April 4, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 117

CVA lift Monyiu volleyball title

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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India records another massive spike

Centre okays 2 road projects for Nagaland 89,129 COVID Spl. Correspondent cases, 714 deaths NEW DELHI, APR 3 (NPN): Union Minister of in a day, highest Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari Saturday in over 6 months announced that two road proposals worth Rs.523.07 crore have been approved for Nagaland. Union minister informed that two projects included Rs. 226.45 crore for widening of existing intermediate lane/single lane to two-lane from Km 135.00 to Km 147.00 and Km 156.00 to Km 168.00 of NH-61 and Rs. 297.25 crore for widening of existing intermediate lane/single lane to two-lane from Km 185.00 to Km 220.00 of NH61 (New NH 02). E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, Mokokchung district administration while taking note of some individuals constructing buildings/structures along the NH-02 stretch, had directed responsible individuals to refrain from carrying out any further unauthorised developmental activities over the land within the RoW. DC Mokokchung had stated that some individuals were constructing buildings and structures starting from Km.135.00 (Alichen) to Km.147.00 (Sewak Gate), Km.156.00 (DEF) to Km.168.00 (Yisemyong) and Km.185.00 (Unger) to Km.220.00 (Assam Rifle Gate, Tuli). DC had stated that assessment for property damage compensation for buildings/structures for widening of single lane to two lane of NH-02 along the mentioned stretch had already been carried out and completed by NH team and line departments, district administration in coordination with village council of concerned villages.

NEW DELHI, APR 3 (PTI): India on Saturday recorded 89,129 new COVID19 cases in a day, the highest daily rise in around six-andhalf-months, taking the nationwide tally of infections to over 1.23 crore, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Saturday. The death toll increased to 1,64,110 with 714 more fatalities in a day, also the highest since October 21. The jump in cases reported on Saturday was the highest since September 20 last year when 92,605 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours. Corresponding to the rapid surge in cases, the number of active cases too have registered a steady increase for the 24th

11 States are of ‘grave concern’

day in a row with the tally reaching 6,58,909, which is 5.32 per cent of the total infections. The recovery rate has further dropped to 93.36

On the day the Centre categorised 11 States/UTs as “States of grave concern” on account of their high and rising daily cases and deaths, several states moved to take measures and impose curbs on movement to contain the surge in Covid-19 cases. Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Haryana-have contributed 90% of Covid cases and 90.5% of deaths (as on March 31) in the last 14 days, and have crossed or are close to crossing their peaks reported last year, the Centre said. In Mumbai, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, in an address to the state, stopped short of announcper cent, the data stated. The number of peo- ing a lockdown, but warned ple who have recuperated that a decision may be taken from the disease surged to in the next two days after consultations with experts. 1,15,69,241

81.4% of Covid cases from 8 states in last 24 hrs national, Page 5

5 dead in Myanmar as crackdown continues; death toll mounts to 550 NAY PYI TAW, APR 3 (IANS): Five people were killed across Myanmar on Saturday as the military continues to crack down on the ongoing protests against the February 1 coup. Three people died when the armed forces suppressed a protest in Monywa, in the Sagaing region on Saturday morning, dpa news agency quoted Myanmar Now website as saying in a report. One protester was shot dead and 10 were arrested in Thahtone, Mon state, according to Bago Weekly Journal Online Page. Soldiers took the body, it added. An 18-year-old who was passing by was also shot and killed although he had not been protesting, the newspaper wrote. Despite the threat of violence, people throughout the country turned out to oppose the military takeover, including in Mandalay, Mon and Kayah states and in the

Protesters gather behind a barricade during a protest, in Monywa, on April 3. (Reuters)

Sagaing and Tanintharyi regions. Since the coup, at least 550 people have been killed, including 46 children, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a nonprofit organization. Currently, 2,751 people have been detained, and 126 arrest warrants issued. Meanwhile, more than 12,000 people fled their villages following military air strikes targeting Mutraw District and Kler Htoo Dis-

4 held in connection with Mar 22 incident State COVID-19 caseload surges to 12362

DIMAPUR, APR 3 (NPN): village, s/o late Yelhozle, were carried out on March Four persons have been ar- village: Kiyevi; Vikaho Kap- 25 by a combined team of rested by the State police in po, s/o Khutokhu, village: SIT, DEF, STF and special connection with the killing Kiyevi and Lovito Swu, branch personnel, in the of three persons on March s/o Hokiqhe, village: Diph- vicinity of scene of crime 22 along the Dimapur-Peren uphar.” and neighbouring villages. district border area. The report citing PRO Following this operation, According to DIPR stated that soon after the suo PRO said that many relevant report quoting SP (Crime) moto case No. 2/2021 was materials and evidences and PRO (PHQ), the Special registered on March 23 under were collected and seized Investigation Team (SIT) sections 302/120 B/188/34 including empty and live amheaded by a DIG constituted IPC R/W 251B/27 (3) Arms munitions of various calibres to investigate a suo moto Act, against unknown per- leading to the arrest of the case filed at the State Crime sons at the SCPS in connec- four persons, who are curPolice Station (SCPS), ar- tion with the firing and kill- rently in police custody. rested the four suspected per- ing of three persons, the SIT PRO mentioned that sons on March 30, 2021 “in visited the place of occur- revealing more details at connection with the firing rence on March 24. The SIT this stage could hamper inand killing of three persons inspected the crime scene vestigation but that during in Lamhainamdi village on and recorded the statements the course of investigation, March 22, 2021.” of the police personnel post- vital leads having a bearing PRO said that the four ed in the disputed area and on the case had emerged and were identified as-- “Zheshi- also examined and recorded more arrests were likely to be to Swu, GB of Kiyevi Vil- the statements of the eyewit- effected in the coming days. lage, s/o late Yethoze, Vil- nesses to the incident. PRO said the SIT was confilage: Kiyevi; Ghosheto Swu, PRO said that extensive dent of unravelling the case NEW DELHI, APR 3 (PTI): VDB secretary of Kiyevi raid and search operations to a logical conclusion. Day temperatures are likely to be above normal over north and east India from April to June, Met department (IMD) said in its summer forecast. DIMAPUR, APR 3 (NPN): Zeliangrong ZCOs media and publicity cell stated in The IMD said below normal Civil Organizations (ZCOs) have sought a press note. While condemning the killing of seasonal maximum tempera- immediate intervention of the Governtures are likely over most of ment of India for impartial, speedy and three Zeliangrongs, ZCOs said they took south, parts of east India, effective investigation for delivery of jus- serious note of the lack of will on the northeast and extreme north tice by directing the National Investigating part of the Government of India and India. “During the upcoming Agency (NIA) to probe the killing of three Nagaland government in arresting those hot weather season, above persons on March 22 . involved even after the lapse of more than normal seasonal maximum This was among several resolutions ten days. temperatures are likely over adopted at the emergency meeting held ZCOs also alleged that it was a sign of most of the subdivisions of on March 30 at Peren district, convened both the Centre and state governments’ “innorth, northwest and few by Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur ability... insensitivity, insincerity and lack subdivisions of east cen- & Nagaland) where Zeliangrong leaders of commitment into the matter.” ZCOs said tral India. “However, below representing various Zeliangrong civil that the Zeliangrong people, living in the normal seasonal maximum societies and organizations from Zelian- three States, were observing the manner in temperatures are likely over grong territories of three States deliber- which the governments were dealing with most of the subdivisions of ated on the incident at the meeting , the the incident. (Cont’d on p-8) south peninsular India and few subdivisions of east, NE and extreme north India,” it said.

Day temp likely to be above normal: IMD

ZCOs demand NIA probe into Mar 22 incident

Superspreader event reported in Kohima State’s highest oneday spike last week in 6 months DIMAPUR/NEW DELHI, APR 3 (NPN/PTI): One new COVID-19 positive case was reported on Saturday in Tuensang while 16 positive cases were reported on Friday-- 13 in Kohima and 3 in Dimapur, taking the total caseload to 12362. With this the active cases rose to 133 According to Health

department’s weekly bulletin, one ‘superspreader’ event was reported in Kohima, the state’s highest single day spike in six months. “Kohima reported one Superpsreader event as 132 cases were reported from the past week. The outbreak from a training Institute in Kohima sends a clear message that such events can happen anywhere when necessary conditions are met,” Health department stated. It pointed out that all superspreader events in the state had been reported from enclosed and crowded places with maximum face to face human interactions.

No fresh vax registrations of HCWs, FLWs

Centre Saturday directed the states and UTs that no fresh registrations of healthcare and frontline workers will be allowed since some ineligible beneficiaries were getting their names enlisted for vaccination against COVID-19, under this category, in violation of rules. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter, said registration of persons aged 45 years and above will continue to be permitted on Co-WIN portal, and asked the states to ensure universal vaccination of already registered healthcare workers (HCWs) and frontline

NTUCT not to allow taxation by NPGs DIMAPUR, APR 3 (NPN): Naga Tribal Union C h u m u k e d i m a To w n (NTUCT) which held a joint meeting with the civil society organisations and Chümoukedima Chambers of Commerce and Traders Union (CCCTU) at its office on April 1, 2021, resolved that “any sort of taxation” from various Naga political groups (NPGs) would not be allowed within Chümoukedima jurisdiction. In a press release, NTUCT president Lhousito Khro and joint secretary Aolemba Longkumer said

the joint meeting, which discussed the issue of rampant taxation in and around Chümoukedima, resolved to reaffirm the February 13, 2014 resolution to stand by the clarion call for “One government, one tax”. NTUCT said the house also reiterated that action will be taken against any of the business community violating the February 2014 resolution. While acknowledging the struggles faced by the “different political groups for the freedom movement”, the meeting,

however, maintained that “random and rampant taxation” by various NPGs was only killing the aspirations of the people and impacting heavily on the economy of the people. The meeting was attended by CCCTU, Timber Association Chumoukedima, Sand Stockist and Supplier’s Union Chumoukedima, Boulder Union Chumoukedima, Chumoukedima Town Angami Mechu Krotho, Head G.B Chumoukedima town, Chumoukedima A Village and the officials of the NTUCT.

Magisterial probe ordered into Assam EVM row Noksen by-poll: H. Chuba

This is it!

“What a lovely day. Arise and awake. I’ve made plans for a family outing.” K Y M C

trict between March 27 and March 30, Karen National Union, one of the strongest ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar, said on Friday. The group warned that this had led to a “major humanitarian crisis”. The group urged the international community to stop selling “all explosive weaponry large and small, any advanced technology that is used to propagate war and jet fighters” to the armed forces.

KARIMGANJ/HAILAKANDI (ASSAM), APR 3 (PTI): A magisterial probe has been ordered to determine why a polling team in Assam carried an EVM in a vehicle owned by the wife of a BJP candidate, officials said Saturday. Karimganj district deputy superintendent Anbamuthan MP issued an order Friday to probe the incident, which has snowballed into a huge controversy amid the ongoing Assam assembly elections. Additional District Magistrate Rajeshan Terang has been asked to conduct the enquiry and submit a detailed report

within three days. “... This incident posed a threat to security of the polled EVMs and has an adverse effect on the law and order situation,” the order said. The probe will also find out the circumstances leading to the poll party travelling in a private vehicle, and ascertain whether there was any lapse or conspiracy on the part of the authorities. Violence had broken out on the outskirts of Karimganj town Thursday night after a crowd spotted a BJP candidate’s vehicle being used to transport a polled EVM to the strong room, prompting the police to fire

in the air to bring the situation under control. The poll team from Ratabari constituency claimed that its official vehicle broke down midway, forcing them to ask for a lift from a passing vehicle, which turned out to be that of the wife of BJP’s Patharkandi candidate. Sitting MLA Krishnendu Paul is the BJP candidate from the Patharkandi seat, while Ratabari is currently represented by his party MLA Bijoy Malakar, who is contesting the election as well. Ratabari and Patharkandi constituencies went to the polls in the second phase Thursday.

EC has suspended four election officials and ordered repolling at the booth. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also sought an inquiry by the commission. Meanwhile, police arrested at least six persons for allegedly live streaming the violence that had erupted after the incident, and inciting the mob to attack private vehicle in which the poll party was travelling with three units of EVM. Opposition Congress a n d t h e A I U D F h ave slammed the authorities for the incident, and alleged that the EVM was being “stolen”.

Chang elected unopposed

DIMAPUR, APR 3 (NPN): Candidate of the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) H. Chuba Chang was declared elected unopposed to the Nagaland Assembly for the by-election to the 51 Noksen constituency on Saturday. Chang, who is also the PDA consensus candidate, was the only candidate to file nomination for the bypoll scheduled for April 17 and was therefore, declared elected uncontested on Saturday, the last date for withdrawal of candidature. The bylection was to

fill the vacancy caused after the demise of C.M. Chang, then sitting MLA said deputy chief electoral officer Nagaland, Awa Lorin, in a letter to Election Commission of India. After H. Chuba declared elected to the Assembly, the strength of the ruling NDPP in the 60-member House has risen 21. NDPP’s alliance partner BJP has 12 MLAs. The Peoples Democratic Alliance government is also supported by two Independent MLAs. The opposition NPF has 25 MLAs.

workers (FLWs) at the earliest. Bhushan said all efforts have been made in close collaboration with states and UTs to saturate vaccination of HCWs and FLWs. While tracking the progress, timeline for completing vaccination of all HCWs and FLWs with first dose of COVID-19 vaccine has been extended multiple times and was finally fixed at February 25 for HCWs and March 6 for FLWs, he stated. “…it has been decided that no fresh registrations in categories of HCWs and FLWs will be allowed with immediate effect,” he said in the letter.

CM, Dy.CM, others extend Easter greetings DIMAPUR, APR 3 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio extended Easter greetings to the people of Nagaland and wished for a happy and a blessed Easter Sunday. In a message, Rio said Easter was a time of renewal and awakening and prayed that the miracle of Easter bring renewed hope, faith, love and joy; all received through God’s divine grace. Dy.CM: State deputy chief minister Y Patton said Easter Sunday was celebrated throughout the world to glorify the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the death, giving all believers a blessed assurance. In his message, Patton said that Christ lived His life in humility and in the service of the people, teaching and living the Gospel of Love. “During this Easter, let us learn to imbibe virtues of love, peace and compassion which are the true tenets of Christianity and may the love of Jesus Christ touch upon each and every one of our lives,” he said and wished the people a very blessed and Happy Easter. NPCC: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee has conveyed warm Easter greetings to every citizen of Nagaland and prayed that “this Easter celebration continue to reflect Christ in our lives.” (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C

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state

CM Rio visits state botanical garden

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

news in Brief Tuensang DPDB meeting: Tuensang deputy commissioner (DC) and district planning and development board (DPDB) vice chairman, Kumar Ramnikant has informed that DPDB monthly meeting has been scheduled on April 8, 11 a.m. at DC’s conference hall. NHIDCL general manager, PMU Mokokchung, chief manager state bank of India (SBI) Tuensang and all DPDB members have been requested to follow COVID-19 SOP and attend the meeting. DDGBA convenes emergency meeting: Dimapur District GBs Association (DDGBA) has convened an emergency meeting of its office bearers and executive members on April 5, 10 a.m. at its office. Association president and all concerned have been requested to attend the meeting. MHSU legal awareness programme: Mopong Hong Kong students Union (MHSU) has organised legal awareness program-cum-midterm meeting on April 8 and 9 at Yonghong, host village of 36th MHSU session. Federating units have been requested to represent five members headed by president along with games fee fixed by the sports department. Pughoboto SDPDB & plantation drive on April 7: Additional deputy commissioner (ADC) & vice chairman, SDPDB Pughoboto, Thungchanbemo Tungoe has informed that sub-divisional planning & development board (SDPDB) meeting and plantation drive will be held on April 7. HoDs/head in charge have been requested to send three staff for the plantation drive. All SDPDB members and the staff have been informed to gather at Mishilimi village gate, 8 a.m. Members have been requested to attend the meeting-cum-plantation drive.

CRIME BEAT

Phek police arrest two

DIMAPUR: Phek district police arrested two persons namely Theputo Nyekha (38) and Sato Lohe (40) on March 28 and 29 respectively, both from Suthozu new village for stealing cables near Chozuba town belonging to Mukand systems and networking Pvt Ltd involved in providing optical fibre connecting to telecom operators in Phek district. According to Phek police, the stolen cables were recovered from their possession. A case was registered against the duo vide case No 379/426/34 R/W Arrested persons along prevention of damage to with the recovered cables public property Act 1984 receiving or purchasing Sec 3. Meanwhile, Phek SP stolen property of penal without suspension of trade has warned any person section under IPC. license till facilities are provided). No provision/mechanism to ensure the maintenance of queue and social DIMAPUR: Excise narcotic cell (NC) arrested one distancing among the cus- woman identified as Eliho Kinimi (40) with 13 grams of tomers (penalty of Rs. 200 heroin (sunflower) on March 31. According to deputy commissioner of excise (narevery time the offence is committed); not wearing cotic cell) S. Chanlei Angh, the seizure was made based of mask by salesman, other on a tip off of “peddling of drugs going on in and around staff and customers con- Dimapur”. The accused was booked under relevant sections of cerned with particular shop, business establishment (pen- NDPS Act 1985 and the seized article is being kept in the alty of Rs. 100 every time excise Malkhana for future destruction by the competent destruction board, informed Angh. the offence is committed).

TTC issues order on strict compliance of SOP

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio speaking with officials of forest department and others during his visit.

SAMETI organises trg for ATMA functionaries DIMAPUR: State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) Medziphema organised two-day training on “improving managerial skills for extension functionaries for effective transfer of technology” for Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) functionaries from March 30-31 at SAMETI, Medziphema. A press release by SAMETI Medziphema stated that the training was aimed at educating participants of the key skills and work practices which would enable them to execute their official duties more efficiently and effectively. Resource persons for the training were department of horticulture, NU: SASRD, Medziphema, professor Akali Sema, department of agriculture extension, NU: SASRD, Medziphema, assistant professor, Dr. N.K Patra and department of rural development & planning, NU: SASRD, Medziphema, assistant professor, Dr. Mary N Odyuo. The release informed that participatory lectures on managerial skills for extension professional: an overview; application of management skills in effective transfer of technology; extension methodologies and transfer of agricultural technology; monitoring and evaluation skills for effective extension delivery were covered. 22 participants from different districts attended the training. Certificates were also distributed to participants by director SAMETI while DPD SAMETI, Janet Chishi delivered the vote of thanks.

(principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest force) Dharmendra Prakash, chief conservator of forests (CCF) Supongnukshi, conservator of forests (CF) Dr. Kenei, state silviculturist Lhinghoikim Touthang and her division staff. The chief minister and his entourage also took a walk to the watch tower I of the garden. Besides other suggestions, he encouraged

K Y M C

Excise NC arrest one with heroin

“DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-55.

NAGA KUOTSU UNION H.O. KOHIMA

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

of our beloved brother

Lt. Viloto Zhimo (Avilo) A year has gone by since you left us to be with the Lord, you were called for it was your time, but very true that you have left a legacy for there was no one like you. You will always be remembered and never forgotten. “And God will wipe away every tears from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, no more pain, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:4.

