.

The bans were enforced in pursuance of the National Guidelines for COVID-19 Management issued by the Union ministry of home affairs recently, the order stated.

The spitting in public places in Manipur is related to widespread chewing of paan and gutka.

According to experts, spit can be dangerous to public health as COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets released from nose and mouth.

Currently, the world is struggling to contain the spread of the novel corona virus as it has spread to 210 countries and territories infecting more than 22 lakh people and causing more than 1.47 lakh fatalities worldwide.

Manipur also has two confirmed cases, of which one had recovered while the other is receiving treatment at a COVID-19 hospital in Imphal.

K Y M C

ity, NPF asked chief minister, Neiphiu Rio and minister health & family welfare, S. Pangnyu Phom to step down on moral ground and pave way for “alternative arrangement”. “The state government must accept the fact that continued remonstrations surfacing every now and then from its own healthcare personnel is a sheer manifestation of the government not doing enough while time is ticking for possible virus explosion,” stated NPF. NPF also highlighted the issues raised by the medical frontline workers particularly the nurses and the ambulance drivers. It also expressed displeasure over the “gag” order issued by the chief secretary of Nagaland and asked whether the order was a right act in democratic society.

NPF further asked the government to ensure quality laboratory; sufficient supply of certified PPE and medical essential; availability of all kinds of medicines all over the state; to “sanitise” Zion Hospital and declare it a “safe zone” within 24 hours; ensure the availability of essential commodities especially in far-flung villages and check the price rise of the essential commodities.

an FIR in this case has been filed and action will be taken against those people who responsible for it.

Renowned physician and philanthropist, Dr. John Sailo Rynthathiang, the Director of Bethany Hospital, passed away on Wednesday due to medical complications after he contracted the COVID-19 virus.

Meanwhile, Conrad Sangma said the eight COVID-19 patients were in “stable condition” and all of them have been “quarantined”.

“Currently, as of now there are eight active cases in our state. We have screened 24, 382 people in total till date and 2557 persons were in quarantine,” Sangma informed via a recorded video.

District administration of Peren led by EAC Ngwalwa, Rumbemo Kithan distributed rice and other essential commodities at Ngwalwa circle under Peren district for daily wage earners, non local migrants and rehab centre. (DIPR)

Student body urges truckers not to bring in non-locals into Manipur Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 17: A student body in Manipur warned transporters and truckers on Friday against bringing non-local people to Manipur while observing Realisation Day (Meekap Thokpa Numit), remembering students’ anti-migrant (go back foreigners) uprising in 1980.

All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU)’s warning came up in the backdrop of recent alleged attempt to bring in immigrants by some Imphal-bound trucks along NH-2 which was foiled by police at Mao of Senapati district bordering Nagaland.

AMSU president Peter Laishram asserted that the student body was unhappy with recent reports of truckers and transporters bringing in non-locals into the state by concealing them in their goods laden vehicles.

Keeping aside the legality, the transporters and truckers must be aware of the risk of the prevailing situation in the wake of

NPF accuses NDPP of overlooking ENCSU urges government to release aid government’s shortcomings for stranded eastern students DIMAPUR: Naga People’s Front (NPF) has accused the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) of “singing all praises” for the state government while overlooking its “shortcomings”.

NPF through its Press Bureau said the party was “startled” that the state government through its “mouthpiece” NDPP has termed the lapses pointed out by the opposition party as a “personal attack”. The party also rebuked NDPP for accusing the opposition party of politicising the pandemic while “singing all praises for the government no matter what shortcoming the government have”.

NPF pointed out that despite not being consulted by the government, the opposition party has been extending support and cooperation to fight the pandemic. It maintained that the party has been reaching out to the “poor and needy”. NPF said Governor of Nagaland, R.N. Ravi “once again” stepping in to take control of the present situation has “proven without any reasonable doubt” the PDA government’s inability to tackle the pandemic.

Reiterating that the government must own the responsibil-

SHILLONG, APR 17: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma on Friday said that the government has filed an FIR against those who leaked the list of patients, who had visited Bethany Hospital, which has been sealed and quarantined.

