April 21, 2021

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 134

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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India reporting over 10,000 fresh Covid 88,940 doses of Covid vaccine currently available in Nagaland cases, 60 deaths per hour since April 18 Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APR 20 (AGENCIES): With the onslaught of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, India is reporting over 10,000 fresh cases and 60 deaths per hour on an average since Sunday, data from the Union Health Ministry shared suggests, News18.com report stated. On April 1, India reported 3,013 cases and 19 deaths per hour on average, the Union Health Ministry data said. The total number of cases reported on April 1 was 72,330, while 459 deaths were recorded. This jumped to 10,895 cases and over 62 deaths per hour on an average on Sunday when India reported 2,61,500 cases and 1,501 deaths. On Monday, India reported a record single-day rise of infections (2,73,810) and deaths (1,619). With this, India’s active cases surpassed the 19-lakh mark. Per hour on average, India reported 11,408 cases and 67 deaths on Monday. Tuesday

A health worker inspects Covid patients at a Banquet Hall, converted into an isolation centre in New Delhi, Tuesday. (PTI)

(April 20) was no better as India reported 2,59,170 fresh Coronavirus infections and 1,761 fatalities, making it 10,798 cases and 73 deaths per hour on average. India’s total Covid-19 cases also crossed the 1.53 crore mark on April 20. India’s tally had crossed the 10-lakh-mark on July 17, 2020; 20-lakh-mark on August 7, 30-lakh on August 23, 40-lakh on September 5 and 50-lakh on September 16. Maharashtra has been

reporting the highest number of cases and deaths since the last few weeks. On April 1, the State reported 39,544 cases and 227 deaths – 1,647 cases and 9 deaths per hour. This has increased to 2,859 cases per hour and 20 deaths per hour as the State reported 68,631 cases and 503 deaths on Sunday. On Monday, Maharashtra reported 58,924 Covid-19 cases and 351 deaths. Per hour, the State reported 2,455 cases and 14

deaths on the day. As per the Union Health Ministry, 10 States account for 82.74 per cent of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (351). Delhi follows with 240 daily deaths. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan reported 77.67 per cent of the new cases on Tuesday. After Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh has been reporting most daily cases. On Sunday, UP reported 30,596 cases and 129 deaths making it 1,274 cases and 5 deaths per hour. On Monday, UP reported 28,211 cases. Delhi is also among the worst impacted States, accounting for about 1,000 cases and 10 deaths per hour on an average, as per the data from the Delhi Health Department. On April 1, the city reported 116 cases per hour. Delhi reported 2,790 cases and nine deaths on

April 1, which has increased to 25,462 cases and 161 deaths on Sunday. While the number of cases dropped on Monday, the death increased to 240– making it 10 deaths per hour on an average.

US puts India on level 4 category

The US public health agency has warned travellers against heading for India even if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. If such a journey is unavoidable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised getting all doses of vaccination before setting forth. It has also placed the country in the highest Level 4 category which implies “very high level of Covid-19”. “Because of the current situation in India, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at the risk for getting and spreading Covid-19 variants and should avoid all travel to India,” the CDC said.

KOHIMA, APR 20 (NPN): As the demand for vaccine grows in the State in the light of the recent spike in COVID-19 positive cases, there is growing fear about possible shortage of the vaccine. State immunisation officer (UIP) Dr Ritu Thurr informed Nagaland Post that currently there were about 88,940 doses available in the State across the districts. He said if the current daily consumption of about 4,350 doses continued, the existing stock of 88,940 doses would last for another 20 days. He said the Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department had already submitted its requirement of about 3 lakh doses of vaccine to the Union Health ministry, which was monitoring the vaccine distribution through Electronic Vaccine Intelligent Network (EVIN) across the country.

Ritu mentioned that the H&FW department intended to cover around 4.5 lakh people above 45 years of age for which, he said, about 8 to 9 lakh doses (two doses) would be required. However, he pointed out that as vaccination would be conducted in a phase-wise manner, the department requested 3 lakh doses.

Stock to last only 20 days, H&FW writes to Centre for more doses He pointed out that the current stock available in the State was meant for the ongoing drive comprising two doses. The State immunisation officer said a total of 163890 beneficiaries were vaccinated till April 20-129319 first dose and 34571 second dose. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the Union

Lockdowns should be Legislators question Govt over constituting JCC on RIIN last resort, says Modi Correspondent

Urges states to convince migrant workers to stay put NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI): Amid a staggering surge in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said a lockdown should be the “last resort” to deal with the raging pandemic and asked states to convince migrant workers to stay put at their places of work with a guarantee for their lives and livelihood. In an address to the nation, He also called upon all stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical industry, to deal collectively with the immediate challenge of the shortage of oxygen cylinders. Outlining a number of measures taken by his government, including ramping up of the production and supply of oxygen and medicine for allowing vaccination for everyone above 18 years of age from the next month, Modi said he also empathises with the pain of those having lost their family members. The country is fighting a very big battle against the pandemic, he said, adding that its second wave has

This is it!