We miss you deeply. DP-1739

Ever loving Family Members

4th April 2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Naga Kuotsu Union is deeply shocked and saddened over the barbaric killing of three of our brothers namely Lt. Itingwangbo Haikam, Lt Peramhialungbo and Lt Sikamwangbo on 22/3/2021 at Lamhainamdi Village, Peren District, Nagaland by some notorious gangster in the guise of some underground factions with automatic weapons. It was also learnt that they were mercilessly tortured before being fired upon. We strongly condemned this senseless and cowardly act as there is no place for such senseless act in a civilized society. We strongly urge the authority to immediately act upon and bring the culprits to book and award befitting punishments according the laws. We the Naga Kuotsu Union express our deepest sorrow and convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families at this hour of grief and pray that Almighty God grant solace to the bereaved families especially to our clan member wife of Lt. Itingwangbo Haikam. (Ravolhuto Whiso Kuotsu) (Pfükedo Sopfü Kuotsu) President General Secretary

LATE GHUKHULI H. AWOMI 1948 – 27/03/2021 It is indeed so heartening and comforting to see the faithful believers of Christ who have shared our sorrow and extended all possible help to us at the moment of our grief and sorrow at the loss of our beloved mother who left for her heavenly home. Words are inadequate to express our heartfelt gratitude, yet we would like to say Big Thank You to all the believers, individuals, churches, unions, communities and well wishers. May the gracious God bless you all in return. Children, In-laws & Grand Children K-700

BORN ON 02/01/1994 – DIED ON 01/04/2021 We, the bereaved family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the individual, friends and various organisations, churches and neighbours who stood by us with prayer support both physically and financially at the sudden demise of our beloved Lt. Chenithung Ngullie, S/o Lt. Mhonsao Ngullie who left us on 1st April 2021. We regret our inability to thank each and every individual personally but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty Father bless you all richly. Love and prayer Mother, Brother, Sister, families DP-1769 In-laws and relatives

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved LATE TALIWATI LONGKUMER (MOLUNGYIMSEN) Died : 04-04-2020

DDCF to hold executive meet DIMAPUR: Dimapur district citizens’ forum (DDCF) has informed all the tribal and non-tribal affiliated organisations of DDCF that there will be an executive meeting on April 6, 11 a.m. at DDCF office. All the advisors, office bearers and executive members have been requested to attend the meeting.

the forest department to undertake plantation of ornamental species along the walkways and in and around the garden to add to the aesthetic value of the garden. He also suggested on working towards the improvement of existing infrastructure of the garden to attract more visitors and to be more differently-able friendly. The chief minister was accompanied by his wife.

In this regard, an enforcement team has been constituted with the following members: Yempnag Chang as supervisor, TTC; Molodanchi Chang as assistant supervisor TTC; Asola as vice president CoC&I, Tuensang town; Elemmongko Chang as DB-II and LuyanYimchunger as DB-II. The team will ensure the strict compliance of COVID-19 appropriate practice by imposing fines: no hand washing facility/ hand sanitisers – (first offence Rs. 500) and warning and offence after one week of first offence (sealing of the establishment with or

K-701

DIMAPUR: State chief minister, Neiphiu Rio visited the state botanical garden Kohima on April 2, to oversee the development works currently undergoing at the botanical garden for development of Public Park. A press release by state silviculturist Lhinghoikim Touthang stated that during his visit, Rio interacted with the forest department officials in the presence of the PCCF & HOFF

DIMAPUR: Additional De puty Commissioner (ADC) and administrator, Tuensang Town Council (TTC), Ajit Kumar Verma has issued an order on strict compliance of COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). According to DIPR, the ADC & administrator observed that various shopkeepers, business establishments, hotels, restaurants were not adhering to COVID - 19 practices such as provision of hand washing facility/hand sanitiser, maintaining social distancing and wearing of mask by salesmen and customers.

2nd September 1985 – 26th March 2021 We, the bereaved family of Late S. Lichumse Sangtam would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the various organizations, churches, departments, families and individual for the immense support and help during the difficult times and his sudden demise. We regret our inability to thank each and every individual personally but it is our humble prayer that Almighty God bless you all abundantly. DP-1760

Wife, Children and Family Members.

Today's the anniversary of the day that we lost you We think about you always, We talk about you still, Your memories will forever be precious, and the blessing is that you are still alive in us. We love you and miss you everyday. DP-1761

- Loving Wife & Daughters

DP-1724

K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Will additional flights to Dimapur help promote tourist trade? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

A B C

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Viaţă felicitates 49 teachers KUK celebrates Aoleang in Kohima from 25 schools across Dimapur

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A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

83% 0% 17%

Next poll

Q: Is 2021 like to experience

paucity of rainfall?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

Advisor, F&ES, relief & rehabilitation and SIRD, PJ Pohwang Konyak speaking at the festival. (DIPR)

WEATHER FORECAST April 4

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hot, a stray p.m. t-storm

37 22

Aizawl

Mostly sunny and very warm 33 15

Guwahati Mostly sunny and very warm 36 18

Partly sunny

33 12

Itanagar Partly sunny

30 16

Shillong Partly sunny and pleasant

25 13

A stray afternoon t-storm

27 14

Imphal

Kohima

Dimapur Partly sunny and very warm Mkg

Partly sunny and pleasant

Tuensang Partly sunny

35 18 28 15

Correspondent KOHIMA, APR 3 (NPN): Aoleang festival was celebrated with much pomp and gaiety at Kisama on Saturday, organised by Konyak Union Kohima (KUK) as part of the sixday festival which would be celebrated all across the state. Speaking as the guest during the celebration, advisor, fire & emergency

27 17

Zunheboto Partly sunny and beautiful

25 12

invoked God’s blessings on their family and properties for the oncoming year. Since there were more than 140 Konyak villages spread all over the state, Konyak Union has decided that the festival should be celebrated for six days giving ample time for all the villages to celebrate on any chosen day, however, it should culminate on the 6th day, Pohwang added. He pointed out that

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Gaonbura Federation (NGBF) has expressed grief over the demise of late GB Lokphong Konyak, Sheanghah Wamsa village under Mon district. In a condolence note, NGBF media cell said that late Lokphong Konyak was the general secretary of Mon district GB association since 2007. NGBF said that he was a sincere and dedicated office bearer of MDGBA who had extended his cooperation while associating with NGBF in every official works. The federation said that in his demise, the association had lost a “good and hard-working leader” whose demise had created a vacuum created which would be difficult to fill. Further, NGBF conveyed its condolence to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

SBCCTF concludes session at SBC, Phek DIMAPUR: Secheku Baptist Church Council Theological Fellowship (SBCCTF) held its session at Sümi Baptist Church, Phek on March 27 and 28. In a press release, SBCCTF stated that on the first day SBCCTF Pfutsero president, Vevo K. Dzudo highlighted the activities of SBCCTF and encouraged churches to provide good libraries and sponsor theological students. On the second day, session speakers BSI Dimapur auxiliary, auxiliary secretary, Rev. Dr. Yepetso Wezah and Baptist theological college Pfutsero lecturer, Dr. Khrotsoloü Wetsah gave paper presentation on “Heresy” and “Christian Nominalism”. Meanwhile, it also made resolutions where: SBCCTF resolved to safeguard the ministry of God from the impending threat of “Heresies” by being wellequipped with the word of God and inculcate Biblical doctrines in the churches; to break away with “Nominalism” prevailing in the church today and recommitting themselves to “live out and witness Christ” with strength and authority from God.

services (F&ES), relief & rehabilitation and SIRD, PJ Pohwang Konyak extended Aoleang greetings and thanked all the guests especially tribes from other Eastern region who had attended the event. He said that the festival was celebrated to mark the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. He also said that during this time, Konyak people

besides the Konyaks, there were several other tribes in Nagaland and communities across the country who celebrated the new year at this time of the year through their respective festivals. Pohwang called on the people to take opportunity of the festival and ask for God’s blessings for their own families and tribesmen. Earlier, invocation was offered by Konyak Baptist Church, Kohima, pastor Z Mankup, welcome address was delivered by KUK president, Dr W Phola while significance of the festival was shared by state chaplain, Rev TW Yamyap. Vote of thanks was proposed by KUK general secretary, Khongjah while benediction and Aoleang blessings for the year were pronounced by Konyak Baptist Church, Kohima, deacon Tahlem. Later folk dances were presented by representatives from the six different units residing in Kohima including Longchang, Tobu, Aboi, Chen, Wakching and Mon circle.

NGBF mourns member’s demise ABAM gets new executive secretary

21 10

Partly sunny and pleasant

Wokha

3

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

Officials of Viaţă along with the awardees and chief guest. ANPSA Dimapur president, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema speaking at the programme (Inset). (NP) Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, MAR 3 (NPN): Viaţă Institute of Allied Health Science and Research (Viaţă) in association with Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) and All Nagaland Private School Association (ANPSA) organised a felicitation programme for teachers around Dimapur on the theme “making the difference.” The programme was held here, on Saturday at AIDA Hall, Don Bosco higher secondary school. Addressing the gathering as chief guest, ANPSA Dimapur president, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema said that teachers were builders of nation and mentors of the future. Dr. Ahoto stated that teachers shaped the future of the students and made them understand their full potentiality. Maintaining that teachers in the western countries were treated with more respect, he claimed that teachers were paid

more salaries than politicians and bureaucrats, and lamented why teachers were regarded as low class citizen in the world’s largest democratic country. He further maintained that western countries had better understanding towards educators and urged upon students union and teachers to work hand-inhand. He further added that private schools catered to almost 80% of the students in the state and that maximum excellent results were brought by students of the private schools. Dr. Ahoto maintained that the state’s economy would boost immensely if the government gave importance on education and hospital (medical). In this regard, he urged upon the government to wake up and work on the upgrading educational institutions and hospitals for the improvement of state’s economy. He added that as on when the government lays emphasis on the two given

NFMP annual review meeting Fire destroys building in Mon DIMAPUR: Nagaland explained about JICA proj-

PowerPoint was pre-

Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchnanger hands over the executive Forest Management Project ect, nursery stock, planta- sented by DMU supporting secretary’s responsibility to Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener.

DIMAPUR: Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) organised a farewell and installation programme for its outgoing and the new executive secretary on April 1 at Impur, Mokokchung. A press release by ABAM stated that in his farewell speech, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger thanked his wife, children, ABAM secretaries and staff, Mokokchung Baptist Church and others for their significant support during his ten-year service in ABAM. Dr. Atsongchanger also wished the new executive secretary, Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener the very

best as he takes on the new responsibility. Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener while taking the charge of the seventh executive secretary of ABAM expressed immense joy for the opportunity. Rev. Dr. Pongener said he looks unto God for help as he renders his ser vice in ABAM and asked everyone to uphold him in prayers. The handing and taking over of the executive secretary of ABAM was ministered by ABAM president, Dr. Lolen Imchen. The programme was attended by two members each from all Ao Baptist Churches.

(NFMP) held its annual review meeting on March 25 and 26 at Zunheboto forest conference hall. Divisional forest officer (DFO) cum divisional management unit (DMU) head Zunheboto division Dr. Sentitula stated that despite the lockdown, villagers achieved 467 ha of plantation in Yesheluto, Emlo and Meshilimi village planting 104426 saplings during 2019-20. A press release from DFO-cum-DMU head stated that the second batch villages taking up forestry intervention activities were Sukomi, Vekuho New, Asukhuto, Ighanumi, Natsumi and Mukali. ADMU Head Tokugha

tion activities to the villagers. Nursery stocks availability species wise in nurseries were shared by JFMC president from all nine villages. EAC Zunheboto N. Nyamok Konyak attended the meeting on behalf of the district administration and encouraged JFMCs to take maximum benefit of the project which would directly benefit the villagers. Status and progress of activities of batch 1 & 2 villages, physical and financial achievements and target were presented by FMU Head Atoziu, Bokato Sema and FMU head Pughoboto Kihoto Wotsa.

staff of NFMP. The meeting was attended by 48 members including DMU head, ADMU, FMU heads, supporting staff, staff from NFMP range beat and JFMC members from nine villages. One of the main components of the NFMP along with the forestry interventions and biodiversity conservation was livelihood improvement and community development. The DMU along with the FMU distributed 450 of 14 days-old vaccinated broiler chicks along with starter feed to all nine villages to improve their livelihood and work towards conservation of forest.

Public seen dousing the fire at Mon.

Correspondent MON, APR 3 (NPN): A fire broke out at Mon town, Jahjong ward on Saturday, 4:20 p.m., however no casualties were reported. A building with three rooms and one kitchen was completely destroyed in the inferno. The house belonged to a police personnel from DEF Mon.

Workshops on use of IHIP held in Zunheboto, Kiphire, Longleng

Zunheboto

DIMAPUR: District level workshops on use of Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) were conducted in Zunheboto, Longleng and Kiphire. IHIP is a web-based near-realtime electronic information system to provide state-of-theart single operating picture with geospatial information for managing disease outbreaks and related resources. Zunheboto: Chief medical officer (CMO) office, Zunheboto conducted a three-day hands-on training on IHIP K Y M C

institutions, it would highly benefit people of the states with more income, job satisfaction and opportunity. He opined that if Nagaland wanted to be self standardised, it should emphasise on education and hospitals. Dr. Ahoto fur ther urged parents and teachers to do away with the mentality that marks meant everything and stated that every child had different potentiality. He further stated that teachers should deliver equal treatment to all students. E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by Moalemla Aier and invocation was pronounced by Rev. Khriezovi Kiso. A special number was presented by Vizho Thakhro while Viaţă project head, Pranjal Borbora presented a slide on Viaţă. A total of 49 teachers from 25 schools across Dimapur were felicitated by Viaţă, an upcoming paramedical institute in Chümoukedima.

at Town Hall, Zunheboto on March on 25, 30 and 31. In a press release, district media officer, Shekho Sophie stated that some of the key features of IHIP were real time data reporting through the use of mobile applications accessible at village, state and the central levels, geo-tagging of reporting health facilities, etc. It was envisaged to enable better continuity of care, secure and confidential health data/ records management, better

Kiphire

diagnosis of diseases, reduction in patient re-visits prevention of medical errors, and others. Resource persons for the training were Dr. Zhekheli Chishi, District Epidemiologist, Data Manager (IDSP) DPM and BPMs while DPO (RCH & UIP) Dr. Nukshisangla delivered the welcome address. The trainees were comprised of MOs, CHOs, GNMs, A N M s, p h a r m a c i s t a n d LDA’s Kiphire: District level workshop on use IHIP was

conducted at conference hall, district hospital Kiphire on March 30. A press release through the CMO’s office Kiphire stated that the workshop was conducted by district epidemiologist DSU, IDSP, Dr. Dheni Thonger and manager IDSP, CMO office Kiphire, Imkongchuba as trainers. The programme was attended by medical officers, community health officers, GNMs, ANMs, laboratory technicians from all the health

Longleng

units under Kiphire district. Longleng: CMO office Longleng conducted a two-day hands-on training on IHIP on March 23 and 24 at the CMO conference hall in the presence of consultant (WHO), Dr. Mero. A press release from CMO Longleng Dr Obangjungla stated that IHIP ensured better continuity of care, secure and confidential health data management, better diagnosis of diseases, reduction of patient re-visits, better affordability,

optimal information exchange to support better health outcome, etc. Earlier the keynote address was delivered by DSO, Dr. Marina Yaden. Resource persons of the training were IDSP epidemiologist Dr. Molung Jamir, Dr. Mero and data manager Arenlong. The training was attended by medical officers from the blocks and district hospital, CHOs, ANMs, BPMs, laboratory technicians and pharmacist.

It was reported that no one was at home at the time of the incident and a single belonging could not be salvaged. Cause of the fire was suspected to be from electric short circuit. The fire was later controlled by 5 p.m. with the help of the public and fire and emergency services who rushed to the spot.

Webinar on ‘landslide susceptibility of Kohima town’ DIMAPUR: Department of geology, Model Christian College (MCC) conducted a live national webinar on March 26 under the topic, “landslide susceptibility of Kohima town, Nagaland”. Professor, department of geology, Nagaland University (NU) Dr. GT Thong was the resource person. Dr. GT Thong spoke on taking heuristic approach on the slope stability as well as the drainage density of the state capital, Kohima. Thong observed that people were in a rush to buy and put up buildings anywhere, regardless of the quality of the land which put many lives in danger. Geology students have the responsibility to create the awareness on such hazards he said, while encouraging the participants to opt for eco-friendly technology and to adopt indigenous practices wherever applicable. Earlier, the programme was led by Renbeni Tsopoe while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Akano Yokha. Altogether, 170 participants from various institutions across the country participated in the webinar. K Y M C

4

northeast

Modi urges Assam militants to join mainstream

Ta m u l p u r , A p r 3 (PTI): Buoyed by a raft of peace agreements with underground outfits in the Northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a fervent appeal to militants in Assam who have not surrendered yet to return to the mainstream as they are needed to create an ‘Atmanirbhar Assam’. Addressing an election rally here in Bodoland Territorial Region’s (BTR) Baksa district, the prime minister said people of the state have rejected violence for development, peace, unity and stability. Accusing the Congress of encouraging violence, Modi said, “It is our responsibility to ensure the rehabilitation of those who have returned to the mainstream after years of struggle. “I also appeal to those who are yet to surrender to return for the future of the state and for their own future, too, as they are needed to create an ‘Atmanirbhar Assam’,” he said. Referring to the huge crowd of women present at the rally, the prime minister said during his

Narendra Modi

last visit to Kokrajhar in BTR on Thursday, he was surprised to see women in large numbers and asked a political analyst about the reason, and was told “mothers are now sure their children will not pick up weapons and go away to the jungle again”. “I assure every mother and sister of the BTR that the dreams of your children will be fulfilled and they do not have to pick up weapons and go to the jungles or fall victim to bullets,” he said. Every child is special to their mother but their tears do not stop once the child picks up a gun and goes to the jungle, he said, adding the NDA is committed to

Drug dealer arrested with opium worth Rs 2.53 crore in Manipur Correspondent IMPHAL, APR 3: A man allegedly engaged in interstate illegal drug transportation was arrested with 84.45kg of opium and Rs 19.85 lakh in cash by police in Manipur. The seized opium is valued at around Rs 2.53 crore in the international market as the police estimated the cost of a kg of opium at Rs three lakh in the international market. The police said that the alleged drug dealer, Sandeep Limbu (31) son of Manbir Limbu of Erang Part -1 of Senapati’s Dhoreghari village was arrested last (Friday) night from Shantipur village of Kanglatombi in Imphal West district where he stayed at a rented house. Imphal West

SP K Meghachandra told reporters today that Sandeep Limbu was arrested after 22 packets of opium wrapped with black colour polythene were found during a check to an EECO Van (with no registration number) parked in his rented house around 8.30 pm on Friday. The police raided the house and the vehicle only after the suspected drug dealer who defied police challenge ran inside the house. The police found 22 packets of opium concealing in two gunny bags containing some grocery items like rice, dal and vegetables in the Van. During spot interrogation, the police identified the person as Premjit at Sekmai Bazar on the previous day (April 2) for onward delivery to another person at Guwahati of Assam.

ensuring that this does not happen again. The NDA is committed to moving ahead on the path of development through “peace and goodwill” and it is this that has led to the signing of the historic Bodo Accord, he said. The NDA government, he asserted, formulates policies that are non-discriminatory and for all sections of society. “It’s unfortunate that those who divided society and threw crumbs of development at particular sections for their vote bank politics are said to be practising secularism while we, who ensure that development reaches all, are termed

communal,” Modi said, attacking the Congress over long years of violence in the state. “The NDA government has strived to holistically empower every section of society with our mantra ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’. This game of secularism and communalism has hurt the nation a lot,” he said. During the last five years, the “double engine” NDA governments at the Centre and in the state have resulted in “double benefit” for Assam, the prime minister said. “Whenever we think of any scheme, we think of everyone without any discrimination. We want that the benefits of the schemes reach every section of the society, irrespective of whether they are form a vote bank or not, literate or illiterate. We are here to work for the nation and to change the lives of people,” he said, The prime minister said it is for the first time that special attention has been given to holistic development of 100 districts

New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): The Election Commission Saturday reduced the 48-hour campaign ban imposed on Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to 24 hours after he tendered an “unconditional apology” and assured the poll panel that he will abide by the provisions of the model code. The BJP leader now can start campaigning from the evening. He was on Friday initially barred from campaigning-related activities till April 4 for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary. Canvassing for the third and final phase of Assam assembly elections comes to an end on the evening of April 4. The

Pranab Kumar Gogoi near Longvi village of Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district.