“I was ver y upset and sad to see that certain groups and individuals giving out list of patients who have visited Bethany hospital. It goes completely against the privacy of these patients and it is very incorrect for everybody to do that,” Sangma said via a recorded video that was circulated by the Chief Minister’s Office.

He also informed that

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has expressed concerns over the recent issue where the dead body of Meghalaya’s first COVID-19 patient was denied a resting place by the locals in Jhalpura and Nongpoh fearing that it could further spread the disease, reports The Northeast Today.

He said that he was “deeply disturbed” when he came across news reports that cited that there was a delay of 36 hours in the funeral of a senior doctor, who passed away on April 15, two days after he was tested positive for coronavirus.

Naidu in a social media post said, “Such incidents are a blot on the society’s consciousness and of great concern for all of us irrespective of party, religion and region. There is an urgent need to educate the people and remove misconceptions on COVID-19 to prevent such inhuman incidents in future.

It is a matter of deep anguish that such an incident occurred in spite of the advisory issued by the Central Government in March for the management of dead bodies infected with novel Coronavirus (COVID19).”

Calling it an “unfortunate behaviour”, Naidu pointed out that such behaviour had forced the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to intervene into the matter and help resolve the matter.

The vice president had also shared his concerns on the issue with the home secretary and the director of general of Indian Council of Medical Research.

While expressing deep anguish, he said inspite of advisory being issued by the central government last month regarding the management of dead bodies infected with novel coronavirus, such an incident had occured.

He urged all citizens to be empathic and respond compassionately, not react irrationally, especially during these testing times.

“People must act responsibly and not believe in rumours”, he said

Manipur district bans spitting in public spaces Correspondent

Correspondent

DIMAPUR: Eastern Nagaland College Students' Union (ENCSU) has urged the state government to release financial aid to stranded eastern students outside and within the state of Nagaland.

In a press release, ENCSU president, M Longre Chang and general secretary, Wangnei C Jessuhu stated that as per information received by the union, “not a single” Eastern Nagaland Students' Union from outside state have received any relief fund from the state government. In this regard, ENCSU has appealed the state government to look into the matter and also provide special travel passage for those stranded students to reach their respective homes. The union said many students are stranded due to short notification of the nationwide lock down and also for non-postponement of University Examinations in Kohima & Dimapur. The union has also urged the state government to immediately setup all necessary equipment and materials at the eastern areas Hospital (COVID-19) Covid-19 centres at the earliest.

COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

Currently, issuance of ILP has been suspended by the state government as a part of its fight against spread of COVID-19 in the state, he said.

Peter said that AMSU acknowledged the role of the truckers and transporters in shipping essential commodities from outside the state in the prevailing critical situation. However, the student body will not tolerate if any of the truckers indulge in such act of bringing unknown nonlocals who can be either COVID-19 positive or negative.

The truckers and transporters must not sideline the prevailing crucial situation for petty personal gains.

They must think of the possible disasters for Manipuri society, Peter said.

Stepping up its preventive measures for spread of COVID-19, the state government had suspended issuance of Inner Line Permits as well as all inter-state passenger services ahead

of the country-wide lockdown.

On April 16 and 17, 1980, two students were killed in firing by the police and security force in their efforts to control an uprising of the students demanding mechanism to regulate entry of migrants into the state.

The day that marked the beginning of demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) has been observed as Realisation Day (Meekap Thokpa Numit) every year

by All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU).

Unlike previous years, the observance this year was organised at a low scale in the backdrop of COVID19 scare. Only few people turned up to offer floral tributes to the memorial site of the two students at Pishum Chinga in Imphal where the main observation function was also held.

Organisers said that they followed guidelines of WHO on COVID-19 while offering floral tribute as well as organising the function.

Speaker NLA and APO condole late Rev. Lhousuohie Angami

DIMAPUR: Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Sharingain Longkumer and Angami Public Organisation (APO) have expressed deep sorrow at the demise of late Rev. Lhousuohie Angami, former legislator on April 15 at Kohima.

