Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXI No. 133
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00
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India logs record surge of over 2.73L new cases NEW DELHI, APR 19 (PTI): India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the 1.50-crore mark with around 25 lakh cases being added in just 15 days, while active cases surpassed the 19-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The nationwide tally of COVID-19 cases mounted to 1,50,61,919 with a record single-day rise of 2,73,810 coronavirus infections. The death toll increased to 1,78,769 with a record 1,619 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. The country’s total COVID-19 infections had surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19 after which it took 107 days to cross the 1.25 crore on April 5. However, it only took 15 days for the cases to cross the 1.50-crore mark. Registering a steady increase for the 40th day in a row, the active cases increased to 19,29,329, comprising 12.81 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 86
Delhi goes into six-day lockdown
People stand in a queue for Covid-19 test at a hospital in the National capital region, Monday. (PTI)
per cent. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,29,53,821 and the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.19 per cent, the data stated. According to the ICMR, 26,78,94,549 samples have been tested up to April 18 with 13,56,133 samples being tested on Sunday. The 1,619 new fatalities include 503 from Maharashtra, 170 from Chhattisgarh, 161 from Delhi, 127 from Uttar Pradesh, 110 from
Gujarat, 81 from Karnataka, 68 from Punjab, 66 from Madhya Pradesh, 50 from Jharkhand, 42 each from Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, 29 from Haryana, 28 from West Bengal and 25 from Kerala. A total of 1,78,769 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 60,473 from Maharashtra, 13,351 from Karnataka, 13,113 from Tamil Nadu, 12,121 from Delhi, 10,568 from West Bengal, 9,830 from Uttar Pradesh, 7,902 from Punjab and 7,410 from Andhra Pradesh.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a six-day lockdown from 10 p.m. Monday night till 5 a.m. next Monday in view of an exponential rise in Covid-19 cases and the city’s health system being stretched to its limits. Kejriwal, while announcing the lockdown, said the decision was made during his meeting with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal Monday morning where both agreed that the situation had left no other option and a lockdown now was necessary to prevent a possible ‘tragedy’. The lockdown is needed to prevent the health system of Delhi from collapsing under the increasing number of patients as there is an acute shortage of medicines, beds, ICUs and oxygen, Kejriwal said. According to the order, essential service providers such as doctors, police personnel, the media and students going for exams will
be allowed on the production of ID cards or admit cards. An e-pass will be required for movement by grocery shop employees, food and e-commerce delivery personnel. Religious places will be allowed to open but not allowed to have visitors. Those attending weddings will be allowed on production of an invitation card. Meanwhile, LG Baijal, according to Raj Nivas sources, instructed that the issue of migrant labourers and workers be “totally addressed” during the implementation of the curfew. However, despite Kejriwal’s assurance, the extension of the lockdown till next Monday just hours after a weekend curfew announced last Thursday triggered, yet again this year, a desperate exodus of migrant workers-- notably from the Anand Vihar area which has both an inter-State bus terminal and a railway station in close proximity-- almost immediately after the announcement.
Covid vax for all above 18 years from May 1 State registers 13 new Covid cases NEW DELHI, APR 19 (PTI): Everyone above 18 years of age will be eligible to get vaccinated against Covid-19 from May 1, the Centre said on Monday as it liberalised the vaccination drive to allow states, private hospitals and industrial establishments to procure the doses directly from manufacturers. Under the third phase of the national vaccination drive commencing next month, the vaccine manufacturers would supply 50 per cent of their monthly central drugs laboratory released doses to the central government and
SARFAESI Act meeting DIMAPUR, APR 19 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who is the chairman of the Select Committee to examine the Application of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act, 2002) to Nagaland in the context of Article 371-A of the Constitution of India, has convened a meeting on April 26, 2021 at 10am in the Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumoukedima, Dimapur. All the committee members have been requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting.
This is it!
“Online problem what else? There’s only one mobile set for three of them.” K Y M C
would be free to supply the remaining 50 per cent doses to state governments and in the open market. Manufacturers would have to make an advance declaration of the price for 50 per cent supply that would be available to the state governments and in the open market before May 1, 2021, an official statement by the Union Health Ministry said. Based on this price, state governments, private hospitals, industrial establishments, etc., would be able to procure vaccine doses from the manufacturers. Private hospitals
would have to procure their supplies of COVID19 vaccine exclusively from the 50 per cent supply earmarked for entities other than those coming through the central government channel. Va c c i n a t i o n w i l l continue as before in the government vaccination centres free of cost to the eligible population -healthcare and frontline workers and all people above 45 years of age. The Ministry said the decision to allow vaccination to everyone above the age of 18 was taken in a meeting chaired by PM .