The ULFA(I), which had claimed responsibility of their kidnapping, however, was yet to issue any statement on their release. A senior police officer of Arunachal Pradesh said the 51-year-old abducted employee was found in Longvi village on Saturday

3 fresh cases take Mizoram’s COVID-19 tally to 4,487 Aizawl, Apr 3 (PTI): Mizoram’s COVID-19 tally rose to 4,487 on Saturday as three more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said. All the new cases were reported in Aizawl district, he said. The new patients tested positive for the infection upon their arrival at the Lengpui airport from other states on Friday, the official said.

Mizoram now has 40 active cases, while 4,436 people have recovered from the disease and 11 patients have succumbed to the infection so far. The state has thus far tested over 2.54 lakh samples for COVID-19, including 386 on Friday. Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana has stressed the need to be more cautious against the second COVID19 wave.

74 women candidates in fray in Assam polls G u wa h ati , A p r 3 (PTI): Political parties have made promises galore to woo the 49.35 per cent strong women electorate but only 74 women candidates are in the fray for the threephase Assam Assembly elections in 2021. The number of women candidates in this year’s Assembly election is less compared to the last two state assembly polls. In the 2016 Assam Assembly election, there were 91 women candidates in the fray with eight of them winning while in 2011, 85 women contested and 14 made it to the assembly, the highest so far elected to the House. The 74 candidates comprise a mere 7.82 per cent of the total 946 candidates in the fray for the 126 member Assembly. Notwithstanding their poor representation, women came out in large numbers, outnumbering men in the first phase with 76.07 per cent of the total 40,32,481 female electorate exercising their franchise while 75.79 per cent of the 40,77,210 male voters and 11.29 per cent of the 124 third gender cast their vote.

EC halves campaigning ban on Himanta Biswa Sarma

final phase of polling will be held on April 6. In his representation to the Election Commission on Saturday, Sarma had pleaded to reduce the ban to 24 hours on the ground that he is himself a candidate in the constituency which is scheduled to go for polls on Tuesday. The EC order said in

afternoon and after recording his statement at the Jairampur police station, he has been sent for medical examination. He will be handed over to his family after all the formalities were completed. Ulfa (I) and NSCN (K)

had taken Quippo’s drilling superintendent Pranab Kumar Gogoi (51) and radio operator Ram Kumar (35) from Kumchaikha hydrocarbon drilling site near Innao in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, which borders Myanmar. Asked about Kumar’s whereabouts, Gogoi told reporters that the two were kept together till they were separated on March four, after promising them that they would be released through different routes. “After that I lost contact with him. I thought he had been already released but I came to know at the police station that he was yet to be released”, he said. “I have come to know only now that he has not been released yet,” Gogoi, who hails from Assam’s Sivasagar district, said. He also said that both of them were provided with new clothes before they were separated and promised that they would be released.

SHILLONG, APR 3: Night curfew was further extended in Meghalaya with the sudden surge of COVID-19 positive cases in State. On Friday, 15 new cases were detected across Meghalaya taking the total active cases to 64. District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills, Isawanda Laloo on Saturday extended the existing night curfew timing in the district from April 3 to April 11 between

12 a.m to 5 a.m each day as a precaution against the pandemic. East Khasi Hills district, that includes State capital Shillong is the most COVID-19 affected district with 34 active cases, followed by West Garo Hills with 23 active cases as per the latest count. Meghalaya has so far registered 14, 082 confirmed cases of COVID-19, which includes 150 deaths due to the viral disease with 1.07 per cent, case fatality rate. Meanwhile, the night

G u wa h ati , A p r 3 (PTI): Following a controversy over a polling team in Assam carrying an EVM in the vehicle belonging to the wife of a BJP candidate, the Congress on Saturday held a protest against the incident and alleged that the ruling party in the state is indulging in electoral manipulation. Amid slogan-shouting by the party workers, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora urged the Election Commission to take strict action against the BJP leaders who carry out illegal activities that hamper the polling process. The protest rally was not allowed to move forward on the busy arterial G S Road and stopped at the gate of the state Congress headquarters ‘Rajiv Bhawan’. Bora submitted a memorandum to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Debaraj Upadhaya to send it to the Office of Chief Electoral Officer of the state. Violence had broken out in Karimganj district of Assam on Thursday night after a crowd spotted the BJP candidate’s vehicle being used to transport a polled EVM to the strong room, forcing the police to fire in the air to bring the situation under control. The incident snowballed into a huge controversy on Friday morning with the opposition Congress and AIUDF alleging that the EVM was being “stolen”, prompting the Election Commission to suspended four poll officials and order a repoll at the booth as a video of the fiasco went viral on social media. According to a district official, the vehicle of the polling party of the 149Indira MV School in the Ratabari constituency broke down on its way to the strong room in Karimganj town, and they took a lift on a private car. Incidentally, the car was registered under the name of the wife of the sitting BJP MLA from Patharkandi Krishnendu Paul who is seeking re-election from

the same seat this time, the official had said. Ratabari is currently represented by BJP MLA Bijoy Malakar, who is contesting the election as well. “Krishnendu Paul was found carrying an EVM in his car. This was done in violation of the Election Code of Conduct and the laws laid down under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951,” Bora said, citing his party’s memorandum. He also alleged that people found several EVMs in a vehicle not requisitioned for election purpose near Hatipura polling station in Diphu town. “Several voting machines were also seized in Jamunamukh constituency when being carried by government officials without security personnel. An EVM was missing from a polling booth in Kalaigaon segment,” the Congress claimed in its representation to the CEO. Congress Campaign Committee chairman Pradyut Bordoloi said, “We urged the EC to uphold the sanctity of political representation in a democracy and take action against the glaring misuse of power by the ruling regime in Assam.” “The party and the people are convinced that the BJP is rattled, that is why it is resorting to treachery to win the elections,” he alleged. Meanwhile, the Election Commission reduced the 48-hour campaign ban imposed on Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to 24 hours after he tendered an “unconditional apology” and assured the poll panel that he will abide by the provisions of the model code. The BJP leader now can start campaigning from Saturday evening. He was on Friday initially barred from campaigning- related activities till April 4 for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary.

his representation, Sarma requested the poll panel to “accept my sincere regret and assurance of abiding MCC in future, and, be further pleased to reduce the period of debarment from election campaign from 48 hours to 24 hours”. The EC said after considering his “unconditional apology and assurance/

6 new COVID cases detected in Sikkim

Assam minister, who threatened two journalists, asked to appear before police

G a ngt o k , A p r 3 (PTI): Sikkim reported six new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the coronavirus tally in the state to 6,251, an official said on Saturday. All the new COVID19 cases were reported from East Sikkim district, state Information Education and Communication (IEC) member Sonam Bhutia said. The Himalayan state currently has 48 active COVID-19 cases, while 5,967 patients have recovered from the disease, he said. The COVID-19 death toll in the state is 135, Bhutia said, adding that 101 patients have migrated to other states. The state has so far tested 83,701 samples for COVID- 19, including 182 samples in the last 24 hours, he added.

Morigaon (Assam), Apr 3 (PTI): Assam minister Pijush Hazarika, who allegedly threatened two journalists of dire consequences, has been issued a notice to appear before police and his call recordings have been sent to forensic lab for examination, officials said on Saturday. Two FIRs filed at Jagiroad police station by the scribes have been merged, and Hazarika has been booked under Sections 500 (defamation), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the IPC. The minister, who is contesting from the Jagiroad constituency where polling took place in the second phase on Thursday, had allegedly threatened the two journalists for reporting about a controversial campaign speech by his wife. “The statements of the journalists were recorded and a notice was issued to

Night curfew extended in M’laya as COVID cases increase

Correspondent

Assam polls: Congress holds protest over EVM row

undertaking”, it has decided to modify its April 2 order and “reduce the period of debarment from election campaign from 48 hours to 24 hours to the effect that permission may be granted for holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows by the concerned district administration authorities, where you are expected or likely to participate.” The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha. The BPF is an ally of the Congress in Assam. It was previously with the BJP.

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Pvt oil company employee released by ULFA GUWAHATI, APR 3 (PTI): One of the two employees of a private oil company kidnapped by the ULFA from Arunachal Pradesh has been released after 102 days in captivity, sources said. A statement issued by Assam Rifles on Saturday said a border patrol of the force in South Arunachal Pradesh intercepted an individual crossing the India-Myanmar border in Changlang district, during border domination operations on April 3. “The individual was identified as Pranab Kumar Gogoi, an employee of Quippo Oil and Gas Infra Ltd, who was earlier kidnapped from Inau, Ar unachal Pradesh on 21 December 2020 by ULFA(I). The individual has been handed over to Arunachal Pradesh Police at Longvi”, according to the statement. The other employee Ram Kumar, who hails from Bihar, has not been traced yet.

and out of these, seven are in Assam. The people of Assam have realised this and the “Mahajhot ka Mahajhooth (the Grand lies of the Grand Alliance has been exposed with people reposing faith in development, stability, peace, goodwill, harmony and unity”, he said. Modi came down heavily on those claimimg what peoplewho will form the next government will look like and wear. He was apparently referring to the comments by Abdur Rahim, the son of AIUDF founder and MP Badruddin Ajmal, a Congress ally, who Friday asserted “dadhi, topi and lungi wallahs” will form the next government in the state. “There cannot be a bigger insult to Assam. The people of Assam will not tolerate those who insult Assam’s pride and identity and will give them a befitting reply through the ballot,” he said. The people of the state have decided to vote the NDA to power again, he asserted.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

curfew order will not apply to medical teams and officials on COVID-19 duty, police, security and armed forces and other personnel on emergency and other services. Movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipment and shops for repair of trucks on highways are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols. The order further stated that these ser-

vice personnel shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, without fail. Meanwhile, the State health department has notified that negative RT-PCR reports are mandatory for persons entering Meghalaya from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Madhva Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh and Gujarat and RAT negative report will not be valid for persons coming from these States.

Pijush Hazarika

the minister in connection with the case. He has been asked to come to Jagiroad PS for recording his statement,” Morigaon District Superintendent of Police Nanda Singh Borkala told PTI. Hazarika, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, said he will come to the police station on Sunday to give his statement, the SP said. Borkala said the mobile phones of the scribes and that of Hazarika have been seized and the voice recordings of the conversation sent to a forensic laboratory in

Guwahati. “As per law and procedure, we will proceed in the case,” he added. In the FIR, the two journalists - Nazrul Islam and Tulsi Manta - of Assamese news channels claimed that Hazarika had threatened them with dire consequences at 1 pm on Thursday, when they were busy in poll coverage of the second phase in Morigaon district. Police have also provided personal security cover to both the journalists. Meanwhile, the IG (Law and Order) Deepak Kumar Kedia, who is the nodal officer of the state police for the ongoing Assam assembly elections, has sought a report from the district police on the case. Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora has also filed a complaint with the state’s chief electoral officer, demanding Hazarika’s disqualification from the polls.

DECLARATION

I, Shri T. Moaba Sangtam, Rank L/Nk, Unit 164 TA Naga H/O Thsadila, permanent resident of Phir Ahir Village, PO/PS Longkhim, Dist. Tuensang, Nagaland, do hereby solemnly affrim and declare the following statement on oath: 1. That I am bonafide citizen of India 2. That my wife actual name is Thsadila. 3. That in some of my documents inclusive 958 documents my wife name has been inadvertently variedly entered as Longdila Sangtam. 4. That the name, Thsadila & Longdila Sangtam refer to one and same person only. 5. That the instant affidavit is sworn to declare that henceforth my wife name shall be called and known as Thsadila in all official records correspondences and intents. 6. That the statements rendered above from Para 1 to 5 are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and no material fact has been concealed therein. Declared the same in should mind and in robust health at Tuensang on this the 11th of March '2021. Deponent Solemnly declared before me. Notary Public DP-1772

81.4% of Covid cases from 8 states in last 24 hrs

India’s COVID tally has increased to 6,58,909, the centre said.

Ahmednagar and Nanded - account for 50 per cent of the total active caseload of the country. Maharashtra has shown a nine-fold jump, the maximum increase in the number of active cases in the last two months. In percentage terms, Punjab has reported the maximum increase in active cases. Five states - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Punjab - cumulatively account for 77.3 per cent of the total active cases in the country. Maharashtra alone accounts for 59.36 per cent of

the total active caseload of the country. India on Saturday recorded 89,129 new COVID19 cases in a day, the highest daily rise in around six-and-half-months, taking the nationwide tally of infections to over 1.23 crore, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Saturday. The number of deaths increased to 1,64,110 with 714 more fatalities in a day, also the highest since October 21. Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 47,913, followed by

UK variant in Punjab a potential threat: CSIR-CCMB Director

2 LeT terrorist associates arrested in J&K

NEW DELHI, APR 3 (IANS): The UK variant of Coronavirus found in Punjab is a potential threat due to its efficiency in spreading, while the double mutant found in Maharashtra is a matter of concern, but not a cause to create panic, suggested CSIR-CCMB Director Rakesh Mishra. Speaking with IANS, Mishra said the UK variant has contributed to the surge in cases in Punjab. “Somebody had travelled from the UK to Punjab, possibly in a group, and then people from this group would have gone to several places in Punjab, which has contributed to the surge,” said Mishra. When asked why the UK variant has not been found majorly in cases in the neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi, Mishra said that may be those infected with the UK variant in Punjab have not travelled to places outside the state, or there has not been a super spreader event so far. However, it is a matter of time and there is a possibility that cases may show up later, Mishra noted. The double mutant found in Maharashtra in 15-20 per cent Covid samples sent for genome sequencing is a combination of two mutations -- E484Q and L452R -- the CSIRCCMB Director said. The L452R was found in patients in California, where experts believed that it led to higher spread of Covid-19 as it was a more infectious strain, while the E484Q has been found in Maharashtra. A l s o, t h e E 4 8 4 Q

Rakesh Mishra

shares similarities with the variants found in Brazil and South Africa and it has resistance to vaccines from Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca. Mishra said the double mutant found in Maharashtra is certainly a matter of concern, but there should not be any panic now. He added that 452R was found in California and it was considered to be more infectious, but we do not know what changes it has undergone so far. Also, the E484Q has not been studied well in India. He clarified that, for example, if double mutant is found in 50 per cent of cases in some pockets, then what is the cause for the other 50 per cent cases in the same pockets? “At this stage, we cannot link double mutant to the surge in cases in Maharashtra,” said Mishra. He added that both vaccines, AstraZeneca and Covaxin, are working well against the Punjab variant and the double mutant found in Maharashtra. Mishra emphasised that people should continue to follow Covid appropriate behaviour -- wearing masks, social distancing and hand sanitisation -- to control the spread of the virus.

Srinagar, April 3 (IANS): The Jammu and Kashmir police have solved a grenade throwing case and arrested two terrorist associates of LeT, officials said on Saturday. Police said on Dec 12, 2020 unknown terrorists hurled a hand grenade towards Police Post Bus Stand which missed the intended target and exploded outside gate of the police post, resulting in injuries to three civilians. Accordingly a case was registered by the police and investigation was set into motion. Police said during the course of investigation two suspects Mohd Asif Najar and Sahil Rashid Bhat resident of Green Town Sopore were apprehended.

4,991 in Karnataka and 4,174 in Chhattisgarh. Twelve states - Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala - are displaying an upward trajectory in daily new cases, the health ministry said. Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a highlevel review meeting on Friday with chief secretaries, directors general of police and health secretaries of all states, with a focus on 11 states and Union Territories that have been reporting a very high rise in daily cases and fatality because of COVID-19 in the last two weeks. These states and union territories “of grave concern” were advised to take up immediate and effective measures to ensure containment of active cases and daily deaths through enhanced testing, strict containment, prompt contact tracing and enforcement of COVID-appropriate be-

haviour, and adherence to the standard clinical management protocol shared earlier with all states and UTs. I n d i a ’s c u mu l a tive recoveries stand at 1,15,69,241 with 44,202 recoveries being registered in a day. Of the 714 fatalities were reported in a day, six states account for 85.85 per cent of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw a maximum of 481 deaths, followed by 57 in Punjab. Thirteen states and UTs have not reported any COVID-19 deaths in a day. These are Odisha, Assam, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. In a significant development in the fight against COVID-19, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 7.3 crore mark.