“My motto is- if people can’t come to the shop; go to the people.” K Y M C

Narendra Modi (PTI)

hit it like a storm after the condition appeared to have stabilized. “The challenge is big but we have to overcome it with our resolve, courage and preparation,” he said. The two key messages of Modi’s over 20 minutelong address was, however, to virtually rule out any immediate nationwide lockdown, a move that had triggered a massive migration of workers from big cities last year and hit the economy hard, and to reach out to migrants. Modi said, “In the current situation, we need to save our country from a lockdown. I would also request states to use the lockdown as the last resort. We have to do our best to avoid a lockdown and our focus should rather be on micro containment zones.” He further said the country can improve the health of its economy and also take care of the health of the people this way.

KOHIMA, APR 20 (NPN): Even as the consultative meet convened by the State government recently decided to constitute a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) on Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), serious questions have been raised on the government’s credibility and its overall ability in running the affairs of the State. The government had said that the decision to constitute JCC was to have an in-depth and wider consultations and “direct communication” before implement-

ing RIIN in the State. Opposition legislator Imkong L Imchen blasted the government for what he called the “usual way of governance wherein consultations or shifting responsibilities to civil society organisations (CSOs)” had become an excuse to buy time. Imchen accused the government of being scared to take any decision and hence was buying time to mislead the people, so as not to expose its own incompetency in handling the affairs of the State. Some legislators from the ruling coalition too expressed displeasure over forming committees after

committees after holding repeated consultations. One legislator who refused to be identified remarked that while it was good to take into confidence the people, but admitted that giving too much leverage to CSOs only showed the weakness of the government, stressing that sometimes the government has to take strong decision for the people. Stating they did not see copy of the Banuo Z Jamir commission’s report on RIIN, they said had it been given to tribal hohos prior to the consultative meet, the outcome would have been more fruitful.

Another MLA commented that while keeping mass-based organisations informed in the guise of transparent government was good, this should not be done on all matters as taking everything to the CSOs could lead to conflicting public opinions. However, another legislator felt that it was better that the public was made fully aware about RIIN before its implementation else, implementing without making them understand about its merits and demerits could lead to chaos. He demanded that Banuo commission’s report should be made available in

JCPI consultative meeting on Apr 23 DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): Joint Committee for Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) has reminded the presidents and general secretaries of Naga tribal apex bodies about the consultative meeting to be held at Hotel Japfu, Kohima on April 23, at 1 p.m. The meeting will deliberate on critical issues relating to ILP/RIIN and also issues in the light of the recent state government “sponsored consultative meeting” with apex tribes hohos of Nagaland, JCPI stated.

Nagaland logs highest one-day spike of 82 cases this year Directives to DoSE employees COVID-19 STATUS AS ON apr 20 one-day spike of 82 COVID- on April 18, 13 persons had

19 positive cases this year, taking the total caseload to AsympRecovTotal 12,650. As per data recorded Dist Death tomered Cases on Tuesday, Dimapur alone atic reported 70 cases, while KoDmu 107 6351 64 6690 hima recorded 11 cases and Kiph 0 40 1 41 Tuensang one. And with Kma 60 3956 21 4091 this, the active cases in the Llg 4 10 0 23 State also rose to 257. Mkg 1 184 4 207 Meanwhile, it has been Mon 0 594 2 605 reported that 30 passengers Peren 0 506 0 507 who had arrived by air here Phek 6 47 0 53 on Saturday tested positive Tsg 0 248 1 251 for COVID-19. Out of the Wka 0 1 0 35 1 40 294 air passengers that arZbto 0 0 0 139 0 142 rived on April 17, samples Total 234 17 6 12110 94 12650 of 58 passengers were taken *10 deaths not due to Covid-19 and results of 30 returned D I M A P U R , A P R 2 0 positive. (NPN): Nagaland on TuesFurther, out of the 242 day registered its highest air passengers that arrived ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic ModMild erate 7 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

tested positive from 44 of those whose samples were tested. Of the 70 COVID positive cases registered in Dimapur on Tuesday, 49 were returnees/travellers, 18 traced contacts and three were from the armed forces/ security personnel. Meanwhile, with Dimapur registering this year’s highest single-day spike of cases, there is growing apprehension about the status of returnees from Assam, where many migrants had gone to for the Assembly polls held recently. Assam on Tuesday recorded 1,651 fresh COVID cases and seven deaths.