COVID STATUS AS ON apr 19
Dist Dmu Kphr Kma Llg Mkg Mon Peren Phek Tsg
Active cases As- SymptomMiympRecovatic Death grattomered ed atic Mild Moderate 107 7 0 6351 64 91 0 0 0 40 1 0 52 2 0 3956 21 50 4 0 0 10 0 9 1 5 4 184 4 9 0 0 0 594 2 9 0 0 0 506 0 1 6 0 0 47 0 0 0 0 0 248 1 1
Wka
0
1
0
35
1
Zbto Total
0 170
0 15
0 4
139 12110
0 94
2
Total Cases 6620 41 4080 23 207 605 507 53 250 40
3 142 175 12568
DIMAPUR, APR 19 (NPN): Nagaland on Monday recorded 13 new Covid-19 positive case-12 in Dimapur and 1 in Kohima, taking the total caseload
to 12568. With this the active cases also rose to 189. The state has reported 94 fatalities-- 84 due to Covid and 10 not Covid related. Meanwhile, on April 16, 267 passengers had arrived Dimapur by air and tests were conducted on 39, out of which five tested positive for Covid-19. The next day, 294 passengers had arrived, out of which tests were conducted on 58; on April 18 out of the 242 passengers that arrived, samples of 38 persons were taken and on April 19 out of 257 passengers had arrived, out of which tests were conducted on 44. The results of three days were awaited.
Uprisings emerge to challenge Myanmar’s army international, Page 9
Nagaland: Schools to remain shut for students of class 1 to 8 DIMAPUR, APR 19 (NPN): In view of the steep rise in COVID-19 cases in the country, and the urgent need to take preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the Nagaland, chief secretary J. Alam on Monday ordered the closure of all schools, including residential, for students from class 1 to class 8 with immediate effect. Further, kindergarten/ pre-primary Classes in all the schools will also continue to remain closed. Schools have been asked to conduct/continue classes through online mode
and to carry out other activities with strict adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviours. Class 9-12 to continue: Meanwhile, the conduct of regular classes for students of Class 9 to Class 12 will continue for now, subject to strict adherence to all the provisions of the SOP issued as per February 1, 2021 order. HSLC & HSSLC to continue: The ongoing HSLC and HSSLC examinations 2021 will continue with strict observance of all Covid SOP issued as per March 12, 2021 order.
It may be recalled that chief minister Neiphiu Rio on April 17, at a function, expressed concern over the second wave of Covid-19 rampaging through the country, leading to reclosure of schools and educational institutions as well as lockdown in most States. The chief minister said that schools across the state may also have to be closed down soon, while church services and other unavoidable public gatherings should be cut down to minimal attendance with mandatory Covid appropriate behaviour put into place.
State govt mulls night restrictions to contain Covid COVID PREVENTIVE MEASURES Restriction on assembly of 4 or more persons from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. in urban areas Opening of markets on alternate days, especially in crowded areas
To enforce Odd & Even policy for vehicular movement District Task Forces to submit regular action taken report
DIMAPUR, APR 19 (NPN): In view of the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases across the country and in Nagaland, the state government has advised all the district task forces (DTFs) to take urgent measures for preventing the spread of coronavirus disease in the state. In a communiqué, the principal secretary home, Abijit Sinha has advised the respective task forces to consider restricting the assembly of four or more persons from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the urban areas.
DUTIES FOR ALL DISTRICT TASK FORCE Identify persons coming from outside the state All persons entering from outside the state to report to DTF Any person without Covid -ve report to self isolate for 10 days Inform all residents for strict observance of Covid SOPs and encourage Covid vaccination Enforce compulsory wearing of mask Start random screening tests in all high risk settings as advised by H&FW deptt
The state government also suggested opening of markets on alternate days especially in the crowded areas and allowing plying of vehicles with odd and even registered numbers on alternate days in the urban areas etc. (See infographic) Among other preventive measures, the DTFs have also been advised instruct those entering the state to remain in self-isolation for 10 days, if no negative RT-PCR/TrueNat/ CBNAAT test report for COVID-19 (test done not earlier than 72 hours prior
to entry into the State) was produced on arrival, or if the test result is awaited, or if the person concerned hasn’t completed the COVID-19 vaccination and check gathering of crowds beyond permissible limit. In this regard, the District Task Forces have been asked to urgently convene meetings to study the COVID-19 situation in their respective districts and other relevant local factors, after which the DTFs can take a call to initiate preventive measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Gov meets Church leaders over COVID-19 Kohima to strictly enforce SOPs DNSU serves 20-day ultimatum on State govt to review NLTP Act ‘Use spiritual capital to save people from Covid-19 pandemic’
DIMAPUR, APR 19 (NPN): Nagaland Governor RN Ravi held an interaction cum consultative meeting with the Church leaders of various Christian denominations of Nagaland at Dr. Imkongliba Hall, Raj Bhavan Kohima on April 19, 2021 and discussed the COVID-19 situation in the Country and the State.