Maha adds highest 49,447 COVID-19 cases in day; 277 die Cities and towns in Maharashtra that have imposed lockdown or night curfew: 1. Nagpur- lockdown 2. Pune -curfew 3. Wardha- curfew 4. Nasik -curfew 5. Nanded -curfew 6. Panvel -curfew Mumbai, Apr 3 (PTI): Maharashtra on Saturday reported 49,447 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest rise in a day so far, taking the tally to 29,53,523 while 277 fatalities pushed the toll to 55,656, the state health department said. Mumbai city also registered 9,108 new infections, the highest spike in a single day. Previously, on September 17, 2020, Maharashtra had recorded the highest number of 24,619 cases in a day. With 1,84,404 new tests, the total number of samples tested so far in Maharashtra rose to 2,03,43,123, the depart-

ment said. The case recovery rate in the state now stands at 84.49 per cent while the fatality rate is 1.88 per cent, it said. Of the 277 fatalities, 132 deaths had occurred in the last 48 hours, the state-

New Delhi, apr 3 (PTI): A day after stones were allegedly thrown at the convoy of farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that “we will take on the Sangh together” and not stop until the farm laws are repealed. Police in the stone pelting case have detained a student leader, who the Bhar tiya Kisan Union claimed, belonged to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the BJP, and accused the party of being behind the attack. “Their Sangh teaches them to attack, while nonviolent satyagraha makes the farmers fearless,” Mr Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. “We will take on Sangh

ers have been camping at Delhi’s border points at Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri since November last year demanding that the Centre repeal the three contentious farm laws. Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. The protesting farmers, on the other hand, have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and do away with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with party leaders at a rally ahead of Assembly polls, at the “mandi” (wholesale Purameri, Kerala, Saturday, April 3, 2021. (PTI) market) system, leaving them at the mercy of big together -- we will only stop ture and anti-national laws Congress chief said. until the three anti-agricul- are repealed,” the former Hundreds of farm- corporates.

they were lathi-charged by police. Some stones were also pelted at the police personnel. One of the police personnel was injured in the incident, said a police official. An elderly farmer was also injured in the melee, said protesting farmers. Khattar’s chopper landed at an alternate helipad at the police lines, Rohtak, the official further said. Farmers have been opposing leaders of the BJP and its alliance partner JJP in the wake of the Centre’s An elderly farmer who was injured during a clash with the three farm laws. Farmers had on Thurspolice during Haryana CM Khattar’s visit to Rohtak. day, held a protest against on heading towards the police barricades. Har yana Deputy Chief university and they tried When some farmers Minister Dushyant Chautala to force their way through tried to force their way, outside Hisar airport.

Sharad Pawar discharged from hospital, condition stable: Malik Mumbai, Apr 3 (PTI): NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who recently underwent a procedure for a gall bladder issue, was discharged from a hospital here on Saturday, a party leader said. “Pawar (80) is in good health and is recuperating at home,” said NCP spokesperson and state minister Nawab Malik. Earlier in the day, a team of doctors checked Pawar and concluded that his condition was stable. Malik said doctors have advised seven-day rest for Pawar. “If his health

12-hour curfew in Pune, BJP protests for bus services Pune, Apr 3 (PTI): The BJP held a protest on Saturday demanding resumption of municipal transport bus services as a 6pm to 6am curfew began in Pune in a bid to tackle a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Pune BJP MP Girish Bapat and Pune BJP president Jagdish Mulik led the party's protest in front of the PMPML bus depot at Swargate, police said, adding that they were detained and released some time later. "The decision to not run Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited's buses will impact people who work in factories, banks, hospitals etc. The state government must not misuse its power to impose such restrictions in the name of tackling COVID-19," Bapat said.

ment said. A total of 37,821 patients were discharged during the day, taking the count of recoveries in Maharashtra so far to 24,95,315, it said. The state is now left with 4,01,172 active cases.

‘Will take on Sangh together’: Rahul after attack on farm leader

Farmers hold protest against Khattar in Rohtak Chandigarh, Apr 3 (PTI): Farmers on Saturday held a protest against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Rohtak district. After they came to know about the CM’s visit, farmers including women gathered outside a private university where Khattar’s chopper was to land. Khattar was to attend a condolence meet in memory of Rohtak MP Arvind Sharma’s father. Heavy police security arrangements were made outside the university with barricades put up to stop protesters, said officials. Protesting farmers were shouting slogans ‘Kisan Ekta Zindabad’. Farmers were adamant

Extra beds have been brought for the patients due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, at Goregaon, Mumbai. (PTI)

Sharad Pawar

parameters remain stable after the next 15 days, a surgery of his gall bladder will be performed,” he added. Pawar underwent an emergency endoscopy for the removal of a stone from his bile duct on March 30 at the Breach Candy Hospital.

DP-1624

DECREE

District : Dimapur In the court of Principal Judge Family Court, Dimapur, Nagaland Divorce Case No. 09/2021 NO-4365899L, Rank- Hav., Khekuto Sema -AND-

..............Petitioner No.1

..............Petitioner No. 2 Smti. Inatoli Appearance: Advocate for both petitioners : Thiuswangwiliu & I. Yaumei Phom Dated : 02.02.2021 The present Case is decreed by decree of divorce by dissolving the Marriage between the parties. The Court having examined the pleadings finds that all necessary prerequisites of Law has been legally satisfied and this Court has jurisdiction of all parties and subject matter of this cause. It is ORDERED AND DECREED that NO.4365899L, Rank- Hav., Khekuto Sema, Petitioner No. -1 and Smti. Inatoli, Petitioner No. 2 are divorced and the marriage between them is dissolved under Section 28 (1) of the Special Marriage Act, 1954. (Y. LONGKUMER) NJS Principal Judge (KHEKUTO) S/o Houishe Sema R/o UNB- Naga Colony, Burma Camp, District- Dimapur.

(INATOLI) R/o Zuxushe Village, Dist- Mokokchung.

WITNESSES: DC-321

Tokheli R/o Burma Camp Dimapur

Mughaka R/o V.K. Town Mokokchung

DP-1744

States which have imposed night curfews or lockdown: 1. Maharashtra 2. Madhya Pradesh 3. Gujarat 4. Uttarakhand 5. Punjab 6. Odisha 7. Rajasthan NEW DELHI, APR 3 (PTI): Eight states witnessed a steep rise in daily new COVID-19 cases and accounted for 81.42 per cent of the infections reported in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said. These eight states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. I n d i a ’s t a l ly o f COVID-19 active caseload also increased to 6,58,909 and now comprises 5.32 per cent of the total infections. In a day, there has been a net rise of 44,213 active cases. Ten districts - Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, Bengaluru Urban, Aurangabad, Delhi,

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national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 117 Dimapur, SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

Missing the message

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fter observing Good Friday with prayer and fasting, Christians the world over celebrate Resurrection of Christ on Sunday as victory over death. For Christians across the world, both crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are central to their beliefs. Through crucifixion, Christ paid the ultimate price to show the love of God for His creation. On the other hand, resurrection bestowed victory over death and cements the core belief of life after death. It may be noted that the resurrection of Christ on the third day has also become known as ‘Easter Sunday’. The word ‘Easter’ inadvertently crept in during English translation of the Bible when the King James Version (old) chose to translate Acts 12:4 by describing the Jewish Passover as Easter. The book of Acts was originally written in the Greek language by the Christian Gentile and physician Luke. The Greek word that the King James Version translates as “Easter” is most certainly not the name “Easter,” it is actually the word “Pascha” (Hebrew: Pesach) which means “Passover” - and this is how all accurate translations show it. Since then it continues to be used despite the word ‘Easter’ no longer appearing in later translations but replaced by the word ‘Passover’. It is certainly also not about ‘Easter eggs’ or ‘Easter bunny’ which are distributed during ‘Easter Sunday’ services in many churches. The appropriate term for the third day of crucifixion should be ‘Resurrection Sunday’ instead of Easter Sunday. If Christ had not resurrected on the third day after His crucifixion on Friday, Christians would be hopeless and still searching for redemption from sins! According to Apostle Paul: “if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty” (1 Corinthians 15:14). Resurrection was not a “coming back” from the dead. It was a going beyond death. It was not a coming back to mortal existence (as was true for Lazarus). It was nothing less than Jesus’ entrance into the life of God. For Christians, resurrection of Christ is a sign of victory and forms the very basis of the Gospel message. Christ’s resurrection meant He overcame His dead body and was transformed back to life. Resurrection was not a “coming back” from the dead. It was a going beyond death. It was not a coming back to mortal existence (as was true for Lazarus). It was nothing less than Jesus’ entrance into the life of God. Christians believe that the risen Christ can never die as He entered into an entirely new kind of existence: an immortal existence that robbed the grave of its victim, not temporarily, but eternally. Both crucifixion and resurrection took place to fulfil God’s promise of a saviour who would reconcile both the Creator and His creation. It was a promise bound in heavenly love which forgave those who repented. Merely celebrating resurrection has little meaning if those who claim to be adherents of the faith fail to fathom what price was paid at the Cross. Much of the ills afflicting society today comes from unrepentant hearts as people think they can manipulate God like they manipulate people and their system. If there is absence of morality or no fear of God, it is because people’s consciences have been dulled by compromises they make to achieve their goal. It is a source for widespread corruption, violence and injustice all around.

DailyDevotion “If You Had Known!”

If you had known…in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. —Luke 19:42 Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly and the city was stirred to its very foundations, but a strange god was there– the pride of the Pharisees. It was a god that seemed religious and upright, but Jesus compared it to “whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). What is it that blinds you to the peace of God “in this your day”? Do you have a strange god– not a disgusting monster but perhaps an unholy nature that controls your life? More than once God has brought me face to face with a strange god in my life, and I knew that I should have given it up, but I didn’t do it. I got through the crisis “by the skin of my teeth,” only to find myself still under the control of that strange god. I am blind to the very things that make for my own peace. It is a shocking thing that we can be in the exact place where the Spirit of God should be having His completely unhindered way with us, and yet we only make matters worse, increasing our blame in God’s eyes. “If you had known….” God’s words here cut directly to the heart, with the tears of Jesus behind them. These words imply responsibility for our own faults. God holds us accountable for what we refuse to see or are unable to see because of our sin. And “now they are hidden from your eyes” because you have never completely yielded your nature to Him. Oh, the deep, unending sadness for what might have been! God never again opens the doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut– doors which had no need to be shut. Never be afraid when God brings back your past. Let your memory have its way with you. It is a minister of God bringing its rebuke and sorrow to you. God will turn what might have been into a wonderful lesson of growth for the future.

Quotes

The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas. ~ Alfred Whitney Griswold

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

Post-mortem

Easter: Dismantled shackles of death and promised eternal life

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aster is the important Christian feast commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. Resurrection is central to the life and witness of Christians. In the Old and New Testaments salvific activity of God is being made possible as we confess the Lordship of Jesus, who lived, crucified, buried, risen and lives in our midst. The core of Christian faith is deeply entrenched into resurrection. Therefore, resurrection is central to our faith insulated in our belief-system and thus vivifies in our existential reality assuring life in all abundance -- promising a new beginning of life. In resurrection, the Lordship of Jesus the Christ is being established by offering to us the hope in the midst of death. Resurrection centres on the Lordship of Christ in the world and the church as God witnessing agency furthers our horizons of understanding of Jesus as our Lord and Saviour who has assured life after death. Therefore, we are

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thus permeated with the hope of eternal life which has been assured to us in resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the Easter event, it is to deepen our faith not just in words alone, but in our proclamation and action as the gift of new life offered to us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, resurrection is pivotal, not only to our faith affirmation, but also to our very existence as Christians. God’s love and power are the ingredients of Easter. Paul rightly says that “the Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power” (1 Cor 4: 20). The power of agapeic love transforms the world; that power is as real as the world, but it is stronger than the world. It overcomes the world as God in Jesus overcame death. This is the good news of Easter. When we say that we worship Jesus Christ who is risen from the dead it is the most powerful faith affirmation because it does make a difference in the world, in history,

in life. The significance of Easter is to be reflected in our lives, since we are born anew. If the old life continues, then the essence of Easter loses it meaning and resurrection loses its essence. If we claim that God’s power is above all our understanding, distinct and unique, then it should manifest in our lives. If we say that we believe in the risen Lord, then we should overcome the power of the world – by redeeming, recreating and thus striving to establishing God’s Kingdom ‘here and now’. The texts for Easter Day, Matt 28: 1-10 is a foundational story of how the first believers came to new faith and new life. In addition, Paul’s Epistle Col 3: 1-11 and a text from Exodus 14 5-3 together unfolds deeper meaning comprehensively. By all means we will have to re-appropriate resurrection event as it takes us to the narrative of first witnesses leading to ecclesiological and ethical reflection on our new

The Resurrection Effect

arry King, the delivery boy who became one of America’s most famous TV interviewers, was once asked which of ten historical figures he would like to book an interview with. “Christ,” was his immediate answer. Christianity hinges on the death and resurrection of Jesus - a statement that is often heard during this Easter season. The Apostle Paul could not be more emphatic when he said, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Cor. 15:14) It is a powerful claim that Christianity makes, that ‘Jesus Christ died and then was raised from the dead’. Believing in or reconciling with the resurrection is absolutely central to our faith. With-out Good Friday and Easter, there would be no Christmas!  Blind Faith? Can we believe in anything without understanding it? What is the difference between faith and blind faith? Faith is critical and essential but blind faith is offensive and objectionable. As Christians we need to know why we believe what we believe. In 1 Peter 3:15, we are urged to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” The evidence for the resurrection is overwhelming. As Dr. Antony Flew, a noted proponent of atheism, had to admit, “The evidence for the resurrection is better than for claimed miracles in any other religion. It’s outstandingly different in quality and quantity.”  Check and Double Check: Faith in the resurrection of Jesus is intelligent, sensible, and verifiable. Paul the apostle says that after Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to “Cephas [Peter], and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all He appeared to me.” (1 Cor. 15:5-8) All these people were eyewitnesses, and could scrutinize cross-check, verify and validate any of Paul’s claims on the resurrection of Jesus.  The Truth will come out: The veracity of the Christian faith has been on the anvil for a long time and is time-tested, proved and approved. The incarnation (God becoming a man in the form of Jesus Christ) was essential but the bedrock of Christian faith comes not just from an empty tomb but from the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the resurrection. Clarence W. Hall shouts it loud, “Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won’t stay there. You can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise!”  The day Death died: If there was no resurrection, the Cross would have been the final defeat of God. The Christian faith rises and falls on the

bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead. What the resurrection reveals is that Jesus was really who He said He was. He was not just a great teacher, but God Himself. Jesus came to give life, not death. The Resurrection says death is not the end: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55)  Resurrection and Forgiveness: Karl Augustus Menninger, the worldrenowned American psychiatrist and author of “Whatever Became of Sin?” once said that if he could convince the patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75 percent of them could walk out the next day! What a difference forgiveness makes! Only a resurrected person can forgive sins. In Mark 2:10, Jesus says: “I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)  Resurrection and Redemption: Resurrection and redemption are interconnected and intertwined. If there is no resurrection, we are of all people most to be pitied, but now we are to be envied! “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” - 1 Cor. 15: 17-20, NIV)  Resurrection and Reconciliation: Thanks to the Resurrection, a believer can enjoy a live, reconciled relationship with God. “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” - Romans 5: 10-11, NIV  The Resurrection Effect: There is help, hope, forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption for even the worst of sinners, just for the asking. Timothy J Keller, founder of the Redeemer City to City mission which trains pastors for ministry, says, “Look at the deadness in your life... The minute you decide to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, the power of the Holy Spirit comes into your life. It’s the power of the resurrection - the same thing that raised Jesus from the dead.” This resurrection season, let reconciliation, restoration and forgiveness be yours with this simple prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen Jose T Nithi josetnithi@gmail.com

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life. Remembering and reflecting about resurrection is essential. Because one without the other loses its essence and relevance, and therefore both put together are a powerful invitation for re-appropriation, since they complement each other. Easter Day is the culmination of hope in the midst of hopelessness, light as against darkness, and eternal life in the midst of death. This is how as a community of believers we are newly born-into, authorised and energised. Newness of life is to be rooted in Jesus, the Christ, is risen and lives amongst us. In the Gospels, the resurrection narratives have been mediated by the community of believers – ecclesia. Peter “saw” in (Jn vv 6-7), the other disciple “saw and believed” (v.8). The “other one” is the first one who come to faith in the resurrection. The “other disciple” who Jesus loved. Take for instance the resurrection narratives that treats Mary with great attention. Jesus appears be-

fore Mary. Mary is asked twice, “Why are you weeping?” (vv. 13, 15). The risen Jesus speaks to Mary again (v. 16). Mary has seen and knows more than the disciples! Christ is our life, and living “in him,” as Paul often puts it, we live by the power of God. Christians believe firmly the power of God that keeps sustaining the whole of creation and the entire universe, and thus functions in unique ways in God’s created order is because of resurrection. The power of God in Christ has taken us to greater heights which we can hardly believe, but to believe. So, we can boldly say to everyone and proclaim to the whole world that we are Christians by our words and actions that we believe and affirm that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour who is risen and lives in our midst. Christ is our life, and living “in and though”. As Paul puts it that we live by the power of God. If we say we live by our strength and might without acknowledging the power of God

leads to aberration and contradiction. Old Testament lesson Exodus 15: 1-11 adds more materials to it. The hymn of praise to Yahweh was sung as the Israelites saw a change in history. There has been total reversal of their life assuring the shall never be slaves but liberated – free. They rejoiced in the power of God who promised them freedom and was fulfilled. This is what Easter about – proclaiming what God has done in our lives – dismantling the fear of darkness and death, instead offering eternal life. Easter begins with Yahweh who led the Israelites to the Promised Land and thus delivered them from Egyptian captivity and Red Sea experience on such thing. The finality is in raising Jesus from the dead. Resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate and there’s nothing that came closer or can go beyond. It has put a stamp once for all to darkness and death. Resurrection of our Lord means deliverance from forces of oppression, domination, insecurity and fear. Dr. John Mohan Razu

What significance does the resurrection have for us?

he resur rection of Christ from the dead signifies that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Before Jesus ascended to heaven He could triumphantly report, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me” (Matt.28:18). When a new king was ready to assume his throne in ancient times, tradition required a ceremony of pomp and power. In regal splendor the ruler stepped forward to assume the symbols of authority: a crown, a scepter, or a throne. The former King was gone, defeated or deceased. The new ruler was now elevated to his rightful place and would from this time rule all the territory under his dominion. Christ’s resurrection assures resurrection of all. (Acts 24:15) There will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. We pray to the triumphant Lord with two natures who continues to serve as our mediator. Advocate and faithful high priest. He fellowships with us and liberates us from the kingdom of evil here and now. It is he, who will receive the worship of his people when he returns from Heaven in glory and power. The life changing story of Christianity centres in who Jesus was, as well as what he was able to do for people unable to save themselves. John wrote his gospel “that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing, we may have life in his name”

(John 20:31). A person can be a Hindu without trusting Krishna, or a Buddhist without commitment to Gautama, but not a Christian without commitment to Jesus the Messiah. Jesus identified with the fallen people of the world in their humanness, but not in their will. Like our spiritual master, we are to identify with our friends in the world, but not to the extent of committing their private sins or public crimes. Christians involve themselves in the lives of those who most need them. So our Christ likeness can be tested by checking our relationships to others. A spiritual life not only separates from the evils of the world and reaches out to the people of the world, but also overcomes the world’s evils. “As you have sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world” (John 7:18). Our Lord commissions us to go to a lost world, not wait for the world to come to us. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see the clear display of the power of the true God - Ephesians 1: 19-21. The resurrection validates the fact that Jesus Christ is God - Romans -1:4. Our salvation is dependant on our faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9) The resurrection of Jesus Christ confirms that all the teachings of Jesus Christ are true. John 6:40. The resurrection of Jesus Christ secured our justifica-

tion. Romans 4:25. Our own resurrection depends completely on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:14. 2 Corinthians 4:14 and others. The power for our Christian life in the present is the power of his resurrection. Ephesians 1:19-21, Romans 6:4 The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates that this Jesus Christ is going to be the appointed Judge of all people in the world. Acts 17:31, John 5:22-29. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the man. “He is not here, but he has been resurrected! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, saying, “The son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and rise on the third day?” And they remembered his words. The simple truth is that the resurrection of the Lord Jesus is a well-attested fact of history. He presented himself a life to his followers after his passion by many infallible proofs. One of the great foundation stones, unshakable and unmovable, of our Christian faith, is the historic evidence for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here you and I can stand and do battle for the faith because we have a situation which cannot be contradicted. L.Jami IAS (Retd)

Reader’s Post Business on Good Friday as usual?