Sharingain Longkumer: Sharingain in a condolence message described late Rev. Lhousouhie as a humble and dedicated man who had worked diligently for the welfare of his constituency and people of Nagaland. Speaker on behalf of his own and of the members of 13rd NLA conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and that the departed

soul rest in eternal peace.

APO: Angami Public Organisation (APO) in a condolence note from president Dr. Kepelhusie Terhüja and secretary information and publicity Niethono Sothu stated that late Rev. Mhasi was a politician and preacher and also president of Angami Tribal Council in 1958.

APO stated that in his demise the Angamis in particular and Nagas in general have lost a nonagenarian of strong personality and undoubted proximity with God. APO conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and pray that the departed soul rest in peace.

NSCN (I-M) condolence DIMAPUR: NSCN (I-M) has expressed grief at the untimely demise of ‘Major (Retired)’ Jisangwo Makuri (57 years), member of steering committee, NSCN/GPRN s/o Shelumchu Makuri from Khongjiri village under Saramati region on April 16 after a prolonged illness.

A condolence issued by NSCN/GPRN through its MIP stated that late Jisangwo joined Naga national service on November 15, 1982. GPRN further mourned the untimely demise of Tunchapbo Thiumai (93 years), ‘tatar’, s/o (L) Liangrinang Thiumai from Nkhen (Makhan) village under Makuilongdi region on April 17 after a prolonged illness. He joined Naga national service since 1961 and later on joined NSCN in 2012. MIP stated that, both had served the Naga nation with unwavering national spirit until their demise and the void created would be deeply felt and difficult to fill in.

GPRN conveyed deep condolences to both the bereaved family members 45 Assam Riffles Shamator donated 3000 litres of drinking water at Kasturba Gandhi Balika and pray the Almighty God to grant their souls eternal peace and rest. EastVidyalaya the quarantine centre of Shamator town, along with 100 safety masks. The ern Naga National Workers Union (ENNWU) convener and member of collective leadership Moba Chang also mourned the demise of Jisangwu. safety mask was distributed by ADC Shamator, Lankonsen Tsanglao to the workers.

K Y M C

6

international/sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020

Wuhan’s revised COVID-19 death toll up by 50% UK extends COVID-19 lockdown W u h a n, A p r i l 1 7 (IANS): Wuhan city, the capital of China’s Hubei province where the global coronavirus pandemic originated last December, on Friday revised the number of deaths caused by the disease in the city, leading to some 50 per cent increase in the figures.

The revised death toll is 3,869, which is 1,290 more than the 2,579 reported barely hours earlier by the National Health Commission, which had pegged the number of fatalities for Hubei province to 3,222, reports Efe news.

The Wuhan authorities have also revised the total number of COVID-19 cases, revealing another 325 previously unreported cases, which took the total number to 50,333, Xinhua news agency reported.

In an announcement, the Wuhan municipal headquarters for the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control said the revisions were made as per the laws and regulations concerned, and out of the principle

Iran accuses US of causing insecurity in Gulf Tehran, April 17 (IANS): Iranian Defence Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Friday that the US was the cause of insecurity in the Gulf.

The “illegal and aggressive” presence of the US forces in the Gulf has been the source of problems for the regional people, Hatami said on the occasion of Iran’s Army Day. “We are at our home, and they (Americans) have come from the other end of the world and cause problems by threats and sanctions,” Xinhua news agency quoted Hatami as saying. In a tweet on Thursday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also slammed the US presence in the waters to the south of Iran, saying that the American forces have come to the Gulf “7,000 miles away from its borders”.

Medical staff carrying a patient with COVID-19 symptoms at WJ Hospital.

of being responsible for history, the people and the deceased. It added that this would ensure that the information on the city’s COVID-19 epidemic was open and transparent, and the data accurate.

Moreover, it gave four reasons for the “discrepancies” in the figures. The first reason was that “a surging number of patients at the

early stage of the epidemic overwhelmed medical resources and the admission capacity of medical institutions,” resulting in some deaths at home without treatment in hospitals.