According to a Raj Bhavan statement, Ravi told the Church leaders that they have moral and spiritual authority and influence over the people. He urged them to use their moral and spiritual capital “to save our people from the pandemic.” He also advised the leaders to make the people more conscious and aware of COVID-19 challenges and need for strictly adhering to COVID-19 appropriate behaviours. With regard to vaccination, governor expressed concern over inhibitions of
the citizens to go for vaccination and prevalence of adverse rumours in this regard. He advised them to educate and encourage the eligible persons get vaccinated as the current ratio of vaccination in the State was one of the lowest in the country. Stating that the entire society was facing the stress due to the pandemic, Ravi reminded the Church leaders of their significant role. Ravi thanked the Church leaders for their valuable suggestions, which he said would be forwarded to the government for follow-up.
DIMAPUR, APR 19 (NPN): Kohima district administration has decided to strictly enforce COVID appropriate behaviour in the district especially mandatory wearing of masks in public places and practicing social physical distance. In an order, deputy commissioner Kohima Gregory Thejawelie directed organizers of social, academic, entertainment, cultural, political, religious functions, shops, markets, restaurants, hotels, business establishments, government and private offices, educa-
tional and religious establishments, public transport to strictly enforce COVID appropriate behaviours. All gatherings outside containment zone, which is permissible, would be limited to 50% of seating capacity or 200 persons, whichever is lower. Thermal screening would also be mandatory for all gatherings. In the case where the number of persons is more than 200 in open spaces, prior permission of the DTF would be taken by e-mail/WhatsApp to warroomkohima@gmail. com or 8413097970.
Mar 22 incident: WSYF demands release of 4 arrested persons DIMAPUR, APR 19 (NPN): Taking umbrage to the arrest of four suspects in connection with the March 22 incident where three persons were killed and their prolonged detention, Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) has demanded their immediate release. WSYF through its media cell cautioned that if the State government failed to release the “innocent citizens” at the earliest, resolve the boundary dispute by according topmost priority, given the volatile situation, and succumbed to undue pressure from certain quarters demanding termination of 9th IRB post
commander from active service, it would be “compelled to initiate summoning all its resources to take stringent steps, the fallout of which remains unpredictable but the responsibility would be shouldered by the state government.” While asserting that it does not condone any form of killing or violence nor envisaged to interfere in the due process of law, WSYF however declared that it was strongly against undue harassment of innocent citizens by government machineries. It expressed grave concern over the arrest of four persons by Special Investigation Team (SIT) on
suspicion of their involvement with the unfortunate March 22 incident and their prolonged detention by the State machinery. Pointing out that it was 20 days since the arrests were made, WSYF said they were being detained till date merely on suspicion, and has given rise to doubts as to whether the police were victimising the innocent persons to quell “any possible fallout on the law and order front from a particular side”. Asserting that a person was innocent until proven guilty by the court of law, WSYF said they maintain this strong stand on the arrests made by SIT.
According to the youth body, the inability of the police to nab the real culprits and then randomly arrest innocent citizens on mere suspicion was highly questionable as it amounted to undue harassment. Demanding immediate release of the arrested persons who are innocent, the front said it would ensure that they report to the authorities as and when further interrogation was necessitated. Viewing the present situation as an issue between two villages– Kiyevi and Lamhai– falling in Dimapur and Peren districts respectively, WSYF alleged that the fact that Lamhai Village
Council gave illegal permit to outsiders to establish a village within Kiyevi land was being presented to the State government and accordingly press statements were issued requesting the government to settle the Kiyevi land encroachment issue at the earliest. But it regretted that no tangible action had been visible in this regard from the government side. WSYF said it viewed the government’s inability to enforce its own order and directive of maintaining status quo along the disputed area as “intentional and partisan” to shelter encroachers and harass innocent public and their leaders. (Cont’d on p-8)
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, APR 19 (NPN): Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has served a 20-day ultimatum on the State government to set up a committee/commission to thoroughly review the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989. In a memorandum submitted to chief minister Neiphiu Rio through deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur on Monday, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union through its president Sedevilie Angami, warned that in the event of failure on the part of the government to comply with the union’s ultimatum, it would be compelled to take its own course of action. DNSU president Sedevilie said this at a press conference here on Monday during which he also reminded that the union had served a seven-day ultimatum on Commissioner of Excise, Dimapur, on February 29, 2020, seeking strict enforcement of NLTP Act in the district. He said due to unsatisfactory response from the excise department, the union took the initiative of assisting the law enforcing agencies for months
to ensure that the Act was strictly enforced. Sedevilie disclosed that after a span of few months of working handin-hand with the department as observers, DNSU submitted a representation to the State government on November 21, 2020 after a thorough practical analysis/ research on the matter. In the representation, the union and its 12 units had sought necessary action for reviewing the Act such as - the penalty/ punishment and strength of excise personnel and either review or revoke the Act, table the agenda on NLTP in the State Legislative Assembly and conduct a stakeholders’ meeting for reviewing the Act. Since the state government did not respond, Sedevilie said the union got the impression that the latter was not serious on the issue and hence it was compelled to serve the ultimatum for the second time as a final appeal. He said the level of seriousness that the government showed over the issue was “disappointing” and termed implementation of the Act as a “mockery in itself ”. (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C