Sir,

It was very disheartening to see most of the shops in Dimapur open on Good Friday (April 2, 2021). This sight has made many wonder as to where did all the organizations go-- who use to issue orders to close shops for various reasons. It is also important for every individual be it Hindu, Christian or Muslim etc. to respect each other’s religious sentiments especially during such solemn occasion of any religion. One has to understand that Good Friday is the most important historical and religious event for Christian more than Christmas. It has become a habit for you and I turn to God only when were in need of him-- to beg for wealth or health, remember but life is not always about money. As stated in Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you...” The irony is that, many a times several organizations call for closure of shops in the State’s commercial hub for several reasons best known to them. But where did the authorities of all the so called organizations disappear? Or if making money was so very important than God, at least the authorities should have asked businesses to remain shut till Church hours etc. This clearly has shown our selfish and materialistic attitude and a total disregard and mockery of calling ourselves Christians-- living in a Christian state. K. David Evangelist, Dimapur Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

‘BJP causing communal strife to win polls’ Mamata calling BJP leaders outsiders insult to Netaji: Modi

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hold a child at an election campaign rally for Assembly polls, in Howrah. (PTI)

Yogi asks to vote for BJP to ensure women’s safety in WB

Yogi Adityanath

Falta/ Kultuli/Uluberia (WB), Apr 3 (PTI): Calling upon people to oust the Mamata Banerjee government, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that the BJP, if voted to power in Bengal, will ensure security for all women and create job opportunities for the youth. Adityanath, who addressed two rallies during the day, also said that those who had tried to stop Durga puja and Saraswati puja will be put behind bars, if the saffron party forms government in Bengal. “You had given 50 years to the Congress, 30 years to the communists and 10 years to the Trinamool Congress, I urge you to give five years to the BJP... We will change the face of West Bengal. “The BJP will stop all tortures perpetrated on the women of West Bengal. It will ensure that youths get employment opportunities,” the Uttar Pradesh CM said at a public meeting in Falta

area of South-24 Parganas district. Raising anti-TMC slogans such as “Doo Maaye (May), Didi gaaye”, (May 2, Didi gone), the senior BJP leader also said that his party will guarantee ration for everyone, provide pension to the old, houses to the poor, while also making sure that the people of the state get to avail the benefits doled out under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and Ayushman Bharat health scheme. “No one will be allowed to play with the emotions of people. We will see to it that Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja are held in Bengal without any hindrance. Jail doors are open for the ones who wish to stop such religious festivals,” Adityanath asserted. Controversy had erupted in 2017 at a school in Tehatta, Nadia district, over celebration of Saraswati puja, with a section of students apparently trying to stop another group from observing the festival.

she said. “I am a devout Hindu who recites Chandi mantra every day before leaving home. But I believe in our tradition of giving respect to every religion,” she said. Hinting at the BJP leaders having lunch at the houses of Dalits, she said, “I am a Brahmin woman. But my all-time associate is a Scheduled Caste woman who takes care of all my

dren of Mother India. No Indian is an outsider here. When BJP forms the government after May 2, a son of the soil will become the chief minister, he said. Calling TMC a “Taka Maar Company” (an enterprise that loots money), the prime miniter asked Banerjee to control her “goons”. “You keep your TMC goons under check. Explain to them - Modi is here! Their bullying will no longer be tolerated. Bengal doesn’t want violence and terror. Bengal wants education for its daughters

Aligarh (UP), Apr 3 (PTI): Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait claimed on Saturday that the attack on his convoy of vehicles in Rajasthan’s Alwar was “pre-planned by BJP workers” and said it should serve as a reminder to the farmers protesting against three new agriculture laws of the Centre about the travails and challenges they are going to face in the days to come. Addressing a “kisan mahapanchayat” at Bhaimalkheda village in this Uttar Pradesh district, Tikait

said such attacks “are, in fact, strengthening our resolve to further intensify our struggle, which is a battle for our existence”. Talking to reporters after the “mahapanchayat”, he said, “We are mentally prepared for more such incidents.” Stones were allegedly pelted at the convoy of Tikait, an influential farmer leader, in Rajasthan’s Alwar district on Friday, damaging the rear windshield of his car. Police had detained a student leader, who the BKU claimed belonged to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi

Speculations as Ahmed Patel’s son meets Kejriwal

Shah calls Rahul ‘tourist politician’

New Delhi, April 3 (IANS): Late Congress leader Ahmed Patel’s son Faisal Patel met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi on Saturday with speculation mounting that the young Patel scion may look beyond the Congress and head for greener pastures. Faisal posted his picture with Kejriwal on social media and wrote: “Proud to finally meet our Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal ji! As a Delhi resident, I am an ardent admirer of his work ethic and leadership skills. Discussed Artificial Intelligence’s impact on humanity and the current political affairs in the country.”

PURANA BAZAR : DIMAPUR

VISITING CONSULTANT

 CANCER SURGEON : Dr. GANESH DAS MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh), DNB, FMAS, FAIS, Trained Cancer Surgeon from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai will be available for consultation on 10th April, 2021 (Saturday). For more information, please contact : : 9366451969 DC-320 GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAGALAND : KOHIMA-797004

Dt. Kohima, the

3rd April. 2021.

NOTIFICATION The prescribed application forms for the Nagaland State Entrance Examination (NSEE) 2021 for Agri & Allied/ Paramedical Degree courses may be collected from the Directorate of Technical Education, Kohima (Below Nagaland Civil Secretariat Complex) on payment of Rs. 200/- (Rupees two hundred) only per set with effect from 5th April, 2021 to 4th May, 2021 during office working hours. The form may also be downloaded from the website www.dtenagaland.org.in in which case the fee should be paid while submitting the form printed in white paper (A4 size). The last date for receiving the complete forms whether by hand or post is 4th May, 2021. Students who have appeared and are waiting their 10+2 result are also eligible to apply. However their selection will be subject to obtaining the requisite percentage of marks prescribed for the courses. The routine for the Nagaland State Entrance Examination (NSEE) will be fixed by the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) and notified through local dailies. No individual call letters will be issued.

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Narendra Modi

and protection, respect and justice for its mothers,” he asserted. Refer ring to some TMC leaders’ claim that Banerjee might contest elections from his Lok Sabha seat Varanasi in 2024, Modi mocked the TMC boss, saying this proves that Didi has accepted her defeat. “Didi is now looking for a place for herself outside Bengal. The people of Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh are as large-hearted as the people of Bengal. They won’t call her an outsider,” he said sarcastically.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 3 (PTI): Slippers, microphones and documents crumpled up into balls flew like missiles in the Odisha assembly on Saturday, as BJP members raged over the passage of a bill without discussion, provoking the Speaker to suspend three of them and order their immediate exit from the chamber. BJP members were up in arms against Speaker S N Patro after the House passed the Odisha Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill within minutes without any discussion. Congress MLAs, too, were livid as the chair had turned down their notice for a discussion on alleged corruption in mining activities. Hardly had the Bill been passed in the pre-lunch session when opposition BJP members were on their feet, shouting at the Speaker. Soon they began flinging slippers, microphones and paper balls that shot over the opposition benches and landed near the Speaker’s podium.

Attack on my convoy by BJP workers: Tikait

ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE

NO. DTE/ ESTT-2/02/2020-21/

SONARPUR (WB), APR 3 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for branding BJP leaders as “outsiders” (Bohirgato) and said it is an insult to the inclusive ideology of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and principles of Indian Constitution. Asserting that Bengal’s “Bhumiputra” (son of the soil) will take over as the chief Minister after the BJP is voted to power on May 2, Modi said no Indian is an “outsider” in the state. “When the British tried to divide us, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose said - India is one, and the hopes and aspirations of every Indian are the same. Today, there is a lot of pain when instead of propagating the ideology of Netaji, TMC and Mamata Didi are talking about Bohirgato,” he told an election rally at Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district. Didi is talking about outsiders. We are all chil-

Ruckus in Odisha assembly, slippers hurled at Speaker

Sd/(Nungsangmenla Imchen) Ex-Officio Director Issued by DIPR

Meenangadi (Ker), Apr 3 (PTI): Taking a dig at the Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said Rahul Gandhi is a “tourist politician” who had represented Amethi for 15 years in Parliament, before shifting to Wayanad in Kerala. He alleged for the Congress and the Gandhi family, people are just a vote bank and government a money bank. Shah also ridiculed the left and Congress for their poll pact in West Bengal and said the Communists and Congress need to merge and form a new party which can be called ‘Com-

Rakesh Tikait

Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and accused the saffron party of being behind the attack. Addressing the “mahapanchayat” here, Tikait

Amit Shah

rade Congress Party”. Launching his attack on Gandhi who was in neighbouring Kozhikode district for campaigning earlier in the day, Shah said: “This Wayanad is a also the constituency of Rahul baba. He was representing Amethi for 15 years. Noth-

issued a call to the protesting farmers to be mentally prepared to continue with their agitation at least till the end of the year, when they would taste victory. He urged them to be mobile phone savvy so that they can be active on social media. Tikait, who held a “mahapanchayat” in Aligarh for the first time after the farmers’ agitation was launched in November last year, alleged that corporates had fully entrenched themselves in the present ruling dispensation, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

ing changed there. Now he has come here.” “I have never seen a tourist politician like Rahul baba.Sometimes he will be in Amethi, sometimes in Wayanad. He is here as a tourist and don’t expect any development from his side,” the union minister said. The UPA government was ruling for ten years. The people voted them to power for development. Instead they engaged in corruption and scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore, Shah alleged, adding “for the Congress and the Gandhi family, people are just a vote bank and government is a money bank.”

POSTS VACANT

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VACANCY 1 Post for Higher Secondary - M.A (Political Science) Experienced hands preferred Application with resume and Xerox copies of the supporting documents should reach the undersigned on or before 9th April 2021. Contact: 9774609645/7005904712/8730077127 Email: limaaierhss@gmail.com

Director, LAHSS DP-1770

SENJUM BAPTIST CHURCH VACANCY The Senjum Baptist Church is looking for the post of Pastor, Interested candidates can hereby, apply for the vacant post. The criteria and the qualification required are given below: 1. He should have Reverend/License Pastor 2. He should have Reverend/Pastor License certified by the LBCA. 3. He should have served as a Pastor for 13 years or more. 4. Age limit : 42-55 years. 5. The candidate should submit NOC, from the board of deacon. 6. He should be a born again Christian. 7. Qualification required: (a) HSLC to B.D/M.Div or above (b) the degree obtained should not be through correspondence, age of the applicant will be consider as per the HSLC Certificate. Interested candidates can submit their application between 3rd and 18th April, 2021. Add: Search Committee Senjum Baptist Church Convenor: Rev. Etssonshio B. Odyuo Dimapur, Nagaland 797113 Senjum Pastor, SBC Post Box No.: 186 Contact :6009174706/7005622046 DP-1755

ACHIEVERS ACADEMY

Heartily CONGRATULATES its family members who have SUCCESSFULLY CLEARED the recently declared NPSC MAIN Examination. 1048 1127 1136 1177 1243 1261 1299 1016 1239 1374 Wishing you ALL THE VERY BEST for the FINAL HURDLE. May you all make it to the TOP.  It is time to clear this misconception. DELHI IS NOT ALWAYS THE ANSWER to CRACK CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION. All you need is the RIGHT GUIDANCE backed up with SMART HARD WORK.  At ACHIEVERS ACADEMY, with SUCCESSFUL NPSC CADRES as both TEACHERS and MENTORS. Prepare for NPSC under the watchful eyes of the experts.  ONLY the SHOE-WEARER KNOWS BEST where it PINCHES. Feel the difference of being mentored by persons who have already cleared this exam multiple times.  Give yourself the opportunity to grab our resultoriented, time-tested and proven STUDY MATERIALS which are available only for our aspirants. WITH Interview schedule out, NPSC PRELIMS is likely to happen SOON. JOIN the NEXT NPSC BATCH (in any of our Centers). 1) 4th Mile, Dimapur (8729914953/ 9378129625) 2) City Tower, Dimapur (9615224132/ 8794510854) 3) Lerie, Kohima (9378129625/ 8732870396) ACCELERATE your CIVIL SERVICES journey WITH US

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ister urged the Hindus “to be on the guard against the BJP’s attempts to instigate communal clashes” and called upon them to chase away the outsiders who have been sent to foment trouble in their respective localities. “They will divide West Bengal and its people. Remember how they deleted the names of 14 lakh Bengalis and 2 lakh Biharis in the updated NRC in Assam,”

needs. She also cooks food for me. I need not advertise this as those bringing five-star hotel lunch to eat at the courtyard of a Dalit home are anti-Dalit, antibackward caste and antiminority in nature.” Later in another election rally, the Chief Minister alleged that Central forces are terrorising people at every home 48 hours before polling, asking them to vote for the BJP. “Don’t be intimidated mothers and sisters, challenge them. We have no problems if the forces act impartially to ensure free and fair elections, but if they act on behalf of a particular political party, we will protest,” she said. The Chief Minister, who is campaigning for the third phase of Bengal polls scheduled on April 6, held a series of rallies in South 24 Parganas district, including in Raidighi, Canning and Kulpi, and Tarakeshwar in Hooghly district on Saturday. She ended her rally with a road show at Howrah Sadar area in Howrah district.

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KOLKATA, APRIL 3 (IANS): On a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Mamata Banerjee of thwarting the pace of development in West Bengal, the Chief Minister accused the BJP of indulging in divisive politics and engineering communal strife to win the ongoing Assembly elections. Addressing a rally at Raidighi in South 24 parganas district, which is a Muslim dominated area, Banerjee said, “Don’t fall in the trap of a BJP-aided party from Hyderabad and its Bengal ally which are out to polarise votes.” The Chief Minister was apparently hinting at the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Abbas Siddiqui’s Indian Secular Front (ISF). Both Owaisi and Siddiqui had earlier denied the Trinamool’s insinuations. The ISF is fighting the elections in alliance with the CPI (M) and the Congress. Reiterating her ‘outsider’ theory, the Chief Min-

7

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

MR Group to support StartUps, innovations New Delhi, Apr 3 (IANS): Diversified conglomerate GMR Group has launched a new business vertical - GMR Innovex - to support StartUps as well as innovations in aviation and other fields. “GMR Innovex will operate on an ‘Open Innovation’ model, acting as an ‘Innovation Exchange’ to partner with startups, corporates, innovation platforms, research institutions and academia to bring innovative ideas and solutions to life and help to nurture and sustain a ‘Culture of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’,” the group said in a statement. “A dedicated new facility for innovation has also been established at the Hyderabad Airport campus to act as a platform for various innovation activities by various collaborating start-

ups, industry partners and GMR employees.” According to the statement, GMR Innovex will focus on innovations across both digital and non-digital domains to deliver improved efficiency, better customer experience and higher value to all stakeholders. “It will create a structured mechanism to build creative ideas, nurture and foster them, and build a ‘Go-To-Market’ strategy for all successful initiatives. It will provide an avenue for its partners to work on their ideas and bring it to a forum to validate.” “The advantage that this exchange brings in is that collaborators can also try their products or services at GMR Innovex across a very large landscape of ‘Airports, Air Cargo, MRO, Logistics, and other Infrastructure’ sectors.”

Crossword

ergy subgroups, agricultural commodities rose by 16 %, fertilisers 30.2 % and metals and minerals by 25.1 %. On a more disaggregated level, the prices of copper, aluminium, tin, nickel and zinc have gone up by 26.3 %, 19.2 %, 46.6 %, 25.1 % and 12.4 % respectively. In addition, it warned against a commodity super cycle. This phenomenon occurs as a “long-term, above-trend movements in a wide range of base material prices, driven by a structural change in demand”.

renewable capacity is set to increase from current levels of just about 1,00,000 MW to over 2,75,000 MW by 2026-27. This is much more than coal capacity. The all India power generation installed capacity by the end of 2026-27 is estimated to be 6,19,066 MW which includes 2,38,150 MW Coal, 25,735 MW Gas, 63,301 MW Hydro, 16,880 MW Nuclear and 2,75,000 MW Renewable Energy Sources to fully meet the electricity demand projected as per the 19th Electric Power Survey on All India basis. As per the recent study carried by Central Electricity Authority on Optimal Generation Capacity mix for 2029-30, the likely All India installed capacity in 2029-30 is estimated to be 8,17,254 MW which includes 2,66,911 MW Coal, 25,080 MW Gas, 71,128 MW Hydro, 18,980 MW Nuclear and 4,35,155 MW Renewable Energy Sources.

CM, Dy.CM, others extend Easter greetings

(From p-1) In a message, NPCC president K Therie said: “For His love for us is so great, He forgave you and me and bore the burden of our sins through His Son Jesus Christ, on the Cross” and prayed that all the people learn to love and forgive each other. “Because Jesus has risen from the grave, after having suffered death to save sinners like us on this Easter Sunday,” NPCC president said and wished all to receive the free gift of salvation in the true spirit. NPP state unit: National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland state unit has extended Easter greetings to the people of the Nagaland and wished all bountiful of happiness and good health. In a message, NPP state unit president Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema described Easter as “a symbol of Life renewed, of Hope found even in the depths of the darkness of a Tomb, of unyielding Faith conquering Death.” Stating that today the circumstances called for humanity and kindness more than ever, NPP state unit said called upon all to be Christians by actions and not Christian by words alone. NPP unit also prayed that this Easter “rejuvenate us with kindred souls and fill our hearts with compassion”.

ZCOs demand NIA probe into Mar 22 incident

(From p-1) TYOD: Tenyimi Youth Organization Dimapur (TYOD) at its executive meeting, unanimously resolved to support the 10-day ultimatum served on the state government by the Zeliang Baudi Nagaland and Nagaland Zeliang People Organization on March 31. TYOD president Thejangulie Angami and secretary Khrozote Kapfo said that the house deliberated on the March 22 incident and urged the state government to act swift without further delay, adding that “further delay and negligence on the part of the government will only escalate tension among the people and may result to untoward incident anytime.” TYOD further reminded the government that “criminal cases should not be misconstrued or mixed up with boundary dispute” and that all perpetrators should be brought to booked under relevant section of law without any further delay. It further said that “in the event of the shortfall from state government, TYOD shall stand with ZBN and NZPO till justice is delivered.”