Some suspect that the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Assam could be linked to election rallies and campaigns held in view of the three-phase Assembly polls that concluded on April 6. It may be mentioned that many election rallies were held across Assam, where most participants as well as politicians failed to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. With a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, several North East states have taken diverse actions, including imposition of night curfew and closure of educational institutions, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease.

Various North East states impose Covid-19 restrictions G U W A H A T I / SHILLONG/AGARTALA, APR 20 (AGENCIES): With a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, several North East states have taken diverse actions including imposition of night curfew and closure of educational institutions. Assam gover nment Tuesday ordered that all markets and shops will shut by 6 pm. The government permitted 50 per cent of lower-level staff to work from home in the districts having active coronavirus

public domain so that there was no misunderstanding among the citizens. Another MLA remarked that CSOs and tribal hohos should understand why they were being given importance and that they should not take advantage of this. He admitted that the government could be questioned over holding repeated consultations, yet as there was no time to keep arguing with each other time and again, he said the government decided to take the tribal hohos on board this time, which, according to him, should be taken positively.

Health & Family Welfare ministry was yet to issue directive to the States to vaccine individuals above 18 years of age. Over 13 cr vaccine doses administered: India has scaled another peak in its effort to contain the COVID-19 virus with the administration of more than 13 crore vaccines to its citizens. The cumulative number of COVID19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 13,00,27,370 as per the 9 p.m. provisional report today. More than 28.98 lakh vaccine doses administered till 9 p.m. Tuesday. A total 71,051 COVID vaccination centres (CVCs) were operational, marking a rise of more than 26,051 operational Vaccination Centres (45,000 CVCs on an average are functional on any given day). Workplace vaccinations have also enabled such a high turnout of beneficiaries.

State Arunachal Assam Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Nagaland Sikkim Tripura

Confirmed Discharged Deaths 17113 16835 56 227473 217296 1145 29869 29106 378 15116 14105 154 4995 4569 12 12650 12110 84 6796 6021 136 34034 33152 391

cases of 100 or more. Issuing fresh guidelines, Assam chief secretary Jishnu Barua ordered the DCs to strictly enforce the restrictions. Barua said the latest

Active 222 7685 385 857 414 257 488 430

order comes in force with immediate effect and will be in place till April 30. As per the guidelines, all markets, malls, weekly markets and standalone shops other than pharmacies

will have to shut by 6 pm. In Tripura, the state government ordered closures of educational institutions. Tripura Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath said that there will be no night curfew and lockdown in the state, but all educational institutions would remain closed for an indefinite period. In Meghalaya, the night curfew in East Khasi Hills District, in which capital Shillong falls, has been extended for another week until April 25. Night curfew and various other

restrictions continue to be in effect in Mizoram capital Aizawl and other parts of the mountainous state. Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, in an order, said that the recent spurt of positive cases is alarming for the medical community. In Manipur, the state government has imposed night curfew in the entire state from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh has made testing compulsory for all people entering the state.

DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): State government has directed all employees serving under the department of School Education to remain in station and attend duties at respective establishments and cautioned that no employee would leave station without obtaining station leave permission from competent authorities. In a notification, School Education principal director Shanavas C has directed teachers to prepare explanatory notes, worksheets, assignments etc for topics given in text (Cont’d on p-8) books for Classes I to VIII.

UZYF reacts to WSYF statement DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): United Zeliangrong Youth Front (UZYF) in a rejoinder, said the call of Western Sumi Youth Front(WSYF) “in the guise of demand for release of 4 arrested persons by SIT” was a “disturbing and subtle call for violence.” UZYF said the WSYF appeared “totally confused” over the matter vis-à-vis “all illegal villages set up in the land of Lamhai villages” when it (WSYF) did not envisage “interference in the due process of law” and on the other hand, demanding release of all those suspects arrested by the SIT for the March 22 incident. UZYF wondered what is to become of a state which proudly proclaims as a Christian state “if individuals holding power and civil society organisations started to demand and give ultimatum to the government” to release offenders ? Instead of helping authorities to nab

culprits, the demand of the WSYF was most uncalled for, said UZYF. It appealed to the SIT and the state government not to cower down to illogical demands but rather set a strong and exemplary precedent for criminals and murderers by delivering justice as deemed fit. Regardless of the days or months, UZYF said if the investigating agencies felt the need to keep the suspects behind bars, to unearth the true identity of all those involved in the March 22 killing, it should be left to their wisdom and that no individual or group should even feel the need to demand for their release without knowing the progress of investigation. With regard to the statement “initiate summoning all its resources”, UZYF said they undoubtedly understood what it meant and said that they should not (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C


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