The second reason was that at the peak of the epidemic in the city, “hospitals were operating beyond their capacities and medical staff were preoc-

cupied with saving and treating patients, resulting in belated, missed and mistaken reporting.”

The third reason given was that due to a rapid increase of designated hospitals for treating COVID-19 patients - including provincial, municipal, private and makeshift ones - some medical institutions were “not linked to the epidemic

information network and failed to report their data in time.”

The final reason given was “the registered information of some of the deceased patients was incomplete, and there were repetitions and mistakes in the reporting”.

An official of the headquarters told the media that a group for epidemic-related big data and epidemiological investigations was established in late March.

The group used information from online systems and collected full information from all epidemicrelated locations to ensure that facts about every case are accurate and every figure is objective and correct, the official said.

“What lies behind epidemic data are the lives and health of the general public, as well as the credibility of the government,” said the official, adding that the timely revision of the figures, among other things, shows respect for every single life.

London, April 17 (IANS): The UK government has announced that the nationwide lockdown measures which were implemented on March 23 to contain the spread of the novel COVID-19, would be extended by three weeks due to a surge in the number of deaths and infections.

Another 861 coronavirus-related hospital deaths were recorded overnight in the UK, bringing the overall toll to 13,759 while the number of infections recorded so far has reached 104,146 since the outbreak began, reports Efe news.

“The worst thing we could do right now would be to ease up too soon,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputizing in the absence of Prime Minister Boris Johnson currently recovering from COVID-19, said in the daily government press conference on Thursday evening. “The government has decided that the current measures must remain in place for the next three weeks,” he added. The Scientific Advisory Group

for Emergencies (SAGE) said it was important to ensure the transmission rate was below the level R1, that is one person infecting one other person on average, before the restrictions could be lifted. “Overall we still don’t have the infections rate down as much as we need to,” Raab said, adding that lifting the lockdown measures too soon would risk a second spike in infections, which would in turn cause further damage to human lives and the economy.

“It would undo the progress we’ve made to date and, as a result, would require an even longer period of the more restrictive social distancing measures.”

He said there were indications that the restrictive measures implemented by the Conservative Party government on March 23 had worked. Raab said it would be irresponsible to give an estimation for how long the measures would remain in place. Any lifting of the restrictions, he said, would depend on five conditions.

This included the

Indian-American Congressman Africa could be next COVID-19 epicentre: WHO appointed to COVID-19 advisory council

Washington, April 17 (IANS): Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has been appointed to President Donald Trump’s newly-convened Opening Up America Again Congressional Group, a media report said.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump April 16 announced a group of members of Congress who will serve on the group, and Khanna, a Democrat, is the only Indian-American Congressman to be named, said the India-West news report.

Tr ump announced that he will soon provide guidance to America’s governors to determine their ability to reignite the economies in their respective states, according to a White House statement.

“The American people need action, support, and direction from the federal government. The

Ro Khanna

Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program just ran out of the funds to keep Main Street afloat. Millions of Americans are filing for unemployment every week,” Khanna, who represents California’s 17th Congressional District, said in a statement following Trump’s announcement.

“That’s why I, along with several of my Democratic colleagues, decided to accept President Trump’s invitation to serve on the White House Coronavirus Advisory Council.

Though we continue to share obvious and pronounced disagreements, the task at hand is too important for partisanship.

“As a member of the council, I will continue to fight to get working class Americans the relief they need to make it to the other side of COVID-19,” he said.

A d d i t i o n a l ly, t h e Opening Up America Again Congressional Group discussed the rapidly expanding access to COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody tests, ventilators, face masks and other PPE. “I will call for massive investment in advanced manufacturing, in innovative scientific advancement, and in smart technology,” Khanna added.

“Already, we have seen that America was too dependent for crucial medical equipment and electronics on China, Germany and other nations.

A health worker checks the temperature of a traveller as part of the coronavirus screening procedure at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana.