No. 9880 Yesterday’s solution No. 9879

Across 1. Brags (6) 7. Borrowing charge (8) 8. Split (4) 10. Loves deeply (6) 11. Picture house (6) 14. Boy’s name (3) 16. Short letters (5) 17. Auction (4) 19. Tobacco product (5) 21. Provide food (5) 22. Tag (5) 23. American ostrich (4) 26. Chambermaid’s workplace (5) 28. Regret (3) 29. Breathe in (6) 30. Tasmanian capital (6) 31. Corrosive substance (4) 32. With child (8) 33. Religious festival (6) Down

Su doku

KAKURO

No. 4499 Yesterday’s solution No. 4498

No. 3523 Yesterday’s solution No. 3522

1. Baas (6) 2. Private evening party (6) 3. Takes a seat (4) 4. Meeting for discussion (7) 5. Brimless cap (5) 6. Book of maps (5) 8. Throw of dice (4) 9. Charge (3) 12. And not (3) 13. Fuse (5) 15. Flying toys (5) 18. Gaseous element (5) 19. Taxi (3) 20. Hair-styling product (3) 21. Vocation (7) 22. Meadow (3) 23. Gemstones (6) 24. Leader (4) 25. Writer (6) 26. Hippopotamus, in short (5) 27. One who steals (5) 28. Legendary bird (3) 30. Detest (4)

New Delhi, Apr 3 (IANS): Oil marketing companies on Saturday continued on the pause mode and decided against revising the petrol and diesel after cutting its retail rates on Tuesday. Accordingly, pump price of petrol and diesel remained at previous days level of Rs 90.56 and Rs 80.87 a litre respectively in the capital. Petrol and diesel fell by 22 paisa and 23 paisa per litre respectively on Tuesday in the wake global softening of oil prices. OMC have decide to pause price revision as crude has again gained and climbed up to close to $65 a barrel from a lower $ 60 a barrel earlier. Across the country as well, the petrol and diesel price remain static on Saturday but its retail levels varied depending on the level of local levies on respective states. In Mumbai petrol continues to be priced at Rs 96.98 a litre and diesel at

Rs 87.96 a litre. Premium petrol, however, continues to remain over Rs 100 a litre in the city as is the case with several cities across the country. The OMCs went on price cut for the first time this year on two consecutive days - March 24 and 25 after keeping oil prices steady for past 24 days. It again reduced the price on March 30. Petrol and diesel prices were last revised upwards on February 27 and ever since then retail prices remained unchanged even though during the period crude jumped to over $70 a barrel only to start falling the after to touch close to $ 60 a barrel and is now slightly up at $ 63.5 a barrel. It was cut for the first time this year on March 24 and 25 before revision being put on hold again. Sources said that oil companies took time to revise petrol and diesel prices downwards earlier as they were covering up for losses

Engineering exports jump 70% in March

Rs 1K fine at Mum airport for violating COVID norms Mumbai, Apr 3 (PTI): Mumbai airport has started imposing a spot fine of Rs 1,000 from April 1 on the passengers violating the mandatory Covid-19 safety protocol in the wake of aviation regulator director DGCA warning last week amid an increasing number of coronavirus infection cases in Maharashtra and some other states, according to a statement on Saturday. After it found passengers at some airports flouting the mandatory COVID19 safety protocols during the routine surveillance, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had advised airports to explore the option of taking stricter actions, such as slapping fine on the people violating such rules at the premises. “Basis the directive issued by the DGCA, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will levy a fine on any individual found violating the mandatory Covid-19 safety protocols at the airport with effect from April 1. A fine of Rs 1000 will be issued to individuals who refuse to comply with COVID safety norms such as wearing face masks that covers the nose and mouth and maintaining social distancing amongst others at the airport,” the private airport operator said in the statement. As part of its SOP for the resumption of domestic flights in May last year, CSMIA had placed guidelines on safety practices across the airport in the form of physical and digital boards. STOLEN Suzuki Burgman Street 125cc Scooty has been stolen from Referral Colony area on 31st March 2021. Regd. No. : NL07EB1185 Chassis No. : MB8EA11DKL8144232 Engine No. : AF216439527 Colour : Matte Black Owner's Name : B. Imlier Jamir H/No. : 391, Aokong Colony, Dimapur. Contact : 9436809759 DP-1756 8731803439

LOST NOTICE I, Toshisanen Imchen, am applying for duplicate copy of HSSLC Marksheet and Admit Card as I have lost them. Name : Toshisanen Imchen F/Name : Limaakum Imchen Roll No. : 1227429 Year : 2012 N/School : Baptist High School, DP-1768 Kohima

LOST NOTICE I, Shikato Jakhalu, am applying for duplicate copy of Land Patta Book as I have lost the original Patta. Land Patta No. 376 Mouza No. 1, Block No. 3 Name of the Patta Holder : Shikato Jakhalu Address: Purana Bazar, Dimapur

incurred on its sale when crude was high and retail prices remained static. Some indications suggest that their was a loss of Rs 4 and Rs 2 per litre on sale of diesel and petrol respectively earlier that had now been more or less covered. The current reduction in retail prices has not helped in bringing down fuel prices that have crossed Rs 100 per litre (petrol) mark in several parts of the country and continues to remain above the levels even now. Since the beginning of February crude has gained more than $7 per barrel that pushed OMCs to increase fuel prices on 14 occasions raising the prices by Rs 4.22 per litre for petrol and by Rs 4.34 a litre for diesel in Delhi. The petrol and diesel prices have increased 26 times in 2021 with the two auto fuels increasing by Rs 7.46 and Rs 7.60 per litre respectively so far this year. This is for the first time it has fallen this year.

New Delhi, Apr 3 (IANS): In a major rebound of trade since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, exports of engineering goods from the country recorded an impressive 70.28 per cent growth in March. India’s total merchandise exports during this period were $34 billion as compared to $21.49 billion in March 2020 registering a jump of 58.23 per cent. The monthly growth is the best-ever performance so far. The sudden jump in outbound shipments offers hope of a sustained growth in the sector in the coming months on the back of vaccine roll-out and containment of virus spread. With major economies of the world including India taking steps to boost demand and enhance business activities, international trade could reach pre-Covid level sooner than expected. “The strong growth in exports of engineering goods in the month of March suggests a bright outlook for

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LAND FOR SALE

the sector but one needs to be cautious before arriving at any conclusion on the basis of short term surge,” said EEPC India Chairman Mahesh Desai. “Despite downside risks in view of new virus strains and possible disruption in trade we remain optimistic given that the government has taken a number of measures to make India manufacturing hub and export competitive.” Stellar performance by the engineering goods sector pushed the overall merchandise exports in March. It is among the major commodity groups of export which recorded positive growth during March 2021 along with iron ore, electronic goods and gems and jewellery. Engineering items account for about 25 per cent of India’s total global exports in the goods sector and is one of the largest foreign exchange earners.

JOB VACANCY Male or Female Dimapur Jurisdiction Salary

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was $129.86 billion, $22.45 billion and $13.14 billion, respectively.” According to the agency, a faster-than-expected recovery in demand, the stimulus measures announced by the US, the roll out of Covid-19 vaccine and ultra-low interest rates are fuelling the surge in commodity prices. Consequently, energy commodity prices over the past six months have increased by 55.4 %, the increase in non-energy commodity prices is 19.3 %. Among the major non-en-

New Delhi, Apr 3 (IANS): Even as the country pushes for its expansion of the renewable energy projects, coal is set to remain as the predominant fuel in India’s energy mix in foreseeable future. As per the 19th Electric Power Survey, out of the all India power generation installed capacity of 6,19,066 MW by the end of 2026-27, coal based projects would have a high 40 per cent share at around 2,38,150 MW. However, this level of environmentally polluting coal-based capacity is a big fall from current levels where coal plants accounts for more than 50 per cent of installed capacity of roughly around 3,40,000 MW. What is heartening to see that the government power survey clearly indicating bid addition in renewable capacity in the country that is set to become the largest energy provider to the country over next five years. So,

Petrol, diesel prices revision unchanged for 4th consecutive day

VACANCY

Residential Plot of Land available for sale at Seithekima Basa, near Faith in Action Healing Prayer Center. 12ft. road provided to each plot. Price as below: 1. 236 × 415 sq.ft. (97,940 sq.ft) Bulk purchase – i. Price Negotiable. ii. Any size but not below 100X100sq. ft . price @ Rs. 150/sqft. 2. 110X140 (15,400 sqft.) – Rs. 150/sq. 3. Land with Building – Negotiable. Contact No. 9366723347. 8974668783. K-690

1. COOK/CHEF (should be expert in vegetarian items) 2. WAITER/WAITRESS 3. CLEANER Location : ADC Court Junction Café Bae, Dimapur, Nagaland Contact : 9366151812 9706030409 DP-1753

LAND FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

1. Padumpukhuri, Dimapur Area : 86,400 sq. ft. Rs. 350 per sq. ft. slide negotiable 2. Area 03 Bighas (Approximate) Rs. 270 per sq. ft. (any size) No filling Required Ph. No. : 9862128679 8014690505 No Broker

at Diphupar K Khel, near Eklavya School Rate : 380/- sq. ft. No Broker Contact : 9862485657

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New Delhi, Apr 3 (IANS): Further surge in global commodity prices will have serious implications for India’s economy which is still struggling to come out of the Covid-19 impact, ratings agency IndRa said. As per Ind-Ra, a higher retail inflation not accompanied by a commensurate increase in wage growth will adversely impact the consumption demand and in turn investment revival in the economy. “Though a spike in global agricultural commodity prices could benefit India, it may not move the needle favourably because India, despite the world’s biggest exporter of Basmati rice, exported just $6.59 billion worth of cereals and imported vegetable oil and pulses worth $9.66 billion and $1.44 billion, respectively, in FY20.” “On the other hand, India’s import bill on oil, coal and nonferrous metals

Coal to remain predominant fuel in India’s energy basket

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

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Surge in commodity prices to impact India’s economy: Ind-Ra

business/state

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

Probe on Taiwan train crash killed 51 Nepal oppn seeks Oli’s resignation

(L-R) Rescue workers remove a part of the derailed train. The families of the victims in a train crash try to conjure their spirits near Taroko Gorge in Hualien, Taiwan on Saturday. (AP/PTI)

train which were relatively unscathed. Fire service chiefs said they expected to find more bodies trapped in the carriages still inside the tunnel. It took place at about 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Friday. Some passengers at the back of the train were able to walk away unscathed, while 100 were rescued from the first four carriages. Many were trapped inside the wreckage for hours and some survivors told how they smashed windows to escape. Many of those on the train are believed to have been travelling to celebrate Taiwan’s Tomb Sweeping festival - a time when people pay their respects to the dead by visiting the graves of family members, sprucing them up and making offerings to their spirits. The death toll is the highest for a train crash in Taiwan in 73 years. In 1948 in Xindian district in Taipei, a passenger brought flammable material on to a train, causing a fire that burned four carriages, killing 64 people.

Kathmandu, Apr 3 (IANS): Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli who is in trouble inside his own party, is likely to face tougher days ahead as the primary opposition, Nepali Congress (NC) has decided to seek his resignation and initiate the formation of a new government under its leadership. The decisions were taken at a Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the NC. NC spokesperson Bishaw Prakash Sharma said the part has decided to seek Oli’s resignation as he has not taken any initiative of a way forward despite the House of Representatives, which he dissolved in December 2020, being restored. Prime Minister Oli himself is in a difficult position inside his own party, Nepal Communist Party-UML. A section of the party led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is forming parallel party structures within the UML after Oli suspended four senior leaders, including Nepal, for six months. Oli accused Nepal and

KP Sharma Oli

other leaders for being involved in anti-party activities and violating rules and norms. After Oli dissolved the House on December 20, 2020, a section of party leaders upped the ante against the Prime Minister and sought his resignation. On February 23, the Supreme Court of Nepal reinstated the House but Oli refused to step down. The apex court on March 7 dropped another bombshell invoking the 2018 party merger between Oli’s UML and Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s Nepal Communist PartyMaoist Center. Nepal, who was earlier close with Prachanda, returned to his mother party but Oli refused to incor-

porate them for supporting Dahal when the party was united under the banner of Nepal Communist Party. After Oli refused to welcome Nepal and his faction inside the old party, the Prime Minister’s party has once again landed in fresh trouble. After the Supreme Court split the Nepal Communist Party into two, the UML and Maoist Center, now, the Prachanda-led Maoist Center is also preparing to withdraw support lent to Oli in 2018 before the party unification. If Maoist Center withdrew its support, Oli’s party will automatically reduce to a minority government. In that case, either Oli has to take a vote of confidence or face a noconfidence motion. Nepali Congress’s decision to seek Oli’s resignation is a welcome step and time has come to remove Oli, former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said on Saturday. Time has come for other opposition parties to play their role, Bhattarai said, adding, today our foremost priority is to remove Oli.

Hualien County ( T a i wa n ) , A p r 3 (Agencies): Officials investigating a train crash in Taiwan that killed 51 people and injured 146, are focusing on a maintenance lorry that slid onto the track. The train hit the lorry then crashed inside a tunnel on Friday. A construction site manager suspected of negligence has been granted bail, BBC reported. Rescuers are yet to extract a number of mangled carriages from the tunnel and fear they may find more bodies. The train had been packed with people travel-

ling to celebrate a holiday. The accident was Taiwan’s worst rail disaster in more than 70 years. The train had been travelling from the capital Taipei to Taitung and was entering the tunnel north of Hualien when the crash happened. Many of the nearly 500 passengers on board may have been standing because the train was so full. The 408 train is one of the fastest deployed on Taiwan’s network and can reach speeds of 130km/h (80mph). President Tsai Ingwen visited a hospital in Hualien on Saturday to

Bangladesh to impose oneweek lockdown

Blinken assures justice to Pearl’s family Sri Lanka tightens church security ahead of Easter

Sheikh, the main accused in the case of beheading American scribe Daniel Pearl in 2002, to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. A three-member bench of the top court, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, heard the matter pertaining to the release of accused persons in the Daniel Pearl murder case, reported The News International.

Mogadishu, Apr 3 (IANS): At least 23 people were killed on Saturday Islamist attacks on two military bases in Somalia. Two suicide car bombers struck two army positions in the district of Awdhegle and Bariire village in the volatile Lower Shabelle province, dpa news agency reported. “Al-Shabaab attackers carried out a complex attack on two military bases in Lower Shabelle province this morning,” government spokesman Ismael Mukhtar said here. Shortly after the bombings, the heavily-armed insurgents tried to storm the army

ticles can stay there for a very long period of time,” said Nga Lee (Sally) Ng, a co-author of the study from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In the research, the scientists tested 33 different commercially accessible materials, including single-layer woven fabrics such as cotton and woven polyester, blended fabrics, cellulose-based materials, and those commonly used in hospitals. “We learned there was a lot of variability in filtration performance even in the same type of material,” Ng said. According to the scientists, commercially available materials that provide acceptable levels of submicron particle rejection while still maintaining air flow resistance similar to a surgical mask. “These materials combine fabric fibre density, a maze-like structure, and fibre surface chemistry to effectively reject submicron particles,” said Ryan Lively, another co-author of the study.

bases. Gunfire was exchanged until the morning, when the Somali armed forces said they had killed 19 militants in both attacks. “We have repelled the terrorists who wanted to cause havoc on our army. We have lost 4 soldiers and scores of others were wounded,” army commander Abdullahi Rage told dpa. He said soldiers were pursuing the attackers and further information about casualty numbers would be provided later. Residents also said civilians had been injured by stray bullets.

APOLOGY

Through this column, we MR. CHETBA and MR.L. MANLAN owe our sincere apology to the entire Ao Community, Ao Senso Telongjem Longleng and Medical Ward Longleng for tarnishing and defaming the reputation through our reckless act where we have uploaded a video of MR. MONGMEI who committed thief on 29th March 2021 at Medical Ward, Longleng. While interrogating MR. MONGMEI, he admitted that he belongs to Ao Community. Since we find complication of his tribe, we let MR. MONGMEI to say repeatedly that he belongs to Ao Community to avoid future complication. Therefore, we seek forgiveness from each and everyone for hurting the sentiments and we assure that we shall never repeat the same in near future. Sd/Sd/MR. L. MANLAN MR.CHETBA

MOPONG HONGKONG UNION DIMAPUR PRESS NOTE The Mopong Hongkong Union Dimapur is set to celebrate its 7th session Aoleang-Mo (festival) on 6th of April 2021 at its Union Treasury, Mount View Colony, Purana Bazar. Shri. Charlie Sekhose, PDA Member and Sr. Vice President, NDPP has kindly consented to be the Special Guest on the occasion. All the Hongkong YÜKYHA (in laws) in and around Dimapur are invited to the celebration as special invitees. The Union also request the bonafide members of MHUD to be present by 9 AM sharp at the venue. DP-1757

P. NYAKBA KONYAK Gen. Secretary MHUD

APPRECIATION We, the Aliba Village Council would like to extend our appreciation to the Assam Rifles, Mokokchung Unit, under the command of Colonel Raj Bishnoi. Your assistance in digging the drainage at our village ground, and also clearing some of the obstacles along a roadside was very much needed and we are ever thankful for your willingness to help our community. S/d Chairman, Aliba Village Council MKC-102

Sri Lanka bomb blasts: Inside St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2019. (Reuters/File)

in the church attack. As many as 270 people, including 11 Indians, were killed and around 500 others injured when six near-simultaneous and coordinated explosions, carried out by local jihadist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) linked to the Islamic State (IS), rocked three churches and three luxury hotels frequented by tourists in Sri Lanka on April 21. While describing the horror scene at the St Sebastian’s Church, a top priest had said that pieces of flesh were thrown all over the walls, on the sanctuary and even outside the church. The church, built in

SUMI CHESS ASSOCIATION NAGALAND Regd. No. H.RS-4005 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind”. Lionel Hampton. The Sumi Chess Association, Nagaland (SCAN) would like to express our profound gratitude to each and every distinguished individuals, contractors and public leaders who had generously contributed towards the successful conclusion of 4 th ALL NAGALAND OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 organized by SCAN which was held from 24th to 26th March 2021 at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur. 1. Dr. Inaje Phuleshe, M.D Qhashito & Khuyili Memorial Trust. Satami 2. Shri. Howoto Jakhalu, 1st Class Contractor 3. Dr. Kisheto Awomi, Pastor, Chekiye Village Baptist Church 4. Shri Ikuto Zhimomi, Retd. Director and Chairman NSAMB, Dimapur 5. Er. Hutoi Sema, S.E Water Resource Department, GoN 6. Shri. Mughaho Awomi, State Chess Instructor and Arbiter 7. Shri KIvikhu Sema, Addl. Director. 8. Shri. Albert Ezung, CEO DMC 9. Shri Rothihu Tetseo (I.P.S), Commissioner of Police, Dimapur 10. Er Atovi Kiba Sema, Gen. Manager NST 11. Shri H.K Zhimomi, President Naga Hoho 12. Shri. Akashe Zhimomi, President DCCI 13. Er. Kitoshe Aye E.E( PHED) GoN. 14. M/s AQUA PACIFIC, Thahekhu Block 7, Dimapur 15. Shri Inavi Chishi P.D DRDA Zunheboto. 16. Shri Shikaho P Sema, Addl. Gen. Manager, NST 17. Shri Nameet Sethi, Dimapur 18. Shri Holuvi Ayemi, P.S to Hon’ble Advisor Shri Zhaleo Rio. 19. Shri Zhekugha Sema, Vice Principal Govt. College, Zunheboto. 20. Shri Tohoshe Sema 21. Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur 22. Shri Vitolu Chishi, E.A.C 23. Dr. Mlato Shikhu, Deputy Dir, H&FW GoN. 24. Er. Nikato Assumi, Chekiye Village Dimapur 25. Dr Newto Shohe 26. Shri Relo T Aye, ACP (Crime) Dimapur 27. Shri Kakishe Zhimomi, Tourism Officer &I.C Tourist Lodge Dimapur. 28. Dr. B. K Sethi and Dr. Sunil Sethi Dimapur. 29. M/s. Kiran Sports & Stationar, Church Road, Dimapur 30. M/s Nagaland Cold Drinks, Dimapur 31. M/s Sanitary Plaza, Dimapur 32. Shri Akhlish Kumar Singh, Mngr, The Touch Hotel, Honkong Market, Dmp. 33. Manager, Incharge and staff, Tourist Lodge, Dimapur 34. Media Partners (Nagaland Post, Sumi Kukuputsa, Nagaland Page, Morung Express, Eastern Mirror, Dimapur 24/7, Hornbill TV.) IKIHO SUMI President, SCAN

MUGHATO KIBAMI Gen. Secy, SCAN

1946, is one of the many churches in Sri Lanka dedicated to St Sebastian who is considered a martyr in the Catholic Church history. The head of the church, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has recently expressed his disappointment over the probe in the blasts, cautioning the government that

if justice is not served, he would approach international organisations. According to him, the investigations have only focused on failure to prevent the attack and not on the possible masterminds of the blasts. The previous government headed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was blamed for its inability to prevent the deadly attacks despite the prior intelligence made available on the impending terror strikes. The Buddhist-majority nation was about to mark a decade since ending a 37year-long Tamil separatist war in May 2009 when the suicide bombings in 2019 rocked the country.

DIMAPUR NKONJAN NIROYOE EKHUNG HQ. : DIMAPUR, NAGALAND

FELICITATION We, the Dimapur Nkonjan Niroyoe Ekhung (DNNE) extend our heartiest congratulations to Shri. T. Rabenthung Yanthan on being promoted to the post of Sub. Inspector (OPR), Nagaland Police Telecom Organisation (NPTO). The DNNE further wishes him the best in all his future endeavors and prays that the Almighty God bless and guide him constantly in discharging his duties efficiently. DP-1773

L. Yantsowo Lotha Chairman, DNNE OFFICE OF THE

LONGLENG TOWN STUDENTS' UNION District: Longleng, 798625 Nagaland

WORDS OF GRATITUDE

Longleng Town Students Union with pride and honour would like to express our special thanks and gratitude to those who supported us financially, materially and with prayers during the 10th Edition of Phom Monyiu open Volleyball Tournament organized by Longleng Town Students Union held from 30th March – 2nd April 2021, at Public Ground Longleng (Longleng Town). We would like to put on record its appreciation and acknowledge for their immense support namely. 1. Opening Ceremony Special Guest Smti. A. Shamthai Phom, President, Eastern Nagaland Women Organization (ENWO) 2. Closing Ceremony Special Guest Smti. C. Henow Phom, Vice President, Phom Gazetted Officers Association (PGOA) 3. Deputy Commissioner, Longleng. 4. Superintendent of Police, Longleng. 5. Medical Superintendent, Longleng. 6. District Sports Officer, Longleng. 7. Executive Engineer, PWD, Longleng. 8. SDO (POWER), Longleng. 9. Phom People’s Council. 10. Orangkong Students’ Union. 11. Shri. A.Shonglen Phom, President, High School Ward Longleng. 12. Shri. A.Mane Phom, President, Phom Students Conference. 13. Orangkong Students Union, Nyengching Unit, Longleng. 14. All the individuals Prize money sponsored. 15. Airtel Centre Longleng 16. Dr. E. Laklei, SDO. 17. Shri. Katak Phom, President, Nyenching Ward Union, Longleng. 18. Shri. Robin, ADC Longleng. 19. Shri. Longnyei, EAC Longleng 20. Shri. Robi Sangtam, EAC Longleng 21. Shri. S.P Hongmei Phom, LDA 22. Shri. C. Eliakum Phom, UDA 23. Shri. Yongko Phom 24. Shri. Longai Phom, DPO 25. Miss N.Yukong Denja. 26. Shri. Santosh, SIB 27. Shri. Tauhong Phom, DPO Sd/Sd/A. Angmau Phom L. Chuli Phom President G/Secretary Longleng Town Students’ Union Longleng Town Students’ Union

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In 2002, Daniel Pearl, the 38-year-old journalist of The Wall Street Journal’s South Asia bureau, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan to investigate a story of a terror group’s links to AlQaeda. Pakistan’s Supreme Court last month allowed government authorities to move Ahmed Omar Saeed

Colombo, Apr 3 (PTI): Security at churches across Sri Lanka have been beefed up ahead of Easter on Sunday, police said on Saturday, in the wake of the April 2019 coordinated attacks on tourists and minority Christian community in the country in which 270 people were killed. “We have tightened security of churches by deploying over 12,000 security personnel,” Senior Deputy Inspector General and police spokesperson Ajith Rohana told reporters here. The security personnel include 9,350 police officials and 2,542 troops from the tri forces (Army, Nay and Air Force), he said. Rohana said some 111 churches in the western coastal town of Negombo would be provided security, along with 107 churches in the neighbouring coastal town of Chilaw and some 98 churches in the eastern town of Batticaloa. The St Sebastian’s Church at Negombo’s Katuwapitiya was the worst-hit in the Easter Sunday blasts that rocked the island nation in 2019 with 114 people dying

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Anthony Blinken and Daniel Pearl (Reuters)

23 dead in attacks on 2 Somalian bases

Multilayer masks can reduce particle transmission by 96% Washington, Apr 3 (PTI): Properly fitted multilayer masks block 84 per cent of particles expelled by a person wearing it, while two people donning these types of masks can reduce transmission by close to 96 per cent, according to a new study. While wearing a face mask can protect people from COVID-19, scientists, including those from Georgia Institute of Technology in the US, said the type of material, tightness of fit, and the number of fabric layers used can significantly affect exposure risk to the novel coronavirus. The study, published in the journal Aerosol Science and Technology, measured the filtration efficiency of ultrasmall submicron particles passing through a variety of different materials. “A submicron particle can stay in the air for hours and days, depending on the ventilation, so if you have a room that is not ventilated or poorly ventilated then these small par-

named construction site manager was released on $15,000 (£11,000) bail after prosecutors sought a warrant for his arrest. He could face charges of causing death by negligence and of forging documents and he said he was co-operating with investigators. “Prosecutors will certainly step up investigation and understanding of the crimes or of other suspects involved in the case,” department of prosecutorial affairs director-general Lin Jinn-tsun said. Meanwhile, recovery teams have begun removing the rear carriages of the

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Dhaka, Apr 3 (IANS): The Bangladesh government has decided to enforce a one-week lockdown from April 5 to control the new Covid-19 wave in the country, a Minister announced here on Saturday. Bangladeshi Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader made the announcement in an online press conference in Dhaka on Saturday. Meanwhile, the country’s Minister of State for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said they would soon issue fresh guidelines covering people and services to be exempted from the lockdown. Factories will remain open and workers can work shifts by following hygiene rules. The first lockdown, described as a general holiday by the government along with a transport shutdown, had started on March 26, 2020 after the first Covid-19 cases and deaths were reported, bdnews24 reported. The public were told to stay at home with all sorts of public transportation suspended. Educational instructions were shut from March 17, 2020.

Washington, APR 3 (Agencies): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the family of late journalist Daniel Pearl and assured them that the government remains committed to justice and accountability for those involved in kidnapping and killing him, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with members of the family of Daniel Pearl and their representatives today to assure them that the US government remains committed to pursuing justice and accountability for those involved in Daniel’s kidnapping and murder,” Ned Price said on Friday as reported by Sputnik.

“express my sympathy to the families of the victims,” she said. Grieving relatives, some holding makeshift shrines and weeping openly, held prayers at the crash site on Saturday. Flags across the island are being flown at half mast for three days. Among those honouring the victims were baseball players from the Fubon Guardians team, who observed a minute’s silence ahead of a game on Friday. Rescuers remain at the scene as part of the mangled train is still in the tunnel. On Saturday the un-

Infotainment

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13 new rare gene variants of Alzheimer’s identified T

Chinese police shuts down “worlds’s largest” video game cheating ring

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esearchers have identified 13 new rare genomic variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease in a first-of-its-kind human genome study. The lesser-known gene mutations may hold critical information about the biology of the disease and can lead to the development of

new drugs for the devastating neurological condition, according to researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in the US. The new gene variants are linked with the functioning of synapses -- the junctions that transmit information between

neurons -- development of neurons and neuroplasticity -- the ability of neurons to reorganise the brain’s neural network. “This paper brings us to the next stage of diseasegene discovery by allowing us to look at the entire sequence of the human genome and assess the rare

genomic variants, which we couldn’t do before,” said lead author Dmitry Prokopenko from MGH’s McCance Center for Brain Health. The results are published in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Rare gene variants are the dark matter of the human genome,” said Rudolph Tanzi, director of the hospital’s Genetics and Ageing Research Unit. Of the three billion pairs of nucleotide bases that form a complete set of DNA, each person has 50 to 60 million gene variants -- and 77 per cent are rare, he added. For the study, the researchers performed whole genome sequencing on the genomes of 2,247 individuals from 605 families that include multiple members who have been diagnosed with AD. They also analysed genome sequencing datasets on 1,669 unrelated individuals. (IANS)

he giant tech conglomerate Tencent and Chinese authorities collaborated to shut down what police described as “world’s largest” operation dedicated to selling video game cheats. Citing local media reports, the BBC reported that the enterprise sold cheats for popular games like Overwatch and Call of Duty Mobile. Local authorities said that the group, called Chicken Drumstick, sold cheats to “hundreds of countries and regions” through a website. Police reportedly seized around $46 million in assets and arrested 10 people in connection. The operation reportedly sold subscriptions costing as much as $10 per day or $200 a month, for revenues of $76 million. This isn’t the first time Tencent has collaborated with the police to bust cheating. In 2018, the company started cracking down on people cheating in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Police described the organization as the “world’s biggest” cheating operation. (Polygon)

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

BTS’ label HYBE merges with Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings

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YBE – the label of BTS formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment – has announced a new merger with Ithaca Holdings, the company of Scooter Braun. The news comes after Big Hit announced its rebranding as HYBE last month in an attempt to become a “music-based entertainment lifestyle company.” As part of the deal, Braun, who manages Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber among others, will now sit on the board of HYBE, while his business partner Scott Borchetta will remain CEO of the Big Machine label, formerly home to Taylor Swift. Of the deal, HYBE CEO Bang SiHyuk said (via Variety): “The inevitable joining of HYBE and Ithaca Holdings marks the start of a new adventure no one could have possibly imagined. The two companies will work closely together leveraging our proven track records of success, know–how, and expertise to create synergy, transcend borders and break down cultural barriers. “Please look forward to the endless possibilities of HYBE and Ithaca Holdings, and the new paradigm the partnership will establish in the music industry.” Braun added: “This will be the first time HYBE’s groundbreaking systems and curation will be integrated in the US market at the onset of an artist’s career. Plus, it will help us to continue to further the careers of the artists we already work with.

Global opportunities for artists become exponential with this partnership. “This is an opportunity for us to make history and further innovate the music industry and revolutionise the game itself. Its implications for the business will be monumentous for a long time to come. I am incredibly grateful for Chairman Bang’s friendship and his willingness to support the creative journey of an artist.” Scooter Braun has been in the headlines over the last year due to his purchasing of the Big Machine label, formerly home to Taylor Swift. Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings initially acquired the Big Machine Label Group back in June 2019, giving the company the rights to six of Swift’s albums from her 2006 self-titled debut through to 2017’s ‘Reputation’. (NME)

Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande team up on new song What is driving mobile gaming amid pandemic in India?

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Snoop Dogg announces new album

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mid the pandemic, especially the everything-from-home year, mobile gaming took off spectacularly in India. For consumers trying to deal with the prolonged social isolation, along with all the anxiety and ambiguity of the last year, mobile gaming provided a creative outlet. From my vantage point, I know of loved ones and peers who took to mobile games more fervently during the past year. As we complete the pandemic anniversary, let us ponder over what is actually driving mobile gaming, and what does the future portend. As smartphones continue to be the central nervous system of human lives, the dependence on phones for work, for learning, and most importantly, for unwinding and socialising through gaming rose during the last year. Much before the pandemic, mobile gaming was on the upswing, driven by the ubiquitous smartphones and the availability of low-cost data. At CyberMedia Research (CMR), our ongoing research around gaming has thrown some interesting insights. For instance, mobile gaming in India is driven by an array of gamer personas, ranging from the serious to the hyper-casual gamers. The growth in mobile gaming was led not by serious gamers, but rather casual and hyper-casual gamers.

Amitabh starrer ‘Chehre’ postponed due to COVID

noop Dogg has announced his next album will be heading to London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, called ‘From Tha Streets 2 Tha Suites’. Taking to Belfast, and Dublin. All original tickets for the gigs social media earlier this week to share news remain valid. ollywood superstar of his next single, the legendary rapper The rescheduled tour also includes Amitabh Bachchan revealed the title of his 18th studio a new date and will now see Snoop and Emraan Hashalbum – the follow up to 2019’s ‘I visiting Killarney, County Kerry in mi’s film Chehre was slated Wanna Thank Me’. Ireland. Meanwhile, Snoop has “NEW SINGLE ALERT teamed up with Ice Cube, Too to hit the silver screens OFF NEW ALBUM ‘From Short, and E-40 to launch a on April 9. The trailer of Tha Streets 2 Tha Suites’,” he hip-hop supergroup called Mt. the upcoming flick was wrote on Instagram. “‘RoachWestmore. The four rappers unveiled last month. The es In My Ashtray’ new single are reportedly set to release makers have decided to + video dropping this Friday, their debut album this month, postpone the release of April 2.” with more “volumes” coming their film due to the increasing number of COVID‘Roaches In My Ashin the future. tray’ follows last month’s “We have recorded some- 19 cases in the country. ‘CEO’, which hears Snoop where in the neighbourhood ‘Chehre’ director Rumi reflect on his success in the of 50 songs. ‘Volume 1’ will Jaffery, while exclusively music industry. Last month, be released in April and the talking to ABP News, said Snoop rescheduled his UK and rest of the volumes will follow,” that the film would release Ireland tour for a third time to Too $hort told DJ Vlad in a recent at the right time. The mys2022. interview, formally announcing the tery thriller also stars Rhea The ‘I Wanna Thank Me Tour’ project. Chakraborty. will kick off next March in Glasgow before (NME) (ABP News)

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Nagaland mega entertainment conducts physique round

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agaland mega entertainment conducted the physique round at Ciekhan fitness, Kezekei, Kohima on April 3, 2021 as a part of Mr & Miss Nagaland mega model hunt season-1 which would be held on April 24 at RCEMPA, Jotsoma, Kohima. The jury members for the event included Thejakhrietuo Kire, Ape Puro and Neisa Rupreo. Hukupa, proprietor of Ciekhan fitness was the mentor for the physique round. According to Nagaland mega entertainment president, Samuel Achy Phom, the finalist will be vying for the title of Mr & Miss Nagaland mega model hunt season-1 and the winners will get a direct entry into Mr & Miss India globe and northeast and would also be featured in the upcoming 2021 hornbill festival tourism magazine. Participants of Mr & Miss Nagaland mega model hunt season-1 along with jury (DIPR) members at Ciekhan fitness, Kohima. (DIPR) K Y M C

The democratisation of gaming can be traced to the smartphone usage. With smartphones, the need for dedicated gaming hardware devices is not felt. No consoles required. Additionally, mobile gaming apps evoke a sense of familiarity with consumers. Think Puzzles. Or card games. With ease of access to such ‘freemium’ gaming apps online, more users than before, who typically do not identify themselves as ‘gamers’ have taken up gaming. Our research points out the gaming intents vary across consumer cohorts. For instance, serious gamers primarily play to ‘relieve stress’, while casual and hyper-casual gamers seek to have ‘fun’. The choice of games is dictated by recommendations from friends and family. Social networki n g and social messag- ing plat-

forms are two of the prominent channels for consumer awareness around new games. Today’s gamers have, on an average, close to seven games

installed on their mobile phones. Among these, there are at least four games that they play avidly. Interestingly, men prefer to unwind with mobile games in the early evening, while women mostly chose to play during late night. On an average, the duration of gaming play spans close to 90 minutes. Indians have traditionally enjoyed freemium offerings and seek value. The spike in game time during the pandemic led many gamers to veer towards paid gaming apps. For instance, six out of 10 serious gamers chose paid gaming apps, while others continued to use ‘freemium’ apps. Amidst the nationwide lockdown in early 2020, use of paid gaming increased by 15 per cent, while ‘freemium’ gaming apps increased by a mere 8 per cent. When it comes to smartphones, today’s gamers seek more -- more RAM, better battery life, increased storage, faster touch response and better processors. Smartphone brands are responding to the evolving mobile gaming needs. They seek to differentiate themselves with a focus on high refresh rates for smoother performance, enhanced displays, and bigger batteries, among others. As we look ahead, mobile gaming will only continue to become more mainstream. In doing so, it will become more exciting, more immersive and more social than before. (IANS)

Planning to take up COFFEE PLANTATION? Plant only healthy saplings for a healthy coffee plant. Well-nourished coffee saplings available at Lithanro Coffee Farm.