G e n e va , A p r i l 1 7 (IANS): The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday that Africa could become the next epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic as there was a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the past week.

There have been almost 1,000 deaths and more than

18,000 infections across Africa so far, although these rates were far lower than those seen in parts of Europe and the US. The WHO’s Africa director, Matshidiso Moeti, told the BBC that the organisation had witnessed the virus spreading from capital cities to “the hinterland”

in South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana.

She said they were focusing on prevention rather than treating the virus because African countries don’t have the capacity to treat many COVID-19 patients.

“We want to minimise

Smith appointed SA’s director of cricket ‘Lockdown hasn’t affected preparation for olympic’ J o h a n n e sb u r g , April 17 (IANS): Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith was on Friday appointed as South Africas Director of Cricket for a two-year term until the end of April 2022.

Smith was appointed on an interim basis in midDecember till the end of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

However, with the tournament now postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19 pandemic, he has been confirmed in the role.

“Graeme has made a huge impact with his energy, expertise, hard work ethic and characteristic determination and passion he has brought to the position during the six months he has served in an acting capacity,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Dr. Jacques Faul. “Although there is certainly a great deal of work to be done, as reflected by the performances of our various national teams, he has certainly put our cricket on an upward trajectory that provides light at the end of the tunnel. “He has bought into all the overall pillars of our strategy and that includes the important one of transformation,” he added.

Smith, on his part, said he was delighted to stay on board as part of the team to take South African cricket forward. “My appointment brings a degree of permanency to my position which makes planning the road ahead a lot easier. “As Dr. Faul has said, there is a lot of work that still needs to

capacity of the National Health Service to cope with the epidemic, a sustained and consistent decrease in death and infection rates, adequate access to tests and personal protective equipment and a guarantee that there would be no rebound in the outbreak.

Patrick Vallance, the government’s scientific advisor, said that the infection rate had flattened and could even be decreasing, but warned that statistics varied across the country.

The expert said that ‘R’ was likely below 1 in the community but that it could be higher in certain hospitals and care settings.

He expected the fatality rate to plateau for some time before it began to drop.

The decision from the UK government came after a Cobra crisis meeting.

The UK joins the likes of France and Spain in seeking extensions to nationwide lockdowns but contrasted with countries like Denmark and Austria, which have already begun gradually rolling back restrictions.

Graeme Smith

be done, not just at international level but throughout our pipeline development pathways as well but I am determined to get South African cricket back to where it belongs as one of the world leaders at international level,” he concluded.

The 39-year-old represented the Proteas in 117 Tests, 197 ODIs and 33 T20Is in which he scored 9265, 6989 and 982 runs respectively.

Quinton de Kock won’t be SA’s Test captain

Graeme Smith, who has been appointed South Africas director of cricket for the next two years, has confirmed that Quinton de Kock will not be given the extra responsibility of Test captaincy.

“The one thing I can confirm is that Quinton will be our white-ball captain and he won’t be the Test captain going forward,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Smith as saying on Friday.

“We want to keep Quinton fresh and playing well. I’ve always believed, having been in the job myself, that captaining all three formats

is challenging. We’ve seen a number of nations trying to figure out what’s best and I think across three formats, it probably doesn’t work.”

“From a workload and mental capacity, we felt that to burden him with all three formats wouldn’t be beneficial for us. And with the style of personality and player that he is, we want to keep him as expressive as possible,” he added.

The wicketkeeperbatsman was handed South Africa’s country’s whiteball captaincy in January and succeeded Faf du Plessis, who also stood down from the Test captaincy last year but remains available as a player. With the Proteas not scheduled to play any Tests before a tour to West Indies in July-August, Cricket South Africa will have time to decide whom to appoint Test captain.

Smith, however, gave no indication of the likely replacement of du Plessis.

“There’s no one person you can pinpoint,” he said.

“There are a lot of players on a similar level.”

But the new CSA director indicated that the Proteas could take a chance on someone with potential.

“We’ve got to understand the personalities, look at the people and maybe take a risk on someone potentially and back them,” Smith said. “Coming from a person who a risk was taken on, it is something we would consider,” he added.

Bengaluru, April 17 (IANS): Indian hockey striker Mandeep Singh believes the team has moved on from the initial disappointment which they had to deal with following the postponement of Tokyo Olympic Games and are now working on improving their skills and fitness during the lockdown in place due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The Inter national Olympic Committee (IOC) has postponed the Games to summer 2021 in wake of the coronavirus outbreak which has claimed more than 1.4 lakh lives across the world so far.

“At first, it was disappointing but with the entire world battling this crisis, we understand this decision was made keeping the players’ safety in mind,” Mandeep told IANS in an exclusive interview.

“We have moved on from the initial disappointment and are now working on maintaining our fitness levels during this lockdown period.”

The hockey team, both men and women, are currently at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru where they are carrying out their fitness drills and keeping in touch with the game.

“We are lucky the entire core group is together here in SAI, Bengaluru and our coaching staff is also here. Though we are not doing hockey training we

Lockdown hasn’t affected our goal of winning Olympic medal; Mandeep.

have been given a specific program schedule to follow which includes independent training schedule for all players,” said the Indian striker.

“This is something every athlete will have to deal with from across the globe and we are no different.

“At least, I would like to think we are in a better position than others with the team still together going about other aspects of training like analysing our opponents matches, mak-

ing individual presentation to our coaches via video meetings and so on.

“We are in a better position to begin training once the lockdown is lifted,” he added.

He believes that at such a time, staying fit and healthy is the main priority of the team.

“We have a specifically designed training program made by our scientific advisor Robin Arkell.

This involves indoor bodyweight training, individual

running and so on.”

“It can be difficult but since we have all been in SAI together and have our coaching staff here, the lockdown period has not been too hard on us,” he added.

India last won a gold in Hockey in 1980 in Moscow Olympics. Since then, they have participated in eight Olympic editions but have failed to make a podium finish. And after qualifying for the Tokyo Games, the team was in high spirits and were looking forward to end the medal drought.

“This lockdown has not affected our goal of winning a medal at the Olympics,” Mandeep insisted while stressing on the goal of the team.

The 25-year-old also called on countrymen to fight the pandemic as a team. “Please follow all the protocols and guidelines made by the government.

Stay at home, stay safe, wash your hands regularly and go out only when it is absolutely necessary and if you do step out of home, please wear a home-made mask.”

He also requested citizens to respect the frontline workers such as doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who are working round the clock to serve the people.

“It’s important we respect them and do our bit to help the needy and the poor.”

the proportion of people who get to the point of needing critical care in an ICU, because we know that these types of facilities are not adequate by any means in the majority of African countries,” she told the BBC. “I have to say the issue of ventilators is one of the biggest challenges that the countries are facing.”

For patients critically ill with COVID-19, access to a ventilator could be a matter of life or death.

One of the first recorded deaths from COVID-19 in Africa was Zimbabwean journalist Zororo Makamba in March.

The local authorities in the capital, Harare, said that they did not have a ventilator to treat him.

There were also fears that the disease could spread rapidly in overcrowded areas where it is impossible to practise social distancing and where many do not have access to clean water and soap.

In our homes we must stay: RCB pays tribute to fans Bengaluru, April 17 (IANS): Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) paid tribute to their fans and urged them to stay home in a video that they tweeted.

RCB would have been busy with the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) had it not been for the coronavirus forcing a postponement of the tournament.

The video shows clips of the players in practice and during matches and fans of the team in the stadium and on the streets. “The doctors and the police are playing bold everyday. To win, isn’t that why we always played?

And we will continue even if glory is delayed,” says the narrator in the video.

The season was scheduled to start on March 29 with Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings in the opener. However, two weeks before the start, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the season’s start had been deferred to April 15 after the coronavirus pandemic forced the postponement of South Africa’s ODI series in India.

A few days after, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a three-week lockdown that ended on April 14. However, this lockdown has since been extended to May 3, prompting the BCCI to postpone the 2020 edition of the tournament till the situation improves.

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