Seed Source: Coffee Board of India. Type of Saplings available: Robusta & Arabica For Details please contact: Ph : 7338446439 Follow us on Instagram : @ lithanro_coffee_farm Email: lithanrofarm02@gmail.com

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emi Lovato and Ariana Grande have teamed up on new song ‘Met Him Last Night’. Taken from Lovato’s new album ‘Dancing With The Devil… The Art Of Starting Over’ – out on April 2, the song marks the first time the two pop stars have collaborated with one another. Produced by Xavi and TBHits, the new song follows last month’s ‘Dancing with the Devil’, which featured in Lovato’s revelatory YouTube documentary – also called Dancing With The Devil. In a four-star review of ‘Dancing With The Devil… The Art Of Starting Over’, NME‘s Nick Levine called it “powerful, purposeful and uncompromising,” adding that it’s her “definitive artistic statement to date”. Last month, Lovato came out as pansexual and opened up on how her religious upbringing saw her repress her sexuality when he was growing up. The singer previously revealed she was queer in her Dancing With The Devil documentary and revealed more about her sexuality in a new interview. The singer spoke about how her religious upbringing saw her repress her sexuality when she was younger. Meanwhile, the likes of Ariana Grande, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake have all spoken out to condemn anti-Asian violence after a mass shooting in Atlanta last month. The attacks took place at two spas in the city, and at a massage parlour in the suburb of Acworth, which is located approximately 30 miles north of Atlanta. (NME)

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sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

Bellator MMA: Freire defeats Sanchez Taekwondo belt grading exam

New York, Apr 3 (Agencies): Two-division champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire showed off what makes him the best fighter in Bellator and perhaps the top featherweight in all of MMA on Friday night. Freire, a 33-year-old from Brazil, handed Emmanuel Sanchez his first stoppage loss with a technical submission by guil-

lotine choke in Round 1 to successfully defend his 145-pound title in the main event of Bellator 255 in Uncasville, Connecticut, ESPN reported. The fight, which took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in front of no fans because of the coronavirus pandemic, was a semifinal in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix. Freire (32-4), who also

reigns at lightweight, will take on unbeaten A.J. McKee in the final on a date to be determined. Freire has won seven straight fights and has 20 wins overall in Bellator, most ever in the promotion. He is one of only two fighters to become a Bellator double champion, along with heavyweight champ Ryan Bader, who used to also reign at light

I am obsessed with Pant: Ganguly Hyderabad kept New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): BCCI president Sourav Ganguly says he is “obsessed” with Rishabh Pant’s game and calls the swashbuckling India wicketkeeper-batsman “an absolute match-winner”. The former India captain added that he loves watching the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat. “There are some fantastic p l ay e r s and I think as President of the Board I should not say who is my favourite player. All are favourite to me but I enjoy Kohli, I enjoy Rohit Sharma,” Ganguly said during an interactive session organised by online tutorial app, Classplus. “I am obsessed with Rishabh Pant because I think he is just an absolute match-winner. Jasprit Bumrah is good, Mohammed Shami is good, I like Shardul Thakur a lot because he has got the courage and guts. “There is immense cricketing talent in India. When (Sunil) Gavaskar was there people used to think what will happen after him, then came (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid, Anil Kumble. When Tendulkar, Dravid left, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant took over,” he said. “There is so much talent for cricket in India that I think it will produce world beaters in every generation.” Ganguly, who was picked for India’s tour of Australia in 1992 but didn’t get a single game, recalled how that experience Down Under and the hard work that followed in the subsequent years made him a better cricketer. “I consider my 1992 series as a failure. To be honest I didn’t get much opportunities to play and I came back from the tour of Australia, but I was young, That (series) actually helped me to become a better cricketer. “I came back stronger mentally. I was not fitter, I understood what international cricket was all about. I started to train myself over the period of 3-4 years not just physically but mentally also on how to handle the pressure,” he recalled.

as standby venue for IPL: report

Mumbai, Apr 3 (IANS): The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has kept Hyderabad as standby venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases in India. The focus is on Mumbai since Maharashtra is on the verge of lockdown. Although no official statement has been made, there have been indications of a lockdown by the state government. “ H yd e r a b a d h a s emerged as a back-up venue option, should one or more of the six designated host cities not be able to hold their matches,” a report in ESPNcricinfo stated on Saturday. The report added that none of the franchises have been spoken to by the board about a possible change in venue. The IPL 2021 will be held across six venues. While the first phase of the matches will be held in Chennai and Mumbai, the bandwagon moves to Ahmedabad and Delhi for the second phase. The last phase of the league games will be held in Bengaluru and Kolkata. The play-offs and the final are scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad towards the end of May. The matches will be played behind closed doors with no public allowed at the venues.

Lo n d o n, A p r 3 (Agencies): Conor McGregor has confirmed he will meet Dustin Poirier in the UFC octagon for a third time on July 10. The Irishman, a former two-weight world champion, came out of retirement for January’s rematch at UFC 257 but was stunned as Poirier claimed victory. McGregor had stopped the American inside 106 seconds in their first meeting in September 2014. “The fight is booked!” McGregor said on Instagram. “July 10th you’re gonna see what the Mac is about.” McGregor, who has a 22-5 record, will be searching for his first win

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form Portland Trail Blazers thanks to star man Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 47 points - the third time he has reached the 40point mark this season. Luka Doncic starred as the Dallas Mavericks beat the New York Knicks

Dimapur, Apr 3 (NPN): A total of 20 students were promoted to various categories during a belt grading examination held at Dreamwork’s Taekwondo Academy at Sematilla on Saturday. The belt grading ex-

amination was conducted at the Academy’s hall where students comprising five in yellow, four in green, eight in green-I, and three in blue were promoted. The belt grading examination was conducted by Sanjay Chetri, founder

of the academy. A product of Faith in Action, Sanjay Chetri, a black belt Dan-III, founded the Dreamwork’s Taekwondo Academy in 2019. Chetri is also planning to organise an interschool taekwondo championship in Dimapur.

ANTTA wins 3 medals at Thang-Ta c’ship DIMAPUR, APR 3 (NPN): All Nagaland Thang-Ta Association (ANTTA) won three medals- two silver and bronze, at the 26th National Thang-Ta Championship held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Imphal from March 27-30. The championship was organised by Huyel Langlong Thang-Ta Association,

Manipur under Thang-Ta Federation of India recognised by Khelo India and School Games Federation of India. For ANTTA, J. Rengwar Lamkang and T. Edger won the silver medals and Shiva Tanti clinched the bronze. The ten players state team was led by Johney John Francis as team coach and Michael Awomi as team manager.

since January 2020, while Poirier (27-6) is unbeaten since his 2019 defeat by Khabib Nurmagomedov. The trilogy fight will take place at UFC 264, which UFC president Dana White reportedly wants to hold in Las Vegas. Victory in their first meeting set McGregor on course for global stardom. He became UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight champion before facing Floyd Mayweather in one of the richest bouts in boxing history in 2017. Poirier, meanwhile, had to gradually work his way back into title contention and is now the number one lightweight contender, losing just two of his 13 fights since 2014.

Axar, 10 ground staff test positive for Covid Tashkent to host 2023 men’s Mumbai, Apr 3 (Agencies): The BCCI remains hopeful of conducting the scheduled IPL matches in Mumbai from April 1025 despite a massive surge in Covid-19 cases in the city and 10 members of the Wankhede Stadium staff testing positive for the deadly virus. With just seven days to go for the clash with Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals too has suffered a blow after left-arm spinner Axar Patel tested positive for the virus, news agency ANI reported.

Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam celebrated his birthday with 36 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Pascal Siakam marked his 27th birthday with a season-high 36 points for the Raptors, who themselves were on a four-game losing streak. Elsewhere the Milwaukee Bucks enjoyed a 127-109 win over the in-

Sanjay Chetri along with the students of Dreamwork’s Taekwondo Academy during the belt grading examination on Saturday.

McGregor confirms UFC trilogy fight with Poirier

Toronto rout Warriors in record victory London, Apr 3 (NPN): The Toronto Raptors recorded the biggest win in their history with a 130-77 demolition of the Golden State Warriors. The 53-point winning margin could have been worse, with the Raptors leading by 61 points at one stage, BBC reported. For the Warriors, it was the third-worst loss in their history - and “humiliating for everybody involved” according to coach Steve Kerr. “We just got destroyed. Not a whole lot to be said,” he added. The Warriors were without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and the loss was their sixth defeat in their last seven games. “I think without Steph and Draymond out there I think we were a little bit rudderless when things went south. We didn’t have the internal fight that we needed to kind of get over the hump,” Kerr said. “This is a time for soul searching for sure.”

Kee said, “ready to take him to the pound.” The two fighters then went nose to nose at the center of the cage and exchanged words. Friday’s fight was a rematch of a 2018 bout in which Freire successfully defended his 145pound belt by unanimous decision. That had been the only loss for Sanchez, a 30year-old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in his previous eight outings. The undercard had a couple of legendary names on it: Gracie and Nurmagomedov. Usman Nur magomedov, cousin of retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, ran his record to 12-0 in his Bellator debut. The 22-year-old won by unanimous decision over tough but overmatched lightweight Mike Hamel. Neiman Gracie, nephew of Renzo and Royce Gracie from the legendary Brazilian MMA family, lost a unanimous decision to welterweight Jason Jackson in a tight contest.

99-86 and the Boston Celtics beat the Houston Rockets 118-102. There were also wins for the Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and LA Lakers.

“Unfortunately, Axar has tested positive. he is in isolation and following all the protocols,” a source close to the development was quoted as saying. Indore and Hyderabad have been kept as stand by venues for the IPL in case the Covid situation spirals out of control. Mumbai is scheduled to host 10 games of the cash-rich league. With in excess of 47,000 cases on Friday, Maharashtra is looking at a potential situation of minilockdown. Of equal concern to the organisers is

the number of groundstaff at the Wankhede going up from 8 to 10 between Friday evening and Saturday morning. If that wasn’t enough, around six members of the event management team have also tested positive for Covid-19 and have been sent to isolation. “Yes, it was 8 positive cases yesterday as far as ground-staff are concerned. Today two more positive cases have emerged and all 10 have been sent back home and are isolated”, a senior Mumbai CA official told PTI.

BWF to discuss change in scoring system in AGM Kuala Lumpur, Apr 3 (IANS): The Badminton World Federation (BWF) will put forth a proposal to alter the badminton scoring system to best-of-five games of 11 points each from the current best-of-three games of 21 points at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 22. Several proposals from member associations will be discussed during the AGM, most notably a proposal from Badminton Indonesia and Badminton Maldives, seconded by Badminton Asia, to amend the “Laws of Badminton relating to the Scoring System”, the BWF said. The world governing body for the sport added that the BWF Council had taken forward the proposal and the voting will take place in May, Xinhua news agency reported. BWF president Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen said he welcomed the proposal. “The proposed scoring- system change is part of my vision to make badminton more exciting and

to increase the entertainment value for stakeholders and fans. “The last time this topic was tabled, it did resonate with a significant section of our membership with a narrow verdict met. We concede the timing was not right back then but I’m pleased to see this being driven by the membership once more,” he said. BWF has previously put forward the proposal to make the sport more attractive to the audience and reduce the length of matches. But the proposal was turned down. Larsen said the proposal, if adopted this time, will come into force after the Tokyo Olympics. “This (system) is proposed to be introduced after the (2021) Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. So, I’m confident this is a more favourable time to effect the change,” he said. The AGM will also elect the BWF president, deputy president, and vicepresident (Para Badminton). Elections will be conducted virtually.

boxing world championships

New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): The 2023 men’s boxing World Championships will be held in Uzbekistan capital Tashkent, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) announced on Friday. AIBA President Umar Kremlev confirmed Tashkent as the host city during a visit to Uzbekistan. “I am happy to announce Uzbekistan, the country which has strong boxers and a champion’s character, to be the host of the 2023 Championships. I am confident in the highlevel organisation, the huge fan’s support and spectacular fights,” said Kremlev in a statement. AIBA said a bid was presented by the Boxing Federation of Uzbekistan, which saw the organisation’s Board voting in favour of its candidature. During his visit to Uzbekistan, Krem-

lev held a working meeting and a press conference with the chairman of the NOC Rustam Shaabdurakhmonov and the first deputy chairman of Boxing Federation of Ukbezkistan Saken Polatov, where he discussed the development of boxing in Uzbekistan and central Asia and the first stages of preparation for the World Championships, the statement read. The 22nd edition of the competition will be the first time when Uzbekistan will be hosting it. “We are very thankful to our President and government for support in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and sports in our country. Uzbekistan is one of the most active members of the International Boxing Association, we have rich boxing history,” Shaabdurakhmonov said.

DP-1771

Patricio Freire, right, defeated Emmanuel Sanchez by submission Friday night to advance to the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix final. Bellator MMA.

heavyweight. Freire is No. 4 in the ESPN men’s featherweight rankings. After the fighters had measured each other from a distance for the first half of the opening round, Sanchez (20-5) came forward and Freire dropped him with a left hook. Freire pounced, and after Sanchez managed to climb back to his feet, Freire clamped on a guillotine and pulled him back to the canvas. There was no tapout, but referee Todd Anderson jumped in at 3 minutes, 35 seconds of the round after Sanchez appeared to lose consciousness. “It’s a normal movement for me, like in my veins, you know?” Freire said of the guillotine, a maneuver he has used to end six fights in his career. “It’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu. That’s a position I love very much.” After the fight, McKee was brought into the cage and addressed his matchup with the man known as “Pitbull.” “I’m bringing that leash to the kennel,” Mc-

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sports

CVA lift Monyiu volleyball title

CVA, the champions of Phom Monyiu open volleyball championship 2021 with special guest Henow Phom and others. (NP) Correspondent

Longleng, Apr 3 (NPN): ChangtongyaVolleyball Association (CVA) emerged as the champions of the 10th Phom Monyiu Open Volleyball championship 2021by defeating Seven Eleven Club Longleng in the final held on April 2 at local ground Longleng. The four-day long championship was organized and sponsored by Longleng Town Students’ Union (LTSU).

The closing ceremony was graced by vice president All Phom Gazetted Officers Association (APGOA), C. Henow Phom as special guest. The champion team walked away with of Rs.60,000 along with trophy and citation and runners-up received Rs. 30,000 along with trophy and citation. In the individual categories, Hentok Phom, Seven Eleven Club Longleng was named as the best spiker, Sari Lepzung

of CVA as best setter, Maosunep of CVA as best libero, while Achen Phom of Seven Eleven Club Longleng was named as the best team coach and best manager award was won by Thetong Phom of Yongshei Students Union. H. Moiyau Phom of Hukphang Students Union was named as the player of the tournament and the best disciplined team award was won by Uphao Club Yongphang village. All together 10 teams participated in the

West Brom stun 10-man Chelsea 5-2

West Bromwich Albion’s goalkeeper Sam Johnston dives to save a free kick, Saturday. (AP/PTI)

London, Apr 3 (AP): Matheus Pereira and Callum Robinson each scored doubles after Thiago Silva was sent off as West Brom secured a stunning 5-2 Premier League win at Chelsea. The Blues were unbeaten in 14 games under head coach Thomas Tuchel and had not conceded a goal in seven matches, but they suffered a shock defeat at the hands of the second-bottom Baggies at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Christian Pulisic put Chelsea in front, but Silva was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence only 29 minutes into his return from injury. The clinical Pereira then struck twice in first-half stoppage time and things went from

bad to worse for Chelsea after the break, with Robinson and Mbaye Diagne giving Albion a three-goal advantage. Mason Mount pulled one back, but Robinson applied the finishing touches in injury time as the brilliant Baggies secured a first away league victory over the London club since 1978. Albion started brightly, but Chelsea were in front after 27 minutes, when the alert Pulisic finished from close range after Marcos Alonso’s free-kick came back off the post. West Brom’s chances of mounting a fightback were given a major boost just a couple of minutes later, with Silva picking up a second yellow card for catching Okay Yokuslu as

he attempted to block the midfielder’s shot from just outside the penalty area. The Baggies were deservedly level two minutes into time added on at the end of the first half, Pereira lobbing Edouard Mendy with his left foot after Sam Johnstone’s clearance sailed over a static Chelsea defence. Pereira capitalised on more poor Blues defending just before the break, tucking a clinical left-foot finish inside the near post to give Albion a shock lead. Pereira was denied a hat-trick by the legs of Mendy as Albion continued to cause the Blues all sorts of problems and they had a two-goal cushion courtesy of a stunning Robinson strike after 63 minutes. Darnell Furlong was the architect, delivering an inviting cross from the right and Robinson beat Mendy with a magnificent volley as he burst into the box at speed. Sam Allardyce’s men were cutting Chelsea to pieces and Diagne finished off another devastating counter-attack before Werner set Mount up for a tap-in a few minutes later. Robinson added insult to injury in stoppage time, dinking over Mendy with a clever finish as Albion sensationally secured only a fourth win of the season in the top flight.

tournament. Earlier, the special guest lauded the organizing committee and Longleng Town students’ Union for successfully hosting the tournament. She said sports was one of the important and highly regarded profession in today’s world as it creates unity and harmony in the society apart from keeping one’s physical fit and strong. She also said that sports has the power to change the world, power to unit people from far and near and can impart positive attitude to the youths and gives hopes and inspiration to achieve their goal in life. She further said by participating through such platform, the talent and skills of the youths are harnessed and can also display their potential at large extend which gives them amble opportunity and positivity in life to pursue. She also called upon the organizing committee and LTSU to work in unity and create coexistence even in the days.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

Kamal gets official confirmation of Tokyo qualification

New Delhi, Apr 3 (IANS): Top Indian table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal got a shot in the arm ahead of the 2021 Olympics when it was officially confirmed on Saturday that he had qualified for the quadrennial event in the men’s singles category. The Chennai-based player, who rose two spots in the ITTF world rankings on Saturday, tweeted “Official confirmation of qualification in the Men’s Singles Achanta Sharath Kamal event for the @Tokyo2020 Olympic Games with the most recent Happy to rise a couple of places rankings released by @ittfworld. to 30th.”

The top-ranked India player had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics last month when he had beaten Pakistan’s Rameez Muhammad in the Asian Olympic Qualification tournament at Doha, but the confirmation about his qualification has come a fortnight later. This will be Sharath Kamal’s fourth Olympic Games in men’s singles, having competed in the quadrennial Games for the first time in 2004 Athens, where India’s shotgun shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had won the silver medal in double trap.

Chanu to lead Indian challenge at Asian weightlifting

Mirabai Chanu

New Delhi, Apr 3 (IANS): Former world champion Mirabai Chanu will lead the Indian challenge in women’s 49kg category at the upcoming Asian Weightlifting Championships to be held at Tashkent in Uzbekistan from April 16 to 25. The competition, an Olympic qualifier, is expected to attract top weightlifters from across the Asian continent. While 26-year-old Mirabai is the star attraction in the women’s category, the 18-yearold Jeremy Lalrinnuga is the best bet in men’s section. He will compete in the 67kg. The competition was postponed in 2020 due to the global pandemic and was rescheduled for 2021. It’s mandatory for all competitors to have RT PCR Covid19 negative reports issued no later than 72 hours before arrival. According to Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF), the report should be furnished on arrival at the Tashkent airport.

Djokovic pulls out of Madrid Open: reports

Novak Djokovic

Madrid, Apr 3 (IANS): Tennis ace and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will not be competing in this year’s edition of the Madrid Open, according to reports in Serbian media. It was expected that the Serb, fresh from his Australian Open triumph in February, would compete in the clay-court Masters 1000 event, which was called off last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But the winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, only two behind the joint record holders Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal with 20 Slam titles each, has decided to skip the tournament from May 2-9 where he is the defending

champion. The 33-year-old has won the Madrid Open title thrice with the last triumph coming in 2019 where he defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. Had Djokovic not pulled out, he would have been defending 500 points from his 2019 result -- half of the usual total of 1000 for a Masters series title --- due to Covid-adjusted ‘Best-of ’ ATP ranking system. The Serbian has also pulled out of the Miami Open Masters 1000 tournament, currently underway. Djokovic had last featured in the Australian Open in February, where he crushed Daniil Medvedev for the title.

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